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

And again, within the same period, 900 have joined the Army as band boys ; whilst hundreds, once more, embarked with average, fair success upon other occupations, taking to handicrafts, trades, and industries for which they received their first moral and sound practical training on board this veteran three-decker.

A large part of the striking prosperity which has attended the Exmouth is undoubtedly due to the most competent Captain Superintendent in Staff Commander W. S. Bourchier. Entering the Navy in 1840, as a navigating midshipman on board the Impregnable, this officer had, previous to his appointment to the Goliath in 1870, passed through a school of excellent training. After successive services as navigating sub-lieutenant, first in the Mediterranean, on board the Polyphemus ; then on the south-east coast of America, on the brigantine Griffon, he had (upon having been promoted navigating lieutenant) held the command of the Myrtle, steamer-tender to the flagships, for close on twelve years. And this varied and instructive career Captain Bourchier had been able to complete by a further service as navigating lieutenant to the then Captain, now Admiral Sir Anthony Hoskins, on board the Zebra, engaged upon a lengthy cruise along the coast of Africa. With so thoroughly trained and experienced an officer in command the experiment could, therefore, hardly fail to prosper.

Captain Bourchier, his daughter and grand-daughter - a photograph taken aboard the training ship Exmouth.

So successful, indeed, has been the training and other educational work carried on board this splendid three-decker that the last report of Admiral Bosanquet, than whom as Inspecting Captain-General of Naval Training Ships there can hardly be a better authority, may be taken as typical. In this report he says:-

The training ship Exmouth for boys is in most excellent order. The drills and instructions are exceedingly well taught, and the comfort and well-being of the boys is sedulously attended to. Captain Bourchier's arrangements are admirable and conscientiously carried out by a very staff of officers. It is a model training ship.