Unsolved Mysteries: What happened to Mary Celeste? Details of the 1872 maritime mystery, explored 

The Mary Celeste is one of the most enduring maritime mysteries in history and was featured in Unsolved Mysteries. The show explores real-life mysterious disappearances, paranormal activities, and other cases that remain unsolved. On December 4, 1872, the Mary Celeste was discovered adrift in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was in good condition, but its crew had vanished without a trace.

The incident has inspired books, documentaries, and an episode of Unsolved Mysteries. Here is what we know about the case as explored in the show.

Unsolved Mysteries: What happened to Mary Celeste?

The Mary Celeste is a 282-ton, American-registered ship built in Spencer Island, Nova Scotia. It left New York bound for Italy but never arrived. It was manned by a crew of 10, led by Captain Benjamin Briggs, along with his wife and 2-year-old daughter, Sophia. He was assisted by seven experienced crew members on the journey.

On December 4, 1872, the British ship Dei Gratia spotted the Mary Celeste drifting near the Azores. The ship was in good condition to sail, with no visible signs of attack or struggle. Its cargo and supplies were mostly intact, though the lifeboat was missing. Personal belongings, food, and water were untouched. The only thing missing was the entire crew, who were never found. The case sparked numerous theories and legends.

Unsolved Mysteries: Details of the 1872 maritime mystery, explored.

One widely discussed theory suggests that alcohol fumes from the cargo may have prompted the crew to evacuate onto the lifeboat, which then drifted away and was lost at sea.

The court considered various theories but found no substantial evidence to support any single explanation. There were no signs of piracy or foul play. Internal mutiny was unlikely given the crew’s solid reputation. Some believe a natural disaster may have scared the crew into abandoning ship — yet the vessel remained undamaged and fully stocked. With no definitive answers, the fate of the ten people aboard remains unknown. Supernatural theories also surfaced, including the Bermuda Triangle or sea monsters possibly causing their disappearance.

When the Dei Gratia brought the Mary Celeste to port, they expected a reward. Though they received one, the amount was modest. This suggested that authorities suspected something odd or dishonest about the situation — even though no wrongdoing was proven, and no one was formally charged.

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After the crew’s disappearance, the Mary Celeste continued to sail under new ownership. In 1885, a captain deliberately wrecked the ship in Haiti as part of an insurance scam.

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