Savin Rock Thunderbolt roller coaster - bonus Boomerang & Spitfire ride clips - West Haven, CT

The 2nd Thunderbolt coaster opened in 1939 on a pier in Savin Rock, CT near West Haven. The first was destroyed by the Great New England Hurricane of 1938. This coaster lasted until 1956. Bonus clips of the Boomerang & Spitfire rides at nearby White City Park.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• thunderbolt
• roller
• coaster
• savin
• rock
• West
• Haven
• amusement
• park
• defunct
• woodies
• pier
• classic
• rides
• Spitfilre
• Boomerang
• White
• City
• Park
• CT
• CONN

[PHAEDRIDER]

i have to be honest and point out that i dont wonder one bit why that boomerang ride is NOt going to be recreated. but man .. it looks like fun, even if the accident potential seems high ! and i can only imagine the local rumors regarding that roller coaster, being out over the ocean like that i imagine schoolyards were full of stories about cars flying of into the water .. great stuff! thanks so much !

[swampfoxer]

Actually, there was a traveling Boomerang from Wisdom Manufacturing. I rode it at the 1994 Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem, NC. Each tub was manually connected to the arms and one by one they would release them as they went flying into a tunnel and around back to the loading section. I have an article from Carousel Magazine showing the ride in 1985. It was then owned by Johnston's Amusements Carnival of Fun. I have not seen the ride since and wonder if it still travels.

[ploaker54]

it angers me to know what im missing in this now dead town...

[satinbarbi]

The great Savin Rock Redevelopment project. They tore down the park and bulldozed a lot of great old mo and pop stores like Toms Meat Market. If only they had just refurbished it all instead,

[Farenheit4051]

That spinning tub ride may be the first launched coaster.

[TheTuber95]

How was this converted to digital??

[lovay]

I watched the Wisdom owned Boomerang operate at West Palm Beach in 1987, Gregory on the midway. Very loud crashing sound. Not a practical midway ride.

[rinoman19]

i live here

[ctguy1955]

When the coaster was coming to a stop....I could relive the smells and noise. WIlcox was long gone for me, but the skyblazer was my next best thing. I also loved the MillShoot ! I never went on the Wildmouse out on the pier, but the B-52 ride was near and other kiddie rides. Mikes Pizza was the best on Thomas Street !!!!!!!!

[djavatar68]

I remember that ride too! I rode it at a fair in FL way back in 88 or 89. It was unlike anything else I had ever seen before at a fair. Very unique if a bit rough. It went thru a tunnel with strobe lights.

[BlueMountain01]

wow....west haven actually used to be an awesome town......now its like a dead town..........

[Moose9105]

great footage. thanks for posting

[THUNDER2658]

THUNDER2658 - At the start of the video it says Wilcox Pier. The actual Wilcox Pier had a resturant and was at the western end of the beach. They had big bands come in and play on the weekends. The Thunderbolt was about 1/4 mile east on its own pilings and pier. I lived about 1 mile west of Savin Rock from 1944 to 1962 and was a frequent visitor for over 10 years. I don't remember any accidents with the Boomerang ride. You did get quite a jolt when you were released. Moved to FL IN 1962.