Rocket (Ocean View Amusement Park)
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| Designer / calculations | Edward A. Vettel, Herbert Paul Schmeck | ||||||||
| Type | Wooden | ||||||||
| Height | 90 feet | ||||||||
Rocket, also known as Skyrocket, was a wooden roller coaster located at Ocean View Amusement Park in Norfolk, Virginia that was built in 1927 and demolished in 1979 following the closure of the amusement park.
History
1977
In 1977 Rocket was featured in a crime thriller film titled, "Rollercoaster" starring Henry Fonda.
1979
The ride was demolished in 1979 as part of TV film named "The Death of Ocean View Park".[1] The roller coaster was set with explosives and sections (including track) were partially cut with saws to weaken the structure and ensure its destruction. However, the massive explosions went off but Rocket did not fall.[1] A reshoot was set up, but it failed to be fall once more, only having some minor darkening of the wood and a few twists in the metal track toppers. A final attempt came and, to be sure the structure actually fell this time, the crew also employed the help of various construction vehicles to pull and push the structure during the explosion. This time things went as planned and the coaster was demolished.[2]
Design
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Trains
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Swenson, Ben (January 4, 2011). "Sand and Spectacle". Virginia Living. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- ↑ Carrier, J. Lee (June 28, 1979). "Explosives Experts Fail to Bring Down the Rocket". Newspapers.com. Capital Journal - Salem, Oregon. Retrieved October 10, 2021.