This drama about the tragedy of the Andrea Doria is a combination of narration by John Cameron Swayze, film clips and a re-enactment of the story of Thure Peterson and his wife, who loses her life after heroic attempts to free her from beneath a steel beam. It also includes a re-enactment of the story of Lilly Doona who jumps overboard to rescue her daughter. The U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Center plays a major role in the rescue efforts.