The Spanish Fleet of ships that ploughed through the Atlantic Ocean in the 1600’s were the quintessential template of their naval might. They carried cargo or troops they were built for both with a capacity for as many as 60 cannons. Spanish explorers had conquered a considerable amount of the western areas of North and South America. The idea of an easier passage from Spain to Peru was of vital importance. Yes, ships going around Cape Horn, at the very tip of South America had been achieved but sailing ships were having huge losses in such hazardous conditions. The loss of lives, ships, merchandise and finances were big issues. 

Overland crossing proved futile, mountainous terrain and rivers of fierce velocity were a major problem. Geopolitical tensions in these areas were frightening, Indigenous communities and their way of life could not be tampered with. 

In 1668 an English philosopher Sir Thomas Brown speculated that an opening at both sides should be started, then leave the rest to nature, a channel would eventually form. No one was interested in that hare brained idea.

The Darien scheme was launched in 1698. Darien had this idea of establishing a new colony in the gulf of Darien, it was going to be named New Caledonian. Finance was going to be raised from English, Dutch and Scottish investors. With this colony it was believed that a land mass could be the connection between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. £500,000 was raised from regular people who had £5.00 to invest, but there were others that invested more with the intention of creating some plantations, this was about half the wealth of Scotland’s treasury. The English and Dutch parliaments were forced to withdraw from pressure by the East India Company leaving the Scots as the sole investors. Thousands volunteered to travel on board the ships that were leaving for New Caledonia. 16 ships in total left Scotland over a period of three months, with over 3,000 people on board. Disaster struck almost immediately, on the voyages many fell ill and died, arriving on the mosquito-infested scrap of land their first task was to bury their dead. Yellow fever and other diseases were to claim the lives of more than 2,000 of those who’d landed. The scheme was abandoned. It is believed that this scheme was the main precursor for the Act of Union being passed between Scotland and England forming Great Britain in 1707. The Darien National Park in Colombia which extends to 575,000 hectares occupies this region today.

France started to build the Panama Canal in 1881 after many negotiations between Panama and Colombia. Eight years later the company was in financial difficulties. The death rate was enormous because of the dense forests. Venomous snakes, spiders and other insects, yellow fever and malaria killed thousands. The climate had disastrous consequences, with walls of rocks, trees and soil being washed down on the excavated channels. The French government and companies that had contracts with them had spent $290 million and the estimated deaths were 22,000 men. The government decided to stop the operation. 

The American government supported a number of companies to take over the project and finally in 1914 the Panama Canal was completed and opened for business. It’s a lock canal system with two high level artificial lakes to lift ships up and over the Continental Divide. There are 8 sets of locks. The length of the Canal is 80 kilometres or 50 miles. All vehicles, containers and cruise ships pay tolls of various prices depending on size or cargo. The number of ships allowed at a time is 32. 

Crossing through the Panama Canal on a cruise vessel is an adventure in itself. The Captain relinquishes his duties to the pilot from Panama who takes the vessel through the canal. Prior to the ship’s arrival the authorities carry out several documentation control checks. Watching the ships and boats that come into the port while others wait to enter, it’s an awakening to mankind’s achievements.

The Panama Canal is classed as one of the modern day ‘Seven Wonders of the World’.