Spikes were hostels of sorts where you went and got 3 days (not sure of exact no) free board and lodgings in order to clean up and get sorted out. These were used mostly by people who had been skippering for a long time and were in need of a clean up. There was strictly no drinking on these premises. There was a really good one in Wales cant remember where exactly,brains a bit pickled at my age.

I would guess that these were forerunners of The Salvation Army Hostels.