The loss of power and prestige of Italian cities by the sixteenth century is clearly seen in the decline of Venetian shipping. A. Venetian ships were famous for carrying large cargoes of spices and luxury goods around the world in fast, oar-driven galleys. B. A shortage of timber for building the traditional galleys and a lack of sailors to row them meant a loss of Venetian shipping business. C. The Venetian Council made sure that Venetian-built and -owned ships kept special privileges in transporting luxury goods in and out of Venice. D. Venetian round ships bringing spices and silk from the East helped drive prices down so that ordinary people could afford to buy them E. Venice failed to keep up with improvement in ship design, and the cost of shipbuilding rose a quality and efficiency declined. F. The Portuguese direct sea route to the East adversely affected Venetian trade, and Venice fell behind the Dutch and the British in the quality of their ships and sailing skills.