WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:23.000 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 00:23.000 --> 00:27.000 Tonight, we bring you one of the great mysteries of the sea. 00:27.000 --> 00:32.000 A ship found drifting in perfect condition, but with no human aboard. 00:32.000 --> 00:36.000 We call it, the mystery of the Mary Celeste. 00:36.000 --> 01:00.000 So now, starring John Danaer, here is tonight's Suspense play, The Mystery of the Mary Celeste. 01:00.000 --> 01:10.000 On December 9th, 1872, the American brigantine Mary Celeste was discovered adrift and derelict, close off the coast of North Africa. 01:10.000 --> 01:14.000 She had sustained some storm damage, but she was still an able ship. 01:14.000 --> 01:20.000 Her sails were set, her cargo was intact, conditions in her cabins and folkshows seemed normal. 01:20.000 --> 01:23.000 There was no evidence of violence. 01:23.000 --> 01:26.000 Yet not a sign was found of the crew that had manned her. 01:26.000 --> 01:34.000 Officers, men and the captain's wife had vanished, and no acceptable explanation of their disappearance has ever been advanced. 01:34.000 --> 01:37.000 Perhaps this is that story. 01:37.000 --> 01:46.000 It would start in New York City's harbor district on the night of November 7th, 1872, the eve of the Mary Celeste's departure from that same harbor. 01:46.000 --> 02:08.000 Stop! Stop or I'll shoot! Stop or I'll shoot! 02:08.000 --> 02:10.000 What is it, officer? What's the matter? 02:10.000 --> 02:12.000 Did you see a man running past this way? 02:12.000 --> 02:14.000 No, I didn't see anybody. I heard the shots. 02:14.000 --> 02:16.000 Who is this, your honor? 02:16.000 --> 02:18.000 He just killed some people. 02:18.000 --> 02:20.000 What? 02:20.000 --> 02:24.000 I thought I heard something. 02:24.000 --> 02:26.000 But I don't now. 02:26.000 --> 02:27.000 Who did the man kill? 02:27.000 --> 02:29.000 A young girl and the man she was with. 02:29.000 --> 02:31.000 And then he killed the girl's mother. 02:31.000 --> 02:33.000 He's a maniac that we've got to get. 02:33.000 --> 02:34.000 I'll look down this way. 02:34.000 --> 02:35.000 I'll help if I can. 02:35.000 --> 02:43.000 All right. More men from the force will be here shortly. 02:43.000 --> 02:56.000 Oh. 02:56.000 --> 03:00.000 I didn't remember killing her mother. 03:00.000 --> 03:03.000 Grace I killed because I couldn't help it. 03:03.000 --> 03:07.000 The man because he came after me when Grace was down. 03:07.000 --> 03:10.000 But I never meant to kill her mother. 03:10.000 --> 03:15.000 And when I heard that I had, I wondered if the officer was right. 03:15.000 --> 03:23.000 And then I was insane. 03:23.000 --> 03:25.000 It was not time to think of it then. 03:25.000 --> 03:28.000 Only time to think of getting away. 03:28.000 --> 03:32.000 And through that night I searched for a ship that was leaving soon. 03:32.000 --> 03:35.000 And one that was badly guarded so I could slip aboard. 03:35.000 --> 03:38.000 When I found her, she was the Mary Celeste. 03:38.000 --> 03:44.000 And the drunken deck watch stayed in his sleep until I was hidden in number two hold. 03:44.000 --> 03:47.000 There I passed two days in a dream. 03:47.000 --> 03:52.000 Neither fully awake nor asleep but always thinking of the horror I had done. 03:52.000 --> 03:55.000 And I knew that escape was wrong. 03:55.000 --> 04:05.000 And that I could never be sane until I cleared my soul of it. 04:05.000 --> 04:08.000 On the third morning I proceeded to make my presence aboard known. 