MS Estonia

Scale model of MS Estonia
History
Name	1980–1990: Viking Sally 1990–1991: Silja Star 1991–1993: Wasa King 1993–1994: Estonia
Namesake	Estonia (as Estonia)
Owner	1980–1988: Rederi Ab Sally 1988–1992: Effoa 1992–1993: Effdo 3 Oy 1993–1994: Estline Marine Co Ltd
Operator	1980–1987: Rederi Ab Sally (Viking Line traffic) 1987–1990: Rederi AB Slite (Viking Line traffic) 1990–1991: Silja Line 1991–1993: Wasa Line 1993–1994: Estline
Port of registry	1980–1991: Mariehamn, Finland 1991–1993: Vaasa, Finland 1993–1994: Tallinn, Estonia
Ordered	11 September 1979
Builder	Meyer Werft, Papenburg, West Germany
Yard number	590
Laid down	18 October 1979
Launched	26 April 1980
Completed	27 April 1980
Acquired	29 June 1980
In service	5 July 1980
Identification	Call sign: ESTE IMO number: 7921033
Fate	Capsized and sank on 28 September 1994
General characteristics
Type	Cruiseferry
Tonnage	15,598 GT 3,006 DWT
Length	155.43 m (509 ft 11 in) (as built) 157.02 m (515.16 ft) (1984 onwards)
Beam	24.21 m (79 ft 5 in)
Draught	5.60 m (18 ft 4 in)
Decks	9
Ice class	1 A
Installed power	4 × MAN 8L40/45 17,625 kW (23,636 hp) (combined)
Speed	21.1 knots (39.1 km/h; 24.3 mph)
Capacity	2,000 passengers 1,190 passenger berths 460 cars

The MS Estonia was a Finnish cruiseferry. It was built in 1980 for the Finnish company Rederi Ab Sally. The ferry was built by Meyer Werft, in Papenburg, West Germany. It was used on ferry routes between Finland and Sweden by several companies, It was first useed by Viking Line, then EffJohn. In 1993, it was sold to Nordström & Thulin for use on Estline's Tallinn–Stockholm route. The ship sank on 28 September 1994. It wend down in the Baltic Sea between Sweden, Finland and Estonia. This was one of the worst maritime disasters during peacetime in the 20th century. 852 people died.

The ship sank during a storm on the Baltic Sea. The closest ship to the Esonia when she made the SOS signal was the Silja Europa. While sinking the ship capsized and sunk. All of the passengers of MV Estonia died. No lifeboats were found. The sinking was said to be caused by flooding.