Who Were the Key Engineers Behind the Panama Canal's Construction?

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SUMMARY

The key engineers behind the construction of the Panama Canal include Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla, John Frank Stevens, and George Washington Goethals. Bunau-Varilla played a crucial role in revitalizing the project after the French abandonment, while Stevens and Goethals were instrumental in the actual construction efforts. Additionally, John F. Wallace was the first chief engineer but resigned early in the project. Dr. William Gorgas significantly contributed to the canal's success by implementing sanitation measures that eradicated yellow fever-carrying mosquitoes, which was essential for worker safety and project viability.

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  • Understanding of civil engineering principles
  • Knowledge of historical infrastructure projects
  • Familiarity with public health measures in construction
  • Awareness of the geopolitical context of the Panama Canal
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  • Research the contributions of Dr. William Gorgas to public health in construction projects
  • Explore the engineering techniques used by John Frank Stevens during the canal's construction
  • Investigate the political implications of Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla's involvement in the canal project
  • Study the impact of sanitation measures on large-scale construction projects
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This discussion is beneficial for civil engineers, historians, public health officials, and anyone interested in the complexities of large infrastructure projects like the Panama Canal.

Blank101
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Hey guys I'm doing an project on the three main CIvil Engineers that help in the constructiion of the canal.

I camed up with...

Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla

John Frank Stevens

George Washington Goethals


This last 2 have a really intensive involment on the canal construction, but the first mentioned was more of a inpulse to the continuing of theproject after the French abandoned the constructiion of the canal.

So my question is!

Is there another engineer besides these 3 that was heavily involved in the construction of the canal, to the point that he is known specifically for something he designed or invented in the Panama Canal?





Thank You
 
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Have a read of "The Path Between the Seas" David McCullough.
The original engineer was called IIRC Wallace who made the major breakthrough of getting rid of the mosquitos before starting work - that's ultimattely what made the job possible.
 
Hi,

Here they explain that the first chief engineer was John F. Wallace, but he quit early...

http://www.ilovelanguages.com/tyler/nonfiction/pan2.html

And in this document you can read: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/tr/panama.html

"Dr. William Gorgas, who had helped to eradicate yellow fever in Havana years before by killing the mosquitoes that carried it, directed sanitation efforts. Workers drained swamps, swept drainage ditches, paved roads and installed plumbing. They sprayed pesticides by the ton. Entire towns rose from the jungle, complete with housing, schools, churches, commissaries, and social halls."

That is about what mgb_phys is talking about.

Best.
 
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