Archive of 64 original photographs documenting reconstruction work on the Panama Canal's Dock 15 in Balboa, 1936-1938

N.p.: N.p., 1938. Archive of 64 vintage photographs, including 53 matte-finish and eleven glossies, documenting reconstruction of the Panama Canal's Dock 15 in Balboa. Most photographs with technical captions and dates from the negative on the rectos. Additionally included with the photographs is a collection of four booklets, dated between 1919 and 1943, discussing various aspects of the canal's construction and improvements during that time, as well as an original shipping envelope addressed from the Panama Canal Metal Trades Council.

With Europe on the verge of war in the early 1930s, the US government became increasingly concerned about (truncated) its ability to move naval warships between oceans. The canal locks would be susceptible to bombing in the event of war, the canal defenses were deemed inadequate, and the locks already had difficulty accommodating large US battleships. As a result, Congress passed a resolution on May 1, 1936, authorizing a study of (and subsequent improvements to) the canal's defenses, existing structure, and vessel capacity.

Originally constructed in 1911, Dock 15 was weakened by gradual earth movement, necessitating its replacement. With the exception of the construction of the Madden Dam between 1930 and 1936, the $1,220,000 reconstruction of Dock 15 was one of the largest canal projects after the close of the construction era.

Photographs: 61 photographs 10 x 8 inches, 3 photographs 5 x 4 inches. Very Good plus, lightly creased overall.

Pamphlets: From 8 x 10.5 inches to 9 x 12 inches. Generally Very Good plus to Near Fine, some with scattered foxing and edgewear. (Inventory #: 158618)