There is no harbor at Nome, Alaska, and when the Nome gold rush started in 1899, there wasn't even a city. Even as the settlement grew, it was challenging for passengers to arrive or leave by sea. Vessels anchored in deep water and barges carried the passengers between the ship and the shore. The Sesnon Lighterage Company provided ferry service for both passengers and freight. In this photo, probably taken between 1900 and 1906, a load of passengers is being lifted into a barge. They first climbed on board a pallet on the structure to the right. The pallet was then lifted and hauled to the end of the boom before being lowered to the barge. The barge will take them to the steamer "St. Paul," anchored offshore in the Bering Sea. Needless to say, this couldn't be done in rough weather.

Original title: Loading passengers for S.S. St. Paul Sesnon Lighterage Co., Nome

• Subjects (LCTGM): Arrivals & departures; Barges; Gold rushes; Ships