This memorial was erected in 1872 and records the names of the fifty three boys who died between 1866 and 1899 whilst training to become sailors in the Royal Navy. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars the Navy no longer used impressment to make up its numbers, but instead had improved the terms and conditions of seamen and offered them a pension after a fixed term of service. In order to train enough recruits it was decided to use a number of laid up ships as training establishments and moor them in various harbours around the country.
Boys aged fifteen to seventeen were then asked to volunteer for service in the Royal Navy, serving at least a year on one of these ships. H.M.S. Ganges was one of the ships chosen, and she was moored just down from a small dockyard at Mylor, where the marina is now. She was a second rate three masted ship, 196 feet long carrying 84 guns. She was made of teak and launched from the Bombay Dockyard in November 1821. She had a largely uneventful service, and was the last sailing battleship to round Cape Horn without the aid of steam.
However it was on the 20th March 1866 that the name of ‘Ganges’ entered into naval history, for it was then that she was moored here at Mylor and started a tradition of training boy seamen that would last for over a hundred years. The ship itself remained at Mylor for thirty three years and trained nearly fourteen thousand boys. Unfortunately the boys remembered here were to remain forever. Most died of influenza or measles which were fatal in those days, but eight died of accidents, and in the same period sixteen of the crew also died. The ship was removed from Mylor on 27th August 1899 and moved to Harwich where she continued to train boys until a shore establishment was built at Shotley Point in 1905. This tradition carried on untill 1976 when changing times saw its closure.
I must confess an interest here. In 1963 I was in the Junior Royal Marines and I competed at Ganges in the inter services swimming and water polo. The big feature of Ganges was its enormous ship’s mast, and naturally we were challenged to a race up the top. I got to the top of the mast and thought that was enough, only to be pushed aside by a boy who proceeded to stand on the button on one leg. None of our swimming team dared to do the same. It was the only time as a Royal Marine that I was beaten by another Service. Shame.
This film was made by John Douglas.
John McMullen says
I have read the account of your father days at H.M.S. Ganges and it’s a true reflection of the time. I was a Ganges trainee in 1975 just before it was closed in 76 . I enjoyed my time as did most men joining the military. I look back with fondness and it’s nice to find such heart felt words. I too tried the Mast but only made it to the half moon so your father was a great man to have gotten that far. “Boys into men” .
Kind regards
Mr J Y McMullen
Mr j a smith says
My wife has found a photo with others of a sailor who served on HMS Ganges, l believe it could be around 1930. he is wearing a black head gear, where if you can help , can l obtain a list of deaths of sailors or a list od all who sailed on the above ship.
Stuart gow says
I was in ganges in may 61 and never regretted a minute of my time, going over the mast was terrifying but I made it, I was in Agincourt mess in the annexe and Grenville in the long covered way, It was an experience to be remembered!!!!
Neil leishman says
Hi
It’s very interesting to hear the history behind an establishment. My father entered the service through HMS Ganges and often said of the good times he had there. He was a button boy and to his credit or maybe foolish youth he climbed and did a handstand on the button all for a packet of woodbines. I worked with him in later life and he had absolutely no fear of heights. A great man sadly missed.