The Panama Canal is a ship canal across the Isthmus of Panama, running north-west to south-east to connect the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The plan was to follow the course of the railway connecting Colon or Aspinwall on the Atlantic with Panama on the Pacific, except in places where the bed of the river Chagres would be closely followed. The total length from ocean to ocean is about 54 miles, the minimum width is set down as 22 meters, and the average depth 8.5 meters. The cutting of the Cordilleras, which necessitated an excavation some 106 meters deep at one part, and the controlling of the flood waters of the Chagres were the chief difficulties encountered.
Operations were commenced in 1881 by a French company under de Lesseps. The work of excavation went on more or less continuously until 1887, when, after an expenditure of £50,000,000, the company fell into difficulties, and in December, 1888, it suspended payment. In 1904, after negotiations, the canal was sold to the United States for £8,000,000, which made special terms with the republic of Panama for its completion and working, finally finishing the canal in August 1914. Research Panama Canal
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Panama Canal
