Hey Wowzer fans, Mindy here, and before we start the show, I've got a question for you.
Are you ready to make it wow?
Okay, here's the deal.
My buddy Carly Q and I are hitting the road to make it wow with you in the DC area.
That's right. We'll be making it wow in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, March 29th.
make it wow is a live bonker balls competition game show where real kids are the star of the show two teams of wowsers will turn their wildest and weirdest ideas into jaw dropping inventions live on stage tickets are on sale now grown -ups visit tinkercast .com slash events to get your ticket today.
That's tinkercast .com slash events.
We can't wait to make it wow with you this spring, but until then, let's get on with the show.
It's WeWow Week. Hello and welcome to WeWow.
I'm Guy Raz. And I'm Cornelia von Lederhosen.
Nice to meet you. Uh, Mindy?
Mindy? Who's that? Uh, I know that it's you in a cowboy hat and a fake mustache.
Well, this is always how I dress.
Yes, I do. Uh... I just got to town on this here pigeon.
Have you heard about them golden teeth that went missing?
Let's talk about where they might be.
You look like you might have a clue Mindy, are you suggesting that I took the teeth?
No way, stranger But if you did take them, where would you hide them?
Nowhere, because I didn't take them Just kidding, Guy Raz It's me, Mindy I just thought that maybe I could get some extra info If I assumed the identity of a totally average, unremarkable person So the identity you picked was Cornelia von Lederhosen, the pigeon -riding cowgirl?
Yep. Now let's make up one for you, Guy Raz.
How about Rye Gauze, the trampoline inspector?
Here, put on these silly sunglasses.
Perfect. Mindy? Cornelia?
Cornelia, I don't think these disguises are going to fool anybody.
Hey, Mindy. Do you have any snacks?
I'm all out of snacks.
Wait. You're not Mindy.
Where's Mindy? Dennis, it's...
Fine. I admit it. I took them.
You did? I took all of Guy Raz's snacks.
You what? They weren't even that good.
It was just a bunch of freeze -dried okra and barley chips.
Dennis? Wait. Who are you?
How do you know my name?
Way to blow your cover, Ray Gazzy.
Well, it's very nice to meet you, Rygazi.
Well, Wowzers, the mystery is not solved yet.
Go to Tinkercast .com slash WeWOW to learn how to create your own fake identity.
And send photos and videos to us at Tinkercast .com slash share.
And send snacks and flavored water to me at my mother's house.
Damn it! And now, here's Who and Wow Mystery Edition, The disappearing crew of the Mary Celeste.
Reggie, if you please.
Psst, hey, it's me, Carly Quinn, with another unbelievable, and yes, I do mean that, episode of our super secret podcast that you're totally not about to listen to.
We got courtroom drama, pirates, and even some explosions.
You're gonna have to hear it to believe it.
I'm Carly Q, and this is Who and Wow Mystery Edition.
Recognize a few folks you may not know.
Who and why? Made important inventions.
Who and why? Asked all the right questions.
History will never be the same.
Coming into work this morning, I had a big decision on my mind.
Last week, I had started a month -long fitness challenge led by my co -worker Desiree.
I'd been excited about the idea of it because it ends in a 5k race.
But in reality, it's not as much fun as I thought.
Look, don't get me wrong, I love moving.
But when it's exercise, it becomes extra sweaty.
And it often involves doing the same thing over and over again, which I find tedious.
Oh, so much running.
So much pedaling. Oh, my legs are sore.
You know, if I could just sit down for a second.
Oh, hey, Carly. And as usual, I wasn't even here for five minutes before getting a visit from my upstairs co -worker, Lewis.
I know how much you love wasting company time with idle chit -chat.
But I'm actually here only to use the printer.
The one upstairs has broken a gun.
I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I'm glad you're here, Lewis.
You are? Yes, I am.
You see, okay, I have a favor to ask.
Ooh, do tell. You sit near Desiree upstairs, right?
She sits near me. Right.
Anyway, could you tell her that I'm going to have to bow out of her fitness challenge?
What's wrong? Is all that exercise too much for you?
No. I love exercise, but all these practice runs and training routines are so repetitive.
If I go on one more training run for the 5K next week, I'm afraid my brain is going to leak out of my ears.
Gross! Unless you would like to train for me.
That's even more gross.
