This fascinating image shows a group of young men and boys, mostly teenagers, one of whom is wearing swimming attire and no footwear, suggesting that he has been swimming in the canal. The others are stood either side of him in a group clearly posed for the camera. We can only speculate as to what was going on here, but possibly he is being celebrated as some sort of hero, maybe a swimming champion? At the time, swimming in the canal was prohibited but nonetheless common. The other boys are mostly dressed in worn clothing, suggesting that they are from poor families, and they may be working in manual jobs. Most are wearing boots. Gasholders may be seen in the background.