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August 15, 1914 A TRIP THROUGH THE CANAL August 15, 1939
master on the walls, who is in communication by
telephone with the lock operator in tile control
tower.
As the ship nears the locks, rowboats are sent
out with towing lines and these are tossed
aboard ship and made fast. These lines are
then attached to the powerful electric towing
locomotives which run on both tracks. The
electric towing locomotives or "mules" are
strang-e appearing objects, and each has enormous
pulling power. They are used in towing
by means of hand signals and there is no shouting
or confusion. After the ship is within the
lock chamber, the lock master ashore speaks
quietly into a telephone and as if by magic the
gigantic gates s\ving together, there is an upward
surge of water, and within a few minutes the
ship is raised about 28 feet to the next level as
if it were a toy.
The operation of the Panama Canal locks is
the most fascinating part of the trip for' the
average visitor. Every mechanical operation is
Many settings of tropical beauty are seen along the Panama Canal by the thousands of persons who visit the Isthmus annually.
This is a view of Mirafiores Locks through a frame of tropical foliage. The ship is the U. S. S. Pennsylvania, flagship of tJle
United States Fleet.
the ship through the locks and keeping it in
position so that it will not be damaged and so
that it will not damage the mechanism of the
locks. The number of towing locomotives used
depends on the size and general maneuverability
of.the ship. When the S. S. Bremen, third largest
ship afloat, made the trip through the Canal in
February 1939, fourteen locomotives were used.
;'\fter the towing lines on both sides of the
~hlp are made fast the vessel is. drawn slowly
Into the lower lock chamber. This maneuver is
directed jointly by the pilot and the lock master
controlled from a tower on the wall between the
two lock chambers. The lock operator has no need
to look out to see the position of the ship or to
watch the water level in the lock chambers. He
is advised of the ship's position by telephone
and every movement of the gates, the fender
chains and even the water level in each lock
chamber is shown in miniature on the control
bOard before him.
Although the mechanical operation of the
locks is controlled by a systemof electric switches
and appears simple, there is engineering genius
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