S-46

S-46 seen here entering the Pedro Miguel Locks on the Pacific side of Panama Canal, approximately 1926-1927 when she was homeported in Coco Solo on the Atlantic side. There is another unidentifiable S-boat entering the lock in the background. Although she appears to be painted black, indicating a post 1935 date, in actuality this is a trick of lighting as the photo was being taken. She is still in her standard pre-1935 haze gray paint scheme.

The men on the bow are placing the tow line from the left side of the photo to a cleat on the deck. The opposite line is already attached from the "Mule" seen on the lock incline in the upper right side of the photo. Lines are attached from the aft deck to the Mules seen on the lock wall farther along the wall. The Mule locomotives are what was used to pull the ships and boats into the locks. This method gave the canal personnel a very precise degree of control over ship movements into the locks, preventing an inadvertent ramming of the lock walls or gates.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

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