Mary Celeste
In December 1872 the merchant ship Mary Celeste was found adrift in the Atlantic, seaworthy and with her cargo, but with nobody on board. The ten people who had sailed on her were never seen again.
The empty barrels were made of a more porous wood. Leaking fumes could have made the captain fear a fire or an explosion.
en.wikipedia.orgThe boat appeared to have been launched deliberately, which points to an orderly departure rather than people being swept overboard.
en.wikipedia.orgThe ship was wet below and one pump had been taken apart, which fits a sudden intake of water from a waterspout or heavy seas.
en.wikipedia.orgThe salvage hearing examined the ship closely. The cargo and the personal belongings of the crew were still on board.
en.wikipedia.orgThe court awarded about one sixth of the insured value, a poor result for a planned fraud, and nobody from the crew ever reappeared.
en.wikipedia.org