Copy of resignation letter from John F. Stevens to President Theodore Roosevelt Auteur(s) : Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943 ( Author, Primary ) Résumé : (Biographical) From Wikipedia: John Frank Stevens (25 April 1853 – 2 June 1943) was an American engineer who built the Great Northern Railway in the United States and was chief engineer on the Panama Canal between 1905 and 1907. Biography: Stevens was born in rural Maine, near West Gardiner to John Stevens, a tanner and farmer, and Harriet Leslie French. He attended Maine State Normal School (now the University of Maine at Farmington) for two years. At the conclusion of his schooling in 1873, bleak economic conditions held little promise of a job, and he chose to go west. Entry into the field of civil engineering evolved from his experience in the Minneapolis city engineer's office. For two years he carried out a variety of engineering tasks, including surveying and building railroads, and at the same time gained experience and an understanding of the subject. He became a practical engineer, self-taught and driven by a self-described "bull-dog tenacity of purpose." In 1878 Stevens married Harriet T. O'Brien. They had five children, two of whom died in infancy.
By the age of 33, in 1886, Stevens was principal assistant engineer for the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway, and in charge of building the line from Duluth, Minnesota to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Although a large part of his work involved surveying, he assisted in all phases of railroading: reconnaissance, locating, organizing, and construction.
In 1889, Stevens was hired by James J. Hill as a locating engineer for the Great Northern Railway.
Stevens earned wide acclaim in 1889 when he explored Marias Pass, Montana, and determined its practicability for a railroad. Stevens was an efficient administrator with remarkable technical skills and imagination. He discovered Stevens Pass through the Cascade Mountains, set railroad construction standards in the Mesabi Range of northern Minnesota, and supervised construction of the Oregon Trunk Line. Hill promoted him to chief engineer in 1895, and later to general manager. During his time at the Great Northern, Stevens built over a thousand miles of railroad, including the original Cascade Tunnel. Stevens Pass in the Cascade Range was named for him. (Most other Pacific Northwest landmarks with the word "Stevens" are named after Isaac Stevens, who is of no relation.)
Panama Canal:
Stevens left the Great Northern in 1903 for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, where he was promoted to vice-president. Then, in 1905, at Hill's recommendation, he was hired by Theodore Roosevelt as chief engineer on the Panama Canal.
Stevens' primary achievement in Panama was to build the infrastructure needed for the completion of the canal. "The digging," he said, "is the least thing of all." He proceeded immediately to build warehouses, machine shops, and piers. Communities for the personnel were planned and built to include housing, schools, hospitals, churches, and hotels. He authorized extensive sanitation and mosquito-control programs that eliminated yellow fever and other diseases from the Isthmus. Reflecting his background, he saw the early stage of the canal project itself as primarily a problem in railroad engineering, which included rebuilding the Panama Railway and devising a rail-based system for disposing of the soil from the excavations. Stevens argued the case against a sea level canal like the French had tried to build. He successfully convinced Theodore Roosevelt of the necessity of a high-level canal built with dams and locks.
Resignation:
Stevens resigned suddenly from the Canal project in 1907 to Roosevelt's great annoyance, as the focus of the work turned to construction of the canal itself. As a railroad engineer, Stevens had little expertise in building locks and dams, and probably realized he was no longer the best person for the remainder of the job. Stevens would also have been aware that the original great Cascade Tunnel, for which he was responsible, was in hindsight built in error too close to the ruling grade and was perhaps turning from a credit to a debit. The true reasons for his resignation have never been known.
