Robert McLaughlin
Robert McLaughlin
All Attendees MUST show proof of Covid vaccination in order to attend ANY of our events. This is a State and City Requirement.
Emphasizing Teddy Roosevelt's role, Companion Bob McLaughlin will share with us the "history" of the Panama Canal from its origins as an idea to its recent expansion.
The idea of the Panama canal dates back to 1513, when Vasco Núñez de Balboa first crossed the isthmus. The narrow land bridge now houses the Panama Canal, a water passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. European colonists began to consider ideas for building a canal but they never got beyond the proposal stage
Eventually technological advances and commercial pressure allowed construction to begin in earnest. Ferdinand de Lesseps led an initial attempt by France to build a sea-level canal. Cost issues and disease soon overwhelmed the canal project and it was abandoned..
The U.S.-led canal effort picked up as soon as France abandoned the project. The Panama site was politically unfavorable for many reasons, including tropical diseases and political instability in the region. The era of "gunboat" diplomacy was at its height and helped "resolve" many of the political issues by force. Advances in medical technology that mitigated mosquito-born diseases was also a key factor. President Teddy Roosevelt was a strong advocate of the canal and America was ultimately successful.
On 7 January 1914 the French crane boat Alexandre La Valley became the first to make the traverse, and on 1 April 1914 the construction was officially completed with the hand-over of the project from the construction company to the Canal Zone government.
During World War II, the canal proved a vital part of the U.S. military strategy, allowing ships to transfer easily between the Atlantic and Pacific.
With its recent expansion the Panama Canal continues to be a viable commercial venture and a vital link in world shipping,
Bob describes himself as a patriot. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1957. He had a successful business career: he was the CEO of two NYSE companies and served on the Board of Directors of three public companies and two private companies. Bob and his wife Kathie reside in Tiburon, California.
Social hour will begin at 1100 with the meeting officially opening at 1200. All attendees must meet San Francisco's requirements for proof of COVID Vaccination. Facemasks will be available at the check-in desk should anyone need one.
$40 per person at the door
Guests are welcome. If you know you will attend or bringing a guest, please advise us by Thursday/Friday of the preceding week so we can make sure there is enough food and place settings.
The Italian Athletic Club is on Washington Square at 1630 Stockton St. (between Filbert and Union and near Columbus and Powell), San Francisco, (415) 781-0165
Please Call IAC for information about validated parking
Although not mandatory, for coordination with the IAC, RSVPs to our Cmdr Gene Redding are encouraged: gene5982@yahoo.com
If you would like to attend by ZOOM, also please use the link below:
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Meeting ID: 239 737 6079
Passcode: 37J
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Meeting ID: 239 737 6079
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