RMS Caronia Timeline: Transits of the Panama Canal in the 1960s

Miraflores Lock

The first set of locks encountered on our journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean is the Miraflores lock. Here the “Green Goddess” will be raised 52 feet in two stages before proceeding to the Pedro Miguel locks to be raised a further 30 feet on her way to Gatun Lake.

For this page I'm indebted to Roger Birch and Len Danson for colour photographs of their transit made in 1964

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Caronia approaching Miraflores Lock 1964 — [Above:]
Caronia approaches Miraflores Locks early on the morning of 27 April 1964. This view, from the Promenade Deck is tantalising as it gives the impression that the Caronia may be too wide to fit into the lock.

[Right:]
The “Green Goddess” edges her way into the first lock. This view, from the starboard side bridge wing, shows how the “mechanical mules” guide ships into the lock.

[All 3 photographs © Roger Birch 1964]

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The mechanical mules ride on rails, however, they are held to the dock and propelled by an inverted rack and pinion system.

[Left:]
This exceedingly rare third view is of Caronia's bow in Miraflores Lock seen from her crowsnest.

[Right:]
This photo of Caronia in Miraflores Lock was submitted by Len Danson. Believed to have been taken on the 1964 Great World Cruise.
[Photo:
Courtesy of Len Danson]

RMS Caronia Timeline

Caronia's Transits of
The Panama Canal (2)

The Cunard White Star Line's ‘Green Goddess’

Luxurious ocean travel aboard a world-famous British cruise liner

Miraflores Lock