The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-09-03
The German poet, Goethe, a nun
dred wears ago, made this remarkable


bred years ago, made this remarkable
prophecy: ut is absolutely indespen-
sible that the United State effect pas
sal e from the Mexican Gulf TO the Pa
cific ocean. and l am certain they VIII
do it."
First decision to build In 1914, just
Inn vears ago the Spanish govern
ment by decree entered upon the con-
struction of an Isthmian canal, but
the idea was blocked because the Cen
trail American colonies succeeded in
throwing off the Spanish yoke.
First French interests came in 1925
when President Bolivar of the Repub-
lie of New Granada gave franchise
for a canal at Panama to a French
man. Baron Thierry, who failed to
raise the required capital.
First action by the United States:
In 1885, as the result of a resolution
introduced in the Senate by Henry
Clay, Charles Biddle was sent by
President Jackson to visit the 18TH
mus and report on the various canal
routes proposed.
First report to the United States
Government: BY Biddle in 1886, favor
ing the Panama route. He had been
so struck with it that ne returned to
the United States without examining
the Nicaraguan, Darian or Tehuane-
pee routes No action followed.
First railroad built: From 1S49 to
1885, more than half as long time
as has been taken to build the pres
ent canal Fever killed so many thous-
ands that it was said laborer was
buried under every sleeper on the
Panama road
First actual canal building begun,
In 1873 the Universal Interoceanic
Canal company incorporated in Paris
by Ferdinand de Lessops, who had
built the Suez canal.
First blast on Culebra Hill, now
Culebra Cut on January 10, 1880, by
the de Lesseps company, in the pres
ence of distinguished gathering.
First failure; In 1887, the impossi-
bility of digging sealeyel canal
within the estimated II years and at
the estimated cost of $240, 100000 be-
came apparent More than $260,000-
900 had already been spent. The COM
pany went into bankruptcy.
First work on a lock canal was ia
ken up by the New Panama canal
company in 1894, which practically
ceased operations after five years
work.
First digging by Americans, May 4,
+ 1914-takng over the rights and pro-
perty of the French Canal company,
and obtaining necessary concession
from the Republic of Panama.
First union of Atlantic and Pacific
waters: Blowing up of the Gamboa
Dixie, when President Wilson touched
an electric button in Washington,
October 10. 1913
First boat of any kind to make
Transition passage: A nameless mud
scow of the Panama railroad, which
passed from the Pacific entrance to
Culebra Cut in November, 1913, and
was sent to the Atlantic entrance in
December, 1913.
First vessel to steam through canal:
The crane boat, Alexander LaValley,
an old French boat of 1900 tons, which
passed from the Atlantic to the Paci-
fc on Jan. 7, 1914.
First man to swim through the canal
was Alfred Brown, an American, who
swan from Gatun Locks to Balboa, a
distance of 80 miles on November "a,
last, in Is hours, 30 minutes, actual
swimming time.
j First vessel to pass completely
around South America by way of the
canal was the tug, Reliance, Captain
r. c. Thompson which sailed from
Colon, February H. 1912, yoyaged TO-
500 miles around South America, and
returned to the Atlantic ocean through
Gatun locks, February list. last.