The Mary Celeste remains one of the most fascinating maritime mysteries in history. Found adrift in the Atlantic Ocean in December 1872, without a soul aboard, the ship has sparked countless investigations and theories over the years. Its enduring enigma captivates people who love unraveling historical puzzles and learning about the intriguing tales of the sea.
Why did an entire crew disappear from a perfectly seaworthy vessel with ample provisions on board? This compelling question adds to the Mary Celeste’s allure. As you delve into lesser-known facts about the ship, you’ll discover details that shed light on its troubled history, including its origins as the Amazon and the various mishaps that plagued it even before the infamous voyage. Immerse yourself in the mysterious world of the Mary Celeste and explore twenty-one surprising things that deepen its mystique.
1. The Mary Celeste was found abandoned in 1872.
In December 1872, the Mary Celeste was spotted drifting near the Azores Islands. The ship was found by the crew of the British brig Dei Gratia.
The Mary Celeste was in seaworthy condition, but there was no one on board. The lifeboat was missing, and personal belongings were left behind, adding to the mystery.
2. All Crew’s Personal Belongings Were Untouched
When the Mary Celeste was discovered drifting, one of the most peculiar details was that all crew members’ personal belongings remained in place.
Clothing, jewelry, and other items were found exactly where their owners had left them. It seemed that the crew left the ship in a great hurry, but didn’t bother to take any of their possessions. This baffling detail adds to the mystery of what happened.
3. The ship’s cargo was denatured alcohol.
The Mary Celeste carried 1,700 barrels of denatured alcohol when it set sail. This type of alcohol is poisonous and not suitable for drinking. It was likely being transported for industrial purposes.
The cargo remained intact when the ship was found deserted. This fact has led to many theories about what happened to the crew but provided no definitive answers.
4. No signs of a struggle were found onboard
When the Mary Celeste was discovered, there were no signs of a struggle onboard.
The crew left behind personal items, like their pipes and foul-weather gear, suggesting they did not leave in a hurry. There was no blood or any indication of violence.
The ship appeared in good condition, with no significant weather damage that might explain the crew’s departure.
5. The lifeboat was missing when the ship was discovered
The Mary Celeste was found abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean in 1872. When the Canadian brigantine Dei Gratia came across the ship, they noted an important detail: the lifeboat was missing.
This missing lifeboat suggested that the captain and crew might have left the ship deliberately. With the lifeboat gone, it remains unclear what led them to abandon the Mary Celeste.
6. It Originated from New York to Genoa
The Mary Celeste started its fateful voyage on November 7, 1872.
It left New York City loaded with over 1,700 barrels of alcohol.
This merchant ship, directed by Captain Benjamin Briggs, aimed for Genoa, Italy.
The journey promised a routine crossing of the Atlantic, but the ship never reached its destination.
The mystery of what happened during that trip remains unsolved.
7. The first sighting was by the Dei Gratia.
The British brig Dei Gratia made the first sighting of the Mary Celeste. This happened on December 5, 1872. The crew of the Dei Gratia noticed the Mary Celeste drifting in the Atlantic Ocean.
Captain David Morehouse of the Dei Gratia saw that the Mary Celeste was abandoned. No one was on board, even though the ship was in good condition.
This sighting was a key moment in the mystery of the Mary Celeste. Why was the ship deserted?
8. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote a fictional tale about it
Arthur Conan Doyle, famous for creating Sherlock Holmes, wrote a fictional story inspired by the Mary Celeste. He published this tale anonymously in The Cornhill Magazine in 1884.
In his story, Doyle changed the ship’s name to “Marie Celeste.” The tale was so convincing that many readers believed it was a factual account.
9. The ship was originally British-American
The Mary Celeste began its life under a different name.
It was first launched in 1861 from Spencer’s Island in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Initially, it experienced numerous issues on its voyages, including the death of its first captain.
Later, it was sold to American owners and renamed the Mary Celeste, reflecting its dual British-American origins.
10. Its first name was ‘Amazon.’
The Mary Celeste was originally named the Amazon. Launched in 1861 in Nova Scotia, Canada, the ship’s maiden voyage faced immediate troubles.
The first captain fell ill and died. Later, the Amazon collided with another ship in the English Channel. Despite these early setbacks, the ship continued its voyages, later gaining infamy under the new name Mary Celeste.
