Teacher Aboard

After a brief but packed Christmas vacation, I reboarded Pride II in Panama. I arrived just in time for one of the most exciting short trips any vessel can make - the trip through the Panama Canal!

At dawn, Pride II raised anchor to make her way to the first set of locks in the Canal that would eventually take us from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. As early as 1534, when Charles I of Spain ordered a survey of a proposed canal, world travelers recognized the significance (importance) of a "short cut" connecting these two major oceans of the world. In 1880, the French invested 20 years toward this effort, but disease and difficulties in construction led to bankruptcy (no more money).

It wasn't until 1903, when the United States and Panama signed a treaty to construct an inter-ocean ship canal, that the long awaited link would eventually reach completion within ten years. In essence, the task was to dig a 50 mile long ditch through a 312 foot high chain of mountains covered with intensely hot tropical jungle. The region was swarming with mosquitoes, snakes, alligators, and scorpions. Diseases, such as dysentery caused by unclean water, and malaria and yellow fever carried by mosquitoes, took the lives of thousands of workers. On a personal note, my great uncle, Leo A. Hess, died of yellow fever while working as an engineer on the canal in 1914. Fortunately, Col. William Gorgas found ways to control the extensive health problems. This permitted the canal to be successful completed.

Leaving the Atlantic Ocean, Pride II entered a short section of channel at sea level. The first set of locks raised the ship 85 feet to the level of the man-made Gatun Lake. The lake is 23 miles long with a maximum depth of 39 feet.

Toward the end of the lake, there is a narrow, steep-sided section called the Gaillard Cut. The cut is 8 miles long. This area was prone to devastating landslides during and shortly after construction. It is here that the impression of the canal as an enormous ditch is most evident.

Toward the end of Pride II's nine hours transit through the canal, three additional locks lowered her to the level of the Pacific Ocean. In the locks, Pride II was nestled behind other larger ships which can be up to 965 feet long and 106 feet wide. Train-like cars that ride on tracks pulled the ships into the locks with heavy cables. The principle goods transported through the canal are grains (20%), petroleum/oil (16%), coal, and bananas. For the record, the toll rate is $1.23 per displacement ton. (Once, a swimmer who wanted to swim through the canal had to determine how much water he displaced to determine his toll.)

To keep a constant flow of ship traffic through the canal, pilots work in shifts 24 hours a day to guide vessels through the canal. Approximately 36 ships transit the canal daily.

As the sun dipped low on the horizon, the Bridge of the Americas came into view at the edge of the Pacific. By using the Panama Canal, Pride II saved approximately 3,000 miles over the all-water route around South America. This was an amazing accomplishment for world of engineering and medicine.

You can order a video of our transit through the Panama Canal for $10. Email your order to: schools@pride2.org

PANAMA CITY

To complete my trip to Central America, I made an last minute taxi ride into Panama City for some spare disks for my laptop computer. Leaving the Rodman Navy Yard where the ship was docked, I crossed the Bridge of the Americas to reach the city on the other side of the canal. Over the years before the canal was built, this isthmus of dry land allowed animals to cross between the continents. It occurred to me that the canal, which allows our ships to pass between two oceans, has stopped the exchange of animals. I wonder how the animals today would be different if the "land bridge" had never been formed by the lava flows of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago?

On my way to the city, the taxi passed several housing districts. There were seven story concrete apartment buildings with balconies. Kids were playing soccer in fields below and lots of folks were hanging out on their balconies or taking walks. Most everyone was dressed nicely in clothing which appeared American in design. Nearby was a huge farmers' market where stalls of fruits and vegetables were displayed. Andy, our cook, had shopped there yesterday to purchase fresh food for our trip across the Pacific.

As we approached the heart of the city, large numbers of tall, modern skyscrapers rose out the downtown district. We stopped just outside the town center so I could check out a huge shopping area. Every block was covered by strip malls or shopping centers with flashing bright neon signs written in Spanish. The stores were much like home selling clothes, shoes, tape decks and hamburgers. For the record, a Big Mac was $1.98.

DOCKING FOR FUEL

After much preparation, we are on our way. Before saying our last farewell to Panama, we stopped at the Balboa Yacht Club to top off our fuel. Docking Pride II required all hands on deck. Once we neared the dock, Captain Parrott moved the ship into position by using the two engines whose props are on different sides. Amy, the second mate, stood on the bow (front) to call out the distance to the dock.

The bottom line is that docking requires team work, skill, timing, and communication. This whole procedure is made much more difficult by currents and strong winds which can require some clever problem solving. When I talked to Samantha about this, she summed up it well by saying " Sometimes you need to be able to think around corners."

