The 'Mary Celeste' (or Marie Celeste as it is wrongly referred to by several writers) was a British merchant brigantine. The ship is best known for having been discovered on 5 December 1872 in the Atlantic Ocean, unmanned and apparently abandoned, although the weather was fine, the ship intact and her crew experienced and capable seamen.

The 'Mary Celeste' was in sound and seaworthy condition and was under full sail heading for the Strait of Gibraltar. She had been at sea for a month and had more than six months' worth of food and water on board. Her cargo was untouched and the crew's possessions including valuables were still in place. None of those on board were ever seen or heard from again and their disappearance remains one of the greatest maritime mysteries of all time.J. G. Lockhart examines minutely the details of the mystery of the 'Mary Celeste', evaluates the various explanations and theories which could solve the mystery... and then proposes a new solution of his own.