UNIVERSITY

OF FLORIDA

LIBRARIES

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2010 with funding from

University of Florida, George A. Smathers Libraries

http://www.archive.org/details/panamacanalrevie15pana


VKfro*
Robert J. Fleming, Jr., Governor-President

H. R. Parfitt, Lieutenant Governor

Frank A. Baldwin

Panama Canal Information Officer

Official Panama Canal Publication Published quarterly at Balboa Heights. C.Z.

Printed at the Printing Plant, La Boca, C.Z. Review articles may be reprinted in full or part without

further clearance. Credit to the Review will be appreciated. Distributed free of charge to all Panama Canal Employees.

Robert D. Kerr, Press Officer

Publications Editors Richard D. Peacock and Tomas A. Cupas

Editorial Assistants Eunice Richard, Tobi Bittel, and

Jose T. Tunon

cAvout Our Cover

THE COYER MAP that tells Panama's story-past and

present—reflects the theme of this issue: Panama, playground of Latin America. More tourists are discovering

this fact each year. A trip to Panama is worth anyone's time. Just over

2 hours from the United States by jet and little more

than that from many Latin American cities, Panama

offers a wide variety of activity, shopping, climate, and

there is much to see. A nation of just over 1 million citizens, Panama

occupies the isthmus that has been a focal point for trade

and travelers for more than 450 years. The narrow stretch

of the Republic of Panama runs, roughly, east and west,

and its geographv, which has always been important,

affects the way of life of its people.

In the west, there are mountains and rich soil—Chiriqui

Province might be called Panama's breadbasket. In the

east, not yet reached by modern roads, life among the

Indians is much the same as it was hundreds of years ago.

It's likely the visitor will spend his time in Panama

City and Colon, the two cities at opposite ends of the

Panama Canal. Panama City, dominating in population

and commerce, is the main stopping-off point.

It is not possible to include all of the Panama story in

a single Review issue. The main points of interest, a list of what to do, what to see and where to go, have been

packed into several articles. The map on the cover was originally prepared bv engineers of the U.S. Armv,

Southern Command, and was redrawn especially for

this issue.

3ndex

Welcome to Panama 3

Panama's History 4

Sports in Panama and

Canal Zone 6

National Carnival, Fairs 8

After Dark 10

Chiriqui 12

Panama in Pictures 13

Bocas del Toro, the San Bias 14

Quarterly Traffic Report 16

Cruise Ship Report 16

Visitor's Notebook 18

The Panama Canal Story 19

Canal History 25

Anniversaries 27

Fishing in Panama 28

Shopping 30

Shipping 31

November 1965
ESJOMi

of hospitality that

. vh the heritage ot w^

„H \ welcome visitors «' Panama

. („r centuries, rrom

i„ rP5 ofthe

L en a Panamanian W*" f ° r

has been a

, flavor; it has become one o

sbo res In ever

increasing numbers.

v -,sitors to our shores ^

, „tless attractions. ,., esV days are —9 ' and

bl , of Panama ciaims a prooa history.

TWeRepubl-of

Us ^

n the .Id Sconish ruins at Panama V.,». - ^^

w stle of commerce

along « Q panorama

FromgoHand s.imm,ngto , blossoms ..h Ho.ers, a

The interior of the y

,„,, i. • ~« «"*"*

^«h. ».» -v*-'- lte„, , —- —•*"

tremo , i «s.

confident that they

Pedro K. * DireC *°r t ,rist Bureau Ponama

Government

Tourist

Panama

November, l°°5

The Panama Canal Review
Ruins of several churches and public buildings destroyed by Henry

Morgan and his buccaneers in 1671 still stand in Old Panama.

The Golden Altar of San Jose Church, one of the most beautiful

in existence today, escaped the attack of Morgan's pirates.

The Reason: Geography

THE ISTHMUS:

FOCAL POINT

OF HISTORY

FROM THE MOMENT of its discovery, the unique

geographical position of Panama has given the Isthmus

a history of real romance and charm—richer in historical events than most parts of the two continents it joins.

Since the days when Columbus was investigating every

nook and corner of the Caribbean coast of Panama, look- ing for a way to India, the Isthmus has occupied the center of world interest. Footsteps of many men from

many nations have trod its soil, always in search of

a road across this narrow neck of land. One of those to continue the search was Vasco Nunez

de Balboa, who forced his way in 1513 through the

jungles and mountains and reached a mountain top in Darien from where he discovered the Pacific Ocean.

Three years later, Pedro Arias de Avila, who was the

Spanish governor of the colony already established on

the Caribbean side of the Isthmus, pushed his conquest

to a native fishing village on the Pacific and founded

the old city of Panama, where it remained for 154 years. Today, its ruins stand just east of the city.

Soon after its discovery, this narrow neck of land

became the strategic point of the New World's commerce.

For three centuries Panama was the treasure chest of the

New World, the port of embarkation for the expeditions

in search of gold and silver, and the port of return to Spain. It was here where the Spanish galleons arrived

with merchandise for distribution. Ships laden with

treasures for the King of Spain arrived from Peru, their

rich cargoes transferred to the backs of mules, carried

across the Isthmus, and loaded on ships bound for Spain.

Fourteen years after the founding of Panama City and

Nombre de Dios, Spaniards of the colony explored the

Chagres and the Rio Grande Rivers, studying the

possibility of using the two rivers to make a canal. The city of Panama ceased to be a mud-hut village and

in a few years it became a colonial city with buildings,

churches, and a cathedral. At the height of its importance, Panama was known as the richest and most

luxurious city in the world. Prosperity continued until

the city was destroyed by the romantic English buccaneer

Sir Henry Morgan, in 1671.

In 1673, a new walled Panama was founded some

6 miles from the old site. For almost 200 years the old

4 November 1965
forest stone-paved highway from the

capital to Portobelo, on the Caribbean

side, was the thoroughfare over which

much of Spain's commerce passed. Portobelo was a busy commercial

city where traders came from Europe

to trade with merchants from Peru, Chile, and Mexico. During the 40 days of

its fair, Portobelo vibrated with humanity—slaves unloaded cargoes from the Spanish galleons in the port, while

hundreds of mules, laden with native products and treasures collected during

the year to send to Spain, passed through

the narrow streets of the town. Gold

and silver bars were piled up like fire- wood in the Royal Treasurv Building

ready to be used as a means of exchange

between the trader from Spain and the buyers from America. Portobelo was

the victim of buccaneers and English

aggression several times.

It was not until the 18th century that the flood of Peruvian treasure began

gradually to subside and the importance

ot Panama began to wane. Spain was

emerging from her "Golden Age." Other

countries were making forced efforts to participate in the New World trade. The assaults and cruelties of the

pirates and the threats of the British to establish themselves in America's vital points disrupted the Panama-Portobelo

route. Traffic stoppage brought poverty

to Portobelo. Commercial life in Panama

became nil, but they maintained the churches, the convents and wav of

life. Thus, the colonial era and Spanish

power in Panama came to an end. Then came the revolutionary move- ment bringing a reawakening in the provinces that stirred up the struggle

for independence. Politically, commercially, and geographically Panama oc- cupied, at this time, an isolated position as a much-neglected part of the Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada, composed of the present countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. In 1821, the Panamanians declared independence from Spain, and

united their lot with La Gran Colombia. By terms of the incorporation Pan- ama expressly reserved the right to secede. And when Gran Colombia split into three parts in 1830, a separatist faction in Panama wanted independence, but after some hesitation Panama

attached itself to New Granada.

