0048 The Estonia encounters bad weather halfway across a routine voyage. She is an hour behind schedule and the captain orders the crew to maintain her speed.

0054 A metallic bang is heard from the area of the bow visor - which is meant to open while the ship is in port to allow vehicles on board.

0059 A reverberating shock wave is felt as the locking pins break away from the 54-ton visor. The falling visor saws the critical inner door and water rushes into the car deck.

0114 The weight of the water pulls the ship 20 degrees to starboard causing people to fall overboard.

0120 The ship’s engines completely stall and the Estonia drifts at the mercy of the sea. By now, those on the lower decks have practically no chance of escape

The crew sends out mayday signals

0121 The tilt of the ship increases and a message is heard over the public address system ordering the crew to their fire stations.

0122 The bridge sends out its first Mayday, but did not follow international formats, which delayed the rescue operation. The Estonia tilts up 90 degrees and many people fall to their deaths in the ship’s interior.

0129 The final Mayday is sent out. The captain blows the horn three times in the last signal to abandon ship.

0140 Less than 300 people manage to escape. The last of the lights go out.

0148 The Estonia disappears off of the radar screen. Only 137 people survive.

*Images from Zero Hour program.