A Malay village from St James, off Pulau Brani

This late 19th-century photograph offers a view of Pulau Brani from St James. The latter was a promontory situated in between Blangah Bay and Sibet Bay, both of which were totally reclaimed by 1926 and have since been crossed by Keppel Road and Telok Blangah Road. Pulau Brani was the home of the Orang Laut (sea gypsies) and was also used as a coaling depot and repair dock for British naval vessels due to its secluded location.