Whilst on a cruise with destinations across Argentina, Uruguay, Falkland Islands (islas Malvinas) and Chile, we cruised by the of Island of Hornos, Cape Horn. Though we didn’t actually step off the ship, we did get to see the island in all its glory. Here’s a little look at the island and what to expect from it.
Where is Cape Horn?
At the southernmost tip of South America sits Cape Horn. Part of Chiles ‘Cabo de Horno’ national park, in the Chilean antarctic territory, it is also the southernmost national park in the world. Just 650km away from Antarctica. Cape Horn is the famous cliffside on Hornos Island, this is the cape in which thousands of ships would have passed and many perished in order to “round Cape Horn”.
History of Cape Horn
Cape Horn was first founded by Dutch Navigator Willem Schouten who sailed around the island in 1616 and named it after his hometown. Over the centuries that followed, Cape Horn and the surrounding areas built up an infamous reputation among sailors and navigators throughout the world. It was once known as a sailors graveyard. With over 800 shipwrecks over the centuries and over 10,000 lives lost at sea, it’s no wonder it’s considered the nautical equivalent of climbing Everest. The dangerous voyage across the Drake Passage was the fastest way between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without navigating the narrow passageways of the Magellan Straights. It sailed through a small gap between South America and Antarctica. Sitting in the heart of the furious 50’s, gale force winds, waves regularly reaching up to 26 feet and icebergs frequently spotted, made it a perilous journey.
Used by many navigators and explorers, including Charles Darwin who famously said that if any “landman” had seen it he would “dream for a week about shipwrecks, peril and death”. Though since the Panama Canal opened in 1914 the dangerous route was no longer needed.
Today
Today it is mainly used for tourism with adventure cruises reaching Antartica and cruise ships passing Hornos Island.
Upon our visit to the seas looking over Hornos Island the seas were rough but calm in comparison. The weather featured strong winds blowing us about on deck, bright sunshine, rain and even snow, all within several minutes. I couldn’t imagine what it must of been like for those wooden vessels that ventured before.
Who lives there?
Though there is a Naval presence on the island it is more of a symbolic role rather than a working base and it is their role to operate the lighthouse. Also living on the island is a ranger for the national park. They are both guardians of the island and are entrusted with maintaining the lighthouse, the chapel, and the Albatross monument. Living on the island with their children who head over to the mainland during term time.
The occupants of the island live in complete isolation, monitoring the weather and guiding ships across the dangerous seas. They are so isolated that supplies are brought to the island every few months by either ship or helicopter
We visited on a day between Christmas and New Year and received a touching a message from the lighthouse keeper via radio. It was a strange but heartwarming feeling to hear the crackling voice of a stranger living in complete isolation, wishing us a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a safe journey.
What’s on the island
“The lighthouse at the end of the world”, the southernmost manned lighthouse in the world. Operated by the Chilean Navy, the lighthouse assists those entering the seas around Hornos Island and accessing the brutal Drake Passage.
Stella Maris Chapel aka ‘Star of the Seas’. The southernmost church, is a modest and rustic chapel, serving as a memorial for the thousands of men who lost their lives at sea in the surrounding area.
Cape Horn Albatross monument, a 24ft tall abstract sculpture made from steel, depicts an Albatross mid flight among stormy seas. The monument was erected in 1992 as a memorial to those who lost their lives attempting to round Cape Horn. The life size silhouette of the Albatross offers powerful symbolism, given the birds effortless ability to navigate the ocean.
Though we didn’t step foot on the island, due to the size of the ship, we could see the famous lighthouse from afar and feel the power of the sea and the brutality of the weather.
Watch our video on Cape Horn here:
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