Monthly Archives: November 2007

Labor Shipments and Contracts

Posted on November 27, 2007 by | 8 Comments
Image: Shows some early drill operators (for inserting explosives)
 Thanks to the Afro-Panamanian journalist George W. Westerman

Although the Black Barbadians ruled in numbers in those first few years after arriving in Panama between 1904 and 1908, great numbers of men from the Caribbean Islands of Guadalupe and Martinique also came by the boatloads, all contracted and guaranteed free repatriation after they had worked one year and eight months, and that, if they so desired. Other privileges included such things as free housing and meals at any of the mess halls designed for the “colored worker.” Continue reading →

→ 8 Comments

Posted in West Indian Panamanians

Tagged , , , , ,

The Pressure is On- West Indian Labor Recruitment

Posted on November 22, 2007 by | 2 Comments
Images: Top: Boatload of Barbadian workers arriving in Cristobal (Colon side) 1909
Bottom: Digging scene in Gaillard “Cut” (Culebra “Cut) 1907


Once the isthmus of Panama ceased being a “white man’s graveyard” with the yellow fever epidemic brought under control and the vectors for malaria also effectively eliminated- although malaria, as stated previously, will always loom a threat should sanitary conditions be relaxed- the working environment became somewhat safer from contagion. The effort of the ICC was now refocused on the enormous construction task at hand. Continue reading →

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Panama Canal, Silver People of Panama, West Indian Panamanians

Tagged , , , ,

Enough of You, Anopheles!

Posted on November 19, 2007 by | 3 Comments

Images: Top: Stegomyia fasciata the “Yellow fever” mosquito
Today it is called Aedes aegypti
 Middle: Anopheles the “Malaria” mosquito
Thanks to www.wikipedia.com
Bottom: A 1905 fumigation truck spraying ditches
www.canalmuseum.com

By August of 1905 yellow fever had reached epidemic proportions and black workers “were the hardest hit.” In fact, malaria, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and intestinal diseases, all running rampant amongst the laborers, had spread fear and panic both in Panama as well as in Europe and the United States. Although these plagues killed and debilitated by far even more human beings, yellow fever was in the public eye. Continue reading →

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Panama Canal, West Indian Panamanians

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Malaria and Yellow Fever- Death Stalks the Digs

Posted on November 16, 2007 by | 1 Comment

1905 A Yellow Fever Quarantine Station in Panama

Image www.canalmuseum.com

“A white man’s a fool to go there (Panama) and a bigger fool to stay,” was the fearful declaration of just one of the white workers who packed up hurriedly and left behind that “God forsaken” place called Panama. He, as well as scores of white workers who’d been recruited to work on construction projects were reacting to the mortal diseases that all who ventured onto the isthmus from distant lands might succumb to. Continue reading →

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Panama Canal, Silver People of Panama, West Indian Panamanians

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

“Clean Up” Work and the New Arrivals

Posted on November 13, 2007 by | 3 Comments
Image of a large “fumigation brigade” 1905
www.canalmuseum.com

The first years of the renewed digs called for the clearing, excavating and dynamiting in the areas of the Cuts- work that other humans either avoided or were simply not capable of performing. Also, the massive and very unpleasant “clean up” task would have to be undertaken right alongside the extremely heavy work of excavation. The frequent funerals in both terminal cities and the funeral trains can attest to the existence and demise of men whose loyalty to their God and to their work would make them seem invincible at times. Continue reading →

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Panama Canal, West Indian Panamanians

Tagged , , , , , , ,

The Silver Roll- Separate and Unequal Facilities

Posted on November 9, 2007 by | 4 Comments
An early post card image of the
Old (Gold) Commissary at Las Cascadas (today under water)
Image thanks to: www.czimages.com

The newly arriving privileged white Americans, recruited primarily by the Canal Recruitment offices in New York, New Orleans, and in other parts of the United States, arrived with a “segregation mind set.” Although, and contrary to common belief, the American workforce was almost entirely from the northern United States at first, such was the attitude of those new white arrivals that it appeared that they had been recruited by the most radical of racist secret societies. Continue reading →

→ 4 Comments

Posted in Silver People of Panama, Silver Roll Townships

Tagged , , , , , ,