DATELINE TOOBWORLD - THE MARY CELESTE

THE MARY CELESTE

On this date in 1872, the crew of the Mary Celeste vanished without a trace.

from Wikipedia:
Mary Celeste (often misreported as Marie Celeste) was an American merchant brigantine, discovered adrift and deserted in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Azores Islands, on December 5, 1872. The Canadian brigantine Dei Gratia found her in a disheveled but seaworthy condition, under partial sail, and with her lifeboat missing. The last entry in her log was dated ten days earlier. She had left New York City for Genoa on November 7, and on discovery was still amply provisioned. Her cargo of denatured alcohol was intact, and the captain's and crew's personal belongings were undisturbed. None of those who had been on board were ever seen or heard from again.

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN BRIGGS

Benjamin Briggs was born in Wareham, Massachusetts, on April 24, 1835, one of five sons of sea captain Nathan Briggs. In 1862, he married his cousin Sarah Elizabeth Cobb, and enjoyed a Mediterranean honeymoon on board his schooner Forest King. Two children were born: son Arthur in September 1865, and daughter Sophia Matilda in October 1870.

SARAH & SOPHIA BRIGGS

By the time of Sophia's birth, Briggs had achieved a high standing within his profession.  Nevertheless, he considered retiring from the sea to go into business with his seafaring brother Oliver, who had also grown tired of the wandering life. In October 1872, Benjamin took command of Mary Celeste for her first voyage following her extensive New York refit, which was to take her to Genoa in Italy. He arranged for his wife and infant daughter to accompany him, while his school-aged son was left at home with his grandmother.

ALBERT G. RICHARDSON

Briggs chose the crew for this voyage with care. First mate Albert G. Richardson was married to a niece of [one of the ship's owners] and had sailed under Briggs before.
 

Reference is made to the ship in the second season of the classic BBC TV science fiction series 'Doctor Who'. In the episode "Flight Through Eternity" (1965) the Doctor's time machine (TARDIS) materializes on the Mary Celeste.

The pursuing Daleks also materialize, in their own time machine, causing the terrified crew of Mary Celeste to throw themselves into the sea. Both time machines then de-materialize, leaving the ship deserted.

Ahoy hoy!