Black Buccaneer, Swinging ship ride in Chessington World of Adventures, United Kingdom.
The Black Buccaneer was a large mechanical pirate ship at Chessington World of Adventures that swung back and forth in wide arcs. The structure rose to heights of around 60 feet and carried multiple passengers with each swing.
The ride first opened in 1988 under the name Smugglers' Galleon and operated for three decades at the park. It was removed in 2021 when it was replaced by a different sea-themed attraction.
The ride featured pirate and maritime elements that connected visitors to adventure themes within the park's Pirates' Cove area. Guests experienced the seafaring atmosphere while the vessel swung back and forth.
Riders needed to be at least 1 meter tall, while children under 1.3 meters required an adult to accompany them on the ride. The vessel's swinging motion was quite vigorous, so visitors should expect strong movement sensations.
During its final years of operation, the vessel was repainted from its original black color to silver. This change helped maintenance crews spot structural problems more easily.
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