Ship traces Dutch seafaring history

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Archeologists, excavating an area near the Martapura River, have discovered a steel ship believed to be a vestige of the Dutch colonial era.

Administrative Coordinator of the Provincial Education and Culture Department, Kasim Abdurrachman, was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday that near the 15-meter-long ship, ceramics, coins and bottles of Dutch alcohol were also found.

He said officials of the Museum and Archeology Division would follow up the findings and raise the ship which is buried about one and a half meters from the shore.

The head of the Banjarmasin Archeology Agency, Harry Widianto, said the discovery would help those who wish to learn old Dutch ship technology.

The ship is believed to have been buried under the riverbank since the early 1900s. (mds)