SS Sanct Svithun was a 1,376 ton steel-hulled steamship built by the German shipyard Danziger Werft and delivered to the Norwegian Stavanger-based shipping company Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab on 1 July 1927.

[1] She was a popular ship amongst her passengers, with a large superstructure and a spacious promenade deck with a look-out salon in the bow area.

[3] When Nazi Germany invaded Norway on 9 April 1940 Sanct Svithun was at the Klaseskjær shipyard in Stavanger for her annual maintenance work.

[5] At 19:00, when Sanct Svithun was in a position between the islets of Vossa and Buholmen, she was attacked by six Bristol Beaufighters from the Canadian 404 Squadron armed with "60 lb" 3-inch rockets.

Sanct Svithun was sailing alone without escort, and her anti-aircraft armament was ineffective, allowing the Beaufighters to press through their attack with great precision.

The attack, which included machine gun[5] and 20 mm auto-cannon fire, left the Norwegian steamer burning in strong gale-force weather.

Many people jumped into the ocean to escape the flames, soon perishing in the stormy seas before the pilot managed to beach the ship[5] between Buholmen islet and a rocky outcrop on land.

In the letter the resistance stated that "We have received message from a trusted source in Western Norway who has been gathering reliable intelligence from eye witnesses and survivors about the sinking of Sanct Svithun.

"[quote 1] The letter was presented to Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Trygve Lie and debated in a government conference.

Although many Norwegians opposed the chapel plans Captain Alshager of Sanct Svithun supported the building of a memorial, stating that honouring the dead of the shipwreck had to be seen separately of the war in general.

[6] In addition to the ship's bell, the chapel contains a small exhibition relating to the shipwreck, and Sanct Svithun's anchor is displayed outside the building.