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History: Large water chutes had appeared at
numerous exhibitions between 1901 and 1908,
including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin. On these
chutes a boat was released down a track into a lake,
where the boats literally floated before being
hoisted back up the incline. Permanent versions of
this ride appeared at amusement parks at Blackpool,
Southend and Southport. Smaller chutes, which
operated on a similar principle, appeared at
Wicksteed Park (Kettering), East Park (Hull) and at
North Bay (Scarborough) and all still operate.
The Rhyl Water Chute
was very different. This was a continuous circuit
coaster with a water splash drop and is most
commonly known as a ‘circular water chute’. On
circular water chutes, the ‘boat’ never leaves the
track; the ride is actually a side-friction wooden
roller coaster.
The concept was
invented by German Showman Hugo Hasse, designer of
Great Yarmouth’s Scenic Railway. His first ride
appeared at the Munich Festival of 1928. The concept
was then adapted by amusement park entrepreneur
Leslie Joseph, who opened similar rides at several
of his parks. The first was at Coney Beach (Porthcawl)
in 1936.
The Rhyl Water
Chute originates from Southend's Kursaal Amusement
Park, and was originally built in 1958. This survived until 1971, when
it was dismantled and moved to Rhyl’s Ocean Beach
Fun Fair, where it opened in 1972.
The ride was
largely demolished in October 2007, following the
closure of Ocean Beach. However, the main mechanical
parts, including gears, motors, pumps and boats were
rescued by the Save Dreamland Campaign. Details of
the rescue can be found
here.
It is identical to
the Water Chute that operated at Dreamland between
1977 and 1995, itself having been relocated from
Battersea Fun Fair, where it had operated from 1956.
Identical Water Chutes also operated at Belle Vue
and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
There is a history
of water chutes by Nick Laister at
themagiceye.
Dimensions:
70 feet high, with
seven boats (each carrying up to six passengers) and
reaches speeds of up to 45mph.
Importance:
The only surviving circular water chute in the
world, and identical to Dreamland's former Water
Chute.
Latest: Now in
storage for use in the Heritage Park.
If you have any further
information on the history of this ride, please
email
nick@savedreamland.co.uk. |