Oh, come on! You could do all the practice runs so I can just show up on race day.
I don't think it works like that, Carly.
I'll print out a certificate and everything.
Hmm. I do love certificates.
Mm -hmm. I just need someone to be my proxy.
Besides, I bet this would be a great way for you to stay in shape.
Actually, no. I don't need a fitness challenge.
I've got a Pedal Town machine at home.
Only the latest model, obviously.
It also makes smoothies.
It makes smoothies?
Of course it does. Okay, so you'll tell her?
Sure. Next time I see Desiree, I'll tell her you're chickening out of the challenge.
Those were not the words I used.
Enjoy your morning, Carly the Chicken.
I'm not a chicken. I can run all day, every day.
With Louis gone, it was finally time to get down to work.
And I only had to catalog 12 different random historical events before finally, finally!
A new time -sealed file.
Event, December 1872.
Mary Celeste, missing crew.
Mary Celeste? Missing crew?
I pulled out my AI device HDAD and typed in the keywords right away.
But, as usual... Analyzing.
Analyzing. It looked like it was going to be a while before I had any more information.
But luckily, my rat friend Nibbles came by to keep me company.
I was still feeling a little stiff from all that running and bike riding, so we passed the time by doing some stretches together.
Wow, Nibs, for a rodent, that is a surprisingly impressive downward dog.
And before I knew it...
Attention, Butthead employees.
Lunchtime! Grab Nibbles and H -DAD and took off for the elevator.
Remember to only consume the food designated for you.
Dessert training is permitted only with manager approval.
Enjoy your meal! Hi, Odie.
Hello, basement companion.
You have another mystery?
Sure do. I've got nothing on this one except the keywords from the file.
December 1872, Mary Celeste, missing crew.
Have you ever heard of it?
I believe I have. So what's the story?
Who was this Mary Celeste woman, and why was she missing her whole friend group?
Mary Celeste wasn't a person.
She was a ship. Her whole crew disappeared, and no one knows what happened to them.
Ooh, a nautical mystery.
Excuse me? Oh, I just turned mystery into mystery, so that it's a...
never mind. After the crew went missing, another ship found the empty Celeste out at sea and sailed her back to port.
That must have been a weird ride.
Indeed. However, with the time seal on the file, the earliest I can send you back to is the day the ships arrived back at shore, to the port city of Gibraltar.
You know where that is?
Age, Dad? Gibraltar, a city located on the southern tip of Spain overlooking the narrow entrance into the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.
Map emoji. Sailbone emoji.
Good. Now you remember your time travel rules, huh?
No changing anything in the past.
No funny business. And remember, too, that the elevator will translate all language and alter your clothing into something more appropriate for that time.
Yes. Hashtag fashion.
Right. Okay, I think you're ready to go.
But just remember, basement companion, the half -sowed sail catches no wind.
Huh? Okay, here you go.
Wait, but... Whoa. Bye!
Woah! I... I don't even know how to - AAAHHHHHH!!
Ohhh, woah. You know, I don't think I'll ever get used to that.
Oh, all right. Wow, we're here.
This is the port city of Gibraltar, 1872.
Ah, smells delicious.
Oh, hey, Nibs. There's a real fishy smell in the air and tons of crates coming on and off all the huge wooden ships all around.
And, oh, Nibbles, look.
There's the Mary Celeste pulling into port right now.
How do you know it's that one?
Because it says so on the side.
Yeah, yeah. Because I can read.
Of course I knew that.
The ship was magnificent, a hundred feet long with dozens of sails.
And it was trailing behind another ship, the Degratia.
In just a few minutes, both of them had pulled into port.
Oh, Nibbles! That ship in front, the Degratia?
They must be the ones who found the Mary Celeste out at sea.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Let's go talk to the crew.
One of the crew members was tying the ship into place at the dock.
Excuse me, could you tell me what happened with the Mary Celeste?
Was there a storm out there?
A whirlpool? A giant squid?
What are you supposed to be, some curious little street urchin?
Why, yes. Yes, I am.
A very curious street urchin.
And I've heard some rumors about this ship and I'm desperate to know what happened.
Especially if a sea monster was involved.
If only we knew. The Mary Celeste was a ghost ship when we found her.
Ghost! Sorry, did you say a g -g -g -g -ghost?
She was seaworthy. Everything on board in good working order, but not a single crew member anywhere to be found.
