Tarawa (CV 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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Singapore, the Liverpool of the East , a city of some 200,000 inhabitants, is situated on the 217 square mile Island of Singapore at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. In comparison with other cities ofthe orient, Singapore is of relatively recent origin, having been founded in 1819 by the East India Co. Prior to this date the island had been successively held by the Malays, Portuguese, and Dutch. In 1824 Great Britain bought the entire island of Singapore from the Sultan of Jahore and Singapore was incorporated into the Straits Settlements. In March of 1948 Singapore was detached from the Malay Federation and set up as the Colony of Singapore. Singapore is a modern city and most of the public buildings are quite new. However, such interesting places as the Mohammedan Mosques, Hindu and Buddhist Temples along with the Anglican Cathedral of St. Andrew combine to give Singapore a pleasing atmosphere of East meeting YVest. This is further emphasized by the contrast in costumes one sees on the street, Indian, Malayan, Chinese and European dress - all are visible at the same time. Because of the rain, more shopping than sightsee- ing was accomplished. Most everyone returned with either Siamese jewelry, alligator bags or Chinese carved ivory. Bali heads and cloth from the Netherlands East Indies were also available as were precious stones. Using trishaws, a bicycle contraption with side car, such places as the Raffles Museum, the Library and the Botanical Gardens were visited, but the most memor- able visits were those to the three YVorlds. The Great 1fVorld, The Happy 1Vorld, and The New 1iVorld. Here was the center of Singapore's night life with cabarets, cinemas, QEnglish, Chinese, Indian, etc.j, Chinese and Malayan theatres, shops and res- t2iul'Z1I1tS. It was at Singapore that the TAR.-UVA gave her first big reception as partial expression of our thanks for the generous hospitality extended to us during our too-brief visit.

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