Panama Canal Research Paper

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Running head: HISTORY OF THE PANAMA CANAL 1

The United States Army Engineer Corps, and their involvement in the construction of the Panama Canal
Alex Hull
12H Construction Supervisor Advanced Leaders Course

HISTORY OF THE PANAMA CANAL 2
Abstract
There are few things in history that have affected the way the modern world operates such as the Panama Canal. On May 4, 1904 the United States of America purchased and took control of a failed French effort to build a canal and passage way across the Isthmus of Panama. Sanitation, hygiene, and the overwhelming amount of work that had to …show more content…

Extensive studies were done by Stevens and his fellow engineers and it was determined that a lock and dam style canal should be created. Using this system would in turn create the largest dam and man-made reservoir of its time. Stevens was able to convince the ICC and the President that this was the best system and construction was started on it. Equipment was a major problem at this time. The French had left behind most of their equipment but it was both old and outdated, or in disrepair. 102 new rail mounted steam powered shovels, cranes and giant hydraulic rock crushers were made in the U.S. and shipped to Panama. After 2 years of serving as the Chief Engineer the job proved to be too much for Stevens. He promptly resigned in the spring of 1907. Major George W. Goethals was chosen to take control of the Panama Canal Zone. He was a West Point graduate, and an Army Corps of Engineers Officer. (Tegler, 2013)President Roosevelt was tired of engineers resigning their position and told Major Goethals that if he was to resign his position he would be Court Martialed. Major Goethals plan was to split the construction of the canal into three sections, The Atlantic, The Pacific, and The Central divisions. These three sections were all supervised by an Engineer from the Army Corps of Engineers. Major William L Sibert took control of the Atlantic Section. His job was to construct the massive break water at the entrance to Limon Bay, The Gatun Locks and its three and a half mile approach channel, as well as construct the Gatun Dam. The Pacific Division was led by Sydney B. Williamson, the only civilian supervisor left on the project. He was responsible for the breakwater

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