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One of a pair of gates at the
entrance to HMS Ganges
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The 142 foot Mast has been a
landmark since it was erected in 1907
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NAAFI Juniors' Canteen on the
right with the CMG (Central Main Galley) behind. The Badge
Boys Canteen was on the first floor just behind the NAAFI
but part of the CMG building
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Another view of the Juniors'
Canteen with Nelson Hall on the right and the Parade Ground
in the foreground
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Nelson Hall - Inside were ship's
figure-heads etc. Used for drill and "Divisions" in wet
weather. Parade Ground in the foreground
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Chief Petty Officers & Petty
Officers Mess on left behind trees. Swimming Bath to the
right, behind which the Bowling Alley gave much relief from
the daily grind. Parade Ground in the foreground
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The Gymnasium. Immediately to the
right, end-on to the Parade Ground, is where the 'Green
Mansions' once stood. These were green painted corrugated
iron messdecks of Exmouth (though I am led to believe that
they may of been known by another Division name at various
times - Hawk, Collingwood?). Immediately to the right of
those, side on to the parade ground, were two sets of brick
built messdecks - During 1964 these were known as Exmouth
41,42,43 and 44 and behind those, Fisk the Photographers and
the Barber's Shop
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The Mast was origially the
foremast of HMS Cordelia
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It was a regular occurence to see
junior seamen 'Manning-the-Mast'.
This event consisted of junior seamen climbing the Mast,
usually to the accompaniment of music; some walking out onto
the yardarms, some on the rigging and at the very top the
'Button Boy' would grip the lightning conductor between his
knees whilst standing to attention and saluting.
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Looking through the base of the
Mast at the Quarterdeck. This 'sacred ground' was never
walked on by junior seamen, we always had to double-march.
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"Faith, Hope & Charity" -
these infamous steps caused much pain by sadistic Intructors
making junior seaman double up and down, over and over and
over and over.....
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The Pier - where once davits stood
erect with whalers and cutters secured
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The Pier - Saturday morning chore
of scrubbing the boats for rounds; made more unpleasant on
cold, wet mornings
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Marina - which long ago used to be
the athletics track
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Marina - which also once had the
obstacle course and the odd aircraft in the corner of the
field
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The Marina's building which now
has a display of HMS Ganges mementoes
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The lower Ganges entrance from the
athletics track
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RNSQ (Royal Naval Sick Quarters)
was in use as a hospital for the old wooden ship Ganges that
used to be moored off the Naval Pier, long before the main
establishment was built
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Another view of the
RNSQ
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In the foreground once stood
messdecks and the Gunnery School. At the top of the picture
to the left can be seen the Wardroom. Behind the tree in the
middle is the Mast and to the right is the
Library/Information Room and the Theatre
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Once again, messdecks used to
occupy the foreground. The building which has half of its
roof caved in is the Gymnasium
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At the far end of the Gymnasium,
either side of the stage, were these two huge 'paintings' of
Rudyard Kipling's poem "If". Once seen, never
forgotton
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The front entrance of the school
where a third of our instructional time was spent learning
all about English, Mathematics, Naval History
etc.
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The side entrance of the school.
We had to wear our 'blue suits' when marching to school as
it was situated outside of the Main Gate of
Ganges
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