Construction programs for imperial warships in the early Ming (1368–1450)

1. Ming dynasty founded and navy rebuilt

   Jan 1, 1368Labels: Zhu Yuanzhang, Nanjing, Longjiang shipyards

   • Britannica

2. Hongwu issues early “sea ban” edicts

   Dec 1, 1371Labels: Hongwu Emperor, haijin policy

   • Haijin
   • Hongwu

3. Longjiang shipyard operating in Hongwu era

   Jan 1, 1398Labels: Longjiang shipyard, Hongwu period

   • Pers e

4. Yongle takes the throne after civil war

   Jul 17, 1402Labels: Yongle Emperor

   • Britannica
   • Voyages

5. Order for 200 seagoing transport ships

   Sep 4, 1403Labels: Imperial orders, seagoing transports

   • Voyages
   • Treasure

6. Order for 50 additional seagoing ships

   Mar 1, 1404Labels: Imperial orders, seagoing ships

   • Voyages
   • Treasure

7. First Zheng He expedition departs Nanjing

   Jul 11, 1405Labels: Zheng He, Nanjing

   • Voyages
   • Zheng

8. Order to build 48 treasure ships in Nanjing

   Feb 14, 1408Labels: Ministry of, treasure ships

   • Treasure

9. Beijing becomes Ming’s official capital

   Feb 1, 1421Labels: Beijing, Yongle government

   • Britannica
   • Forbidden

10. Yongle suspends voyages as priorities change

    May 14, 1421Labels: Yongle Emperor

    • Voyages
    • Britannica

11. Hongxi halts further voyages; fleet garrisons Nanjing

    Sep 7, 1424Labels: Hongxi Emperor, Nanjing garrison

    • Voyages
    • Xia

12. Xuande orders final voyage; fleet returns in 1433

    Jan 1, 1433Labels: Xuande Emperor, Longjiang shipyard

    • AAS
    • Pers e