1840  (1951)  . . . a tracking line was attached to the boat, and the men towed her along the Shore.
1953  The banks of the Albany are wide and smooth, and it is therefore easy to walk along, a dozen or fifteen men on the tracking line, towing the boat.
1954  Tracking lines are made in the same manner as I am told Mr. Turnor made one here in your time, it's so simple a contrivance that any body that has seen Rope makers at work, or can twist three threads together can do it.
1964  Old tracking line or bale cords were used for buoy lines, for trout lines and for mending nets.