steamboats

People who imbibed well rather than wisely became a problem on Clyde steamers so much so that a consortium of businessmen decided to run a boat on strictly teetotal lines. An incentive for drinking alcohol on board was that Sunday drinking was allowed on steamers but not on land. They formed The Frith (sic) of Clyde Steam Packet Company and had in 1880 a new twin funnel steamer built by D and W Henderson of Glasgow named Ivanhoe (the nearest steamer in  the photo).  Although apparently successful and popular with ladies and those of a delicate disposition,  in 1894 bars were installed by the new owners C.S.P. coy.
The expression "steaming" and "steamboats" was and is a local expression meaning inebriated