Cape Horn (Scenic Cruising)

Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America, is where sailors on epic journeys are tested. The rough waters and prevailing winds make this region a place of great beauty and danger. Many attempts to "round the Horn" have failed and it has been reported that some 800 ships and 10,000 sailors have gone down trying.

The route around Cape Horn, prior to the Panama Canal and the transcontinental railroad, was important for trade and passenger ships taking goods and people from either coasts of the United States. It was also an essential supply route for the Spanish empire. Sailing ships had to battle the elements for extended periods, some never being able to round the Horn and forced to turn back or perish. The waters were so treacherous that ships passed this way for centuries before discovering Antarctica, a mere 90 miles to the south. It's a breathtaking journey to round the Horn.