Clifford Pier
Encyclopedia
Clifford Pier is a pier
located beside Collyer Quay
at Marina Bay
within the Downtown Core
of Central Area
, in Singapore
's central business district
.
Built in 1933, Clifford Pier was a landing
point for immigrants and other sea passengers. A red oil lamp
used to hang from the pier as a guide to seafarers, earning the pier the name Red Lamp Pier (Chinese: 红灯码头). The pier was later used as a terminal for tourists and day trippers who boarded small boats and ferries heading for the Southern Islands. During the annual pilgrimage
season to Kusu Island
, regular ferries departed from Clifford Pier to the island. Clifford Pier ceased operations on 1 April 2006, and was replaced by the Marina South Pier
.
, Governor of the Straits Settlements between 1927 and 1929.
Before the Tanjong Pagar
wharves were built in the 1850s, Johnston's Pier was the chief landing place. By the 1930s, the pier was worn out
and the government decided to build a new one and name it after Sir Clifford.
Its opening on 3 June 1933 was boycott
ed by merchant
s because they wanted the old name, Johnston's Pier, reinstated. A.L. Johnston was one of the earliest distinguished European
residents who was in Singapore at about the same time as Sir Stamford Raffles. A friend of the latter, Johnston was one of Singapore's first businessmen and the founder
of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a popular and well-respected citizen whose business was directly connected in those days with imports and exports to and from Europe, ships' victualling and supplies. This meant that ships' captains
called frequently on Johnston, who was well-known for his kindness, wisdom and hospitality.
Johnston established his company on the site of Whiteaway's Building (now Malayan Bank
Building) and in 1848 moved to the present Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank
site. In order to facilitate the transportation of import and export goods from boats, a pier was built by the company and named after Johnston. The Hoklos (Hokkien) called it ang theng beh thow and the Cantonese hoong tang mah thow, both meaning "red lamp harbour", referring to a red beacon
which shone over the pier at night as a warning to ships.
Sir Hugh Clifford, on the other hand, although a highly-regarded man, had no connection with the port of Singapore
or its amenities other than the fact that he was the governor. His activities were largely occupied with his visits to the Malay States and in particular Pahang
, the scene of much of his earlier service.
in the 1930s. The pier has a simple but unique architecture
with a roof structure comprising concrete
arch
ed truss
es in a riband form. Details, such as brackets and even the fire hose
cabinets
, were evidently designed with much consideration.
, a dam
across the Marina Channel which will convert the existing Marina Bay
into a reservoir, the existing Clifford Pier has ceased operations on 1 April 2006. The Marina South Pier
has been constructed at Marina South
and was opened in April 2006 to replace the existing Clifford Pier. The existing 26,000 square metre Clifford Pier site including its adjacent former Customs Harbour Branch building has been safeguarded for conservation
, and its surrounding land parcels are currently being developed into a retail
, leisure
, entertainment
and hotel centre.
Pier
A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...
located beside Collyer Quay
Collyer Quay
Collyer Quay is a road in Downtown Core, Singapore that starts after Fullerton Road and ends at the junction of Raffles Quay, Finlayson Green and Marina Boulevard...
at Marina Bay
Marina Bay
Marina Bay is a bay near Central Area in the southern part of Singapore, and lies to the east of the Downtown Core. Marina Bay is set to be a 24/7 destination with endless opportunities for people to “explore new living and lifestyle options, exchange new ideas and information for business, and be...
within the Downtown Core
Downtown Core
The Downtown Core is a 266-hectare urban planning area in the south of the city-state of Singapore. The Downtown Core surrounds the mouth of the Singapore River and southeastern portion of its watershed, and is part of the Central Area, Singapore's central business district...
of Central Area
Central Area
In Singapore, the Central Area or Central Business District contains the core financial and commercial districts, including eleven urban planning areas, namely Downtown Core, Marina East, Marina South, Museum, Newton, Orchard, Outram, River Valley, Rochor, Singapore River and Straits View as...
, in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
's central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
.
Built in 1933, Clifford Pier was a landing
Landing
thumb|A [[Mute Swan]] alighting. Note the ruffled feathers on top of the wings indicate that the swan is flying at the [[Stall |stall]]ing speed...
point for immigrants and other sea passengers. A red oil lamp
Oil lamp
An oil lamp is an object used to produce light continuously for a period of time using an oil-based fuel source. The use of oil lamps began thousands of years ago and is continued to this day....
used to hang from the pier as a guide to seafarers, earning the pier the name Red Lamp Pier (Chinese: 红灯码头). The pier was later used as a terminal for tourists and day trippers who boarded small boats and ferries heading for the Southern Islands. During the annual pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
season to Kusu Island
Kusu Island
Kusu Island is one of the Southern Islands in Singapore, located about 5.6 kilometres to the south of the main island of Singapore, off the Straits of Singapore. The name means "Tortoise Island" or "Turtle Island" in Chinese; the island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay...
, regular ferries departed from Clifford Pier to the island. Clifford Pier ceased operations on 1 April 2006, and was replaced by the Marina South Pier
Marina South Pier
Marina South Pier is a pier that is located in Marina South, Singapore. It is used as a terminal for tourists and day trippers who are boarding small boats and ferries heading for the Southern Islands. Regular ferries to Kusu Island and Saint John's Island operate daily.Marina South Pier was...
.
History
Clifford Pier was built between 1927 and 1933, and was named after Sir Hugh CliffordHugh Clifford
Sir Hugh Charles Clifford, GCMG, GBE was a British colonial administrator.-Early life:Clifford was born in Roehampton, London, the sixth of the eight children of Major-General Sir Henry Hugh Clifford and his wife Josephine Elizabeth, née Anstice; his grandfather was Hugh Clifford, 7th Baron...
