Grooved rocks at a sharp turn in the Yangtze River, 1914, Elliott collection, El01-49
Close up photographs of Yangtze River trackers at work pulling boats along the river and through rapids, are scarce, perhaps because the men often worked naked. Nevertheless, decorum permitted an interesting detail (El01-49), as recorded in the caption in the album: “1914. A sharp turn on the river. Rocks grooved by centuries of wear by the tow lines of the boats going up river”.
Whilst one man oversees the rollers, another higher up is probably keeping watch on the boats and their trackers. The ropes may have been made from bamboo – see Pa01-24.