In 1816, the French frigate La Méduse ran aground off the coast of West Africa after its wildly unqualified captain ignored experienced sailors and common sense. When lifeboats proved scarce, the elite sailed away—leaving 146 men and one woman behind on a makeshift raft built for cargo, not humans. What followed was nearly two weeks of starvation, violence, madness, and cannibalism on the open sea. Their suffering would later be immortalized in one of the most haunting paintings in history, The Raft of the Medusa—a brutal exposé of power, privilege, and human desperation.

OCEAN MYSTERY: La Méduse

For this special New Year's Eve episode, the ladies have a fun trivia challenge all about the moon! Inspired by a recent case involving high tides - a lunar phenomenon, we discovered we may not know as much about our moon as we thought! Join us as we change that and welcome in 2026!

TRIVIA: New Year, New Moon

This week, Lindsay tells us the incredible story of the Ship of Miracles, the SS Meredith Victory. During the Korean War, the brutal battle of the Chosin Reservoir left thousands of civilians stranded. The SS Meredith Victory and its crew did the impossible, loading the ship well beyond its capacity and delivering a true Christmas Miracle.

CHRISTMAS MIRACLE: The SS Meredith Victory

In this episode, Lindsay tells the story of the Christmas Tree Ship, a schooner named the Rouse Simmons. Known for bringing thousands of Christmas trees from Michigan to Chicago, the ship’s captain, Herman Schuenemann, affectionately called “Captain Santa” became a beloved figure for his generosity and holiday spirit. In November 1912, the ship vanished during a violent Great Lakes storm, never reaching port. We explore the ship’s final voyage, the mystery surrounding its sinking, and the heartwarming legacy Captain Santa left behind.

LAKE MYSTERY: The Lost Christmas Tree Ship, the Rouse Simmons

In this episode, Chantel takes us on a whirlwind tour of strange and fascinating natural phenomena from around the world. From Argentina’s mysterious rotating “Eye” island, to Venezuela’s nightly Catatumbo lightning storms, to Peru’s deadly boiling river, and finally Minnesota’s baffling Devil’s Kettle waterfall, the team explores how intense and beautiful nature can be.

SHALLOW DIVES: Water Phenomena

We're kicking off December with a deep dive into eerie urban legends from Ontario to Connecticut. Megan explores the chilling stories behind Niagara’s Screaming Tunnel and the notoriously haunted Blue Ghost Tunnel, where tragic history and whispered tales blend into something terrifying. Lindsay takes us to Mystic Bay, home of the bizarre and terrifying Pigman — a cryptid wrapped in rumor, folklore, and unsettling eyewitness accounts. Chantel closes us out with the haunting tale of the Hermit of Niagara, a mysterious wanderer whose life and lonely death continue to echo along the gorge.

URBAN LEGENDS: Niagara's Screaming Tunnel and Mysterious Hermit, and the Pigman of Mystic Bay, Connecticut

Happy American Thanksgiving! We’re so grateful for every one of our listeners who tune in, share our episodes, and support us. Your enthusiasm keeps us inspired week after week. And a very special thank-you to those who have donated over the past year on Ko-Fi—your generosity means the world to us and helps keep this show going, and we want to take this opportunity to give you a personal shout-out. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

Thanksgiving Thank You!

﻿This week, Meghan takes us into the eerie history and chilling legend of Scotland’s Glamis Castle—one of the most storied and allegedly haunted castles in the country. From the ghostly page boy and the cursed Earl who gambled with the devil, to the serene Lady in White believed to be Janet Douglas, the castle’s past is as haunting as it is fascinating. If you weren't quite ready to say goodbye to spooky season before the holidays begin, this episode is for you!

PARANORMAL: Glamis Castle

This week, we start with some interesting facts about tides. Then Lindsay shares a true story where the tide plays a crucial role in stopping a group of criminals determined to steal one of the most valuable diamonds in the world.

TRUE CRIME: The High Tide Heist

Welcome to Coast Files! A podcast where three best friends dive deep into the mysteries of the sea, unravel oceanic secrets, and delve into true crime stories lurking beneath the waves. Let's dive in!

Coast Files

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