American Couple Reacts: Royal Navy: Manning The Mast! FIRST TIME REACTION! This is INTENSE & AMAZING 

This has literally become easily one of our favorite episodes to date and we are sure it will become one of your favorites as well. We were honestly on the edge of our seat! Hearts were racing and we were pumped! Drop a Like if you enjoyed this half as much as us and God Bless the Military! Veterans and Active duty of ALL our allies!

I am a 79 year old former Royal Marine and I get tears in my eyes every time I watch this. That young Girl makes me so proud of what the Royal Navy and it's Traditions were at that period of time. As you said, they would never let you do that now and it's something that I think makes us poorer as people and a Nation. My training in 1960 and the ethics that it gave me carried me through my Life and helped me overcome all the hardships I encountered. Why do I cry, who knows, is it for my lost youth, is it seeing something so brave or is it because I know we have lost something precious to us as people. No matter, you enjoyed it and you saw us at our best.

I've been up masts like this on a real ship at sea, in cold wet weather, furling sails, etc. It's not for the faint hearted. Those old time mariners were quite something...

The Button Girl was Nicola Howard, the first and only one. Definitely earned that Tot of Rum.

Hi from the UK. My grandfather was a Royal Marine and one thing that used to get him riled up was being referred to as a Marine. He would always say "the Americans have Marines - we have Royal Marines." But you're forgiven. I love your reactions. 😊

My cousin did this in the early 1990s before he went to his submarine. R.I.P terry parson 😢

The button-birl remembered to straighten her cap after she reached terra ferma - just how cool is that !

This is how Britania ruled the waves! Thanks ladies I'm also learning about my own country's history through you.

I love watching American's react to our stuff. Something we take for granted but clearly, it is remiss of us to do so. Thanks ladies for your tribute to all your allies at the front of your video - appreciated.

And playing the old Hymn "For Those In Peril On The Sea" - all credit to those sailors!! Fantastic show.

Perhaps you should watch a video of Fred Dibnah, steeplejack. He was totally fearless and it would make your heart shrivel!

Wow I'm british and I never knew we did this. Amazing

That last-ish song they are playing was one of my favourite hymns we used to sing in assembly, held everyday at the beginning of school. Its very appropriate as its name is 'For Those In Peril On The Sea'

The mast at Shotley was taken down earlier this year for refurbishment as the housing estate that is being built on this site has agreed to keep the mast as a historic landmark to represent the history of the site.

My brother trained at HMS Ganges, they had a permanent mast which some of the trainees climbed at their passing out parade. A little more complex that the mast shown in the video, having an area at each cross beam where it was necessary to climb out at an angle to get past the joins, He did not take part in the mast climb which I think my parents were thankful for.

I live in Lee-On-The-Solent where HMS Daedalus was, this mast-maning was held every Thursday at the base, along with the Gun Run which you have also watched. HMS Daedalus was the home of the Fleet Air Arm until the base closed. The clip you watched of the Gun Run included the Fleet Air Arm Crew from Daedalus. It was part of an annual show called The Royal Tournament and held over 2/3 weeks at Earls Court London in front of a different member of the Royal Family each night. I was very fortunate to go on several occasions as some of my family took part and on my first visit we sat right in front of the Royal Box, and with security not quite as rigid as today, Her Magesty was literally 2 feet above my head with all the other dignitaries. I had to use the toilets during the interval and without thinking I stood up, started to walk down the steps, then stopped realising where I was turned and bowed before carrying on down (no idea why I did it) . When I came back the Queen lent forward and asked me if I was enjoying the show, I was so shocked I could barely speak and just about got a 'yes ma'am' out before sitting down. I took a while to come back down to earth. At the end of the show, we all stood and sang the National Anthem. Prince Philip then lent across and gave me the Queen's programme and asked me, by name if I'd enjoyed the show. He could see I was bemused and then told me he knew who I was as my Grandfather, who I was sitting with, used to be his valet onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia and they'd been talking while I was gone. I knew he'd retired from the Navy a few years previous but never realised where his final posting was. I had the programme framed and still have it to this day. Looking back I still can't quite believe what happened that evening. If you want to see how they train the people to do both Gun Run & Mast-Manning. If you look up Fleet Air Arm Field Gun Crew, HMS Daedalus on RU-vid there are several videos (and a bit ropey) that are a fantastic watch. Thanks for all the bits you put on here, absolutely love the reactions. Seen so many now, I feel as if I know you both as friends..😄x

I live 1/2 mile from both Daedalus, and what was Ganges. My brother in law was once button boy at Ganges, a great honour. This was usually done at sea, so you would have a lot of wind. Imagine a boat swaying in wind, and the 'sails had to be unfurled. This still has to be done on 'tall ships'. Imagine this being done at the Battle of Trafalgar. This is traditional and goes back to 1500s. Bravo young lady!!!

