32 SINGAPORE OLD STRAITS AND NEW HARBOUR. 
that Capt. Rous was ably assisted by Mr. Bernard, Agent of 
Lloyd’s, who came in the Rainbow from Malacca and whose 
practical knowledge of the Straits and Islands made his sugges- 
tions and information highly useful in exploring this unfrequent- 
ed track. 
It will be noted that the name New Harbour was in use in 
1826. 
1841. 
“ Horsburgh ” 5th edition vol: ii. 264. 
Singapore Strait called Governor Strait or New Strait by 
French and Portuguese. 
The name Straits of Singapore was first applied to Keppel Har- 
bour then (see Hamilton above) to the Sélat Tébrau and lastly to 
. the Straits now so called. 
1843-4 
Voyage of H.M.S. Samarang by Sir Edward Belcher, London 1848. 
Vol: Eh pageahso: 
Upon a cursory examination of the Chart of this Channel 
(constructed by Mr. Thompson in 1842) I observe that a safe and 
short channel would be available by night and day provided that 
a light were established on the hill above the Malay village. That 
a leading mark seen clear of the point of Blakan Mati would 
bring a steamer from the fairway fork (to either Channel) into 
the New Harbour by a direct course of twelve miles. | 
It will be noted that in 1842 Keppel Harbour had been sur- 
veyed. 
1848. 
‘Prisoners their own Warders,’’ McNair and Bayliss, London 1899 
page 66. 
In the year 1848 we find that the Indian convicts were em- 
ployed in blasting some considerable part of a mass of rock known 
to the Malays as Batu Belayer or “stone to sail to’ and by Eu- 
ropeans as © Lot’s wife.” It was a dangerous obstruction to 
navigation being situated on the Singapore side of the Western 
Entrance to the New Harbour. It is reported as known to old 
navigators, of these seas and was shown on old charts over two 
hundred years ago. 
The Government evidentiy took in hand in this year the im- 
provement of this channel, which they had caused to be surveyed 
by Mr. Thompson in 1842. 
1848. 
An anecdotal History of old Times in Singapore. C. B. Buckley 
Singapore 1902. page 4938. 
It was in May 30th of this year (1848) that Capt. Keppel 
wrote in his diary on board the ' Maeander ”’ : 
“On pulling about in my gig among the numerous prettily- 
wooded islands on the Westward entrance to the Singapore 
River I was astonished to find deep water close to the shore with 
a safe passage for ships larger than the “Maeander.” Now 
Jour. Straits Branch 
