The Panama Canal is a canal that crosses the Isthmus of Panama.
Channel, 81.1 km long (including extensions into the sea), joins the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.
The Panama Canal is an artificial channel That crosses the Isthmus of Panama.
Which Is The canal 81.1 km long (Including the extensions into the sea) connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.
has a maximum depth of 12 m, the width varies between 240 and 300 m in Lake Gatun, while it is in the 90-150 m section of the Culebra Cut. It consists of a system of locks, with six locks, which allows ships to overcome a total rise of 27 m, avoiding the vessels bound for ports in the Pacific than the Atlantic and vice versa, the circumnavigation of South America. Travel time is approximately 8 / 12 hours.
The mouth at the Caribbean Sea is located adjacent to the port of Cristobal in the Bay of Limon. Ships direct from the Atlantic and the Pacific, after covering the lift, composed by the three Gatun Locks, through Lake Gatun, Gamboa area, the Strait of Culebra, then reaching the Pedro Miguel Lock, pass Then, after an initial jump in level of about 9 meters in the Miraflores Lake, which provides access Miraflores locks of the two reaching the exit of these sea level at the port of Balboa. Follow the navigation through the Bridge of the Americas to come later in the Gulf of Panama.
The channel is crossed by thousands of ships per year for a tonnage of tens of millions of tons in both directions. The toll due to navigation is the main source of the state of the economy of Panama.
ships crossing the channel can not exceed 292.68 meters long and 32.31 meters wide because of the maximum size of the "shells" which, along its length, are limited by the doors of communication between the basins themselves
Project original channel of the XIX century and in 1879 it was advocated by the International Congress in Paris and was among the promoters of Ferdinand de Lesseps, builder of the Suez Canal already.
In 1881 Lesseps founded a company to raise funds and began work in a very complex project that involved the use of locks, his attempt failed, for technical and financial obstacles. In 1885 he was replaced by Gustave Eiffel and the company went bankrupt in 1889.
The maximum depth is 12 meters in width with That Varies Between 240 and 300m in the Gatun Lake, while it is 90-150m in the Culebra Cut section. It is made up of a series of locks with 6 basins Which Allows ships to overcome a difference in level of 27m and allowing ships from ports in the Pacific destined to those in the Atlantic and vice versa to avoid circumnavigating South America. The average travel time is about 8-12 hours.
The mouth of the channel corresponding to the Caribbean Sea is found next to the port of Cristobal in Limon Bay. Ships coming from the Atlantic and directed to the Pacific, after navigating the ascent system composed of the three Gatun Locks, they cross Lake Gatun, the Gamboa zone, and the Culebra Reach arriving at the Pedro Miguel Locks, they then pass, after an initial lift of about 9 meters, into the Miraflores Lake which provides access to the two Miraflores locks which bring the vessel back to sea level near the Balboa port. The navigation continues passing under the Bridge of the Americas to later arrive in the Gulf of Panama.
The canal is crossed by thousands of ships a year equaling millions of tons of freight in both directions. The fees paid for the navigation is the principle economical source for the country of Panama.
The ships that pass through the canal may not be longer than 292.68 meters or wider than 32.31 meters due to the maximum dimensions of the “basins” which, in the case of the length, are limited by the gates connecting them.
The original project for the canal goes back to the 19th century; in 1879 it was advocated by the International Paris Congress and had among its promoters Ferdinand de Lesseps, who had already constructed the Suez Canal.
In 1881 Lesseps founded a company to collect funds and begin the work according to a very complex plan which did not include the use of locks; his attempt failed due to technical and financial obstacles. In 1885 he was replaced by Gustave Eiffel and the company failed in 1889.
Nel 1901 gli Stati Uniti ottennero dal governo colombiano (all'epoca Panamá faceva parte della Grande Colombia) l'autorizzazione per costruire e gestire il Canale per 100 anni. Nel 1903 però il governo della Colombia, in un sussulto di orgoglio nazionale, decise di non ratificare l'accordo. Gli USA allora non esitarono ad organizzare una sommossa a Panamá and to threaten military intervention if it had occurred the reaction of the legitimate government. Panama as well, as Cuba became an independent republic, but under the tutelage of the United States who obtained the perpetual lease of the Canal Zone and permission to start work.
Work began in 1907, conducted by U.S. military engineers, and ended August 3, 1914, following the plans of Colonel Gothal, inventor of the closed system, on which the channel is based. The official opening was postponed to 1920, however, due to the onset of WWI.
In 1901 the United States Obtained authorization from the Columbian government (at the time Panama Was part of Gran Columbia) to construct and control the Canal for 100 years. In 1903 however the Columbian government, as an act of national pride, decided not to ratify the agreement. The US therefore did not hesitate to organize a revolt by Panama and threatened military intervention if the legitimate government reacted. In this way Panama became, as Cuba before it, an independent republic but under the protection of the United States which obtained a perpetual lease of the Canal area and authorization to begin the work.
