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Zheng He - Chinese mariner c1371- 1433. "Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. Emperor Yongle designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, and impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin. He also might have wanted to extend the tributary system. Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of 317 treasure ships ...holding almost 28,000 crewmen" (Wiki). Records of the last 2 voyages were destroyed leading to speculation that he may even have passed the Cape of Good Hope into the Atlantic! After his voyages China turned away from the sea and imposed the Hai jin ("Ocean forbidden" or "Sea ban") order. WHS to which it is reasonably certain that Zheng He paid a visit.