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What exactly happened during the construction of the Panama Canal?

Jacob Tarren

The construction of the Panama Canal was a monumental feat of engineering that lasted more than a decade and involved countless engineering challenges and incredible feats of human ingenuity. In order to understand what exactly happened during the construction of this iconic canal, it is important to first understand the historical context that led to its creation.

The idea of building a canal across the isthmus of Panama to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans had been around for centuries, but it wasn't until the late 1800s that serious efforts were made to make this a reality. In 1904, the United States took over the project from the French, who had previously attempted construction but abandoned it due to financial difficulties and a high death toll from disease.

Under the supervision of American engineer John Stevens, the construction of the canal began in earnest. The project involved cutting through mountain ranges, dredging rivers and lakes, and building a series of locks to raise and lower ships as they passed through the canal. This was no small task and required an incredible amount of resources and manpower.

Perhaps the biggest challenge faced during the construction of the Panama Canal was the spread of disease. The area was a hotbed for malaria and yellow fever, which made working conditions incredibly difficult and deadly. In order to combat the spread of disease, workers were required to take frequent breaks and drink quinine, a substance which is now known to help fight malaria.

Despite these challenges, the construction of the canal was eventually completed in 1914, just weeks before the outbreak of World War I. The Panama Canal immediately became a vital transportation route for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and it remains so to this day.

Looking back on the construction of the Panama Canal, it is clear that this was a monumental achievement that required an incredible amount of effort and innovation. While the spread of disease and other challenges were certainly difficult to overcome, the construction of the canal stands as a testament to the power of human ingenuity and our ability to transform the world around us.