04:08.000 --> 04:11.000 So that I can go to the captain and tell him of my crime. 04:11.000 --> 04:15.000 And take the consequences I so richly deserve. 04:15.000 --> 04:19.000 I climbed to the deck and am immediately seen by a crewman. 04:19.000 --> 04:24.000 Lindley look, who's that? 04:24.000 --> 04:27.000 Who are you mister? What are you doing aboard? 04:27.000 --> 04:30.000 My name is Sam Newcomb and I want to talk to your captain. 04:30.000 --> 04:33.000 You'll talk to him right enough whether you want to or not. 04:33.000 --> 04:35.000 Why'd you get on board? 04:35.000 --> 04:39.000 You'll be lucky if you didn't stay in the 12-4 watch your last night in port because that's when it was. 04:39.000 --> 04:42.000 You're uppity for us to away aren't you? You're no better than a thief. 04:42.000 --> 04:46.000 I admit that. I want no trouble with you. Please. 04:46.000 --> 04:50.000 Take me to the captain. I'll talk to him and no one else. 04:50.000 --> 04:54.000 You take him Boal. I'd better stay forward. 04:54.000 --> 04:59.000 Come on Newcomb. 04:59.000 --> 05:04.000 You're going to make the rest of the trip with us. You better drop your airs or there'll be trouble. 05:04.000 --> 05:08.000 I don't have any airs and I don't think you'll be troubled with my company. 05:08.000 --> 05:11.000 Oh you mean you don't think you'll quarter with a crew? 05:11.000 --> 05:12.000 No. 05:12.000 --> 05:15.000 You expect to be with the officers like an honored guest? 05:15.000 --> 05:16.000 No. 05:16.000 --> 05:18.000 Where then? 05:18.000 --> 05:20.000 I don't know. 05:20.000 --> 05:22.000 You act like you're deaf. 05:22.000 --> 05:24.000 Don't you say that. 05:24.000 --> 05:26.000 I don't. 05:26.000 --> 05:29.000 You what? 05:29.000 --> 05:31.000 Nothing. 05:31.000 --> 05:34.000 I'm sorry I want to talk to you captain. 05:34.000 --> 05:42.000 Watch what you do or say. You'll be over the side. 05:42.000 --> 05:45.000 Here. 05:45.000 --> 05:47.000 Yes come. 05:47.000 --> 05:52.000 Watch your language. The skipper's wife is in the next cabin there. 05:52.000 --> 05:55.000 Well, who's this? 05:55.000 --> 05:59.000 He just came out of number two hole sir. His name's Sam Newcomb. 05:59.000 --> 06:02.000 Got aboard on the 12 to 4 watch hour last night in. 06:02.000 --> 06:05.000 Hubbard's watch. He'll answer for it. 06:05.000 --> 06:10.000 Well Newcomb, will you have to save yourself? 06:10.000 --> 06:12.000 I'd like it if I could talk to you alone sir. 06:12.000 --> 06:16.000 That's all Boal. Tell Hubbard I want to see him as soon as he's off watch. 06:16.000 --> 06:20.000 Yes sir. 06:20.000 --> 06:25.000 You realize Newcomb that you've committed a crime by boarding this ship without permission. 06:25.000 --> 06:28.000 And probably without passport or any other papers I suppose. 06:28.000 --> 06:31.000 I know sir but when I tell you why. 06:31.000 --> 06:36.000 I'm not a bad man sir. Nothing like this ever happened before but something drove me. 06:36.000 --> 06:37.000 I didn't know what I was doing. 06:37.000 --> 06:40.000 Another one who's always wanted to go to sea I suppose. 06:40.000 --> 06:44.000 Oh no sir. I've been sailing for ten years. I'm an able hand. 06:44.000 --> 06:49.000 I came aboard because I had to get away. 06:49.000 --> 06:50.000 You're in trouble? 06:50.000 --> 06:55.000 Yes sir. I don't think it was my fault but I am wrong. 06:55.000 --> 06:57.000 What kind of trouble? 