The Mary Celeste: The Mystery of the Ghost Ship and Its Missing Crew

On December 5, 1872, a brigantine named the “Mary Celeste” was found adrift in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was in perfect seaworthy condition, yet there was no one on board. It was as if time had stopped, capturing a moment in the middle of the voyage. More than 150 years after its discovery, it remains one of the world’s most famous unsolved mysteries, often referred to as the quintessential “ghost ship.” What happened to this ship? Where did the captain and crew disappear to? In this article, we will thoroughly examine the enigma of the Mary Celeste and explore the truth behind it.

1. The Discovery: A Seaworthy Ship Without a Soul

On December 5, 1872 (some sources say December 4), the British brig “Dei Gratia” discovered a ship adrift in the Atlantic Ocean, about 600 miles off the coast of Portugal, near the Azores. That ship was the “Mary Celeste,” which would later become synonymous with the term “ghost ship.”

David Morehouse, the captain of the Dei Gratia, sensed something was amiss and ordered his crew to board the Mary Celeste in a small boat. What they found there was an astonishing sight.

• No sign of life, yet traces of recent activity: There was no one on board. However, the captain’s logbook was found open on his desk, and the crew’s personal belongings were neatly stored in their respective places. It was as if someone had been there just moments before.
• The ship’s condition: When discovered, some of the sails of the Mary Celeste were not set, and there was some water in the hold. The ship itself was in a seaworthy condition with no significant damage.
• Provisions: There were ample provisions – enough food and water for six months.
• Cargo: Of the 1,701 barrels of alcohol, 9 were found to be empty, but the rest were intact.
• Ship’s equipment: The ship was not ransacked and equipment was neatly stored. The compass was found destroyed. The chronometer and the sextant were missing, as was one small boat.
• The missing lifeboat: The only lifeboat (a small boat) was missing. This suggested that the crew had left the ship of their own accord, but there were no signs of a hasty departure.

It was evident from the state of the ship that the Mary Celeste had not faced an emergency that required everyone to abandon ship immediately. There was no sign of a pirate attack, nor was the ship severely damaged. There were enough provisions, and the crew’s personal belongings were left behind. Why, then, did they vanish without a trace?

2. The Voyage of the Mary Celeste: Before the Incident

The key to solving the mystery may lie in the voyage of the Mary Celeste itself. Let’s trace the ship’s path leading up to the incident.

The Mary Celeste was a brigantine, 103 feet (about 31 meters) long and weighing 282 tons, built in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1861, and originally named “Amazon.” The ship was renamed the “Mary Celeste” in 1869, following a series of unfortunate events. It can be said that the ship had a checkered history.

At the time of the incident, the owner of the Mary Celeste was James Winchester.

On November 7, 1872, the Mary Celeste set sail from New York to Genoa, Italy, under the command of Captain Benjamin Briggs. On board were Captain Briggs’ wife Sarah, their 2-year-old daughter Sophia, and a crew of seven, making a total of 10 people. The cargo was 1,701 barrels of industrial alcohol (methanol).

• Captain Benjamin Briggs: An experienced and skilled seafarer, highly trusted by those around him. There are records that he treated his crew like family.
• The Crew: The crew consisted of the first mate, second mate, cook, and four other seamen. Some may have lacked experience, but it is presumed that this did not hinder the voyage.

For the first few days, the voyage went smoothly. However, the last entry in the logbook was made on November 25. On that day, the logbook stated that they had “passed 100 miles west of Santa Maria Island in the Azores.”

3. The Missing Crew: Where Did They Go?

Why and how did the entire crew disappear from the Mary Celeste? To solve this mystery, it is necessary to investigate the circumstances of the voyage, the relationships within the ship, and the personalities of the captain and crew as thoroughly as possible.

