Wednesday February 22, 2023
The usual fun day at sea with a series of very interesting lectures. The first Mark Fitzpatrick talking about the Vietnam War followed by an interview with the Australian Major Charlie Lyn focusing on his service in the military during the Vietnam war, then 20 years in Australian politics and now establishing a company that trains leaders through walking through the jungles of Papua New Guinea. The final lecture we attended was by Keith Hockton who gave a very interesting and enlightening lecture on Stamford Raffles and the Scotsman – William Farquhar (1774-1839) as it relates to Singapore. It turns out that both were very bright East India Company employees who rose quickly through the ranks and at first were good friends. Farquhar initially being the more senior as he was the 6th Resident (head) in Malacca from 1813-1818 before becoming the first Resident (Boss) of Singapore from 1819 to 1823. Raffles then became his boss. Of note is that he had 2 children with 2 wives and that he was the 5X-grandfather of Justin Trudeau (premier of Canada). It was Farquhar that really made Singapore as Raffles only spent a few months in total there. Although it was Raffles that negotiated the terms with the local Chieftain of the Malay village of 150 people that were the only inhabitants of what is today Singapore. The agreement was signed by Raffles representing the East India Company and Temenggog Abdul Rahman on the 30th January 1819 and then the more formal agreement between Raffles, Rahman and the Sultan Hussein Mohammed Shah on 6th February 1819, allowing the East India Company permission to set up a trading post. Raffles then left Singapore the next day leaving Farquhar in charge. However, Raffles’ wife after his death made the name stick and most now have heard of Raffles and associate him with the creation / founding of Singapore, even though the credit should perhaps go to Farquhar who most people have never heard of and no streets, buildings etc a named after him. Raffles did not return to Singapore for 4 years by which time Farquhar had a thriving port, albeit allowing gambling and slave trading which Raffles disapproved of and made it known to Farquhar when he found out, years later.
The evening entertainment was split between the comedian – Ivor Richards and the new troupe of Singers and Dancers, doing a brief show. They need a lot of practice as they were all out of step with the choreography.
Roger & Anne Travels 