panamal canal 2013
DESCRIPTION
Panama Canal via the Coral Princess cruise ship, March 2013TRANSCRIPT
The Panama Canal 2013via the Coral Princess
From the Caribbean approach. The French began the canal in 1880, but were defeated by disease and financial problems.
The United States, in agreement with Panama in 1903, began construction of the canal and finished in 1914. Panama took over full operation in 1999.
Attaching the “mules” which guide and pull the ship through the canal.
Lock is closed and highway bridge is still in place across the canal.
Lock opening to allow ship entry in to the first lock. The highway has been swung closed.
Two large container ships ahead of the Coral Princess in the locks
“Mules” tightening cables to guide ship through canal
Using gravity flow, the water from the upper lock flows into the lower lock, raising the ship enabling movement into the next lock.
Ship in lock, water rising. Check line level on ship & water level (red arrows) with next slide
The dam of the Chagres River which forms Lake Gatun
End of locks into Lake Gatun
A ship preparing to leave the last of 3 locks from the Caribbean to Lake Gatun
Lake Gatun, 26 meters above sea level
Visitors Center for the new canal expansion due to be finished in 2014.
Container ship entering locks from Lake Gatun toward the Caribbean
Tug coming to help us into locks at Lake Gatun for return voyage
“Mule” waiting to attach a cable to the Coral Princess
The Coral Princess in the locks on the voyage back from Lake Gatun to the Caribbean
Dockside at Colón, Panama
Photography by Flying Three Enterprises © 2013