In 1901 the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce issued NEEDS AND COMMERCE OF THE SACRAMENTO RIVER to chronicle and illustrate work done on the upper Sacramento River. This photo from the booklet shows a shagboat and its robust crew of shagmen. Stalwart, upright and hardened by their years of moving lumber in and out of often difficult spots to reach in an era when there were wooden ships and wooden men, these unsung heroes take a break from their long hours on the job and stare penetratingly at the camera. Snagboats were used to maintain the navigability of the upper Sacramento River by removing snags and shoals.
