Amazing map proves you can sail from Britain to New Zealand in a STRAIGHT LINE
- Reddit users show it can be a straight sail from UK to just below New Zealand
- Distance between Southampton and New Zealand is about 10,000 nautical miles
- On the standard map some landmasses appear larger than they actually are
Sailors could sail from the Britain to New Zealand in a straight line a staggering new map has shown.
Although they are 10,000 nautical miles apart, the journey between the two nations is much less complex than most would imagine.
An incredible new map has shown how while on a 2 dimensional image the nations look separated by both sea – and a lot of land in the middle – the truth is a straight course can get you from one to the other.
Two Reddit users, u/kevpluck and Lemonface explained – and showed maps – on how the route is not as it seems.
On the standard map, the Mercator projection which shows some landmasses much larger than they actually are it seems as though the boat would need to go around the edge of south America.
Map with a corrected scale shows how the sailing route from the UK to just below New Zealand is a line, and not a curve
The route can go in a straight arrow from one country to the other – but it is not clear if it is the most practical route
However, when shown with a clearer scale, it is proven it is actually almost a straight shoot.
The point of the line lands you just south of New Zealand – but very, very close.
Taking this route, it seems, would take sailors over the formidable Drake Passage or Mar de Hoces—Sea of Hoces—between South America’s Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica.
Historically the clipper route was the traditional route sailed by clipper ships between Europe and the Far East, Australia and New Zealand.
However, bad conditions particularly at Cape Horn saw off many ships and their crew.
The clipper route fell into commercial disuse with the introduction of steam ships, and the opening of the Suez and Panama Canals but remains the fastest sailing route around the world.
A sailor could set a straight course and land up just near New Zealand an incredible rendered map has shown