HMS Ganges is situated on the Shotley Peninsula in Suffolk. It used to be a training camp for the Navy until 1976, and in later years it was a police training school. It closed in 1998 or something.
At the start of 2006 the site was subject to a controversial planning war – some developers want to build a ton of homes etc on the site, but locals don’t want that. In July 2006 the Secretary of State intervened and rejected all plans!
Mast
Anyone who visits Shotley can’t fail to notice a huge mast that dominates the skyline. I can’t find out exactly how high it is – various websites say it’s between 130 and 150ft high. That is damn high. And kids had to climb it when they were training in the navy. If that doesn’t sound too bad, the wind on the ground was ferocious when I visited. I can’t imagine what it would be like at the top of it.
Signal school
This building was a Signal School apparently, which was created to teach flag signalling and telecommunications. I don’t know too much about it, but it did have fantastic bricks inside.
In one room were some educational posters on one wall. They were in quite a bad state, but some parts were still readable. Time to learn some nautical signals…
Swimming pool
This’ll be where people swam.
Main block
Martello Towers
There are two of these towers on site, both of which have been converted to water towers. One has had an additional observation post built onto it which gives splendid views accross the estuary to Harwich and Felixstowe. The same tower also has a mast on it, and a broken one is stored underneath it.
Other buildings
Some of the other buildings on site…
Fort/Battery
An old battery remains on the grounds of HMS Ganges. It was built in 1865 to protect the port of Felixstowe, and to supplement the forts at Felixstowe and Harwich.
Bomb Shelters
Scattered around the site are various bomb shelters.
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36 rec/Benbow Div. 31mess 1972/73 not much left but reconized most of the buildings, went there in ‘ 94 took some photo’s then, must hunt them out, got some of the last remaining nissan hut, can’t see any on your web site, also got some of the gym and swimming pool they look to be demolished as well. I also noticed the running track was turned into a marina. Going back when i’m a 100 to climb the mast one more time.
1963-64 – comms
been back a few times – wish I could do it again – would like to see some orignals photos of HMS Mercury?
a site of historical intrest left to die by a shit goverment that would rather turn everythink into giant housing estates (john prescot biggest w***er ever to walk gods green earth) rant over
At HMS Ganges 1960-61, trained as a Radio Operator (Sparker). The board on classroom door showed Class: Division. WOC: Weeks on Course, Instr: Your Class Instructor. Many happy memories
Sitting here looking over old pictures of Ganges, It only seems like yesterday I got off the train with the other 200ish 15 year olds, It was the 12th of July 1971, 26 recruitment and we were put in the short covered way (Benbow Div) Ashanti mess. I’m still in the Navy and only 13 more months to do. What a wonderful life I have had.
Many thanks for the memories.
P.S. I think I can remember Alex Stoddart. Not Sure, Must be having a senior moment.
I was a front rank drummer in the bugle band with steve quincey in 66/67
SUCH A CRYING SHAME TO SEE THE STATE THE PLACE IS IN ,COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS WHEN I WAS THERE IN 1961/62.
I was in Anson 20 mess with you Tug.My name was Binns then.I last saw you at Sultan in 73.I was doing the Stoker P.Os course,and you had finished the Mechs course.Tim Rayner our old P.O Junior was there as well.Happy Days!!Great photos.Brought back loads of memories.Keep up the good work.
There were more trench-like air raid shelters alongside the pool and P.O.s mess and they were all filled in in July/August 1966. I was at Ganges from June 1966 to April 1967.
My Dad joined Ganges as a boy in 1937 and went back several times as an instructor C.P.O./G.I Barber [ALI] we lived in the married qtrs when I was young late 50s- early 60s I have some great memories of Ganges and it is heartbreaking to see the place in such a state when I think of the pride that was instilled behind those glorious gates I am almost grateful that my Dad isnt around to see it.
Wow the memories are flooding back,i was there in 1964,Hawke 47mess classes 292/293,73rec,then Drake 40mess classes212/213,it was hard but made men of some lads,pity they dont make some sort of memorial on site to remember all the lads who passed through the gates
Joined September 1965 I was in Rodney 15 Mess Long Covered Way.Great pics great times had at Ganges,went to join HMS Eagle,London and Juno spent time at HMS Camb in Plymouth and Whale Isleland Portsmouth also Dryad.All good memories.
I was introduced to this site by another ex Ganges classmate. We were in Hawke 47 Mess from 58/59 242 class. Shame to see the place as is in pictures. We got Shotley Routine once, hell of a week. Climbed the mast at least twice in those days, but not to the button. All the comments listed are so true. 15 year olds, such discipline, parade ground tocuts to cells. No one would believe what we had to go through.
However, it gave me a great basis for life.
I am the classmate of John Mair who visited this great website yesterday. We have just met up again recently, it being 50 years since we walked thru the gate together in June 1958. Wonderful memories,but sad to see the place so neglected.
To all you ex Ganges boys out there, God Speed, Happy Sailing
I am compiling a Naval Career album of my brother the late Philip Paul Mitchell who sadly died suddenly Oct 07 aged 56 yrs. Phil was at HMS Ganges Aug 66 – Jul 67. If any of you knew Philip and could send me tales of your exploits and copies of any photos you may have I would be such a happy sister. I would like to present this album to Christine, Philip’s widow. I hope someone on this site can help me achieve my goal. Many thanks for reading this. Kind regards Cheryl