Pride II filled her fuel tanks to capacity, which is 900 gallons. We have 4,700 miles to travel before reaching Hawaii, although this fuel will only last 2,200. We have had light winds since we left requiring us to motor most of the way. Fuel is also needed to run the generator which charges the batteries. Electricity is needed for running lights, cabin lights, and navigation instruments (and my computer do I can write to you guys). When at sea, you are your own "power plant". The crew must remember to conserve electricity by turning off lights when not needed. A lesson quickly learned in sailing is that when you leave the dock, you are on your own! There is no stopping to get more of anything. Of course the best way to save fuel is to sail. The good news is that as of this morning the breeze filled in and we now sailing!

THE BALBOA YACHT CLUB

I need to share a few words to describe the Balboa Yacht Club. On the outside it appears to be nothing more than an old building sorely in need of paint. However before judging it too harshly, you have to visit the informal lounge on the covered porch overlooking the canal. On the local level, this is a popular hangout for the canal pilots.

CREW

Both of our captains have talked to us about safety. Once we had stowed the docks lines from fueling and powering out to sea, Captain Parrot wanted to run some safety drills. The fire drill started with Andy racing up the steps yelling "fire in the galley!" Doors and hatches are closed. Crew members hook up two fire hoses which pump ocean water and turn them on. Others are assigned fire extinguishers.

The man overboard procedures were reviewed. The person who sees the crew member go over the side points at that spot, yells loudly "man overboard," and does NOT take his or her eyes off that spot. A floating life ring with two lights on it is thrown into the water as soon as possible. A latitude and longitude "save position button" is pressed to help relocate the area where they fell in. Crew comes on deck to launch the Zodiac and to assist in turning the boat around. A medical trauma kit is brought on deck.

The last drill was preparation for a call to abandon ship. The crew makes a pile of the following items on deck next to the life rafts which will hold 25 people each: survival suits, life jackets, crew saver harnesses, water, flashlights, flares, food, sunscreen, and blankets. Attendance is taken. We had all tried on the survival suits at an earlier time. They are similar to large diver's wet suit with feet, hands and a hood. They're called "gumbie suits" for good reason.

After all the drills, the Captain had a muster (meeting) on deck to discuss the drills and ask for suggestions. It might be a good exercise for you to discuss in class why each of the above items or procedures was necessary. How well do you do your fire drills at school?

CREATURES

Already we have fellow travelers! As we left the coast, we saw several large pelicans diving into the water to feed. We've caught two fish: a spotted mackerel who became dinner and a two foot long tuna that we released. We also spotted a pod of short-finned pilot whales, a manta ray, and a sea turtle.

The biggest thrill, however, was when several four foot dolphins swam along side our bow! They were so close that Jason and John could almost reach down and touch them while sitting in the bow rig.

Wait! There's an update! Just now, Saturday at 10:15 am, we caught a nine and half foot sailfish! I think we need a bigger frying pan. No guys, this one will NOT be used for T-shirt fish painting.

Last night, Friday, Jan 9, at 10:30 pm, we were still motoring. It has been hot and muggy below deck. On deck it is cooler at night, but damp. The air is so humid that the slightest drop in temperature causes dew to form on the deck. Welcome to the tropics! We are only seven degrees north of the equator. No snow in this forecast! This morning the wind freshened, and we set more sail. The breeze and steady motion of sailing will be great for sleeping off watch.

Setting sail on the Pacific,
Leslie Bridgett

YOUR THOUGHTS

1. Andy, the cook, shopped for fresh produce for the one month crossing. List the following foods from the most to the least perishable (easy to spoil):
   carrot, lettuce, tomato, apple, cucumber, orange, potato, banana
2. Draw a simple outline of a boat as seen from the top. Based on the description of docking, put a circle where each crew member would stand and add a note that tells about their job during docking.
3. Pretend you are crew passing through the Panama Canal looking for a new ship on which to work. Write a letter home telling about your experiences on the way to Panama on your last ship, and where you hope to go next.
4. How does Pride II make electricity? Why is it important to conserve (save) electricity?
5. Choose a safety drill (fire, abandon ship, man overboard) and explain the importance of each part of the drill.
6. List the fish caught by the crew. How do these fish compare to fish you would catch in Chesapeake Bay?
7. Why is it hot and humid near Panama?
8. Imagine you are a worker on the Panama Canal in the year 1904. Write a letter home describing the working conditions and the difficulties in building the canal.
9. Tell why you would or would not like to be a Panama Canal pilot who guides the ships through the canal.

Start

Back

Ahead