View of Singapore, 19th century (watercolour)

Creator: British School This appears to be a view up the Singapore River to the high ground of what is now Fort Canning Park. The vessels shown are anchored in today's inner harbour. The area, still called the Esplanade, is to the right. The large building shown no longer survives but may be the early Court House. The two substantial western vessels are a full-rigged ship and a brig, beyond. On the right is a ketch-rigged Malay 'tongkang', a type widely used in the area in the 19th century, notably in the firewood trade, and which became the typical Singapore cargo lighter until later supplanted by the Chinese 'twakow'. The curious central feature between the masts may be a counterweighted gantry for loading and unloading.