• Captain Benjamin Briggs: He was said to be an experienced captain with a strong sense of responsibility. It is hard to imagine him going mad and abandoning his crew. He was also a loving father and it is unlikely that he would endanger his wife and daughter.
• The Crew: Detailed information about the crew members is scarce, and much remains unknown. However, from the ship’s logbook and the testimonies of those involved, it is possible to speculate on their personalities and roles on the ship to some extent.
• The roles and living conditions of seamen in the 19th century: Voyages in the 19th century were incomparably harsher than they are today. Seamen had to live together in a confined space for long periods under strict discipline and were subjected to hard labor. It is undeniable that these conditions may have had some effect on the mental state of the crew.
• Relationships on board: In a closed environment like a ship, relationship problems can easily escalate. Was there any conflict or discord on board the Mary Celeste?
• Possible courses of action: If, for some reason, the crew had to leave the ship, what actions would they have taken? Did they try to reach a nearby island in the lifeboat? Or did they seek rescue from another ship?

4. A Myriad of Theories: Examining the Various Hypotheses

The enigma of the Mary Celeste has given rise to numerous speculations since its occurrence. Here, we will examine the most prominent hypotheses.

Pirate Attack

The area where the Mary Celeste was found was known to be frequented by pirates at the time. However, the fact that valuables were left on board and there were no signs of resistance from the crew makes the pirate attack theory unlikely. Captain Morehouse of the Dei Gratia also testified that he had not seen any pirate activity in the area at the time. Furthermore, pirates usually attack ships to loot valuables or cargo. If pirates had attacked the Mary Celeste, why would they have left behind valuable cargo and the crew’s personal belongings? Why didn’t they take over the ship itself? Even if they didn’t leave any survivors, they would have taken some sort of action, like scuttling the ship. Considering these questions, the pirate attack theory lacks credibility.

Attack by a Giant Squid or Sea Monster

Giant squids are enormous creatures that inhabit the deep sea, with the largest reaching up to 43 feet (13 meters). There is a theory that the crew was attacked by one of those creatures and fell into the sea. However, giant squids, including colossal squids, live in the deep sea and rarely come near the surface. Furthermore, if a giant squid had attacked the ship, there should have been some damage to the hull. However, no such traces were found on the Mary Celeste. Also, it’s unlikely that all the crew were attacked at once by a sea monster. Therefore, an attack by a giant squid or a sea monster is also highly unlikely.

Mutiny

Another theory suggests that the crew mutinied during the voyage, killed the captain and his family, and then abandoned the ship. However, the absence of any signs of struggle on board, and the lack of motive for the crew to mutiny, makes this theory less plausible. Captain Briggs was experienced and respected by his crew, and it’s unlikely that there was dissatisfaction with the working conditions. It’s hard to believe that a mutiny-level situation existed. Furthermore, it is unclear how the mutinous crew members would have escaped afterward. This theory, too, is inconsistent with the circumstantial evidence and lacks credibility.

Captain’s Derangement

This theory suggests that Captain Briggs went insane during the voyage and, in a state of delirium, took his family and crew with him to their deaths. However, records show that Captain Briggs was an experienced and responsible man, and a loving father. It is hard to imagine him taking such an extreme action. There is also testimony that Captain Briggs showed no signs of abnormality before departure. It’s improbable that a captain with such extensive experience would take his own life at sea. This theory seems far-fetched when considering Captain Briggs’ personality and the circumstances at the time.

Nautical Accident

This theory suggests that a natural phenomenon, such as a storm or tsunami, caused temporary panic, and the crew accidentally abandoned the ship. However, the condition of the ship when it was discovered was not so damaged as to suggest such a major disaster, making it unlikely that it encountered a large-scale natural disaster. Furthermore, after the logbook entry on November 25, there is no record of the Mary Celeste encountering such a natural disaster, nor in the records of other ships sailing in the vicinity. Also, if they had temporarily abandoned the ship, why didn’t the crew return to the Mary Celeste? This theory leaves unanswered questions.

Flammable Cargo

The theory suggests the crew temporarily abandoned ship fearing that the cargo of industrial alcohol on the Mary Celeste might have vaporized and posed a risk of explosion, but were unable to return. The fact that nine barrels were empty suggests the possibility of an explosion. However, there is no evidence of an explosion or fire on board, making the possibility of a fire or explosion unlikely. Nevertheless, in the “Latest Investigations and New Possibilities” section below, facts have emerged that support this theory. This theory still has some potential compared to the others.