Simon Bolivar had predicted great- ness for the Isthmus of Panama because

of its strategic position between two

oceans. In 1821, hoping to draw the new republics closer together, he invit- ed the provisional governments of Peru,

(See p. 26)

Lacy balconies overlooking a narrow street and a romantic street lamp preserve the flavor of Panama's colonial splendor.

The Cathedral of Panama, started in 1688, was completed in 1796. Mother of pearl shells adorn the twin towers of the beautiful colonial structure. The Panama Canal Review
NOT ONLY is Panama the hub of Central America geographically, it also

is one of the biggest sports centers in Latin America.

Panama is a small, but sports-minded,

nation. Manx- Panamanians have become

stars in the sporting world—especially

in the United States. Athletes and sports enthusiasts from over the world venture

to Panama for sporting events. The tourist who visits Panama will find many spectator and participation

sports available. One is horse racing.

Virtually every weekend of the vear

there is racing at the "Presidente

Remon" track, where thoroughbreds

from Panama compete with North and

South America's finest. Tourists are admitted free bv showing their tourist card. Panamanians Braulio Baeza and

Manuel Ycaza are leading jockevs on

the stateside racing circuit. Boxing fans will find a bout nearly everv weekend at the National Gvm or the Olympic Stadium in Panama Citv, or at the Colon Arena in Colon. Among

the Panamanians reaching worldrenowned status are the late Panama

Al Brown, former world's bantamweight

champion, and the current lightweight

title holder, Ismael Laguna.

World famous toreadors come to Panama during the dry season to fight native-bred and imported bulls.

6 November 1965
Top South American and U.S. thoroughbreds head around the first turn at the President Remon Track.

World renowned also is major league

baseball—and Panama is no exception.

From December to Februarv fans jam

the National Stadium weekdav nights

and Sunday afternoons to watch the Panama Professional Baseball League

in action. The four teams, each from a

different province, are composed of major leaguers and local talent. Pana- manian plavers in the big leagues are Hector Lopez (New York Yankees),

Rutherford "Ghico" Salmon (Cleveland

Indians), and Emilio Phillips (Philadelphia Phillies). Numerous vouth leagues,

both baseball and Softball, provide for Panama's future diamond stars. The bullfight—a Spanish tradition for centuries—has aficionados in Panama,

too. Mexican, Spanish, and South American bullfighters have their "moment of truth" from January to April when thev

confront Panama's native-bred bulls at the Plaza de la Macarena in suburban

San Francisco de la Caleta.

All year round the handsomelv maintained Panama Golf Club draws plavers

from the Republic and the Canal Zone.

In Februarv. the club attracts some of the world's top professionals for the Panama Open Last month, Mike Sou- chack of the United States and Juan

"Chi Chi" Rodriguez of Puerto Rico

played a match there for ABC-TV's

"Wonderful World of Golf."

Basketball fans get top-flight action

in Panama June through September.

The Panama and Colon basketball leagues offer fast, talented action and,

each year, the Panama All-Stars go to the Gentral American and Panama

Games. In all the years that a Panamanian team has competed in the Games,

it has not lost a basketball game. Panama's jungles are a hunter's dream come true. The hunting enthusiast can

stalk jaguar, ocelot, puma, deer, wildcat, wild pig, and boar. Bird hunters can

search out wild turkev, duck, quail,

and wild dove. Cockfighting has been a popular

activity in Panama for manv vears. Cockfights take place everv Sundav and

Mondav at the "Club Gallistico de

Panama" in Panama Citv. In addition, most interior towns have their own

well-rigged arenas.

If you prefer to go to the beach and

soak up sun or if you prefer a boating

excursion, Panama offers a wide variety

of choices on either side of the Isthmus. Tops in popularitv are the Pacific side beaches at Rio Mar and Santa Clara—which also boast several cabin

rental sites. Surfing is becoming quite

popular now at most interior beaches. At the Olympic Swimming Pool in Pan- ama Citv, tourists are admitted upon

(See p. 24)

Two players battle for a rebound in Panama Basketball League action at the National Gymnasium.

The Panama Canal Review
aarnivai

cAnd

airA

CARNIVAL, IN PANAMA, starts 4 davs before Lent

and closes at dawn on Ash Wednesday.

Fairs, in Panama, go on all-year-round in some

part of the country. No matter what month a visitor may come to the Republic, somewhere a special

festivity will be underway.

Whether Carnival or fair, the U.S. residents and

militarv and civilian organizations in the Canal Zone

activelv participate and provide the support necessary

to insure the success of a special event.

Each fair in the Republic of Panama has its Queen,

special exhibits, and programs. The Panama Canal

organization tells the Canal story in a documentary

and through selections of slides and photographs.

Mancha and Gato, the two well-known burros from

Summit Gardens in the Canal Zone, always travel to Panama's fairs to give rides to the young fairgoers.

Calves from the Panama Canal's Mindi Dairv Farm

8 November 1965
,j(p§3> trim

usually are contributed by the Canal

organization as special prizes to Panama

agriculture students. Carnival, like the fairs, is a time of

gaiety. But Carnival, more specifically, is a time of polleras, montunos,

costumes, and floats. Traditional music of Carnival is heard

in Panama and the Canal Zone from the

first of January, and the Carnival Flag

of blue and white is raised with appropriate ceremony in Panama and in the Canal Zone during the first weeks

of the new year. Throughout January, candidates for Carnival Queen compete for the crown

to be worn by the representative of each respective community, each social center, and many organizations.

Carnival weekend is a busv one for the many Queens. A Coronation Ball

for the Canal Zone Pacific Side Carnival

Queen is usually held at the Tivoli Guest House. The Coronation Ball of the Atlantic Side Queen generally is held at the Breakers Club at Coco Solo. Panama's official Carnival Queen, select- (See p. 22)

The excitement of a rural fair in Panama. At this one, a group demonstrates the square

dance, a native dance of the United States. Typical Panamanian dances flavor all fairs and furnish fun. The fair's primary purposes are to spotlight agricultural, commercial, and

industrial aspects of the area and to advance progress and knowledge in these areas.

Parade at Carnival time. This float boasts beautiful members of the Chinese colony riding the back of a colorful dragon. The parade is a dazzling highlight of the Carnival.

The Panama Canal Beview 9
This is the brightness of night in Panama, along Balboa Boulevard by the Bay of Panama.

Dining at night, as a cool breeze from the bay sweeps across this terraced restaurant close by the bay. A garden atmosphere completes the scene.

IT'S BEEN GOING on for the past 450

years or so. Night life in Panama, that is.

It probably started when the first of the gay Spanish dons set foot on the Isthmus and it has been continuing in various degrees of intensity ever since. Although night life in Panama is far more sleek and sophisticated than it was in the wide open days of the construction era or the World War II days,

it always has had a color and character

all its own and a gay, pulsating rhythm

purely Panamanian.

Tourists lucky enough to visit the Isthmus during the annual Carnival

season will find all of Panama involved

in a gay 4-day party. In addition to the regular entertainment offered by the

hotels, clubs and night spots. Carnival

brings to life the gay native dances in the open-air dance halls called "toldos,"

built especially for the celebration in many parts of Panama and the interior. During the rest of the year there still

is plenty of bright entertainment ranging from dinner under the stars in a tropical garden to dancing in a luxuri10 November 1965
Ruins at Panama Viejo are beautiful at night. A sidewalk cafe, informal and gay.

Near the modern hotel area, this open air restaurant offers a view of a busy thoroughfare.

ous hotel supper room and a whirl in the glamorous gambling casinos. And

there are several air-conditioned motion

picture theaters featuring both Hollywood and European films. Panama City boasts three topnotch

luxury hotels. One, the International, is located near the shopping district in the heart of town. The other two, the Hotel El Continental and EI Panama

Hilton, are near the elite residential

districts of Panama.

