SHIPPING IN THE ARCHIPELAGO AT 15th-17th CENTURY

In the 15th century in Indonesia began to appear towns or port-emporiums. Port cities it developed in synergy with the development of Islam. This can be seen in the fact that the development of Islam in Indonesia is through the areas or the port cities such as Samudra Pasai, Aceh, Malacca, Demak, Gresik, Tuban, Cirebon, Banten, Ternate, and others. Between the port city with one another to hold mutual trade interactions. Of course, this activity using cruise lines as ingredients.

     With regard to shipping activities in the period of 15-17 century, it can not be separated from what is termed a shipbuilding technology. At that time there were already shipbuilding tradition that used to sail across the islands of the archipelago and to transport the goods of the trade. Shipbuilding tradition indigenous undergone significant changes since the arrival of Portuguese ships in the waters of the archipelago. This happens because a lot of the Portuguese working as an advisor and architect of the ship as was done by Van Linschotten in the late 16th century.

     Shipbuilding centers in the famous archipelago in Java. This shipyard in the 16th century is very popular in Southeast Asia. Skills Java architect so famous ship that Alfonso d'Albuquerque brought 60 skilled artisan when he left Malacca in 1512. However, the ship made in Java is limited to smaller ships that can sail fast for the war. In addition, also made a cargo ship with a small tonnage. According to the Netherlands, the center of shipbuilding in Java Lasem located between the famous ports, Tuban and Jepara and teak forest near Rembang. Shipbuilding technology in Java in the 16th century has been so good and great. It supports shipping activities between the cities of trade in various regions in the archipelago.

     The first shipping technology for the nation of Indonesia is using a system of monsoons. Knowledge of onshore wind and sea breezes are essential knowledge for sailors and fishermen. In the period of 15-17 century traders and sailors also use this knowledge and technology to sail trading cities that exist in other areas. Thus they can take advantage of the wind when sailing out at night and return home at noon. In addition, they also have to know quite a change in season. By utilizing wind shift then in October of ships departing from the Moluccas to the trade center in Ujungpandang, Gresik, Demak, Banten to Malacca and other towns in the west; whereas in March trip to the East can be done by boat from the west. Mastery of shipping technology enables sailors and merchant shipping activities and inter-island trade.

     For example, shipping networks occurs between Napier with Southeast Asia has been running quite well. This can only happen if supported by a good cruise capability and Makassar strategic location between Maluku, Nusa Tenggara, Java, and Kalimantan. In this voyage of traded goods such as rice, cloth, tobacco and cloves. Did not rule out anyway merchant shipping Makassar also establish contacts with Johor, Pahang, Pattani, Gujarat, and China.

     In this period (15-17th century) developing trade nets like webs of spiders that Anthony Reid refer to this period as "the age of commerce". This period became the foundation for the economic integration between the port cities in the archipelago such as Demak, Cirebon, Banten, Tuban, Gresik, Makassar, Banjarmasin, Ternate, Tidore, and so even though politically it happened disintegration.