12 Ghost Ships Found Abandoned at Sea

Throughout maritime history, ghost ships have fueled speculation, fear, and legend. From the Mary Celeste to the Baychimo, these vessels were found adrift with vanished crews, intact cargo, or eerie signs of sudden departure. Their stories highlight the sea’s unforgiving nature and humanity’s endless fascination with the unknown.

1. 1. SV Mary Celeste (1872)

Perhaps the most famous ghost ship, the Mary Celeste was discovered adrift in the Atlantic with cargo intact and meals half-eaten. The crew had vanished without explanation, leaving lifeboats untouched. To this day, no one knows why the ship was abandoned.

2. 2. MV Joyita (1955)

The MV Joyita was found drifting in the South Pacific without her 25 passengers and crew. The ship was damaged but still seaworthy, with food and supplies on board. The mysterious disappearance has led to theories ranging from piracy to mutiny.

3. 3. SS Ourang Medan (1947)

Legend tells of the Dutch freighter Ourang Medan sending a distress signal saying “all officers including the captain dead” before going silent. When found, the crew was dead with terrified expressions, yet no injuries were visible. The ship allegedly exploded shortly after being boarded.

4. 4. Carroll A. Deering (1921)

The Carroll A. Deering was found grounded on Diamond Shoals, North Carolina, with no crew aboard. Personal belongings, documents, and navigation equipment were missing. Many theories suggest mutiny, piracy, or even government conspiracy.

5. 5. SV Kaz II (2007)

Nicknamed “the ghost yacht,” the Kaz II was discovered near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef with its engine running, sails set, and food laid out. The three-man crew had disappeared without distress signals. Investigators believe an accident at sea caused them to fall overboard.

6. 6. High Aim 6 (2003)

This Taiwanese fishing boat was found drifting near Australia with plenty of fuel and food. The crew had vanished, leaving no trace of struggle. Rumors of mutiny or foul play surround the mystery.

7. 7. Jian Seng (2006)

The Jian Seng, a massive tanker, was found adrift off Queensland, Australia, with no crew aboard. Its identity was unknown at first, and it carried no cargo. Many suspect it was being used for illegal fuel smuggling.

8. 8. Ryou-Un Maru (2012)

After the 2011 Japanese tsunami, the abandoned fishing vessel Ryou-Un Maru drifted across the Pacific. It eventually entered Canadian waters, unmanned and rusting. The U.S. Coast Guard sank it to prevent hazards to other ships.

9. 9. Lady Lovibond (1748)

While more legend than confirmed fact, the Lady Lovibond is said to have wrecked off the coast of Kent after a jealous first mate steered it onto rocks. Since then, it has been sighted as a ghostly apparition every 50 years. Though debated, it remains a maritime mystery tied to an abandoned vessel.

10. 10. SV Bel Amica (2006)

Discovered off the coast of Sardinia, the Bel Amica was a luxury schooner abandoned with half-eaten meals on the table. It bore no registration and puzzled authorities for weeks. Eventually, it was traced back to a wealthy Italian owner who had left it mysteriously.

11. 11. HMS Resolute (1854)

Part of the search for the lost Franklin expedition, the HMS Resolute was abandoned in Arctic ice. Months later, it was found drifting thousands of miles away, still intact. The ship was eventually returned to Britain and became famous for the wood used in the U.S. president’s “Resolute desk.”

12. 12. SV Carroll Deering Lookalike “Baychimo” (1931)

The Baychimo, a Hudson’s Bay Company freighter, was trapped in Arctic ice and abandoned. To everyone’s shock, it continued to be sighted drifting around for decades afterward. The last sighting was in 1969, nearly 40 years after it was deserted.

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• ghost ships
• abandoned ships
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• maritime history