8,000-Mile Journey
by A workforce of 40,000 men moved more than 70 million cubic feet (2 million cubic meters) of rock per month, while an equally large effort went into providing living accommodation and draining the mosquito-infested swamps.
8,000 miles
The possibility of a canal through the Panama isthmus had been discussed since the 16th century, because it would save an 8,000 mile (12,875 kilometers) journey around Cape Horn. The need for one was felt particularly urgently by the United States after the sinking of USS Maine off Cuba in 1898. France’s attempt to build a canal had stalled, and in 1902 U.S. President Roosevelt began negotiations with Colombia, which controlled Panama, to purchase the concession.
In November 1903, the Panamanians declared independence from Colombia and then sold control over the canal zone to the United States for 10 million US dollars. The agreement was ratified in February 1904, and the United States formally took possession of the incomplete French effort in May that year.
Workforce
A workforce of 40,000 men moved more than 70 million cubic feet (2 million cubic meters) of rock per month, while an equally large effort went into providing living accommodation and draining the mosquito-infested swamps. (The French workforce had been devastated by mosquito-borne yellow fever and malaria, which caused the deaths of more than 5,500 men.)
51-mile long
The 51 mile long (82 kilometers) canal was complete by late 1913, a year ahead of schedule. A grand official opening planned for the following year had to be canceled because of the outbreak of war in Europe. The first ship to cross it, the cargo ship Ancon, on August 15, 1914, marked the effective opening of the canal to traffic.
On the last day of 1999, the United States returned control of the canal to Panama.
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