The International is noted for its excellent restaurant and French cuisine. The Hilton and the Continental have

deluxe supper rooms where the service, the music and the floor shows are su- perb. And there are Government-operated gambling casinos in both hotels. Another excellent hotel with continental food and music for dancing is La Siesta, an attractive motel-type inn located near Tocumen Airport. All are completely

air conditioned.

A popular place for cocktails before dinner or drinks afterwards is the El Bombarde Room of the Panama Hilton,

with its giant Wurlitzer organ plaved

nightly by Leroy Lewis. The organ, one of the largest three-manual keyboard types ever built by Wurlitzer, has 259 stops and can produce sounds

ranging from a whisper to a thunderous

roll.Panama dishes and seafood are the

specialty of Club Panamar, an attractive and popular restaurant with an open-air

tropical garden located on the shores of Panama Bay. The service is excellent and there is a wide selection of wines. While the native dishes of Panama

can match those of any other country, the visitor may wish to try another

variety. There are two excellent Chinese

(See p. 23)

The Panama Canal Review 11
Chiriqui Province:

Land of Contrasts

Thoroughbred horses are raised at this farm near Conception, Chiriqui.

CHIRIQUI IS PANAMA'S province of

lovelv contrasts. It's a place where a half-hour drive takes you from the tropical climate of its principal city, David,

to the eternal spring that graces the mountain village of Boquete.

This province of towering peaks and

rich soil is about 300 miles from Pan- ama— 1 hour bv air. A side trip to Chiriqui province is one that pavs a traveler manv dividends.

There are several "musts" in the area. One is the Boquete orange, a navel orange unsuprassed in the world for delicacy and flavor. Everyone should

experience the taste thrill of this fruit. And, of course, the highlands of Chiriqui are famous for quality coffee, and

its lowlands for tobacco. The province produces much of the food for the Republic of Panama—there

are huge banana plantations, many

coffee fincas (farms), a huge citrus development that will one dav export

much orange juice, and high on the

slopes of the mountains are grown much

of the produce sold in the marketplaces

of Panama City and Colon. It also pro- duces most of the beef for the country-

. The vegetables grown in the rich

soils of the highlands are famous for

their size and quality. Fruits abound,

and the Boquete strawberrv has a wide reputation for its gigantic size and

sweetness. The region boasts cold streams that

attract fishermen, and its woodlands

and mountainsides provide some of the

country's most beautiful scenery. Wildflowers, lakes, and the majesty of "el volcan Baru" make Chiriqui a camera

fan's paradise.

In both David and Boquete there

are fine hotels and modern restaurants and transportation. "Chiricanos" are noted for their friendly spirit and for

their energy. The area offers hunting, trout fishing, and for the salt water fisherman, the Pacific is nearby. Whether the

traveler goes by air, or takes the 8-hour

trip by car on the Inter-American

Highway from Panama City, he will

find his destination a rewarding one.

The beauty of El Baru can be seen for miles in the Boquete area. A placid lakeside scene in the Volcan area.

12 November 1965
Twins Roxana Varela, left, and Dagmar, in typical native costume

Views o/ Panama

^^l"^^fjTil^nii .MJ

V, f

On the waterfront, Panama City. Note the shrimp fleet at rear.

Poolside at the beautiful Panama Hilton Hotel An aerial view of downtown Panama City.

A favorite spot for tourists in Panama. The imposing Continental Hotel. Farming in the Chiriqui highlands.

U-Tir- Ifinnn,

JBi r flHiiriri pnrr iniirim
Pleasure

Islands

AT OPPOSITE ENDS of the Republic

of Panama are two lovely places—both

a short distance form Panama's main

thoroughfares and both with an appeal

that attracts tourists who want something different, visitors who want to

reallv know the country. Bocas del Toro, in western Panama,

and the San Bias Islands, in the eastern

part, are both on the Atlantic side of Panama.

Bocas is a quiet, beautiful group of

islands, largely undiscovered by tourists, though a few trickle in from nearby

Panama City. It has its eye on the

future, and while accommodations are now limited, the potential for a brisk

tourist trade is tremendous.

The San Bias are unique islands; life there goes on much as it did when Columbus sailed into the Bocas del Toro

area 463 vears age. The short, industrious Indian population is known locallv for its self-sufficient and democratic

outlook. The San Bias live largely in 42 settlements scattered through 365 is- lands. They are adopting some modern

conveniences, but socially they are selective, retaining many tribal customs and ceremonies.

The San Bias Islands are accessible by air, and the enchanting view from

an airplane is, by itself, worth the modest price of a ticket. This is one of the musts for tourists and the trip can be

taken both ways in a day. In a few

years, the opportunity to take this trip into the past may disappear. For a souvenir, the tourist may want

to buy a mola, a beautiful and interest- ing creation of the San Bias women.

Designs vary from geometric to birds,

village scenes, animals, or svmbols depicting cultural or religious themes.

Sewn by hand, the complicated stitch- ing requires hours of hard work. Framed, the mola is an exquisite decoration. At Bocas, the climate and beaches

are unsurpassed. And the fishing is su- perb. Prices are extremely reasonable,

though the accommodations are not to be compared with those in a modern city or town; they are rudimentary and suited

to the tourist who doesn't require manv

conveniences to enjoy his stay.

Approaching the island of Ailigandi in a cayuco—a native canoe. Boat at dockside is a trading

vessel that buys San Bias harvest of coconuts, sells everything from nails to ice cream.

San Bias Indian girls, with maraca-s and homemade flutes, practice a dance that they

perform in special tribal ceremonies. Original music is composed for the dance.

14 November 1965
The pier at Bocas del Toro. Scenery on the

islands is magnificent and it is a place

where a walk is not a chore but an

enjoyable experience.

There is an interesting stalactite cave

to see, outer island trips to take, a

visit to a banana plantation, skindiving

in the clear waters, and water skiing. Boats may be rented for fishing. Seafood

is abundant, and delicious Bocas del Toro lobsters or turtle steaks are served

at the airport restaurant, 5 minutes

walking distance from the hotel. Bocas is reached by daily air service from Panama, and from David. Or, the

traveler can enjoy a scenic 7- or 8-hour

trip to David by auto and then fly to Bocas. Souvenirs from Bocas include stuffed

turtles, interesting items of tortoise shell, or the beautifully preserved barracuda

heads, mounted on lacquered plaques.

*1^S|^

\

This lobster weighed 14 pounds. The res- idents of Bocas del Toro have a plentiful

supply of these tasty shellfish, fresh from

the surrounding waters.

The Panama Canal Review 15
CANAL COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC BY NATIONALITY OF VESSELS
This ship started service between NewYork and Nassau last April and is making her first visit to the Isthmus. She

will arrive in Cristobal February 15 on

a 15-day cruise out of New York. A stop

at the San Bias Islands is included. The Hanscatic, another well-known

Home liner, is due in Cristobal February 17 on a West Indies cruise out of Port Everglades, Fla. Due in Cristobal December 23 on a Christmas cruise to the West Indies is the new Zim liner Shalom, a beautiful

cruise vessel placed in service last year. The United Fruit Co., agents for Zim

Lines and the Moore-McCormack Line,

announced the scheduled arrival of the SS Argentina in January from New York

on a Caribbean cruise. The SS United States, one of the great passenger liners of modern times and

one of the fastest, will arrive in Cristo- bal February 12 on her third visit to Cristobal. The 990-foot liner will be

brought to dock at about 7 a.m. and

will remain here until 2 a.m. the follow- ing day when it will sail for Kingston,

Jamaica. Panama Agencies represent

the United States Line here. The North German Lloyd liner Bre- men is due February 25 for a 1-day visit as part of a West Indies cruise. Continental Shipping Corp. is the agent.

