Cape Frio

Cape Frio is a prominent headland on the southeastern coast of Brazil that the Nautilus passes at high speed in early April 1868, serving as a geographical marker for Captain Nemo's deliberate avoidance of the populous Brazilian coastline and his acceleration of the submarine's northward course through the Atlantic.

Location and Setting

Cape Frio is located on the coast of Brazil, near the Tropic of Capricorn. The Nautilus passes this point on April 4, 1868, after having crossed the wide estuary of the Rio de la Plata and cruised along the Patagonian waterways. By the time the submarine reaches Cape Frio, it has already traveled 16,000 leagues since its departure from the seas of Japan. The cape represents a significant turning point in the Nautilus's Atlantic voyage, as it marks the transition from the relatively sparsely populated southern coast of South America to the more densely inhabited shores of Brazil.

Captain Nemo's Avoidance of the Coast

Captain Nemo demonstrates a marked aversion to the neighborhood of Brazil's populous shores. As the Nautilus approaches Cape Frio, he orders the submarine to proceed at dizzying speed, making no effort to slow down or observe the coastal waters. The narrative records that "much to Ned Land's displeasure, Captain Nemo had no liking for the neighborhood of Brazil's populous shores, because he shot by with dizzying speed." This rapid passage prevents any meaningful observation of the natural curiosities in these seas, and even the swiftest fish and birds cannot keep pace with the Nautilus. The Canadian harpooner Ned Land, who had been hoping for an opportunity to escape from the submarine, is particularly frustrated by this decision, as the Brazilian coast would have offered a potential refuge.

Narrative Significance

Cape Frio serves as a narrative pivot in the Nautilus's Atlantic crossing. After passing this point, the submarine maintains its high speed for several days, eventually reaching Cape São Roque, the easternmost tip of South America, on the evening of April 9. From there, the Nautilus veers away from the coast and descends into the deep underwater valley between Brazil and Africa, beginning its exploration of the submerged continent of Atlantis. The rapid passage past Cape Frio thus underscores Captain Nemo's fundamental rejection of human society and his preference for the open ocean and its hidden wonders over the populated shores of the civilized world.