In 1937 they reported the naval times that “when one is going to be … Panama, it would not be an exaggeration if he said that at every step he meets something that brings him mentally to Greece, a rising or descending Greek truck”. In the same year, according to Panama’s records, of the 5,500 ships that had sailed 82 km of the canal, some 250 were Greek cargo ships. Today, 15,000 ships are crossing the canal annually, of which 2,000 are estimated to be Greek -owned. The Panama Canal – along with the Suez Canal that opened 45 years ago – revolutionized the maritime routes of world trade, shortening distances. For example, from New York for San Francisco through the Panama Canal requires 9,500 km (6,000 nautical miles), while through Cape Horn and the Latin America crossing 22,500 km (14,000 nautical miles). In the second half of the 20th century, a special type of ship called “Panamax” was created in the second half of the 20th century. These ships are usually 65,000-80,000 tonnes of dead weight so that they can sail on the aquatic road of the canal which is a complex lake of lakes, tanks, channels with special dams for passing from one to another.
The Panama Canal remains one of the most important geopolitical spots in the world to this day. The tensions that have arisen lately, especially after Donald Trump has taken over the presidency of the United States, bring to the forefront the importance of the canal as a central world of world trade. Trump’s interest in the canal was linked to increased charges for ships and the growing presence of China in the area, through long -term leases and infrastructure investment. This geopolitical tension is a continuation of the historical importance of the canal, which has been a place of conflict, cooperation and redistribution of power since its construction to date.
The construction of the Panama Canal (1904-1914) was one of the greatest technical achievements of the 20th century. The participation of workers from various countries, including the Greeks, has been decisive for the completion of the project. Through the Panama Canal Zone Archive, Employment Records and Sailing Lists, 1905-1937: Index and Images of Employee Records, Service History Cards, Sailing Lists of Contract Laborers, and Employee Identification Records, where they find Greek workers, but also from the well-being from the well Socio -political conditions of the time, the complexity of the labor, health and cultural issues that accompanied the construction is evident.
It has been estimated that in the second phase of the project by the Americans in 1904, some thousand Greek workers worked in various positions in the construction of the Panama Canal. From the records we found about a hundred Greeks who worked as engineers, police, guards, repairs and boilers. Most came from rural and island regions of Greece, such as Crete, Chios, Kymi and the Peloponnese, and migrated to seek better job opportunities. The Greeks worked in various areas related to the construction of the canal. Specifically:
Engineers and Technicians: Many Greeks have been involved in specialized positions, such as locomotive engineers, craftsmen and engine repairs. For example, Nikolaos Papadakis worked in 1905 as an engineer with a salary of $ 70 a month, contributing to the effective operation of technical equipment.
Workers and foremen: Many have worked as workers in manual labor, such as ground movement and infrastructure maintenance. Others, such as Constantine Lizakos, evolved into positions of responsibility, reaching until the first captain’s place in barges in 1906.
Police and Guardians: Alexander Kefalas, a first -class police officer in 1909, played a role in maintaining order in the canal zone, with a salary of $ 80 a month.
Two ‘speeds’
In the Panama Canal, workers were divided into two distinct categories: Gold Roll and Silver Roll. These categories reflected not only the wage level, but also the social, racial and cultural inequalities that prevailed in the time. The Gold Roll category mainly included white American citizens, who had high wages, excellent living conditions and access to quality health care. Employees in this category also had access to better accommodation, schools for their children and social benefits that were not available to other employees. Integration into Gold Roll was essentially a symbol of social prestige and racial superiority. Correspondingly, the Silver Roll category included workers from the Caribbean, Southern Europe and other areas, including Greeks.
They worked as engineers, police, guardians, repairs and boilers – most came from rural and island areas of Greece.
Their salaries were significantly lower, while living and working conditions were tough. Silver roll workers were housed in poor quality accommodation, without sufficient health infrastructure and had limited access to medical care. In addition, the possibilities of development were extremely limited, making this category a symbol of social exclusion.
Racial and social distinction was also extended to the way their daily work was organized. The Silver Roll workers had undertaken the most dangerous and tough jobs, while facing limited capacity to rise to senior positions. Although some Greeks managed to be promoted to positions of responsibility, such as Constantine Lizakos, who became the first captain, these cases were exceptions to the rule.
These discrimination were not only limited to working conditions, but also extended to the general social life of the Greeks in the Canal Zone. The Greeks often faced prejudices because of their origin, while their cultural traditions and customs were not always accepted by the dominant American community.
However, they managed to create small communities where they maintained their language, traditions and identity.
Tropical diseases
The working conditions in the Panama Canal for Greek workers were extremely difficult and demanding. The area was characterized by high humidity, extreme temperatures and often heavy rainfall, which made work not only difficult but also dangerous. Employees, including Greeks, had to face dangers such as malaria, yellow fever and other tropical diseases. The health infrastructure was inadequate, especially for the Silver Roll workers, who were classified by the Greeks, which contributed to high mortality among workers.
In addition, Greek workers often worked in dangerous positions, such as machine maintenance and ground movement. The demands of the work included high shifts, usually under the hot sun or intense humidity. There was also limited access to drinking water and proper nutrition, which exacerbated their daily lives. Many workers lived in overcrowded and poor quality accommodation, where hygiene was problematic. This combination of conditions made work on the canal a test not only endurance but also survival. Despite the adverse conditions, Greek workers managed to distinguish themselves for their durability. The files describe how many of them have taken initiatives to improve their working conditions by creating small communities of support with each other. This solidarity was vital to the face of daily challenges, while helping to maintain their cultural identity.
Greeks often worked in dangerous positions, such as machine maintenance and ground movement. In addition they had limited access to drinking water and proper nutrition.
Up to today
The involvement of the Greeks in the Panama Canal is a special chapter in the history of the Greek diaspora that, although unexplored, highlights their contribution to one of the largest infrastructure projects of the 20th century. Despite the harsh working conditions, the discrimination and challenges they faced, the Greek workers have been able to distinguish themselves for their hard work and a spirit of solidarity. They worked in critical positions, leaving their imprint on the success of the project. Although they faced racial and social inequalities, their contribution was invaluable to both the technical implementation of the canal and the creation of a rich cultural identity in Panama. Their history proves the power of the Greek diaspora to adapt and contribute, even to environments with adversity. Today, this heritage gains new importance, as the challenges of globalization and geopolitical tension around the canal continue. The growing Chinese influence in the region, economic pressures and constant geopolitical controversy highlight the strategic importance of the canal and the people who have contributed to its creation.
*Mr. Dimitra Kardakari is a PhD candidate for Ionian University, Center for Maritime History-Institute of Mediterranean Studies-.
