Admiral Cheng Ho lead a fleet of more than 1000 ships (only WW2 combine fleed for D-Day landing have that much ships) that sails down to as far as Africa.
Did he actually sail to America? Afterall, those ships were the biggest in the world at that period, and the fleet was the largest.
2006-11-03 19:43:57 · 5 answers · asked by Melvin C 5 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Other - United States
During the 15th century, Zheng He did sail down to south east Asia with more than 1000 ships, and more than 100,000 sailors/ soldiers/ doctors/ cook/ etc. Apparently, it was the largest fleet even in today's context.
In that fleet he command, he only use flag and smoke as communication, and they have no radar or radio set. Mainly using stars as navigation sets.
Officially, he was instructed to go as far as Africa. During that time, thru silk route, China already have visitors from Africa and Arab thru the silk route. Marco Polo is but one of those more famous one.
There is another record that mentioned, for more than 20 yrs, Ching Ho visited other places. But there is no official records as they are not official as directed by the Emperor. However, records has pointed out that Ching Ho could have sailed there, even way before Colombo did.
Moreover, Ching Ho's fleet is far bigger, and the ships are more sea worthy than the Spanish fleet of 3 small boats by Colombo. Having less than few hundreds men, they are really a branch of brave sailor in comparison to the great fleet lead by the Chinese.
Yes, the Chinese could have sailed there. However, in China, they lack nothing, so they never colonised any other nations. They just help them as much as possible. (eg. Java, Malacca etc, having Chinese princes and princess's dependence).
Another good book to read is 1421.
Cheers,
2006-11-03 20:11:00 · answer #1 · answered by yellow99balloons 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The evidence presented in the book 1421 (Menzies) seems pretty overwhelming. He talks about anchors found in the Sacramento river as well as a possible Chinese near San Francisco.
The are also many other facts presented in relation to the voyages of Cheng Ho in both South America, Africa and even Australia.
2006-11-03 20:02:46 · answer #2 · answered by camsean73 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
<>Apparently, Cheng Ho did most of his sailing along the Asian coast to India and the Middle East (although he appears to have struck out across the Indian Ocean to Australia at least once). I don't think anyone was brave enough in those days to try to strike out across the Pacific Ocean. BTW, from my reading Cheng Ho had up to 100 ships, not 1000 (albeit, some of those were huge ships for that time (400' x 160')!).
http://geography.about.com/od/historyofgeography/a/chengho.htm
2006-11-03 20:04:06 · answer #3 · answered by druid 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not according to my history books. Never heard of him.
2006-11-03 20:05:43 · answer #4 · answered by FL Girl 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
In a word...no.
2006-11-03 19:52:48 · answer #5 · answered by no nickname 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