The Mary Celeste was an American brigantine launched in 1861. After changing ownership several times, she set sail from New York City on November 7, 1872, bound for Genoa, Italy, carrying a cargo of industrial alcohol. After a week of sailing, on December 4, the ship was discovered adrift by Captain David Reed Morehouse and his crew aboard the Dei Gratia, roughly 600 miles east of the Azores. The crew aboard the Dei Gratia quickly boarded the Mary Celeste to investigate its abandoned state. They found the ship in remarkable condition aside from the absence of its crew. All personal belongings, the ship's papers, and a significant amount of cargo remained intact, indicating that the ship had not suffered any calamity at sea, such as a major storm.

The baffling discovery raised numerous questions regarding the fate of Captain Benjamin Briggs, his wife, Sarah, their two-year-old daughter, Sophia, and the other seven crew members. Initial examinations revealed no signs of struggle, and the ship’s lifeboat was missing, leading to speculation about various potential scenarios including piracy, mutiny, or even supernatural occurrences. The mystery of the Mary Celeste would capture the public’s imagination and spark a range of theories and legends that endure to this day. Further complicating the mystery was the fact that the Mary Celeste had previously engaged in an insurance fraud scandal, which led some to suspect foul play.

The incident has since become a cultural phenomenon, referenced in literature, film, and art, illustrating humanity's enduring fascination with the unexplained. Despite thorough investigations, the true fate of the crew of the Mary Celeste has never been resolved, cementing the vessel’s place in maritime lore. Numerous searches were conducted, yet the crew’s disappearance remains one of history’s great enigmas, prompting both scientific inquiry and speculative theories in popular culture.