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On the Yangzi; Line for Tracking

Tracking a junk up the Yangzi River. When wind direction permitted, a sail was used. This junk also has a line for being tracked up river. These boats are loaded with merchandise, and then are drawn up the river for hundreds of miles by coolies who walk along the shore. They haul on a rope made of bamboo attached to the masthead. Seventy coolies are employed to navigate this boat. It was said that 300,000 were employed as Yangzi boatmen. Their daily pay equalled about one and one-half cents, plus rice. A meat supplement was provided once every three months.