The Mary Celeste Mystery
The Mary Celeste, often erroneously referred to as Marie Celeste, was a Canadian-built, American-registered merchant brigantine that became known for its mysterious abandonment.
It remains famous today as a ghost ship found floating off the coast of the Azores in 1872, The Mary Celeste is one of the most enduring maritime mysteries in history.
It was originally launched under British registration as the Amazon in 1861. It encountered several mishaps during its early years, including damage from running aground in Cow Bay, Cape Breton Island, in 1867. In 1868, the ship was sold to American Richard W. Haines, who renamed it the Mary Celeste.
Over the next several years, it underwent significant structural changes and eventually came under the ownership of Captain Benjamin Spooner Briggs.
On November 7th, 1872, the 282-ton brigantine set sail from New York Harbour on its way to Genoa, Italy.
Less than a month later, on December 5th, a passing British ship called Dei Gratia spotted the Mary Celeste at full sail and adrift about 400 miles east of the Azores, with no sign of the captain, his family, or any of the crew.
According to the last log entry—dated November 25th—the Mary Celeste was some 6 nautical miles (11 km) from the Azores.
Aside from around 3 feet (1 meter) of water in the hold (an amount that would not have caused panic) and a missing lifeboat, the ship was undamaged and loaded with six months’ worth of food and water.
Crewmen from the Dei Gratia sailed the Mary Celeste to Gibraltar, some 800 miles (1,482 km) away. British authorities conducted an investigation but found no evidence of foul play.
Theories surrounding the disappearance of the crew have ranged from sensational to more scientifically grounded explanations:
1. Mutiny or Pirate Attack:
Some speculate that there was a mutiny aboard the Mary Celeste, leading to the crew abandoning ship. Pirates were also suggested as a possible cause for the crew’s disappearance.
2. Explosion from Alcohol Fumes:
A more scientifically minded theory proposes an explosion caused by fumes from the 1700 barrels of crude alcohol in the ship’s hold. Some speculate that fumes from the alcohol caused an explosion, forcing the crew to evacuate. However, this theory remains unproven.
3. Faulty Chronometer and Rough Seas:
An investigation chronicled in a 2007 documentary suggested that a faulty chronometer, rough seas, and a clogged onboard pump could have led Captain Briggs to order the ship abandoned shortly after sighting land on November 25, 1872.
4. Abductions and Murder:
Other theories include abductions by unknown entities or murder at sea. Some even suspect that the crew of another ship, the Dei Gratia, may have been involved.
5. Giant Octopus or Sea Monster:
More sensational theories include encounters with giant octopuses or sea monsters.
6. Supernatural Theories:
Other theories include encounters with flying saucers or accidental forays into the Bermuda Triangle (even though the ship was nowhere near it geographically.)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle even wrote a short story in 1884 where inhabitants of the ghost ship fell victim to an ex-slave seeking vengeance. This paranormal angle might even suggest supernatural forces at play—perhaps ghosts or otherworldly beings influenced the crew’s actions. Again, this theory lacks concrete evidence.
Despite all of these theories, no definite conclusion has been reached regarding why an experienced captain like Briggs would abandon a perfectly sound ship.
The mystery of the Mary Celeste and her missing crew endures as one of history’s most perplexing maritime enigmas.
What do you think? What was the most likely reason for crew’s disappearance?
© Colin Lawson Books