MARY / MARIE

Common Mistakes No. 376:

The Mary Celeste - a half-brig which was found adrift off Gibraltar in late 1872. Ten people are thought to have drowned after setting off in a small boat after abandoning the MC, wrongly convinced it was sinking.

The Marie Celeste - an early story by Conan Doyle which elaborated and embroidered the above facts. Also, a ballad of the same name which popularised the myth of the still hot cups of tea, possible mutiny and so on.