The Mary Celeste

by Stan Mason

  “Albert G. Richardson sailed in our employ for two years and was lost, drowned from our brig Mary Celeste on or about November 24th 1872.”

  This affidavit was filed at the Veteran’s Administration Bureau at Washington to support Mrs. Richardson application for a pension, which she drew for a further sixty-four years.

  Andrew Gilling, the Second Mate, was born in New York, enrolling as an officer of the brig at the age of twenty-five. The same height as Richardson, he had a light complexion and fair hair. Gilling had shown himself to be an astute young man and a fine sailor. He had impressed Captain Briggs adequately with his past record for a decision to promote him to Second Mate, above the list of other good seamen who considered themselves candidates for that appointment. He was of Danish extraction and, it appears, that after taking to sea at an early age, his mother was widowed and returned to her family at Samso in Denmark. After the derelict was found, and sufficient time passed for the world to realise that no survivors would ever be found, the Pastor of the Parish of Kathy, in Samso, wrote to the Danish Consul at Gibraltar. His letter, dated the eighth of July, 1873, asked for news of his fate on behalf of his bereaved and sorrowful mother. Gilling’s effects were eventually sent to her and no further word came from that quarter.

  The youngest member of the crew was Edward William Head, who was only twenty-three years old. He was employed as Cook and Steward on the Mary Celeste. The same height as Richardson and Gillings, he was born in New York. His family lived at Williamsburg, situated at the south-east of Manhattan Island. Captain Winchester regarded him with esteem and told the reporter in the interview with the New York Sunday World:

  “The steward was a white man who belonged to Williamsburg where he was respected by all who knew him, and he had just married when the brig sailed.”

  Winchester was perfectly correct in his statement. Only a few weeks before the Mary Celeste started on her outward voyage Edward Head spent his honeymoon in New York with his bride, Emma Jane. They managed to find an apartment at 145, Newell Street, Greenpoint, New York (a section of Brooklyn) and were prepared to live there as man and wife for an indefinite period. On the thirty-first of July, 1873, Mrs. Head arranged for a letter to be sent to Consul Sprague in Gibraltar, requesting that he send the effects belonging to her husband to New York. This was written in the offices of J.W. Winchester & Co. on their headed notepaper. The Consul acknowledged her letter on the nineteenth of August, 1873, and referred to her husband as “the late Steward of the Brig Mary Celeste.”

  The other four members of the crew were all of German origin. Volkert and Boz Lorenzen and Arian Martens were natives of a small village of Utersum on the island of Fohr.... one of the Friersian Group. The brothers Lorenzen were five feet nine inches tall; Martens was an inch shorter. The Imperial German Consul at Utersum auf Fohr took a hand in the matter. He was extremely concerned about the fate of the three German seamen. On the seventh of February, 1885, he wrote to the American Consul in Gibraltar:

  High esteemed Mr. Consul,

  ..........Before all I must give you some information respecting our local circumstances stating that the island of Fohr is scarcely 172 miles large and has not even 5,000 inhabitants from which only 130 souls fall to the lot of the village Utersum. The foregoing will prove to you that all inhabitants of our village are not only known to me by their names but also are personally acquainted with me. The neighbouring Island of Amrun scarcely shows the number of 600 inhabitants from which the greater part of the male population are likewise personally known to me. In consequence whereof it is not strange nor at all surprising if the personalities of the three missed people can be described by me, the more so as I have stated formerly that the two from this place were my former school comrades.

  Ferdinand Schott.

  Imperial German Consul

  T.A. Nickelsen, Chief of the Parish of Utersum of the island of Fohr in Prussia, also wrote to the Consul:

  “..........Neither to this place nor to Amrum ever any notice has reached respecting the fate of the three seamen missing, the relatives know as little about the missing men as myself. The mother of the two brethren (Volkert and Boz Lorenzen) is still living and she does not cease to deplore the loss of her two sons. The eldest of whom was married, his wife and daughter are still living here in poor circumstances. The younger brother was betrothed and his bride has married another seaman and also lives in this village. Of the effects of the two brethren Lorenzen nothing has reached home just because one supposes it was not worthwhile claiming them. A short time before they got on board the Mary Celeste both brethren had lost all their clothing and sundry other effects through shipwreck and some could therefore be provided with only the most necessary articles. The foregoing is more or less all I know respecting the men but I must add hereto that same had enjoyed for their class as seamen an extraordinarily good education, which is generally the case in all our islands. That some men have lost their lives, I take as a fact, but cannot admit that they have a share in any act of violence or in any mutiny which is guaranteed to me the character of the men in question who were of a most pacific disposition.

