The Trafalgar Figurehead at HMS Ganges and the reason it was there.

HMS 'Trafalgar' was launched in 1841 from Woolwich Dockyard after spending a lengthy 11 years in construction. The 1st rate, 120 gun ship, 2404bm, 196ft, took part in the bombardment of Sebastopol during the Crimea War. In 1858 the ship underwent alterations turning her into a two-decked, steam powered ‘screw battleship’. 'Trafalgar' then became part of the Channel and Mediterranean fleets and in 1865 a guard ship at Queensferry. Between 1870 and 1906 Trafalgar was used as a training ship for cadets and after being renamed 'Boscawen', was stationed at Portland as a boys’ training ship finally being sold in 1906 to Castle & Co. of London for breaking up after boys training was transferred to Shotley in 1905.

There were three ships in the Boscawen training complex. The other two being the Agincourt and the Minatour. Resulting from the decision to move boys training ashore to Shotley the Boscawen group at Portland was broken up with the Agincourt and Minatour being moved to Shotley and the old Trafalgar sold. As far as I can find out the only part of her to be brought to Shotley was her figure head that stood for many years at the South end of the quarterdeck alongside the gate leading to the sick bay just the other side of the fence from the sisters quarters.

I believe it was about mid 1950 all the figureheads were taken into Nelson Hall, including Ganges - The Indian Prince from under the Mast and Caledonia and St Vincent either side of the main gate.

The St Vincent found in Nelson Hall was not the original which had deteriorated to such an extent that it had to be replaced by the one to be found there in our time - 1948-50 - this was a paper mache replica that was left behind when the Navy left Shotley and was badly damaged by the young athletes of Eurosports days who it seems had fun throwing such as javelins at it. When Potton’s took over they gave it us for the Association. Upon this happening we sold this figurehead to Pussers Rum who had it repaired and sent to their head office in the British Virgin Isles.

The above information has kindly beene supplied by Dickie Doyle.