Why did ten people leave a sound, provisioned ship in a small boat?
Most likely: briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment…Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.
Where it stands
Six answers have been proposed. Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment… leads, with evidence 5 for, 1 against: supported by its tests. Five are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet.
Why it matters
The ship was seaworthy, the cargo and stores intact, and the departure orderly; the people took the instruments and papers and the boat[1]. Every explanation is an account of what made an experienced master do that.
Answers 6
History
- Fay: one pump was dismantled and a sounding rod lay on deck; the hold held 3½ feet of water that could not be…For: Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment…
- Begg puts forward: briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment…
- Begg puts forward: a waterspout or sudden squall struck the ship, flooding the galley and hold and giving a false reading of the…
- Begg puts forward: the crew murdered the officers and family and fled in the boat.
- Begg puts forward: briggs and Morehouse conspired to abandon the ship for a salvage award.
- Begg puts forward: the Dei Gratia's crew killed those aboard and claimed salvage.
- Begg: the main peak halyard trailed over the side, consistent with the yawl having been attached to the ship.For: Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment…
- Begg: the departure was orderly, with instruments and papers taken, not a panic.Against: A waterspout or sudden squall struck the ship, flooding the galley and hold and giving a false reading of the…
- Begg: no sign of violence was found; the sword stains proved not to be blood; nothing was taken.Against: The crew murdered the officers and family and fled in the boat.
- Begg: the award was £1,700, a fifth of the value, and the salvors were themselves suspected and penalised.Against: Briggs and Morehouse conspired to abandon the ship for a salvage award.
- Begg: solly-Flood's survey marks and stains did not survive examination; the testimony was consistent.Against: The Dei Gratia's crew killed those aboard and claimed salvage.
- maryceleste.net: the galley stove was shifted, the binnacle knocked over, and sails blown out.For: A waterspout or sudden squall struck the ship, flooding the galley and hold and giving a false reading of the…
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