Day 176. June 26. TRANSIT thru the Panama Canal on the Picturesque Panama

Here are some facts /information about the canal:

--cost 144 million

--the canal is 51 miles long

--transit time is around 9 hours

--Gatun Dam was the largest earthen dam, 1.5 miles long and 105 feet high

--Gatun lake was the largest man made lake with 164 square miles and supplies the water for the locks

--Gatun Locks was the largest concrete structure on Earth,  1 mile long

--tolls are charged by twenty foot equivalent units for cargo ships and cruise ships by number of beds and a reservation fee

--the locomotives are called "mules" and are responsible to keep the ship from hitting the walls and cost 2 million 

--a ship is raised 85 feet at the start and then lowered the same amount at the end

--the Gatun locks has 3 sets of locks and are on the Atlantic side

--the Pedro Miguel lock is just 1 lock and the Miraflores lock is 2 sets and are on the Pacific side

--the NCL Pearl has paid the highest fare of $490,000 and the cheapest fare was 36 cents back in 1928 to Richard Halliburton who swam the canal 5 miles every day for 10 days and he was weighed at the end of the canal.  Ships need to pay for the transit 48 hours in advance with a wire transfer.  The Captain stated it cost us $169,000 to transit 

--from New York to San Francisco going around the horn of South America was 15,000 miles once the canal was built it was 6100 miles

--the canal is 102 years old and still operates basically the same as day.

Thank you Marilyn & Harry for all that information.  Helped me out a lot.

 

From the Pacific side locks

As we come to the bridge of America's.  Going from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea.

Our second set of locks 

One of the tugs that they use to guide us thru the locks.  One at the front and one at the back.

These are the mules that go along side of the ship on both sides to guide.

 

So as you can see it's quiet the dream of one man back in 1534 when King of Spain ordered a survey.  Many countries like Scotland, France then America stepped in.  Which succeeded. Finished in August 15 1914 2 years ahead of schedule.  It was given back to the People of Panama in 1999.  As we transit this canal you notice the ongoing construction.  A multi billion dollar project to increase the canal's capacity is almost done.  In fact the official opening is TODAY.  yes that is right .  The current set of locks measuring 110 feet wide by 1,000 feet long will be joined by a second set of locks over 1400 feet long and 180 feet wide to allow for the larger cruise ships and container/cargo ships.  Part of the project includes the widening of the Gailland Cut through the Continent Divide with tie up stations to allow two larger ships to safely pass, as well as wider and deeper entrance channels leading to the new locks.  The project was supposed to be finished in 2014 by the 100 anniversary of the original opening of the Panama Canal.....

What a day this has been.  Lots of parties in and out of people's suites.  Started at 2:00 to see how many people we could get in a owners suite.  Drinks and snacks in 4 other vistas rooms.  Wow I need a nap.  So many memories to remember.  We thank you all.  Leslee & Bob

"You haven't really been everywhere until you've got back home" --Terry Pratche

Cherish The Moments, Love Deeply, Dream Big