MARITIME MUSEUM PHASE I (Flor de La Mar)
MALAY SHIP LANCHARA
The Portuguese gave a general name “Lanchara” to all the coasters that sailed in this archipelago and this particular model was called “Lanchara de Malayos” meaning Malay Lanchara. The illustration of this type coaster was found in the archieves in Lisbon.
“The Lanchara” ship was very suitable for this archipelago especially around the Straits of Malacca and the Java seas. It had a length of 18-2m and a width of 3m. The hull of the ships with its raised protective well could carry heavy load. This cargo hold had a movable of 2 prote of the goods and it had a cabin at the rear outside where double rudders that control the movements of the ship were located.
The cars were placed alongside for the usage when necessary. The hull formation was such that it was navigable even in the rivers and due to its size it could sail faster than the Malay Jongs. It had 2 square sails at the foremasts and at the main mast and a small rectangular sail at the reer. This ship could also be modified to perform as a naval ship.
INDIAN TRADE SHIP
The Indians have been sailing ships since the down of civilization the oldest Indian ship, the Dungiyah, existed during the role Alexander the Great and sailed the Arabian Sea. “The Patanar” was a swift ship and could be laden with cargo of considerable weight. Practically and documentation existed on the ships used by the Kalinga, Pallawa, Chola and Gujerat Kingdom which had trading relations with the earliest Kingdoms in the South East Asia. The Indian Ship model exhibited was adapted from an earlier illustration. This ship was made of a broad piece of wood and enforced by a high mast to with stand large waves. Its high and broad bull protected sea water from floading into the ship. This ship had two masts which bung square lugsails and a prominent feel. There was a cabin in the mid section of the ship. The presence of European powers eventually diminished India’s trading share in the South East Asia.
THE MALAY COASTER LANTCHA
Since the Malacca Sultanate era, many types of swift boats had been widely used not only as merchant vessels but also as naval fighters since these boats could sail close to the coast or in the rivers. These vessels was later referred to as “Lancara” or “Lantcha”. There were many types of coasters existed then but somehow the specific names of all those coasters had been lost over the centuries and the Europeans simply named the Malay coasters as “Lantcha” just like the Portuguese who referred to them as Lancara.
The model that is on display was one of the Malay Coastal Ship that was referred to as Lantcha. This Lantcha ship has adapted the hull formation of the European ships but otherwise maintained its exclusive exterior Malay features until modernization eliminated its usefulness. This Lantcha Malay Coaster had a length between 18-21m with a width about 3m supporting three thin short masts on which lugger type sails were hoisted. Those sails were either made of cloth or matting. Its prow had a lengthy projection and its stern contained rudders on each side. There were also long cars with rounded blades positioned along the deck. A cabin with thatched spot straightened by bamboo split situated towards the bow rather than at the sterns.
MALAY SHIP “JUNK”
For generations various ships were built in the Malay Archipelago. Among them included the Jong. Unfortunately not much locally written surfaced regarding this ship in comparison to foreign sources. The Jong was used prior to and after the Malay Melaka Sultanate. According to Portuguese sources, the Jong was the largest over sailed in these waters at that time. On his journey to capture Melaka in 1511, Alburqueque encountered Jongs from Pasai. The ship was larger and sturdier than the Portuguese Nau.
The Jong could only be defeated after its rudder was destroyed. Jong had a sturdy structure consisting of 4 layers of wood. The shape and lading capacity of this ship made it heavy and slowed down its movement. A large Jong could carry more than 1000 man and 1000 in tonnage. Its sail were insufficient in comparison to its size, causing its sluggish flow. The Jong had 3 masts each carrying square lugsail. It also had a cabin on its stern halt and was maneuvered by two rudders located on its rear.
THE ACEHNESE SHIPS
The island of Sumatera had a long history in trade and shipping. The Srivijaya was a reknown trading empire, in the Malay world. Samudera Pasai and Acheh maintained this tradition. Ship building techniques were developed. Alburqueque on his way to Melaka has encountered the Pasai. Ships and admired its stardiness. The Acehnese Sultanate became an established trading centre despite Portuguese rivalry. It traded with various countries including India and West Asia. The Portuguese encountered the Acehnese armada several times in the Straits of Malaka. In 1629, Aceh launched. A massive assault on Melaka, involving 100 of ships. After the Dutch come into power in this region, the Acehnese supremacy declined. Including their mastery in the shipping industry the model displayed is an Acehnese merchant armed with long shievel guns to protect itself. This Achenese boats has a narrow keel and well spaced broad planks forming a hollow hull that could carry substantial cargo. The 3 masts with its square sails controlled its movements. It also had a wooden anchor in front and a cabin at the rear. This ship measured 80-100 feet in length with a width between 15-20 feet and height of 10 feet. It plied along the Straits Of Melaka up to Makassar.
