Ghost Ship Mary Celeste: The 150 Year Mystery

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The Mary Celeste is one of the most infamously legendary sailing vessels in history, having been found adrift after her crew vanished. In this video, we not only explore the story of their disappearance, but the full history of this vessel, starting with her construction in Spencer's Island, Nova Scotia under the name Amazon, through her early career, her adventures and misadventures, and the long road that eventually led to her intentional destruction on the reefs of Haiti in 1885.
Find out more about the Age of Sail Heritage Centre at: ageofsailmuseum.ca/
If you plan to visit Spencer's Island, check out: www.localguyadventures.com/
The story of the Mary Celeste is one that I've wanted to do for a while but had no plan to make any time soon. Last week, my wife and I were able to visit her family in Nova Scotia for the first time since before the pandemic, and since Nova Scotia is where the Mary Celeste was built, I figured I'd gather the footage I need and finish the video whenever convenient (probably late 2023).
I worked with the Age of Sail Museum and the local Titanic society (since they more so cover general local maritime history), and in discussing this video, we realized the 150th anniversary is now. She was found on December 4th, and returned to Gibraltar on December 13th. There was nothing prepared to commemorate the anniversary of one of their most famous vessels, so we decided to light a fire under this project.
The documentary you're seeing was researched, written, filmed, edited, and animated all within about a week. It wouldn't have been at all possible without the help of my friend Alex, who did these beautiful animations for the project.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
2:00 - "Amazon", Built in Nova Scotia
9:20 - First Misfortunes
12:54 - Wrecked and Re-Wrecked
15:50 - The Mary Celeste
18:54 - The Briggs Family
21:56 - Disappearance
24:38 - The Derelict
30:21 - Investigations
34:30 - The Most Likely Scenario
41:18 - The Aftermath
44:04 - The Wreck of the Mary Celeste
47:38 - Spencer's Island Today

[@PartTimeExplorer]

NOTICE: The Age of Sail Museum featured in this video that was gracious enough to assist in the production of this video has recently sustained serious water damage. In addition to hosting fundraising events, they're doing a campaign on GoFundMe to help cover the costs. If you can, please consider giving them a donation so they can continue their efforts to preserve these old Nova Scotia seafaring stories! gofund.me/47bae567

[@kellyhardy9381]

Onooooooooo😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@user-qv8se4zt1o]

ok gonna put a good one on might last rest of the nite might catch some tunes but probably not kinda dull and boring here tonite

[@user-qv8se4zt1o]

ok check this out

[@joeydantonio240]

20s Music

[@patgraves2060]

​@trinidad apodaca

[@LaVidayElTristeFinal]

There is an epilogue to the Mary Celeste story that almost nobody mentions. A few weeks after the ship was found empty, a dinghy with several decomposing bodies landed on the shores of northern Spain. The bodies could not be identified and were buried there, but they could have been the passengers of the Mary Celeste. If this is the case, this would indicate that they abandoned ship for some reason (maybe they thought it was about to explode), got separated from it by the waves, and died from starvation and exposure at sea.

[@lindabarrett5631]

Interesting. This part of the story should be told!

[@maddieb.4282]

@@lindabarrett5631what part of what story? As they mentioned, there’s literally zero evidence or even contemporary rumor connecting those people to the Mary Celeste, so it’s really up to the documentarian whether they want to entertain the possibility. If you included every factoid like this regarding this case it’d probably be fifty years long, lol 😂

[@gnufz8623]

@@maddieb.4282 Now that's a real smart approach... 🙄 You mean a factoid like the numerous other conspiracies the documentarian listed? And how come you can claim there is no contemporary rumor that those bodies were connected to the Mary Cellist when the author of that comment is actually reflecting contemporary rumor that these bodies may be connected to the Mary Celeste?!? Maybe, if you find the burial site, you might be able to research if these may be the crew from the Mary Celeste? And if not, it would still make another great video... TroII elsewhere!

[@Whiskey2shots]

Where did this come from? I can't find anything on it online

[@lindabarrett5631]

It was on KZbin.

[@adamhemgesberg1572]

I used to wonder why sailors were so superstitious. Then I learned about how many ships there were like this that just seemed cursed from beginning to end. It's hard not to be.

[@ryman1933]

It really is crazy how astronomically unlikely the coincidences and bad luck are and yet they happened. Some ships do truly seem cursed.

[@localbod]

That's all they are. Just a series of events and coincidences.

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

@@localbod Science itself claims every action has an equal and opposite reaction meaning there are no coincidences.

[@jeep1987]

@@JarthenGreenmeadow there are definitely coincidences

[@johnlee7164]

Any job that requires people to deal with nature and its chaotic tendencies tend to be very superstitious since the foci of things going favorably is outside of the people's sphere of influence. The Atlantic Ocean currents, the Gulf Stream, the general area that creates hurricanes that threaten the east coast of North America. If I had a farm in Tornado Alley, I'd be equally as superstitious.

[@applewatermelons]

This is what I always wanted the History Channel to be. Very interesting and impressive

[@jonrutherford6852]

Re-watching this after another year, I note again how much more I enjoy sober, fact-based reporting like yours than any kind of "re-enacting" of what "might" (but almost certainly didn't) take place. As with true-crime documentaries, I'll take closest-to-the-source, factual narration anyday over speculation and, often, fantasy. Glad to have your quiet, beautifully made, history-minded documentaries.

