Johnston's
Pier in Singapore, was a jetty, landing-platform
for the convenient arrival and departure of sea travellers. It once stood
opposite Fullerton Square, and Hong Kong Bank Building at Battery Road and
Collyer Quay. Built by the Municipal Commissioners, construction started in
early 1854 and was completed on 13 March
1856. In its time many famous dignitaries, including British Royalty and
other VIPs first set foot in Singapore on this pier. Johnston's Pier was named
after Alexander Laurie Johnston (b.
Dumfriesshire S Scotland - d. 19 February 1850, Bluehill. Kircudbright,
Scotland), one of the earliest European settlers in Singapore.
A platform made of iron and wood, extending
from shore over water, and supported by piles and pillars, the wide platform of
the pier reached out to the sea. These landing facilities included a 7-ton
crane costing $900. Initially, only the arrival/departure pier-end was covered,
and the increasing number of activity, made it necessary to be entirely
sheltered. Two handsome, stylishy designed ornamental lamp-posts, with fluted
columns, turn-over leaves, and four copper lanterns were ordered from England
to add a bit of elegance to its entrance. Another red lamp used to hang at the
end of the pier, warning ships as it entered the harbour. Thus Johnston's Pier
was popularly known as Lampu Merah or "Red Lamp" in
Malay; and also, Ang Teng (the Hokkien, Chinese dialect name)
and Lampu Merah and, Ang Teng, also became the
name for Clifford Pier.
By the 1930s, the pier was worn
out and the government decided to build a new one and name it
after Sir Clifford.
My friend Hing Yan sent
me this card.
