HMS Ganges mast Video 2019 11 06 at 21 01 40

This is the mast of the former HMS Ganges, at Shotley Gate, Nr Ipswitch in Suffolk. This base was the training school for Communicators of the Royal Navy. I joined in November 1954 at the age of 15 and left for my first ship, a Colony class cruiser, HMS Ceylon in October 1956 which sailed in November as part of the Task Force in the "Suez Crisis".
This mast was quite formidable and each class of boys had to climb to the Devils Elbow, which is the small platform below the top yard arm, go through the small hole on one side and back down through the other hole. I have climbed to the button on the top 3 times on Sunday afternoons. To be Button Boy when the mast was manned on special occasions was an honor and whoever had that honor was paid 1 shilling (20 shillings in each £1 sterling) but was a vast sum to us in those days. I was never a "Button Boy".
This mast is now a "Listed Building" and is to be renovated to it's former glory. It was also the highest mast in any Naval establishment, and is from the former wooden hulled ship "HMS Ganges".

Видео HMS Ganges mast Video 2019 11 06 at 21 01 40 канала David Butler