Buckles Blog: RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #8

Monday, November 30, 2009

Scan12427, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

"Goliath" being moved on a soft lot from the menagerie area to the back yard for his parade around the big top track.

Anonymous said...: I wonder if George Lucas's designers were inspired by one of the sea elephants when they created their Jabba the Hutt character?; 30 November, 2009 09:34
Chris Berry said...: According to Gordon Potter, "Goliath" actually had two wagons on show in 1928. Both had stakes along the sides as you can see in your picture. This particular wagon is number 151. It was 18 feet long and was used to haul the sea elephant between the runs and the lot, and for the big top appearance. According to Potter, the other wagon - number 154 - was 16 feet long and had an enclosed portion covering about the front third of the wagon to house a water pump. The open portion behind this carried the canvas tank that was set up in the backyard where "Goliath" lived between performances. The pump was used to empty the tank before it was rolled up and loaded on the wagon. Both these wagons went to the Sells-Floto show when "Goliath" (actually a second Sea Elephant named "Colossus") was a feature on 1932. This particular wagon (number 151) was rebuilt into the Frigidaire polar bear float on Hagenbeck-Wallace in 1934.; 30 November, 2009 11:54
Anonymous said...: #154 was 1/3 baggage wagon in the front and 2/3 flat bed wagon in the rear that carried the frame work and canvas pool and other equipment. Had a possum belly for stakes,etc.; 30 November, 2009 13:02

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