06:57.000 --> 07:04.000 It was a girl sir who I was in love with. I don't know what came over me but... 07:04.000 --> 07:07.000 Yes? What'd you do to her? 07:07.000 --> 07:13.000 I found her with another man and I just had to get away sir. 07:13.000 --> 07:19.000 Ah lovesick. Well that doesn't condone... 07:19.000 --> 07:21.000 Oh yes my dear. 07:21.000 --> 07:23.000 Oh I'm sorry I thought I heard you talking. 07:23.000 --> 07:29.000 Yes yes this is Mr. Newcomb. He came aboard illegally the night before we left. 07:29.000 --> 07:31.000 Well where has he been? 07:31.000 --> 07:32.000 It's three days. 07:32.000 --> 07:34.000 In number two hold ma'am. 07:34.000 --> 07:36.000 Have you had food and water? 07:36.000 --> 07:37.000 No ma'am. 07:37.000 --> 07:40.000 Why haven't you come to us before this? 07:40.000 --> 07:41.000 I don't know ma'am. 07:41.000 --> 07:44.000 He was going to tell me why he came aboard. 07:44.000 --> 07:49.000 I don't suppose it's important to anyone but me. I felt that I had to get away and... 07:49.000 --> 07:51.000 It was a girl. 07:51.000 --> 07:54.000 I almost guessed that. A broken heart? 07:54.000 --> 08:00.000 I thought it was. I know it sounds silly but to me it seemed awfully serious and... 08:00.000 --> 08:03.000 I couldn't think of another way to leave as quickly as I wanted to. 08:03.000 --> 08:09.000 Yes yes. Well there's no way I can allow an affair of the heart to influence what I must do in this case. 08:09.000 --> 08:12.000 By reputation I'm a fair and lenient man. 08:12.000 --> 08:14.000 Well I'm a seaman sir. I could work my way. 08:14.000 --> 08:17.000 I'm not so sure you deserve the chance. 08:17.000 --> 08:18.000 Whatever you say sir. 08:18.000 --> 08:19.000 Ben. 08:19.000 --> 08:21.000 Oh please Grace. 08:21.000 --> 08:23.000 Grace? 08:23.000 --> 08:25.000 What's the matter with you? 08:25.000 --> 08:26.000 Nothing sir. 08:26.000 --> 08:31.000 My name. Grace is the name of the girl. 08:31.000 --> 08:32.000 Yes ma'am. 08:32.000 --> 08:44.000 It was learning that the captain's wife was aboard that made me change my mind about telling him the truth. 08:44.000 --> 08:50.000 When I talked to him, especially after his wife came, everything was turned about. 08:50.000 --> 08:55.000 It was as though I was the captain and the stowaway was someone else. 08:55.000 --> 09:03.000 It was as though my wife, my Grace had come in from the next cabin and together we talked to this stowaway. 09:03.000 --> 09:07.000 And we felt sorry for him and wanted to be kind to him. 09:07.000 --> 09:18.000 The wife can't be more than three or four years older than I. 09:18.000 --> 09:20.000 And I feel close to her right away. 09:20.000 --> 09:25.000 I think that even if she doesn't know what I've done, she understands me. 09:25.000 --> 09:28.000 It is a good feeling to have one friend on the ship. 09:28.000 --> 09:53.000 Through her please I am sure I am not restrained and instead sent to take my place with the crew and their folks. 09:53.000 --> 09:59.000 Well, what are you doing here? Couldn't you find a better place to quarter? 09:59.000 --> 10:02.000 I was told where to come. 10:02.000 --> 10:03.000 Ah, Hubbard. 10:03.000 --> 10:04.000 Huh? 10:04.000 --> 10:06.000 Wake up. 10:06.000 --> 10:09.000 Here's the one came aboard during your watch. 10:09.000 --> 10:11.000 Huh? 10:11.000 --> 10:14.000 What did you figure you'd be fined, Hubbard? 10:14.000 --> 10:17.000 A week's pay? 10:17.000 --> 10:20.000 Yeah, that's right. 10:20.000 --> 10:22.000 Newcombe, huh? 10:22.000 --> 10:24.000 Yes. 10:24.000 --> 10:26.000 Why'd you come aboard? 