Edward Arthur Robert Innes
Edward Arthur Robert Innes (1852-1887)
1888 Obituary [1]
EDWARD ARTHUR ROBERT INNES, the eldest son of Lewis Charles lnnes, a member of the Indian Civil Service, and one of the Judges of the High Court of Madras, was born at Salem, in the Presidency of Madras, on the 19th of November, 1852.
He was educated at Mr. James Hewitt’s, at Rottingdean, in Sussex, and afterwards at King’s College, London.
Mr. Innes was articled to Sir John Coode, Vice-President Inst. C.E., for three years (October 1871 to October 1874), during which period he was engaged on sanitary and marine works at Weymouth, in the construction of the Corbiere Lighthouse at Jersey, and also on the new Harbour Works at St. Heliers.
On completion of his term of pupilage, he was engaged by Sir John Coode as Office Assistant from October 1874 to January 1876, during which time he was partially engaged on tidal and other investigations on the River Nene.
He was then appointed Assistant Engineer to Mr. William Shield on the Harbour Works at Port Elizabeth in the Cape Colony, which were being carried out under the direction of Sir John Coode. In this capacity he was employed in making marine and land surveys, and in the general conduct of the works, which were executed without the aid of a contractor.
Taking a very lively interest in his profession, he threw his whole heart into his work, and proved himself an able, willing, and reliable assistant in whatever service he was engaged. He eminently excelled as a draughtsman, having comparatively few equals. Being of a genial and courteous temperament, he was a great favourite with all who knew him.
In the year 1881, he was appointed Resident Engineer to the Natal Harbour Board, and in September of that year he proceeded to Durban to take up the duties of that position, which he held until the time of his death on the 16th of December, 1887. To these duties he devoted himself with great ability and with unflinching zeal and energy, so much so, that there is reason to fear that the long and painful illness, to which he succumbed, was engendered by a chill following upon prolonged exposure to wet whilst making a series of soundings on the bar and in the harbour.
Mr. Innes was elected an Associate Member on the 5th of March, 1878.