The Panama Canal review

52 Pages·2010·4.25 MB·English

by  Panama Canal Company

COLLECTIOM

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
University of Florida, George A. Smathers Libraries
http://www.archive.org/details/panamacanalrevie1976pana

Of
JL«
CANAL
EVIE
CENTENNIAI EDITION 1976
I
-.''•
V
From
the Governor
of the fanal Zone
on the
200th anniversary
of the
United States
Governor Harold R. Parfitt
IN 1976, AS WE CELEBRATE nental Divide; constructing the largest This outstanding record was made
the Bicentennial of the United earth dam ever built up to that time; possible by a dedicated work force
States, the construction of the Panama designing and building the most of Americans and Panamanians, who
Canal stands out as one of the greatest massive canal locks ever envisioned; continue today, as the}- have done
milestones in the history of the nation. constructing the largest gates ever in the past, to operate this vital
swung; conquering devastating utility for the benefit of all the
It not only opened the way for landslides; and solving environmental nations of the world.
westward expansion, it also gave the and health problems of enormous
maritime world one of its most proportions.
important links in the lanes of
international commerce. As we look back over 200 years of
history, it is fitting that we pay tribute
Among the great peaceful endeavors to the builders of the Canal, to those
of mankind that have contributed men and women of many nationalities
significantly to progress in the world, whose initiative, determination, and
the construction of the Canal stands devotion to duty were responsible for
as an awe-inspiring achievement. its successful completion.
7^6-l9lfe
To fullv appreciate the magnitude Since it opened on August 15, 1914,
of this unprecedented engineering the Canal has become a main At left:
feat, it is necessary to remember that thoroughfare of world commerce with ACaiglilaanrtd cCountt,aisnietre osfhipdevpaasstsaetsintghrough
its successful completion in 1914 over half a million vessels making slides during construction of
involved digging through the Conti- the interoceanic transit. the Vanama Canal.
The Panama Canal Review
Our Cover
The ditch grows wider each day
Roosevelt Medal silver colored one on the front cover,
The ditch grows longer they say Theodore Roosevelt had seen this were issued to 320 volunteer firemen
The slides and the floods, the rain and pride, this great esprit de corps when who supplemented the regular force of
the sun he visited the Isthmus in 1906 and 27 paid members.
Are obstacles big in the race we Ixave thoadpsraoivdi,d"eI sfhoarllssoeemeif iltititslenotmepmososriiballe Athletic Medals
run which will always distinguish the man At Ancon on the Fourth of July,
But the end of the job is in view wIshtohmuhsa.s" dSoonien h1i9s08w,ocrokppweerllpiopne ctohle- w1e9r08e,agwoalrd,desdilvienr,eaanchd batrholneztiec meevdeanlt.s
Our dreams all soon will come true lected from old French excavators, The one lying on the program was for
But what of the town fboruonnzdeinbeaanrionlgdsFarenndch20w0arpeohuonudsseowfetrien the poleCovamumlet.morative Medal
That the waters will drown sent to the Philadelphia Mint to be
cast into "Roosevelt Medals." "The Panama Canal Opened 1914
Oh, what tvill become of you, of you? The Roosevelt Medal on the front Gateway to World Commerce" is
cover was presented to Robert W. engraved on the face of the silver com-
THIS SONG, WHICH WAS Glaw for service between 1904 and memorative coin-medal in the upper
tphreogfrraopnmrtitnchtoaetvdearipnpeexatprhrseessiFneodutrhttehhecefonefteelrJiunglosyf be1ea9rr1n4.otfhHe2e-myeewdaaarslboaarnnsed, othfhaevtmihenagxfiesmweurvmmeednnutmht-eo lmperefimtvoacrtaoeltmyievrsetroSufoccktihebetyy.ftrohOnentNtcahotveieorrn.eavleItrCsowemais-s
of thousands of workers in 1913 as the entire construction period. a portrait of Goethals.
day drew near when the Canal would Souvenir Shovel Other items on the front cover are
be completed. postage stamps honoring Stevens, Goe-
The song was about Gorgona, a Another farewell function marking thals, and Gorgas, a matchbook cover
construction-day town, doomed to be the closing of the Gorgona shops was advertising the Tivoli and Washington
"drowned in a day by the world's a smoker where souvenir shovels were hotels, a snapshot of a group visiting
highway" as the chorus of the song given as favors. These shovels and the Gaillard Cut; and a box of damp proof
sIanidd.epTehndeenecmeploDyaeyesinmaGrokregdonathewiirthlasat s"tTahre-shIa.Cp.eCd. dWeovni'cet wLheticMhe"is wienrscericbaesdt tmhaetcPhaesnammaadeCainnalS,w"edaebnra"enxdprsetsilsllvsoflodr
banquet at which Col. George W. from scrap at the Gorgona foundry. in the Canal retail stores.
Goethals was the guest of honor. The Im.iCs.sCi.on.stands for Isthmian Canal Com- The I.C.C. Band
dinnerfeatured roast duck and a varied
musical program including a songcalled Identification Tags The I.C.C. Band was organized in
"Patriotism, Politics and Possibilities." Scattered over both sides of the 1905 and the insignia at lower left on
Morale was high as everyone had a cover are brass identificationtags which the front cover was worn on the khaki
well justified feeling of great accom- were issued by the Accounting Depart- uniforms. Concerts were given once a
plishment. They had tackled a job that ment of the I.C.C. Employees presented month.
had stvmied men for centuries. They these to receive their pay and to gain The Locks
had succeeded and they were enjoying access to various construction sites.
their triumph but there was a certain Even Fido had his own identification Theyellowed photograph on the fold
sadness at the passing of the little tag. The dog license at lower left on is described on the back as "Gatun
towns along the line. the front cover was issued at Empire, Locks during construction—bridge and
another construction-day town. The crane used for gate erection."
Special recognition is given to Nan photo type identification disc attached Commissary Books
S. Chong, Panama Collection Librarian to the key ring was issued in 1918. Also on the fold is a commissary
and Beverly C. Williams. Chief of Fire Department book. These coupon books were used
Readers' Services at the Canal Zone The first paid fire company was es- in lieu of money in commissaries,
Library, for research assistance. tablished in 1906 and badges, like the hotels and clubhouses during and after
Spring 1976