While skimming through google looking for information on Chinese Junk (ships/boats) or other Asian sailing vessels to base the Orient's end of the neighborhood rollout tour in and on, I came across a really fantastic article. I don't even think you need to have an interest in Asian shipping history to fully enjoy it.

TIMEasia.com: Asian Journey 2001

excerpt:

.."Even in our 21st century of supertankers and cruise ships lit like floating cities, Zheng He's treasure fleet still inspires awe. More than 300 vessels with some 30,000 men sailed in the first imperial expedition in 1405. It was one of the greatest fleets ever assembled, rivaling the Spanish Armada and Japan's Pacific fleet during World War II in its ability to instill fear. Zheng He's own ship was a technological marvel; by some accounts it was more than 130 m long, almost 60 m wide and sailed under the power of nine masts. Nobody had ever built a wooden sailing ship that big before—nor have they since..."