THE CHINESE JUNK
The Chinese have been sailing through the Straits of Melaka for centuries using their traditional sailing vessels called Junks. They had navigated to India and East Africa long before the European, to trade and forge diplomatic ties. The Chinese armada of Admiral Cheng Ho consisted of 62 warships and a large number auxiliary ships carrying 27800 men. The Chinese junks have maintained its traditional shape for centuries and its influence is traceable in other native sailing ships in the South East Asia. The European had adopted some constructive aspects of the Chinese junk. These junkers served as a cargo ships as well as warships.
THE MALAY COASTER LANCHA
Since the Melaka Malay Sultanate era, various types of ships and boats were constructed. Swift boats were used as trading vessels and at the sea battles. The model on display is a Lantcha. The Portuguses referred it as Lanchara. This ship had adopted the bull formation of the European ships but maintained the exclusive exterior of Malay features. This “Lantcha” measured 18-21m in length about 3m in width and supported 3 thin short masts. The sails were either made of cloth or melting. Its prow had and lengthy projection and its stern had rudders on each side. These ships could sail in the calm waters in the western part of Malay Archipelago.
MALAY COASTERS
Another coaster that had lost its name and later its existence is the displayed model that was created from an old painting. It was a typical existed designed to carry heavy lood. During its hey-day it sailed throughout Malay Archipelago.
This particular Malay Coaster was quite gumbersome and bulky in size but was constructed quite throughout. Dimention-wise these coaster at 6 metres. It had a flat and large bottom with a short straight keel and the hull painted white while the upper half varnished black. This coaster had 3 masts as well as a lengthy platform-type bowsprit that hold jib-bom sails. The masts hold either mating or rudders at the rear stabilised its movements.
This coaster also had a roof made of mating and its walls of trellis-work where the oars are placed. Even its deck would be stalked with goods such as bales, bamboo poles or timbers.
MALACCA COASTER “TOUP
The shipping industry of Malacca during the later half of the Dutch era, had declined considerably even thought it had a shipyard in the waterfront. The Dutch company administrators used force to ensure that the nativeboats did not become competitors to their maritime activities. Thus the Malay merchants unable to challenge the supreriority were force to built smaller ships to keep up theire sea faring traditiong. The model that is on display was one of Malacca coastal ships that plied along the coastal areas of western Peninsula and Indonesians Islanda. It was called “Toup”. The coastal vessel had 3 masts, the main mast having square sails and the force mast having square lug sail. All the sails were made from matting and the sail could be easily rolled in a bundle when the vessels were morred.
Malacca “Toup” is usually 15-18 meter long with a width of 3 - 3 ½ meter. Theese boats could carry considerable heavy load and sail very well in these water.
THE DUTCH BATTLESHIP
This is a model of a Dutch warship and took part in the warfare against the Portuguese in the Straits of Malacca. The Dutch soon realized that trade and warfare were inseparable. Therefore their ships served both trading and fighting purposes. In 1606 11 ships and 6 smaller Dutch ships, together with 1357 then at arms besieged Melaka. Subsequently in June 1640 12 large ships and smaller ships added with 40 sails sent by the Johor Kingdom attacked Melaka, leading to its surrender by the Portuguese in 1641. In August 1729, The Board of Directors of the Dutch East India Company directed that measuring.
160 feet in length should be equipped with 38 high caliber commons and 10 lesser guns, for short distance engagements. For a ship of 145 feet in length, 36 larger in commons and 8 smaller guns were supplied. Ships measuring 130 feet in length were equipped. 26 large commons and the lesser guns. At the height of its supremacy in 1669 the Dutch East India Company possessed in warship. 150 trading ships and come to 10 000 men of arms.
THE MALAY JONG
The ship on display is another which sailed around the Malay Archipelago. This ship could sail faster than its sister ship and be maneuvered quite easily. The crescent shaped ship had a lower curved prow with opening to hang the anchors while its road had a high curved profile.
