H.M.S. Ganges
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.
The Ships
H.M.S. Ganges at Harwich (1903)
HMS Ganges was towed to Harwich by the tug Alligator. She arrived on 11 November 1899. HMS Caroline had arrived shortly before Ganges and served as a temporary hospital ship. In 1907 the 143-foot (44 m) high mast of the old steam corvette HMS Cordelia was erected at Ganges and became a major landmark.
HMS Ganges was towed to Harwich by the tug Alligator. She arrived on 11 November 1899. HMS Caroline had arrived shortly before Ganges and served as a temporary hospital ship. In 1907 the 143-foot (44 m) high mast of the old steam corvette HMS Cordelia was erected at Ganges and became a major landmark.
HMS Ganges II
The old H.M.S. Minotaur had been HMS Ganges since 1906, but was renamed H.M.S. Ganges II on 25 April 1908. H.M.S. Caroline was renamed H.M.S. Ganges that month as her replacement.
By 1912 H.M.S. Ganges II was being used as an overflow ship as the number of boys in the establishment increased, and she was duly moved closer inshore. A floating dock was also moored nearby for the use of destroyers and submarines.In September 1913 H.M.S. Ganges (the former H.M.S. Caroline) was renamed H.M.S. Powerful III and left the establishment. H.M.S. Ganges II (the former H.M.S. Minotaur) was renamed H.M.S. Ganges. She became the base ship of the establishment during the First World War. On 8 October 1913 H.M.S. Ganges II became an independent command and was based at RNTE Shotley
.
The old H.M.S. Minotaur had been HMS Ganges since 1906, but was renamed H.M.S. Ganges II on 25 April 1908. H.M.S. Caroline was renamed H.M.S. Ganges that month as her replacement.
By 1912 H.M.S. Ganges II was being used as an overflow ship as the number of boys in the establishment increased, and she was duly moved closer inshore. A floating dock was also moored nearby for the use of destroyers and submarines.In September 1913 H.M.S. Ganges (the former H.M.S. Caroline) was renamed H.M.S. Powerful III and left the establishment. H.M.S. Ganges II (the former H.M.S. Minotaur) was renamed H.M.S. Ganges. She became the base ship of the establishment during the First World War. On 8 October 1913 H.M.S. Ganges II became an independent command and was based at RNTE Shotley
.
H.M.S. Ganges & Pier, with Parkeston Quay seen in the background (1913)
In the spring of 1912, Harwich received its first “Floating Dock” one of three along the East Coast. One for battleships, to be stationed in the Medway; one for destroyers, to be stationed at Harwich; and one for submarines, to be stationed at Dover. The Harwich floating Dock was built in 1911 at a cost of £28,801 and could hold two destroyers at the same time.
Alongside the dock is HMS Ganges II (formally HMS Minotaur), which was being used as an overflow ship as the number of boys in the Training establishment at Shotley increased. The floating dock moored nearby was ctually used for both destroyers and submarines. She became the base ship of the establishment during the First World War and from 1914 to 1918; HMS Ganges was commanded by Commodore (later Rear-Admiral) G. C. Cayley.
In 1916 the HMS Ganges was bombed by a German Zeppelin, with subsequent rationing measures nearly produced a mutiny in 1917 but dispersed peacefully. Other wartime activities included the establishment of a trawler base at Ganges II, and the completion of 600 miles of anti-submarine nets by boys and staff. In 1918 the base suffered outbreaks of influenza and diphtheria. Armistice Day was celebrated by a display of mast manning.
In the spring of 1912, Harwich received its first “Floating Dock” one of three along the East Coast. One for battleships, to be stationed in the Medway; one for destroyers, to be stationed at Harwich; and one for submarines, to be stationed at Dover. The Harwich floating Dock was built in 1911 at a cost of £28,801 and could hold two destroyers at the same time.
Alongside the dock is HMS Ganges II (formally HMS Minotaur), which was being used as an overflow ship as the number of boys in the Training establishment at Shotley increased. The floating dock moored nearby was ctually used for both destroyers and submarines. She became the base ship of the establishment during the First World War and from 1914 to 1918; HMS Ganges was commanded by Commodore (later Rear-Admiral) G. C. Cayley.
In 1916 the HMS Ganges was bombed by a German Zeppelin, with subsequent rationing measures nearly produced a mutiny in 1917 but dispersed peacefully. Other wartime activities included the establishment of a trawler base at Ganges II, and the completion of 600 miles of anti-submarine nets by boys and staff. In 1918 the base suffered outbreaks of influenza and diphtheria. Armistice Day was celebrated by a display of mast manning.
The Ships Crew
Shotley Barracks
The Cadets