A photographic postcard that has been hand-tinted. The legend in red at the top reads "Tonging for Toke Point Oysters, near mouth of the Columbia River". More than a dozen men are each standing a wooden boat. The boats are flattened in profile and ride low in the calm water. The central area of the boat is used to pile up the oysters, and the oystermen stand on a broad rim that runs around the edge. They hold long poles in their hands. These are the handles of tongs, long tools with rake-like ends that are opened when put into the water, scraped against the oysters, and closed to haul up the catch. The men are dressed in working clothes such as overalls and hats. In the background are several larger boats. On the horizon mountains are visible.
