The aerial view of Boat Quay shows the Singapore River congested with ‘twakows’, ‘tongkangs’ and sampans. These lighters ferried goods from seagoing vessels to the Chinese merchant shophouses and godowns that were found along the riverbank on the left. Many of these lighters were anchored along the river’s edge. In the background is Anderson Bridge which was named after Sir John Anderson, the Governor of the Straits Settlements.
