The vastness of the ocean hides numerous unsolved mysteries, particularly surrounding shipwrecks and disappearances. One intriguing case is the Zebrina, a trading vessel that set sail from Falmouth in 1917 but was found abandoned off the coast of France, with no trace of its crew. Theories suggest a possible U-Boat encounter, yet no concrete evidence supports this claim, leaving the fate of the 23 crew members shrouded in mystery.
Similarly, the SS Waratah, dubbed the “Titanic of the Southern Seas,” vanished during a storm in 1909, leaving no wreckage behind. Numerous sightings raised questions, but the ship’s inexplicable disappearance baffled investigators, resulting in a myriad of theories, from whirlpools to giant waves.
The Mary Celeste, discovered adrift in 1872, remains an enduring enigma. Captain Briggs and his crew vanished, leaving behind a fully stocked ship. Theories abound, with speculations ranging from foul play to the crew voluntarily abandoning ship due to navigational uncertainties.
The SS Baychimo’s tale adds an eerie twist, as it continued to roam the Arctic for almost forty years after being abandoned in 1931. Sightings persisted, yet the ship eluded salvage attempts, sparking speculation about its whereabouts to this day.
Finally, the USS Cyclops, one of the US Navy’s largest ships, vanished without a trace in 1918. Despite theories involving German U-Boats and the Bermuda Triangle, the ship’s disappearance remains an enduring mystery, emphasizing the ocean’s ability to conceal its secrets.
Top image: Many shipwrecks are mysteries as yet unsolved. Source: Kaleb / Adobe Stock.
By Robbie Mitchell
Robbie Mitchell is a graduate of History and Literature from The University of Manchester in England and a total history geek. Since a young age, he has been obsessed with history. The weirder the better. He spends his days working as a freelance writer researching the weird and wonderful and firmly believes that history should be both fun and accessible.