The 'Pins'

SV ZARINA ‘The Pins’

     History

The wreck that is locally known as ‘The Pins’s is believed to be that of SV Zarina. The Zarina was a Swedish Barque ship that sank in the 1700’s. Unfortunately details of both the ship and its demise have been lost over time.

A typical 3 mast barque ship.

In the 1700’s the term barque applied to a small ship with three masts. They were fast ships with a flat bottom to enable them to beach with relative ease.


We can only surmise about why a Swedish ship would have been in Strangford in the 1700’s but as the name ‘Strangford’ actually comes from the old Norse language ‘Strangr-fjǫrðr’ meaning "strong fjord", there have always been links between the Scandinavian countries and The Lough.

Old Norse Language

Brass Pin

The Wreck

Lying in around 10 metres of water in Ballyhenry Bay, the majority of the wooden hull has rotted away. Some of it is still visible beneath the seaweed and other life that now covers it. The wreck slopes away towards the currents of the narrows. 

Brass Pin

The lower part of wooden hull was sheathed with copper and this is visible along with the foot high brass pins that held the planking together. This has resulted in the local nickname ‘The Pins’. Sadly only a few of  these pins now remain.

Project Baseline

Due to the age and subsequent deterioration of the wreck, Project Baseline: Strangford Lough aims to provide a record of the wreckage that remains and continue to monitor this wreckage.

Kerri recording marine life on 'The Pins'

We will also be monitoring the marine life that lives on the remains of wreck.