When researchers who closely study the sea and nautical mishaps, and they come to the subject of ghost ships, the one that comes to mind almost instantly is the story of the Mary Celeste.
It wasn't a huge luxury liner nor did it have a large crew. There was only two passengers aboard and they were the Captain's wife and baby. It would have been easy for the Mary Celeste to move right on through and have a local right-up in the news and pass into history without a sound. But because of the situations that surrounded it and the trials held to determine awards for the cargo claims, the Mary Celeste stayed at the forefront of conversation for some time. This always results in stories being spread and people talking and making up their own climax of the events.
Personally, I believe it was very simple. Something worried Captain Briggs badly enough for him to declare, "abandon ship" and they tried to lash their single lifeboat to the railing on the rear. After floating awhile at a safe distance, the lash broke and the Mary Celeste floated away under heavy winds leaving the crew unable to catch it with only ores to propel the small boat. At some point they capsized and all were lost. I believe it was a freak accident and that was all. But many believe in other theories such as sea monsters, hurricanes and even UFO abduction.
I always find there is a plain logical reason for most events such as this if you think about it long enough. But since we will really never know what happened to the Captain, his family or the crew, I guess it's fun to imagine all sorts of things. That's what keeps us going.
This blog is dedicated to those poor soles who left port on a standard voyage and would never be seen or heard from again.