10:26.000 --> 10:29.000 I wanted to get away from New York. 10:29.000 --> 10:32.000 Man's gotta have a better reason than that. 10:32.000 --> 10:33.000 You running away from the police? 10:33.000 --> 10:34.000 No. 10:34.000 --> 10:36.000 What then? 10:36.000 --> 10:39.000 That I wouldn't interest you. It's not important. 10:39.000 --> 10:41.000 It's important to me. 10:41.000 --> 10:50.000 And I want you to know how I feel about it. 10:50.000 --> 10:52.000 Are you gonna get up? 10:52.000 --> 10:56.000 No. I want no trouble with any of you. 10:56.000 --> 11:04.000 You don't want any trouble. You caused me trouble, haven't you? I'll be called up in front of the captain because of you. 11:04.000 --> 11:07.000 That's done. There's no way I can change it. 11:07.000 --> 11:21.000 We've got three weeks before we make Naples. You'll pay for it. I'll see to that. 11:21.000 --> 11:24.000 Through the following days I knew no peace. 11:24.000 --> 11:31.000 There were four deckhands and a first officer, and although I had reason to fight because of the way they beat me and used me, I did not. 11:31.000 --> 11:35.000 I was afraid of my own violence now that I had killed. 11:35.000 --> 11:42.000 The one named Hubbard was the worst. His eyes were always on me, and I wondered why. 11:42.000 --> 11:47.000 There was a night when I woke to find him bending over my bunk. He was smiling. 11:47.000 --> 12:01.000 And from that moment on, even in sleep, I felt him watching me. 12:01.000 --> 12:14.000 On another night, I am on deck. I'm crossing from port to starboard, and when I pass under the main yard, a marlin spike falls from a loft and sticks in the planks beside me, narrowly missing my head. 12:14.000 --> 12:22.000 I look up to see Hubbard smiling down at me from the rigging. I try to avoid him, but he drops to the deck to face me. 12:22.000 --> 12:24.000 I dropped my spike. 12:24.000 --> 12:26.000 I know you did. 12:26.000 --> 12:29.000 What are you gonna do about it? 12:29.000 --> 12:32.000 What do you think? 12:32.000 --> 12:35.000 You take more than any man I've ever known, Nookum. 12:35.000 --> 12:41.000 I'm not proud of that. But why do you keep after me? Why don't you leave me alone? 12:41.000 --> 12:53.000 Because I'm a curious man. I want to know truly why you're on this ship. Your story to the captain about trouble with some woman just doesn't set right. 12:53.000 --> 12:55.000 It's the truth. 12:55.000 --> 12:57.000 Not all of it. 12:57.000 --> 13:00.000 Why do you say that? 13:00.000 --> 13:18.000 Anybody ever tell you you talk in your sleep? 13:18.000 --> 13:37.000 You are listening to The Mystery of the Merry Celeste, tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 13:37.000 --> 13:43.000 We all have treasured possessions, keepsakes, and mementos which are irreplaceable regardless of cost. 13:43.000 --> 13:50.000 You'd be heartsick if you lost yours, yet probably you are risking their loss by fire every day through carelessness. 13:50.000 --> 13:58.000 So CBS radio reminds you, don't give fire a place to start. Be sure all cigarettes are out before discarding them. 13:58.000 --> 14:03.000 Clear your house of old newspapers, damaged furniture, and inflammable debris. 14:03.000 --> 14:10.000 Repair electrical wiring as soon as it shows signs of wear. These simple rules will keep your valuables safe. 14:10.000 --> 14:15.000 And even save your life. 14:15.000 --> 14:24.000 And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, John Danaer starring in tonight's production, The Mystery of the Merry Celeste. 