Black and white photograph of a steamboat filled with people sailing away from the coast. A sign for the Asiatic Petroleum Company is visible in the background. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a pier buildings along the shore. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a small wooden tide gauge house under the end of the pier. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a small wooden tide gauge house under the end of the pier. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a pier surrounded by ships. A rowboat is visible floating closer to the photographer. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a group of people sitting in a mule-drawn wagon. Three people are standing on the ground behind the wagon. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of Lena Merrill and another woman, "Kam," standing in front of large tents on the beach. Lena is holding the leash of a small monkey seated at their feet. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort…

Black and white photograph of Lena Merrill standing behind a horse-drawn wagon. Several beach tents are behind the wagon. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a Chinese man standing next to a tide gauge house and pier. Another person is visible standing on top of the pier. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of two Chinese men in front of an open door. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu. The image appears to be double exposed with a view of a pier and tide gauge house across…

Black and white photograph of a field surrounded by trees with sand dunes in the distance. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu. The images shows cottages scattered across a countryside in front of a mountain.

Black and white photograph of eight white people, including five men and three women, sitting around a table on a porch. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a stone cottage from the street. A group of people are visible standing on the porch.

Black and white photograph of a town in the distance with several cottages between the town and the photographer. A pile of stones is stacked near one of the cottages in the foreground. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal…

Black and white photograph of eight whitepeople, three men, four women, and a toddler, sitting on the porch of a brick building with white windows and dark painted shutters. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area…

Black and white photograph of eight white people in swimsuits sitting on the beach in front of a shelter. Another shelter is visible in the background. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a bench in front of the side of a house. A balcony can be seen on the second floor of the house.

Black and white photograph of a man and a woman sitting on a deck attached to the side of a house. The photo is taken from ground level looking up a flight of wooden stairs to the deck.

Black and white photograph of a bench surrounded by trees on a hill next to a small house.

Black and white photograph of a small house surrounded by trees.

Black and white photograph of four men standing on makeshift wooden plank bridge over water next to a brick structure. One man is kneeling and reaching one arm into the water. A large tube is leading from a machine next to the dock into the water.

Black and white photograph of two men in front of a stone wall. One man is sitting in a diving suit, and the other man is standing next to him, holding the diving helmet.

Black and white photograph of a group of people standing on the edge of a mountain. Another mountain can be seen in the distance. Stone walls are standing between the photographer and the crowd of people.