The U.S. Naval Institute Chronicles series focuses on the relevance of history by exploring topics like significant battles, personalities, and service components. Tapping into the U.S. Naval Institute's robust archives, these carefully selected volumes help readers understand nuanced subjects by providing unique perspectives and some of the best contributions that have helped shape naval thinking over the many decades since the Institute’s founding in 1873.

With the Panama Canal currently undergoing a major expansion, it is appropriate and enlightening to look back to the early days of this remarkable and somewhat presumptuous project. With its substantial maritime impact, it is not surprising that the canal was the subject of much thought-provoking dialog in the Naval Institute’s unique forum.