HMS Ganges

OK, a little history. HMS Ganges was a training ship and later stone frigate of the Royal Navy. She was established as a boys' training establishment in 1865, and was based aboard a number of hulks before moving ashore. She was based alternately in Falmouth, Harwich (from 1899) and Shotley (from 1905). She remained in service at RNTE Shotley until October 1976. New building works began in February 1904, and the old HMS Minotaur arrived.[1] She had already spent time as a depot ship for various establishments. She had been named HMS Boscawen in March 1904 whilst at Portland and now arrived to provide further facilities for Ganges. The completion of shore works in 1905 led to the establishment of RNTE Shotley on 4 October. The facility included the buildings onshore and the ships offshore, which were HMS Ganges, HMS Caroline and HMS Boscawen II.[1] The focus of the establishment now moved to shore based activities, and the capstan, bitts and figureheads were moved from the ships onto the shore. In November the establishment received the ex HMS Agincourt, which had been renamed HMS Boscawen III

The Explore.

I thought I'd post this as I had seen a few people visit since and not have a great deal of luck. I visited in September, entered easily and literally had the place to ourselves the entire day. No sign of anyone at all except a little old couple when the lads decided to climb the mast of HMS Cordelia which is situated in the centre of the training ground who stood and watched as they climbed up to the non rotten point! Didn't manage to get entry in to many buildings but we did a few and obviously I wasn't leaving without getting in to see the swimming pool. That in itself would have been fine had I not had to climb nearly 20ft just to get in the damn place but hey ho, I am now a ninja climber Saying that after entering the changing rooms and coming back out again there was no sign of anyone, on looking up the boys had decided to climb across the entire roof posts above me, My ninja climbing abilities had been removed but we did find an owl Fun times!

So, the pictures!

Old Tannoy machine


Corridor Porn


One of the buildings


The cannon next to the mast


The amazing pool!


Climbing the mast


One of my fave shots


Nature has started to reclaim


Me in the pool!


Aged


Found this in a room


Changing rooms


Testing Kit


Junk

Enjoy!

WOW, what a stunning find and a great series of pics. Thanks for sharing

What a great looking site and it sounds like you fun too! Cracking set of shots.

That's a great set thank you.

Thanks guys, I love the place

Enjoyed your write up and pictures. Swimming pool was well worth the climb.

It sure was and thank you

Loving that set. Great stuff.

Mikeymutt said:

That's a great set thank you.

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hi do you know if RAF Waterbeach (Cambs) is a going concern or left to nature to consume? very interested as I served there as a soldier when the Royal Engineers inherited it from the RAF it closed down a year or two ago...steeped in history with some interesting buildings inclusive of a morgue underneath what was the Medical Center

So nice. That pool and the mast climb is jaw dropping.