"What's in a Picture?" piece on a "marine car" known as the Comet, which became

Authors

Ellen MacDonald Ward

Source

Down East

Date

7-1-1997

Pages

82

Abstract

"What's in a Picture?" piece on a "marine car" known as the Comet, which became the first mechanical amusement ride at Short Sands at York Beach in 1889, four years before the Ferris wheel was invented. The contraption was propelled by cables and pulleys along tracks into the ocean and out beyond the breakers. As the water deepened, the boat rose and gradually floated to the top of its framework. It was dismantled after four years due to liability concerns. Its inventor and builder, John Staples, went on to become a state legislator.

Subjects

Amusement rides, Inventions, Photographs, Staples, John

Recommended Citation

Ward, Ellen MacDonald, ""What's in a Picture?" piece on a "marine car" known as the Comet, which became" (1997). Maine News Index - Down East Magazine. 2419.
https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/news_downeast/2419