Nice video. It was pretty cool going through it as well, but I missed a lot at the time since I was working (the Navy didn't let us sit there for the entire trip, anyway. the nerve of them... LOL).
Well, that brought back 80's memories. I've been through the canal 4 times myself, courtesy of the US Navy (still have my "Order of the Ditch" certificate, too).
On one occasion the Army was conducting exercises along the canal; as we passed through a set of locks, we saw a female Army officer in full kit walking alongside the lock, her uniform soaked with perspiration in the summer heat. We were all standing by the sides of the ship drinking coffee. The CO of the ship grabbed a bullhorn and called out to the Army officer, "Hey, Lieutenant, Don't you wish you were in the Naaaaaaavy?" In response she looked over and gave him a 1-fingered salute.
Well, that was a hell of a lot faster than any transit we made... The best time was definitely when the freighter ahead of us lost power, then lost steerage, then ran itself aground. Only took them six hours to dig the thing out of the shores of the Miraflores.
And, of course, what with the costs of transiting being cheaper at after sunset and the US Government being all about saving money, our transit was at night. Good times.
Nice video. It was pretty cool going through it as well, but I missed a lot at the time since I was working (the Navy didn't let us sit there for the entire trip, anyway. the nerve of them... LOL).
ReplyDeleteI was on the commissioning crew for a Spruance destroyer waaaaayyyyy back in March of '78. Got to go through the canal 3x as a result.
ReplyDeletePretty strange sensation, being aboard a huge, haze grey hunk o' metal and looking out into lush green verdant jungle just mere yards away.
The lockworks, of course, are simply fascinating to watch in operation.
West to the Atlantic. Strange but true.
ReplyDeleteWell, that brought back 80's memories. I've been through the canal 4 times myself, courtesy of the US Navy (still have my "Order of the Ditch" certificate, too).
ReplyDeleteOn one occasion the Army was conducting exercises along the canal; as we passed through a set of locks, we saw a female Army officer in full kit walking alongside the lock, her uniform soaked with perspiration in the summer heat. We were all standing by the sides of the ship drinking coffee. The CO of the ship grabbed a bullhorn and called out to the Army officer, "Hey, Lieutenant, Don't you wish you were in the Naaaaaaavy?" In response she looked over and gave him a 1-fingered salute.
That's the Navy's best sales pitch: "GO NAVY: We promise you will die with a full stomach and wearing clean clothes."
ReplyDeleteThere is a similar video of a ship leaving port in Texas somewhere, but it is at night.
ReplyDeleteJim
Well, that was a hell of a lot faster than any transit we made... The best time was definitely when the freighter ahead of us lost power, then lost steerage, then ran itself aground. Only took them six hours to dig the thing out of the shores of the Miraflores.
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course, what with the costs of transiting being cheaper at after sunset and the US Government being all about saving money, our transit was at night. Good times.
Miraflores Locks was a great way to amuse a 6 year old and a 4 year old (I was the 6 year old) on a sunday afternoon.
ReplyDelete