This print of the Singapore River includes iconic landmarks which reveals the traces of Singapore’s history as a colonial settlement. The wooden footbridge depicted in the centre of the print was one of the earliest bridges over Singapore River. It was constructed by Lieutenant Philip Jackson, a naval draughtsman and surveyor who assisted Raffles in town planning. The Governor’s House on Government Hill is also shown, with its flagstaff which was used to signal the arrival of ships. This view of Singapore reflects the iconic impression of Singapore as a historical crossroads for trade between Europe and the East, highlighting the importance of shipping as part of the colony’s development. Through the 19th century, the visualization of Singapore is often focused on river and port scenes, highlighting the significance of shipping to the city’s formulated identity.
