What Happened To Mary Celeste's Explosion?

I think that the Mary Celeste was abandoned at sea due to an on board explosion. The cargo, and physical condition the ship was found in, points to this and I believe an explosion is the only reason such an experienced captain would abandon ship.

Firstly, the cargo on board being alcohol, could have easily triggered a small explosion, with the result of abandoning ship. Different documents have shown that traces of alcohol were found in the bottom of the ship from barrels that had leaked. There is also the proof that several barrels of alcohol were found empty when the Mary Celeste's cargo was evaluated. Although many people believe that crew members might have drunken the alcohol, it is very unlikely as the barrels that were found empty were noted to be made of different wood to the others, being more likely to leak. With alcohol rolling around in the bottom of the boat, 1701 wooden …show more content…
A model was created by scientists to replicate the Mary Celeste, with paper cubes instead of wooden barrels. An explosion was created, much like the one that would have occurred on the Mary Celeste, and remarkably no paper caught fire and no burns or soot were left behind. This is because the alcohol explosion was primarily pressure based with cool air behind it. The explosion would have been large and powerful, with much force but would not have done any damage. So this eliminates reasons against an explosion theory for no burn marks. There is more evidence that points to this shockwave, pressure explosion; for example the fact that the hatches were found wide open. An experienced crew would not leave the hatches open and an explosion would have enough power to open them. Scientific research and modelling as well as the condition of the boat, helped point to the logical explanation of an explosion being the reason to abandon