14:24.000 --> 14:27.000 A tale well calculated to keep you in... 14:27.000 --> 14:42.000 Suspense. 14:42.000 --> 14:49.000 I had never been told that I talked in my sleep until the one named Hubbard said I did. 14:49.000 --> 14:53.000 He may have been lying, but I could not trance that. 14:53.000 --> 15:04.000 Therefore I carefully abstained from regular sleeping habits, allowing myself short naps only when I knew that Hubbard was at the helm or some other ship's business that he could not leave. 15:04.000 --> 15:12.000 The horror that I had done became a secret that pressed against my head, wanting escape. 15:12.000 --> 15:23.000 But I held it in and I took the abuse of the men aboard. 15:23.000 --> 15:30.000 The only kindness and relaxation I find are during the moments when I chance to meet the captain's wife. 15:30.000 --> 15:38.000 Off watch one night, when it is not safe to sleep, I am alone, taking a cup of tea in the galley when she comes in. 15:38.000 --> 15:40.000 Oh, Mrs. Briggs. 15:40.000 --> 15:43.000 Mr. Newcomb, I've been thinking of you. I haven't seen... 15:43.000 --> 15:46.000 Well, you look ill. Is there something wrong? 15:46.000 --> 15:50.000 Nothing, ma'am. Oh, my sleep has not been so good. 15:50.000 --> 15:53.000 And your cheek is bruised. What happened? 15:53.000 --> 15:56.000 Nothing serious. Some trouble with the other hands. 15:56.000 --> 15:57.000 Have you told the captain? 15:57.000 --> 15:58.000 No, no, ma'am. 15:58.000 --> 15:59.000 Why not? I shall. 15:59.000 --> 16:04.000 No, please, don't. I've caused enough trouble. I wouldn't want there to be any more. 16:04.000 --> 16:07.000 May I have some tea, Mr. Newcomb? 16:07.000 --> 16:10.000 Oh, yes, ma'am. 16:21.000 --> 16:23.000 Thank you. 16:26.000 --> 16:30.000 I think you're a very kind man, Mr. Newcomb. 16:30.000 --> 16:31.000 Oh, you do? 16:31.000 --> 16:36.000 Yes. To protect the other hands, for one thing. They're a rough lot, I know. 16:36.000 --> 16:39.000 No, no, worse than most men, ma'am. 16:39.000 --> 16:42.000 You're very unhappy, aren't you? 16:42.000 --> 16:45.000 This girl, Grace... 16:45.000 --> 16:52.000 I know this is hard for you to understand, but really, no one girl is worth ruining your life for. 16:52.000 --> 16:54.000 Not even losing sleep for. 16:54.000 --> 16:55.000 Yes, ma'am. 16:55.000 --> 16:57.000 I wish you'd stop calling me ma'am. 16:57.000 --> 17:00.000 Perhaps if you did, you could talk to me about this girl. 17:00.000 --> 17:03.000 I think it would do you good, don't you? 17:03.000 --> 17:04.000 I don't know. 17:04.000 --> 17:08.000 Tell me about her. I'm sure she's quite beautiful. 17:08.000 --> 17:09.000 I thought so. 17:09.000 --> 17:10.000 And you plan to be married? 17:10.000 --> 17:11.000 Yes. 17:11.000 --> 17:13.000 But she changed her mind. 17:13.000 --> 17:17.000 Well, she was never sure. She was ambitious for me. 17:17.000 --> 17:18.000 That's natural. 17:18.000 --> 17:23.000 And I disappointed her like I did my family, my mother, everybody. 17:23.000 --> 17:27.000 I'm always thinking that I'm doing my best, but I always disappoint people. 17:27.000 --> 17:30.000 What did she want you to be, this girl? 17:30.000 --> 17:38.000 Oh, a ship's master like your husband. We dreamed of the day she could sail with me like you do on this ship. 17:38.000 --> 17:43.000 You mustn't lose faith in yourself. It took my husband years to get his papers. 17:43.000 --> 17:45.000 There are no years for me anymore. 