I love this! Even though five rungs up a ladder is a white-knuckle ride for me!!! Another one for your list is "The Tall Ships Race" I'm pretty sure some nations still do this when entering harbour. I saw this done on a Swedish 4-master when it arrived in Liverpool years ago, very very impressive! Great video...

Love the expressions on your faces while watching it 👍

So so proud of our military capabilities outstanding im so teary eyed with emotion! They are just Awesome 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

As an island nation, many went to sea, various training schools, Royal and Merchant Navy. Many no longer exist. Best to "learn the ropes" as soon as possible. The Royal Navy hand salute is different to the other military, they don't show the palm of their hand.

Just love these two ladies....your love of our traditions etc is really heartwarming...long may your videos continue...thank you.

Wow! I’ve never seen this before. From a distance, you don’t know it’s people! 🤯

Remember watching these displays when I was younger and seeing your faces was priceless 🙈😀

Imagine this,on a stormy sea.

This is a really small mast compared to the one we had to climb at HMS Ganges. You can find a video of that mast manning. HMS Ganges was a training establishment for boys aged 15 to be trained before joining the Fleet, the mast was the dominant feature of the place and to stay the course it was compulsory for everyone to climb the mast but for ceremonial we had musical mast manning where the button boy had to stand on the top and salute. The mast was 147' high, the mast you are looking at was not even 100' feet.

Morning ladies, so glad you got on this one. Check out the white helmets motorcycle display team, they will blow your mind. Another great video thanks 💖😁

The top of the mast is called the crows nest back in times of military sailing ships a sailor would be posted there as look out at seat in rough conditions high winds and rough seas.

The final mast manning by RN students at Portsmouth was to celebrate VJ day anniversary in 1995. The most famous such display used to be at the cadet school HMS Ganges, but this was ended in the 70s. Over a dozen cadets had died presenting the display over the years. Still continuing, however, is the dramatic Naval window display, presented at Portsmouth.

My brother went to HMS Ganges when he joined the navy in 1971 (back then boys joined the navy age 15, boy sailors until they were 18 when they then started the navy as a adult) as his last posting he went back to Ganges as the shore base was shutting down, he was in the last ships company. 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

I served at Ganges in 1975. And the first week of training it was mandatory to climb the mast to the first platform

I joined the Royal Navy in 1966 at the age of 15, at H M S Ganges training establishment, all recruits had to climb the mast which was 143 feet high and set in concrete, a bit scary but we all did it.

Admiral Cunningham said, I think, 'It takes three years to build a ship. It takes three hundred years to build a tradition.' Things like manning the mast have been what it takes to make the Royal Navy, as you say, 'badass.' The British Army is like this too, but the Royal Navy is more showy about it. My late father was RN in the Korean War and after, and I am immensely proud of that.

Ladies , please remember in the origional "Ganges" mast the button boy did a headstand!😅

This was reintroduced in 1992 at HMS Daedalus. I was in training there and they started it with the class after mine. I was quite pleased as they often had no weekend leave as they had to do mast manning at county shows.

I am sorry,but contrary to what you think, I saw the Navy do this at the East Anglia Show (Norwich 2019).But still no harnesses or other safety equipment!(Gordon,South East England) Until 1950 they still did this on a floating ship,and very occasionally (usually in front of Royalty) still do. PS:~ I love your website.

