The World's Fair, January 29th 1955
Manufactured by Edwin Hall & Co., this ride was supposedly released in time for the Amusement Trade Exhibition in February 1955. However, a report on Edwin Hall as early as August 1954 mentions a "ship" ride. I am unaware of any other boat models being made by Hall at such an early date so it's likely that this ride was under production (at least in the development stage) at that point.
A beautifully detailed replica of a real boat, Tommy Tug Boat incorporated navigation and mast head lights, a steering wheel, lifebuoy and real ringing bell. Once a coin was inserted, the ride moved in a most realistic manner as if really bobbing around on the waves. The top of the base was covered in a blue canvas-type material to simulate said waves which moved with the boat, making it seem even more lifelike.
As with so many of Edwin Hall's rides, the machine went through many design and name changes. Another popular version was the "Saucy Sue".
The ride seen in the above video would have originally been a "Saucy Sue". She has been with the Stefani family of Fleetwood since the mid-1950s, spending time at Fleetwood Pier, Harbour Lights Amusements and the Ferry Cafe over the years. This particular ship has been renamed "Saucy Fru" after a member of the family who own her. Fru has obviously been refurbished many times over the years but still retains most of her 1950s charm. The soundtrack played is obviously different to what would have been played originally ("Loveboat" wasn't even written for more than two decades after this beauty started sailing the seven seas!) and she has lost her original bell. The coin slot would have originally been inside the ship. As of 2019, she cost 50p to ride instead of the original sixpence! I rode on Fru as a child and was overjoyed to find her still in service and be able to film her for the website.
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