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Wicksteed Pirate Ship Archive
Timeline

Timeline

Every date on this page traces to a source. Where a date is disputed or unconfirmed, that is stated rather than smoothed over.

How to read this page

  • Verified
  • Supported
  • Unresolved

  1. 1980 or 1982

    Date not yet verifiedUnresolved

    Double Pirate Ship begins operating at Wicksteed Park

    The exact opening year is disputed between sources. Some published histories give 1980. Coverage describing the ride's closure after "34 years" of operation points to 1982 instead. This site does not treat either year as settled.

    Source: Conflict between published histories; not resolved by the two source documents underlying this archive.

  2. End of the 2016 season

    Confirmed dateVerified

    Final operating season at Wicksteed Park

    The ride operated at Wicksteed Park until the end of the 2016 season, after which it was removed. Its removal was reportedly connected to the rising cost of maintenance and refurbishment.

    Source: Findings: "Executive summary" and "The attraction at Wicksteed Park."

  3. After 2016 (exact date not yet verified)

    Date not yet verifiedSupported

    Frame and both gondolas shipped abroad

    A source with direct knowledge of the ride's removal stated that the entire frame, both gondolas and the remaining ride equipment were exported together, and that the shipment went to Kosovo rather than to Rundle's yard in Boston. Contemporary accounts at the time more often described a sale to a Bulgarian businessman, without a confirmed final destination.

    Source: Investigation method §3, "Contact with a knowledgeable Wicksteed source."

  4. By at least 25 June 2021

    Confirmed dateVerified

    Both gondolas confirmed operating abroad

    Video evidence shows both gondolas moving on the complete twin structure abroad by this date, establishing that the ride had been reconstructed rather than left dismantled or scrapped.

    Source: Findings §"Operating footage"; investigation method §11.

  5. Timestamp displayed: 1 September 2023, 21:05

    Approximate dateSupported

    Timestamped CCTV image within the sales listing

    A Facebook Marketplace listing for a "HUSS Double Pirate Ship – For Sale" included a CCTV image displaying this timestamp, alongside photographs of the complete attraction and a stated Kosovo location.

    Source: Investigation method §5; findings §"Sales advertisement." The displayed timestamp has not been independently authenticated.

  6. 2025–2026

    Approximate dateSupported

    Recent aerial and drone imagery

    Drone or aerial footage from this period provides additional date anchors indicating the Double Pirate Ship remained assembled at the Kosovo site well after the 2021 footage and 2023 sales imagery.

    Source: Findings §"Recent aerial and drone imagery"; investigation method §18.

  7. On-screen date: 29 June 2025

    Date not yet verifiedSupported

    TikTok video of the ride with riders aboard

    A TikTok video later referenced by the ride's operator carries a platform-generated "On this day" caption dated 29 June 2025, showing the ride operating with riders in daylight. The date comes from TikTok's own resurfacing feature, not independently verified metadata.

    Source: Evidence Room: TikTok video from the referenced account, downloaded and reviewed.

  8. July 2026

    Confirmed dateVerified

    Initial findings published on CoasterForce

    The investigation's initial write-up was published under the title "Wicksteed Park's original Double Pirate Ship has been found." The exact Kosovo location was initially redacted and only a selection of images was published while enquiries continued.

    Source: Investigation method §20, "Publishing the CoasterForce write-up."

  9. 24-25 July 2026

    Confirmed dateSupported

    Direct contact with an account presenting as the ride's operator

    Following a direct enquiry, an Instagram account presenting as Lunapark Aseba stated the ride is operating in Mitrovica, Kosovo, described its condition, and supplied two video clips, a photo and a TikTok reference. In further exchanges the account granted permission to use the supplied photographs, stated the ride's inverter, motors and structure are unchanged since acquisition, confirmed it remains listed for sale, and discussed a possible future in-person research visit.

    Source: Direct correspondence evidence; see Evidence Room.