Early in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), an expansion of seaborne trade took place with the construction of an immense treasure fleet—reported to consist of 317 ships when it was assembled in ...

In the 1400s, China owned the greatest seagoing fleet in the world, 3,500 ships. But by 1525 ... but instead the Ming Dynasty retracted into itself and entered a 200-year-long slump.

This program chronicles the history of the great Ming Dynasty treasure ships. Built in the early 15th century these ships gave China the capability of exploring and perhaps conquering the world.

Estimates of the treasure ships' size are based in literary references ... dream and the overseas trading voyages of the early Ming Dynasty were, in fact, accomplished with large numbers of ...