A conventional non-inverting Pirate Ship ride at Indiana Beach.

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" or more to ride, while at La Ronde, which also has a Huss Pirate Boat, riders must be 52" or taller. Huss recommends that the lowest a height requirement should be is 39" or taller, 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.

  • 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' 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 4 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. give the rider a feel of zero gravity for a moment as it swings back down. These are particularly popular in Spain.
Swingboat on the Roonkarker Mart-fair (German) in northern Germany.
  • Some travelling fayres 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 vertical position.

The names listed are given by the manufacturers, and individual parks may change the name of the ride itself. Viking ship is a very common theme that is used by several parks.

  • small versions for one to two children are called "Swingboat".

External links

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Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate_ship_(ride)"


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