I'm afraid we don't have a choice. We will not dig successfully through Culebra Cut to create a sea level canal.

The dream was dead. Just like the French before them, it seemed Culebra had defeated the Americans.

All looked lost until Stevens revived a long-forgotten plan. So bold, it had always been rejected as impossible.

''I want to dam Chagres River and harness its power to create a system of locks that will carry the boats up and over the mountain. ''

Stevens's vision was to dam the river where it met the Atlantic. This would flood a huge section of the country and create the largest artificial lake on earth. A giant set of locks would raise ships onto the lake. Then they would sail halfway across Panama before passing through the Culebra Cut and onto the Pacific.

This is the only practical solution in order to build the canal.

Critics said it would be a disaster. They claimed the concrete would never set in the tropical climate. Worse still, Panama was an earthquake hot spot; any tremor could destroy the dam and the locks. But then an unexpected visitor arrived in Panama.

President Roosevelt himself came to give personal backing to Stevens and his lock canal.

''This is one of the great works of the world. It's a greater work than you yourselves at the moment realize. It fills me with pride to see the energy you are all bringing to your work and with Mr. John Stevens in charge, I know that we cannot fail to reach our goal.''

Just when he had won the support of the president, words spread that Stevens would quit.

''All the rumors are running the length and breadth of Panama; some say Mr. Stevens is unwell.''

 


下载