The first reclamation started around 1850. One of the first areas to be reclaimed was in front of Government properties (Post Office, Supreme Court) because many owners of lots at the old waterfront refused to allow reclamation. On the new reclaimed land (ML 100) a house was built: Duddell's / Hunt & Co. / Jardine, Matheson & Co.- ML 100 [1855-1907].
The owners of the next lots at Queen’s Road (namely Rustomjee & Co. / Keying House / The Parsee’s residence [1845-1868] and Dent & Co. - Queen's Rd (1st location) [1841-????]) refused to allow reclamation. Therefore the new seawall – instead of running straight eastwards - continued in a right angle inwards. This created a small harbour with the seawall being used as pier.
This was called Pedder’s Wharf already. It opened around 1855 and the small harbour vanished when the reclamation continued to the east (1860/61), but it looks as if still boats were lying at the seawall for loading/unloading.
When Dent & Co. (West - Praya and Pedder) / Melcher's Building - ML 7 Sec C [1863-1889] opened, it was likely the end of this wharf.
Photos that show this Place
