Set sail from Pirates’ Cove on an adventure on the ocean waves…
Set sail from Pirates’ Cove on an adventure on the ocean waves…
| Theme Park | Chessington World of Adventures |
|---|---|
| Park Area | Pirates' Cove |
| Type | Pirate Ship |
| Audience | Older Families and Thrillseekers |
| Opened | 1988 |
| Closed | 2018 (replaced by Blue Barnacle) |
| Manufacturer | Huss |
| Model | Pirate Ship |
| Height | 60 ft |
Black Buccaneer
Sitting in Pirates’ Cove, Black Buccaneer was Chessington’s large swinging pirate ship for many years.
The ride originally arrived at the park as “Smugglers’ Galleon” when the area was known as Smugglers’ Cove in 1988.
It was manufactured by Huss, and would seat up to 45 riders at a time in nine rows of five. The boat would swing up to a maximum height of 60 feet in the air.
Black Buccaneer was one of the best pirate ships in the UK. During its thirty year lifespan it had worn in well. The swings felt very natural with the ship seeming to glide through the swings rather than being “forced” by the tyre drive. There was some great hanging air time to be had, especially in the back seats. But remember: "if you throw it up, you clear it up!"
Black Buccaneer
Swinging pirate ship
Sailing into Pirates' Cove
Bottom of the boat
High swing
Top swing
Air time
Black Buccaneer nestled in the Cove
Watching and waiting
Setting sail
Back of the ship
Black Buccaneer queueline
The boat would swing right over the queue
Tyre drive
Black Buccaneer in 2003, before Dragon's Fury was built
Before the trees grew up around Vampire
Black Buccaneer at night
No more sailings
The ship after the A-frame had been removed
The end of Black Buccaneer
