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Pirate ship (ride)

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Black Buccaneer at Chessington World of Adventures

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.

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), but parks can make it higher if they choose to.

Pirate ship rides

A ride with Viking theme at Linnanmäki

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.[citation needed]
  • Chance Rides'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.

Looping paratrooper train at Braintree fair 2014 (a paratrooper themed train that loops like Endeavor at California's Great America)

Swingboat on the Roonkarker Mart-fair (German) in northern Germany.
  • Some traveling fairs in Europe have pirate ships in which the riders can choose to stand up in cages located at the ends of the ships. These 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".

Appearances

Former appearances

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pirate ship (ride).
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