History
The Horsburgh Lighthouse was named after Captain James Horsburgh (September 28, 1762 – May 14, 1836), a Scottish hydrographer from the East India Company, who mapped many seaways around Singapore in the late 18th century and early 19th century. He was called "The Nautical Oracle of the World". His charts and books allowed ships to navigate through treacherous areas of the ocean, saving many lives and property on the seas between China and India. On the wall of the visitors room of the lighthouse there is the following memorial:
| “ | Pharos Ego
Cui nomen praebuit Horsburgh Hydrographus In maribus Indo Sinicis praeter omnes proeclarus Angliae Mercatorum nisi imprimus indole Ex imperii opibus Anglo Indici denique constructa Saluti nautarum insignis viri memoriae Consulo A.D. MDCCCLI W. J. Butterworth, c.b., Prov: Malacc. Proof. |
” |
A.D. 1851
which in translation reads: The Horsburgh Lighthouse is raised by the British enterprise of British Merchants, and by the liberal aid of the East India Company, to lessen the dangers of navigation, and likewise to hand down, so long as it shall last, in the scene of his useful labours.
To the Memory of the Great Hydrographer whose name it bears.
Col. W. J. Butterworth, c.b.
Governor in the Straits of Malacca.
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