The Ocean Buildings

Posted by noelbynature under Buildings and Monuments
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Jerome shows us the fascinating history of the Ocean buildings, the latest incarnation of which is the Ocean Financial Tower, in the CBD, which is scheduled to be completed by next year. What do the Ocean Buildings have to do with steamships?

Steamships did for seafaring what trains did for overland travel - the ability to cross large distances without stopping for rest, or in the case of the steamship, for favourable wind. This meant that one could disregard the traditional sailing seasons and travel between ports at practically any time they wished - and Singapore was well-placed to be in the middle of the increased maritime traffic.

Many of us these day would probably have forgotten about the Straits Steamship Company and the significant role that the company played in Singapore’s development as a maritime nation. The company, when it was incorporated in 1890, was perhaps a reflection of what Singapore had become – a mix of east and west, with both investors of European origin as well as several of Asian origin. The fleet of ships that the company operated, numbered as many as 53 at its height, linking ports in much of the Malayan Peninsula and British Borneo, facilitating the development of many of the more remote parts of the region. The company had its headquarters at the curve of Collyer Quay, where it meets Cecil Street, and for a while was housed in a beautiful five storey example of colonial architecture, not the original, but the second Ocean Building.

The third Ocean Building was demolished only in 2007… can anyone remember what it looked like? You can find out in Jerome’s post, as well as how the Ocean buildings and steamships are related.

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