A very popular attraction on the fun fairs of the 20th century were wooden ship swings. The children usually found a place for two in a boat. By shifting your weight you rocked the boats in the air. At that time muscle power was still required. Today you do not have to rock yourself anymore, today you will be rocked.
For the season 1981, the HANSA-PARK presented its guests a giant swing, called Giant Ship Swing. The single-masted sailing boat of the Bremen company HUSS reaches a height of 24 meters and holds 54 people. The passengers sit with a view to the center of the ship. Hydraulic motors provide the sweeping drive. The translation is served by 30-inch tires. These are also raised by hydraulic alternately to the ship to miss a constant thrust. The wheels are also used to decelerate the ship. The magnetic induction in the electric motors ensures a gentle braking effect.
In 1991, the swing was redesigned to fit the legend of the Flying Dutchman. The legend of the accursed captain Bernard Fokke and his ghostly sailing ship is known worldwide through an opera by the German playwright Richard Wagner. The captain is condemned to wandering the seven seas with his ghost ship until the recent day, without ever being able to call at a port.
In addition to the moody and wicked design, the vegetation has also grown over the years. Where used to float the present sailing ship over the fair, today the Flying Dutchman hides behind trees to bring disaster to his passengers.
