In 1962 the pier was extended
to accommodate Hunt's latest attraction
The Pirate Ship!
Designed by John Allen and constructed by Hunt's crack staff,
the Pirate Ship was a custom built walk-thru funhouse. The
ship's name, "SKUA" (a large Antarctic carnivorous
seabird) was chosen after the winning entry of a model building
contest held by Mr. Hunt to "build and name the Pirate
Ship". Fifteen year old Wayne Achilles of North Wildwood
was the top winner.
To
view newspaper clips click here.
With the completion of construction
and special effects supplied by Bill Tracy and Messmore and
Damon, the "SKUA" was ready to open for the 1962
season. The ship would slowly rock above as you traveled through
shadowy passages of the cavern below, leading you into the
belly of the ship. The first tunnel would take you through
large skeleton key shaped doorways. Along the way you would
encounter many spooky scenes and mechanical pirates. Some
sections of the ship include a barrel room, a torture chamber,
a mirror maze, and the famous tilted room. At one point you
would come out onto the deck on the upper level, where you
could observe the crowds below before venturing back inside
the ship to continue an adventure that would eventually lead
you back to the cavern - where even more pirates await. This
was the last section of the ship before exiting. Crossing
the bouncy rope bridge stretched out over hapless victims
buried in quicksand below - you make your way out through
the giant skull and back to reality.
Let's go in again!