Happy 108th Anniversary... August 15, 1914

[BillB48]

It was 108 years ago today the Panama Canal officially opened its gates to shipping with the transit of the SS Ancon.  The transit of the SS Ancon was not the first ocean to ocean transit.  That distinction belongs to an obscure crane boat that started working at the Canal during the French construction era.  The Alexandre La Valle completed the first ocean to ocean transit in January 1914.  The LaValle did not make the transit in one continuous passage, but in segments as it worked its way through the Canal during the construction.  Perhaps it was a tribute to the French effort that the LaValle became the first vessel to make the first complete transit.  Shown here on the East side of Pedro Miguel Locks.

 

 

In honor of 108 years ago today, the SS Ancon exiting Miraflores Locks.