The 1890s were the heyday of the Clyde steamer. As the new railways systems established railway after railway on the great river, competition came from the new steamer fleets that provided a lavish transport service that competed with coastal traffic. This book recounts the story of both the railway's invasion of the coast services and the rival steamer fleets which included some of the most famous ships of their kind ever built - MacBrayne's "Columba" and "Iona", the Turbine Company's "King Edward" and railway vessels such as the "Glen Sannox", the "Duchesses" and the "Waverley". The book also weaves social background and humour into the narrative.