Johnston's Pier, Singapore. Johnston's pier and the waterfront with its inner roadstead. Named after one of Singapore's pioneer businessmen, Alexander Laurie Johnston (d.1855), the pier was originally built in 1854-5. The pier featured here is a newer, enlarged version, constructed by the Public Works Department in 1889-91. Singapore, Straits Settlements (Singapore), circa 1895. Singapore, Central (Singapore), Singapore, South East Asia, Asia.