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RNTE Shotley, known in the Royal Navy as HMS Ganges, was a training establishment, initially for boys starting in 1905 and latter, men's service until it closed in 1976. It closed following the raising of the school leaving age from 15 to 16. It had a mixed reputation in the Royal Navy, both for its reputed harsh methods of training boys in order to turn out professionally able, self-reliant ratings and for the professionalism of its former trainees. It is particularly famous for its 143-foot high mast which all boys under training were required to ascend, at least to the half-moon and for the mast manning ceremonies held whenever a dignitary visited the establishment.
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