The Mary Celeste
The Mary Celeste: A merchant ship discovered abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean in 1872, famously associated with mysteries surrounding its crew's disappearance.
The Mary Celeste was an American merchant ship involved in one of history's most famous unsolved maritime mysteries.
The ship left New York on 7 November 1872 and was travelling to Genoa, Italy.
There were 10 people aboard:
* Captain Benjamin Briggs
* His wife, Sarah Briggs
* Their two-year-old daughter, Sophia
* Seven crew members
The ship was carrying approximately 1,700 barrels of industrial alcohol.
## The Disappearance
On 4 December 1872, the Mary Celeste was discovered abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean near the Azores by the crew of another ship called the Dei Gratia.
The people aboard the Mary Celeste were completely missing.
However, the ship itself was still afloat and could still be sailed.
The ship's lifeboat was missing.
Food and water supplies were still aboard, and much of the cargo was still intact.
The last known log entry was made on 25 November 1872.
## Why Is It Mysterious?
The disappearance is mysterious because:
* All 10 people aboard disappeared.
* The ship was not completely destroyed.
* The ship was still seaworthy.
* The lifeboat was missing.
* Food and water remained aboard.
* Much of the cargo remained aboard.
* There was no definite explanation for why everyone disappeared.
The Mary Celeste was not found with its crew, but it was also not found as a wreck.
## The Dei Gratia
The Dei Gratia was another ship travelling across the Atlantic.
Its crew discovered the Mary Celeste abandoned.
The Dei Gratia crew boarded the Mary Celeste and found the ship without its people.
They eventually sailed the Mary Celeste to Gibraltar, where an investigation took place.
## The Investigation
A British investigation was held in Gibraltar.
Investigators considered whether foul play or other causes could have been responsible.
No definite explanation was established.
The mystery therefore remains unsolved.
## Possible Explanations
Many theories have been suggested about what happened.
One possible theory is that Captain Benjamin Briggs believed the ship was in danger and ordered everyone to abandon it.
The people may have entered the missing lifeboat.
They may then have become separated from the Mary Celeste and been lost at sea.
Possible reasons Captain Briggs may have believed the ship was dangerous include:
* Problems with the ship's pump
* Rough weather
* Navigation problems or uncertainty
* Concerns about the alcohol cargo
This explanation is a theory, not a proven fact.
## The Alcohol Cargo
The Mary Celeste was carrying around 1,700 barrels of industrial alcohol.
Some of the barrels contained alcohol that could potentially create dangerous conditions if vapours escaped.
Concerns about the cargo have therefore been considered when explaining why the crew may have abandoned the ship.
However, this does not prove that the alcohol caused the disappearance.
## The Missing Lifeboat
The missing lifeboat is one of the most important pieces of evidence.
If the crew left the Mary Celeste voluntarily, they may have used the lifeboat.
If they became separated from the ship, they could have been lost at sea.
However, because the lifeboat was never recovered with the missing people, exactly what happened remains unknown.
## The Ship's Condition
When the Mary Celeste was discovered:
* The ship was still afloat.
* The ship could still be sailed.
* Food remained aboard.
* Water remained aboard.
* Much of the cargo remained aboard.
* The people were gone.
* The lifeboat was gone.
These details make the disappearance unusual.
## Important People
Benjamin Briggs — Captain of the Mary Celeste.
Sarah Briggs — Benjamin Briggs' wife and one of the passengers.
Sophia Briggs — Benjamin and Sarah Briggs' two-year-old daughter.
The seven crew members — The sailors working aboard the Mary Celeste.
The crew of the Dei Gratia — The people who discovered the abandoned Mary Celeste.
## Important Dates
7 November 1872 — Mary Celeste leaves New York.
25 November 1872 — Last known log entry.
4 December 1872 — Mary Celeste is discovered abandoned by the Dei Gratia.
1872 — The disappearance occurs and the mystery begins.
## Important Places
New York — Where the Mary Celeste began its journey.
Genoa, Italy — The ship's intended destination.
Atlantic Ocean — Where the abandoned ship was found.
Azores — Islands near where the Mary Celeste was discovered.
Gibraltar — Location of the investigation into the abandoned ship.
## Key Numbers
10 — Number of people aboard.
1,700 — Approximate number of barrels of industrial alcohol.
7 November 1872 — Date the ship left New York.
25 November 1872 — Last known log entry.
4 December 1872 — Date the ship was discovered abandoned.
## What Is Known vs Unknown
### Known
The Mary Celeste left New York.
It was travelling to Genoa.
There were 10 people aboard.
It carried about 1,700 barrels of industrial alcohol.
The last known log entry was on 25 November 1872.
The ship was found near the Azores.
The ship was still afloat.
The lifeboat was missing.
The people aboard were missing.
An investigation was conducted in Gibraltar.
### Unknown
Exactly why the crew abandoned the ship.
Exactly where the crew went.
Exactly what happened to the crew.
Why the lifeboat disappeared.
Whether the alcohol cargo played an important role.
The exact cause of the disappearance.
## Most Important Idea
The Mary Celeste mystery remains unsolved.
There are theories about what happened, but there is no proven explanation.
Historians use the available evidence to decide which theories are more believable.
A theory should therefore be supported by evidence, rather than presented as a definite fact.