[@mitchellskene8176]

I like the theory that the crew abandoned ship, thinking a disaster was going to happen, but trying to stay attached via lifeboat. Only for that lifeboat to become unattached to the ship.

[@Tindometari]

I think it's more likely that the *Mary Celeste* started moving too fast for the boat to tolerate without shipping water badly or going under. Remember: stormy conditions. One wave above some minimum size, and the taut tow line is pulling the boat under the water with every wave over a certain height. An open boat towed by a ship with sails set, through a storm, is not a tenable position. So either they cut the line, quick, or they went under fast.

[@goatsub8115]

@@Tindometari I think you have it nailed here. I bet they wish they had taken more sails down before getting in the small boat. I'm still at a bit of a loss as to why they felt they absolutely had to get in the boat in the first place - as one commentator says elsewhere, surely they could have stood on deck upwind of the fumes? I find it hard to believe that the fumes could have been THAT dangerous, but maybe there were other factors at play as well?

[@KesiIshtar]

@@goatsub8115 Well remember that a threat of an explosion could have also been on their mind.

[@pattonpending7390]

Wouldn't the Mary Celeste have a tow line still attached when it was found then? Unless the tow line was poorly secured to the ship in the first place...

[@mitchellskene8176]

@@pattonpending7390 My assumption is that they were panicked, thinking the ship was going to explode, so did things haphazardly.

[@jeremypearson6852]

How those ships survived some of those storms is mind blowing. It really was a dangerous way to make a living.

[@1daveyp]

Consider this a standing ovation. Bravo! I don't think I've ever seen such a comprehensive and workmanlike, yet absorbing and entertaining rendition of the Mary Celeste story. Thoroughly researched, engagingly presented and graphically attractive without being led by the visuals. Truly impressed.

[@DonnaChamberson]

He just makes my parts quiver 😩

[@RomeWill]

Very thorough

[@DonnaChamberson]

@Pat Luxor I care

[@bensquires2819]

@@DonnaChamberson I’m not surprised 😝

[@gnufz8623]

@Pat Luxor TroII elsewhere - or even better: Get a life! 🤦‍♂

[@elywhitley7327]

As a sailing enthusiast, and a lover of real-life mysteries, I found this to be a superb piece of maritime documentary making. Thorough, entertaining and well-paced. Huge congratulations to you Tom, and your talented animator. This has been an education and an unforgettable account of a famous story. well done!

[@assadsmagicalmysterytour]

As someone who jacks off for 12 hours a day I also love this video

[@pauldames381]

yes, great job , thoughtful, well spoken and documented very well with actual locations. Thank you..

[@jimjam3s]

Speaking as a person with over 40 years of boat experience, here is my views. Would the M. Celeste captain or crew have knows that the cargo needed venting? Yes. would they understand that the fumes were dangerous? Yes. Would they choose to stand all on board on the windward (upwind) side of the vessel during venting, thereby avoiding the fumes? Yes. Would they be concerned about the moaning and groaning of the vessel during venting? No. it would be expected. Would there be a fire danger? No, the captain would have seen that all flames were extinguished before venting any flammable fumes. Would the Captain abandon the ship?, putting his wife, child and all into a small boat to be let far from the ship, when all above precautions had been taken and the ship was perfectly safe. Undergoing a standard procedure that must have been done hundreds if not thousands of times by other freight haulers? No, certainly not. { if the ships boat would have been lowered, it would have been lowered from its davits, not requiring a removal of part of the railing. I worked as a tanker man, hauling Diesel, Gasoline and Aviation Gas. All highly flammable. Never had a problem, followed standard procedures. They would have also.} To much of the idea given falls flat when looked at from a boat captain perspective, sorry. nice vid tho. More likely what happened is during the bad storm they suffered a knockdown.....where the combination of a large wave and strong wind gust laid the ship over on its side, washing the on deck crew into the water. Captain or any remaining crew would rightly fear a capsize and rush all including baby to the deck and ships boat, whereupon another large wave washed them overboard. Ive seen steel hull of large ocean fishing vessels dented in by breaking waves during a storm, lots of tons of force there, easily breaking wooden ship railing and washing all over the side small boat and hatches included. This would handily explain why there was so much water in the bilges. Sail dropped on deck by crew trying to reduce heel and vessel speed as wind grew stronger right before disaster struck. Other sails shredded by wind when no one aboard to furl them...... Truth be tho, since no one was there with a video camera and a TicTok account, we will never know what actually did occur.

[@waveycrazey]

This informed explanation sounds very credible to me 👍

[@shanemcdowall]

This is the best explanation I have ever read.👍

[@Kappa20VT]

The dining table was set when it was found, that would not be possible if the ship had been laid on its side.

[@angelikaopland7880]

Mary Celeste has no davits in any illustrations I've seen. Standard procedure on such vessels was to use the lowest yard as a boom for hoisting out, but the sails would want furling first, & attempting the whole task at sea while preventing dangerous swinging about may have been beyond the strength of just 8 men. Removing the rail to slide the ship's boat overside instead suggests panic had taken hold in any event.

