7 Russian sailors have been honored in a wreath laying ceremony at the naval cemetery at Simons Town near Cape Town.

The sailors died on separate occasions during the 19th Century while their vessels were docked in Simons Town which was then called Simons Bay.

The wreath laying ceremony coincides with the visit of a Russian Research vessel to the Mother City.

It has been more than 100 years since the passing of the 17 Russian sailors and today they have been honored for serving their country by the Russian Embassy.

The sailors were remembered by fellow Russian seamen during a wreath laying ceremony in a send-off which has been honored by the Russian Ambassador to South Africa.

Russian ambassador to South Africa, Mikail Petrakov says the people who are buried here actually both navy and merchant sailors.

He says, “ They died in cape town during the time their vessels called on this port this is basically a place where 17 sailors are buried starting from the 19th century it's quite important for us to remember to our compatriots who came to South Africa and died here.''

The ceremony coincided with the visit of the Russian Research vessels the "Admiral Vladimirsky" which studies ocean science and the chemical makeup of water.

Petrakoy says, ''This is a hydro graphical  vessel that has come back from an expedition in Antarctica seas the port of cape town is a good place to call on the way to Antarctica and on the way back. So they are now just refueling and recharging their batteries.''

The vessel will be leaving Cape Town next Tuesday and will make its way to West Africa.

It will be arrive in Russia next month.

Original source