Subsequent career:
Following the collapse of Imperial Russia in 1917, leaders of the provisional government appealed to President Wilson for help with their transportation systems. Stevens was selected to chair a board of prominent U.S. railroad experts sent to Russia to rationalize and manage a system that was in disarray; among his work was on the Trans-Siberian Railway. After the overthrow of the provisional government, the board's work ceased. Stevens remained in Allied-occupied Manchuria and in 1919 headed the Inter-Allied Technical Board charged with the administration and operation of the Chinese Eastern and Siberian railways. He remained in an advisory capacity until occupying Allied troops were withdrawn; he finally left in 1923. After his return to the United States Stevens continued to work as a consulting engineer, ending his career in Baltimore in the early 1930s. He was awarded the Franklin Institute's Franklin Medal in 1930. He then retired to Southern Pines, North Carolina, where he died at the age of 90 in 1943. Digital version only, no paper copy in collection archives. Droits : This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions may require permission of the copyright holder. The Smathers Libraries would like to learn more about this item and invite individuals or organizations to contact Digital Services (UFDC@uflib.ufl.edu) with any additional information they can provide. http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00029596/00001 | Partager |
Profils en long et en travers du canal proposé pour la jonction des deux océans à travers l'Isthmé de Panama ; Plan du Port de Chagrès ; Plan de la partie inferieure du cours de la rivière de Chagrès Éditeur(s) : s.n. ( France ) Résumé : Maps: Plan du Port de Chagrès à l'echelle de 1 á 20,000 -- Plan de la partie inferieure du cours de la rivière de Chagrès entre son embouchure dans l'Atlantique et le confluent du Rio Trinidad à l'echelle de 1 à 50,000 (relief shown by hachures and depth by soundings). Panama Panama Canal (Panama) Chagres River (Panama) Chagres (Panama) Droits : This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions may require permission of the copyright holder. The Smathers Libraries would like to learn more about this item and invite individuals or organizations to contact Digital Services (UFDC@uflib.ufl.edu) with any additional information they can provide. 43275248 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00100941/00001 | Partager |
Digging the Spillway at Gatun Dam, Panama Canal Zone Éditeur(s) : Keystone View Company Keystone View Company ( Meadville, PA ) Résumé : (Donation) Gifted on behalf of William P. and Barbara L. Angrick Panama -- Central America -- Panama Canal Zone Droits : Public Domain Presumed (e.g. expiry of copyright term): This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. 2013.2.157 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00015309/00001 | Partager |
West Indian women in the Panama Canal zone, 1904-1914 Auteur(s) : Flores Villalobos, Joan Victoria Éditeur(s) : Amherst College Amherst College ( Amherst, MA ) Résumé : Thesis used in the "Panama Silver, Asian Gold: Migration, Money, and the Making of the Modern Caribbean" course taught at three institutions starting in Fall 2013, with syllabus: http://www.dloc.com/AA00013935/ (Statement of Responsibility) Joan Victoria Flores Villalobos. "Submitted to the Department of Black Studies of Amherst College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with honors." Faculty Advisers: Margaret Hunt, History Department Rhonda Cobham-Sander, Black Studies Department Droits : Permissions granted by the author. Applicable rights reserved. 656275374 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00019230/00001 | Partager |
Panama Canal album #2 Auteur(s) : Hallen, Ernest ( Photographer ) Résumé : (Original Location) PCM storage cage, ILF (Internal Comments) Temporary removal for exhibit review. 5/20/14 Panama -- Central America -- Panama Canal Zone Panama--Gaillard Cut Panama--Gatun Locks Droits : Works of the Federal Government: This item is a work of the U.S. federal government and is in the public domain pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §105. 2004.008.002.002 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/PCMI009417/00002 | Partager Voir aussi Canals--Design and construction ( fast ) Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930 ( fast ) Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943 ( fast ) Drilling & boring--1900-1910 ( lcsh ) Excavation--Panama--Panama Canal--1900-1910 ( lcsh ) ( fast ) Labor ( fast ) ( fast ) Locks (Hydraulic engineering) ( fast ) |
Canal Interoceanique de Panama notice regarding a system for transporting dredged rubble from the Canal (in French, with translation). Panama -- Panama Canal Zone Caribbean Canal Zone Panama | Partager |
