Last year a replica of a 16th century junk was built with the intention to demonstrate that Zheng He, China’s greatest admiral, could have reached North America nearly 600 years ago. The Princess Taiping was 54 feet long and powered by cotton sails on three masts. It was built according to Ming dynasty specifications.
After a 10 month voyage from Taiwan to various ports on the US west coast, it sank 30 miles off Suao, a port in north-eastern Taiwan. All 11 crew were rescued. It was apparently hit by a freighter.
The Taiwanese captain describes himself as really ashamed for failing at the last minute. I find that a little harsh, since the chances of such a junk colliding with a freighter large enough to sink it 600 years ago is pretty remote. So as far as I’m concerned by getting from Taiwan to North America and within 30 miles of home, the team did demonstrate that Zheng He could have reached North America 600 years ago. The jury is still out on whether he actually did of course.
More from the BBC website, from which the above photo was taken.
