28 episodes
The Secret History of the Estonia Crowd Stories+
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- True Crime
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4.6 • 275 Ratings
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The Secret History of the Estonia. A tale of secrets, smugglers and spies and how 852 people died on a ferry.
From the team behind The Secret History of Flight 149, journalist Stephen Davis investigates the tragic sinking of the passenger ship The Estonia, uncovering a mysterious trail that leads back to the Cold War.
Listen to the whole series by subscribing to the Crowd Stories channel on Apple Podcasts.
Weekly episodes will be released for free on all platforms every Monday. Get them ad-free on Amazon Music.
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Estonia | Ep 1 | Mayday
Please note this podcast contains distressing content.
In the first episode of The Secret History of the Estonia, investigative journalist Stephen Davis hears remarkable eyewitness accounts from four survivors of the tragedy.
The Estonia sets sail from Tallinn port on the 27th September 1994, heading across the Baltic Sea to Stockholm. It’s a routine crossing for the passengers and crew. But in the middle of the night the ferry suddenly starts taking on water. There’s a raging storm outside and the ship is sinking fast. It’s a question of life and death for all those on board.
Episodes released for free every Monday from 9th January 2023. To listen to the entire series without adverts, subscribe to the Crowd Stories channel on Apple Podcasts.
Presenter: Stephen Davis
Producer: Samantha Psyk
Mixing and sound design: Rory Auskerry
Additional material courtesy of Getty.
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Estonia | Ep 2 | Survival
Survivors share harrowing eye witness accounts of the aftermath of the sinking in freezing conditions in a Baltic storm.
Please note this podcast contains distressing content.
Presenter: Stephen Davis
Producer: Samantha Psyk
Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry
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Estonia | Ep 3 | Counting the cost
In the days after the sinking, the scale of the tragedy becomes clearer. But why does mystery still surround the survivors list? What happened to the missing crew? Stephen speaks with family members of victims, still dealing with the effects of the disaster to this day.
Please note this podcast contains distressing content.
To listen to the entire series without adverts, subscribe to the Crowd Stories channel on Apple Podcasts.
Presenter: Stephen Davis
Producer: Samantha Psyk
Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry
Voiceover: Johan Lindquist and Liivika Hanstin
Additional material courtesy of Discovery+, from Estonia, the Discovery that Changes Everything.
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Estonia | Ep 4 | To salvage or not to salvage
The authorities must decide how to deal with the disaster. Will they choose to salvage the ship and the victims? Stephen speaks with campaigners who have dedicated many years to uncovering the truth behind the sinking.
Please note this podcast contains distressing content.
Presenter: Stephen Davis
Producer: Samantha Psyk
Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry
Voiceover: Johan Lindquist
Additional material courtesy of Discovery+, from 'Estonia, The Discovery That Changes Everything'.
To listen to the entire series without adverts, subscribe to the Crowd Stories channel on Apple Podcasts.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Estonia | Ep 5 | Secrets and spies
Stephen reveals what led him to start investigating the Estonia mystery. The trail leads him back to the Cold War and to a backdrop of secrets and spies.
Please note this podcast contains distressing content.
Presenter: Stephen Davis
Producer: Samantha Psyk
Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry
Additional material courtesy of TV3, New Zealand
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Estonia | Ep 6 | Shipwreck investigations
In this episode Stephen delves into the high stakes world of shipwreck investigations. We meet two key players in the history of the Estonia inquiries, and hear about the flaws in previous investigations.
Please note this podcast contains distressing content.
Presenter: Stephen Davis
Producer: Samantha Psyk
Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry
Additional material courtesy of Getty
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Fascinating investigations
There was also some comic relief in the form of ads for Virgin Cruises before the last episode of the Estonia series, which, rather aptly, looks into the mysterious sinking of a cruise ship. Top ad placement!
Ruined by ads
Do you really think I am more likely to subscribe if you tun the same tiresome ads in every episode?
Fascinating story and top quality journalism
Both series of this podcast are fascinating stories, clearly meticulously researched and presented with great thought. Highly recommended listening.