Four cruise vessels owned by the Holland America Line are due to visit the Canal this season. They are the Ryndam, the Maasdam, the Rotterdam,

and the Statendam. All are well-known

winter visitors and all are scheduled to pass through the Canal and dock either

in Balboa or Cristobal. The Ryndam

will arrive in Balboa April 16 from Australia, the Maasdam is due January 22

in Balboa from the South Seas; the Rot- terdam will come to Balboa April 8

after a world cruise, and the Statendam

is due in Balboa December 3. Pacific Ford, agents for Cunard and

Royal Mail Lines as well as for the Holland America Line ships, announced

that the Cunard cruise liner Caronia

would make its annual visit to the Canal

April 29 on the last lap of a world cruise and that the Royal Mail liner Andes was

due in Cristobal January 24. The P. & O. Orient Lines, represented

here by Norton Lilly & Co., have eight voyages scheduled to include the Pan- ama Canal during the 1965-66 cruise

season. These cruises are scheduled for the Oronsay, due here November 20 and

October 9; the Arcadia, due December 4; the Orsova due February 2; the Chusan due December 19 and the Canberra, flagship of the line, due April 29.

PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES SHIPPED THROUGH THE CANAL

(All cargo figures in long tons) Pacific to Atlantic

Commodity

Ores, various Lumber

Petroleum and products (excludes asphalt)

Wheat

Sugar

Canned food products

Nitrate of soda Fishmeal Bananas

Metals, various Food products in refrigeration (except fresh

fruit) Coffee Pulpwood

Iron and steel manufactures

Sulfur

All others

TotalFirst quarter, fiscal year—

1966

1,717,385

1,088,396

148,974

257,918

840,926

256,459

133,473

229,073

309,234

363,871

179,443

105,538

134,587

856,840

75,954

1,561,811

8,259,882

1965

1,975,959

1,058,749

291,459

179,693

826,657

252,338

156,590

320,483

327,575

292,953

205,568

88,085

143,739

426,827

115,863

1,294,877

7,957,415

Average

1951-55

987,567

798,109

339,598

473,208

346,218

309,830

250,093

N.A.

155,958

175,110

142,823

60,065

44,248

39,171

747,752

4,869,750

Atlantic to Pacific

Commodity

Rice Sugar

Sulfur Bauxite Coal and coke Sorghum

Ammonium compounds

Phosphates

Soybeans

Fertilizers, unclassfied Wheat

Iron and steel manufactures Corn

Machinery

Ores, various Metal (scrap)

Paper and paper products Petroleum and products (excludes asphalt)

Chemicals, unclassified

All others Total

First quarter, fiscal year1966

103,671

168,273

118,208

175,824

713,914

149,740

97,664

778,403

411,888

119,828

191,559

436,755

825,376

106,902

121,765

510,379

125,053

484,786

199,092

599,626

11,438,706

1965

67,865

244,688

123,385

196,485

1,429,851

88,837

84,892

708,341

328,847

126,044

152,030

361,229

624,373

109,823

257,239

697,992

152,030

3,608,789

207,198

1,365,977

10,935,915

Average

1951-55

28,420

99,311

96,831

7,910

539,013

N.A.

37,794

156,591

43,705

35,221

49,017

376,917

12,729

66,690

53,676

10,321

90,900

709,710

45,236

1,172,908

3,632,900

CANAL TRANSITS - COMMERCIAL AND U.S. GOVERNMENT
Visitor s

Notebook

On Panama

VISITORS TO THE Republic of Pan- ama and the Canal Zone come by every mode of transportation ever invented by

man. Thcv come bv sea, by air, and over

the InterAmerican Highway, traveling

bv conventional plane, boat, car and

bus. Some have come on motorcycles

and bicvcles, and there also have been

intrepid hikers—all with the Isthmus as

their goal.

The onlv tourist requirements are a smallpox vaccination and a tourist card. The former is compulsory for all travelers, by international regulations. The

latter sells for 82 and is obtained through anv travel agency or transportation

company. The tourist card permits the

visitor to remain 30 days, and may be

extended to 90 days when the tourist

is in the country.

If the traveler has a valid passport, so much the better. Instead of a tourist card, he may secure through the Pan- amanian consulate a tourist visa valid

for 90 daws. U.S. currency is used in the Canal

Zone and the Republic of Panama.

The monetary unit of Panama is the bal- boa, and prices may be quoted in bal- boas, written B/. Minted, but not in wide circulation, is the balboa, a silver coin equivalent to the U.S. dollar. Pan- ama has no paper money and uses the U.S. paper money, while all the country's coins are equivalent to U.S. coins. Travelers' checks are accepted by hotels and business establishments. The climate is tropical, with relatively

high but even temperatures throughout

the year. December through April is Panama's summer, or dry season, and

January usually is Panama's loveliest month. The landscape, in January, is

still fresh and green from the rainy season which ends in December, and

unseared by the constant sun and inter- mittent trade winds of the drv season.

It is generally cool and not sultry as during the rainv season. Sportswear and summer clothing are worn throughout the year in Panama.

Bathing suits are important in the Isth- mian wardrobe and so are comfortable

My*.

I -

Balboa Boulevard winds along the inner crescent of beautiful Panama City, and no visitor should miss an opportunity to see this scenic thoroughfare.

low-heeled shoes for tours, shopping, or

trips to the country.

The Republic of Panama geographically links Central and South America,

and its biggest tourist attraction, of world renown, is the Panama Canal in the Canal Zone. The Canal was built by the United

States at a cost of $380 million and represents 10 years of hard work. It is ap- proximately 50 miles long, deep water

to deep water, and follows a north- westerley to southeasterly direction. The entire area of the Canal Zone

population in 1960, including the U.S. Armed Forces, was 42,122.

The population of the Republic of Panama, in the 1960 census, was

1,075,541, with 41.5 percent urban and

58.5 percent rural. Panama City, the most populated area, has more than 300,000 inhabitants. The sanitation of the Isthmus and the

provision of a pure water supply were

problems of greatest consequence in the

successful completion of the Panama

Canal and these problems were solved during construction days. There is an ample supply of pure filtered water

today.

Milk is pasteurized, Panama's meats

are good, and the fish are excellent. Fruits and vegetables are excellent, too. Transportation between the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the Isthmus is avail- able by railway or highway. The Pan- ama Railroad crosses the Isthmus in

1 hour 25 minutes for the 48-mile trip

and the round trip costs $2. Twelve

passenger trains operate daily between

Colon and Panama City, and weekends

there are 14 passenger trains. Bus lines serve the principal areas in the Canal Zone, the cities of Panama and

Colon, and the interior of the Republic

traveling over the multimillion-dollar Thatcher Ferry Bridge.

Arrangements for cars for hire may

be made privately or through one of the several reputable travel agencies in Panama. As for language, both English

and Spanish are commonly spoken.

