In 1885 he deliberately sailed it into a reef to Haiti as part of a plan to defraud an insurance company. When the vessel failed to sink, authorities discovered his scheme. The Mary Celeste, however, was damaged beyond repair, and it was left on the reef, where it deteriorated.

Mary Celeste often erreneously referred to as Marie Celeste was a Canadian built. It was discovered adrift and deserted in the Atlantic Ocean off the Azorean islands on December 4, 1872.

What happened to the crew of the Mary Celeste?

The Mary Celeste was still loaded with its cargo and supplies. Its passangers had dissapeared, and their fate is still unknown, making the case of the Mary Celeste one of the most mysterious events in the maritime history. The captain was never found.

How deep is the wreck of the Mary Celeste?

She rests at 55 feet depth off the South Shore, with sections of her bow and stern, boilers, anchor and both paddle wheels visible.

Can you dive to the Mary Celeste?

The Mary is the only paddle wreck that has ons of it’s paddles still intact and is a highlight of the dive.

A interesting fact about the Mary Celeste:

The ‘Mary Celeste’ sailed from New York on November 7th bound for Genoa with a cargo of 1701 barrels of American alcohol, shipped by Meissner Ackermann& Co. Value approximately $35 000 the purpose of which was to fortify wine.