Panama Canal: Miraflores Locks #HogsAbroad #IntlHogs

On Friday, we finally got to see a part of the Panama Canal, Miraflores Locks. It was a breathtaking moment to see its scale, operation, and history. Many people know that Panama Canal plays a significant role in the world trade, but its history and background tend to be taken for granted. Its history goes back to 1513 when a Spanish explorer found the Isthmus of Panama. 

 

Although various nations considered the possibility to build a canal in Panama, a serious attempt was not made until 1880s by a French company. The project led by Ferdinand de Lesseps, a former diplomat who built Egypt’s Suez Canal, failed because of engineering problems and tropical diseases. The death toll during this constriction is estimated over 22,000. Panama made an agreement with the United States for the construction of the Canal, and it was successful finished in 1914. 

 

In 1991, Panama gained full operation, administration, and maintenance from the United States. I learned that Panama Canal was established with countless efforts and sacrifices. 

At the Miraflores Locks, we were able to see a huge vessel going through the waterway. In order to keep the balance of the ship and not to scratch the sidewalls, there were several machines that attached with the ship with ropes.

The gate does not open for the ship until the water level drops to the same as the next section. It was interesting to see how vessels take “stairs of water” in the canal.
Yuki

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Read more from Yuki at  https://yukiinpanama.wordpress.com/

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