Block2Blog

By Victor S.G. Pragasam Edited by Cynthia Anne Victor Pragasam As someone who grew up in “Naval Base”, I share similar sentiments and fond memories with many of you who, like me, were former residents of the Old Sembawang township. In candid conversations with taxi drivers, I take pride in saying that I was from the old Sembawang area. There is a sense of identity and belonging that I would say is deeply embedded in my soul. Etched to this feeling are bountiful memories that I have had as a child, a son, a student, a friend, a neighbour, a colleague and as a member of the wonderful Sembawang community. The way we communicated with residents and even the shopkeepers were as if we were closely knitted. Nowadays, it is very different as I hardly know anyone. But whenever I bump into someone from my past, a loud cheerful roar and a joyful exchange often follows. A year ago, I had a pleasant reunion with Chan Peew Wan, whom you may know as the Co-admin of Block2Blog. We lost contact w

    When I told Sofea about sharing an aerial picture of the Dry Dock Project I did not expect it to land as an article. The picture brought back memories which I felt should be shared .                             Aerial pictures such as the above were taken to record progress of the project. I joined Sembawang Shipyard's Industrial Engineering Department as a Clerk (now referred to as clerical officer, office asst., admin asst. admin officer) in 1971 when feasibility studies were underway to understand the commercial viability of constructing the proposed 400,00dwt (deadweight ton) dry dock. The exercise was carried out in conjunction with the Economic Intelligence Unit presumably to realize the project's socio-economic benefits to the nation. Industry Leader Mr John Heathcote Director of the Shipyard’s Industrial Engineering Division (IED) played a key role in steering the Dry Dock Project.   A charismatic industry leader who also established the Engineering Division’s manu