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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Kailua, Bend, & Tamarack
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104 years ago today ..
.. the Panama Canal officially opened.
However, 3 months prior, a cargo of sugar from Hawaii was the very first commercial shipment through the canal. “The American-Hawaiian steam ship Alaskan ... left Cristobal at 6 am on May 19th (1914), reaching Balboa at 6:40 that evening. This was the first continuous ocean-to-ocean trip through the Panama Canal by any vessel. .. On August 15, 1914, the canal officially opened for commerce." Panama Canal | Images of Old HawaiĘ»i |
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08-15-2018, 06:40 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fla panhandle / Roaming in my motorhome
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Very interesting article Geary!
The canal is a true wonder to see in operation. It's on my bucket list to make the trip thur the canal some day. One bummer is that you must complete the run in one day having to pass straight thru lake Gatun, the artificial lake created to feed the needs of the locks. It's situated in rich interior jungle filled with exotic wildlife. Said to be quite an amazing place to experience. The requirement of having a Pilot aboard prevents laying over to enjoy the lake. I wonder how long it will be until the larger locks will be completed. It's a shame that this remarkable testament to American ingenuity and determination got away from us. And is now largely influenced by China. Cheers Richard |
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08-15-2018, 09:09 AM
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On my bucket list too, Richard. I've visited the exhibit in Panama city, which includes a pretty good video presentation .. 
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08-15-2018, 09:19 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
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Quote:
Having it in American control made it a huge (and easy) target for peaceful people who like to blow up things they don't like. It was actually better for us and everyone else to take our name off it and reduce the attractiveness of it as a target. Imagine what would happen if a ship full of fertilizer mixed with diesel fuel blew up in the locks ..... https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fertilizer-explosion-kills-581-in-texas Yes, fertilizer did this: 
Last edited by sammyg2; 08-15-2018 at 10:39 AM.. |
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08-15-2018, 10:14 AM
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Very enjoyable article. Thanks.
Posted this pic before, but I took this from the missile deck of CG-50, The USS Valley Forge. We were coming from Pascagoula to San Diego. The pic was taken after we cleared the eastern lock and got into Gatun Lake. Traffic was very light and the CO ordered all engines on line. What a great day. It was mesmerizing...even the cooks got a daylight chit!  I have my "Order of the Ditch" certificate around here somewhere!
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1996 FJ80. Last edited by Seahawk; 08-15-2018 at 10:56 AM.. |
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08-15-2018, 10:51 AM
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What?!?!
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I was blessed with 4 PC transits while in the Navy.
It was on USS Waddell, DDG-24, Adams class Destroyer. It was quite the experience to ride through the jungle on that ship. Passed many cruise ships and cargo vessels. And the Navy never gets that close to vessels in open sea. We felt rather smallish near those behemoths. The views were excellent and we could easily see monkeys in the trees. Took us a little over 24 hours and we anchored in Gatun each time. 
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running shoes, couple tools, fishing pole 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback AWD, 5speed 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX, 5speed 2014 Tundra SR5, 4x4 1964 Land Rover SII A 109 - sold this albatross |
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08-15-2018, 10:53 AM
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Reiver
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 57,510
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Nice pic Hawk...and great thread...my only experience was the JOTC school in Panama but I have a lot of 'zoney' friends and a good friend who retired and lives there today (Panamanian wife).
He loves it.
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De Oppresso Liber Strength and Honor 5th Legion |
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08-15-2018, 11:27 AM
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The new Panama Canal was opened last year. I toured the old one in 2016 and they were working around the clock on the new expansion.
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78 SC Targa Black....gone 84 Carrera Targa White 98 Honda Prelude 22 Honda Civic SI |
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08-15-2018, 11:42 AM
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You do not have permissi
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Just as in China, where the Seven Warring Nations paved the way for first emperor Chin Shi Huang Ti (spelling might be wrong) to complete the Great Wall and unite the nation...
France paved the way for us in the American Revolution, creating the Panama Canal, and slowing the spread of Communism in SE Asia Vietnam. https://www.history.com/topics/panama-canal Thank you French people.
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Meanwhile other things are still happening. |
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08-15-2018, 12:55 PM
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Quote:
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08-15-2018, 01:05 PM
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^^ yes really cool pic, having a good freshwater flush.
You navy guys do get to "see the world" Neat certificate Don! Is there one for crossing the equator too? I just missed the chance to deliver a sail boat from the Carabean to Hawaii, the owner decided to put it on a barge at the Carib side of the canal that drops in in Baja Mexico, dang. Cheers Richard |
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08-15-2018, 04:48 PM
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