18 November 1965
THE PANAMA CANAL

Gatun Locks. This mammoth water staircase raises ships from the level of the Atlantic Ocean, at bottom of picture, to Gatun Lake,

in background, in three steps. The lake is 85 feet above the level of the Atlantic. WHETHER IT IS A visitor's first look

or his 50th, there has never been one

with soul so dead that he does not thrill at the sight of the huge ocean liners smoothly climbing the 85-foot water

stairs of Gatun Locks on the Atlantic

side or being locked through the two

locks at Miraflores and one at Pedro

Miguel on the Pacific side of the Canal. As the tourist pamphlets say, it is an

engineering triumph that never fails to stimulate a deep feeling of amazement

and respect. From the mechanical standpoint, the Panama Canal remains one of the wonders of the world. Even though the construction of larger and larger merchant vessels has been one factor lead- ing to the call for a new and larger

waterway, the Panama Canal is still of significance to the entire world and a primary influence on world commerce.

It is also a thrill to stand at the

visitor's lookout at Contractors' Hill and watch the never-ending parade of

freighters, tankers, superships and sleek

liners as they steam majestically through

the narrow ribbon of Gaillard Cut.

Visitors to the Panama Canal will be

Vital Uo urade,

Jt c4bo c4tttact3

-Many, Vourijtj

interested primarily in the operation of the locks, the view of the bay from the Thatcher Ferry Bridge in Balboa, and

a partial transit through the Cut aboard

the Panama Canal sightseeing launch Las Cruces, which has been available

to an increasing flow of Isthmian visitors since 1962. While the locks are engineering marvels, the trip through Gaillard Cut gives

a vivid picture of the difficulties en- countered by the Canal builders in slic- ing a "big ditch" through hundreds of

feet of rock and shale which make up

the continental divide. Members of the Panama Canal Guide

Service, an elite and knowledgeable

corps, are on hand to explain the working of the Panama Canal locks. Points of interest which the Isthmian

visitor may also tour on his own include

the famous Summit Gardens where there

is one of the world's most complete col- lection of tropical plants; Madden Dam

where the Canal's water supply is stor- ed; the Canal Administration Building;

Gorgas Hospital; the Canal Zone Li- brary Museum; and the palm-shaded

avenues of Balboa, Ancon, Margarita

and other Canal Zone community towns. Madden Lake, a reservoir stretching

for 19 miles behind Madden Dam, is one of the favorite recreation spots for Isthmian residents. The lake is used for boating, fishing and swimming. The

Canal Zone Boy Scouts have a year- round camp there and the Hydrographic Branch of the Panama Canal

maintains water stations on the banks

of the Pequini, Bocaron, and Chagres

Rivers. Summit Gardens, located on the crest of the continental divide, is a wonderland for the naturalist, the botanist or the casual visitor. Established in 1923

as a plant introduction garden, some

15,000 different kinds of plant life have

been introduced. There is a rapidlv

(See p. 20)

The Panama Canal Review 19
?#.- *-£•!*&*

Panama Canal

Jj a -Mujt

Jor Vljltorj

(Continued from p. 19)

expanding zoo and picnic grounds.

The Panama Canal is only 51 years

old, but the Isthmus of Panama on which it is situated has a rich heritage

of historic legend and human interest dating back as far as the Spanish

conquistadores.

Tourists on a brief visit may miss some of the historic sites and crumbling ruins such as the fortifications of Fort San Lorenzo on the Atlantic Side

and the Las Cruces Trail over which was shipped the gold and silver treasure

of the Americas.

Fort San Lorenzo at the mouth of the Chagres River protected the Atlantic terminus of the old Cruces Trail used

from 1530 to 1855 for commercial and

passenger traffic over the Isthmus. The

old fort was attacked and captured

several times by the English during the

16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Vestiges of the old Cruces Trail may

be seen today although it was long ago abandoned as a highway, A stretch

still in fairly good condition crosses the

Stored behind Madden Dam is the water supply that carries the Canal operation through

the dry season. The huge lake also attracts fishermen.

Where Las Cruces trail begins. The historical cannon is reminiscent of the days when

Spanish explorers used this trail across the Isthmus to transport looted gold.

20 November 1965
The Canal Zone:

Tourist Magnet

Madden Dam Road in the center of the Canal Zone forest reservation, one of the beauty spots of the Canal Zone.

Picnic tables are available there for those who want to eat lunch or barbecue

after walking along the historic cobblestone trail. The Panama Railroad, built in 1855

and the first transcontinental railroad

in this hemisphere, follows the Pan- ama Canal channel for most of its 50-mile length. Equipped with modern

diesel engines and comfortable passen- ger coaches, it gives the visitor a good

view of the Canal. At the end of a day of sightseeing,

visitors may find it relaxing to pav a call on the venerable Tivoli Guest House.

Ruilt in 1906, since 1951 it has been a guest house, but onlv for official Panama

Canal visitors. One of its first guests was

President Theodore Roosevelt and his partv when thev came to the Isthmus

in 1906. The entrance to Fort San Lorenzo at the mouth of the Chagres River. The fort played

a vital part in early Isthmian history.

HI 1> HUM mil! I

The Panama Canal Guide Service at Miraflores and Gatun Locks

serves thousands of visitors a year, at pavilions at the locks, aboard

passenger ships, and on tours.

Another train crosses the Isthmus on the oldest transcontinental

railroad in the hemisphere. Completed in 1855, it was rebuilt by

the United States after 1900. In this view it runs beside the Canal.

The Panama Canal Review 21
The splendor of the luxurious pollera, typical Panamanian costume, against the Aboard this float in the Carnival parade are Panamanian beauties in the beautiful native M*"®"* backdrop of stone in the Old Pancostume, the pollera. ama Catl

Y;dra tower. Miss Ilka Rubeha

Crosthwaite P. models the dress.

A native conjunto plays as dancers in costume entertain onlookers

at Panama Viejo.

cji

uV&Sr-'r

.•&*

Youngsters lead calves at a fair. Display of livestock, including

those nurtured under 4-H Club sponsorship, is a feature of fairs in the interior of Panama.

Carnival and Fairs—Traditional in Panama

(Continued from p. 9)

ed by the Panama Carnival Junta, is crowned in a beautiful ceremony at Panama City's Olympic Stadium.

On Carnival Saturday, the President

of the Republic of Panama receives in audience the Panama City Queen, the Canal Zone Pacific Side Queen, the Queen of the Chinese colony in Panama,

and other Queens.

Traditional Pollera Day is Sunday of

Carnival Week. The Carnival Queens,

accompanied by King Momo and all the court, parade through the main

streets in open cars. A Carnival Classicis usually held that afternoon at the Rcmon Race Track in Panama City,

with all the Carnival Queens as honor

guests. Carnival Monday is sprinkled with

confetti and looped with seq^entine from

the mock "battles" bv Carnival merrymakers up and down Panama City's Central Avenue and other streets of the

city that are closed to traffic. The climax of Carnival in Panama is Carnival Tuesday, when a parade is held

in the afternoon. The Panama Canal

organization, U.S. Armed Forces in the Canal Zone, industries in Panama and

the Panama Carnival Junta are repre- sented in color and original floats. Each

(See p. 30)

November 1965
Downtown Panama after dark. Central Avenue is a splash of neon and moving cars. Panama

After

Dark

(Continued from p. 11)

restaurants, the Gran China on Balboa

Avenue near the sea and the Restaurante Gran Formosa on the Trans- Isthmian Highway.

Italian food is the specialty of the

Capri, an open-air restaurant across from the Panama Hilton and La Fiorentina on Ricardo Arias Avenue. For charcoal broiled steaks U.S. style, there is the Club 21 on Via Espafia.

If a visitor is not too tired after a day

of swimming, fishing or sightseeing, he

can take in one of a number of night

clubs where things are jumping and the

local atmosphere and music are exotic. There are El Sombrero on Via Espafia

with bright new shows imported from

South America; Maxims, an intimate

night club across the street from the Panama Hilton and any number of smaller intimate bars and night spots. A conducted tour of the citv's night

life may be arranged. Panama's theaters draw large evening crowds.

