ThumbnailPicPage2

Pedro Miguel Locks & Gaillard Cut

This is the second part of our transit through the Panama Canal. The first part consisted of the transit through the Miraflores Locks on the Pacific side after which we stayed for three weeks at the Pedro Miguel Boat Club next to the locks. Now we are ready to go up one chamber in the Pedro Miguel Locks, pass through Gaillard Cut, cross Gatun Lake, and then go down three chambers in the Gatun Locks.

To go back to previous page click on BACK in browser task bar above,
to go to other pages on Heather K. website scroll to the bottom of this page.

Click on any picture to see an enlarged view

	Our Panama Canal Advisor on the left with Ed at the helm and Guy (SV Rare Mettle), who was one of our linehandlers. The Pedro Miguel Locks can be seen in the background.
	The Pedro Miguel Locks with the Pedro Miguel Boat Club next to the to right side of the locks. The center wall of the locks extends for 1020 ft. beyond the gates so ships can be attached to locomotives that pull them through the locks.
	MV Heather K. rafted to a tour boat for transit through the Pedro Miguel Locks. The tour boat is tied to the lock wall and has to pull in her lines as the water level rises in the locks. Tires are used as fenders between the boats.
	An electric locomotive, also known as a "mule", that is used to pull large ships through the locks. Each mule has a drawbar pull of 10,000 lbs. Four mules, one on each side of the bow and stern, are used to pull a ship through the lock and keep it centered in the lock as the water level goes up or down.
	This is the Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut) hrough the Continental Divide as seen looking south (towards the Pacific). The hill on the left has been topped to reduce the problem of land slides. The hill on the right side of the Canal is Contractor Hill.
	One of the large container ships that passed us in the narrow channel of the Gaillard Cut.
	One of the large "Panamax" container ship after passing us. All large ships must have a tug attached through the Gaillard Cut for emergency steering.
	The Smithonian Institution research station on an island in the Panama Canal. We had hoped to be able to stop and visit with Heather K. but you can only visit during the day by taking a small tourboat from Gamboa. They are supposed to have an interesting tour around the island to see tropical plants and animals. Unfortunately, we did not find time to take it.
	The view as we arrived at the southern (Pacific) end of Gatun Lake. It is almost ten miles across the lake to the Gatun Dam and Locks.
	Gatun Dam near Colon holds back the Chagres River that provides water for the Panam Canal. The level of Gatun Lake is about 90 ft. above sea level. There is a roadway over the dam. The Chagres River flows into the Caribbean Sea.

To go back to the Index of Picture Pages, click on BACK in taskbar at top of screen.
To go to another page on the Heather K. website select from menu below.

Home Page - Pictures of Our Trips - Past & Future Cruises
Our Experience with Gear - Meet the Crew - Stories from Our Trips
General Boating Information - How to Contact the Boat - Sign Our Logbook