Insurance Fraud

This theory suggests that Winchester, the ship’s owner, staged the incident for insurance money. However, subsequent investigations revealed that the Mary Celeste was not insured for a large sum. Also, there are too many unnatural aspects for it to be a cover-up. Furthermore, Winchester himself had invested heavily in this voyage, leaving no motive for staging the incident.

Other Minority Theories

These include the possibility of temporary evacuation due to an earthquake or tsunami, or even alien abduction. These are speculative and lack evidence. They are hardly realistic hypotheses and may be interesting as entertainment, but they are not worth considering from the perspective of finding the truth.

5. Latest Investigations and New Possibilities: Modern Science Sheds Light on the Ghost Ship

In recent years, new investigations and hypotheses regarding the Mary Celeste have been presented one after another.

• Experimental results supporting the “explosion” theory:
  In 2006, a research team led by Dr. Andrea Sella of University College London conducted an experiment for the documentary “The True Story of the Mary Celeste,” recreating the conditions of the Mary Celeste’s cargo of alcohol and conducting an ignition test. The results showed that while an explosion of vaporized alcohol in a confined space wouldn’t be powerful enough to destroy the barrels, the sound of the explosion and the flames leaping from the barrels would be quite terrifying. This experimental result partially supports the aforementioned “Flammable Cargo” theory.
• The possibility of a “pressure wave” phenomenon:
  A “pressure wave” is a phenomenon where a liquid is heated beyond its boiling point without actually boiling, remaining in a “superheated” state. It is possible that the alcohol cargo of the Mary Celeste became superheated for some reason and then rapidly vaporized, causing a sudden pressure wave. This would explain the lack of explosion or fire damage. This phenomenon can be caused by various factors, such as the rocking of the ship or temperature changes. The pressure wave would have caused a loud, frightening noise, but no significant damage.
• Reinforcement of the temporary evacuation theory:
  The aforementioned “explosion” or “pressure wave” could well have led Captain Briggs to decide to temporarily abandon ship. To protect his crew and family, he may have decided to leave the potentially dangerous ship temporarily to assess the situation. This would be consistent with the lack of signs of struggle on board and the fact that the crew’s personal belongings were left behind. However, some accident (sudden change in weather, capsizing of the boat, loss of sense of direction, etc.) may have prevented them from returning to the ship. For example, a strong wind may have started to blow, drifting the boat away. Or, a thick fog may have set in, making it impossible to see the ship.
• New analysis of the logbook:
  Recently, the entries in the Mary Celeste’s logbook have been re-analyzed in detail. As a result, it was discovered that Captain Briggs had slightly changed course during the voyage. There is a new view that this change of course may have something to do with the incident.

Considering these latest investigations and new possibilities, the “temporary evacuation due to flammable cargo or a pressure wave” theory seems to be the most plausible hypothesis at present.

6. The Lessons of the Mary Celeste: What the Unsolved Mystery Tells Us

The Mary Celeste incident is not just a maritime accident, but an unsolved mystery that captures the human imagination. What does this incident ask of us?

• The Threat of Nature: The sea can, at times, pose a threat beyond human imagination. The crew of the Mary Celeste may have encountered a natural phenomenon unknown to us. This incident reminds us to have a renewed respect for nature.
• Human Frailty: When placed in extreme situations, humans are unpredictable in their actions. Captain Briggs was an experienced and responsible person, but it is still possible that he made a misjudgment. This incident highlights human imperfection and the precariousness of judgment.
• Fear of the Unknown: The Mary Celeste incident suggests that there are still unknown things that we do not yet know. This incident teaches us that inexplicable events beyond human knowledge and experience can occur. And it evokes fear and awe towards that “unknown.”

The truth of the Mary Celeste incident remains shrouded in darkness. However, there is no doubt that this incident has taught us many lessons. Even with modern scientific technology, some mysteries remain unsolved. We should take this incident as a lesson and always maintain a humble attitude when facing the unknown.

7. Further Reading

• Fay, C. E. (1942). Mary Celeste: The Odyssey of an Abandoned Ship.
• Hastings, Macdonald. (1965). Mary Celeste: A Centenary Record.
• Wright, David G. (2002). Joyita: Solving the Mystery.
• Berlitz, Charles. The Bermuda Triangle.
• The True Story of the Mary Celeste. (2007). (TV program).