LVIIth World Congress

LVIIth WORLD CONGRESS OF CAPE HORN CAPTAINS

This international event was held in Nyborg, Denmark, from 21st to 24th July 2002, and was attended by 157 Brotherhood members from 12 countries: Aland Islands (37); Germany (37); Australia (4); Chile (5); Denmark (19); Finland (8); France-Belgium (6); Great Britain (8); Holland (9); Norway (20) and New Zealand (4). As can be appreciated, Chile was the only country from the Americas present.

The meeting was presided over by the International Secretary-General, Belgian Captain Roger Ghys, standing in for the Chairman, German Captain Heiner Sumfleth, who was unable to attend for health reasons.

All those present stayed at the Nyborg Strand Hotel, an excellent establishment with capacity for a thousand people.

The event was inaugurated on 21^st July with a comradeship meeting when the definite program to be followed was distributed; which commenced the following day with the traditional ceremony raising the flags of the participating countries. The Chilean flag was raised by the Chairman of the Chilean Section, accompanied by the Past Chairman and founding member of the Chilean Brotherhood, Vice-Admiral Jorge Sepúlveda Ortiz. A local band of adolescent girls dressed in old-fashioned and colorful costumes played each one of the national anthems of the participating countries present.

When the ceremony ended, those attending headed for “The Church of Our Lady”, where a Lutheran bishop celebrated a solemn religious service followed by an emotional sermon when special reference was made to the risks of life at sea and particularly in the famous storm area of Cape Horn.

During this ceremony, the Presidents from each country read the names of the Brotherhood members who had passed away since the last Congress in Chile – November 2001 – until that date. It was impressive to learn that 40 full members of the organization had passed away in the last eight months: Aland I. (3); Germany (11); Australia (2); Denmark (3); U.S.A. (6); Finland (8); France-Belgium (3) and Great Britain (4).

At the end of this ceremony, those attending and special guests headed for the old Nyborg Castle, where His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark – husband of Queen Margrethe – Protector of the Danish Brotherhood was present. After a welcoming speech by the mayor of the city, a typical luncheon was served, the meeting ending with a magnificent replay of music and dances from the successful musical comedy “The Sound of Music”, performed by local youth.

That day’s activities were crowned by an official banquet at the Nyborg Strand hotel, where the Chairman of the Danish Section, Captain Niels-Erik Lokkebo, welcomed those present. Later Captain R. Ghys gave out information on the Saint Malo Congress – 2003, stating that he hoped that the present Chairman, Captain H. Sumfleth, would be able to be present at the last meeting of AMICALE INTERNATIONALE.

The following day, 23^rd July, was devoted to a bus excursion to the South of Fyn island, where it was possible to admire the fertility of the fields used for agriculture and the beauty of the Danish landscape, to which should be added the extraordinary maritime activity between the islands and the intense movement of yachts and sailboats, typical of this country. The excursion included a visit to an old maritime museum, the old Bregninge church and beautiful VALDEMAR castle, privately owned, and the trip ended with a luncheon at the Christiansominde hotel in Svendborg bay. The day’s activities ended with a performance of the Cuxhaven choir from Germany consisting of 22 male voices, who sang a repertoire of typical old Cap Hornier songs.

The Federate Congress was held on 24^th July, attended by the Chairmen of each Section, and as guests – with no voting rights – the Chairmen of the Holland Foundation and the Norwegian “Cape Horn” Club.

During the meeting, details were given of the administrative progress of the organization and documents were distributed with instructions and appropriate information for those intending to participate in the Saint Malo Congress – 2003. Two motions were put forward before the meeting ended, which must be settled at the Final Congress.

	The Finnish Section proposed that a bronze plaque be made bearing the names of the last “Albatross” from each country (Captains who rounded Cape Horn in command of a merchant sailing ship, with no mechanical propulsion), to be donated to the Tour Solidor Cap Horniers Museum at Saint Servant, Saint Malo.
	The Chilean Section proposed that before ending the Saint Malo Congress – 2003, a Secretariat be established for the main purpose of keeping a register of the authorities of Brotherhoods deciding to continue their activities in the future, including addresses, telephones, e-mail addresses, etc., of each of them.

The Nyborg Congress ended with the traditional farewell luncheon when thanks were given for the hospitality received during the event. On this occasion the “Pour le Mérite” medal was given to the Commander in Chief of the Chilean Navy, Admiral Miguel Angel VERGARA Villalobos, in appreciation of his authorizing the AP AQUILES to be at the disposal of the Chilean Brotherhood for four days, permitting those attending the LVIth World Congress of Cap Horniers – held in Chile in 2001 – to travel from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams and later to Cape Horn where – regardless of the weather conditions – around 35 foreign Brotherhood members were able to disembark. The medal was received – in representation of the C.I.C. – by the Head of the Chilean Naval Mission in Great Britain, Captain Gustavo Jordán A., who attended all the Congress events accompanied by his wife.

At the closing meeting, the Chairmen of the Aland I., Germany, Great Britain and Chile Sections presented a number of gifts to the Chairman of the Denmark Section. The Chilean delegation’s gift was a beautiful wooden albatross, made and donated by Brother Extraordinary Mr. Lucien BURQUIER L.

The meeting in Denmark ended when the gathering sang the traditional song of farewell “Rolling Home”. The magnificent hospitality of the Danish Brotherhood will remain engraved in the memories of the participants, as well as the natural beauty of the landscape and the seafaring spirit of the people, all of which contributed in a positive way to strengthening the traditional ties of friendship which exist between the Cape Horn Captains, who have made a commitment to participate in the Final Meeting at Saint Malo, France, mid May, 2003.

Valparaíso, September 2002

Roberto BENAVENTE Mercado
Rear Admiral
Chairman
Botherhood of Cape Horn Captains - Chile