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Army Engineers Saw Through the Building of the Panama Canal
from America's Engineers: The People, Programs, and Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers '24-'25
BY USACE OFFICE OF HISTORY
The Panama Canal’s construction was a monumental achievement, realized through more than 10 years of effort. It was completed ahead of schedule, under budget, and without corruption, largely due to the leadership of Army engineers. Key figures included George W.Goethals, the chief engineer, and William C. Gorgas, the chief public health officer.
In 1904, the United States took over a failed French attempt to build the canal. Yellow fever and malaria had decimated the workforce. President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Col. George W. Goethals as the chief engineer. Goethals, a West Point graduate, had extensive experience in civil engineering projects. He oversaw the construction of dams, locks, and other infrastructure, earning respect for his demanding yet effective leadership.
William C. Gorgas, an army physician, led efforts to combat yellow fever and malaria. His mosquito control measures, including draining swamps and fumigating buildings, eradicated yellow fever and significantly reduced malaria in the Canal Zone. Gorgas’ public health campaigns educated the workforce on sanitation and mosquito control, ensuring a healthy workforce.
The canal was completed in 1914, making Goethals an American hero. He was promoted to major general, later served as the Canal Zone’s first governor, and played a significant role in World War I logistics. Gorgas became Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and continued his work on the control of yellow fever after retiring. AE
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