The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-16
Only Local Festivities Mark
Opening of Great
Waterway.
OFFICIAL CELEBRATION is
SET FOR NEXT SPRING
Signal Flags and Flags of All
Nations Fluttcr Over Big
Vessel.
GUESTS CROWD SHIPS RAIi.
No Embarrassment Growing Out Of
European War +
Possible.

PANAMA. August 1.-THE Canal
Zor" celebrated to-day ;he opening OF
the canal The feetivities. however.
We're hu, local ami suggested little Of
the international Significance % INC
event VITA the official Panama ccle-
hrattou set for mex; spring. even tho
United states w.s not officially rep
resented to-day. except bv the men VINO
have long been In tho Canal Zone.
The steamship tncon. owned ~ the
United states War Department ana
leased 10 tho Panama Railroad FOR SER
vice ia the New York Colon trade, was
chosen as the Hrst b!R boat 10 he put
through, riInalizinv tho opening Of tho
canal TO all ships up to 10000 tons rer
is;er shortly before : O'Clock tnis
morning. the Ancou was drawn ava,
from her berth at Cristohal and an
chored a; the end OF the deep water
channel from the Atlantic ocean 10 tho
6atur Lockt, where she remained until
tho start through thc locks at . o'clock.
She reached Balboa, on the Pacific end.
at O'clock ihis afternoon.
~--sThc Ancor win refra1n4 "a ina Rslsoa-
docks for some time. discharcing her
cargo. this being tile first commercial
voyage made through the canal.
The canal win be used Tomorrow
Tor the transfer of four cargo ships
and 4 Yacht.
GOES THROUGH LOCKS
~ FASTEST TIME MADE:
Tho Ancon's trip was the fastest set
made rs large ocean steamer The
steamer went through the Gatuu
Locks N seventy minutes. q speed
never before equaled. Tho other lock-
ages wcre equally rapid
Colonel Goethals, builder Of the
canal. and Governor Of the zone.
watched the operations closely. aud
was pleased i, the improved handling
of the locks
Flags ar All NATIONS
FLUTrE:R OVER VESSEL
M tn" saventy-four regular officers
and men on hoard tn. hucon appeared
la SnollcsslN white uniforms. and The
ship itself clistened with new paint.
over which futicred signal tiacs and
the nsSs of All nations
~ the forepcak was the ensign ot
tn" Tanama republic. while at the
nainmas' head auttercd tho house pen
nant of the Panama steamship fleet
nn the iackstan was tho fae ~ the
United states
Invitations TO be guests OF this nrs,
trio had been much coveted. ard the
rails ~cic lined with local officials and
those "f tht Panama republic. Colonel
Gonthals, builder Of the canal and
Governor of the zone. was on the bridge
beside captain Sukeforth, or. the
steamer. together with Captain Hugh
Eo"r'an, United States Navy super
intcndcnt 81 transportation. who has
oNcrsccn the plans for putin. the
iirs, ship through
The Panama National Band and the
reEimentai band OF tho Tenth United
states infantry played the star,
S?aE@led Banner aS the ship pulled
away. hut tho music was almost
drowned bY the Whistles Of the steam
ors in the harhor
,he Ancon All traffic. including the
workir2 boats in Cuichra cut was
brought 20 \ standstill.
CAItRIEs REGULAR CARGO
TO GIVE CANAL. FREE TEST
Tine several thousand canal work :
crs enjoyed a holiday. Together with
villagers OF all types from the sur
rounding territory they lined The banks
ut various vantage points The Ancon
was fully loaded with the regular
cargo that She had brought from New
York the freight having hcen nur-
posc!S lcft on board to give the canal
full test with IT," ship drawing it's
fmil depth Of water.
The Aucon passed through the Gatun
Locks without a hitch IN seventy min
utca. The total lift of these locks Is
oi.:ittN-nye feet
She then continued through tho wa
tcrwny from deep water on the At
lantjc to deep water on the Pacific
without incident.
Leaving Cristobal. the .\nccn passed
several vessels At anchor in iii. har-
hov. waiting 10 follow her through
the canal ana thus make the first com
mcrCial nsc cf the waterway.
Ia conformity aith promise made
ny Colonel Goethals. the peace flag Of
the American Peace Society huttcred
from the foremost of the Ancon. Be
meath her decks. however. were two
huge piece. nf artillery. which are
destined 10 form an important part
III the defenses OF the waterway.