Image: Javanese jong in Indian Ocean, from Miller Atlas of 1519

Description: Cropped portion of Indian Ocean, showing 2 large ships, identified as jong (Javanese junk), one is a 6-masted ship viewed from aft, the other is a 7-masted ship. It showed inaccuracies with the description of the jong of the time. The number of mast and sail suggest a size of 1000-2000 tons deadweight, which could be attributed to jongs hailed from Java or Sunda. The image is clearly an attempt to depict a large Javanese or Sundanese junk, probably referencing to large Majapahit jong of the 14-15th centuries or the single Pati Unus junk of late 1512 - January 1513. In the 16th century, average deadweight of jongs was 400-500 tons, they were equipped with 4 masts. Since there are crescent moon symbols that represent Islam, these jongs must be hailed from the Muslim area in Java, probably owned by the Demak Sultanate of Central Java (the kingdom of Sunda wasn't Islamized yet). The ships are probably drawn as a reference to Pati Unus' flagship (2000 tons deadweight) that was used to attack Portuguese Malacca in 1513.
Title: Javanese jong in Indian Ocean, from Miller Atlas of 1519
Credit: Lopo Homem-Reineis Atlas or Miller Atlas
Author: Lopo Homem, Pedro Reinel and Jorge Reinel illustrated by miniaturist António de Holanda
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No