  Yours most devoted friend

  T.A. Nickelsen

  Chief of the Parish.

  A great deal of correspondence ensued between Consul Sprague and officials in Germany. It was considered that the three sailors from the island were reliable persons who were trustworthy. Arian Martens had taken the trouble to pass his Mate’s examination and had already navigated for several years from Hamburg. As Nickelsen had written.....all three men had enjoyed a good education for their class as seamen which was generally the case among those who lived in the islands.

  On the fourth of April, 1873, Consul Sprague referred to these three members of the crew of the Mary Celeste in a communication to the U.S. Department of State:

  “I beg to enclose a copy of a communication which I have this day received from Prussia, asking for information regarding some of the missing crew of the derelict Mary Celeste. It is somewhat gratifying to learn that three out of the five men composing the crew of the Mary Celeste were known to the writer of that communication as being peaceful and first-class sailors, as it further diminishes the probability that any violence was committed on board of this vessel by her crew.”

  The last crew member, Gottlieb Goodschall, was also twenty-three, just a month older than the Cook/Steward. He had fair hair, a light complexion and was five feet eight inches tall, but nothing else is known about him except that he was born in Germany.

  Further evidence of the character of the crew was established in a letter written by Captain Briggs two days before departure in which he happily expressed: “We seem to have a very good Mate and Steward.” Four days later, Sarah Briggs wrote to her mother-in-law to tell her that: “Benjamin thinks we have got a pretty peaceful set this time all round, if they continue as they have begun. Can’t tell yet how smart they are.”

  The Mary Celeste carried a crew of eight people, including the Captain and there could be no question that she was undermanned. Indeed, it is hard to envisage mutiny among this crew if the evidence is anything to go by. None of the men was press-ganged into joining the crew of this small cargo vessel and Captain Briggs would certainly have chosen his men with great care.....especially as his wife and child were to be passengers. From the correspondence and information available, however, one thing is definite. There is no doubt that these people were actually on board the Mary Celeste after it departed from New York in November, 1872. All were assumed to have been drowned at sea at the end of November/early December, 1872, by their relatives who, in certain cases, are known to have mourned their loss for years. This fact alone belies the suggestion that any of the ship’s company survived or that the crew was composed of quite different men.

  An inventory of sailors’ effects and other items delivered by the Marshal of the Vice-Admiralty C
ourt of Gibraltar, and found on board of the derelict vessel, the Mary Celeste is set out below. The list accompanied a letter dated the tenth of March, 1873, to the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. from the American Consul at Gibraltar, as follows:

  “Chest No. 1. containing: a carpet bag; a pair of slippers; a hat; a bag; two vests; three pairs of drawers; a pair of trowsers; three woolen shirts; four cotton shirts; a comforter; six pairs of cotton socks; a pocket book; two pairs of braces; a coat.

  Chest No. 2. containing: eight books; a slate; an octant; a cap; two pairs of pants; two undershirts; three white shirts; a colored outside shirt; a coat.

  Chest No. 3. containing: two colored shirts; two white shirts; three pairs of pants; an undershirt: two jackets; a package of letters; a vest; a hat; a cap; two comforters; three pocket books.

  Chest No. 4. containing: a pair of shoes; a jumper; four vests; two caps; three white shirts; a pair of pants; a jacket; two pairs of stocking; a pair of mittens; a comforter; two flannel shirts; two outside colored shirts; two pairs of drawers; two white flannel undershirts. A canvass bag containing pieces of old clothing and bagging. A canvass bag containing: two pairs of boots; old shoes; a doll. A harmoniphon. A child’s arm chair. A bag containing pieces of flannel. Two lady’s hats; one man’s hat.

