THE Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has received historical pieces from the French period of construction donated from the private collection of Dr Christian Moreau's books and papers dating back to 1843, when the project was first mooted.
France began work on the canal in 1881, but stopped because of engineering problems and high mortality due to disease. The US took over in 1904, and completed the canal August 15, 1914.
The canal's Roberto F Chiari Library contains thousands of canal documents and the latest donation offers a unique look at the canal's history, including the role of French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps who led the canal's first construction.
Dr Moreau, a retired French physician who specialises in the history of de Lesseps, announced his intention to donate the collection after visiting the canal in 2013 to observe progress on the expansion.
He and several members of the Association du Souvenir de Ferdinand de Lesseps met canal administrator Jorge Quijano and discussed preserving the historical legacy, agreeing that the library was the natural home for the collection.
"It's a huge responsibility for this institution, since we will be guardians of a historical treasure," said Mr Quijano. "It's a source of great pride to make such material available to the Panamanian nation."
Founded in 1914, the Roberto F Chiari Library is named in honour of the late Panamanian president and was opened eight days after the inauguration of the Panama Canal.
WORLD SHIPPING
31 March 2015 - 21:05
Panama receives French documents of 1843 from the first canal builders
THE Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has received historical pieces from the French period of construction donated from the private collection of Dr Christian Moreau's books and papers dating back to 1843, when the project was first mooted.
WORLD SHIPPING
31 March 2015 - 21:05
Panama receives French documents of 1843 from the first canal builders
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