ette, "been
over the derelict Marie Celeste, and have closel questioned the officers
of the Dei Gratia on every point which might throw light on the affair.
They are of opinion that she had been abandoned several days, or perhaps
weeks, before being picked up. The official log, which was found in the
cabin, states that the vessel sailed from Boston to Lisbon, starting
upon October 16. It is, however, most imperfectly kept, and affords
little information. There is no reference to rough weather, and, indeed,
the state of the vessel's paint and rigging excludes the idea that she
was abandoned for any such reason. She is perfectly watertight. No signs
of a struggle or of violence are to be detected, and there is absolutely
nothing to account for the disappearance of the crew. There are several
indications that a lady was present on board, a sewing-machine being
found in the cabin and some articles of female attire. These probably
belonged to the captain's wife, who is mentioned in the log as having
accompanied her husband. As an instance of the mildness of the weather,
it may be remarked that a bobbin of silk was found standing upon
the sewing-machine, though the least roll of the vessel would have
precipitated it to the floor. The boats were intact and slung upon the
davits; and the cargo, consisting of tallow and American clocks, was
untouched. An old-fashioned sword of curious workmanship was discovered
among some lumber in the forecastle, and this weapon is said to exhibit
a longitudinal striation on the steel, as if it had been recently wiped.
It has been placed in the hands of the police, and submitted to Dr.
Monaghan, the analyst, for inspection. The result of his examination
has not yet been published. We may remark, in conclusion, that Captain
Dalton, of the Dei Gratia, an able and intelligent seaman, is of opinion
that the Marie Celeste may have been abandoned a considerable distance
from the spot at which she was picked up, since a powerful current runs
up in that latitude from the African coast. He confesses his inability,
however, to advance any hypothesis which can reconcile all the facts of
the case. In the utter absence of a clue or grain of evidence, it is to
be feared that the fate of the crew of the Marie Celeste will be added
to those numerous mysteries of the deep which will never be solved until
the great day when the sea shall give up its dead. If crime has been
committed, as is much to be suspected, th