Port of Singapore and a View of Government Hill from Boat Quay
A rare set of two early views of the Singapore River, published in the year 1835 in Paris France, in a publication describing the visit of Laplace to Singapore. The French corvette La Favorite, under the command of Captain Cyrille Laplace, sailed eastwards around the world between 1830 and 1833 on the orders of the King of France, Louis-Philippe, to attempt to re-establish French influence in Indochina and to give support to French traders in the ports visited.
Port de Singapour - Port of Singapore
The first view shows South Boat Quay with the north bank visible on the right. European merchants who were displaced from the north used warehouses on the originally marshy south bank after it was reclaimed in 1822. Masonry buildings and the row of steps built for ships to access the quay at high and low tide are also shown. Several buildings reflect Raffles' instructions for houses to be built of stone.
