Pleasure Boats

Today tourists and holidaymakers take motor and narrow boats for leisurely cruises along the river or canal. For centuries most of the craft on the Severn were there to work. But never all of them!

The Packet Steamers

Over many years, if you wanted an intimate river trip, rowing boats could be hired from below Westgate Bridge. For those who wanted to go further afield, or who could not face the strong Severn currents, there were the fondly remembered "Saloon Steamers".

From the 1880s, the `Berkeley Castle' and `Windsor Castle' left Westgate Bridge for Tewkesbury and Worcester twice a day everyday except Sundays. Meanwhile from the Docks the "Lapwing" and "Wave" cruised to Sharpness and the villages in-between. They had been doing so done since the 1850s. They were noted for their smart red and white paint-work and comfortable `saloon'. However f you had only bought a cheap ticket, then you could only sit on deck. There you might well share your journey with sheep, calves or other livestock. This is because they were packet boats that took packages, animals and anything that could be got onboard to the Severnside villages. They were for many, the only public transport to Gloucester. That is until the motorbus arrived in the 20th Century. In 1931 the `Lapwing' was withdrawn, and in 1932 the `Wave' followed. They were the very last steamboats of their kind on any British canal.