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

And a model training ship the exmouth truly is ; the brief history of which, who knows? may be a not unimportant factor in the making of British history. To appreciate this paradox, reader, you must see this tiny, yet withal so manly, crew as it was a short time ago my good fortune to see them when I visited the vessel, piloted by that genial assistant clerk to the Metropolitan Asylums Board, Mr. John Mallett. The notice informing the Captain Superintendent of our intended visit, I afterwards learned, had reached him but a few minutes previous to our arrival.

'At Gymnastics' and 'Rifle Drill' - aboard the training ship Exmouth.

Yet the moment we appeared on the landing-stage, the wind carried to us five notes of an assembly call. This was the distinct sign of life on board. But scarcely had it passed by when, as if by magic, the cutters and whalers, the gigs and pinnacles, and the launches of the Exmouth were manned and afloat ; when on the main and upper decks, and on the bowsprit, and up to the fore, main, and mizzen masts swarmed Lilliputians to their posts, every tiny man ready to "do his duty." Though to be sure, it is not an easy duty these sailor boys have to perform, for the routine and discipline on board the Exmouth is as that on board a man-of-war, tempered only by a consideration of the youth of the crew and by the maxim that "kindness leads farther than harrshness."

'Fencing Drill' and 'Field Gun Drill' - aboard the training ship Exmouth.