Mephan Ferguson
Mephan Ferguson (1843-1919)
1919 Obituary [1]
MEPHAN FERGUSON was born at Falkirk, Scotland, on 25th July 1843, and was educated at the Falkirk School and at Barnet School, Melbourne.
From 1860 to 1862 he served an apprenticeship with Mr. John Fleming, of Ballarat, which was followed by one with Mr. John Price, of the same town, where for twelve years he was engaged in constructing and erecting iron box and lattice girders for bridges and general mining work.
In 1873 he started in business on his own account in Melbourne, as general engineer, ironfounder, boiler-maker, pipe-founder, &c., and carried out a large number of contracts for the Government.
He invented in 1895 the locking-bar or rivetless pipe, and the machinery for making the pipes, which were adopted for the great Coolgardie Water Scheme of 350 miles of 30-inch diameter pipes.
Subsequently his rivetless pipe has been used on many Government and Municipal works in Australia, and at the Bombay Waterworks, where he erected a plant for the purpose. The pipe has also been adopted for gas and water schemes in England, the United States, Canada, and elsewhere. In connexion with his widespread interests he travelled considerably.
His death took place in Melbourne on 2nd November 1919, at the age of seventy-six.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1907.