A SHIP retracing the steps of Captain Cook has been thrown off course by bad weather.

A replica of Cook's ship Endeavour, which is en route from Fremantle, Western Australia to Whitby, North Yorkshire, was due to reach Cape Horn, at the tip of South America, within the next few weeks.

But due to stormy weather, the vessel was thrown in the wrong direction leaving it 400 miles from Cape Horn,

The region features some of the most perilous and treacherous waters in the world.

The crew, which includes Jon Preston, 39, an ancestor of Captain Cook's family who is returning to his native North-East, are now back on course.

They are on their final approach to Cape Horn, past Port William.

Members of the crew are providing a fascinating insight into life on the ocean by keeping a regular log of the journey on their website.

Captain's clerk Camilla van den Broek reports that there was great excitement on board the ship when they spotted another vessel - the first they had seen for weeks.

The ship continued its journey past Tierra del Fuego, about 400 miles from Cape Horn.

Captain Cook travelled the same course to the region back in 1769 and again in 1774.

Anyone who would like to follow the progress of the Endeavour, which is due to arrive in Whitby on June 21, can log on to the website at www.barkendeavour.com.au