John Rodgers (DD 983) - Naval Cruise Book

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Panama Canal Transit

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Panama Canal Transit u IHN RODGERS transited the Panama Canal on 21 August The 50 mile sea and anchor detail required navigation through .1 series i t locks, narrow channels and lakes Open for commercial traffic in 1914, the canal with its gravity-fed locks 1-. still considered one ol the greatest engineering achievements ol the 20th century All the heart) mariners that completed the difficult transit were sworn into the secret Ordei ol the Locks b Panama Hattie. Ruler ol the Isthmus Miraflora I k (..iii wa to the I ' .H llli

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Ecuador Manta. Ecuador was the first Pacific liberty port (30 Aug - 01 Sept). And and cool, it was a striking contrast to the humid, tropical climate of the Caribbean countries of Venezuela. Colombia, and Panama. Greeting JOHN RODGERS and the UNITAS battlegroup were the mar kets and crafts of the Andean Indians. Unique woolen blankets and sweat- ers, jewelry, wood carvings, and semiprecious stone artwork were high- lights of the visit.