This week's photo is one that I wished I had when I was posting the old French Dredges as few weeks ago where I mentioned the self propelled clapet barge.   Here is a super photo showing two of the old French Clapets that the U.S. was using during it's construction days.  The caption written on the back of the photo says, "Two Clapets or Self Propelling Barges decorated on July 4, 1909".  Very nice capture in time.  These clapets would later litter the shores of the Pacific and Atlantic approaches to the Canal and some in the Gatun Lake in a forever watery grave.

More next week.