Pirate ship (ride)
Encyclopedia
Amusement ride
Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...
, consisting of an open, seated gondola
Gondola
The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public transport in...
(usually in the style of a pirate ship) which swings back and forth, subjecting the rider to various levels of angular momentum
Angular momentum
In physics, angular momentum, moment of momentum, or rotational momentum is a conserved vector quantity that can be used to describe the overall state of a physical system...
.
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, HersheyparkHersheypark
Hersheypark is an amusement park located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, near the Hershey Chocolate Factory.Hersheypark was opened on April 24, 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, an American confectionery company. Later, the company decided to open the park to the...
, which has a Huss Pirate Boat, has a height requirement of 42 in (107 cm) or more to ride, while at LaRonde
La Ronde (amusement park)
La Ronde is an amusement park in Montreal, owned and operated by Six Flags. It is the largest in the province of Quebec and the second largest in Canada after Canada's Wonderland, with about 2.5 million guests in 2006...
, 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.
Pirate ship rides
- 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 a 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".
Appearances
- Rainbow's End (Theme Park)Rainbow's End (Theme Park)Rainbow's End is a 9.3 ha theme park in Auckland, New Zealand that opened in December, 1982. The park, wholly owned subsidiary of New Zealand Experience Ltd, is currently New Zealand's largest theme park...
as "Pirate Ship" - Kings IslandKings IslandKings Island is a amusement park located northeast of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio. Opened in 1972 by Taft Broadcasting Company and now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Kings Island is the most visited seasonal amusement park in the U.S...
as Viking Fury (1982–present). - Camelot Theme ParkCamelot Theme ParkCamelot Theme Park is a resort and theme park located in the English county of Lancashire. It is based on the legend of Camelot. It is located on a site near the village of Charnock Richard, west of Chorley. The site is owned by The Story Group, and operated by Knights Leisure...
as "The Galleon" - Busch Gardens Williamsburg as "The Battering Ram"
- Adventureland (New York)Adventureland (New York)Adventureland is an amusement park in East Farmingdale, New York. Adventureland is located on Route 110 .-History:As Long Island became more populated and more housing developments were starting, a source of entertainment was needed. Many kiddielands were popping up throughout Long Island. Two...
, as "Pirate Ship" - Worlds of FunWorlds of FunWorlds of Fun is an amusement park in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. The park opened in 1973 and was originally built by Lamar Hunt and Jack Steadman . In 1995 Hunt-Midwest sold Worlds of Fun to Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., which currently owns the park...
as "Sea Dragon" - Clementon Park as "Sea Dragon"
- Michigans Adventure as "Sea Dragon"
- Cedar PointCedar PointCedar Point is a 364 acre amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Cedar Point is the only amusement park with four roller coasters that are taller than...
as "Ocean Motion" - Frontier CityFrontier CityFrontier City is a western-themed amusement park in Oklahoma City's Adventure District. It is currently owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties and operated by former Six Flags executives Kieran Burke and Gary Story. The park is the subject of the song "Frontier City" by the Nashville band Kings of...
as "Prairie Schooner" - Carowinds as "Southern Star"
- Playland Vancouver B.C. as "Pirate"
- Magic Springs and Crystal FallsMagic Springs and Crystal FallsMagic Springs and Crystal Falls is an amusement park and water park located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, about 50 miles from Little Rock. A single price admission includes all day use of the rides and attractions in both parks. The park is open weekends from April through October and daily late-May...
as "Rum Runner" - Waldameer ParkWaldameer ParkWaldameer Park and Water World is an amusement / water park in Erie, Pennsylvania located at the base of Presque Isle. Waldameer is the fourth oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania, and the tenth oldest in the United States. The park is admission-free, with a busy midway, well-appointed grounds,...
as "Sea Dragon" - Darien Lake as " Pirate"
- Lake WinnepesaukahLake WinnepesaukahLake Winnepesaukah is an amusement park located on Lakeview Drive in Lakeview, Georgia near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Winnepesaukah means "beautiful water." Carl and Minette Dixon opened the park to guests in 1925...
as "Pirate" - Nicolândia Center Park as "Pirat"
- Nicolândia Center Park as "Pirate Ship"
- Six Flags Magic MountainSix Flags Magic MountainSix Flags Magic Mountain is a theme park located in Valencia, California north of Los Angeles. It opened on Memorial Day weekend on May 30, 1971 as Magic Mountain, by the Newhall Land and Farming Company. In 1979, Six Flags purchased the park and added the name Six Flags to the park's title. In...
as "Buccaneer" - Santa's Village AZoosment Park as "Sea Dragon" (Chance Morgan - Sea Dragon)(2011-present)
Former appearances
- AstrolandAstrolandAstroland was a amusement park in Coney Island first opened in 1962. It was located at 1000 Surf Avenue on the boardwalk...
as "Pirate Ship" - Martin's Fantasy Island as " Sea Ray" {1994 - 2010}
- Santa's Village AZoosment Park as "Galleon" (Zamperla - Galleon)(??-2006)