Photo: Bonnie from United States / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Cape Foulweather, the headland north of Otter Rock, got its name from one of history’s most famous navigators on a very bad day.
Cook’s third voyage
In March 1778, Captain James Cook was sailing north along the Pacific coast of North America on his third voyage of exploration. On March 7 he sighted the headland, but strong winds and rough seas kept his ships from getting close. He named it Cape Foulweather.
What he missed
Bad weather meant Cook did not find the mouths of the Columbia River or the bays of the central coast. He sailed on toward Vancouver Island and Alaska, and later died in Hawaii in 1779.
Visiting today
Today the Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint sits on the cape, with a lookout shop and wide views of the coast. On a windy day, it is easy to see how the cape got its name.
Marnie Holcomb is the editor and publisher of Oregon Coast Daily News and covers Lincoln County government and community life.