[@Newbobdole]

Thanks for your perspective, that makes a ton of sense!

[@cecilierasmussen7442]

Love the explanation you had for the abandonment. The best and most logical one I've ever heard.

[@marybarry2230]

Agree! This was the first time I heard of that theory and I think it makes perfect sense!

[@ct1762]

@@marybarry2230 not to be a science-Karen here but its a mere hypothesis as there is no evidence. yet.

[@marybarry2230]

@@ct1762 oh no I understand it's just a theory! But of all the explanations that I have heard as to what happened to the Mary Celeste's crew that one seems pretty logical! Something scared them and It seems like they just got in the lifeboat and sailed away from it! And there had to have been a reason for them to do that so suddenly!

[@simonlyndon9496]

Yes, but … what happened to the 300 foot rope (not 300m, my bad!) from ship to lifeboat? If cut at the lifeboat then wouldn’t it have been hanging off the ship? If it broke free from the ship, wouldn’t there have been some damage on board the ship? Maybe it pulled undone, but the sailor who tied it off would have known that their lives depended on that knot so, even in a hurry, it should have been a damned good knot … 🤔 though, alcohol fumes? Still 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@cecilierasmussen7442]

@@simonlyndon9496 Been sailing a few times myself. Sometimes you don't tie the rope to something, but rather around it. For example, it means you can leave port using the ropes to keep the boat under control without leaving or cutting any rope. I don't think that's what happened here. Just that you might find the information interesting.

[@robrob6673]

I first read this story when I was grade 6 student in my English class learning the word "mystery". Since then, which now I am a 38 year old man, I occasionally think about the story even though I never came across any content about it. it is good to finally find this one. From East Africa Ethiopia.

[@Franklin-pc3xd]

This is the second historical study by PTE I've watched and I'm impressed with his discipline, rigor and delivery - excellent content.

[@Angela-qr8wl]

Great Content today 🚢

[@hopel4822]

I feel like anyone watching this film in its first couple of hours has probably watched(or read) more than one video about the Mary Celeste beforehand. Yet, I'm pretty sure Tom is about to teach us a lot of things. 11 minutes in and already loving the background story!

[@marhawkman303]

Well, I certainly learned a few things about the ship's history prior to that voyage she's famous for. The incident itself though? Enh, already had a good grasp there.

[@xXDoomWolfeXx]

To be honest, I've never heard of the Mary Celeste before but I get notifications for Tom's videos and was eager to see what he had to teach us todayy! :D

[@Lucinda_Jackson]

And I’m with Shania - I knew nothing about the Mary Celeste at all! The name rang a bell dimly in my brain, but I had no idea where I’d ever heard of her or what her story was. All of this was completely new to me and utterly fascinating! And, I think, Tom did a great job of laying out the background, explaining the players, and setting forth the theory of how she and her crew met their ends.

[@mileshigh1321]

Your comment is same as I feel ! So many video's and docs on Mary Celeste, non more straight up than Tom's...and I agree...the back story is almost more interesting than the mystery itself haha

[@marhawkman303]

@@mileshigh1321 well the reality of the mystery... isn't all that much of a mystery. not after you strip out the fictional BS.

[@ralphnoyes4366]

I'm 71 and remember being obsessed with this story, this ship, when I was about 9. I believe I concluded it was Kraken. I'm not sure, not at all.

[@ralphnoyes4366]

The video's theory of what happened seem highly plausible -- gas fumes from the alcohol.

[@patroberts5449]

You mean the Seattle Kraken NHL team did this??!!😂 can’t trust them I knew it!

[@pale_saint]

Even the ships cat, tho?!

[@ralphnoyes4366]

@@pale_saint Good point. But if it was, effectively, a pet as well, I can imagine they'd bring it along.

[@spartanforce7]

Good sir, I do believe you've cracked the case. Kraken is well known for eating people, cats, dinghies, and navigational tools.

[@MikeMillerimages]

Wow. I spent my childhood watching tall tales of the Mary Celeste being a victim of the Bermuda Triangle. Your more accurate telling is more haunting than the sensationalized accounts!

[@omarra6781]

I like how you put old photos in the same spot in the videos so we can see what that place looked like back in the day.

[@arianaw5364]

I’m a Titanic enthusiast and found you through your Titanic and White Star Line videos. You have such an incredible gift for telling history, and I much prefer watching you to any History Channel show. Thank you for your dedication to history and I can’t wait to see your next video!

[@israelisrael5587]

I agree, This is the Last Day of 2022 and here I am watching the other half Of your video, The way someone tell a story is sometimes more.....

[@m.streicher8286]

I'd prefer watching paint dry over the history channel, it's more educational.

[@adhaskym.a9536]

Why

[@paulallen8109]

"and I much prefer watching you to any History Channel show. " Well, that isn't setting the bar very high is it? That you even *consider* watching the "History" (ancient aliens/mystery conspiracies/sensationalist nonsense) Channel speaks volumes on what level you're on. Better than the history channel is akin to saying that one rather eats home cooked food than the most common fast food restaurant. It says nothing of the content you're actually eating, for it might be the same junk food. "Thank you for your dedication to history " Read a book written by *real* historians.

