# Why did ten people leave a sound, provisioned ship in a small boat? · Mary Celeste > 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… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/questions/QST0D00ZW1T1XWM/why-did-ten-people-leave-a-sound-provisioned-ship-in-a-small Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:05+00:00 --- **0** # Why did ten people leave a sound, provisioned ship in a small boat? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·6 answers·0·0 following **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]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKGC40E9/the-story-of-the-mary-celeste). Every explanation is an account of what made an experienced master do that. ## Answers 6 [**Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/answers/ANS0D00ZWHE4P6K/briggs-believed-the-ship-was-sinking-or-about-to-explode-and) Supported by its tests Evidence: 5 for, 1 against Most likely [**A waterspout or sudden squall struck the ship, flooding the galley and hold and giving a false reading of the…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/answers/ANS0D00ZY843RJM/a-waterspout-or-sudden-squall-struck-the-ship-flooding-the) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible [**Briggs and Morehouse conspired to abandon the ship for a salvage award.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/answers/ANS0D00ZZQ03M9B/briggs-and-morehouse-conspired-to-abandon-the-ship-for-a) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/answers/ANS0D0100P830FM/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The Dei Gratia's crew killed those aboard and claimed salvage.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/answers/ANS0D01006M03V7/the-dei-gratias-crew-killed-those-aboard-and-claimed-salvage) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed [**The crew murdered the officers and family and fled in the boat.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/answers/ANS0D00ZYZJ3XS5/the-crew-murdered-the-officers-and-family-and-fled-in-the) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 2 against Disputed [Show 1 more answer] ## History 1. 1942[Fay: 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/sources/SRC0D00ZKGC40E9/the-story-of-the-mary-celeste)For: Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment… 1. 2007[Begg puts forward: briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea) 1. 2007[Begg puts forward: a waterspout or sudden squall struck the ship, flooding the galley and hold and giving a false reading of the…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea) 1. 2007[Begg puts forward: the crew murdered the officers and family and fled in the boat.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea) 1. 2007[Begg puts forward: briggs and Morehouse conspired to abandon the ship for a salvage award.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea) 1. 2007[Begg puts forward: the Dei Gratia's crew killed those aboard and claimed salvage.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea) 1. 2007[Begg: the main peak halyard trailed over the side, consistent with the yawl having been attached to the ship.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea)For: Briggs believed the ship was sinking or about to explode, and near land, and ordered a temporary abandonment… 1. 2007[Begg: the departure was orderly, with instruments and papers taken, not a panic.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea)Against: A waterspout or sudden squall struck the ship, flooding the galley and hold and giving a false reading of the… 1. 2007[Begg: no sign of violence was found; the sword stains proved not to be blood; nothing was taken.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea)Against: The crew murdered the officers and family and fled in the boat. 1. 2007[Begg: the award was £1,700, a fifth of the value, and the salvors were themselves suspected and penalised.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea)Against: Briggs and Morehouse conspired to abandon the ship for a salvage award. 1. 2007[Begg: solly-Flood's survey marks and stains did not survive examination; the testimony was consistent.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZKR60QJF/mary-celeste-the-greatest-mystery-of-the-sea)Against: The Dei Gratia's crew killed those aboard and claimed salvage. 1. 2020[maryceleste.net: the galley stove was shifted, the binnacle knocked over, and sails blown out.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D00ZM7T751Q/the-mary-celeste-fact-not-fiction)For: A waterspout or sudden squall struck the ship, flooding the galley and hold and giving a false reading of the… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mary-celeste/questions/QST0D00ZW1T1XWM/why-did-ten-people-leave-a-sound-provisioned-ship-in-a-small%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mary-celeste/questions/QST0D00ZW1T1XWM/why-did-ten-people-leave-a-sound-provisioned-ship-in-a-small%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mary-celeste/questions/QST0D00ZW1T1XWM/why-did-ten-people-leave-a-sound-provisioned-ship-in-a-small%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mary-celeste/questions/QST0D00ZW1T1XWM/why-did-ten-people-leave-a-sound-provisioned-ship-in-a-small%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mary-celeste/questions/QST0D00ZW1T1XWM/why-did-ten-people-leave-a-sound-provisioned-ship-in-a-small%23add-source) Where it fits Mary Celeste **Why did ten people leave a sound, provisioned ship in a small boat?** Key question · you're here [Where was the ship when she was abandoned, and where did Briggs think she was?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mary-celeste/questions/QST0D00ZW9M0578/where-was-the-ship-when-she-was-abandoned-and-where-did)Open · 3 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]