The 15th century was the start of many voyages and the popular use of ships for trade, traveling, and exploration. Columbus, de Gama, and Zheng He, were all leaders Zheng He was the first major ocean voyager in the 15th century. He led seven expeditions, through the Indian ocean using over 300 massive boats called “treasure ships”. Though, unlike many others in his time, he was not an explorer. He and his crews of thousands sailed from Africa, the Middle East, and India, to get the west impressed with China and for people to discern them as the leading manufacturer in the world. Once Zheng He died, the voyages stopped because more important issues had started to populate in the country, such as nomadic invasions. Because the excursions were