It was the tug Elsbeth Iii with the USS Mount Hood AE-29 The 1st photo taken in PANAMA was by Captain Andrew Efthimiadis It was the tug Elsbeth Iii with the USS Mount Hood AE-29 Captain Andrew, a Canal Pilot, was assigned to the Cargo Ship “ROBIN N”. While on relief, he saw the tow arriving on October 3rd, 2013.

John took this on leaving ElsbethIII and USS Mount Hood – The 2nd photo taken in PANAMA was by John Bamber John took this on leaving ElsbethIII and USS Mount Hood – He and his "Gateway Transit" gang had prepared the ship for docking and transit.

Captain Andrew took several photos of the Mount Hood. This was taken on Oct. 6th at the RODMAN test station, Pier 1; from the cargo ship CMA CGM AMBER. He took a 2nd shot as they passed. Tug ElsbethIii was moored, Starboard of Mount Hood.

On the 9th of October, the tow passed through Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel Lock

Captain Andrew was on a small barge, moving south. Again, Captain Andrew caught ElsbethIii and Mount Hood, ending their Oct. 9th Transit. This is just north of the Centennial Bridge, part of the Pan American Highway. This tie up is called the Cucaracha Dock. It is new, being used to allow ships to have a place to moor when traffic is too high. Captain Andrew was on a small barge, moving south.

1st Mate, Marsha Coates presents us with a series of photos for the 10th of October Transit. Here they depart at 0900. With coffee pot on the bit. Soon the line is up! And They Are Off

In an hour they were passing through Gamboa, where the canal receives it’s water from the mountains, east. This is a good photo to display ElsbethIii’s Tow connection. The Titan Crane is located there also. It is shown in the aerial video.

At 1500 hrs. the tow arrived at Gatun’s west set of Locks. They started into the first step down to the level of the Caribbean. See Scenery: http://navy.memorieshop.com/World-Ports/Panama/Story/Culebra-Cut/Gatun-Lake.html They had just passed over the beautiful Lake Gatun viewing its scenery.

In the 1st step, looking forward, they got a view of the gates holding back the water the ships were floating on. That first gate looks a little open. I wonder if it leaks. Looking toward the Mount Hood, The Canal Mule could be seen, holding the ship in position. That mule must really be held tight to the rails. And it can still move along them.

Moving on to the next step down. The two mules together, hold the ship centered in the canal.

Exiting the second step, the mules hold tight to their task.

Gatun Locks in 2011

This and the previous image, come from Vern’s page: The lower / last gate has a roadway attached to it. This and the previous image, come from Vern’s page: http://navy.memorieshop.com/World-Ports/Panama/Gatun-Locks.html

USS MOUNT HOOD AE-29 Exits the Locks Bulls eye in the field, is used for Line Throwing Contests   See throwing example: http://www.hollandamericablog.com/tag/heaving-line-throwing-contest/ Pilot said that old locks are 1000 x 110 feet with max draft 39ft.   New lock chambers will be1400x 160 ft with max draft of 45 ft. “Four”, Canal Pilots leave the tow.

1800hrs. Cleared Cristobal breakwater October 10, 2013 1800hrs. Cleared Cristobal breakwater