The Panama Canal Review 23
Ismael Lacuna, left, and Carlos Ortiz trade blows in bout in which Laguna captured

lightweight crown. They will fight again

November 13. Panama Sports

Suit All Tastes

(Continued from p. 7)

presentation of identification. A launch

trip to Taboga Island puts vou on

the most beautiful beaches in Panama.

Boating is expanding as recreation in Panama. The Panama Yacht Club offers excellent facilities. Tennis lovers will find the tennis courts at the Olympic Swimming Pool

available at a nominal fee. The local open tennis tournaments are held at the pool courts. A rapidly rising sport in Panama is bowling. Panama bowling enthusiasts go to bowling allevs in the Zone, but

a $ 100,000, 16-lane establishment, next

to Sears on the Trans-Isthmian High- way, is scheduled to open next month.

In short, the stopover tourist, the lengthy vacationer, and visitors to the Isthmus—all can find nearlv every sport

or outdoor activity to satisfy their athletic and recreational wishes.

• • >» JV/' #«Mr%

<* V

Baseball action in Panama. The Republic has sent many of its top baseball men to the major leagues in the United States.

24 November 1965
CANAL HISTORY

50 1/earJ cAgo

TRAFFIC THROUGH the Panama

Canal came to a halt October 18, 1915,

when slides, which had plagued Canal

authorities earlier that year, completely

closed Gaillard Cut. The major slide ocurred about 1,000 feet north of Gold

Hill and blocked the channel for the fol- lowing 6 months. Five dredges were

immediately brought into the area and

work of removing the slide material continued on a 24-hour-a-day basis. Shipping tied up at Balboa and Cristobal while some vessels took on fuel and

stores for the long trip around the

Straits of Magellan. At one time there were 83 vessels tied up in the Canal

awaiting passage. The blocking of the Canal caused a heavy increase in the demand for food

supplies, upset the normal conditions of supplying coal and placed an unusual

burden of traffic on the Panama Rail- road, which was used again for the first time since the Canal opened to traffic, for the transfer of cargo between the terminal ports. In October 1915, the

railroad was handling between 4,000

and 5,000 tons of transisthmian freight per day.

While the Dredging Division worked

on removing the slide, heavy rains caused the sharpest rise of the Chagres

River and Gatun Lake since the Canal was placed in commercial operation.

25 yearJ c4go

EXPANSION OF military installations

in the Canal Zone was being planned

25 years ago as a result of the war in Europe. Work continued on the construction of hangars at Howard Field

and plans were announced for the

construction of underground air raid

shelters. Secretary of Navy Frank Knox said

that President Roosevelt had allocated $50 million to construct air and naval

bases in the Caribbean. He planned a

visit to Coco Solo later in the year. The first step toward the construction

of a tunnel or bridge to replace the in- adequate ferry system across the Canal was taken by the United States with

the appointment of an engineer to studv

the problem and decide where a tunnel

or bridge should be located. The United

States also announced that it would

build a road between Madden Dam and

Cativa.

10 year3 c4ao

FORMAL ACCEPTANCE of the Contractors Hill project was made in September 1955 after the Tecon Corporation of Texas had completed the work

in 15 months. The project was the

largest of its kind in the history of the Canal since construction days. It was

primarily preventive work to avoid a possible rock fall which could have

blocked the channel in Gaillard Cut. The bronze bust of Count Ferdinand

de Lesseps, whose name is linked with

the early history of the Panama Canal, was formally presented to the Panama

Canal in November 1955 by the Board

of Directors of the Suez Canal Company. The presentation ceremony, held

in the Administration Building at Bal- boa Heights, marked the 150th anni- versary of de Lesseps' birth and was a feature of a worldwide observance of the Ferdinand de Lesseps sesquicentennial

celebration. Specifications were prepared and

invitations for proposals were being

issued for test models of the new powerful replacement towing locomotives for the Panama Canal locks. The project was the biggest single replacement

order for Panama Canal equipment

cost-wise, in the history of the waterway.

One year cAgo

ONE OF THE last phases of the long range program for widening the Pan- ama Canal channel from 300 to 500 feet came to a close last September when

the last yard of the 5% million cubic

yards of earth overburden was removed.

The work begun on a contract awarded

to Moretti and Harrison of Miami in January 1963 involved the removal of 5V2 million cubic yards of earth over- burden on the 3V2-mile Las CascadasBas Obispo Reaches.

Pedro Miguel Locks in March 1915. These ships were moored to the lock walls, delayed by slides in the Cut near Gold Hill. A few

months later, slides closed the Canal and it took 6 months to clear it for traffic.

The Panama Canal Review 25
The Isthmus: Focal Point of History

A new city of Panama was built within massive walls 2 years after the destruction

of Old Panama. Portions of the old wall are

still seen in parts of the city, mainly at Las Bovedas and along the shoreline of the city.

(Continued from p. 5)

Argentina, and Chile to an international congress to be held in Panama. However, unsettled conditions prevented

the conference at that time. It wasn't

until 1826 that the congress convened

with representatives of Colombia, Peru, Central America, and Mexico and

drafted a treatv of perpetual union. This first attempt to achieve unity

among the nations of the Western Hemisphere is known as the Panama

Congress.

Panama continued as a department

of the United States of Colombia for a period of 82 vears—from 1821 to November 1903. During these years many

projects for a Panama Canal were

placed before the Governments of La

(Iran Colombia and later Nueva Granada. The most interesting events in the

history of Panama since her s?paration

from Spain are those connected with

efforts to build a canal from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Bolivar approved

the idea in theorv, as had others. The search continued for a route

across the Isthmus. At various times,

England and France showed great interest in this waterway route. The Gov- ernment of the United States did not begin to consider the matter until 1835. At this time. President Jackson was

asked bv the U.S. Senate to consider

negotiating with Nueva Granada and

the Central American Republics in respect to such a canal. Nothing came of this at the time.

It wasn't until the western frontier of the United States became part of the United States, a result of the Mexican

War, and the need for making the new

possessions more accessible from the Eastern States, that the franchise to construct a railroad was secured from

the Nueva Granada Government. A

vear later, in 1849, the gold rush of the "fortv-niners" to California gave

impetus to the land route and the Panama Railroad was born.

In those davs there were no railroads uniting the east and west of the United

States. Because of the Indians inhabit- ing the central part of the United

States, it was dangerous and almost

impossible to cross the country. The

safest way was via the Isthmus of Pan- ama. The sailboats and steamers carry- ing the adventurers to the Isthmian

ports brought riches to Panama again.

The Isthmian towns came alive again—

hotels and transportation facilities were

organized for the travelers. Life and

splendor came to the Isthmus once

more. Panama was experiencing years of abundance similar to the happy times

of the Portobelo fairs. The construction

of the railroad brought development of Manzanillo Island where Colon stands

todav. Workers were brought in. First came the Irish workmen who soon were overcome bv the climate. Malaria and

vellow fever also put an end to the Chinese, who replaced the Irish. Ja- maicans were brought in to complete

the work on the construction of the

railroad. The famous Panama Railroad was opened to traffic in 1855.

In the United States the great water- wav project still hung fire. Between

1857 and 1863 an almost unbroken

series of factional disturbances agitated

New Granada. Several times the safety

of the Panama Railroad gave new

impetus to the plans for a canal. In Mav, 1876, Colombia granted a concession for the construction of a canal bv wav of Panama to Lt. Lucien

Napoleon Bonaparte Wyse, an officer

in the French Armv. This concession

he sold to a group of French financiers,

who persuaded the builder of the Suez,

Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, to join

them.