  One valise marked D containing: six vests; three linen coats; six pairs of pants. A canvass bag containing: two sheets; six shirts; one pair of drawers; two towels; three coats; two child’s stockings; a night shirt; two pillow cases. A trunk marked A containing: a mosquito net; two parcel prints; four parcels of patterns; a small iron stand; a panama hat; a doll; a tool for cutting glass; four pairs of cuff; two small metal boxes; two handkerchiefs; two neckties; a pair of braces; an envelope containing two Freemason’s documents; three scarfs; a set of craftsmen; two pairs of drawers; three pairs of pants; two shirts; a child’s hood; three waistcoats; three woolen shirts; a pocket book containing $1 in Spanish Gold coin, $1 in American Silver coins, 25 cents in American coppers, together $2.25 cents; a small piece of net; a pair of cloth pants with suspenders; a crinoline; three dresses; two shawls; three coats; three books; a cartoon of ribbon &c.; a pair of mittens; an old shirt; seven pairs of drawers; two towells; five pairs of socks; a piece of cotton cloth one cap; a piece of flannel; a silver watch; three child’s pants; a pair of gloves; two pieces of cotton cloth; two pairs of child’s shoes; two music books; a fan; two lady’s breastpins; a small chain. A sword; a log book; a sewing machine; a silk umbrella; a table cloth.

  A trunk marked B containing: two lady’s overcoats; a basket of needles, &c.; a cartoon of paper envelopes; three shirt bosoms; two pairs of cuffs; a piece of flannel; two dress bodices; three napkin rings; a box of seidlitz; a cartoon of paper collars; nine books; a parcel of letters; a package of starch; a parasol; two cloths; a bag of shells; two pieces of cotton cloth; a geometry box; a box containing razor, comb and brushes; a box of child’s toys; two pairs of cotton stockings; a pair of mittens; a pair of india rubber shoes; a memorandum book; a comforter; a pair of socks; an opera glass case; six shirts; two skirts; four waistcoats; two woolen shirts; a pair of stockings; three pairs of pants; a pair of drawers; a piece of dress; a pair of gloves; a scale; two parcels of flannellels.

  A canvass bag marked GWG containing: eight pairs of socks; three under-shirts, three handkerchiefs; a child’s undershirt; two pairs of cuffs; three collars; two child’s shirts; a napkin; a towell; a child’s dress; a cotton dress; a child’s tie; a child’s coat; a shawl; a vest; two pillow-cases; three pairs of drawers; two pairs of woman’s pants; four lady’s shirts; a small blanket, a piece of a counterpane; a child’s petticoat, two morning dresses; three night shirts; three sheets; three shirts; an undershirt.

  A chest marked “Arian Martens” containing: four shirts; four pairs of pants; five waistcoats; a morning coat; a woolen shirt; a piece of cloth; two hats; an overcoat; a pair of half-boots; a brush; a cigar case with three studs; six shirt collars; a belt; a cotton cap; a bag containing pieces of cloth; a tin canister containing a German document; a parcel of pieces of cloth; a sextant; a light coat; a razor strop; pieces of flannel; a lamp; a parcel of flax-seed; a straw fan; thirteen books; a paper book; a parcel of papers; a flute.

  A trunk marked C containing: fourteen shirts; five pairs of drawers; three vests; six pairs of pants; three towells; ten books; a looking-glass; two pillow-cases; three coats; an undershirt; three pairs of cotton stockings; two albums; a cartoon of paper collars; a hair brush; two boxes containing letters and envelopes four caps; a pair of slippers; a pair of shoes; a pair of half-boots; nine pairs of socks; a testament; a package of needles and thread; a linen coat; two mittens; a comforter; a gimlet, brush, soap, pins, razor &c.”

  Gibraltar 6th March 1873

  (Signed) G.W. Blatchford, Wrentham, Mass.

  (Signed) Horatio J. Sprague, U.S. Consul,

  Gibraltar.

