New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-08
A LOST ISLAND.
MILLIONS IN GUANO AWAIT THE FORTU-
NATE DISCONERER.
From The San Francisco Bulletin


From The San Francisco Bulletin.
The mysterious island of the Southern ocean
whereon rich deposits of guano are said to be mas
not been discovered yet. though the little schooner
searched for it ali seas over in the latitude. and
longitude where II is believed to exist. out OF the
regular course of sailing and steam vessels crused
the Moonlight for days. but nothing occurred to
the well-known high rock of much-men-
tio,.ed Clipperton. Treasure Island and its wealth
quantity for the rough charts Of old Captain Mar
tin and his adventurous associates are either In
caused the lost isle to disappear. years ago. per-
haps. for all that mortal sailor knows ,, g
The Moonlight sailed from this port on July ls
bound for Ataia. Mexico with general cargo; the
vessel is the property Of j. A Magee and others
and the primary object OF her voyage was the dis
covery OF the island mentioned. Mr.. Mage is one
OF the company known as the Oceanic Phosphate
Company. which has shown considerable enterprise
perton Island with phosphates. After an outlay Of
on Clpperton succeeded in securing cargoes for
the craft sent out by the corporation from San
business on a paying basis number OF members
OF the company turned their attention TO the ac-
old school have declared exists not so many hundred
miles off the Mexican and Central American coast
by the promoters OF the Moonlight expedition
Though those who returned to-day on the schooner
disappointed at not finding the place. they stil
have hope OF some day locating the spot
ceeded to Alfalfa keeping little out OF the regu-
lar In doing. and after discharging
crused again and then put back 20 MaZatlan. Mexico
From Mae ilan the schooner sailed nfty-two days
ago. She cleared for this port, but before straight
enlng out on her northward trip looked the seas
over for the lost Island 1t could not be found. and
fearing to waste any time. provisions and
water might run short. the vessel headed for san
Francisco.
For a number OF years the lost island OF the
South Pacific has been searched for by ambitious
seamen. The stories concerning II are various and
romantic and TO great extent conflicting.
though the narratives all seem TO centre on the
fact that the place exists somewhere about 40 or
800 miles southwest Of Cnppcrton Island. and Is a
low coral aio which Is covered with the richest
phosphatcs. The little unknown also has Its
legends OF pirates treasures, and according 10 an
old volume containing mention OF Lord Clpperton 5
voyages was once the rendezvous OF pirates.
one OF the expeditions OF recent date which have
been fitted out to look FOR tho island the Vine
cxDedltlon The Vines owner. Captain Burns. ac-
cordlng TO the first officer Of that craft. secured
tain named Martin. who died some years ago. and
who left M old chest among his belongings which
told OF a small island in the South Pacific. not
down on the regular charts enormously rich IN
phosphates Marin claiMed that his vessel was
driver out OF he. regular course By head winds.
and came across the Island. which he described.
He took n note OF the latitude and longitude.
hoping some day 10 raise enough money TO NJ out
a vesseI TO proceed 10 that spot and take possess
sion bu, death pu. an end 10 his aspirations.
The Moonllga,. leaving Nazauan. was In
charge OF Captain Spencer. and had number OF
local men on board who stlll have falth In the
theory ,ha, the island Is stl above water and
ina, The old sea dogs who sighted II In past years
simnIv n, de errors in their rcckonings and have
ca,sca all subsequent failures to ind the land Of
fortune.