So what did you do?
What could we do? We put a few men aboard and sailed her back here.
We're gonna claim her as salvage.
In fact, our captain and some of the crew are off to the courts to make that claim as we speak.
Oh, uh, can I come too?
The court is no place for a street urchin.
They'd never allow you in.
Best be off. He walked up the gangway back on board the Degratia.
Nibbles, what is all this talk about salvage?
H -dad with the answer.
Salvage. The process of rescuing a damaged or abandoned ship from out at sea.
Often for a reward for the rescued cargo.
Ah, so that's why the Degratia ship brought the Celeste ship back here.
They're hoping to make some money.
Ship emoji. Money eyes emoji.
I know we said I'm not allowed in court, but that's the only way we're going to get more info on this mystery.
Nothing is going to stop this detective -slash -street urchin from following the clues.
No way! Unless we see a place that sells pie.
Well, obviously. No, we're going to that courthouse.
Come on, let's go. Nibbles hopped on my shoulder and we made our way to the courthouse.
I really need to get more exercise.
Wait, Nibbles, get out of my hair.
Luckily, it was just a short walk away.
The courthouse was a big, stately building with guards out front.
Too many for us to sneak past.
But before I could stop her...
I'll run around back and see if I can find a way in.
Nibbles, wait, wait, wait!
Nibbles disappeared behind the building.
I tried to look inconspicuous while I waited.
I'm just a street urchin hanging around.
Thank you! Thank you so much.
I'll be here all week.
After a few minutes, I looked up and saw the DeGratia crew down the street heading for the courthouse.
And just then... Okay, I found a way in.
Follow me. Nibbles led me around the side of the building to an open back door.
We passed through a mudroom and some side offices, snuck past a guard who was half asleep, okay, all the way asleep, and then we pushed through another door and suddenly found ourselves.
Whoa. In the back corner of a grand courtroom.
Order, order, order.
A judge sat at the front while the De Gratia crew stood off to one side.
And on the other side, a tall man wearing a wig and a long black robe.
The court calls the Advocate General for the Queen in her office of admirality.
What a title. Frederick Solly Flood.
Whoa, wait, what a name.
That's the guy in the wig and the robe.
As Advocate General, I am here to investigate what happened to the Mary Celeste, and determine if these claims of salvage are legitimate.
Legitimate? Would Captain David Morehouse of the De Gratia please step forward?
I'm here. I'm Captain Morehouse.
Ooh, the Captain. Keep listening!
I bet somewhere in this hearing we're gonna learn what happened!
Captain Morehouse, we understand the Mary Celeste was in good working order when you found her, other than the missing crew.
Were there any other clues to their whereabouts?
Not many, sir. There was a bit more water down in the hold than one would expect.
The hold? The hold is the bottom of the ship where they store all of the cargo.
Thanks, H. Dad. You're welcome.
But there was also a disassembled pump down there.
Other than that, the only other clue was a missing lifeboat.
Leading you to what conclusion?
Ooh, good question.
It's not exactly clear.
The captain of the Mary Celeste was Benjamin Briggs, a very well -experienced sailor.
He would not have had his crew abandon ship unless it was a very dangerous circumstance.
But the ship seemed in mostly fine condition when we found it.
So is it possible, then, that your entire story is a lie?
Whoa! Order, order, order!
This courtroom's getting spicy.
It's just like the Judge Julie show.
Only with wigs. Well, Judge Julie wears a wig.
What? No. There's no way her hair's real.
So poofy and beautiful.
Well, maybe she has a stylist who styles her hair poofier.
Uh -oh. A guard had found us.
We've been spotted!
You're not allowed in here.
Get out, you riffraff.
Get her! Nibbles scurried to safety, but the guard escorted me out to the street.
And don't come back!
Oof! My butt! And stay out!
Oh, man. Now we're not going to get to see the end of the hearing.
Rats. You rang? Oh, there you are, Nibbles.
What do you think? Is this Captain Guy on the up and up?
Is he lying? Or is that wig -wearing lawyer just a little wound up?
I don't think the Captain's lying, but it seems clear there's more going on here.
I'm not sure what to do next, though.
I strongly suggest, oh, I don't know, a snack break?
Nice try. I know it'd be easier to just go and eat some delicious local dessert, and trust me, I am tempted to.
