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Canals, Interoceanic--Design and construction

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Reaction on the isthmus

Reaction on the isthmus

Several men rest in the “canal zone.” The “boss” says, “I may get over it, but I’ll never look the same.” Another man puts a hat over his face and wears a sign, “Don’t wake me up till Xmas!” One man says, “He’s gone!” while another says, “Don’t joke.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-23

The Panama Canal will be dug, no matter who digs it. That question is settled.

The Panama Canal will be dug, no matter who digs it. That question is settled.

A “Republican steam shovel” with the face of President Roosevelt takes out several rocks: “Democratic opposition,” “political criticism,” and “rail-road obstructionists.” Several men watch, including Panama Governor Charles E. Magoon, John F. Stevens, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission Theodore P. Shonts, Joseph Bucklin Bishop, and Uncle Sam.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09

Doesn’t like his nurse

Doesn’t like his nurse

An “Isle of Pines” toddler runs toward President Roosevelt, who is working on the “President’s Message—Deficit—Panama Canal,” and says, “Papa! Papa!” Roosevelt responds, “G-r-r-r-r-r!” There is a map of the “Isla de Pinos” on the wall. A “Cuba” mother says, “Baby! Come back here!!” A small pig says, “Say kid, you’re interrupting this message.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906

The president dictating his daily literature

The president dictating his daily literature

President Roosevelt dictates to his secretaries about six different topics: “plan to rejuvenate Republican party in N.Y.,” “plan to force re-organization of insurance companies,” “opinions on sea level canal,” “annual message,” “protest against foul football,” and “Irish translations.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-22

Getting the warm end of it

Getting the warm end of it

Secretary of State Elihu Root rolls up his sleeves and reaches for a large shovel in “Panama” with “engineering difficulties,” “politics,” “yellow Jack,” and “red tape” in it. Meanwhile, Secretary of War William H. Taft uses a megaphone on a crowded “seeing the Philippines” boat.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-10

Stuck!

Stuck!

President Roosevelt drives a “Panama machine” elephant into the “Panama Canal.” Secretary of State Elihu Root brings a pick axe and shovel to Roosevelt while another man sits on a “10,000,000” money bag. There is a sign that reads, “Culebra Cut: Danger.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-18

He will dig it himself!

He will dig it himself!

President Roosevelt uses a shovel to dig the “Panama Canal” as he throws a “delay” rock onto a pile of other rocks: “R.R. ‘interests,'” “pull,” “opposition,” “obstruction,” and “influence.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-05

Remarks of Philippe Bunau-Varilla before the board of consulting engineers

Remarks of Philippe Bunau-Varilla before the board of consulting engineers

Philippe Bunau-Varilla writes to the board of consulting engineers to propose solutions to the Panama Canal construction. He discusses the dominating factors of the “Panama problem,” namely the future necessity of a sea-level canal and the availability of comparable projects to use as reference points. Examining the topography of the adjacent waterways, he provides justification for placing dams at Gamboa and Bohio to help with flood control of the Chagres River and with the storage of water for dry seasons. He then dispenses with problem of the Culebra cut, which he does not see as “the controlling factor” of the construction. In the third part of his report, Bunau-Varilla rebuts the view of Chief Engineer John F. Wallace and others by arguing that, without interruption to international navigation, a canal built with locks can be gradually transformed into a sea-level waterway if the dimensions of the channel bottom are increased from 150 feet to 300 feet. He goes on to explain the logistics of that future transformation and the costs involved. Feeling he has satisfied “all the enormous interests involved,” Bunau-Varilla concludes by arguing that his plan offers the fastest and safest solution that “affords the required ample and permanent communication between the oceans.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philippe Bunau-Varilla

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philippe Bunau-Varilla

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the information on the Panama Canal and will make the necessary corrections. He is confident that he understands Philippe Bunau-Varilla’s interest and role in the “great cause.” Roosevelt is pleased that Bunau-Varilla approves of his book on the European situation. He is horrified at entering into obligations and not living up to them in letter and spirit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt sends President-Elect Taft a letter from George W. Goethals regarding the construction of the Panama Canal. Roosevelt does not believe there is any substance in the push to change the type of canal, but is glad nonetheless that Taft will be visiting the region with six engineers to examine the situation. Roosevelt recently received a nice letter from German Emperor William II, who mentioned his wish for friendship and cooperation with Taft’s administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-04