  Just over two weeks later, the U.S. Consul sent another letter which read:

  “Inventory of the contents of a desk found on board the American Brig Mary Celeste of New York, by the Marshal of the Vice-Admiralty Court of Gibraltar, and delivered to me this day, by the said Marshal; the said desk is supposed to belong to Captain B.S. Briggs, the missing Master. A desk containing: Twenty-one letters; an account book; a pocket-book; a ruler; two pieces of sealing wax; four United States postal stamps; a pencil; a paper cover containing sundry papers, envelopes and accounts; wafers; a case of leads; three receipts signed by J.W. Winchester & Co., New York, viz. for

  $1,500 dated 3rd October, 1872, for $500 dated 16th October, 1872, for $1,600 dated 22nd October, 1872.

  Consulate of the United States of America. Gibraltar 21st March, 1873.

  (Signed) Horatio J. Sprague, U.S. Consul.”

  A list of persons composing the crew of the Mary Celeste, from the National Archives (Records of the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Customs, Washington, D.C.) is produced at the end of this work.

  An extract of the document relating to the Register No. 122, issued to the Mary Celeste on the twenty-ninth of October, 1872, is set out below.

  “No. 122 In Pursuance of an Act of the Congress of the United States of America, entitled “An Act concerning the Registering or Recording of Ships or Vessels,” approved December 31, 1792, and of “An Act to regulate the admeasurement of Tonnage of Ships and Vessels of the United States” approved May 6 1864. James H. Winchester of New York State of New York having taken or subscribed the Oath, required by the said Act, and having sworn that He 12/24 Sylvester Goodwin 2/24 Daniel T Samson 2/24 & Benjamin Briggs 8/24 of Marion State of Maine are the only owner of (ss.) of the Ship or Vessel, called the Mary Celeste of New York whereof Benjamin S. Briggs is at present Master, and a Citizen of the United States: and that the said Ship or Vessel was formerly the BrigRegister Amazon Registered in pursuance of Act of Congress Dec 23rd 1852 as per Register No. 16 issued at this Port January 11 1870 now cancelled Property changed in part vessel Readmeasured and J. Lax Benedict Deputy Surveyor of this Port having certified that (ss.) the said Ship or Vessel has Two Decks and Two Masts and that her length is One hundred three feet, her breadth Twenty five seven-tenth feet, her depth Sixteen two-tenth feet, her height ( ) one-tenth feet, and that she measures Two hundred eight two Tons, Twenty eight hundredths, vis.:

  Deputy Collector

  Tons 100ths

  Capacity under tonnage deck, 271 79

  Head Room 3 69

  Deck House 6 80

  _______

  Total tonnage, 280 28

  (ss.) that she is a Brig has a Square Stern and a Billethead: and the said James H. Winchester having agreed to the description and admeasurement above specified, and sufficient security having been given according to the said Act, the said Brig has been duly registered at the Port of New York.

  Dep’y Naval Officer Given under ou
r Hands and Seal at the Port of New York, this 29 day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and Seventy two. 1872.

  This information is available to any person willing to undertake research on the subject which, sadly, many authors failed to do in the past.

  The Discovery of the Derelict

  At the end of October, 1872, the Dei Gratia was docked in the Erie Basin in New York. The consignment of refined petroleum had been arranged through a firm called Simpson and Shaw and was destined for Gibraltar where further orders would be issued. On the sixth of November, 1872, the ship was moved to a more convenient loading area at Venango Yard. When this task had been completed, she sailed from New York on the fifteenth of November following eight days behind the wake of the Mary Celeste. The Dei Gratia pursued a more northerly course, passing to the north of the Azores. On the nineteenth of November, another vessel was met at Latitude 40 degrees and 55 minutes and Longitude 66 W. when words were exchanged across the sea. Her course for Gibraltar was SE by E, and the log records that the wind blew persistently from the North West, North and North East.

  It was just after one p.m. on Wednesday the fifth of December, 1872, when the wheelman of the Dei Gratia noticed a ship four to six miles distant off the port bow. He mentioned this casually to Captain Morehouse who looked at her through his telescope. The other vessel was making about one-and-a-half to two knots heading westward.....in the opposite direction to the Dei Gratia. There had been rain and squalls since four a.m. that morning but the weather was now abating although the wind was North and the sea was running high. The Captain eyed her closely noticing that while the other ship was sailing on the port tack, her jib and foretopmast staysail were set on the starboard tack. In addition, he could see no helmsman at the wheel and no one on deck. The brigantine was floating on her marks and there was no sign of any damage.