Zheng He (1371-1435) was one of China's most famous explorers. Towards the end of the fourteenth century, his fleet sailed to countries very far away. Zheng He had over 300 ships, some of which were over 150 metres long and could carry up to 1000 people. In addition to the supplies for the long journeys,the ships carried gold, silver,silk,china and other treasures to give as gifts to the rulers of the neighbouring countries. Some of the ships even had earth on board so that the sailors could grow their won crops for food. On Zheng He's first voyage, he set sail across the Indian Ocean. His fleet traveled for many days far away from land. One day,they were hit by a storm. All the sailors thought the fleet was going to sink. Then a strange light appeared at the top of the ships' masts, and after that, the storm passed. The strange light that appeared on the masts was probably electricity from the thunderstorm. Many sailors today see such lightning on the masts of their ships during a storm. But the sailors in Zheng He's fleet believed it was a sign of protection from the gods. From then on,they were happy to follow Zheng He where he led them.