It had a lengthwise cabin, almost two thirds of its hull from the stern. There were passage ways on both sides of the cabin. These accommodated the rowers when necessary. The Jong was steered by shifting the curved bladder that hung from the rear. It carried two masts, the main masts and the foremast. This ship was used either as a warship or as a merchant ship. It could carry 300-400 persons as well as 400-600 tonnes of cargo. The Portuguese and Dutch sources are limited information on the shape and size of these ships. Perhaps the shipwright changed the shape of the ship to suit the requirement or ceased the building of such ships.
THE TERENGGANU SHIPS PINIS GOBEL
Trade and shipping had a long established tradition in Terengganu. Various forms of ships and prahus, such as Perahu Besar were built to support local and international trade. 4 of these ships were sent to Melaka to help the Dutch repel. The Bugis attack in 1756/1757. The model represents the Terengganu ship called Pinis Gobel. It had a length between 18-24 m, width 5-6 m and a depth of 2-3 m. It had 2 square sails and a rudder to control its movements. It had a cabin towards the stern and a devorative motive at the top of the prow. It could carry cargo of considerable tonnage.
THE MAYANG BOATS
Mayang boats were different from other boats that sailed around the Malay Archipelago. Its stern are curved and similar in shape, slender at each end. This boat had no deck, the Europeans classified it under Kora-Kora. The length of the hull measured between 16-20 m while the width measured 5 metres. Mayang boats had rattan structures built on the deck resembling a but. These covered 80% of the boats entire length.
Gangways were built on both sides on extended beams, connected by a sail. The cars were placed in the cabin section aqnd functioned through the plank holes attached to both side of the boat. This boat had twin rudders and could carry considerable weight of goods.
THE PORTUGUESE SHIP, BARINEL
This ship was used at the time of the Portuguese arrival ti the Malay Archipelago. The Barinel was a large boat smaller than a ship. Initially it carried a single mast of square sails and oars. The ship was later expanded and another masts was added. A Barinel was used to carry cargo, supplies and patients. It was a slow vessel, causing the other ships in formation to move similarly. Eventually its role diminished.
THE PORTUGUESE SHIP, GALEAO
The Portuguese in their expedition and warfare commonly used Galeons with the Nau due to its larger keel, smaller rake and almost flat bottom. It had 4 masts, the main masts, the fore masts, mizzen and mizzenmast. The Portuguese built Galeao was originally small, weighing about 50 tonnes and was later increased to 200-300 tonnes. The Indian built Galeao exceeded 1000 in tobnnage. Galeao were ships equipped with beauty artillery.
THE PORTUGUESE SHIP, CARAVELA
Caravelas were Portuguese ships extensively used in the 15th century to explore the sea route to India. The caravelas were used by Bartholomew Diaz to explore the southern tip of Africa and by Vasco Da Gama during his voyage to Calicut, India. Initially Caravela were small ships with tonnage of only 50 tonnes to 120 tonnes. Later modifications increased its lading capacity to 550 tons. Due to the fact that their sales could be maneuvered and shifted easily. It was the best warship in the Portuguese era. The model displayed is called the Caravela Redonda..
AN OUTRIGGER CALLED KORA-KORA
The outrigger boats were the earliest known boats used in these waters. Currently it is still in used in various places of the Malay Archipelago. The European identified most of the fast boats as Kora-Kora. The model of display is an outrigger called Kora-Kora that roamed the seas of Southern Malay Archipelago. They were mainly used for military purposes. The length of the boat varied between 40 feet to 80 feet and its length between 8 to 12 feet. These boats could speed with ease, depending on the number of oarsmen aboard. The main boat itself had a wooden palm thatched cabin buikt in the middle of the boat. The middle section of the boat supported horizontol beams that extended 2.5 to 3 m over both sides of the boat. These well balanced beams supported 2 sets of platform with evenly spaced openings to place the oars. 30 rowers on each side of the boat could be accommodate
THE CONFINEMENT
Normally ballast were placed in the belly of the ship to act as a stabilizer. However, this diorama was put together to re-enact the conditions inside the “Flor De La Mar”, the Portuese in its mission to the New World. The ship held the cabin to accommodate the sailors food supply, medicine and armament within the stern.
This room held prisoners of war of all ethnics, slaves and sailors who commited crimes, while waiting for their senencing. Cramped against each other in a dark and congested room, each prisoner had no future of freedom. The fate of the slave and prisoners were determined upon the arrivals of the ships at the ports. It was in this section that Alburqueque supposedly detained a large number of Malays from various expertise to save to the Portuguese monarch and the state.
