The Treasure Ships of Legend Zheng He

During the period 1405–1433 under the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the Admiral Zheng He (1371–1433) once dominated the voyages to East Africa and the Middle East.

Chinese history books often call it treasure expeditions with the participation of hundreds of ships of enormous size, with crew of up to 28,000 people and carrying full wealth. But the main purpose is to show off the emperor’s power and wealth, as well as to establish China’s maritime trade influence.

A model of a medium-sized treasure boat (63.25m long) of Zheng He at a hydro park in Nanjing, is structured from cement with many wooden boards.

Zheng He spent the last 28 years of his life on such trips (he died on the way or shortly after completing the seventh trip — there is still much controversy surrounding this). After the death of Ming Yongle (1360–1424), the two new kings Ming Hongxi (1378–1425) and Ming Xuande (1398–1435) decided to narrow the influence of the eunuch, at the same time no longer interested in patronizing naval adventures. The shipyard in Nanjing, where the giant ships of Zheng’s fleet were built, was closed, abandoned and gradually sank into oblivion.

If what is recorded in the Chinese documents is true, Zheng He’s treasure ship is truly massive — nine columns sad and four decks, carrying 500 people and enormous cargo. Some are thought to be 137 meters long and 55 meters wide — at least…