I recall reading somewhere (but can’t remember just where) that there were some significant arguments and debates abut how wide to make the Panama Canal locks. I’ve heard everything from ~80 feet wide to 130 or so—the wider, the more expensive.
Suppose that, instead of making both sets of locks 110 feet wide, a decision had been made to make one set 90 feet wide, and the other set 130 feet wide. No more (or at least not much more) excavation is needed, and most contemporary ships can use the narrower locks, thus saving water with each cycle. The wider ones, wanted by the US Navy, will be used less often at first—but will allow for beamier warships in a time when ship size was on an upward trend. (Perhaps they are made 20 feet longer—or perhaps not.)
What effect does this have on world trade as ships get bigger? “Panamax” vessels can be bigger, but not as many can use the canal per day, since only one side can handle them. A second category might come about, “Panamini,” or “Minimax” for ships designed to use the smaller locks—and thus pay a reduced toll.
The effects on the US Navy are fairly obvious; warships can be 20 feet wider—or might be limited to only 18 feet wider, so they have TWO feet of clearance on each side of the locks.) Though the larger size MIGHT (but, IMVHO, most likely wouldn't) have an influence on Washington Treaty goals...
The effects on the Japanese navy--Yamato class battleships--would be interesting, since the ships were intended to be so large that the USA couldn't build a matching ship due to the canal limits.
Suppose that, instead of making both sets of locks 110 feet wide, a decision had been made to make one set 90 feet wide, and the other set 130 feet wide. No more (or at least not much more) excavation is needed, and most contemporary ships can use the narrower locks, thus saving water with each cycle. The wider ones, wanted by the US Navy, will be used less often at first—but will allow for beamier warships in a time when ship size was on an upward trend. (Perhaps they are made 20 feet longer—or perhaps not.)
What effect does this have on world trade as ships get bigger? “Panamax” vessels can be bigger, but not as many can use the canal per day, since only one side can handle them. A second category might come about, “Panamini,” or “Minimax” for ships designed to use the smaller locks—and thus pay a reduced toll.
The effects on the US Navy are fairly obvious; warships can be 20 feet wider—or might be limited to only 18 feet wider, so they have TWO feet of clearance on each side of the locks.) Though the larger size MIGHT (but, IMVHO, most likely wouldn't) have an influence on Washington Treaty goals...
The effects on the Japanese navy--Yamato class battleships--would be interesting, since the ships were intended to be so large that the USA couldn't build a matching ship due to the canal limits.