The Steam packet ‘Atlanta’ at Owston Ferry, tied up at the landing stage waiting to depart to Gainsborough. Steam packets were popular along the River Trent as they allowed for the transportation of freight as well as trips out.
The Gainsborough United Steam Packet Limited ran a steam packet route from Gainsborough to Hull and Grimsby. The ‘Atlanta’ was the companies most powerful steamer. They would stop and depart daily from the White Hart inn which was situated along the riverbank.
Refreshments were available onboard the steamers and many provide a breakfast for a small cost.
To travel from Gainsborough to Hull and back you would expect to pay 2s 6d for a first-class ticket and 2s 0d for a second-class ticket. Children under 12 were half price. They were a popular way of visiting bigger towns and cities especially on market day.
Image courtesy of North Lincolnshire Museum service.