But I want to figure this out.
We've still got some time before the end of our lunch break, and I am not giving up on this.
So then what's the plan, Detective?
You got any bright ideas?
Actually, I think I do.
Nibbles followed me as we snuck back in through the side door, passed through the mudroom again, and the guard who was somehow still sleeping.
Do you even have toes?
Well, technically they're not toes, but it's more, you know, claws.
That is some impressively loud story.
Shh, you might want to get that checked out.
But we stopped just outside the courtroom at a rack of wigs and robes.
Here we go. Oh no, you're not really going to wear that, are you?
Oh, you better believe I'm about to wear this robe and this wig and I'm going to make it look good.
Meh, you know Judge Julie, but you make it work.
Tunk, dunk. In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups.
With my wig and robe disguise in place and nibbles tucked away and concealed, I marched right back into that courtroom like I totally owned the place.
Oh, hello? You must be that new prosecutor we were told you'd expect.
Yes! Yes. Yes, I am.
Please continue. I just want to have a listen to the law.
We were just discussing some various unlikely theories for what might have happened to the Mary Celeste.
This is my courtroom, Mr. Soliflood.
I'll be the one to determine what's unlikely.
Right -o, Mr. Judge.
Man? Honorable person?
Uh, yes. Thank you.
I see from the cargo list that the Celeste was transporting a large amount of alcohol.
Perhaps some small explosion of fumes scared them into abandoning ship.
What do you think, Captain Morehouse?
That could be it. Fumes?
Smelly stuff. Like dangerous gas.
Like, you know, when I have some bad lasagna.
Ooh, silent but deadly.
I beg your pardon? Sure.
Fumes. Yes. Please continue.
There's also always the possibility of mutiny.
When the crew of a ship rebels against the captain.
Or pirates. Those are the people who - I know where a pirate is.
How nice for you. Your qualifications are obviously exceptional.
Perhaps it wasn't even so dramatic.
Just some rough weather.
But by your own words, Captain, the Celeste's captain was a very well -experienced sailor.
But with the water and the broken pump down in the hold, perhaps he mistakenly thought they were sinking.
Not to interrupt, but why aren't you all discussing sea monsters here?
Couldn't giant squids or a kraken be a possibility?
Um... Hey, you again!
That guard caught us again!
That's it! Our cover is blown!
We've been made! Scatter!
Run! Same thing! As we ran out, the guards hanged off my robe and wig and chased us back out of the street.
I do feel lighter without the robe and the wig.
I will not say it again.
Stay out! Ow! Oh, same spot!
Brutal! Well, it was a nice shot at least.
Plus, I looked pretty good in that robe, right?
Like I said, you made it work.
H Dad on the street, analysis complete!
Wow. H Dad, I sort of forgot you were even still working on this.
Two recent theories may explain what happened to the Mary Celeste.
Theory one, in 2002 a documentarian discovered that on its previous voyage, the ship had transported a large amount of coal.
Cold? Cold! You know, the dusty black stuff that even thinking about it makes me...
Achoo! Sneeze. Gesundheit.
Thank you. Coal dust could have caused the ship's pumps to malfunction, leading the crew to think the ship had taken on much more water than it actually had, which could explain why they abandoned ship.
Just like Captain Morehouse suggested.
Theory two. In 2006, a London chemist conducted an experiment with an explosion of alcohol vapors.
He built a scale model of the Mary Celeste and then used butane gas to create an explosion in the hole.
Whoa, like a real explosion with flames and fire and stuff?
Despite a large blast, there was no fire damage.
The chemist noted that, quote, there was a spectacular wave of flame, but no soot was left behind, and there was no burning or scorching, end quote.
If I was on a boat and heard a huge blast down below, that would definitely get me to abandon ship.
And it would also explain why there wasn't any evidence of the explosion.
Flame emoji. Fireball emoji.
So basically, something scared the crew into abandoning ship.
We just don't know exactly what.
And I'm not ruling out the sea monster either.
Okay, seriously? Incoming message from Plot Headquarters.
Lunchtime is ending.
Make sure your lunchboxes are locked and in the upright position.
All right, guess it's time to head back.
Let's go! Oh, come on, Nibbles.
We raced back to the elevator and moments later...
Seriously, pick it up.
Can't be late. Can't be late.
We didn't get any pie!
This is not fair! You promised pie!
