Charles Lagerbom, shown off Cape Horn, will discuss the world’s most dangerous maritime voyage. Contributed photo
The Camden Public Library plans to host maritime historian Charles H. Lagerbom at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, for a slideshow talk via Zoom about his new book, “Maine to Cape Horn: The World’s Most Dangerous Voyage.”
This is the first program in the library’s month-long “Discover History Series.”
Cape Horn conjures up images of wind-whipped waters and desperate mariners in frozen rigging, according to a library news release. Long recognized as a maritime touchstone for sailors, it marks the spot where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet in one writhing mass.
“Doubling” Cape Horn became the ultimate test, earning a prominent place in Maine maritime history. At the end of South America, it shares longitude 67 degrees west exactly with Cutler, Maine, a direct north-south line of 7,000 miles.
Maine Cape Horners were recognized by a golden earring. If they did not survive this most difficult journey in the world, the earring covered the costs of their funeral, should the body ever be found.
Lagerbom traveled to the end of the world to help research this story about bold Mainers and their exhilarating and oftentimes deadly dance with danger.
A published author and avid collector of polar, colonial Maine, and maritime books, Lagerbom is a frequent guest lecturer presenting on cruise ships, sailing vessels, and ashore. He covers topics about history, life, politics, and science of Antarctica, Cape Horn, and South Atlantic, as well as colonial Maine and New England maritime history and archaeology.
He is past president of the Antarctican Society, where he serves as current archivist/historian. He is author of “The Fifth Man: The Life of H.R. Bowers” and “Whaling in Maine,” and publishes a weekly column in the Camden Herald titled “Half Seas Over: Interesting Research Related to Maritime Maine.”
Lagerbom teaches AP U.S. History at Belfast Area High School and lives on the coast of Maine.
To learn more and register to attend, visit the “What’s Happening” adult events calendar at librarycamden.org. Lagerbom will also sign and sell copies of his book from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, in the library’s Children’s Garden, 55 Main St.
Discover History Month at the Camden Public Library is sponsored by Camden Riverhouse Hotel & Inn, with additional support provided by The Smiling Cow.
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