17:45.000 --> 17:46.000 She wouldn't wait. 17:46.000 --> 17:52.000 No, she wouldn't wait. You must have waited, but she wouldn't. 17:52.000 --> 17:57.000 She promised to wait, but she didn't. She never understood that it took time. 17:57.000 --> 18:02.000 She was ambitious, and she pushed me for my officer's papers, and I failed. 18:02.000 --> 18:08.000 My family pushed me, too, when I wasn't ready, and they made me fail. 18:08.000 --> 18:14.000 And I went away, six months trip to South America. I tried to jump overboard, and they stopped me. 18:14.000 --> 18:17.000 And I got back and found her married to a ship's captain. 18:17.000 --> 18:22.000 And her mother was there laughing at me. I tried to tell her that I was happy about it. 18:22.000 --> 18:25.000 Then Grace smiled at me, and something happened. 18:25.000 --> 18:29.000 Mr. Newfield. I was only going to kill her. I didn't even know the others were there. 18:29.000 --> 18:34.000 I hit her, and when she went down, the man came after me, and I hit him, too. 18:34.000 --> 18:37.000 When you get in a mix-up like that, you just don't know what you're doing. 18:37.000 --> 18:39.000 Time means nothing. It's like everything else. 18:39.000 --> 18:42.000 Mr. Newfield. And then her mother. I don't remember that. 18:42.000 --> 18:48.000 But she's dead, too, and then they blame me. Maybe I did. 18:48.000 --> 18:50.000 Miss Briggs, where are you going? 18:50.000 --> 18:53.000 Stay away from me. Oh, no, you've been nice to me. 18:53.000 --> 18:55.000 Why did it have to be you that I told everything? 18:55.000 --> 18:59.000 No, please, please. And I like you. Why did it have to be you? 18:59.000 --> 19:03.000 No, no, no. No, I don't want to kill you. I never wanted to kill anybody. 19:03.000 --> 19:07.000 Let me go. No, please. I won't hurt you. You've been nice to me. 19:07.000 --> 19:12.000 Stay away from me. I won't touch you. I won't touch you. 19:12.000 --> 19:16.000 But you've got to promise. You won't tell. 19:16.000 --> 19:20.000 I don't know why I said those things. They aren't true. 19:20.000 --> 19:27.000 I get mixed up. I dream things, and then they seem real after I wake up. 19:27.000 --> 19:33.000 That's why I'm such a liar. I always lie. 19:33.000 --> 19:39.000 Nothing I told you was the truth. Nothing. You believe that? 19:39.000 --> 19:41.000 Yes. Yes. 19:41.000 --> 19:44.000 And you won't tell anybody what I said? 19:44.000 --> 19:47.000 I won't tell anyone. 19:47.000 --> 19:51.000 I'm glad. Now, come, Mrs. Briggs. Finish your tea. 19:51.000 --> 19:53.000 We'll talk about something else. 19:53.000 --> 19:57.000 No. No, I've got to go to my cabin. 19:57.000 --> 20:00.000 Mrs. Briggs! 20:02.000 --> 20:05.000 Don't tell. 20:09.000 --> 20:12.000 I knew she would tell, and so I hid. 20:12.000 --> 20:16.000 I went back to Number 2 Hole, where I had felt safe before. 20:16.000 --> 20:20.000 I don't know how much time passed. 20:24.000 --> 20:28.000 There they find me. I see their lantern as they come closer. 20:28.000 --> 20:32.000 The truth is out, and there's no place for me to go. 20:32.000 --> 20:36.000 So I stand up and wait. 20:40.000 --> 20:42.000 Captain, I hear him, I think. 20:42.000 --> 20:45.000 Yes, Hopper. Keep your pistol ready. We'll have to be careful. 20:45.000 --> 20:48.000 Yes, sir. 20:50.000 --> 20:53.000 There he is, sir. Come out of there, Nogum. 20:53.000 --> 20:57.000 Keep your lantern down, Hopper. Keep us out of the light. He's dangerous. 20:57.000 --> 20:59.000 I won't cause any trouble, sir. 20:59.000 --> 21:01.000 Get him out of there! 