To fulfill the diplomatic mission entrusted byEmperor Yongle， combat the terrifying waves inthe ocean and deal with any possible militaryaction， Zheng He organized the largest fleet of ships theworld had ever seen. It featured a great number of sailors，a complete organization， huge size， diverse categories，strict formation and organized communications.
A great number of sailors and complete organization
Zheng，s fleet consisted of up to 30，000 sailors. Historicaldata shows that there were over 27，800 sailors in his firstexpedition， around 27，000 in the third， 27，670 in the fourthand 27，550 in the seventh. The numbers of sailors in therest of his seven expeditions was not clearly recordedbut estimated to be about 27，000， equaling the combinednumber of the naval armies of the five “Weis” (a Wei was
3郑和船队
为圆满完成永乐皇帝交付的下西洋外交航海使命，抗衡大洋上的惊涛骇浪，应付可能出现的军事行动，郑和组建了当时世界上最庞大的大型特混远洋船队。其主要特点是：船员众多，建制完整；船舶巨大，种类齐全；编队严密，通讯便捷。
船员众多，建制完整
郑和船队船员人数近3万之多。据史料记载，第一次为27800余人，第三次为27000余人，第四次为27670人，第七次为27550人。其余几次人数载录不详，但估计也在27000人左右，相当于明初五卫水军之和（每卫5600人）。
船队按所担任务设立五部分编制。它们是：
1.首脑决策：由正使太监、副使监丞、少监、内
a type of military unit with 5，600 sailors) in the early MingDynasty.
The fleet included five sub-organizations based ondifferent tasks：
1. Decision-making by fleet heads： The decision-makingbody consisted of an envoy eunuch and vice-envoyeunuchs of lower positions， who were all ministers ofEmperor Yongle and heads of the fleet. Zheng He， as theimperial envoy， was the top leader and commander of thewhole fleet. His major assistants included Wang Jinghong，Hou Xian， Li Xing， Hong Bao and Yang Qing.
2. Navigation： The work was executed by such technicalpersonnel as “huozhang，” “duogong，” “bandingshou，”“tiemao，” “munian，” “dacai，” “shuishou，” “minshao，”“yinyangguan” and “yinyangsheng.” The “Huozhang”equaled present-day captains； “Duogong” took charge ofsteering based on the captain，s directions； “Bandingshou”were responsible for anchoring； “Tiemao，” “munian”and “dacai” were arranged for all sorts of iron and woodhandiwork on board； “Shuishou” and “minshao” werein charge of the sails， oars and other daily chores； and“yinyangguan” and “yinyangsheng” were those whostudied and forecast weather conditions.
Foreign trade： Business was handled by officialsfrom “Honglusi” (an organization in the Ming Dynastyestablished to organize receptions and rituals) as well
监等组成，均为永乐皇帝的亲信内臣，是船队的指挥中枢。郑和作为钦差正使太监，是船队的最高负责人与指挥者。其主要副手有王景弘以及侯显、李兴、洪保、杨庆等人。
2.航海业务：由火长、舵工、班碇手、铁锚、木、 材、水手、民艄、阴阳官、阴阳生等航海技术人员组成。火长，相当于今日船长；舵工，按火长指令操舵，控制海船航向；班碇手负责起落船锚；铁锚、木 、 材负责打制与修理船上各种铁木活计；水手、民稍，负责升帆落篷、摇橹划桨撑篙与日常的清洁保养工作；阴阳官、阴阳生负责天文气象的观测与预报。
as compradors and interpreters. The officials from“Honglusi” were responsible for such diplomatic eventsas banquets； compradors purchased commodities andinterpreters were arranged for language interpretation.
4. Logistics： The work was done by personnel from theImperial Board of Finance like “langzhong，” “sheren，”“shusuanshou” and medical officials. “Langzhong” tookcharge of money and the supply of materials； “Sheren”drafted letters and files； “Shusuanshou” resembledpresent-day accountants and cashiers； and medicalofficials treated diseases.
5. Military convoys： The convoy team was composedof armed personnel at various levels including a generalcommander， commanders， “qianhu，” “baihu，” “qixiao，”“yongshi，” “lishi” and “junshi.” They were responsiblefor the safety of navigation， defense against enemies andpirates.
The complete organization of the fleet ensured thesuccessful accomplishment of every task of the voyageand， at the same time， demonstrated the rich experience ofancient Chinese in ocean navigation.
Huge vessels and diverse categories
Zheng He，s various expeditions involved over 200vessels of difference sizes， which indeed constituted a taskfleet of fine structure and complete categories.
3.外交贸易：由鸿胪寺序班、买办、通事等组成。鸿胪寺序班负责朝会宴请等外交礼仪；买办负责采购物品；通事负责涉外翻译。
4.总务后勤：由户部郎中、舍人、书算手、医官医士等人员组成。户部郎中负责掌管钱财及后勤供应；舍人负责起草誊写书信文件；书算手负责会计出纳；医官医士负责防治疾病。
5.军事护航：由都指挥、指挥、千户、百户、旗校、勇士、力士、军士等各级武装人员组成，负责航行安全、抵御外敌和海盗。
船队完整的编制，确保了下西洋各项任务的顺利完成，同时展示了明代中国人丰富的远洋航海阅历和经验。
船舶巨大、种类齐全
郑和每次下西洋，出海的大小海船有200余艘，堪称一支结构精良、种类齐全的特混船队。
船队拥有五种船舶类型：宝船、马船、粮船、坐船、战船。
1.宝船：形制大，有九桅，张十二帆。最大宝船
The fleet included five types of ships： Treasure ships，horse ships， grain ships， sitting ships and battle ships.
1. Treasure ship： It was huge with nine masts and 12sails. The biggest treasure ship was 114m long and 46mwide， which truly was a masterpiece created by the shipmakers. China，s ship-making sector during the MingDynasty was a wonder in the history of wooden sailingships， reached a peak in ship making by the 19 th centuryand demonstrated the amazing wisdom and talent of theChinese people in ship making.
2. Horse ship： With eight masts， it was used for bothbattles and transport.
3. Grain ship： With seven masts， it was designed forgrain storage and material supply.
4. Sitting ship： It was also called “battle-sitting ship. ”With six masts， it was a place for sailors to rest and camp.
5. Battle ship： With five masts， it was the fast-speed shipfor convoys and battles.
In addition， there were also ships to carry a watersupply.
Strict formation and easy communications
1. Big ships and small ships： Based on different tasks，the fleet formation could be divided into a “big ship fleet”and a “small ship fleet.” The former was responsiblefor the whole fleet，s major tasks， and the latter was in
长114米，宽46米。建造如此巨大的宝船，堪称明代造船家的杰作。明代中国造船业创造了世界木帆船史上的奇迹，达到了19世纪以前世界木帆船造船业的顶峰。
2.马船：又名马快船，有八桅，作战与运输兼用。
3.粮船：有七桅，用来屯运粮食和后勤供应品。
4.坐船：又名战坐船，有六桅，用来屯存水师和安营扎寨。
5.战船：有五桅，专司护航、作战的快速战船。
此外，还有存储饮用水的水船等。
编队严密，通讯便捷
1.大 和小 ：船队编列，按任务不同，分为大船队和分 船队。大 船队完成主要任务，分 船队负责部分临时任务。两种船队可分可合，机动灵活地完成不同的任务。
charge of some temporary jobs. The two fleets couldwork together or separately， accomplishing diverse tasksflexibly.