I used to put up all of the rigging for the Royal Tournament in London. At 05:00hrs sharp, the gun crews would march out to practice the run...the biggest bloke would have the cannon over his shoulder and the two behind would each have a wheel. Every single one of them were missing fingers as instead of wasting time banging a spigot in the axle hole they would just stick a finger in and lean against the wheel while racing. My father was present in the 70's when the figure of 8 was performed and two of the teams collided...four horses tried to jump over and failed, the limber with two persons followed and went over with the cannon landing on them in front of an audience of 14,000. Four people and eight horses killed and they treated the horses first, my father asked why are the not treating the soldiers first and the answer was "they are obviously dead, and it costs more money to train a horse"

I was privileged to see this at HMS St, Vincent many years ago. Quite an amazing sight when you are actually there. I am ex RAF but from a family from Portsmouth, a Naval base in England, and I admired those young sailors tremendously. Sorry to say St Vincent was closed years ago and is now a sixth form college. Thank you ladies for posting.

I joined Ganges in 1993 and climbed the mast most Sundays served 28 years - like your chanel Ray

Here's me nodding my head to all your questions, wouldn't it be nice to find that young lady to ask her how that felt. Great one girlies really enjoyed that. Yes my heart was in my mouth the whole time and I knew what was happening. Xx

I love your content. It's so different to anything out there.

Wow! Thank you for watching that. I'm a brit and loved your reaction, l was nearly in tears with pride for our serving men and women.

My brother has done this at HMS Ganges when he joined the Navy (we have the photos of course). He ended up as a trainer at HMS Ganges helping teach new recruits how to man the mast.

I climbed the mast at HMS GANGES at aged 15/16 in 1960/61 and got as far as the button with my elbows on it but did not have the strength/courage to stand on the button. The HMS DAEDALUS mast was 93 feet which you showed, while the HMS GANGES mast was 142 feet. Like your you tube videos x

Just found your videos yesterday. Will try to catch up on your past posts.I was born 40 miles north of Shot-ley, in a place named Lowestoft, try to pronounce that! Love your reactions. Now living in Arizona with my American wife.

It's strange. I've seen this many times, and the Royal Navy Field Gun Display, and many of the other things you have watched, but I must have become a little jaded about them. I find myself seeing them anew whilst watching your reactions. Thank you for letting us see these as others do.

It is still done for special shows.

Thank you both.

Nerves of steel must be the order of the day to achieve such feats as the manning the mast. I’m proud to be British

Another classic girls, does Debbie still have any nails? Looking forward to Sunday. Love, hugs and prayers from Sussex,UK

Wow imagine doing that in the high seas !! bet that Botton girl went on to have an awesome Navy life

Women have been a part of the British armed forces for centuries but only started to get more integration in the 1990s. As of 2018, all positions are now vailable to women including special forces and serving on our Vanguard class submarines.

As a former sea cadet heard many stories of the mast races. You should react to the gun crew races next. It's a shame they stopped ( for good reason) but the history behind the gun races especially is fascinating

a couple of things for you to check out.......the Horn dancers at Abbots Bromley and also The Brittania Coconutters of Bacup and if you get time....'Obby 'Oss dance in Padstow, Cornwall.

Both the Mast and Window ladder displays were performed by the Royal Navy Display Team. This was made up of ratings taken from the fleet, not gymnasts. Being a standard draft (not just volunters) lasting just under 12 months. The team was disbanded in 1986 due to manpower cuts. I got drafted to RNDT in 1983, fantastic draft.

The slow march played as they begin to climb is "Westering Home": "Westering home with a song in the air, Light in the eye and it's good-bye to care, Laughter o' love and a welcoming there, Isle o' my heart my own one."

I was in this in 1993, we did the Royal Tournament and it was awesome. She took far too long coming down that rope, she would have been in big trouble if she had taken any longer and dropped.

She is 97 ft high and it is called The Long climb when you're on your way up for obvious reasons because of how high the mast is

Shotlley Gate isn't far from where I live. HMS Ganges is closed now and the mast there looks very neglected 🙁

I'm ex RN and live not far away from the original HMS GANGES in Suffolk in the UK it's was awesome to watch in the flesh they took no notice off the wind what so ever

Thank you so much for sharing this AMAZING video..... I feel so proud when I see them do such a great job

So glad you both enjoyed that video 👍🇬🇧

This used to be part of the traditions the old sailing navy. It was special tribute or salute to a senior officer. This was done on every mast of the ship or ships under his command. It was call Manning the Masts and I believe it was customary for the senior office to give the command to splice the mainbrace (issue an extra rum ration to all hands). It must have been some sight on the ships of the line!

