Wikipedia:Today's featured article/requests/Mary Celeste

Mary Celeste

 * This is the archived discussion of the TFAR nomination for the article below. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests). Please do not modify this page. 

The result was: scheduled for Today's featured article/December 4, 2015 by — Chris Woodrich (talk) 23:58, 16 November 2015 (UTC)



The Mary Celeste was an American merchant brigantine, en route to Genoa from New York, that was discovered abandoned and deserted on December 4, 1872, off the Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. When found she was in a disheveled but seaworthy condition, with no obvious signs of sudden catastrophe; the final entry in the log, dated ten days previously,  was a routine statement of the ship's position. There were ample provisions on board, and the cargo was intact. None of those who had been on board were seen or heard from again. At the subsequent salvage hearings in Gibraltar the court's officers examined various theories of conspiracy and foul play, but found no evidence to support these hypotheses or to provide any rational explanation. Over time the story has been distorted by  false detail  and fanciful explanations, including attacks  by giant squid  and paranormal intervention. The mystery  has been recounted and dramatized in documentaries, novels, plays and films, and the name of the ship has become synonymous with unexplained desertion. After the Gibraltar hearings Mary Celeste continued in service under new owners until, in 1885, she was wrecked off the coast of Haiti in an attempted insurance fraud.
 * Most recent similar article(s): Nothing similar recently
 * Main editors: Brianboulton
 * Promoted: March 17, 2015
 * Reasons for nomination: Anniversary of the discovery of the abandoned Mary Celeste. (Note: 5th would do as well if there's a date clash)
 * Support as nominator. Brianboulton (talk) 15:55, 9 November 2015 (UTC)
 *  Support an example of Wikipedia at its very best - educative and interesting at the same time. BencherliteTalk 09:26, 10 November 2015 (UTC)