1884day.year
On the night of 23–24 September, the steamship Arctique runs aground near Cape Virgenes leading to the discovery of nearby placer gold, beginning the Tierra del Fuego gold rush.
The stranding of the steamship Arctique led to the discovery of gold and ignited the Tierra del Fuego gold rush.
On the night of September 23–24, 1884, the steamship Arctique ran aground near Cape Virgenes at the southern tip of South America.
As salvagers searched for supplies, they stumbled upon placer gold deposits in nearby rivers.
The news of the find triggered a rapid influx of prospectors to the remote and rugged region of Tierra del Fuego.
Despite harsh weather and challenging terrain, the gold rush brought a brief surge of mining activity and settlement.
The event reshaped the economic landscape of the island and remains a legendary episode in the history of Patagonia.
1884
Cape Virgenes
placer
Tierra del Fuego gold rush