The work began in 1907, undertaken by the US Engineer Corps and was completed August 3rd 1914 following the plans of Colonel Gothal, inventor of the locks system upon which the canal is based. The official inauguration however was delayed until Two to the 1920 outbreak of the First World War.
His legal status was governed by three agreements: the Hay-
Pauncefote (1901)
the Hay-Varilla Bunau (1903 )
the Torrijos-Carter Treaties (1977)
The first of these (Neutrality Treaty) states that the U.S. has the permanent right to defend the canal from every threat that could interfere with its continued accessibility and neutral ships in transit of all nations, while the latter has shown the year 2000 as the end of the rental Channel.
In April 2006, we concluded the study lasted five years for a widening of the channel. The extension will run as the referendum has given, with 75.25% of 'yes' (although only 43.3% of those eligible voted) the approval of the project. Work began in 2007, should be completed by 2014.
Navigation rules
The transit of vessels can only be accepting the terms of the "transit application and after acceptance of it by the Panamanian authorities.
During transit of the canal are suspended as rights of extraterritoriality of warships and some rules of the flag relating to the conduct and control of merchant ships. The pilot channel, which is intended to ship by the local authorities, took direct control of navigation, not playing, as normally occurs in most ports around the world, the role of a mere adviser to the commander. The commander, in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the shipping, remains responsible for services and features of the ship under his command, but they may interfere in the deck. Property rights and the internal organization of the ship's services remain unchanged. Curiosity
During the nearly century-old history of the very special waterway which is the Panama Canal, the "Autoridad del Canal de Panama" has appointed several "pilots fees" among the latter, the great master of the Commodore Ronald Warwick RMS Queen Mary 2 "of the renowned British shipping company" Cunard "and Superior Commander CSLC Raffaele Minotauro former commander of large ocean liners to line the historic "Italy" di Navigazione SpA, better known in the shipping world under the name "Italian Line" (source Wikipedia)
The Panama Canal and 'a engineering work of the most 'in the world.
To commemorate the transfer of the Panama Canal from the U.S. to the Republic of Panama ,venne chiesto tramite il concessionario Rolex Mercurio di realizare orologi Submariner ref 16610 con un logo personalizato.
The Canal’s legal status was regulated by three agreements:
The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty (1901)
The Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty (1903)
The Torrijos-Carter Tready (1977)
The first of these (Treaty of Neutrality) stipulates that the United States have the permanent right to defend the Canal from every threat that could interfere with its continual neutral accessibility to ships in transit from all nations, while the second indicated the year 2000 as the lease expiration of the Canal.
In April 2006 the 5 year study for how to expand the Canal concluded. The expansion will be performed according to the results of the popular referendum, with 75.25% voting yes (even if only 43.3% of possible voters participated) to approve the project. The work, begun in 2007, should be completed by 2014.
Navigation rules
Passage of ships may only occur upon acceptance of the clauses in the “application for transit” and after this has been accepted by the Panamanian authorities.
During transit through the Canal, the rights related to the extraterritorial status of war ships are suspended as well as some flag rules regarding the command and operation of merchant ships. The canal pilot which is assigned to the ship by local authorities assume direct command of the navigation, not taking on the role as normally happens in most ports around the world, of a simple command consultant. The commander, based on laws and governing rules for maritime navigation, retains responsibility for the services and the functionality of the ship under his command, without however the ability to interfere in piloting operations. The property rights and internal service organization of the ship remain unchanged.
Curiosity
Throughout the nearly hundred year history of the very peculiar waterway which is the Panama Canal, the “Autoridad del Canal de Panama” has nominated some “honorary pilots”, among the latest, Commodore Ronald Warwick commander of the extremely large RMS “Queen Mary 2” of the well known English navigation company “CUNARD” and the Comandante Superiore CSLC Raffaele Minotauro who was the commander of large transoceanic passenger ships for the historic “Italia” di Navigazione SpA, better known in the shipping world under the name “Italian Line” (source Wikipedia)
The Panama Canal is among the most important engineering works in the world.
To commemorate the transfer of control of the Panama Canal from the United States to the Republic of Panama, a request was made to the Rolex Mercurio dealer to create a Submariner ref 16610 watch with a personalized logo.
watches were 75 products with this logo and stainless steel and gold with black dial.
on the back was engraved with the serial number and name of the assignee of the clock driver.
75 steel and steel and gold with black dial watches Were produced with this logo.
On the back the progressive number and name of the assigned pilot Were engraved.
A similar model and 'was sold by Antiquorum recently for the respectable sum of $ 90,000
Was A similar model sold by Antiquorum recently for the respectable sum of $ 90,000.
Once again, a Rolex watch and 'a companion piece of history.
Once again a Rolex watch is a companion to a part of history.
short video of the entrance to the Panama Canal for some vessels: Short clips of
Some ships Entering the Panama Canal:
http://www.pancanal.com/eng/multimedia / webcams/captures/jersey-19991018.html
http://www.pancanal.com/eng/multimedia/webcams/captures/disney-magic-20050520.html
http://www.pancanal.com/eng/multimedia/webcams/captures/the-world-20090313.html
Stefano Mazzariol