, Governor of the Straits Settlements between 1927 and 1929.
Before the Tanjong Pagar
Tanjong Pagar
Tanjong Pagar is a historic district located within the Central Business District in Singapore, straddling the Outram Planning Area and the Downtown Core under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's urban planning zones....
wharves were built in the 1850s, Johnston's Pier was the chief landing place. By the 1930s, the pier was worn out
Wear
In materials science, wear is erosion or sideways displacement of material from its "derivative" and original position on a solid surface performed by the action of another surface....
and the government decided to build a new one and name it after Sir Clifford.
Its opening on 3 June 1933 was boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
ed by merchant
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
s because they wanted the old name, Johnston's Pier, reinstated. A.L. Johnston was one of the earliest distinguished European
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
residents who was in Singapore at about the same time as Sir Stamford Raffles. A friend of the latter, Johnston was one of Singapore's first businessmen and the founder
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a popular and well-respected citizen whose business was directly connected in those days with imports and exports to and from Europe, ships' victualling and supplies. This meant that ships' captains
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
called frequently on Johnston, who was well-known for his kindness, wisdom and hospitality.
Johnston established his company on the site of Whiteaway's Building (now Malayan Bank
Maybank
Maybank , a trade name for Malayan Banking Berhad is the largest bank and financial group in Malaysia, with significant banking operations in Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. The bank also has large interests in Islamic banking through Maybank Islamic Berhad and insurance via its Etiqa...
Building) and in 1848 moved to the present Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank
HSBC
HSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
site. In order to facilitate the transportation of import and export goods from boats, a pier was built by the company and named after Johnston. The Hoklos (Hokkien) called it ang theng beh thow and the Cantonese hoong tang mah thow, both meaning "red lamp harbour", referring to a red beacon
Beacon
A beacon is an intentionally conspicuous device designed to attract attention to a specific location.Beacons can also be combined with semaphoric or other indicators to provide important information, such as the status of an airport, by the colour and rotational pattern of its airport beacon, or of...
which shone over the pier at night as a warning to ships.
Sir Hugh Clifford, on the other hand, although a highly-regarded man, had no connection with the port of Singapore
Port of Singapore
The Port of Singapore refers to the collective facilities and terminals that conduct maritime trade handling functions in Singapore's harbours and which handle Singapore's shipping...
or its amenities other than the fact that he was the governor. His activities were largely occupied with his visits to the Malay States and in particular Pahang
Pahang
Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia, after Sarawak and Sabah, occupying the huge Pahang River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Kelantan, to the west by Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, to the south by Johor and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea.Its state...
, the scene of much of his earlier service.
Architecture
Clifford Pier was designed by the Public Works Department, where Frank Dorrington Ward was then the Chief ArchitectArchitect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
in the 1930s. The pier has a simple but unique architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
with a roof structure comprising concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
arch
Arch
An arch is a structure that spans a space and supports a load. Arches appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamian brick architecture and their systematic use started with the Ancient Romans who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures.-Technical aspects:The...
ed truss
Truss
In architecture and structural engineering, a truss is a structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed with straight members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes. External forces and reactions to those forces are considered to act only at the nodes and result in...
es in a riband form. Details, such as brackets and even the fire hose
Fire hose
A fire hose is a high-pressure hose used to carry water or other fire retardant to a fire to extinguish it. Outdoors, it is attached either to a fire engine or a fire hydrant. Indoors, it can be permanently attached to a building's standpipe or plumbing system...
cabinets
Cabinet (furniture)
A cabinet is usually a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors or drawers for storing miscellaneous items. Some cabinets stand alone while others are built into a wall or are attached to it like a medicine cabinet. Cabinets are typically made of wood or, now increasingly, of synthetic...
, were evidently designed with much consideration.
Marina South Pier
With the construction of the Marina BarrageMarina Barrage
The Marina Barrage is a dam in Singapore built across the mouth of the bay, between Marina East and Marina South. It was officially opened on 1 November 2008[1]...
, a dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
across the Marina Channel which will convert the existing Marina Bay
Marina Bay
Marina Bay is a bay near Central Area in the southern part of Singapore, and lies to the east of the Downtown Core. Marina Bay is set to be a 24/7 destination with endless opportunities for people to “explore new living and lifestyle options, exchange new ideas and information for business, and be...
into a reservoir, the existing Clifford Pier has ceased operations on 1 April 2006. The Marina South Pier
Marina South Pier
Marina South Pier is a pier that is located in Marina South, Singapore. It is used as a terminal for tourists and day trippers who are boarding small boats and ferries heading for the Southern Islands. Regular ferries to Kusu Island and Saint John's Island operate daily.Marina South Pier was...
has been constructed at Marina South
Marina South
Marina South is a peninsula adjacent to the Central Business District in Singapore, and also the name of an urban planning area in the Central Area of Singapore's Central Region.-History:...
and was opened in April 2006 to replace the existing Clifford Pier. The existing 26,000 square metre Clifford Pier site including its adjacent former Customs Harbour Branch building has been safeguarded for conservation
Architectural conservation
Architectural conservation describes the process through which the material, historical, and design integrity of mankind's built heritage are prolonged through carefully planned interventions. The individual engaged in this pursuit is known as an architectural conservator...
, and its surrounding land parcels are currently being developed into a retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
, leisure
Leisure
Leisure, or free time, is time spent away from business, work, and domestic chores. It is also the periods of time before or after necessary activities such as eating, sleeping and, where it is compulsory, education....
, entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
and hotel centre.