THERE were troubled waters at Worcester in Edwardian times with regular protests about the pleasure steamers plying the Severn.

The "steamboats" were obviously very popular with their users, but the temperance lobby and various local authorities were deeply concerned that these pleasure craft had become waterborne havens of drunkenness, not restricted by the same licensing laws as public-houses.

The steamer captains had also come in for a lot of criticism for "speeding" along the river and for riding rough-shod over lesser vessels, causing a number of collisions and near misses.

Berrow's Journal for this week 100 years ago reported on the latest case of "A Captain's Alleged Incaution."

"At the City Police Court, steamer captain Arthur Smith of Hylton Road, Worcester, and the steamer owners, Messrs E.P Evans and F.P Davies were charged with navigating the River Severn without special care and caution when meeting another vessel and with travelling at such a speed and in such a manner as to endanger the safety of persons in another vessel.

"The Town Clerk, prosecuting, said that about eight o'clock in the evening a four-oar boat of the Worcester Rowing Club was going down the river when it was approached by the steamer 'Lady Alwyne' going upstream with passengers to Holt.

"The rowers lay on their oars and shouted to the steamer to take care, but the warning was disregarded, and the 'Lady Alwyne' took no avoiding action, staying very much on its course.

The passing steamer then created such a wash as to fill the rowing boat which sank, causing its occupants to swim ashore.

"The Town Clerk pointed to the serious consequences which might have occurred had those in the small boat not been experienced and good swimmers.

"However, steamer captain Arthur Smith told the court he had only been travelling at half-speed up to the railway viaduct and slower still afterwards, perhaps at just eight miles an hour. He knew nothing of the accident happening , though he blew the whistle as a warning at each little turn. He stressed too that it had been dark at the time.

"George Brachen of Ombersley, who organised the party of juvenile Oddfellows on board, also testified to the slow speed of the steamer and to the darkness.

"However, the Bench found the case proved and fined the defendants £3 each with costs of 26s.6d costs."