HMS Ganges Summer 2002

HMS Ganges today is but a shadow of what it was 50 years ago. Thankfully, the mast is still there although some of the ratlings are gone and the safety net appears to have been removed. The playing fields, and for that matter the parade ground are overgrown with weeds. Most of the buildings are well past their 'sell by' dates of course, but it was with a sense of nostalgia to look upon these things that once were so ship-shape.

We  had an ice cream from the Post Office--still there; had a walk down School Road trying to recapture the spirit of 50 years ago.

The foreshore is, as many will know, now a marina, but we enjoyed a walk taking in the tranquillity of the view across the Orwell.

Above are some general views I took from the perimeter fence across the playing fields towards the CPO & PO's Mess, also showing what I believe was the swimming pool. The picture 2nd from the right including the mast shows part of the parade ground now overgrown with grass and weeds, as well as the long-abandoned tennis court looking towards the water tower - a depressing sight of what was once so ship-shape.

As well as the pictures of the mast (somewhat spoiled by the electricity cables) there is also a picture of the guard room and behind the officers' mess.  The gates still have a period charm about them and are a reminder of what now is very much a former age.

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