[@catsaregreat6314]

@@paulallen8109 Jesus, that was unnecessarily rude. The fact you judge someone for something as arbitrary as considering to watch a show reveals more about you then their choice of show does to them

[@DeadBaron]

As a father of an almost 2 year old, man, I can't imagine what the parents went through if something happened to their little one.

[@hannahp1108]

The majority of parents who have a child who dies end up divorced. It's such an immense trauma that it changes who someone is as a person. Thus, these two new people might not be able to make their marriage work anymore. It's so, so tragic.

[@garethjames1300]

Not always Victorian parents would have 5,6,7 kids of whom 2 may survive to adulthood people were tougher back then they had to be .

[@jamesharden5259]

A 2 year old man

[@112chapters3]

@@hannahp1108 true that my bro died Xmas eve 1999. Shattered the family of 6 and I’m the baby at 15 he was 19, Divorce happened with the parents but not as swiftly it’s was well on the cards anyway. We all moved away from the city…..Crazy. God Bless you Conan 11th Jan 1980 ….19 ❤buried on the 10th Jan… what a millennium ha. And wow Christmas ain’t all that… too commercial anyway.

[@waywardhunter8633]

As a father, it has become one of my worst fears, and i used to fear nothing.

[@williamharris8367]

I am originally from Nova Scotia and I am familiar with the story of the Mary Celeste. Indeed, some of my ancestors are from the Economy/Five Islands area. I have visited there briefly, but I _really_ enjoyed seeing the footage of those communities and the background information about shipbuilding in the area. Thank-you!

[@enshongmiranda]

I can't imagine the dread and hopelessness Captain Briggs, his family, and the crew must have felt when they had to let go of the rope or the rope snapping dooming them on a tiny lifeboat adrift in a storm.

[@lynnfisher3037]

ALL WELL AND GOOD But seriously A CAT DIED.

[@sandrachisholm2310]

I'm a Nova Scotian, of long time fishing stock, and I find this story of the Mary Celeste fascinating. We have a long history of ship building. Of more recent history is the Bluenose with Captain Angus Walters. A real source of pride, though the end of the Bluenose is sad. Our Bluenose II is an honour to her original historical, magnificent ship. No one could beat her in schooner races.

[@JackAShepherd]

"Fishing stock" or "fish stock" -- AKA fish bullion 😹🐟🥣

[@Zobin211]

This is the third video of yours that I've watched in three nights. Arctic and Atlantic were the others. I'm thoroughly impressed with your production quality. Your knowledge and passion for your subject is evident. Your tone is spot-on, combining respect for those who lost their lives with a subtle sense of humor when appropriate. Well done. I can't wait to watch more!

[@bossladybee8323]

Agreed! Me too. I’ve enjoyed his documentaries

[@raerae6422]

I like that he firstly focuses on primary accounts and facts but still lets us know the hearsay and fake news of the time. Also, appreciate that he doesnt opt for clickbaity thumbnails and titles. Quality!

[@farhanshahriyer9966]

Totally agreed ❤

[@stewartdalton3298]

Was entertained also watching. The wreck of the Glenesslin. Check it out if your interested?

[@juditate111]

I grew up on the coast of Massachusetts and have lived on the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine. Everybody that grew up and lived there heard from a young age the story of the Mary Celeste. You gave me even more in-depth information that I had never heard before. Excellent video. Thank you.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Please share this video around to reddit, facebook, or even news outlets, as this is the 150th anniversary of the mystery and it's going by nearly unnoticed!

[@concept5631]

Nicely done as always.

[@thebitsanpiecesman4423]

What a fantastic video Tom thank you I love the new music. The vibe of this video I believe to be your best work I will be showing my whole family. Thank you for your hard work

[@tomm1109]

Very cool! Not sure how you feel about airships, but I hope you do one on the Italia which crashed while crossing the north pole. The crash left a dozen on the ground stranded for months, even rescuers got stranded with them. The poor guys who remained in the airship envelope floated into the clouds and were never seen again! 1928 is the 100 year anniversary. Amazing that we had not crossed the north pole in an airship or plane until then but went to the moon 41 years later.

[@marhawkman303]

One thing you touched on, very briefly, is that... the best guess as to when the crew got off the ship... was within sight of land. They were THAT close to the Azores at the time. This is a fact that gets left out of far too many retellings and does much to explain the "mystery". They weren't on the high seas when they abandoned the ship, they had reason to think being in a boat was a safe enough solution to be livable. This is something that conveniently gets left out of all the more fantastical retellings

[@stephenshaud5643]

Love your videos. The other by that I've seen was the town of Thurman, WV. Look forward to others!

[@silversurfer3202]

As a former sailor/owner of a twin masted sailing yacht.... You've provided the best and most informative documentary of this mystery I have ever experienced, heard so far. 👍 Thank you Sir.... 🧐!!!! (Alas.... Some mysteries are destined to remain a mystery 🤔 😒😐) ⛵

[@MyNameHere101]

It's sad that an innocent cat died, but it's sweet that they obviously took her in an effort to save her since she wasn't on the boat.

