dacoinminster
26.05.2021 14:34:42
Subsequently, question is, why Cape Horn is so dangerous? here
See full version: Which is worse Cape Horn or Cape of Good Hope
Subsequently, question is, why Cape Horn is so dangerous? here
How hard is it to sail around Cape Horn?
is Cape of Good Hope dangerous? The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the southwestern extremity of South Africa's Atlantic coast. Centuries of seafarers have regarded it as one of the most dangerous stretches of coastline in the world, and it was originally known as the Cape of Storms. more
The waters around Cape Horn are particularly hazardous, owing to strong winds, large waves, strong currents and icebergs. The need for boats and ships to round Cape Horn was greatly reduced by the opening of the Panama Canal in August 1914.
In sailing, the great capes are three major capes of the continents in the Southern Ocean — Africa's Cape of Good Hope, Australia's Cape Leeuwin, and South America's Cape Horn.
But on the day of our passage, the skies turned grey and winds began to pick up. This was looking a bit more like it! But the threat of rough weather didn’t deter anyone. As I walked through the ship to get to my viewing spot, I was struck by the eerily quiet atmosphere of the ship. Lounges were empty – obviously everyone was outside for the big event. [links]
After waving passengers off on their tours in Punta Arenas, I left Pacific Princess to continue my advance work. I would meet up with the ship again in Puerto Montt. I left the ship and my colleagues onboard knowing that our first ever passage of Cape Horn had been a success. Our advance work had paid off and our passengers had a wonderful time. Fifteen years later we now sail on a full season of Cape Horn cruises every year, still offering passengers a memorable experience.
As this was new territory, we’d been preparing for this voyage for some time. Advance work included exploring the ports of call, inspecting facilities, and working closely with the local shore excursion operators and shipboard staff to offer our passengers the best possible experience ashore.
However, as my travel arrangements finalized, it became apparent that very limited flight availability and complicated logistics would hamper some of my plans. It turned out I would be “required” to sail aboard Pacific Princess from Puerto Madryn to Punta Arenas. I did my utmost to remain professional and contain my enthusiasm, but in truth this was an exciting opportunity – I would actually round Cape Horn by cruise ship after all! here
Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal, the treacherous shipping routes around South America, either navigating through the Magellan Straight or around the Horn, were frequented by ships transiting between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans transporting goods, explorers, immigrants, gold miners and travelers. It was also very likely the route used by my ancestors who traveled to Chile from Europe and the United States.
Early the next morning, I was up on deck for the arrival of the ship to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The previous day’s storm had brought a dusting of snow atop the mountains framing the picturesque town. It was a beautiful morning. Upon berthing, all were ready to go ashore to continue their shore side adventures; whether it was exploring the town, the marine life along the Beagle Channel or the national park.
The day that my parent's cruise ship rounded Cape Horn, the sea was rough and a strong gale was blowing. The waves made the ship bounce up and down as it made its way around one of the southernmost points of South America (the real southernmost point are the Diego Ramirez Islands).
For hundreds of years ships have been traveling on a trade route from Europe past the Horn to reach the Americas, Oceania, and Asia. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like to ride on one of the old clipper ships approximately 175 years ago! Images spring to my mind of old sailing ships perilously swaying back and forth in the currents. We certainly are fortunate at how far ship engineering has come. Thank goodness for stabilizers! here
Cape Horn has long been known as a sailor’s graveyard due to the strong winds and currents, large waves and icebergs. The Horn sits at a latitude of 56 degrees south and is thus prone to intense westerly winds nicknamed the “furious fifties”. These winds are intensified at the Horn because of the funneling effect of the Andes Mountains and the Antarctic Peninsula that force the winds into the relatively narrow Drake Passage. more
As the cruise departure approached, I was making final arrangements to travel in advance of the ship to each port. I’ll admit I was a bit disappointed that because my role required me to arrive in advance, I wouldn’t actually be sailing around the Horn; I would simply be flying ahead of the ship to make sure everything was ready for the its arrival. more
Throughout its history, sailors regarded sailing around Cape Horn as the most treacherous navigation in the world, with notoriously fierce winds, strong swells and often icy conditions. Many ships did not make the passage or suffered great damage in the attempt. In fact, a sailor who had successfully completed the journey around the Horn earned a level of bragging rights and recognition that followed him the rest of his life. This included the entitlement of wearing a gold loop earring and the right to eat with one foot on the table. more
As I often did, I called my mother to share my big news, and to my surprise, I received an envelope in the mail a few days later. Inside was a photo of that long-ago first sea voyage with my family, titled “your 1st cruise at 1 year, 5 months.” My mother had sensed that Cape Horn would be another seagoing milestone in my life, just like that first one, and had sent me the photo as a reminder. here
It was Charles Darwin’s account in Voyage of the Beagle that set my expectations. “Cape Horn, however, demanded his tribute, and before night sent us a gale of wind directly in our teeth. We stood out to sea, and on the second day again made land, when we saw on our weather bow this notorious promontory in its proper form – veiled in a mist and its dim outline surrounded by a storm of wind and water. Great black clouds were rolling across the heavens, and squalls of rain with hail, swept by us with extreme violence.” more