THE ANTOFAGASTA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 289, 6 December 1877, Page 4

THE ANTOFAGASTA.

Some time ago (writes the Auckland JECerald), telegrams were received from Nelson stating that wreckage had been found, upon a portion of which was paio ted the name " Antotagasta," which w ( as, evidently the name of a vessel. Considerable correspondence took place in tbe various papers as to the origin of tbe word, and to what country the vessel belonged. We have never seen or heard uny thing which would give the slightest Jclue until yesterday on arrival of Mr Campbell, a gentleman hailing from Christohuroh, who has been on a tour through South America and returned via Tahiti and the Islands, arriving here by the schooner Wild Wave from the Society Group. Mr Campbell some time ago saw a copy of the 2/erG&f containing the account of the findiog of the piece of wreckage with " Antofagasta " thereon, and it instantly brought tp his mind the fact that while in Valparaiso he was desirous to sail for Sydney, and after various iQqniries ascertained that a .barque nas lying at Pisagua, in Peru, of tbe same name, or very similar to tbat found on Farewell Spit. She was to sail for Sydney, in ballast, but as the agent in Valparaiso oould not guarantee the barque to wait until Mr Campbell reached Pisagua, he declined to book by her, and came to Tahiti, reaching there in August, in another vessel, thence to Auckland by ihe schooner Wave of Life, Where the wreckage waa found is in the direct track from Peru, and wiil therefore materially assist in clearing up the mystery which has shrouded the wreckage.