HMS Ganges
Main gate
The two figureheads outside the main gate were, on the right, St Vincent
taken from the Training Ship HMS St Vincent moored at Portsmouth until
3/12/06 when the 299 Boys under training together with 3 Warrant Officers
and 3 Instructors were moved to HMS Ganges at Shotley. First in service
1815. Boys training ship from 01/01/1862 paid off 04/01/1906 sold 17/05/1906.
This was the original figurehead taken from the First rate until replaced
by a plaster replica in 1945.
The figurehead on the left (Guard house side), this was taken from HMS
Caledonia first in service in 1810. Originally named HMS Impregnable (hence
the fort in the centre) renamed HMS Kent on 01/01/1888 finally renamed HMS
Caledonia when she became a Boys training ship stationed in the Firth of
Forth at Queensferry on 22/09/1891. When she paid off 03/01/1906, 166 Boys
and 3 Officers were transferred by train to HMS Ganges at Shotley. Finally
sold 10/07/1906. This figurehead was the original from HMS Caledonia ex
Impregnable/Kent.
Where the field guns came from I know not, suffice to say
these weapons appear in many places in quite a few photographs, such as
alongside the Ganges figurehead under the mast etc.
