In the village of Svínoy stands a modest but deeply meaningful memorial. A gravestone marks the final resting place of twenty sailors from Stromness, Orkney. They lost their lives when their ship, the Rachel, was wrecked in the bay of Svínoy on 27 November 1786.
The Rachel was a sealing sloop from Stromness. Like many Orcadian vessels of the time, it sailed each year to remote rocks in search of seals.
During this voyage, a violent storm forced the ship to seek shelter in the bay of Svínoy. Tragically, the anchor failed to hold. The vessel drifted and was wrecked against the shore.
There were 23 men on board. Only three survived, including the skipper, William Melvin. The villagers of Svínoy rescued the survivors and cared for them. The remaining twenty sailors were buried in the village. Later, the ship’s anchor was placed on top of the memorial stone.
Centuries later, the story continues to connect communities across the North Atlantic.
In August 2011, representatives from Stromness and the Faroe Islands gathered in Svínoy. They unveiled a new plaque at the site. Stephen Hagan, Convener of Orkney Islands Council, took part in the ceremony.
The Stromness Community Council presented the plaque. It honours both the sailors who died and the compassion shown by the people of Svínoy to the survivors.
As George Argo, Chair of the Stromness Community Council, said at the unveiling:
“Our community has always had a close connection with the sea… this is a fitting reminder of a crew who perished far from home many years ago.”
Today, the memorial stands as a solemn reminder of the dangers faced by seafarers in the North Atlantic. At the same time, it reflects the enduring bond between coastal communities linked by history and the sea.
The gravestone and plaque continue to honour both the lives lost and the humanity shown in a time of tragedy.
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