paleonet Missing Mosasaurs (19th Century)

[Dan_Chure@xxxxxxx]

In their 1971 publication (Records Canterbury Museum  v. 9, no. 1) on Late
Cretaceous marine  reptiles from New Zealand, Welles and Greg mention a 780
mm long portion of a mosasaur skull discovered in New Zealand in the
1860's.  The specimen was shipped from New Zealand to England on the
Matoaka. To quote from this work "The Matoaka, which had sailed from
Canterbury on 13 May 1869, was never seen again."

Did this ship simply disappear or is something known about the
circumstances under which it was lost?

Sorry for any cross-posts.

Dan

Daniel J. Chure, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Dinosaur National Monument
Box 92
Jensen UT  84035
PH: 435-781-7703