In 1881, the French organized La

Compagnie Universelle du Canal In- teroceanique. Disease, mismanagement,

extravagance, corruption, and technical incompetence have been ascribed as the causes of the French company's failure, and in 1889, after 8 years of work, the companv went bankrupt. A new com- pany was formed in 1894 but did no

work.

The U.S. Government then entered

into negotiations with Colombia to take over the project; but the treatv between

the two governments, known as the Herran-Hay Treaty, was rejected by the Colombian Senate. For Colombia, the canal was important but not decisive. For Panama

it meant life or death. Colombia's re- jection of the treaty meant the end of Panama's onlv means of economic sal- vation. Without a canal there would

surelv be an economic crisis. There were visions of the dark davs of poverty and misery that existed before the construction of the Panama Railroad.

It was during these negotiations that Panama decided her destiny, and on

the 3d of November, 1903, she declar- ed her separation from Colombia and

became a republic. Panama had made manv attempts to free herself— 53 uprisings in 57 years. On the 18th of November 1903, the Hay-Bunau Vari11a Treaty was signed between Panama

and the United States. Five years elapsed between the French collapse and the beginning of the U.S. effort to build the canal. American engineers found much of the work done by the French usable,

especially in Culebra Cut. But they

changed the plan for the canal from

sea-level to a lock-type canal. Before starting the construction

work, the Americans considered of ut- most importance the improvement of sanitary conditions on the Isthmus. Thev

brought immediate changes: mudd)

streets were paved and proper sewerage systems were installed. Within

2 vears thev eradicated yellow fever and reduced fatalities from other diseases. Sanitarv precautions were established and enforced, making Panama

one of the healthiest countries in the hemisphere.

Ten vears later the Panama Canal was built. The dream and prophecy of main had been realized. Since then

Panama has prospered and taken her

place among the free nations of the world. Her position between the two

mighty oceans shall always be the most

important factor toward an even more

brilliant future.

26 Novembeh 1965
ANNIVERSARIES

(On the basis of total Federal Service)

MARINE BUREAU

Cyril V. Atherton,

Leader Maintenanceman

James T. Chambers

Clerk TRANSPORTATION AND TERMINALS

BUREAU

Hubert A. Dawkins

Chauffer Adolphus E. Johnson

Helper (Materials Handl

Repairm

Claudius A.^re-a Clerk

Harol

Clerk SUPPLY

Equipment

MU

BUREAU

RVICE

David A. Fyffe

Snack Bar Operator

Reuben T. Stewart

Assistant Retail Store Manager

ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

BUREAU

Frederick C. Bitter Chief Engineer, Towboat, Salvage Pablo Marin

Leader Maintenanceman

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE

DIVISION

Conrad A. Boyd

Packer (Light)

SUPPLY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

BUREAU

Joseph L. H. Demers

Supervisory Storage Officer Albert E. Watson

Lead Foreman (Gro Ucaston A. Barclay

Leader Maintenanceman

Douglas C. Best

Illustrator (General) Beauford J. Hartley

Leader Engineman ( Portable) George W. Hinds

Sales Section Head

John T. Pessoa

Sales Section Head

Conrad A. Walrond

Sales Section Head

Cecil D. Gooding

Assistant Commissary Store Manager

Arthur J. Mike

Retail Store Department Manager

(General)

wfc

The luxury liner Shalom will visit the port of Cristobal on December 23. This will be the

first visit of this ship to the area. It will call while on a Christmas cruise to the West Indies.

MARINE BUREAU

John R. Bruland, Jr. Associate Supervisory Inspector (Boilermaker)

Thomas J. Pimento

Machinist (Marine)

Cecil O. Brooks Seaman

T"hp T Riirni; Chief Engineer, Towboat

ntana

niseer (Maintenance)

ullns, Jr. toy (Engineman-Hoisting and

G AND CONSTRUCTION

BUREAU

Belisario Angulo

Laborer

Leslie A. Hurdle

Seaman

Tomas Rios Maintenanceman (Distribution Systems)

Leopoldo De Gracia Cement Finisher Arthur U. Johnson Helper Plumber

Frederick McClure

Carpenter

Charles S. Smith II Guard

TRANSPORTATION AND TERMINALS

BUREAU

Herman C. Graham

Cargo Clerk George J. Herring Yardmaster

Archibald W. Lecky

Freight Rate Assistant Maxwell S. Sanders General Foreman (Fuel Operations)

Sixto Gutierrez Linehandler

CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU

Adamary Anderson

Counselor (U.S. Schools)

Calmer A. Batalden Teacher (U.S. Schools) Mary B. Journeay

Instructor (Canal Zone College)

Thomas L. Sellers Foreman, Mailing Division (IP) Gaddis Wall

District Police Commander

HEALTH BUREAU

Jennie G. Johannes Nurse Supervisor (Pediatrics) Ora V. Stich Librarian (Medical and Biological

Sciences)

The Panama Canal Review 27
THE HOOK SETS tight and the line

slices through blue-black water; the reel whines and your line is straight and

hard, like a ramrod. The great black marlin has struck. In Panama, where the marlin

plentiful, this incomparable thrill of hooking one of the world's biggest and

most challenging fish is not rare. Most

likely it will be a marlin, but it could be

the Pacific sailfish, which is much big- ger than the Atlantic variety, or the monstrous sawfish. The world's record

for sawfish was set in Panama waters, where 21 other world's record fish have

been landed, including black, blue and

silver marlin, snook, amberjack, sailfish. and giant sea bass. Panama's name means "abundance of

fish," according to one popular translation. And the fish abound in waters that

can be reached

few minutes.

Among the people who take fishing

seriously, the marlin is the big thing in Panama. These giant fighters are the

black, striped, and blue marlin. Apparently, there is a growing belief that there is also a silver marlin. About

95 percent of the marlin caught are

the black and these average 250 to 300

pounds. However, a 400 or 500 pound

marlin is not at all uncommon. The

world's record for the black marlin is 1,560 pounds.

Marlin are caught by trolling. Live

bonita is the best bait, but a marlin will

hit strips of cut bonita too. Though

boats troll at moderate speed to make it easier for the marlin, there's no worry

about that. A marlin can outrun anv

fishing boat. Once the hook is set, the

This 85-pound red snapper was caught in Panama waters by Leo Krziza, right, kneeling.

boat is worked toward the fish as the angler pumps the rod. Hooked in the

gill, a vital spot, a marlin can be boated

in 5 to 20 minutes. But if he's hooked in the bill or the eve, the battle can be 4 to 12 hours' long, and it has been

in many cases.

A happy man, and why not? Frank Violette landed this 662-pound black marlin in 15 minutes at Pirias Bay.

28 November 1965
A photo roundup from several marlin trips shows how it's done. Here, the hook is set. The mighty marlin jumps, beginning a fierce fight to shake the hook loose.

Pinas Bay, about 140 miles from

Panama, offers the best marlin fishing.

Others, though, are caught within 5 or 6 hours of Panama.

Sailfish are abundant less than an hour from downtown Panama. The sail- fish is a famous fighter and Panama is one of the few places in the world

where a fisherman has a good chance to hook one in a single dav's fishing.

Catching marlin is a business that usually requires a trip of several davs—

a week is best. The Club de Pesca

at Pinas Bay has complete facilities for anglers, including boats, tackle and

guides.

(See p. 30) Still fighting, the 450-pound giant lunges. Completely out of the water, he fights hard.

