In an earlier posting, Sparklette mentioned Cavenagh Bridge which is Singapore’s oldest existing bridge in use from 1869. There are a couple of additional points that might interest readers. One is that there is a stamp issued in 1985 in honour of Cavenagh Bridge,
The other and more interesting point is that there is a notice put up by the Chief Police Officer that still warns users of the bridge.
This is a picture of the sign.
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Well, I think everything in the notice is clear to us except the weight limit of vehicles. How heavy is 3 CWT? The phrase ’3 CWT’ stands for 3 Hundredweight. And how much is a hundredweight? It is 112 pounds (50.8 kg). Thus, any vehicle (eg Rickshaw) carrying more than 150 kg would not be allowed to use the bridge. I guess one rickshaw passenger would have to get down and walk across the bridge and then re-board!
One other point about Cavenagh Bridge was that it was not high enough for the barges to pass below at high tide. This design fault was not known until the bridge was in use. Visitors to the bridge may notice that next to it is a bronze sculpture of youngsters taking a dip in the river (at high tide). Wish I had taken a picture of this sculpture to show you.
7 Responses
Wee Kiat, do you think that the bridge has since been strengthened? If so, do you know when or how many times it was done? It sure looks like it can withstand much more than 3 cwt or 150 kg load now. I have seen scores of people on the bridge before and it certainly doesn’t look like ‘Cavenagh Bridge is falling down’ anytime soon.
Posted on June 28th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Yes, the bridge can certainly withstand much more than 3 cwt load. which is just the weight of two fair-sized adults. I think what the authorities had in mind was to prevent ‘traffic jams’ on the bridge. The traffic jams could be caused by vehicles (mostly rickshaws and cargo-carts). The prohibtion on cattle and horses was not just due to the size of the animals but also their droppings (the modern equivalent of this problem is dog poo on our pavements.)
Posted on June 29th, 2006 at 2:15 am
Uncle Weeked,
The picture of First Generation can be found on my favourite website on Singapore public art.
Amy
Posted on June 29th, 2006 at 3:02 am
Hi! Amy,
Many thanks for the link-up to the sculpture of kids swimming in the Singapore River. Looking at the scupture I feel like joining in the swim!
I did join in a swim-across-Singapore River once. There were hundreds of participants. I remember the the ‘Guests-of-Honour” in this swim were 2 MPs, Mr Ho Kah Leong and Mr Fong Sip Chee.
Posted on June 29th, 2006 at 5:58 am
Your Descriptions are great!!
Posted on November 6th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I would very much like to perform my LAS VEGAS show for this special bridge!! Kevin Cavenagh.//contact me kevincavenagh@hotmail.com or 1-928-846-5184
Posted on May 25th, 2010 at 12:32 am
I did join in a swim-across-Singapore River once. There were hundreds of participants. I remember the the ‘Guests-of-Honour” in this swim were 2 MPs, Mr Ho Kah Leong and Mr Fong Sip Chee.
Posted on December 16th, 2010 at 8:55 am
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