Report by LINETTE HENG [Excerpt]

According to Chinese belief, if a woman throws an orange into a river on Chap Goh Mei, the last day of Chinese New Year, she will get a good husband.

More than 10 years ago, Mr Kelvin Ang, advised his friend to do just that.

In 2001, before the stroke of midnight on Chap Goh Mei, his friend threw an orange from Cavenagh Bridge into the Singapore River. A year later, she met the man who would become her husband.

And Mr Ang, 42, the director of conservation at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), is now godfather to the couple’s first child, a Primary 4 pupil, aged 10.

This is why Cavenagh Bridge, the oldest bridge across the Singapore River, holds special significance for Mr Ang.

He is one of the first contributors to the SG Heart Map, a nationwide project where people share the places in Singapore which hold a special meaning for them.

… The Cavenagh Bridge, built in 1868, was given conservation status by URA in 2009 and it is its historical significance that also intriques Mr Ang.

The avid reader pointed out that it was mentioned by famous author Joseph Conrad in some of his novels.

Mr Ang revealed another fun facts: The Fullerton Building (now Fullerton Hotel) and Cavenagh Bridge used to be known by people in the river trade as “husband and wife”.

He said: “Both the Fullerton Building and the Cavenagh Bridge are under conservation now and I think it’s romantic that many people choose to take their wedding pictures at the bridge, with Fullerton as the backdrop.”  (Souce: The New Paper)

The photos (above & below) of Cavenagh  Bridge taken in 1899 contributed by The National Archives, United Kingdom to NAS.

Recently, I discovered crazy things to prompt me to act instinctively, just do it like Nike’s ad to coax me.

Nothing to harm anybody by words or deeds, kill insects or animals, done anything against the law or illegal 🙂

I am speaking about my blog to walk and walk to blog to express myself.

On my walk down my memories to Singapore River this morning, the sky was bright and sunny.  What a blessing day, I thought?

Unexpectedly after my photo shoot mission was completed several hours later, it started to rain heavily like dogs and cats.  Thank goodness its not a wasted day. Job done!

Please share what I have done despite my forgetfulness during the monsoon season and didn’t bring along an umbrella.  Someone please remind this old man.

Che Kalthom Abdul Latiff, Lee Ling Ying and their heritage friends at the Cavenagh Bridge.

The bronze sculpture of the Kuchinta Singapura at the Cavenagh Bridge, at the bank of the Singapore River.  The Singapura Cat a.k.a. Kucinta (Kuchinta) is regarded as Singapore’s Tourism Board’s mascot. The Cat Fanciers Association in the US gave the Singapura cat pedigree status in 1988.

“Look, Ah Ma, those naked children are swimming in the Singapore River.”

I am now a roaming, roving “time traveller in a time machine”, a “memory tourist” of my home.

It is a worthwhile trip to walk, blog, experience and remember for posterity. All accomplished today to share with my Singapore memory friends.

Lina Catcat stood behind Cavenagh Bridge in 1990 and The Fullerton Building now known as Fullerton Hotel officially opened in 2001 (formerly GPO). Behind was Hongkong  & Shanghai Bank.

These photos were taken during Chinese New Year in 1992 with my boyfriend (now my hubby) before that I was with my three best friends aka sisters strolled along Singapore River n bridges in 1980s before we met our love life and eventually were married in late 1990.

A youth like me stood at Clifford Pier along Collyer Quay in 1983/4. Behind me were bumboats at Singapore River.

Memorable photos with courtesy of Lina Catcat with her description to share on this heritage blog.

“Explosion” at Cavenagh Bridge in 1902

According to a 112-year-old newspaper report in The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 10 April 1902, Page 3.  Headline [THE “GREAT” EXPLOSION].  (Source courtesy of NewspaperSG, National Library Board).

This morning were fired the heavy charges of dynamite that have been laid in tunnels cut in the rock that lies at the mouth of the Singapore River.  A full account of the preparations was given in our yesterday’s issue, and there is really not much else to say.

By the way of precaution the Government buildings from the Post Office eastward were vacated, and the valuable instruments of the Time Observatory removed.  Traffic across Cavanagh Bridge was stopped, and it was kept clear of foot passengers.  The Marine Police had a boat and launches kept out boats from the mouth of the river – in fact every precaution was taken.

The firing party of Royal Engineers was under command of Capt. Mildtred, R.E., Lt. Butterworth being also present.  The battery and firing table was placed under a tree by the side of Cavanagh Bridge, the cable being brought up there from the mouth of the river.  There was quite a party gathered to see His Excellency the Governor press the key.  The hon’ble Major Murray and Mr Gaffney represented the P.W.D. and Mr W. Adam, who has been in charge of the work, looked after the men coming up from the shaft where they had been completing the tamping and clearing.  Among others present were Hon’bles W.J. Napier and G.S. Murray, Mr Grigor Taylor, Dr Kerr. P.C.M.O. (who returned to the Colony yesterday), and several ladies.

At 11.40 the word was given that all was clear, the connections were screwed up, the Governor pressed the firing key and the charge was exploded.  The main effect was a strong earth-tremor that shook all buildings within a considerable radius.  The suspension rods of Cavanagh Bridge were vigorously rattling, and a column of water shot up about twenty feet at its highest point.  The air disturbance was remarkably small, nor was there any wave produced.  A minute later, all the bubbles had subsided, and the fears of those who thought the charges too great were proved to be groundless.  In fact the explosion was quite a pretty and tame function.

It may be mentioned that the Dynamite known as the “Devil Brand” was supplied by Messrs Guthrie & Co. and has been used throughout the mining operations.

The effect of the explosion on the rock is of course yet to be seen, but as regards the boring and firing it seems to have been quite a success.  The iron shaft and its staging above the water were not even disturbed.

Isn’t it interesting to learn about the primitive ways of engineering techniques used at Cavanagh Bridge over 100 years ago; long before the MRT was built with revolutionary engineering technology for drilling and boring underground below the Cavanagh Bridge at Singapore River?