In the mid 19th century, the Panama Canal had not yet been created, and thus the only way to reach the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic Ocean was to sail around Cape Horn, an area infamous for its shipwrecks. The prevailing winds in the vicinity of Cape Horn and south, blow from west to east around the world almost uninterrupted by land, giving rise to the roaring forties and the even more wild furious fifties and screaming sixties. Despite this, Carrier Pigeon encountered no difficulties rounding the Cape.