History's Oddest Mystery - That remains UNSOLVED

A wee bit of an experiment for us today. I hope you like it.

As a kid, I recall time and time again my parents saying random phrases. One of those was "Its like the Mary Celeste around here". That stuck, and a few decades later I decided to try and learn the story of the Mary Celeste. So here is that quest in video form.

Huge thanks to Libby Dix.
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Usual notices:
1. We are not historians or Academics. We enjoy researching and learning, and with that we enjoy sharing our journeys with you. That said, sources for information often listed below with credits.
2. Corrections. Whilst we make every attempt to not include any errors, research, and piecing stories together from dozens of sources sometimes leads to one or two. I will note here if any are found:

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Credit and thanks for assets

Filter: Snowman Digital and Beachfront
B-Roll Maps: Google Maps and Google Earth Studio
Maps: National Library of Scotland Maps:
OS Maps. Media License.
Stock Footage: Storyblocks
Music: Storyblocks, epidemicsound and artlist

Credit for images/footage:

Sources:

[wardarcade]

The sad thing is that they all left survivors who never would learn what had happened to their loved ones- including the captain whose six-year-old son was back in the States with his grandmother who would grow up, have a family of his own but never learned what his parents' and baby sister's fate had been.

[A_Brit_In_Bavaria]

I like this new format, Paul. It adds another layer of depth to the channel.

Great story to start with too.

If you are going down this route, I’ve got one for you. “Who put Bella in the Witch Elm”. Story of a woman’s body that was found in a tree 80 or so years ago on the ramparts of the Iron Age hill fort that is at the top of the road where I grew up.

A modern day mystery and some antiquarianism. 2 for the price of 1!

[fredflintstoner]

"I paid for a room with a view !"
Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam ."
Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough !"
Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window ? Sydney Opera House, perhaps ? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon ? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plains?..."
Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly !" I expect to be able to see the sea !"
Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky ."
Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction ."
Basil: "Why ? Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"

[paul.Darling]

The best theory that I know of is that there was a problem with the barrels allowing vapours from the spirits they contained to build up in the hold, this then lead to the crew fearing an explosion and using the ships launch as a safety measure. The theory is that during bad weather the rope linking the launch and ship broke and the launch was swamped with the crew being lost,

[tsbrownie]

As a merchant ship, the MC would be set for best speed. Some urgent matter, like the leaking alcohol barrels or even a flash fire*, leads the crew to quickly load their life boat and abandon the ship. At that point, a smaller boat being towed at high speed in rougher seas, if the weight was misloaded (ex: front weighted), or the tow rope snagged on something so it was off-center, would be in great peril. They likely cut the rope too late to keep the lifeboat from broaching or plowing. Once swamped, it can then "submarine" where the boat is pulled deeper underwater. (* There are youtubes of people lighting alcohol in bottles to get a ghostly flame and a whoosh.)

[CinemaDemocratica]

By far the most convincing theory that I've heard is that a chemical reaction began in the hold, which produced a thick vapor cloud that looked and behaved so much like smoke that the crew hastily abandoned -- only for the reaction to play itself out without damage, so that the ship was salvaged in perfect running condition in the aftermath.

[nhansen]

I've seen a number of videos on this. The leading theory is that they feared the ship would explode do to the fumes building up inside the hold. Instead of opening up hatches to let it air out, they panicked, piled into the life boat, and were away without even so much as a line attached to the ship. The condition of the sails suggested that they may have been caught in a squall, the longboat going down while the ship sailed on.

[JangianTV]

Wait...this isn't Roman and archeological history! A nice bit of variety and a fascinating video!

Happy Easter, Paul and Mrs Paul. 😊

[freqmgr]

Great bit of story telling, this goes well with your other excellent work!

[NRderek]

Well, according to Dr Who in the story "The Chase", the crew ran away from the Daleks who had taken over the ship looking for the doctor...

OK, I'll get my coat.

[davidberlanny]

Hi Paul, Very well narrated recount of the known facts.

We will never know what happened.

Maybe there were fears of explosion which led to partial flooding of the hold to try and cool it down? These days engine rooms are often equipped with modern systems to stifle fires with mist. You could then imagine their launch being lost at sea with all hands.

Despite the severe lack of hedges on this one really enjoyed watching, well done!!

[honodle]

They were hauling a load of alcohol in barrels, which leaked a lot of fumes. One particularly bad day they thought the ship would explode, so they all got into the lifeboat until the fumes dissipated.

The line to Mary Celeste broke. Just for one moment try to imaging the despair of the crew as they watched their ship and their hope slip away.

This is the leading theory and imo the most plausible.

[paulinehedges]

That was very different and very interesting. I REALLY enjoyed it. Thanks Paul.😊👏👏👏

[SurlockGnomez]

Very good job managing to track down some of the crew members of the Dei Gratia. Was interesting to hear their 1st hand accounts as prior to this I only knew the top level details such as warm coffee and half eaten food being on board.

[Kingp]

Very much enjoyed this style of video, and you chose a great topic. More please!! 😊

[arthurerickson]

“And now for something completely different!” Well done, Paul. Working in “not the usual material” (which is great, BTW) from time to time is a super idea! Unsolved mysteries?✔️ Sea tales of trade and discovery?✔️

[paulwillingham]

Fascinating film Paul. I really enjoy revisiting old well known mysteries. I hope you do another series of films like this as well as your regular investigations.

[davie]

very interesting video Paul, one of the most odd things, im sure it will never be solved but i wish it could be, really enjoyed it, well done and thank you 😊

[KernowekTim]

I think that, in certain circumstances, least complete knowledge is sometimes best, and that certain phenomena were never destined to be fully comprehended. For me, the sea is a place I live in high trepidation of. I was an underground miner; that environment is absolutely to be respected every second that a person is in it, but it held no "fears" for me. I enjoyed it's lure. But those vast deep water "deserts" are a fearful place, in my opinion. I hope that the shades of those men of the Mary Celeste are 'resting in peace'. Cheers both, for another excellent video.

[MrGreatplum]

Fascinating stuff, Paul. It sounds like to me the crew panicked for some reason and abandoned ship. Sadly, they never made it to shore.