note: word errors may occur as original spelling is retained:
source: newspaper titled: The Banner of Belfast
edition date: Tuesday April 29 1873
"A Mystery of the Sea
We take the following from the Gilbraltar Chronicle of
January 30th.
"In the Chronicle of December 13 last appeared a short
paragraph announcing the arrival of the vessels Dei Gratia and
Mary Celeste, the latter of which was found abandoned at sea
by the former.
An inquiry into the case was at once instituted, and has been
going on ever since. As the circumstances of the case are very
extraordinary,a summary of the facts elicited may be of interest.
On the 18th of December a report was made by the master and crew
of the British ship Dei Gratia that,on the 15th of that month
they found, in lat 38de 20 min N.,long.17de 25 min W., a derelict
ship,which they made out to be the American brigatine Mary Celeste.
They further stated that, at the time when they fell in with the
derelict, their own ship, the Dei Gratis, was on the port tack,
the wind being from the north,while the Mary Celeste, with her
jib and foremast staysail set, was on the starboard tack; and also
that the derelict was perfectly sound,and that there was not the
least apparent cause for her having been abandoned.
This latter statement was in itself so extraordinary that the
Queen's Proctor in the Admiralty Court, Mr F Solly-Flood,ordered a
special survey of the vessel, in the first instance on the 23rd of
December last, by Mr Austin, surveyor of shipping and Ricardo
Portunato, diver, accompanied by the Marshal of the court
Mr T Vecchio. The result of this, and a subsequent survey, was,
in brief, as follows:-
1. As regards the cargo - it consisted of barrels marked as
containing alchohol, all of which were well stowed and in good
order and condition,except one which had been started.
2.as regards the exterior of the hull below the water line - it
did not in any part exhibit the slightest trace of damage, nor
was there any appearance that the vessel had come into collision
with any other ship,nor that she had struck on any ground or rock,
nor, in short, that she had sustained any injury whatever, the
hull, the copper with which it was covered, the sternpost and
rudder being all in good order and condition.
3.As regards the interior of the ship - a very minute survey
showed most clearly that not only had the vessel not sustained
any accident, but that she could not have encountered any
seriously heavy weather. The whole of the hull,masts, and yards
were in good condition, and the pitch in the waterways had not
started, which must have been the case had any bad weather been
experienced. The deck-house,made of thin planking, and 6 ft in
height above the deck was perfect, there not being a crack in the
planking nor even in the paint. The seamen's chests and the clothing
found were perfectly dry, some razors even being quite free from
rust.
More ever a small phial containing oil for use with a sewing
machine was found in a pependicular position,which,together with
a thimble and reel of cotton discovered near it, had not been upset,
as must have been the case if the ship had been subject to any
stress of weather. Spare panes of glass were also found stowed
away and unbroken. All the articles of furniture in the captain's
cabin, including a harmoniun, were in their proper places and
uninjured by water, and music and other books being also dry.
Finally, the conclusion arrived at by the surveyor, Mr Austin,
is that there exists no apparent reasons why the vessel should
have been abandoned.But in addition to the above facts, a sword
was discovered, which, on its being drawn out of its scabbard,
exhibited signs of having been smeared with blood and afterwards
wiped; further, the top gallant rail had marks on it, apparently
of blood, and both bows of the vessel had been cut, to
all appearance intentionally, with some sharp instrument. No bills
of lading nor manifest were found on board.The effects found in
the captain's cabin were of considerable value, and proved that
a lady and child had been on board. Naturally, various theories
are set up to account for this extraordinary series of facts, and
the finding of the sword and the blood stains are held to point to
some deed of violence. Be this as it may, the fact remains that
up to the present date not a word had been heard nor a trace
discovered of the captain or the crew, or the lady and her
child. The captain, B.S.Briggs by name, is well known in Gibraltar,
and bore the highest character.
It can only be hoped that,by giving the utmost publicity to the
circumstances some light may be thrown on this, a present,most
mysterious case.
note from J.Fawcett: These are newspaper articles,and should only
be used as a general reference. Original sources should always
be accessed for family history purposes and information authenticated.
copyright,2001 J.Fawcett-Genseek
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