Clifford Pier, Singapore

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Clifford Pier is a heritage pier that today is part of Fullerton Heritage, a dining and hospitality complex at the Singapore waterfront. It is in the Financial District next to Battery Road in Marina Bay. Clifford Pier was built between 1927 and 1933, and was named after Sir Hugh Clifford, the Governor of the Straits Settlements between 1927 and 1929. It was designed by the Public Works Department, under Frank Dorrington Ward, the Chief Architect.

Clifford Pier, Singapore (11 September 2010)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Clifford Pier replaces Johnston Pier, which has today disappeared under land reclamation. Johnston Pier was named after A.L. Johnston, an early European merchant in Singapore and one of the founders of the Chamber of Commerce. He was highly respected among the merchant community, and his import-export business had a direct connection with the harbor. The European merchants were opposed to the new pier named after a government administrator, and wanted the name Johnston Pier to be reinstated. They do not regard the name Clifford appropriate for the pier, as Sir Hugh Clifford had no connection with the harbor, other than being governor of the island. When the government went ahead to name it Clifford Pier, the merchants retaliated by boycotting the official opening of the pier. Nonetheless the government's choice prevailed.

Immigrants of the early 20th century used to arrive in Singapore at Clifford Pier. The Chinese called the pier Ang Teng Choon T'au in Hokkien and Hoong Tang Mah Thow in Cantonese, meaning Red Lattern Pier. Long after it has ceased that operation, Clifford pier was used for ferry services and boat trips to the outlying islands, particularly for pilgrimage trips to Kusu Island.

Clifford Pier, before the restoration (8 July 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

The use of Clifford Pier for ferry services ceased on 1 April 2006. At the same time, the construction of the Marina Barrage means that Marina Bay will be turned into a reservoir. Ferry services was then transferred to Marina South Pier. The position of Clifford Pier is safeguarded by it being gazetted by the National Heritage Board for conservation. The last that I heard, it will be restored and turned into (this being Singapore) a leisure, entertainment and retail centre.