The Mary Celeste remains one of the maritime world’s most enduring mysteries, fascinating historians, and maritime experts alike for over a century. Discovered adrift in the Atlantic near the Azores in 1872, with her crew mysteriously missing, the American brigantine has spurred countless theories regarding the fate of those on board. The ship was found seaworthy, with her cargo intact and personal belongings undisturbed, suggesting a hasty abandonment. This incident not only captivates the imagination but also challenges our understanding of the perils faced at sea during the 19th century, highlighting the Mary Celeste as a significant case study in maritime history.
This article aims to shed light on what really happened to the Mary Celeste, presenting an investigative look into her origins and development, the specifics of her voyage from New York to Genoa, and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the vessel abandoned near the Azores. By examining the persistent mysteries and theories that have arisen over the years, the article endeavors to provide a comprehensive understanding of this historical enigma. From documented evidence to speculative theories, this piece will navigate through the facts and fictions that surround the saga of the Mary Celelease, offering insights into one of the sea’s most perplexing legends.
Origins and Development
Founding and Early Challenges
The keel of the vessel that would become known as the Mary Celeste was laid in late 1860 at Joshua Dewis’s shipyard, located in the village of Spencer’s Island on the shores of the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia. Constructed from locally sourced timber, the ship featured a two-mast design and was rigged as a brigantine. Its hull was carvel-built, meaning the planking was flush rather than overlapping, a detail noted in its registration documents when it was launched on May 18, 1861, under the name Amazon. The ship measured 99.3 feet in length, 25.5 feet in breadth, and had a depth of 11.7 feet, with a gross tonnage of 198.42.
Tragedy struck early in the vessel’s history during its maiden voyage in June 1861. After loading timber at Five Islands, Nova Scotia, for transport to London, Captain Robert McLellan, the ship’s first captain and one of its co-owners, fell gravely ill. The Amazon had to return to Spencer’s Island, where McLellan succumbed to his illness on June 19. His successor, John Nutting Parker, faced further adversities, including a collision with fishing equipment off Eastport, Maine, and another with a brig in the English Channel.
Renaming and Ownership Transfers
After a series of mishaps and changes in command, the Amazon was driven ashore at Cape Breton Island in October 1867 during a storm, severely damaged and subsequently abandoned as a wreck by its owners. The wreck was acquired by Alexander McBean of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and shortly sold to Richard W. Haines, an American mariner from New York. Haines purchased the wreck for US$1,750 and invested an additional $8,825 in repairs. In December 1868, the vessel was registered with the Collector of the Port of New York as an American ship under its new name, Mary Celeste.
The ship changed hands again when seized by Haines’s creditors in October 1869 and sold to a New York consortium led by James H. Winchester. Winchester and his changing group of investors held the ship through early 1872 when it underwent a major refit costing $10,000. This refit included extending the ship’s length to 103 feet and the breadth to 25.7 feet, adding a second deck, and replacing many timbers, which increased its tonnage to 282.28. The final ownership before the infamous voyage consisted of Winchester holding six shares, two minor investors with one share each, and the remaining four shares held by the new captain, Benjamin Spooner Briggs.
Voyage From New York to Genoa
On November 7, 1872, the Mary Celeste embarked on its fateful journey from New York Harbor, destined for Genoa, Italy. The ship was under the command of Captain Benjamin Spooner Briggs, accompanied by his wife Sarah, their two-year-old daughter Sophia, and a crew of seven skilled seamen.
The Crew Onboard
The Mary Celeste was manned by a diverse crew, each bringing their own expertise to ensure a smooth voyage. The crew list was as follows:
- Benjamin S. Briggs, Captain, American, aged 37
- Albert G. Richardson, Mate, American, aged 28
- Andrew Gilling, 2nd Mate, Danish, aged 25
- Edward Wm. Head, Steward & Cook, American, aged 23
- Volkert Lorenson, Seaman, German, aged 29
- Arian Martens, Seaman, German, aged 35
- Boy Lorenson, Seaman, German, aged 23
- Gotlieb Gondeschall, Seaman, German, aged 23
Additionally, Captain Briggs’s family was aboard, with his wife Sarah, aged 30, and their daughter Sophia, contributing to the familial atmosphere on the ship.
Significant Events During the Trip
The voyage began under uncertain weather conditions, prompting Captain Briggs to anchor the ship just off Staten Island while waiting for improved weather. During this delay, Sarah Briggs took the opportunity to write a final letter to her mother-in-law, expressing her reliance on the letters from home and her intent to share the voyage’s events.
Two days later, the weather cleared, and the Mary Celeste set sail into the Atlantic. The ship carried a significant cargo of 1,701 barrels of alcohol, meticulously supervised by Captain Briggs during the loading process at Pier 50 on the East River.
As the Mary Celeste ventured towards the Azores, the ship battled heavy weather for two weeks. The last log entry on November 25, recorded at 5 a.m., indicated they were near the Azores island of Santa Maria. However, the ship was found adrift on December 5, approximately 400 miles east of the Azores, by the British brig Dei Gratia. The Dei Gratia crew, led by Captain David Morehouse, a seasoned seaman from Nova Scotia, was surprised to find the Mary Celeste unmanned with no sign of Captain Briggs, his family, or the crew.
