Volume Two - The Era of Optimism, Investment & Development - The demise of H.M.S. Exmouth at Penarth Dock - 1905 . . .

. . . . The Exmouth was a 91 gun, two-decked line-of-battleship, and since 1876 she has been a training ship for the work-house lads belonging to the Metropolitan Poor Law Union. In 29 years she has passed out 3,500 lads to the Navy, 3,000 to the mercantile service, and 1,200 others who have been trained to play instruments have been drafted into the Army as band boys. But the Exmouth has fallen into decay, and it was found necessary to replace her by a new ship, recently launched at Barrow. Mr Norris, who it will be remembered, also bought the old Havannah, anticipates that the Exmouth will arrive about May 20th.' The Cardiff Times [019] [361] 13th May 1905.

To Be Broken Up - Exmouth Expected at Cardiff This Evening - 'The old wooden training ship Exmouth, which is being brought to Cardiff to be broken up, passed Ilfracombe this morning in tow of Messrs. Guy's tugs, Rose and White Rose. It is expected that the vessel will be beached at Penarth this evening.' Evening Express [135] [361] 13th May 1905.

The Exmouth Arrives at Penarth - 'The old wooden training ship was beached at Penarth on Friday. She arrived in tow of Messrs. Guy's tugs Rose and White Rose, and is to be broken up.' Evening Express [135] [361] 20th May 1905.

Destruction of Old Warships - A Penarth Industry - 'The old warship Exmouth, which has been purchased for the purpose of breaking up by Mr Harry Norris, Cardiff, arrived at Penarth on Friday, and on Saturday was visited by some hundreds of people. The Exmouth, the breaking up of which will give employment to between 30 and 40 men for at least two years, is now alongside another old English bulwark, the Endymion. The latter is in the course of demolition and gives work each day to some 20 to 30 men. It is not anticipated that the work will be completed for at least twelve months.' The Cardiff Times [019] [361] 27th May 1905.

The Cardiff Times, as always, provides us with an informed and sympathetic report of events:- 'Warships, like Kings, never die. Whilst the old ship Exmouth is being broken up at Penarth the Metropolitan Asylums Board have resolved to build a new "ship" to take its place, where-on boys will be trained in seamanship. Judging by the details of it published in the "Local Government Journal," the average British boy has cause to envy the comforts provided there for their more "unfortunate" embryo patriots.' The Cardiff Times [019] [361] 10th June 1905.