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 ****
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!
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 ****
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!
Last edited: