Unit Request: Chinese 15th Century Treasure Ship

[hetairoi22]

I just read about the Chinese eunuk admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho), who made some long voyages to Africa, Indonesia, and maybe even Australia, Cape Verde and the Americas! He was ordered, by Emperor Zhu Di to bould a mighty fleet, to explore Chinese waters, make contact with minor kingdoms in the area, and to put them under the Chinese imperial yoke. The ships built were huge (weighing about 3100 tonnes and being over 160 metres long) and had up to nine masts.

I think such a ship would be a great Chinese UU or flavour unit, and could replace the Caravel(?), as they were used at around the same time, and for the same purpose (discovery of distant lands).

Would anyone be willing to (even consider to) make such a mighty naval vessel?

Here's an image:

Here's one comparing Colombus' caravel (200 tonnes, 36 metres) with a Chinese craft from the same period:

Another image:

More info about Zheng He can be found here.

 

[Yoda Power]

I second this idea.

 

[hetairoi22]

Thanks Yoda! I appeciate it.

Another beautiful image I found using Google:

There's also a great 3D image of Zheng He's ship in this years seventh edition of 'Illustrated Science' (Illustreret Videnskab), a Scandinavian popular science and history magasine. Too bad I don't own a scanner... If someone does, and also has the magasine in question, it would be nice if you'd post the image... Please?

 

[Yoda Power]

The Tongkang´s and Junks sails could be used to make it.

 

[Akula]

I've read a lot about those ships, it's much larger than Columbuses caravel, it could really be fun to have
I got the magazine and a scanner, I'll se what I can do

 

[Akula]

Here is the picture hope it's okay

 

[Yoda Power]

Akula could you scan the whole articel? I would like to read it

 

[Akula]

Sure but im gonna get troubble if I attch it all here

 

[hetairoi22]

WOW! Thanks Akula, looks just great! Now all we need is a unit creator coming by

About the article: It's an interesting read, Yoda! It really caught my interest right away... I should like to learn more about Chinese history, actually. Sounds facinating

Off-Topic: So we're all Danes here then (previous to this post)?

 

[hetairoi22]

Akula: I think, if you send the files to me (e-mail: andreas@dk2net.dk), I'll be able to upload them to my new free web space at FortuneCity. That way Yoda will be able to view the files (please correct me if I'm wrong). A would send Yoda the address, so that only he would be able to see it, and 'Illustreret Videnskab' wouldn't be on my neck

EDIT: Or you could just send them to Yoda directly...

 

[Akula]

Okay I'll send you the files, just add a link to them here

 

[hetairoi22]

Here they are:
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5

 

[Kal-el]

I would love to see this unit. Though I think fro game purposes I would use it as a flavor unit to replace the Galleon.

Somebody please make this.

 

[Dom Pedro II]

I've been hoping for someone to make this unit for quite some time... I would like to use it as a Chinese unique unit to replace the Galleon basically... Would be very useful to transport lots of troops!

 

[mrtn]

Akula and Hetairoi, thanks for the article.
And, Hetairoi, no, we're not all Danes.

 

[Akula]

Are we not all danes *scratches head* I always thought that
Glad someone like the article

 

[Ivan the Kulak]

I just finished a book about this myself (1421: the year China discovered America) which I highly recommend to all civvers interested in medieval history. Such a treasure ship would make an excellent UU to replace the Rider. These craft apparently carried a good sized complement of soldiers so giving it an attack value is not out of the question. I am wondering if the Chinese were deploying any kind of crude cannon at this time - this would affect the attack animation - if not, arrow showers could be used. Further research into this may be required. Here's another image that could be used for modelling - note the pennants which could carry the civ-specific colors.

 

[Colonel Kraken]

Hmmm . . . something fun to put on my to-do list.


Cheers,


AK

 

[MarcusSaurono]

Been a while since I studied this, but I believe some of the ships where armed with cannon similar to those first used in Europe.

 

[embryodead]

I was going to make 3-mast junk to replace galleon, might try this as well, though I can't promise anything right now.