The South African longline fishing vessel Sudur Havid was lost on 6 June 1998 in position 53° 55′ S 041° 24′ W when pumps were unable to keep up with water that swept over the ship in a storm. 21 Survivors were picked up by other vessels but sadly 17 others did not make it.
The story of the sinking is told in the gripping book ‘Last Man Off‘ by the fisheries observer Matt Lewis, who was on board at the time. Hear about it on this PodCast.
There are two memorials to the 17 victims. One is a cross on the hillside above the cemetery at Grytviken. The other is in the Church.