H.M.S. Sybille was the only Royal Navy ship to be lost during the Boer War when she ran aground in bad weather off Lambert's Bay on 16.1.1901. The Captain was ashore at the time - some reports had it that he and other Officers were attending a party - and four Officers were subsequently found guilty at a Court-Martial for her loss. The crew abandoned H.M.S. Sybille after she struck a reef during the night and were taken off in five boats, a process that took ten hours. 272 Medals were awarded to the ship.