The Mary Celeste Mystery: Part 1

By CAROL KRUEGER

It was late in the afternoon on December 5, 1872. A ship named the Dei Gratia was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. Suddenly, the captain, David Morehouse, shouted, "Look ahead!" He asked his first mate, Oliver Deveau, to come on deck. In the fading light, both men stared at a ship bobbing in the waves like a great wooden rocking horse. Two of her sails had blown away. The captain tried signalling. There was no answer.

"It looks ghostly," said Deveau.

Captain Morehouse ordered Deveau and another ship's officer, John Wright, to go aboard the strange ship. The two men rowed towards it. As they came alongside, they saw Mary Celeste, New York painted in large letters across the stern.

"Something's wrong," said Deveau.

Wright shivered. "I don't like this!" he muttered.

Both men climbed on board the Mary Celeste. "Is there anyone here?" they shouted.


Publisher Shortland Publications

Age group: 10-12 yrs


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