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So what is Cape Horn?
Discovered by the Dutch (Kaap Hoorn) and known by its Spanish name of Cabo de Hornos. It is named after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands. It is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island. Although not the most southerly point of South America (which are the Diego Ramírez Islands), Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage. For decades it was a major milestone on the clipper route, by which sailing ships carried trade around the world. As the waters around the Cape are particularly hazardous, owing to strong winds, large waves, strong currents and icebergs; these dangers have made it notorious as a sailors' graveyard.
Discovered by the Dutch (Kaap Hoorn) and known by its Spanish name of Cabo de Hornos. It is named after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands. It is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island. Although not the most southerly point of South America (which are the Diego Ramírez Islands), Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage. For decades it was a major milestone on the clipper route, by which sailing ships carried trade around the world. As the waters around the Cape are particularly hazardous, owing to strong winds, large waves, strong currents and icebergs; these dangers have made it notorious as a sailors' graveyard.
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The need for ships to round Cape Horn was
greatly reduced by the opening of the Panama Canal
in 1914. Sailing around the Horn is widely regarded as one of the major
challenges in the sailing community. Thus, a few recreational sailors continue
to sail this route, sometimes as part of a circumnavigation
of the globe, and almost all of these choosing routes through the channels to
the north of the Cape. (Many take a detour through the islands and anchor to
wait for fair weather to visit Horn Island, or sail around it to replicate a
rounding of this historic point). Several prominent ocean yacht races,
notably the Volvo Ocean Race, the VELUX 5 Oceans, and the Vendée Globe,
sail around the world via the Horn. Speed records for round-the-world sailing
are recognized for following this route.
What’s the place like? Take a look at the storm scene in Master and Commander, where HMS Surprise attempts to chase the enemy around the Horn. I can vouch for the seas because I sailed through in 2006 on the Dutch ship Bark Europa.
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