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Beginning of the Panama Canal
The building of the Panama Canal begins. It was started after a failed attempt by a French construction team in the 1880's. -
Someone New
Railroad specialist John Stevens takes over for the position of chief engineer in the building of the canal. He brought in new equipment, as the old french equipment was damaged and dangerous. -
Getting Rid of Disease
Chief sanitary officer Dr. William Gorgas worked to find a way to get rid of the diseases that were harming the workers, such as Yellow Fever and Malaria. He figured that the diseases were coming from mosquito bites. -
President Roosevelt's Visit
President Roosevelt comes to check on progress of the canal in November. A few month's later, John Stevens resigns from his position as chief engineer. -
Lt. Col. Goethals
President Roosevelt names Army Corps engineer Lt. Col. George Washington Goethals as chief engineer for the canal project. -
Moving Mountains
From early 1907 to late 1908, Lt. Col. Goethals had a team of about 6,000 men working on the clearing of mountain range 'Culebra Cut'. -
Locks
Lt. Col. Goethals has his team begin construction of the locks for the canal. The entire set up of locks is run by electricity and a control board. -
The Floats
Buoyant lock gates were added. These locks were hollow, and varied from 47-82 feet in height. -
Almost Done
The locks were finished, and two steam shovels met in the center of Culebra Cut as they finished the digging on their side. -
Opening of the Panama Canal
The building of the Panama Canal was completed and was now open.
