Cavenagh Bridge, Oldest Bridge in Town

Cavenagh Bridge, Oldest Bridge in Town

Another day in Singapore, trip around this town always be good here, moreover if the sky is blue and bright like that afternoon. Cavenagh Bridge is one of my favorite place to go in Singapore, the oldest bridge in town.Since I landed in afternoon time, so I decided to go to this bridge straight, moreover I also planned my self to go to Asian Civilization Museum which is near the bridge.

Cavenagh Bridge was built by the year 1868, in order to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements held in 1869. It is named after Colonel Cavenagh, the last Governor of the Straits Settlements (1859 - 1867) under the Government of British India. This bridge was planned to be named "Edinburgh Bridge" by the Governer Ord, since this bridge was first used during the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Singapore, but the city council decided to named it after a Colonel Cavenagh. This bridge was the last major project undertaken by Indian labor in 1869, and was opened without any special ceremony. It was designed by Colonel G.C. Collyer, Chief Engineer of the Straits Settlements, with R.M. Ordish, of the Public Works Department, then under the charge of John Turnbull Thomson. Its steel structure was shipped out from Glasgow by P&W MacLellan, and constructed by these P&W MacLellan Engineers of Scotland of the Clutha Ironworks. It was also the same company that had built the cast iron Telok Ayer Market.

Back in that time, the bridge linked Commercial Square (Raffles Place) and the government quarter, an essential alternative to get to the Post Office, replacing the ferry crossing which had cost a duit ("one cent") per ride.

In 1909, another bridge was built namely Anderson Bridge. Since the Anderson bridge was done all heavy traffic was diverted there, Cavenagh Bridge was declared off limits to "Vehicles Exceeding 3cwts, cattle and horses"only and then converted again into pedestrian bridge.

Another problem passed by this bridge, had not been designed to make allowances for the tides and as late as 1983, the bumboats (tongkangs in Malay or twa-koh in Chinese) plowing the river had to wait for low tide before making their way under the bridge. Finally, Singapore Public Works Department (PWD) decided to do another refurbishment to the bridge. It was for 5 months long, cavenagh bridge got make over for it preserve and strengthen its structure. This bridge was reopen on 3 July 1987.

Nowadays, Cavenagh Bridge is one of tourism attraction in Singapore. Located between the famous Fullerton Hotel and Asian Civilization Museum, make people always gather around this area. Since this area is also surrounding by a beatiful river view from the Singapore River, near with the Clarke Quay area and just a couple minutes from the Esplanade and Merlion Park.

It's not only tourist who often come here, when I was there, in that afternoon I saw many Singaporean family come together just to spend their afternoon here. Kids are running around, grandmother take her ice cream time, couple spend their lovely time near the bridge, I even saw a newlyweds to be did their pre wedding photo shot in the Bridge. Cute.. :). Last but not least, near from the bridge, there are also some historical bronze sculptures, try to find it, it will be so fun. Up to today I just aware with the two sculptures, while my sister found the cats sculptures.

Adios.. ^_^