3 March 1999 - Monday

"And it happened, on 1st March at 17:50 under rain and with 4-5 B East wind and temperature at 8 C we reached the right beam of Cape Horn.

We had a little party on this occasion at the deck. We had a cake, specially prepared for this occasion, champagne and salads. First we raised the glass to Neptune, then we had pictures and film taken. At the end of the party there was more water than the proper content on our plates, and we had to wring out our cake.

Taking advantage of east wind (rarity at Horn) we wanted to omit Hermite Island and go through Mantello Strait to Beagle Channel and then to Ushuaia in Argentina. Providence made it different and at 18:40 wind changed. The new one came from SW at the strength 4 B and quickly rose. Nothing else was left to do, we had to go back east and make Horn again, but this time on left beam. At night wind strengthen to 8 B and made us to do 3 points reefing on the mainsail. We also had to reduce our front sails, and leave only jib on. We returned to Beagle Channel almost the same route as we sailed to Horn i.e. between the Herschel and Deceit Islands, and next on the east side of Island Wollaston and Paso Goree and Paso Picton. After a very windy and full of tensions night (sailing among rocky islands), morning turned out to be very bright, sky cloudless and wind subsided to 5 B. It was chilly and with excellent transparency of the air snowy peaks of Tierra del Fuego appeared in front of us - stunning view.

On the 2nd March at 14:00 we moored in Puerto Williams, the settlement located furtherest south of the World. Here we met few boats, which had spent last summer on Antarctica and now were going up North. We spent pleasant evening in the club on the old Hulk by warm fireplace and beer. We feel magnificent here among these old Antarctic stagers. We are waiting for permission for sailing in Patagonia. Further to Ushuaia and to Magella Strait"

Capt. Jerzy Wąsowicz

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