HMS Ganges
The Mast
The mast was erected in 1907 for boy entrant training purposes using the lower foremast (steel) from HMS Cordelia (1881) with other sections from the mizzen mast of HMS Agincourt (1865).
The overall height is 143 feet 10 inches, with the button being 11¾ inches diameter and 3 inches thick.
It was Restored in 1988 by Potten Ltd and repaired in 2000 (With donations from the Ganges Mast Trust Fund. It is a *Group II National Monument (Buildings). This means it cannot be moved, taken down or altered in any way. Neither is there any legal necessity to carry out repairs or maintenance. (* Ganges Gazette, Winter 2001, Volume 5, Edition 9, page 9.)
A Ganges Mast Trust Fund is still in existence, set up by Dickie Doyle and Geoff Hill funded by slop room sales.
The mast is now owned by the present developers and owners of the HMS Ganges site who to date (so I am informed by Dickie Doyle) have declined contact with the Mast Fund Trust or HMS Ganges Association.
The mast continues to deteriorate and its future is uncertain.
June 2004
Mast Manning Postcard circa 1937
Photograph submitted by Paul Seaton <paulseaton@paulseaton.com> whose father he believes was the button boy in the photograph.
His father (eventually CPO) Raymond SEATON was trained at HMS Ganges about 1937/8. (previously Arethusa from age 14).
He served in HMS Kent during WWII and was torpedoed & sunk 3 times, and ended the war Paul believes as a Commando with the C.O.P.P. (Combined Operations Pilotage Party) units.
At some point (currently under investigation by Paul) he was awarded the DSM.
