Description
Non-Members are welcome to book the Winter Talks at a “Non-Member’s” rate.
Guests of Members: CA and RHYC Members attending may book one non-member guest each at the member’s rate, but additional non-member guests should be booked separately at the non-member’s rate. (Husband and wife members attending are thus welcome to book two guests at the member’s rate.)
Hear the story of the restoration by the Heritage Marine Foundation of this grade II listed structure which involved the replacement of all wood spars, shot-blasting the lower iron section and of course numerous climbing harnesses, helmets and cherry pickers.
The mast is on the site of the Royal Navy shore establishment HMS Ganges. It was formerly used for mast climbing practice when the site was a training centre for boy seamen. Every boy at the school had to climb part-way up the mast to qualify. On ceremonial occasions the mast would be manned by a team of boys standing on various parts with the one who stood at the very top known as a “button boy”. Ganges closed in 1976 and the mast fell into disuse. The mast was restored in 2022-2023 as part of the redevelopment of the Ganges for housing.