Laborers Rafting Spiles for Cofferdams, Balboa, Canal Zone Éditeur(s) : Keystone View Company Keystone View Company ( Meadville, PA ) Résumé : (Donation) Gifted on behalf of William P. and Barbara L. Angrick Panama -- Central America -- Balboa -- Panama Canal Zone Droits : Public Domain Presumed (e.g. expiry of copyright term): This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. 2013.2.140 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00015292/00001 | Partager |
One of the saddle dams, probably #5. Madden Dam, Canal Zone Résumé : Item received on 11/27/2010 (Original Location) Box 2 Envelope 36 Room Central America -- Panama -- Panama Canal Zone Droits : Item protected by copyright but copyright holder is unknown (Orphan Works). The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. This item may be protected by copyright but is made available here under a claim of fair use (17 U.S.C. §107) for non-profit research and educational purposes. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. The Smathers Libraries would like to learn more about this item and invite individuals or organizations to contact Digital Services with any additional information they can provide. 2001.107.1 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/PCMI006340/00003 | Partager |
Site of Gatun Dam Looking Toward Gatun Lake, Panama Canal Éditeur(s) : Keystone View Company Keystone View Company ( Meadville, PA ) Résumé : (Donation) Gifted on behalf of William P. and Barbara L. Angrick Panama -- Central America -- Panama Canal Zone Droits : Public Domain Presumed (e.g. expiry of copyright term): This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. 2013.2.145 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00015297/00001 | Partager |
End View of Gatun Spillway Where Water Flows Into Forebay for Power Purposes, Gatun, Panama Canal Éditeur(s) : Keystone View Company Keystone View Company ( Meadville, PA ) Résumé : (Donation) Gifted on behalf of William P. and Barbara L. Angrick Panama -- Central America -- Panama Canal Zone Droits : Public Domain Presumed (e.g. expiry of copyright term): This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. 2013.2.146 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00015298/00001 | Partager |
Side View of Emergency Dam, Gatun, Panama Canal Éditeur(s) : Keystone View Company Keystone View Company ( Meadville, PA ) Résumé : (Donation) Gifted on behalf of William P. and Barbara L. Angrick Panama -- Central America -- Panama Canal Zone Droits : Public Domain Presumed (e.g. expiry of copyright term): This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. 2013.2.161 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00015313/00001 | Partager |
Looking Across the Wicket Girders of the Emergency Dam, Gatun, Panama Canal Éditeur(s) : Keystone View Company Keystone View Company ( Meadville, PA ) Résumé : (Donation) Gifted on behalf of William P. and Barbara L. Angrick Panama -- Central America -- Panama Canal Zone Droits : Public Domain Presumed (e.g. expiry of copyright term): This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. 2013.2.153 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00015305/00001 | Partager |
The Anthropology of Survival in Post-Earthquake Haiti: Institutional Predators, Individual Maneuver Auteur(s) : Murray, Gerald Éditeur(s) : Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere, University of Florida Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere, University of Florida ( Gainesville, FL ) Résumé : (Biographical) Professor Emeritus Gerald Murray has done extended fieldwork in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and has engaged in applied contract assignments in 15 countries for 27 public and private agencies. In Haiti, he designed and directed an agroforestry project that facilitated trees to over a quarter of a million farm families during a 20 year period. He has also worked with Save the Children (since the earthquake), USAID, and other NGOs on projects related to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Recent applied research assignments include child slavery in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, potential conflicts surrounding planned dam construction that would flood out farming communities near the Panama Canal, and a month of fieldwork on the Gaza Strip among Hebrew-speaking farmers being shelled by Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the turbulent weeks immediately preceding their planned expulsion and involuntary relocation by the Israeli government. He has written three books, 27 articles and book chapters, and 59 applied anthropological reports. He has studied fifteen languages (some extinct) and have interviewed and/or conversed in eight. (Funding) Sponsored by the Caleb and Michele Grimes Fund in the CLAS Dean's Office and organized by the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere. Droits : All rights reserved by the source institution. | Partager Voir aussi |