Hello, basement companion.
How was Gibraltar? It was pretty exhilarating.
We listened in on a maritime courtroom hearing, and we got kicked out twice.
And the Mary Celeste?
Well, there was a missing lifeboat, so now we know that something probably scared the crew into abandoning ship.
But since the lifeboat was never found, we don't know what.
It might have been a faulty pump or rough weather or even an explosion of alcohol vapors.
Or, you know, a sea monster.
I'm leaning toward a giant squid myself, but I haven't ruled out a kraken.
Of course. It's funny.
There were multiple times today where it would have been easier to just give up.
because at pretty much every step of the journey, there was something thrown in our way.
But each time I decided to keep on going, and I'm so glad I did.
Oh really? Yeah. It's a good thing I didn't abandon ship.
It's almost like The half -sowed sail catches no wind.
It's almost like that's what you meant with your riddle.
A sail that's not finished isn't going to catch any wind, Which means it's not going to go anywhere.
The trick is that whatever it is that you're doing, you gotta keep at it in order to get results.
And? And it feels good when you do.
Mmm, not just good.
Great! It really does, doesn't it?
Well, I hope you continue having such a nice day, basement companion.
As I walked back to my desk, I heard a familiar clanking sound from the stairs.
Don't mind me. Just here to use the printer again.
Hello, Louis. I'm sure they'll fix the broken printer in a few weeks.
Or, you know, years.
You know, once again, I am actually glad you're here.
It turns out I have changed my mind about Desiree's fitness challenge.
Oh, have you? I have.
So I need you to go back up there and tell her I am back in.
No stand -ins. All me.
Well, actually, I never told her you were out because I forgot.
So I'll just not say anything at all.
Perfect. I guess I'm going to get back to practicing for the 5K next week.
You sure you don't want in?
No, thanks. I'm all exercised out.
I'm getting in so many extra steps coming down here to use the printer.
Look at that 5K. After Louis left, I filed the Mary Celeste event and got down to work.
I'm still kind of dreading all the practice runs I have coming up, but boy am I glad I didn't quit the fitness challenge.
I may not win the 5K or even finish it, to be honest, but as long as I try it, I'm gonna be happy.
And no matter what, you know I'm gonna be back here next week investigating another mystery.
Until then, this is Carly Q, signing off.
And remember, you never heard this.
Grownups, if you like wow in the world, you can listen early and ad -free right now on Wondery Plus.
Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Prime members can listen ad -free on Amazon Music.
And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey at wondery .com survey.
H -Dev, initiating End Credits Mode.
Who and Wow! Mystery Edition is an original Tinkercast production with help from Gen Z Media.
Handshake emoji, high five emoji.
For Tinkercast, the executive producers are Guy Raz, Mindy Thomas, and Meredith Halpern -Ranzer.
The shows are written by Aaron Weissman, Danielle Nicky, Tom Van Kalkin, Kenny Curtis, and Mindy Thomas.
Carly Shiraki is a producing consultant.
Big shout -outs to Jed Anderson, Steph Sosa, Henry Moskal, Jessica Bode, Natasha Crandall, Rebecca Caban, Sana Ali Mohamed, Anna Daniker, Anna Zagorski, and the rest of the team at Tinkercast.
Megaphone emoji, applause emoji.
Who Went Well's theme song was composed and performed by The Pop -Ups.
For more information on their three -time Grammy -nominated all -ages music, find them at thepopups .com.
Producers for Gen Z Media are David Kreisman, Ben Strauss, Chris Terry, Claire McClanahan and Amy Cervini at gzmshows .com Sound design and editing is by Chris Terry and Oded Lev -Ari Voice editing by Yoni Reckham Headphones emoji, microphone emoji, thumbs up emoji Original music was created by Jennifer Rocamp and voice direction is handled by David Kreisman Our main cast features Carly Shiraki as Carly Q Brandon Salerno as Lewis Melissa Vandershiff as Nibbles the Rat Kenny Curtis as HDAD and Angela Desai as Odie Want to explore WhoWentWOw's mysteries even further?
You can find free activities and resources to extend the wow at whowentwow .com And if you have a time -sealed mystery you want Carly Q to explore, email us at hello at tinkercast .com HDAD, powering off Who and Why?
Made important inventions Who and Why?
Asked all the right questions History will never be the same