21:01.000 --> 21:04.000 I won't cause any trouble, sir! 21:06.000 --> 21:09.000 It's all right, sir. He's down. 21:09.000 --> 21:15.000 Dirty scum, lock him up! 21:21.000 --> 21:26.000 I am not sure how many days passed, but I found comfort in being locked up, 21:26.000 --> 21:30.000 because I could sleep without the fear of Hubbard leaning over me, 21:30.000 --> 21:33.000 listening for what I might say. 21:33.000 --> 21:39.000 Then there was one night when shouting on deck woke me up. 21:46.000 --> 21:51.000 I couldn't hear the words being in the middle of the ship, but soon the shouting stopped, 21:51.000 --> 21:53.000 and it was silence. 21:53.000 --> 21:57.000 It was a new silence that I studied for a long time. 21:57.000 --> 22:00.000 I heard no footsteps on the deck. 22:00.000 --> 22:02.000 I heard no voices. 22:02.000 --> 22:05.000 I heard no creaking timbers. 22:05.000 --> 22:09.000 It was a dead ship. 22:14.000 --> 22:17.000 I wait for the one daily meal that they allow me. 22:17.000 --> 22:19.000 No one comes. 22:19.000 --> 22:22.000 Then I shout. 22:23.000 --> 22:25.000 Let me out! 22:25.000 --> 22:26.000 Get me out of here! 22:26.000 --> 22:32.000 Somebody come! Let me out! 22:33.000 --> 22:37.000 If one were insane, he would surely break at a moment like that. 22:37.000 --> 22:41.000 I was locked up and alone on a ship that was held motionless, 22:41.000 --> 22:44.000 as if gripped by some great hand. 22:44.000 --> 22:46.000 But I did not break. 22:46.000 --> 22:52.000 I dismantled my bunk and from the wood and fashioned a ram with which I attacked the door. 22:52.000 --> 22:55.000 The task of freeing myself consumed most of the day. 22:55.000 --> 23:01.000 And such was my concentration that I didn't realize the exact moment that the ship began moving, 23:01.000 --> 23:06.000 as if the great hand had released its grip and set her free. 23:06.000 --> 23:10.000 And I was free. 23:16.000 --> 23:23.000 I come out on deck to find a cloudless sky and empty sea horizons all around, 23:23.000 --> 23:29.000 as if I am alone in the world, the wheels spinning idly with no one to attend it. 23:29.000 --> 23:34.000 I lash it after fitting a new course to the sail she is wearing. 23:34.000 --> 23:37.000 The whole ship is mine. 23:37.000 --> 23:40.000 I am master and crew. 23:40.000 --> 23:45.000 And I have found peace and well-being, 23:45.000 --> 23:50.000 as if I've been absolved of any wrongs I had to do. 23:50.000 --> 23:57.000 Because what, if not Providence, held the ship that night and sent the others to certain death in the endless sea? 23:57.000 --> 24:06.000 What, if not kind Providence, decided that I, I alone would survive? 24:06.000 --> 24:10.000 The meek and humble shall inherit the earth. 24:10.000 --> 24:13.000 This narrative I swear to be true. 24:13.000 --> 24:17.000 And on this second day of December, the year of our Lord 1872, 24:17.000 --> 24:22.000 I hereby sign it and seal it in a bottle to be delivered to the ocean currents, 24:22.000 --> 24:31.000 in the hope that someday it will drift back to the hated world from which I am forever parted. 24:31.000 --> 24:34.000 According to scientific theory, 24:34.000 --> 24:38.000 a strange phenomenon takes place now and again off the coast of Africa, 24:38.000 --> 24:41.000 near where the Mary Celeste was found. 24:41.000 --> 24:45.000 Great rivers of sand are swept out from the coastal deserts. 