[@VillaBoys123]

The cat did it.

[@TransDrummer1312]

Was the cat orange, if so we’ll know the culprit lol

[@tropicalterrarium1742]

At least it was not a dog

[@MaiAolei]

@@TransDrummer1312 Couldn't have been. There was still food on board.

[@charlotteantiquepowerengin6277]

Feline purrfidy

[@savethebottle]

I was mesmerized with this story. Didn't want it to end. You are an amazing story teller with a voice so clear and distinct. Without the fantasy stories left out, this was truly a documentary worth every word. I am looking forward to more of these. Can't thank you enough for your thorough work and your theory is by far, the most believable. It is the only one that can be substantiated. This is one of the best channels I have ever found for knowledge and understanding.

[@presspound7358]

Being Atlantic Canadian… and living 20 minutes from the coast…. I thoroughly appreciated the substantive work that went into producing this segment. Clear and concise writing all the way through. You…Sir are a storyteller. Your unique sobriety is engaging and thus an added value. Through your apt descriptions and production visuals…we can easily flesh out this period in history as well as the tenuous conditions surrounding ocean going ventures …in that…. ventures quickly morphed into adventures many of which were deadly. Thanks again for your dedicated work. 🎥🎬🥇

[@doubleghod]

At chronomark 21:10 the speaker says that Pier 50 was on the East River while it actually was on the Hudson River.

[@0tt0z]

I like your theory on why the ship was abandoned. Sounds like what possibly happened. I do feel bad that a small child had to suffer through that.

[@geoffreycodnett6570]

It's fairly obvious the ship was abandoned. The loss of alcohol from spirits is well known and in whisky sores about 2-3% of content is lost each year or 25% for 12 Yr old whisky. Known as the " angels share" it occurs through the pores of wood barrels. Against the theory of sailors being afraid of creaks and groans is the undoubted fact all wood hulled ships would make such noises, Barells have steel hoops so the theory of them swelling as a result of either internal or external pressure simply makes no sense. Not knowing what the "alcohol " actually was any smell is difficult to ascribe to the cargo. Invented in 1815 it's likely that the Davy Lamp used by miners could have been used to detect even small traces of combustible vapour. Depending on the circumstances it would have made sense to put the members of the family with part of the crew if they were afraid of explosion or fire, or possibly a minor explosion occurred and evacuation of all made quickly. As a heavy vapour it is possible any fire could extinguish itself when oxygen ran out. It does seem probable the cargo was the problem but the reason for the missing crew and passengers still seems elusive.

[@curiousone6129]

And the ship's cat!

[@MartilloWorkshop]

@@geoffreycodnett6570 it wasn't the barrels enlarging, it was the ship's hold itself, as the barrels leaked fumes that was trapped and built up pressure in the hold. Also, as a blacksmith, I can promise you steel bands of barrels will give and stretch. Especially considering those bands back then would likely have been wrought iron, a much softer alloy than modern mild steel.

[@american_cosmic]

Please tell me your career is somehow related to your youtube channel? You have great talent and skill, and I absolutely loved this video! In every way, your production is better than what you would get on cable TV. And much more informative! Your passion for the subject is contagious. Thanks for doing this video, please keep doing them!

[@misskittymcg630]

Do NOT take this the wrong way,,I know most of the stories you present,,so it's not for new content,,I LOVE your voice and the repetition of loved stories,,and the soothing telling helps me to fall asleep without the use of artificial means. Reminding me of how a child will want the same book read night after night,,and fall asleep halfway through,,but you tell the rest of it quietly anyway. Very,very enjoyable. Keep it up!

[@gg79139]

I heartily agree!!! I have tinnitus, and when all is quiet the rushing ringing in my ears makes it near impossible to fall asleep. But, I listen to these stories, the timbre of your voice distracts and allows me to rest. I have to start them at different moments instead of the beginning as I fall asleep before the end and never quite make it through. 😢but the ending is no surprise 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@5amH45lam]

Wowww, these video renders are out of this world! Amazing, sir! And the content just gets richer and richer. Love the interviews and all the old-time photography. You're outdoing yourself with every new video! Awesome, awesome awesome! 👍👌

[@allisonmarlow184]

He does first hand research and reporting on-site. You don't see that anymore. He's a gem!

[@freezo244]

Yes, beautiful 👌🏽

[@aesearby]

This video was extraordinarily detailed and well done! After watching... I've decided the real ship (not the gossiped version) was far more terrifying in its curse factor than the basic ghost ship rumor I'd heard before. Because WOW that is a whole lot of physical and personnel wreckage over the course of many years...

[@freedomthroughspirit]

I hadn't head this story before but greatly appreciate being educated about it. Very well done.

[@freezo244]

Anyone ever read “Three Skeleton Key” by George G. Toudouze? Such a great story. I required my 7th grade students to read it over the years…which led to them doing brief informal research on “ghost” ships like The Flying Dutchman and the Mary Celeste and other sea legends. Even the most reluctant ELL’s among them found it interesting. 👍🏼📖👍🏼 (I also played sea shanties while we worked. ⚓️🐭🏝)

[@breannaalger9585]

The renderings of the ships are simply stunning, I love having a visual to go along with the facts.

