HMS Ganges

The name comes from an Indian Holy River

The Crest: An elephant statant upon three wavelets of silver.

Motto: "Wisom is Strength"

Ganges the Ship: 2nd Rate of 84 guns of the Formidable Class

The ship became a training ship for boys in Portsmouth Harbour from 1857 until 1866. She was moved to Falmouth in 1866 and carried on with the boys training. In August 1899 she was taken to Devonport for a refit and on completion was taken round to Harwich on 11th November 1899.

In 1903 the ship was moved to Shotley and in 1905 the boys moved into the shore barracks. Training continued at the shore barracks until 1976 when the establishment closed its doors for the final time.

After the boys moved ashore the ship was renamed Tenedos III on 26th June 1906 and left Shotley in July of the same year.

On 13th August 1910 the ship waqs renamed Indus V only to renamed yet again on 12th October 1922 as Impregnable III.

The ship was sold on 31st August 1929 and went to the breakers.

I joined Ganges, along with other new entrants, on 9th January 1962 where our first four weeks were spent under the ever-watchful eyes of CPO Smith and Leading Boy Birch.

The Divisional Officer was Leuitentant Commander P Kinchen with 2nd Divisional Officer Sub Leuitenant (SD) (C) V E MacDowell. Both these officers were later relieved by Leuitenant Commander M H Gilbert and Sun Leuitenant (SD) (C) P Wailes.

There were two Captains at Ganges whilst I was there - firstly Captain J R Gower DSC, ADC and then Captain C P Norman DSO, DSC.

There were many new places to get acquainted with and I suppose for us growing lads one of the most important was the dining hall pictured above -

 - and if you liked swimming, which I did, the pool came a very close second.

I received my Coxswain's sailing badge on 2nd March 1962; the river took up much of my spare time. One of the best things about about being duty Coxswain was that night duties were spent in the duty boats crew mess which of course gave a break from the normal routine.

The photo on the right is of Drake's Cutter's Crew. As you can see, the Coxswain (me) was allowed the "badge of office" of the white pullover.

To relieve the routines expeditions were undertaken and we went on one to British Sugar Corporation, Ransome, Rapiers and Fisons at Ipswich. This company was on a jetty and we travelled there in their Motor Fishing Vessel (MVF) which gave us all a bit of fun.

As a boy Coxswain (and wearing my white pullover!) I was allowed to take the wheel - the first reasonable size vessel I'd had the chance to drive. Little did I know how that experience would stand me in good stead in later years.

Another expedition took us to RAF Wattesham where we spent the weekend with the RAF who looked after us.

Parents' Day for 1962 was held on 7th July - this event took over all the Establishment. Everyone had to know exactly where they were due to be and what they were expected to do and woebetide anyone who failed in this most important event.

Divisons and mast-manning were in time with the music of the Band of Royal Marines and most impressive it was too.

And last but not least - can we ever forget Ganges Mess? This was 38 Mess, Drake Division with CPO Mellow and CPO Smith. To both of them I can only say thanks for giving me a great start in that bewildering and strange world called The Royal Navy.

A little of the original ship Ganges can be seen at Guildford Catherdral where the cross is made from some of her timbers.