A man, a plan, a canal: Panama

Fr8monkey · 08-16-14, 01:03 PM

A grand celebration was originally planned for the official opening of the canal, as befitting so great an effort which had aroused strong feelings for many years. However, the outbreak of World War I forced cancellation of the main festivities, and the grand opening became a modest local affair. The Panama Railway steamship SS Ancon, piloted by Captain John A. Constantine, the Canal's first pilot, made the first official transit of the canal.

It was on this date that the 50-mile-long canal officially opened to traffic after more than 30 years of planning, blasting, dredging, and building. Here are some vintage photos of the canal during the construction and in action.

Sailor Steve · 08-16-14, 01:11 PM

Nice! Thanks for sharing those.

Betonov · 08-16-14, 01:11 PM

A BBC documentary on the Canal.
A little more dramatic, but so more enjoyable to watch

Oberon · 08-16-14, 01:27 PM

A remarkable achievement, both it and the Suez, revolutionary really in terms of the time it saved in transit. Hard to think that both canals are in danger of bottlenecks now, so much material transits by sea. Who would have thought back then that we'd have 'Capesize' vessels.

Betonov · 08-16-14, 03:24 PM

Let's not forget the politician, that made sure the legal, political and bueraucratic obstacles didn't hinder the project. the dirt flew, at any price

Jimbuna · 08-17-14, 05:51 AM

Sailed through the Suez (each way) but not the Panama.

My lad has done them both and still does pretty regular.

Pretty spectacular man-made achievements (both canals that is) imho

Wolferz · 08-17-14, 06:34 AM

Can you imagine the price of goods today if they still needed to transit around Africa or South America?

A

to all the workers who gave up their lives to the mosquitoes.

Jimbuna · 08-17-14, 07:31 AM

^ That was never their intention....honestly.

Rockstar · 08-17-14, 08:09 AM

I lived down there for a number years, a truly awesome experience growing up. Things have changed though. Looking at Google Earth my high school is a container yard. They are digging the new and improved ditch right through the town I used to live and my old swimming hole is gone.

Platapus · 08-17-14, 11:29 AM

But for a stamp, it would have been in Nicaragua.

08-16-14, 01:03 PM	#1
Fr8monkey Captain Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 518 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	A man, a plan, a canal: Panama A grand celebration was originally planned for the official opening of the canal, as befitting so great an effort which had aroused strong feelings for many years. However, the outbreak of World War I forced cancellation of the main festivities, and the grand opening became a modest local affair. The Panama Railway steamship SS Ancon, piloted by Captain John A. Constantine, the Canal's first pilot, made the first official transit of the canal. It was on this date that the 50-mile-long canal officially opened to traffic after more than 30 years of planning, blasting, dredging, and building. Here are some vintage photos of the canal during the construction and in action. __________________ NASA's budget in 2011... $19 billion. Result: Hi-resolution images from 127 million miles away. AT&T's budget in 2011... $20 billion. Result: Still can't get any signal from my bathroom.

08-16-14, 01:11 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Nice! Thanks for sharing those. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-17-14, 05:51 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,539 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Sailed through the Suez (each way) but not the Panama. My lad has done them both and still does pretty regular. Pretty spectacular man-made achievements (both canals that is) imho __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

08-17-14, 06:34 AM	#7
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	Can you imagine the price of goods today if they still needed to transit around Africa or South America? A to all the workers who gave up their lives to the mosquitoes. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

08-17-14, 07:31 AM	#8
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,539 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	^ That was never their intention....honestly. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

08-16-14, 01:11 PM	#3
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	A BBC documentary on the Canal. A little more dramatic, but so more enjoyable to watch

08-16-14, 01:27 PM	#4
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	A remarkable achievement, both it and the Suez, revolutionary really in terms of the time it saved in transit. Hard to think that both canals are in danger of bottlenecks now, so much material transits by sea. Who would have thought back then that we'd have 'Capesize' vessels.

08-16-14, 03:24 PM	#5
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Let's not forget the politician, that made sure the legal, political and bueraucratic obstacles didn't hinder the project. the dirt flew, at any price

08-17-14, 08:09 AM	#9
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	I lived down there for a number years, a truly awesome experience growing up. Things have changed though. Looking at Google Earth my high school is a container yard. They are digging the new and improved ditch right through the town I used to live and my old swimming hole is gone.

08-17-14, 11:29 AM	#10
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,369 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	But for a stamp, it would have been in Nicaragua. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.