Reflections on the Panama Canal
Growing up in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, the name of my town always struck me as special. It had a lock on the Connecticut River, and I’ve been fascinated by how locks function since childhood. I’ve often dreamed of witnessing their significance firsthand, which is why passing through the Panama Canal recently was unforgettable.
Seeing the locks operate, still functional after over 110 years, was a remarkable experience. The nearly 50-mile journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic is something that stays with you. The canal’s construction was a groundbreaking endeavor—both the largest and most costly project at that point in history. The economic and human sacrifices, with over 25,000 lives lost, could rival those of warfare.
Such an achievement relies on tenacity, grit, and an unwavering commitment. The world, as we know it, transformed as a result. The canal reduced the distance between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by 8,000 miles and slashed travel time by weeks.
Today, ships carrying up to 11,000 containers navigate through it, with more than a million vessels using the canal each year to transport everything from electronics to automobiles.
The road to constructing the canal was, however, filled with failures, financial woes, and incredible challenges. Initially, the French attempted to build it. Ferdinand de Lesseps, who successfully constructed the Suez Canal, was initially optimistic about the Panama Canal too. He formed a private company and raised significant capital, but after nearly a decade of effort, he had to concede defeat. His idea for a sea-level canal was a critical misstep, as the different sea levels of the two oceans—20 feet on the Pacific side versus just 3 feet on the Atlantic—proved problematic.
Over 20,000 workers perished, largely due to diseases like yellow fever and malaria. De Lesseps later acknowledged that Panama was ten times harder than the Suez project. Many investors, over 800,000 French citizens, lost their life savings—marking it as one of history’s most significant financial disasters.
About a decade later, the United States decided to take on the challenge. President Theodore Roosevelt proposed a choice between Panama and Nicaragua for the canal’s location. While Nicaragua was longer and more costly, Panama won by a slim margin after heated debate in the Senate.
The task ahead was daunting—carving through thick jungles and treacherous terrain. Roosevelt appointed John Wallace as the chief engineer, but he resigned within a year due to the overwhelming challenges, such as the climate and diseases. John Stevens replaced him and introduced a lake and lock system. The canal didn’t just involve digging; it required a comprehensive approach to public health, including a plan from Army Chief Physician William Gorgas to eradicate yellow fever. However, Stevens resigned after three years without a clear reason.
Colonel George Goethals ultimately completed the project, maintaining a military discipline. The conditions never eased. The area experiences up to eight months of rain, with annual totals reaching 120 inches, resulting in floods and landslides. The oppressive humidity added to the challenges, with temperatures at times soaring from 100 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The noise from machinery was relentless, echoing for miles.
Although diseases were eradicated, danger lurked continuously. Construction-related accidents led to significant fatalities, with more than 5,000 lives lost in America alone. The endeavor tested human resilience profoundly.
Then, on August 15, 1914, the canal opened—remarkably under budget and ahead of schedule. It marked the final fulfillment of an ambitious vision after two decades of diligent effort.
This new year, perhaps we can draw inspiration from that relentless spirit. There’s something to be said about sticking it out; the message echoes from English preacher Charles Spurgeon: “Persistence brought the snail to the ark.” It’s a reminder that we ought to keep pushing through, no matter how daunting the task seems.
It’s easy to feel frustrated if progress seems slow or if you feel stuck. Growth can often take longer than anticipated, and setbacks are part of the journey. However, if you remain patient and persistent, your dreams can unfold into reality. Even without extensive resources, determination can carry you through.
This year might throw unexpected challenges your way—disease, loss, or even relationships coming to an end. Much like the canal’s construction, these hurdles can feel overwhelming. Yet, it’s crucial that you rise after every setback and continue moving forward, just as those engineers did. With perseverance, even tough moments can precede breakthroughs.
As Christian missionary Hudson Taylor wisely noted, “At first it’s impossible, then it gets harder, then it’s done.”