Hard, careful work brings the catch nearer.

The Panama Canal Review 29

Still game, but defeated, he's nearly in the boat.
FISHING IN PANAMA

Fishing from the jetties, these boys may come up with corbina, snapper, jack, and other

fish that are fun to catch—and delicious, too.

... A Note to Shoppers

IF YOU HAVE the thinnest veneer of curiosity, the first drop of bargain-hunting

blood, then Panama is vour o\ ster. To the shopper, downtown Panama Citv can be a sort of international supermarket, a place to look, choose, and buv—and

the things tourists love to buy spill from the shelves and showcases of dozens

of shops.

Getting to the heart of this intriguing subject, a list of popular items would

have to include linens, perfume, cameras and photo equipment, electronic devices (tape recorders are popular), brass, carved objects of ivorv, jade and

soapstone, silver, watches, pearls and semi-precious stones (mounted and un- mounted). The careful shopper can purchase just about all of these things at prices less than he'd pav in the United States. The mola, made by the San Bias Indians, is in a categorv bv itself. This native product is of cloth, closelv stitched bv hand. It features endless designs and

themes and is unique in the world. Framed, it makes a lovelv wall decoration,

or it can cover an occasional pillow. It can be purchased reasonably.

There is also a wide selection of ivorv, elaborate carved East Indian and

oriental screens, glassware, and china. Needless to sav, it helps to have some knowledge of what one is buving. That

is one qualification for being a wise consumer anvwhere, any countrv, and

Panama is no exception.

With a little time, the shopper can enjov the exotic flavor of stores that feature

a wide variety of this merchandise. He can see carved oriental furniture that

is so beautiful that it must be seen to be believed. He can see a thousand brass

objects, figurines, and tablecloths. There are silks and brocades at good prices.

The merchants and sales help are, generally, extremely polite, and helpful.

Though some prices are firmlv set; manv are not. Bargaining is accepted bv some merchants as a way of doing business; other merchants expect it. This

gives both parties a conversational point and it also reflects the fact that Panamanian businessmen are competitive and eager to please.

Shopping in Panama can be fun, and there arc treasures that one might never own unless he visited stores in either Panama Citv on the Pacific, or Colon, a short distance away on the Atlantic. It's an experience no visitor should miss.

(Continued from p. 29) But if it isn't marlin you're after, the

fishing close to Panama City offers other game fish prized in tropical waters, and

these run heavier, as a rule, than in many popular fishing resorts in the

tropics.

On a typical day of fishing, a catch might include amberjack, bonita, wahoo,

kingfish mackerel, dolphin, and—if luck

is with the boat—a sailfish. All these

fish take artificial or cut bait; all are caught while trolling. For the bottom-fishing angler, the red snapper and corbina are prized. These

may be caught from docks, piers and

jetties. They run from about 5 to 30

pounds for the snapper, 3 to 20 pounds

for corbina. Which is the best eating

is a gourmet's debate, but in Panama

the corbina has the edge. Panama's mountain lakes in the western area—near Cerro Punta or Volcan—

are noted for bass and blue gill, and

many interior streams offer fine trout

fishing. In nearby towns, fishermen can find comfortable quarters and transportation.

Whether you want the challenge of back-breaking marlin or joy of tempting

trout with delicate flies, there is fishing

in Panama to please the most avid

angler.

Carnival, Fairs

(Continued from p. 22)

Carnival Queen and her court rides

in a decorated float, and the Queens'

band^ fill the air with melody, while groups of masqueraders compete for prizes offered for the most original,

gayest, and noisiest. Each night of Carnival there's dancing in the hotels and clubs of Panama

City, and in open air dance pavilions

known as "toldos." Gaiety reaches its climax in the early

hours of Ash Wednesday morning when

the dance music changes to a funeral march. Pallbearers carry tiny coffins, in each of which lies a fish, and a candlelight parade winds through the city's streets to the nearest beach for the

"Burial of the Fish." With the dawn, the religious go to church before taking up their everyday

affairs, and another Panama Carnival is over— until next year. But check the calendar. Somewhere

in the Bepublic a fair is taking place,

with a miniature Carnival underway in a rustic setting.

30 November 1965
S H

U.S. STILL LEADS

SHIPS FLYIXG THE flag of the

United States still are the best cus- tomers of the Panama Canal but

they are getting a run for their monev

from Norway and Great Britain. During the fiscal year ending July

31, there were 1,678 transits by U.S.- owned vessels as compared to 1,446

by Norwegian and 1,339 by those

thing the British flag. Other nations represented in the

list of the first six best Canal customers were Germany with 1,186 transits; Liberia with 1,118 transits and

Japan with 804. Although the United Stated topped

the list in the number of transits and

the amount of ship tonnage using the

Panama Canal during fiscal year

1965, it came in third in the total amount of cargo carried through the

waterway.

According to official figures, first place in cargo tonnage went to ships flying the Liberian flag and

second place to vessels of Norwegian

registry. Each totaled more than

13 million long tons. The U.S. -flag

ships carried 9,986,170 tons and

British ships were fourth in the number of transits, tonnage, and cargo. Greece, with only 575 transits for the year, was fifth in the amount

of cargo. Japan took sixth place in the number of transits, tonnage, and

cargo.

"AUSTRALIS" VOYAGE

A WELL-KNOWN former United

States Line vessel, sailing under an- other name and another flag, arrived

in Balboa in October on her maiden

voyage around the world.

She was the 36,961-gross-ton Australia, formerly the SS America,

which was reconverted to round-theworld cruising and is sailing for the Greek-owned Chandres Lines.

The vessel was built in Newport

News for the United States Lines in 1940 and was put in service during

TRANSITS BY OCEANGOING VESSELS installed on the Fred Olsen Line

EISCAL

T

y?AR

R

I966R <?*>

^

f"^°

^

"** "*"

ular trips through the Canal on her

2,953 2,978 run between North Pacific ports, the

U.S. Government.. continent and the United Kingdom.

Other ships in this service, the BoTotal— 3,111 3,067 nanza, Bolinas, and Burrard also are

to be altered in the same way.

Commercial $16,557,706 $16,165,034

U.S. Government 932,019 402,367 According to an item in the "PacifTotal-__ $17,489,725 $16,567,401

ic ShiPPer>" the new type of mechCARGO00 anization permits the ship to dis- CommerciaL- 19.494,792 18,893,330 charge and load by means of forklift trucks through side ports with the

Free - advantages of faster loading and dis- Total- - 20,327,221 19,472,224 charging and reduction in port time

• Includes tolls on all vessels, oceangoing and The truck-to-truck method gives betim

^ln . , ter and safer handling and permits •"Cargo figures are in long tons. o r work to continue in bad weather

.,, ,, ,„ TT , . " without risk of damage to the cargo. World \\ ar II as a troopship under

the name of West Point. After the The Buffalo also was fitted with

war, she was returned to her owners flush deck, steel hatches, and bulkand for a number of years was used head ports for the passage of forklift

in the North Atlantic service. She trucks. Holds have been given ver- has made several trips through the tica l walls to insure safe stowage of Canal as both the America and as loads. Starboard side of the ship has

the West Point. two combined side ports and hatches

fitted each widi a movable platform

NEW TECHNIQUE which can be lifted or lowered ac- A NEW TYPE of side port designed cording to the height of the ship's for truck-to-truck loading has been side above dock level.

1965
PANAMA CANAL GRAPHIC BRANCH



Due

JUL, SC

AUG 3

Date Due

Returned I Due Returned

a9m-fr4^2
/ 7

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HMI„

3 1262 04820 5131