Pirate ship (ride)
A pirate ship is a type of amusement ride, consisting of an open, seated gondola (usually in the style of a pirate ship) which swings back and forth, subjecting the rider to various levels of angular momentum.
The first known predecessor of the ride was invented by Charles Albert Marshall of Tulsa, Oklahoma between 1893 and 1897. This ride was originally called "The Ocean Wave".
The Ocean Wave was first used in the Marshall Bros Circus in 1897. The circus was run by Charles and his brothers Mike, Will, Ed, friends, and family.
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[edit] Height requirements
Height requirements for this type of ride vary from park to park. For example, Hersheypark, which has a Huss Pirate Boat, has a height requirement of 42 in (107 cm) or more to ride, while at LaRonde, which also has a Huss Pirate Boat, riders must be 52 in (132 cm) or taller. Huss recommends that the lowest a height requirement should be is 39 in (99 cm) or taller, but parks can make it higher if they choose to.
[edit] Pirate ship rides
There are a number of Swinging Ship-type rides, and multiple manufacturers.
- Intamin version is called Bounty
- Fabbri's version is known as the Pirate Ship, and can hold 40 passengers.
- Chance Morgan's original version is known as the Sea Dragon which are permanent or two trailer portable models. The later version is known "Pharaoh's Fury" and could be permanent or transported on one 53-foot trailer.
- HUSS's version is known as the Pirate Boat, and can hold up to 54 passengers in 9 rows.
- Mulligan's version is known as the Sea Ray.
- SDC makes a version called the Pirate Ship.
- Zamperla's version is known as the Galleon, and has four sizes available, which can hold 33, 42, 54 or 84 passengers.
- The Phoenix at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a pirate ship that goes upside down. This gives the rider a feel of zero gravity for a moment as it swings back down. These are particularly popular in Spain.
- Berserker at Kings Dominion is an Egyptian themed pirate ship similar to The Phoenix at Busch Gardens Tampa (above) as it eventually swings upside down.
- Some travelling fairs in Europe have pirate ships where the riders can choose to stand up in cages located at the ends of the pirate ships. These ones do not go upside down but do swing to a horizontal position.
The names listed are given by the manufacturers, and individual parks may change the name of the ride itself. Many parks use a Viking Ship theme for their ride. Smaller versions of the ride are often called "Swingboats".
[edit] Appearances
- Rainbow's End (Theme Park) as "Pirate Ship"
- Kings Island as Viking Fury (1982–present).
- Camelot Theme Park as "The Galleon"
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg as "The Battering Ram"
- Adventureland (New York), as "Pirate Ship"
- Worlds of Fun as "Sea Dragon"
- Clementon Park as "Sea Dragon"
- Michigan's Adventure as "Sea Dragon"
- Cedar Point as "Ocean Motion"
- Frontier City as "Prairie Schooner"
- Carowinds as "Southern Star"
- Playland Vancouver B.C. as "Pirate"
- Magic Springs and Crystal Falls as "Rum Runner"
- Waldameer Park as "Sea Dragon"
- Darien Lake as " Pirate" (1981–present)
- Lake Winnepesaukah as "Pirate"
- Nicolândia Center Park as "Pirat"
- Nicolândia Center Park as "Pirate Ship"
- Six Flags Magic Mountain as "Buccaneer"
- Santa's Village AZoosment Park as "Sea Dragon" (Chance Morgan - Sea Dragon)(2011–present)
- Wonderland Park (Texas) as "Pirate Ship"
[edit] Former appearances
- Astroland as "Pirate Ship"
- Martin's Fantasy Island as " Sea Ray" (1994 - 2010)
- Santa's Village AZoosment Park as "Galleon" (Zamperla - Galleon)(??-2006)
- Sea World as "Pirate Ship" (Huss)(1981-2009)
[edit] External links
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