time immemorial, mankind has been trying to rebuild the natural conditions of the earth in order to obtain any benefits.One such case is the restructuring of the Panama Canal, the year of the official opening of the event was marked by an object impacting on the development of navigation in this part of the world, despite the negative aspects of the construction.
Panama Canal
This artificially created water bodies located in Central America.The channel is a compound borders the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea.The length of the isthmus on a deep level of water - about 82 km and a width of 150 m, while the ship passes through the gateway in three ways, and then fall into the artificial lake Gatun.Further, having a few more steps and Miraflores (natural water reservoir), the machine out into the bay.All the way and is the Panama Canal, which is the official opening of the year - one thousand nine hundred twenty.
construction of the facility was of great importance for the development of economic relations between the countries of Central America, as well as to the scope of navigation.The channel allows the passage of huge vessels such as container ships and tankers, while saving more than 10 000 km of road.Work on the wiring carried out by the special service, the time spent on the entire segment, the average is about 9 hours.
Great construction
the Panama Canal, the year which marked the official opening of the implementation of the ideas of many minds of the 19th century, began its history at the end of 1882, when it started construction.At the head stood the great French engineer - Ferdinant Count de Lesseps, who had at that time experience of successful laying of the Suez Canal.
Company tab waterway was discussed at the International Congress in 1879 in France, and then received a concession from the Colombian government for 99 years.This activity took place on the basis of loan subscribers, while the price of one share was 500 francs.
According to historians, Count Ferdinand de Lesseps was a skilled diplomat and orator, but his latest creation - the Panama Canal (the year of the official opening of the above) - there has been a lamentable outcome for him, perhaps because of the underestimation of the original project cost.To attract a large number of investors, the engineer presented the figures reduced almost twice that, of course, had an impact on the success of the promotion work.
«Panama scam»
the inspired after the start of construction of the project supervisor had to endure many unpleasant moments.Money is critical is not enough, since the first loan is not collected, and one third of the planned funds.Labor was not in abundance, in addition, poor sanitation and act out an epidemic of malaria, typhoid and dysentery took away people.Hope was weak, and if anyone had asked him a question: "What year the official opening of the Panama Canal?" - Certainly an engineer could not give an answer.
Family Lesseps was trying to remedy the situation, and the project was changed at the insistence of the engineer F. Byuno-Baril, who offered the use of gateways.There was also caused by the famous builder A. Eifel, but after 8 years produced only two-fifths of the work.To continue the project were issued loans that are not needed permission from the authorities, but the government of Theodore Roosevelt and the Chamber of Deputies did not approve this transaction.
Subsequently, in 1892, a global scandal, and the heads of the construction of the Isthmus have been convicted.Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, he was released from the conclusion in view of old age, and his son - the youngest Lesseps, the minister, several managers and A. Eifel were sentenced to various terms.
year the official opening of the Panama Canal was an acquittal for the names Lesseps, his name had been cleared from the stigma of fraud.Time has proven that this great man had a selfless goals and principles.
