Miles Smeeton (1906–1988)

One of the great classics of cruising sailing literature. I purchased a copy after re-reading the Smeeton's biography "High Endeavours" (which I originally came to through reading "Once is Enough" many years ago). Told in Miles Smeetons dryly humerous and friendly prose it's the story of how, in 1957, he and his wife Beryl tried twice to sail their yacht Tzu Hang around Cape Horn and both times met with disaster. It's also the story of how people pushed to the very edge can fight back and survive (through their own spirit, skills and with a modicum of luck). It's is also a story of the kindness of strangers and how connections made many years previously can come to our aid when we need them. A classic for a reason!
A couple of footnotes -
In recent years scientific study has shown that freak waves, many times larger than those around them, and previously thought to be the invention of tall tale telling sailors, are a real thing. Read Beryl's description of the first wave that toppled them and then do some reading on freak waves...)
The Smeetons did eventually make it around the Horn in Tzu Hang, in 1968, sailing the "wrong way", from East to West.
If you want to see some of John Guzzwell's footage during the first attempt see here: https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/video/cape-horn-sailing-round-the-horn-195... (the patronising description of Beryl is awful but the footage is great)… (meer)