# Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment…

> Most likely: Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment to the yawl; the boat was lost.

Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/answers/ANS0D00ZWHE4P6K/briggs-believed-the-ship-was-sinking-or-about-to-explode-and  
Publisher: Mysteries Department  
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page)  

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[Questions](https://mysteriesdept.com/questions)[Mary Celeste](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste)[Why did ten people leave a sound, provisioned ship in a small boat?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/questions/QST0D00ZW1T1XWM/why-did-ten-people-leave-a-sound-provisioned-ship-in-a-small)Answer

Answer · Mary Celeste

# Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment…

Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment to the yawl; the boat was lost.

**Most likely** Answers **1** questionPublished0

## Where it stands

**Most likely** Its tests supported it: five pieces of evidence for, one against. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

## What it predicts

- Evidence that the crew could not measure the water in the hold (a fouled or dismantled pump).
- Evidence that Briggs believed land was close when it was not (a navigational error).
- Evidence of leaking alcohol or another perceived danger.
- A line or fittings consistent with towing the boat astern.

## What would rule it out

- Evidence that the departure was forced (violence, a second vessel) or that Briggs knew his true position.

## Evidence 5 for · 1 against

[Nine barrels were found empty at Genoa; they were red oak, more porous than the rest.](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/evidence/EVD0D00ZX8W1878/nine-barrels-were-found-empty-at-genoa-they-were-red-oak)

Supported

FOR

[One pump was dismantled and a sounding rod lay on deck; the hold held 3½ feet of water that could not be…](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/evidence/EVD0D00ZWS869YX/one-pump-was-dismantled-and-a-sounding-rod-lay-on-deck-the)

Established

FOR

[Richardson's drift model shows a crewless ship could have reached the finding position from the 25 November…](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/evidence/EVD0D00ZY0A6J91/richardsons-drift-model-shows-a-crewless-ship-could-have)

Supported

FOR

[The last slate entry put Santa Maria six miles off; MacGregor's reading of the log and a chronometer error…](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/evidence/EVD0D00ZX124KTS/the-last-slate-entry-put-santa-maria-six-miles-off)

Suggestive

FOR

[The main peak halyard trailed over the side, consistent with the yawl having been attached to the ship.](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/evidence/EVD0D00ZXGP4HA1/the-main-peak-halyard-trailed-over-the-side-consistent-with)

Suggestive

FOR

[Deveau reported no fumes and the main hatch was secured, which weakens the explosion-fear element.](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/evidence/EVD0D00ZXRG6E8S/deveau-reported-no-fumes-and-the-main-hatch-was-secured)

Supported

AGAINST

## The questions it answers

[Why did ten people leave a sound, provisioned ship in a small boat?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/questions/QST0D00ZW1T1XWM/why-did-ten-people-leave-a-sound-provisioned-ship-in-a-small)

Most likelyBriggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment…

## Cite it

```
Mysteries Department. (2026). Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment… [Answer ANS0D00ZWHE4P6K]. https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0D00ZWHE4P6K
```

Key

**ANS** 0D00ZWHE4P6K

Kind

Answer · hypothesis

Origin

Published

Version

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