The Island of Pulau Saigon
In the 1800s, the island was a mangrove swamp located in the upper reaches of the Singapore River. As the area around the river flourished during the colonial period, more quays, docks and godowns (warehouses) were built along the river bank. The swampland that was once the island became a village (known as Kampong Saigon), and later it became an industrial and commercial area. Factories, abattoirs and warehouses were built on the island, and it was connected to the northern and southern banks by two bridges, denoted on maps as Bridges No. 1 and 2.
In the early 1900s, the railway line to Tanjong Pagar passed through the island south of the Tank Road Station, and a third bridge was constructed at the point where Clemenceau Avenue crosses the Singapore River.
As time went on, the buildings on the island fell into disrepair when the majority of trade was moved from the Singapore River to Keppel Harbour. The western arm of the stream was drained in 1972, and eastern arm was filled in 1991, and the island ceased to be. The name lives on in a bridge across the Singapore River called the Pulau Saigon Bridge (which was not one of the original bridges), but nothing else remains of the island itself, or any of the original buildings on it.
Tan Clan Ancestral Temple
Near the cache location is another historical building that fortunately is still standing: the Tan Si Chong Su.
Tan Si Chong Su was built on an area of 500 square metres, bound by Magazine Road, Havelock Road, Fisher Street and Boat Quay. The design of the temple was based on the temple architectural style favoured in the 19th century in southern China. The entrance of the temple once faced the stream that separated Pulau Saigon from the mainland, until the stream was filled in.
The temple has a sequence of two courtyards and two worship halls. The first courtyard separates the entrance and the main hall, where patron deities are housed. The second courtyard lies between the main hall and the rear hall, which contains the ancestral tablets of prominent members of the Tan clan.
The Cache
The cache is located near the entrance of the temple but not at the temple itself, so please do not poke around or search the ornate carvings and decorations. They are best admired from afar. In addition, please do not attempt to open the transformer/electric box --- the cache isn't there either. Keep your eyes open for the cache and any muggles that may be passing by. Happy hunting!