11. No conclusive explanation has been agreed upon.
The mystery of the Mary Celeste continues to baffle experts. Sailing from New York in 1872, the ship was later found abandoned near the Azores.
Despite many theories, no evidence has clarified what happened to the crew. Speculations suggest foul play, piracy, or natural disasters, but none have been proven.
This enduring mystery captures the imagination and highlights the unknowns of maritime history.
12. Captain Benjamin Briggs commanded the ship
Captain Benjamin Briggs was an experienced American seaman. He was born on April 24, 1835, and became a master mariner.
In November 1872, he commanded the merchant ship Mary Celeste. The ship was found abandoned in December 1872, halfway between the Azores and Portugal.
Briggs brought his wife, Sarah, and their two-year-old daughter, Sophia, on the voyage. The lifeboat and the crew were missing when the ship was found.
13. The crew consisted of 10 people
The Mary Celeste set sail with a crew of ten people. These included the captain, Benjamin Briggs, his wife, Sarah, and their two-year-old daughter, Sophia.
Additionally, there were seven experienced seamen on board. Each crew member played a crucial role in operating the ship.
To this day, the fate of these ten individuals remains one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries in maritime history.
14. There was ample supply of food and water
The Mary Celeste was discovered with a six-month supply of food and water available. This fine provision was more than enough to sustain the entire crew for an extended period.
Interestingly, the crew’s personal belongings were also still on board. This indicated that the ship was abandoned in haste. The presence of such supplies adds to the mystery of why the crew decided to leave.
15. Last entry in the log was dated ten days before discovery
The Mary Celeste’s last log entry was dated November 25, 1872. The ship was found adrift on December 5, 1872, making it ten days since the last recorded note.
When discovered, the log showed that the ship was near the Azores, about 500 miles from where it was eventually found by the Dei Gratia.
16. A sword was found, but with no blood
One curious detail about the Mary Celeste was the discovery of a sword on board. Despite many theories of violence, the sword had no blood on it.
The presence of the clean sword led investigators to rule out certain violent scenarios. It remains one of the many mysteries that keep the story alive.
17. There have been several fictional adaptations of the story
You might be surprised to know that the mystery of the Mary Celeste has inspired many fictional adaptations. Stories, films, and even TV shows have explored this eerie, real-life tale.
Authors have used the Mary Celeste to create thrilling narratives. Filmmakers have turned it into suspenseful movies. TV shows have dramatized the unexplained disappearance of the ship’s crew.
18. Mary Celeste has become synonymous with ghost ships
Mary Celeste is often cited as the most famous ghost ship in history.
When it was found abandoned in 1872, it started a wave of mystery and speculation.
The ship’s eerie tale has cemented its place in maritime lore and captured the imagination of many.
19. Some theories involved mutiny, pirates, or even sea monsters
The mystery of the Mary Celeste has led to various theories about its crew’s disappearance. Some people believe that the crew could have mutinied against Captain Benjamin Briggs. Mutiny is one of the oldest and most common explanations for such maritime mysteries.
Pirates are another theory that has emerged. They could have attacked the ship, although there was no sign of struggle or missing valuables.
More imaginative theories suggest sea monsters or giant octopuses. These ideas might seem far-fetched but have captivated people’s interest for years.
20. The ship was eventually wrecked off Haiti in 1885
The Mary Celeste met its final fate in 1885. The once-mysterious ship was deliberately run aground.
It struck Rochelais Reef near Gonave Island, off the northern coast of Haiti.
After the wreck, the ship sank and was lost to the depths, ending its troubled history.
21. The chronometer and sextant were missing
The disappearance of the chronometer and sextant is one of the baffling elements of the Mary Celeste mystery.
These two instruments were essential for navigation. The chronometer, a precise timekeeping device, helped sailors determine their longitude. The sextant, on the other hand, was used to measure the angle between celestial objects and the horizon.
Their absence suggests the crew might have made a determined, yet inexplicable decision to abandon the ship.
Katy Willis is a writer, master herbalist, master gardener, and certified canine nutritionist who has been writing since 2002. She’s finds joy in learning new and interesting things, and finds history, science, and nature endlessly fascinating.