[@PlayerLetterR]

These videos are always a treat to the point it's one of the only channels where I've watched every episode. Keep up the good work

[@Ben-mx1ip]

Your videos are better than documentaries on TV. Well edited, concise, lots of imagery, historical facts and choice of music. Bravo sir.

[@lenaistalar8032]

I actually planned to open this video on my second screen and have it run while playing games on the main screen, but I just couldn't. You captivated and kept my focus throughout the whole video and I seriously appreciate your narrative style and the visual enhancements through the renders. I'm definitely going to take a look at more of your videos now. Thank you!

[@jane.c.c]

I've searched for so long, for a detailed video on this subject, so thank you for this video. I can now stop searching..

[@catasrophieGrrl]

Thank you so much for this! The thought of a man, both Father and Captain having to make the decision of saving his daughter, wife and crew from the toxic fumes and possible explosion and then knowing that he made the wrong call as the storm came up again makes me feel so awful for him. That's super tragic. This logical theory is the only one I've ever heard that seems reasonable and feasible.

[@laurareynolds1776]

i was already impressed with the video, but mentioning occam's razor was the chefs kiss for me

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

Wow, what a production! 🤩 I certainly wouldn't consider myself a sailing enthusiast, but after clicking on this on a whim, I'm now a subscriber. Your research methodology, your narration style, the setting in your studio, the choice of visuals, and most importantly, a steadfast refusal to regurgitate rumors...all of that and more has combined to make me an instant fan of your work. I just love it when people share their passions in this way. I look forward to browsing your channel!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you for your lovely comment!

[@thereturnofdarthcaedus]

@@PartTimeExplorer am happy i subbed your channel your one amazing person love your videos keep up the good work i enjoy your content and yes i have autsim and find your yotube channel i never knew about the eastland disaster before am happy you made that video this video you should go to middle schools or hig schools and share your guft with others yu seriously are one intelligent man i hope you get more and more subbers i hate repeating myself but am proud you are on youtube i also loved your video of the collins line ship that disappeared are you going to do anymore videos on ships that have disappeared if so id love to watch more those videos as well well heres my old calling card and sign off may the fore be with you live long and prosper and have a nice day

[@dianesterns4961]

Agreed. I have absolutely zero internet in going for a sail but really enjoy history and the stories that come with it.

[@american_cosmic]

@@thereturnofdarthcaedus Yeah I loved his video on the Eastland disaster!

[@honodle7219]

The alcohol and fumes theory is the most plausible I have ever heard. And yet, as you noted, no one will ever really know. And the Mary Celeste remains, I think, the best, most intriguing ghost ship story out there today. I can, in my mind, get a sense of the hopeless horror they must have felt when their lifeline to Mary Celeste snapped. The knowing that they were doomed and they had put themselves there must have been overwhelming despair.

[@rjvanloon4769]

It might be the most reasonable explanation, but I seriously doubt the captain himself would have left the ship for that. Those fumes can be nasty, but hardly really dangerous to grown men, especially talking about hardy men on wooden sailing ships. So I can see him lowering the boat for his wife and child, with perhaps the first mate and one crewmember to make sure they would be safe. So unless he made a really big mistake in judgement, or the build-up of fumes was so bad there was really bad bulging it wouldn't make sense to completely abandon it.

[@thedwightguy]

Fun fact: if you have first growth hardwood or pine, you can split the beams with wedges and they'll split straight and true, especially in minus forty below weather. The split will follow the grain! My grandfather did that on his homestead. No sawing. A little adze finishing and you're good to go. !!!

[@flower2289]

Thank you. That is a wonderful piece of information.

[@itsmebilly725]

There was a horror film from 1935 starring Bela Lugosi called "Phantom Ship: The Mystery of the Mary Celeste" which is where I first heard of it. They attempted to explain the mystery with the aforementioned murder theory. It's an interesting little flick and was one of the earliest horror films produced by Hammer who would go on to great success in the 50's when they would reboot Dracula and Frankenstein.

[@cardinalsbaseballclassics]

Your entire ambiance (the outfit, tie, chair, walk color, gold framed paintings, yellow light lamp) is like a time capsule of every remodel done to a grandmother's home from 1997-1999.

[@nateshaffer775]

Appreciate all the hard work that went into creating this highly detailed documentary.

[@blueriver5269]

Wow another triumph. Amazing job Tom. Everything so well put together, the animation phenomenal and I could listen to your story telling for hours. I have been learning so much from you . CONGRATULATIONS on another superb video

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you! It's Alex's animations that make this one so special!

[@thereturnofdarthcaedus]

@@PartTimeExplorer you seriously are one very intelligent young man if my mom was still alive shed praise your body or work i praise your body of work as well im happy to be a fan of your please keep uloading onto youtube i love your content you do alot of hard work making these videos people who in my high school classroom would either make fun of you or even bullie like they did me i love history now even tho i no longer am in high school my favorite moments in history are the american civil war and the american revoloution and yes i know their was a war before the american relovution and george washington use to be on the side of the brits when he fought in that war this war is mentioned in the movie the pariot starring mel gibson and heath ledgar

[@extracelestial9527]

Imagine my surprise when I just got a notification that PTE posted a new video and I get to watch it right now! Your channel is so much better than History Channel and similar channels available!