24:45.000 --> 24:49.000 When certain conditions prevail, this sand is constantly being swept out. 24:49.000 --> 24:52.000 The sand is being swept out of the coast of Africa, 24:52.000 --> 24:55.000 and the sand is being swept out of the coast of Africa, 24:55.000 --> 24:58.000 and the sand is being swept out of the coast of Africa, 24:58.000 --> 25:01.000 and the sand is being swept out of the coast of Africa. 25:01.000 --> 25:05.000 When certain conditions prevail, this sand is concentrated by the ocean currents. 25:05.000 --> 25:11.000 Millions of tons are massed until an island is born, lives briefly, 25:11.000 --> 25:15.000 and then is swept away by a shift in the currents that created it. 25:15.000 --> 25:19.000 One such island formed under a small ship during World War II, 25:19.000 --> 25:23.000 held it for a number of hours, then released it, 25:23.000 --> 25:27.000 much in the same manner that Sam Newcomb's Providence acted. 25:27.000 --> 25:31.480 of the Mary Celeste, but no one knows. 25:31.480 --> 25:38.060 According to some reports, Sam Newcomb's signed confession did drift ashore many years later. 25:38.060 --> 25:42.480 If that is true, perhaps another of the many mysteries surrounding the Mary Celeste has 25:42.480 --> 25:44.560 been solved. 25:44.560 --> 25:49.720 That mystery was a short length of line that reportedly was found secured to the stern 25:49.720 --> 25:55.280 of the ship, close up under the transom where someone would hide. 25:55.280 --> 26:01.040 Attached to this line was a man's leather belt that had parted in the middle. 26:01.040 --> 26:05.320 Could Sam Newcomb have hidden there when the salvage crew was put aboard to sail the ship 26:05.320 --> 26:07.840 to Gibraltar? 26:07.840 --> 26:13.400 Could he have hung suspended there against the weakening belt until it parted and let 26:13.400 --> 26:29.280 him sink silently into the sea? 26:29.280 --> 26:45.720 Suspense, in which John Danner starred in tonight's presentation of the mystery of 26:45.720 --> 26:47.800 the Mary Celeste. 26:47.800 --> 26:54.140 Next week, the story of a murder plan that was discovered and which led to a double execution. 26:54.140 --> 26:57.440 We call it the eavesdropper. 26:57.440 --> 27:14.560 That's next week on Suspense. 27:14.560 --> 27:17.360 Suspense is produced and directed by Anthony Ellis. 27:17.360 --> 27:19.320 Tonight's script was written by Gil Dowd. 27:19.320 --> 27:24.280 The music was composed by Lucian Morrowek and Rene Gerrigang and conducted by Wilbur 27:24.280 --> 27:29.760 Hatch, featured in the cast were Victor Perrin, Joseph Kearns, Paul Fries, Ben Wright, Joe 27:29.760 --> 27:33.120 Duvall and Helen Kweeb. 27:33.120 --> 27:35.640 Have you heard any good Geiger counters lately? 27:35.640 --> 27:37.320 Better stick to the ones you own. 27:37.320 --> 27:41.040 The latest dodge of the lads in the lookout for easy money is to hold up a Geiger counter 27:41.040 --> 27:45.080 until any old used bricks make like solid uranium. 27:45.080 --> 27:49.960 Tomorrow night our FBI in peace and war tackles a slick confidence man with a rigged Geiger 27:49.960 --> 27:53.780 counter and a fistful of beautifully engraved uranium stock certificates. 27:53.780 --> 27:59.200 Be sure to meet the FBI in peace and war on most of these same CBS radio stations tomorrow 27:59.200 --> 28:00.620 night. 28:00.620 --> 28:04.560 Stay tuned for five minutes of CBS news to be followed on most of these same stations 28:04.560 --> 28:14.840 by the Jack Carson Show. 28:14.840 --> 28:32.320 You hear America's favorite shows on the CBS radio network. 28:32.320 --> 28:52.560 Uhh, millions of rednecks!