HMS GANGES Ceremonial Mast.

Heritage Marine Foundation carried out an initial inspection and survey of the former HMS Ganges mast in its current condition. On going research led the Foundation to draw up an informed conservation plan and submit a consolidated statement to the council for the removal and complete restoration and reinstatement of the Training Mast for the former Royal Naval Training Establishment HMS Ganges at Shotley, Suffolk.

About HMS Ganges Ceremonial Mast.

HMS Ganges shoreside training was established in 1905 and the iconic mast has stood at this sight since 1907. The mast stands an impressive 143feet (44meters) and was reputedly taken from the old steam corvette HMS Cordelia. The shoreside training centre had possibly 150,000 boys pass through its doors before the white ensign was finally lowered on the 29th October 1976. The site has now been acquired for development, and this will see the mast restored for future generations. 

The Restoration

In May 2022 TS Rigging Ltd started the restoration of the mast at Shotley, the mast was dismantled with a detailed set of measurements and a photographic record being kept of every component as it was struck down.

The sections of the mast were moved in to the old drill hall on site where the restoration took place over 15 months, all the main timber sections of the mast were replace with home grown Douglas fir for the spars and green heart for the tops platform.

One of the foundations apprentices Lucian Hawkes worked with lead shipwright Andy “Droid” Balfe to carry out the complete restoration of the mast seeing it fully complete in Auguist 2023.

HMS Ganges Museum