[@hlawrencepowell]

A great documentary! Well done. My father was part of the unveiling ceremony when that monument on the beach was first unveiled.

[@avipatable]

Superbly done. Quality regular TV can't hope to compete with anymore. The background and detail to the charactors made this a rivetting story - as well as factual.

[@mckweber]

Clearly an incredible amount of research went into this project. I appreciate it! 👍

[@chickenpancake1614]

This channel never misses. These new 3D models look amazing.

[@catface3473]

I wasnt going to watch this until I saw you were doing the story..I.m new to your stories ..well done !

[@rebeccacarter1914]

No matter how you look at it, this is a enduring and tragic mystery. Your theory is sound to me. I have zero experience and very little nautical knowledge, so I must depend on others. A fine job, thank you! I can't help but recall Missing 411 and wonder....

[@adan7949]

Hi sir, imma save this video for my night time break

[@concept5631]

Respectable

[@saml7610]

I too wanna watch it right now, but I know my wife will be mad if I watch it without her. It's the same quality as a TV feature length documentary, may as well treat it that way and watch it together before bed. Took a peak, and my goodness, those high effort 3D graphics are exactly the type of stuff that leads me to think so highly of this channel. Really raising the bar for "home made" content. History channel should get back to their roots and lease the rights to broadcast these documentaries, God knows they're higher quality than anything they've broadcast for over a decade...

[@indigohammer5732]

Im you? What else im you do?

[@brucegoodall3794]

Don't you mean... immagunah save this video? Say what you mean... mean what you say...

[@brucegoodall3794]

@@saml7610 Modern Man. Afraid of what your wife will do. Haha. I'm 65 and my wife still asks me for permission to take a dump.

[@Keraulonus]

The Mary Celeste has always been my favorite mystery ship. Thank you for publishing this video history about her!

[@curatedstyle8645]

Nova Scotian expat living in South Korea…just discovered this brilliant channel. Fascinating content expertly presented.

[@stianmadsen6036]

been a long time since I heard someone who got such comfortable voice telling a story!

[@JerseyShoreJim]

This is my first experience with your work. After reading about the Mary Celeste, as a 10 year old back in 1960, and countless other accounts since, your accomplishment with this mystery is by far the best. Your account gave me feelings of closure and peace about this tragic event. Also, I really appreciated your follow up on the fate of the ship. Thanks!! I’m now subscribed and looking forward to more of your work.👍

[@harryb8945]

Bloody hell was just looking for a video on the ship and then this pops up. Perfect timing thank you.

[@hypontoto]

The first seconds I saw of this video I thought it was real footage. I've never seen something SO realistic. Amazing work!

[@GarlicOasis]

He's using Unreal Engine 5.

[@rogerrendzak8055]

Thanks for the most detailed, Mary Celeste documentary, ever created👏👏!!! That was intricately good, Tom👍!!! It's uncanny that, the cargo and ship reached it's destination, but the crew who sailed her, never did😔.

[@DarthMeteos]

Thanks for the video, Tom, Great to see more people learning about the Mary Celeste from a historical perspective, rather than the spooky-wooky way her story is usually told. To be honest, in my opinion, I don't think there's another creator on KZbin that can command the same deal of respect as you do for these amazing documentaries. You're bringing history to life here. I'd say you could make talking about a block of concrete interesting, but- Well, you did that already! I can't even imagine the level of research required for these.

[@mileshigh1321]

I like that you use original photos and images. The use of the CGI mainly replaces images and clips of similar but not actual events related to the video! The ships looked great and gave you an idea of what they saw when they first sited Mary Celeste! So the CGI works great with the information and photos in so many ways! Thanks Tom!

[@alexlee9180]

I've been fascinated with Mary Celeste for over 20 years. It freaked me out when I first read about it! Thanks for the video.

[@nancyfoster620]

Bravo! I was glued from the start…the primary source research, the brilliant storytelling and the top-notch filmmaking. I learned so much! Excuse me while I go and binge the rest of your videos. 😊

[@thomasbaillie-carrigan3100]

As a Scotsman, born by the sea, have always been drawn to maritime mysteries. Read many accounts of the 'Mary Celeste', but your superb presentation is the most believable. Just like Evil people, there are Evil ships, etc. Thank you Tom. Just subscribed.

[@marionkidder1128]

Thank you. That was so interesting. We’ve all heard of the Mary Celeste but this is the first time I’ve heard the whole story. It was beautifully narrated. Thank you.

[@dw-xy9vm]

You remind me of the history teachers I had growing up, especially in Highschool. Well dressed, well spoken, thoughtful and compassionate men that want facts to come before the admittingly funny, and sometimes purely enjoyable fiction and gossip-milling. I'm sure I have seen your videos before, but only now have they truly drawn me all the way in. It's really crazy to think how little the dangers at sea have changed, even with our modern machinery and luxuries, basic science can make a really bad day out on the water.

[@Haddasa]

I have never been interested in any stories like this, but I happen to stumble across this video 2 o’clock in the morning. I have to say that this story really caught my interest, and I enjoyed it very much!❤

[@lynnfisher3037]

Yeah but not nearly as good as the NFL.

