<p>My spouse's uncle Elstner Hilton took this photo in Japan between 1914 and 1918.
</p><p>I am not certain this is a ferry boat, but I have a strong hunch that this vessel's mission is to carry people from one side of the river to the other.
</p><p>One hint is the boat lacks any sort of sail, though there is a mast that has lines attached to it.  Another hint is the ropes at the front and rear of the vessel. Those ropes may be what keeps the ferry on course as it traverses the river.
</p><p>Finally, some of the people in the photo just look like ferry passengers - they're hanging out waiting to reach the other side.
</p>
If any viewer has a different interpretation, please let me know as I welcome discussion about these photos.<br>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/40595948@N00">A.Davey</a> from Portland, Oregon, EE UU
CC BY 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adavey/5094334009/">River Ferry</a>