Pirate ship (ride)

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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[edit]

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[edit]

A ride with Viking theme at Linnanmäki

There are a number of Swinging Ship-type rides, and multiple manufacturers.

  • Chance Rides' 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.
  • Fabbri's version is known as the Pirate Ship, and can hold 40 passengers.[1]
  • HUSS' version is known as the Pirate Boat, and can hold up to 54 passengers in 9 rows.
  • Intamin version is called Bounty.
  • Mulligan's version is known as the Sea Ray.
  • SBF Visa's version is known as Pirate and can accommodate 32 passengers.[2]
  • 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 height is 54"


  • The Looping Starship, manufactured by Intamin is similar to a pirate ship, except that goes upside down. This gives the rider a feel of zero gravity for a moment as it swings back down while making 360° loops.
  • 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".


Former appearances[edit]


External links[edit]