The arrival of the British in 1819 led to the expansion, development and transformation of the river from a marsh to the centre of Singapore’s commercial activity for more than 150 years. As large shipping slowly moved to port facilities away from the river, the Singapore River became the base for regional trade. Cavenagh Bridge was built in 1869 and was named after the last Governor of the Straits Settlement, Colonel Orfeur Cavenagh. He was succeeded by Colonel Sir Harry St. George Ord, the first Governor of the Straits Settlements when Penang, Malacca and Singapore became Crown Colonies and were directly ruled from London.
