Sailing Gatun Lake, 85 feet above sea level. Note the extra folding chairs the Ryndam put out for taking in the scene. They were only full for the first lock passage in the early morning. As the day wore on, and the heat and humidity took their toll, more and more people did their sightseeing from air conditioned viewpoints. By mid-afternoon, temperatures in the shade were in the 90's and in the sun over 100F, with dripping humidity.

After the French private company went bankrupt, the U.S. Government took over the concession and built the canal largely as a government-run project. Construction took 10 years, in 10-hour shifts, 6 days a week, often around the clock--in unbelievable rain, heat, and humidity.