HMS Ganges, Suffolk. Visited August 2020
History
Royal Naval Training Establishment Shotley, known in the Royal Navy as HMS Ganges, was a naval training establishment near Ipswich. Starting in 1905, it trained boys for naval service until it closed in 1976 following the raising of school leaving age from 15 to 16. It had a mixed reputation in the Royal Navy, both for its reputed harsh methods of training boys in order to turn out professionally able, self-reliant ratings and for the professionalism of its former trainees. It is particularly famous for its 143-foot (44 m) high mast which all boys under training were required to ascend, at least to the half-moon and for the mast manning ceremonies held whenever a dignitary visited the establishment.
During the later 1980s and until 1999 RNTE Shotley was used as a residential centre for civilian police officers to complete their basic training. Forces which used this centre included Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Thames Valley and South Wales.
Explore:
We mainly focused on the pool area but did explore a few of the other buildings on the way. Pretty much ruined but the pool was decent. There is security on site but seems as though he doesn’t leave his office so fairly easy explore. Enjoy the photos
History
Royal Naval Training Establishment Shotley, known in the Royal Navy as HMS Ganges, was a naval training establishment near Ipswich. Starting in 1905, it trained boys for naval service until it closed in 1976 following the raising of school leaving age from 15 to 16. It had a mixed reputation in the Royal Navy, both for its reputed harsh methods of training boys in order to turn out professionally able, self-reliant ratings and for the professionalism of its former trainees. It is particularly famous for its 143-foot (44 m) high mast which all boys under training were required to ascend, at least to the half-moon and for the mast manning ceremonies held whenever a dignitary visited the establishment.
During the later 1980s and until 1999 RNTE Shotley was used as a residential centre for civilian police officers to complete their basic training. Forces which used this centre included Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Thames Valley and South Wales.
Explore:
We mainly focused on the pool area but did explore a few of the other buildings on the way. Pretty much ruined but the pool was decent. There is security on site but seems as though he doesn’t leave his office so fairly easy explore. Enjoy the photos