[@shable1436]

The CGI and editing is so good, you had me engaged with narration that didn't drag, great flow to the tale.

[@ItsAlpacaMan]

The in-person touch really puts these videos over the top. Great video!

[@sreed7687]

I have no idea how I got here; but I am sure as hell happy that I did. This is an amazing documentary and you’ve instantly gained a sub for life.

[@JacobRusty-Clogg]

What a gem of a channel - glad I found you, completely by accident!!

[@VRed37]

I recently discovered your channel and discovered I love ship stories from long ago. Your documentaries are beautifully done and you share so much interesting info and details. I can almost hear the captain and crew; smell the salt air; feel the spindrift and the deathly cold of the ocean. I also watched the SS Artic after this. Now I know who the “shameful” were. Love your work! ❤

[@Deepriver100]

I've been aware of the mystery surrounding the Mary Celeste since I was a lad growing up in the '50s so found this documentary absolutely gripping. Can't believe you completed the whole project in one week - I wouldn't have been surprised if it took a year to complete!!

[@thruknobulaxii2020]

I’ve seen so many documentaries about this vessel that I thought I knew all there was to the story. So, my knowledge began and ended with the abandoned vessel in the popular version as it’s usually told. It’s not often that someone brings to light some previously missed detail in a hairy old tale like this one. But to reveal _so many_ additional details amounting to a completely new history of a bad luck, salty-eye ship which appears to be trying at every turn to drown its crew. That is something remarkable. Listening to your account, it seems perfectly reasonable to me, for a seaman to be a little superstitious.

[@TrombeX2]

Not just its own crew, considering the fates of the two ships chartered by the investigator when she was finally wrecked for good. Ol' Mary didn't want to go alone it would seem...

[@firstclassdronephotography]

I'm from Nova Scotia and I absolutely love your videos. Thank you for covering all this amazing history.

[@Armyassasin455]

These videos are getting documentary level professional props to you man

[@ranadas3738]

Fantastic cover, well drafted, loaded with rich culture of ship building, great job, my friend, ALMIGHTY LORD BLESS YOU N UR TEAM

[@jadlad9666]

I always appreciate your videos and especially love that you included interviews with locals. That provides such a unique perspective

[@PhilNY15]

You are a great storyteller. There are a lot of channels out there but they do not have the polish and level of research that I have found here. Well done. Time to subscribe.

[@Diaz-qv2xd]

Only 6 minutes in and I’m totally captivated by your story telling! Keep up the great work!!!!!

[@justsomebody7487]

Thank you for this masterpiece of a video. Since I got into maritime history some time ago, I have been wanting to seek out the story of the Mary Celeste, but I am very glad I didn't and waited for you to come up with this. I can't imagine a better storyteller on KZbin for this tragic tale. Thanks from Sweden :)

[@retrovideoquest]

Your documentaries are first class... I'm less than halfway watching this video and I'm enthralled at the story... Very well presented, very well researched, great, engaging pacing. Keep up the good work!

[@oldmandoinghighkicksonlyin1368]

This is by far my favourite video of yours. I grew up in that area and the footage and your animations, just A+ for effort and skill.

[@amandam8609]

The time and research you put into your videos is really commendable. Respect and keep up the good work, sir

[@johnzinkowski6834]

Excellent job collecting and narrating the abundant and sometimes conflicting information, Thank you!

[@jazzingpanda3190]

Brilliant video. One of the most in depth I’ve seen detailing from start to end. Thank you.

[@allisonmarlow184]

Excellent research, as always, on the Mary Celeste! You covered from shipyard building until long after "the ghost ship" event until years later when the ship was eventually wrecked. I have never seen such research done before on the Mary Celeste. Bravo! Your videos are always a special treat and we are all lucky to have found you. Thank you, sir.

[@stormykeep9213]

Excellent production! Your attention to detail and research is top notch, along with the musical score and animations. I've found a new channel to binge watch on!

[@AVeryUncreativeUsername]

I'm very impressed with the production value of this video. Just the fact you were able to do it all in a week is amazing. Great work!

[@mkendallpk4321]

While I have seen a number of videos on this ship. In my opinion this is the very best. Your research goes above and beyond others. And the way you presented the story was superb. I liked the going to black to emphasis a fact or opinion. Congratulations on another exemplary job!

[@atlanticliners]

A splendid documentary on a topic that I had known little about. Well, done, Tom, as always!

[@redfeather1450]

Very interesting, I've heard about the Mary Celeste for decades. Your presentation is more believable than any theories than any I've ever heard. Also your graphics are wonderful! 👍 Thank you!!

[@lindapiet2275]

Brilliantly done,making more sense than any other explanation I heard about the Mary Celeste. Thank you!😊

[@joeydelrio]

this is the best presentation i have seen and i have loved this story since i was a kid way back in the 80s. i have watched docs made by history channel, a&e, and this independent guy blows them away. i came here just to hear the story again, wasnt expecting to learn anything new. i never knew about being forced to cut the ropes during the storm, i always read the theory that the tow ropes broke. great work!

[@samrodda4799]

Thanks for posting this, Tom! I’ve been hoping you’d do this one for a while