The Drake Passage

 

The temperatures are dropping. We have been cruising due south since yesterday. 

                    Air Temp.       Water Temp.

25 Jan.               24                      22

26 Jan.               22                      19

27 Jan.               17                       17

28 Jan.               12                       11

Our current latitude is 53S. Cape Horn is 

56S

Everything south of 60S can be defined as Antarctica. A ship can set course due east or due west and sail around the globe at this latitude. There is no land mass blocking the way. 

A cold sea current circulates the globe here as well, blocking the entry of warm currents from the north. The collision of the currents contributes to the highly unpredictable and often severe weather associated with sailing around Cape Horn through the Drake Passage. 

Today’s lecture in the ship’s lounge on Antarctica and the Drake Passage brought home to me how unsymmetrical the climate zones of the globe are, something that sailors have known and dealt with for centuries. 

Tomorrow, Ushuaia.