The size of the treasure ships, the largest ships in Zheng He's fleet, has been a subject of much controversy, with some old Chinese records mentioning the size of 44 zhang or According to the Guoque [ zh ] , the first voyage consisted of 63 treasure ships crewed by 27, men.
The History of Ming credits the first voyage with 62 treasure ships crewed by 27, men. Alongside the treasures were also another ships according to the Shuyu Zhouzilu [ zh ] , giving the combined fleet of the first voyage a total of ships.
However, the addition of ships is a case of double accounting according to Edward L. Dreyer , who notes that the Taizong Shilu does not distinguish the order of ships from the treasure ships. As such the first fleet would have been around ships including the treasure ships. The second voyage consisted of ships. According to the Xingcha Shenglan , the third voyage consisted of 48 treasure ships, not including other ships.
The Xingcha Shenglan states that the fourth voyage consisted of 63 treasure ships crewed by 27, men. There are no sources for number of ships or men for the fifth and sixth voyages. According to the Liujiagang and Changle Inscriptions, the seventh voyage had "more than a hundred large ships".
It reports the arrival of Chinese ships in , , and , which approximately correspond to Zheng He's fifth, sixth, and seventh voyages. The arrival is described thus:. And this was on 26 Muharram in the year [March 19, ].
