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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As part of 10 recruitment 1969 Benbow 28 mess.
I have been back several ties to see the place. what a mess. the shame is it was not til I went back as Ships company I got to appieciate the Place. The Mast. The long covered way and Faith Hope and Charity would bring back instant memories to thousands of trogs. it would been better to shut Raleigh then this place and the location near the sea was perfect for all activities.
One of the better Ganges memory web sites. Joined November 2nd 1971, 30 Recruitment. Left the RN as an RPO in ’87. Recently retiured as a Police Superintendent.The picture of the ding hall reminds me of the perk of going to the front of the queue beacuse of my Leading Junior white gaitors.
Was at ganges from february 1961 Frobisher division,good and bad times mostly good. Pay was rubbish half a crown a week. If this is the state the police leave a place then i am very unimpressed.Jeff Heard.
My late Dad was a Ganges boy in 1947-48 and then after being commisioned, 2DO of Keppel Division in 1962 – I still have some Ganges magazines from that year. Great place to be as a kid, even got to go on the occasional MFV trip up the Orwell.
noz in annexe march ’58 onto hawke 49 mess instuctors = wiggy bennett (the pipe) & ted. fond memories of cmg bread n jam & cold tea.Up the steps from the lower fied wiv 303 over head. great days really made men of us.
Well done for publishing the current state of this establishment, should have been preserved.
Joined Ganges 2 Sept 1958. (Benbow 251 – until I was backclassed!) Some really good (and some not so bad!) memories. Faith Hope and Charity steps ran alongside the entrance to the Signal School – I know because our instructor sometimes did not have a sense of humour and sent us up and down a few times beofre going into the school! Shame to see the old place becoming so overgrown. Knowing how “we” used to keep it. Seen the mast from the top and bottom too!
Brings back some really nice (and not so nice!)memories
joined ganges in 65 never been out of wales in my life left as a po junior had a brill time only rember the good times as they say
At Ganges 1967/68 Keppel 1 Mess, 241 Class for Communications Training under RS Julian and PO Cape. I am forever perusing photos of the place and it is so sad to see its demise when so much could have been done with it if the money was there. I am looking for photos of the cinema (gymnasium), I am into the movie hoppy and write stories on cinemas. Anyone has any pics please do let me know at my email address. Many thanks.
At Ganges 1967/68 Keppel 1 Mess, 241 Class for Communications Training under RS Julian and PO Cape. I am forever perusing photos of the place and it is so sad to see its demise when so much could have been done with it if the money was there. I am looking for photos of the cinema (gymnasium), I am into the movie hoppy and write stories on cinemas. Anyone has any pics please do let me know at my email address. Many thanks.
I joined the Navy in 1972.and was in the Benbow Division.I Joined as Steward but tried to get a tranfer to the Electrical side but was refused.I was 15.5 yrs old when I joined and was bullied a lot because of my small size and timidity.I always rememeber going over to Harwich and Felistowe on the boat and having fights with the MODS on their Scooters.My mates at the time use to buy me drinks and bring them outside of the pub for me to drink as iI looked so young and nobody would serve me.We use to evade the MPs buy jumping over the fence late at nite.
HI
I AM LOOKING FOR DON SMITH WHO WAS AT HMS GANGES SHOTLEY AROUND 1955/1956 .
PLEASE GET TOUCH.
Just found the site. Joined 1968 Drake 15. The tunnels you refer to I am sure joined the hospital wards.
I spent 15 Glorious weeks here in 1990, whilst training for Essex Police. Brings back a whole heap of memories, but also so sad that the place has been left in such a state.