Ahoy, me hearties! Have ye heard the tale of the Mary Celeste, the ghost ship that sailed the Atlantic in 1872? If ye haven’t, then gather ’round and let me spin ye a yarn that will chill ye to the bone!
It all began when the brig Dei Gratia stumbled upon the Mary Celeste, floating aimlessly in the middle of the ocean. The crew of the Dei Gratia rowed over to the abandoned ship and discovered something truly mysterious. The Mary Celeste was devoid of any crew or passengers, but everything else was in its place. Clothes, charts, books, and even money and jewellery were left untouched. It was as if the crew had vanished into thin air, leaving behind a vessel that was both eerie and unsettling.
The first mate of the Dei Gratia searched the captain’s cabin and found that the navigation instruments were missing. Meanwhile, in the galley, an unfinished meal was left on the table, and full cups of coffee were still warm. It seemed as if the crew had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a vessel that was both perplexing and alarming.
Theories about what happened to the crew of the Mary Celeste have abounded for years. Some say they went mad with drink and killed each other, while others believe that a sea monster devoured them one by one. One thing’s for sure, though – there was no sign of violence on board, and the cargo of alcohol was untouched. Even the sword with what appeared to be blood on its blade turned out to be nothing more than rust.
Perhaps the most bizarre theory of all is that the crew simply abandoned ship for no apparent reason, leaving behind their valuables and even their cups of coffee. It’s a mystery that has puzzled sailors and landlubbers alike for over a century.
The mystery of the Mary Celeste has even made its way into popular culture, with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle writing a story about it. But even his fictional account hasn’t been able to solve the mystery of what happened to the crew of the Mary Celeste.
So, my fellow pirates, the next time ye find yerself sailing the high seas, keep a sharp eye out for the ghostly Mary Celeste. Who knows, ye might just be the ones to solve the mystery that has confounded sailors for generations! Arrr!
Read on for more…
I don’t know how to explain what I saw last night.
The night was dark and the sea was calm. I was standing at the helm, gazing out into the inky blackness, when I saw it. At first, I thought it was just a trick of the light, but then I realized that there was a ship out there, looming out of the darkness. It was a ghostly galleon, sailing silently across the waves. It seemed to glide through the water without the slightest effort. I could barely make out its shape in the moonlight, but I could see the tattered sails, flapping in the breeze.
The ship was completely deserted, no crew or passengers in sight. It was a ghost ship, I had no doubt about it. The sails were tattered and torn, and the hull was rotting away. But despite its decrepit state, it was still sailing, and coming closer and closer to us.
Yet, it sailed on, as if it had a destination in mind. I tried to follow it, but it disappeared into the mist.
I can’t shake the feeling that something is not right about that ship. It sent shivers down my spine, and I can’t help but wonder what kind of horrors lie hidden on board.
I will keep a sharp lookout, and make sure my crew is prepared for anything that may come our way. The sea is full of mysteries, and I fear we may have stumbled upon one of its darkest secrets.
[Extract from log of Jim Starling, Captain of HMS Vigilant, 18th June 1899]
The Mary Celeste is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating mysteries of the maritime world. On December 4, 1872, the brigantine Mary Celeste was discovered adrift and deserted in the Atlantic Ocean by the crew of another ship, the Dei Gratia. The ship was in seaworthy condition, with her cargo intact, but the entire crew, including the captain, his wife, and their two-year-old daughter, was missing. There was no sign of struggle or violence, and the lifeboat was also missing, suggesting that the crew had abandoned the ship willingly. However, the reason for the crew’s disappearance remains a mystery.
Many theories have been proposed over the years to explain the fate of the Mary Celeste’s crew. Some suggested that the crew was attacked by pirates or sea monsters, while others believed that they were victims of foul play by the crew of the Dei Gratia. However, none of these theories could explain the lack of evidence of any struggle on the ship.
Other theories focused on natural disasters, such as a storm or waterspout, which may have caused the crew to abandon ship in a hurry. However, there was no damage to the ship’s hull, and the cargo and provisions remained untouched, making this theory unlikely as well.
One of the most plausible theories is that the crew abandoned the ship due to a problem with the ship’s cargo. The Mary Celeste was carrying 1,701 barrels of crude alcohol, which could have produced toxic fumes that caused the crew to become disoriented or sick. This theory is supported by the fact that the ship’s pump was found disassembled, indicating that the crew had been attempting to remove water from the ship’s hold, possibly due to a leak caused by the barrels.
Despite many investigations and numerous theories, the mystery of the Mary Celeste remains unsolved. The story of the ship has become a legend in maritime lore, and it has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and films. The Mary Celeste is a haunting reminder of the mysteries and dangers of the sea, and it continues to capture the imagination of people all over the world.
Ghost Cities 
Umberto Eco has a similar empty ship in his novel The Island of the Day Before. Not exactly scary, but certainly a fun nautical mystery.