River Run

Way before Stamford Raffles was even born, much less a 'sir', there was Sang Nila Utama, who chanced upon the Singapore River and saw a 'strange beast with a red body, black head, and a white breast' at its mouth. It was later assumed to be a lion, hence the name Singapura.

But this river was not limited to being the star of a charming parable. Once Raffles came into the picture, it would soon become the lifeblood of the island's economy.

Spanning 3.2 km from the sea to the far end at Kim Seng Road, the river - spanning Clarke, Robertson and Boat Quay - was the hub of all shipping activity from the 1820s to 1840s. Ships would dock at the mouth of the river and along Boat Quay, handling trade in silk, porcelain, tea and spice. By the 1860s, however, the river became too crowded with vessels, so new wharfs were built to ease passage.