Racing around Cape Horn in the 1850s World Naval Ships Forums Archive

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Racing around Cape Horn in the 1850s World Naval Ships Forums Archive

Racing around Cape Horn in the 1850s

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In 1848, California was practically uninhabited and was unable to provide the needs for such a population explosion. Many of the recent arrivals having amounts of gold in their pouches, were on the brink of starvation. The need for supplies in California and passage to rapidly transport passengers from the East to the West side of the country grew to such an extent that it brought the Californian "Clippers". Of which, between 1850 and 1854 one hundred and sixty were built, the majority being launched in or near New York and Boston. The first Clipper Competition around Cape Horn took place in 1850, with seven vessels taking part and large amounts of money riding on the outcome. The vessel "Samuel Russel" took 109 days to reach San Francisco from New York, shortening the existing record by eleven days, and creating a sensation that was hard to overcome. However, a short period after, another one of these clippers, the "Sea Witch" literally flew the distance in 97 days from Sandy Hook, lowering the record by another twelve days. This crossing left the entire world in awe.This record remains unbroken today by a ship of her tonnage. A remarkable aspect of this voyage which makes it even more outstanding is that "Sea Witch" rounded Cape Horn in winter; when vessels are usually confronted with headwinds South and North until they reach latitude 35 degrees South on the Western side of South America. Furthermore the registers show that during this period a clipper setting sail from New York or Boston, on average, would take 159 days to reach San Francisco. In 1853, in the month of February, three first class clippers were in San Francisco Bay at almost the same time, preparing themselves for the journey back to New England. Two of them, the "Contest" and the "Trade Wind" were built by two different shipyards in New York, and the third one, the "Northern Light" was built in Boston. There was much controversy surrounding these ships and the quality of their builders, which led to a improvised race between them. Captain Freeman Hatch, of the "Northern Light" set out from San Francisco on the 13th of March 1853; 38 days later he had already rounded Cape Horn, day 52 he was outside Rio de Janeiro and finally brought Boston Light in sight on the 29th of May. Northern Light reached her destination in 76 days and 5 hours, while the "Contest" arrived within 79 days and the "Trade Wind" reached New York within 84 days. With this, the "Northern Light" set a new record, which also set a new record for a days run, managing 355 miles in 24 hours, is an average speed of 14,8 knots. That under any circumstances is impressive for a 1,021 ton sail ship with a length of 171 ft. and a width of 36 ft. (approximately 52 and 11 metres) It is said that the vessels’ Logs reflect, while rounding the legendary Cape Horn and passing near the "Contest", Captain Hatch sent a message informing them that, "he felt he had to depart from their side since he could no longer restrain his horse", obviously referring to the splendid performance of his vessel.
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Travelling around the Horn has to be the most dangerous activity any ship could pursue. Pray for a westerly because if you encounter an Easterly you will end up amongst the ice bergs. Assuming of course you are going in a westerly direction!

This is an old thread but I thought it the most appropriate. The cargoes that kept the "windjammers" in business until 1949 were grain, coal, timber and nitrates. Many of these voyages were routed around Cape Horn either coming from Australia (grain) or to Europe from Chile (nitrates) and westabout from Europe to Chile with coal, cement and general cargo. In1992, the International Association of Cape Horners, in collaboration with the Chilean government erected a monument on the peak of Cape Horn in memory of the thousands of sailing ship mariners who, in pursuit of their calling, made this rounding and to those who lost their lives in the attempt. The following poem (in Spanish) is inscribed on a tablet near the monument: I am the albatross that awaits you At the end of the world. I am the forgotten soul of the dead seamen Who sailed across Cape Horn From all the seas of the Earth. But, they have not died In the fury of the waves. Today, they fly on my wings Towards Eternity, In the crevice Of the Antarctic winds. [I]Sara Vial[/I] Chile, December 1992 I thought I could share this as it is very beautiful and moving and will strike a cord with all mariners. Thanks Chris

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