Steaming Across Panama: Bucyrus and the Digging of the Panama Canal

Cat Mining
Cat Mining
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Published 2014-08-15
The Panama Canal is a 48 mile (77.1 kilometre) ship canal that connects the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. August 15, 2014, marked the 100th anniversary of its opening, and in 2016 a 9-year expansion project was completed. Join us for a look back at the major role Bucyrus played in the construction of the Panama Canal.

The Isthmain Canal Commission for the Panama Canal construction project awarded their first steam shovel bid to Bucyrus (Caterpillar Inc. acquired Bucyrus International, Inc. on July 8, 2011) Ultimately, Bucyrus would be called upon to provide 70% of the equipment used to dig the canal.

In the years since its construction, several projects have helped to widen and expand the Panama Canal. Cat and Bucyrus products have been involved in the construction and expansion of the canal throughout its history, making progress possible.
All Comments (21)
  • @burntsider8457
    Well-written and produced short documentary on the machines that dug the Panama Canal. It was a time when America was proud of its accomplishments.
  • @franktrask1264
    Many of these surplus shovels, churn drills, and the Differential Side Dumps Cars (DIFCO) were purchased by the Guggenheim Mining Syndicate and shipped to Chuquicamata in Chile, the site of what was then, and remains still the greatest copper deposit in the world. Many of these old steam shovels were converted to electrical drive around 1925 or perhap 1930 and remained in service until just before 1955. Also, Many of the original DIFCO rail cars survived into about the 1950 era. The era around the end of 1955 saw the end of almost all of the old "Panama " equipment. There were some Bucyrus churn drills that had survived changes from steam to electrification that were retired around the same time. Chilex remained a firm customer of Bucyrus for shovels right up to the nationalization of the mine by the Chilean Government. They had ordered the "Pala Mundial" in 1949, a special shovel that was the largest in the worlds at that time, and was capable of digging down and loading into a rail cat 80 feet above on a upper bench. It is still preserved, look at the Codelco web site (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip74ZMpLU6w) where they acknowledge the Panama Canal heritage of the machine. I watched some this machinery and marveled at more of it on the scarp pile as a boy! One could almost see Teddy R sitting at the driver station!
  • @asd36f
    I'm currently reading a book about the construction of the Panama Canal. An amazing story about one of the greatest engineering feats of all time.
  • @jockellis
    2:04. That’s Mike Mulligan and Marianne. My paternal grandmother was a teacher prior to marriage and was teaching in Social Circle, GA in the late oughts and living in a boarding house. Also lodging at the house were two civil engineers who had just returned from working on the Panama Canal and were then building Lake Jackson. At the dinner table at night they would recount events in the canal’s construction. Grandmother said listening to them was the most exciting thing in her life.
  • @gerrynightingale9045
    When 'T.R. Roosevelt' was introduced to the Bucyrus, it was 'love at first sight' ( He was so enamored with it he had to be all but pulled from the machine and became a skilled operator overnight ) "I would trade the politics of being President for this job instead...I can see the results of my labors here, and no one is looking to 'stab me in the back' or accusing me of graft!"
  • @robmcnew9074
    Back when Americans built great things. Great video
  • @dalen.tenney5210
    Imagine doing that today!!! We can’t even build a fence across Mexico!!!
  • @superzstuff
    I have a couple hundred original negatives taken during the building by an engineer who lived here in Asheville. Nice ones of the shovels and the Harleys they rode there to get around.
  • @Dirtbug473
    I have 35 yrs owning an Excavating business. The French paid highest price in human life. They didn't fail, technology wasn't there yet.
  • @Felitera
    what a lovely video! i loved the visuals so much!
  • @chupacabra1765
    A time when America was a super nation that could take any task, no matter how big or complicated, it could successfully plan, execute, and complete some of the largest projects in the world that would exceed expectations. A nation that could think big and change the path to greater achievements. These were probably the best times to be alive.
  • @PHIL5251
    Grandpa Bill Bushard was Stationed here with the army digging this
  • @JMDinOKC
    I believe Roosevelt was ASSISTANT Secretary of the Navy.
  • @nigel900
    Wow! Both Teddy Roosevelt and Brandon have done things “that will resound immensity!” I’m being RESOUNDED as we speak…
  • @aaronwilcox6417
    I'd like to compare downtime and maintenance compared to today's equipment. I'd wager this old equipment isn't as smooth or efficient but probably very reliable. I've operated CAT LHD Elphanstone equipment in hardrock mines and also ancient air powered muckers. The simple yet smaller air equipment has it hands down in reliability over the new costly and high tech stuff.