The USS Missouri Barely Squeezing Through the Panama Canal
The USS Missouri, one of the most famous battleships in American history, is known for its significant role in World War II and its iconic presence during the signing of the Japanese surrender in 1945. However, one of the lesser-known but fascinating chapters of its history took place in 1986, when the ship had to pass through the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
At the time, the USS Missouri was one of the largest battleships in the world, measuring 887 feet (270 meters) in length and 108 feet (33 meters) in width. The Panama Canal, which was originally designed in the early 20th century to accommodate large vessels, was a narrow and tight passage, particularly for ships of the Missouri’s massive size. As the Missouri prepared to make its transit, there were significant concerns about whether the ship could actually fit through the canal’s locks.
The Canal’s locks, which allow ships to be lifted or lowered as they pass through the canal, have a maximum width of 110 feet (33.5 meters). The Missouri’s beam was just two feet smaller than that, which meant there was barely enough space for the massive battleship to maneuver through the narrow passage. To make matters more difficult, the ship’s enormous length meant that it would stretch across multiple locks at once.
On the day of the transit, the USS Missouri, with its 58,000-ton frame, slowly inched its way through the Panama Canal. The operation required careful coordination and precision, with tugboats helping guide the ship and ensure it remained centered within the narrow locks. The ship’s passage was so tight that the crew had to proceed at a slow pace, with an extra level of caution to prevent any mishaps.
Despite the challenges, the Missouri successfully navigated the canal, and its transit became a memorable moment in maritime history. The ship’s passage symbolized both the impressive scale of the battleship and the ingenuity of the Panama Canal, which has served as a crucial passage for ships between the two oceans for over a century.
The USS Missouri’s passage through the Panama Canal highlighted the changing nature of global naval power and the complexities of maintaining and operating the largest ships in the world. Today, the battleship is retired and serves as a museum in Pearl Harbor, but the story of its journey through the Panama Canal remains a testament to the remarkable engineering feats and historical significance of both the ship and the canal itself.