This mysterious scenario led to the Dei Gratia crew sailing the Mary Celeste some 800 miles to Gibraltar, where a salvage hearing was convened. The hearing aimed to determine the entitlement of the salvagers to payment from the ship’s insurers, given the unexplained disappearance of all on board.
Finding the Abandoned Mary Celeste
Circumstances of the Discovering Crew
On December 4, 1872, Captain David Morehouse of the Canadian brigantine Dei Gratia spotted the Mary Celeste drifting erratically about 400 nautical miles east of the Azores. Recognizing the vessel, which had departed New York City eight days ahead of his own ship and should have already been in Genoa, Italy, he altered his course to render aid. Morehouse sent a boarding party led by his first mate, Oliver Deveau, to investigate the seemingly abandoned ship.
Physical State of the Ship
Upon boarding, Deveau and his team encountered a scene of disarray yet no immediate evidence of a catastrophe. The ship’s charts were scattered, and the crew’s personal belongings remained untouched in their quarters. Notably, the Mary Celeste‘s only lifeboat was missing, and one of its two pumps had been dismantled, suggesting an attempt at repair or an emergency situation. Approximately three and a half feet of water was found in the hold, a manageable amount for a ship of this size, but significant enough to warrant concern.
The cargo of 1,701 barrels of industrial alcohol was largely intact, with only nine barrels found empty. The ship’s daily log, last updated on November 25, indicated a position close to Santa Maria in the Azores, suggesting the crew had abandoned ship shortly after. No signs of violence or fire were evident; the galley equipment was stowed away neatly, and there was a substantial supply of food and water left behind.
The discovery led to the Dei Gratia crew navigating the Mary Celeste approximately 800 miles to Gibraltar for a salvage hearing. The court proceedings focused on whether the Dei Gratia crew were entitled to compensation from the ship’s insurers, considering the mysterious circumstances under which the ship was found and salvaged.
Persistent Mysteries
The disappearance of the crew of the Mary Celeste continues to intrigue and puzzle historians and scientists alike. Over the years, numerous theories have been proposed, ranging from mutiny and piracy to more scientific explanations involving the ship’s cargo.
Mutiny and Piracy Theories
One prevalent theory suggests that the crew might have mutinied or were victims of piracy. However, the absence of violence on the ship and the fact that the crew’s personal belongings were left untouched make these theories less likely. The idea that the crew of the Dei Gratia, the ship that discovered the Mary Celeste, might have been involved was also considered but dismissed due to logistical improbabilities. Moreover, the presence of expensive personal possessions on board, which would have been tempting for any pirate, further contradicts the piracy theory.
The theory that the crew got drunk on the cargo of alcohol and then mutinied was also proposed. This scenario was deemed unlikely as the cargo was industrial alcohol, not suitable for consumption. Additionally, there were no signs of a struggle or violence on the ship, which would be expected in the event of a mutiny or pirate attack.
Scientific Explanations and Alternative Theories
Scientific explanations have focused on the nature of the ship’s cargo. The Mary Celeste was transporting large quantities of industrial alcohol, which is known to emit flammable fumes. One hypothesis posits that an explosion might have occurred, or the crew feared an imminent explosion due to these fumes, leading them to abandon ship hastily. This theory is supported by modern experiments, such as one conducted by Dr. Andrea Sella, who used butane gas to simulate an explosion on a replica of the ship’s hold. The experiment produced a large but relatively cool flame, which could have frightened the crew without leaving burn marks on the ship.
Another explanation involves natural phenomena such as seaquakes or waterspouts, which might have led the crew to believe that the ship was sinking. This theory is supported by the fact that the ship’s pump appeared to have been disassembled, possibly in an attempt to manage bilge water, and the sounding rod was found on deck, suggesting that Captain Briggs was checking the water level in the hold.
The possibility of a seaquake causing a spill of the alcohol, leading to fears of an explosion, has also been considered. This scenario could explain why the crew might have taken to the lifeboat, intending to return to the ship once they believed it was safe.
Despite extensive investigations and the passage of time, the exact reason why the crew abandoned the Mary Celeste remains a mystery. The combination of historical records, scientific experiments, and logical deduction provides plausible explanations, but without definitive evidence, the fate of the Mary Celeste‘s crew continues to be one of the maritime world’s most enduring mysteries.
Conclusion
Reflecting on the multifaceted enigma of the Mary Celeste, this article has navigated through her voyages, the mysterious circumstances of her abandonment, and the myriad theories that have attempted to explain the fate of her crew. By dissecting historical documentation, scientific hypothesis, and the colorful lore that surrounds this maritime mystery, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and perils that characterized 19th-century sea voyages, shining light on a chapter of nautical history that remains profoundly intriguing to this day.
The saga of the Mary Celeste not only captivates our imagination but also serves as a reminder of the vast, uncharted, and often perilous nature of the sea, which holds secrets yet to be unraveled. The significance of this investigation lies in its ability to foster a continuous intellectual curiosity and remind us of the importance of historical mysteries in enriching our cultural heritage. As we conclude this investigative journey, the mystery of the Mary Celeste encourages us to keep seeking answers, keeping the spirit of exploration alive and reminding us of the timeless intrigue of the unknown.