Wow that ladies had some guts, I get dizzy stepping off the pavement

We do not have the same reverence towards our military as you do in the US. but they have our respect.

They marched on to Heart of Oak, the Royal Navy march past.

My brother used to do that in the 70s the place used to be called Ganges in Ipswich in that one used to be a little bit higher in that

When I was a child my Aunt and Uncle took my Brother and I to see the Royal Military show in London. I think it was at Earl's Court (but I was about 7 or 8 so I'm not sure). They definitely did the gun race and much more. It was in the 70's.

In my day it was part of a matelot's training....you couldn't pass out till you climbed the mast. fortunately I was never the 'Button Boy' who stood on the very top!

The royal tournament was great to watch. Army, navy and air force racing with a cannon over an obstacle course.

Just imagine doing that on a ship at sea. With the ship pitching and swaying with the waves.

and the person at the top of the mast is the young girl seen spoken too at the begining

This is just one of the mad things the Royal Navy are famous for including the Field gun competition 😂

The button "boy" not shinning up the top 20 feet of the mast without a jacob's ladder? Health and Safety gone mad!

Royal Engineers MGB Bridge building race. I think you might like that too.

I think that is my favourite reaction of yours, superb. I from a naval family in Pompey and saw this live often. The button got a tot of rum and a coin.

This why Britain was infamous. It always did things that others wouldn’t. The forerunners to everything.

When the Royal Navy marched onto the scene they were marching to 'Hearts Of Oak' (which is kind of their signature march).

7:28 - You ever hear that music- you know the Royal Navy/Royal Canadian Navy/Royal New Zealand Navy are on the way, so if you're up to some high seas shenanigans....RUN AWAY.

At 14 i was thinking of joining the Navy, till i saw them climbing the mast, so at 16 i joined the Air Force instead. There used to be an annual show called The Royal Tournament, and all the forces would take part doing various demonstrations, but the stars of the show were always the Navy Gun Carriage race. that band is the Royal Marines Band, and when not playing they are the support group and medics for the Royal Marines Commandos, the real fighters. yes that was a girl, but back in those days they didnt go to sea, were only based on shore. But due to government budget cuts over the last 30 years, The Royal Tournament no longer exists, so its very rare to see things like this. I was very pleased to see them use the royal navy gun crews for the queens funeral, much more impressive than the horse drawn carriage. great video girls.

Trivia when they press their trousers there's 7 creases ironed in one for each of the 7 seas 😁

I know you focus on military and this is a fantastic achievement but for jaw dropping terrifying high level work in Britain, see Fred Dibnah laddering a tower. He was a legendary steeplejack

you should check out the video of changing the lightbulb on a 2,000ft mast

ye the navy are super brilliant thanks x

Ladies… a real toe curling video from yesteryear is Fed Dibnah climbing chimney stacks in Lancashire England in the 1980s …. I will guarantee it will be terrifying

The old HMS Ganges mast the button boy “shimmies “ up the last section and there’s no iron support rod on the button … Truly terrifying

When I was at school one boy who was a sea scout seemed depressed he said that over the week-end he had seen a boy fall to his death acting as the button boy.

Used to live the gun carriage races at the Royal Tournaments. Sadly it’s not done anymore.

I loved your reactionbut Deby realy had me cracking hahahhah. Love you girls.

That was fantastic

Ganges was a tough ship , notice how everything was done at the double!

I am so proud of that gal up there!

The navy continued to use mast climbing at Ganges until its closure in 1976. The Royal Navy Communications Branch Museum notes that no other boys, of the thousands who climbed the mast, died and found no record of any serious injuries being sustained

This ceremony is still being done exactly the same way

This was still done up to 2020, not sure if it is still done. You can actually phone the Navy and ask. They still do other stuff which is good. XXX

Imagine doing this on a ship on the water pitching and tossing!!!

Great reaction to this Navy tradition. love all your reaction videos. Try the RAF White Helmets motor cycle team.

Thank you for your respect.

Great reaction. Miss those demonstrations of manning the mast and the gun race. Thank you for reminding me of days past. Have you watched the Jeremy Clarkson's The Greatest Raid? Highly recommended

The mast at HMS Ganges was much larger and more difficult to climb for the button boy