Noir Island (Spanish: Isla Noir) is an island located west of Tierra del Fuego. Cabo Noir (sometimes called "Cape Noir" in English) is the south-western cape of Isla Noir.Carteret's voyage round the world, 1766-1769: "Cape Noir, the south-west cape of Noir Island, 54° 31' S, 73° 05' W." The island reaches a height of approximately .
Important Bird Area The island has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of southern rockhopper and macaroni penguins, southern giant petrels, Chilean skuas and striated caracaras.
In literature Cape Noir plays a crucial role in a dramatic episode in Patrick O'Brian's novel, The Golden Ocean, which is based on the historical events of Commodore George Anson's circumnavigation of the world. In the story, a squadron of ships believes they have successfully rounded Cape Horn westwards and reached safe waters. However, upon sighting Cape Noir, they are confronted with the shocking realization that their longitude reckoning is grossly in error.
The episode is described by the chaplain of the Centurion:, p. 83
References
External links United States Hydrographic Office, South America Pilot (1916)