In the 17th century the United East India Company ( VOC) grew into the most powerful trade organization in the world. Not only is the VOC hold the monopoly on trade east of the Cape of Good Hope, it also had virtually unlimited militairy and administrative power in various parts of Asia. From 1619 onwards a Dutch governor-general in batavia (now called Jakarta) was in charge of the VOC´s affairs in Asia. The company had a shipyard on the island of Onrust near Batavia. As you can see, the shipyard is guarded with cannons. Visible, too, are cranes, and in the background 2 sawmills. On the left an Amsterdam vessel has been laid on its side for repairs. The flag on the sloop on the right is decorated with the monogram of the Amsterdam department (A) of the VOC.