Although the Ribble was not officially navigable even as far as Penwortham old bridge, it was suitable for pleasure boating along the stretch from Penwortham past Miller and Avenham Parks.
This photograph, taken about 1890, shows a regatta, with the crews lined up outside the boat-house just below the North Union Railway viaduct.
The North Union Viaduct was widened with a steel addition in 1902 which can be clearly seen in this photograph, taken c.1905. In the corner of this picture you can see the "Pleasure Boat Inn", with the boats that were hired out by the landlord, Mr Crook. The inn is now called the "Continental".
