Cape Horn

CAPE HORN

The route around Cape Horn is one of the most dangerous sea passages in the world.

Cape Horn was discovered trying to find an alternative route to the Pacific to avoid paying hefty levies to navigate the Straits of Magellan, in the 17th Century. The Dutch merchants had to pay substantial fees to travel to the East Indies using either the Straits of Magellan or the Cape of Good Hope. A merchant, Isaac Le Maire, was convinced he could find another route around the tip of South America. Most sailors thought that Tierra del Fuego, the land south of the Straits of Magellan, was a part of another continent. Le Maire was convinced this was not true after Sir Francis Drake reported sailing in open seas further south than this land mass years earlier. If another route could be found then he could travel to the East Indies and avoid paying the fees.

Le Maire teamed up with an experienced navigator, Willem Schouten and with the help of the city leaders in the Dutch town of Hoorn, they raised the money for two ships, the Eendracht and the Hoorn.

In May 1615, these two ships set sail from England. Unfortunately, during a refit in Patagonia, the Hoorn caught fire and was completely gutted. The Eendracht continued to journey alone and in January 1616 navigated a route south of the Straits of Magellan. This route was called The Strait of Le Maire. During this passage an island was sighted to the south and subsequently named Cape Hoorn in honour of the town that helped to raise the funds for this expedition. It wasn’t until later, that the English changed the name to Cape Horn.

Unfortunately for Le Maire and Schouten, no one believed their claim and they were imprisoned for violating the East India Company Charter, until later verification proved them right.

The Cape is actually the southern point of Isla Hornos. It is Chilean territory and the Chilean Navy mans a small weather station there and supports a lighthouse keeper and his family. The outpost consists of a residence, utility building, chapel, and lighthouse. A short distance from the main buildings is a large sculpture featuring the silhouette of an albartross.

Rounding Cape Horn is considered the sailing-equivalent of climbing Mount Everest. However, due to the horrendous weather in the Cape Horn area, sailors navigated this route only with the greatest of caution. The high seas and the constant gales have become infamous to sailors worldwide throughout the ages. Today, many sailors choose to travel the Cape Horn route simply for the challenge of it, due to the hazards involved.