When was the `Big Wheel` replaced by the `Double Big Wheel`? I remember taking a lad with cerebal palsy on it. Everything was OK until the`boats` began to rock violently every time the brake was applied, but at one stage, when our wheel reached its highest point, the brake was applied so violently we were nearly tipped out. The little lad thought it was hilarious and had tears of laughter running down his cheeks but I was petrified and from that day have a terrible fear of heights. I watched the operator after this terrifying experience and it was quite obvious that he was taking great pleasure in scaring the daylights out of everybody by violently slamming on the brake. This was definitely pre-1960.
I took this same lad on the Rotor, the large rotating drum where everyone `stuck` to the walls when it spun. Everyone was `glued` to the wall except this lad who, due to his disability, could not keep still and consequently slowly slipped to the bottom. He thought that this was hilarious. His condition slowly improved over the years and, against the odds, found employment as a skilled labourer in Chatham Dockyard but never worked again when the Yard closed. A great lad who sadly died prematurely. Perhaps some Forum members who worked in the Yard may remember him - Michael (Mick).
