Exmouth history: the coming of the docks and railway bring prosperity

In 1861 when the railway opened there were plans for a dock, and following a public meeting in 1863 this led to the Act of 1864 and work commenced a year later by The Point, where a jetty was constructed and the first ships docked in 1868. However, in 1874 a storm destroyed part of the west wall and a year later the SS Ossian, while trying to enter the dock, collided with the jetty - breaking it in two. 1882 saw more damage when during construction of the new dock gates the outer ones gave way and the tide rushed in. Two months later they were rebuilt but the weight of the water at low tide caused both walls and gates to give way. Having been plagued with problems, eventually matters were put right and in 1894 a new iron swing bridge was installed and improvements made to the pier. In 1891 The Dock Company bought a pleasure paddle wheel steamer called The Duchess of Devonshire and it proved so successful providing pleasure trips for visitors that two years after they bought a further one called The Duke of Devonshire. The picture below shows the dock and pier with the pavilion on it around 1890. (credit: The W Sleeman collection)

The dock would accommodate ships of up to 800 tons, 180 feet in length, 25-foot beam and 14-foot draught. In 1883 Sharpe’s timber yard was established and this was followed by Wilson’s in 1893. After the First World War the dock expanded its trade to include coal and timber, fertilisers, cider and potatoes. After the Second World War trade again revived with grains and animal feedstuffs being added to the dock activity. The docks had their own railway line to transport the goods to Exeter, and around the dock area chalets were built at Shelley Beach and were sometimes referred to as the ‘Shanty Town’.

In 1933 the dock gates had been removed and the dock had become tidal. In the 1980s the Carter family acquired the docks which continued to prosper and in one year alone there were over 611 vessels docking there. As the years progressed shipping got bigger and got too large to get into the dock, which could not be widened as the dock basin was too small. A survey of the dock in 1989 showed the dock walls were in danger of collapse and in 1990 the 700 ton Star Libra was the last ship to leave the dock, which then closed.

The Point, circa 1995, in the early days of the marina redevelopment (Image: W Sleeman Collection)

There followed redevelopment of the dock into a marina for private boats and yachts, although some commercial fishing still goes on. The photo above, taken in 1995, shows the commencement of the redevelopment. The marina is now surrounded by some 300 houses and flats, the chalets at Shelley Beach having been demolished. There are also shops and restaurants and it is a bustling area of the town which attracts many visitors. The docks played their part in bringing prosperity to the town and next time we will see how the coming of the railway from Exeter helped Exmouth establish itself as a resort.

If you would like to know more, a good starting point is the library on Exeter Road. There are many books in existence on all aspects of the history of Exmouth and these can often be found not only in good bookshops but also online. The Exmouth Museum staff are always happy to help and at the museum there is plenty of history to see and read about and a comprehensive library of newspaper cuttings relating to events and people in Exmouth. Please visit the Exmouth Museum website or contact mike.menhenitt@btinternet.com