Coco Solo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Naval Base Coco Solo |
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| Cativá, Panama | |
Aerial view of the U.S. Naval Station Coco Solo in 1941
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| Type | Naval base |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  United States Navy |
| Site history | |
| In use | 1918–1999 |
Coco Solo was an important place used by the United States Navy (the U.S. sea military). It was a base for submarines and a place where Navy planes could land and take off. It was active for many years, from 1918 until the 1960s.
Contents
History of Coco Solo
Starting the Base
The submarine base at Coco Solo officially opened on May 6, 1918. This area is now known as Cativá in Panama. It was located on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Panama Canal Zone. This was a special area controlled by the U.S. near Colón, Panama.
Early on, five C-class submarines were stationed there. This was between 1914 and 1919.
A Famous Birthplace
Did you know that a famous American politician was born here? United States Senator John McCain was born at a small Navy hospital in Coco Solo in 1936.
Coco Solo During World War II
A larger hospital was built at Coco Solo in the summer of 1941. On December 17, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt signed an order. This order moved the hospital area from the civilian part of the Panama Canal Zone to the Navy's part.
When World War II started, Coco Solo played a big role. On December 7, 1941, three special submarines called V-class submarines were based there. These were the Barracuda, Bass, and Bonita. Coco Solo also became a Naval Air Facility. This meant it housed a squadron of United States Army Air Forces P-38 Lightning aircraft. These were fast and powerful planes used in the war.
Later Years and Today
By the 1960s, the U.S. Navy no longer kept ships at Coco Solo. Only some support staff and housing remained. Nearby was Fort Randolph, which was used for military training.
Until the mid-1990s, Coco Solo was a town where civilian employees of the Panama Canal lived. The nearby Galeta Island U.S. Navy communications facility also kept operating.
In 1999, the Panama Canal was fully given back to Panama. After this, the U.S. military stopped all its activities at both Coco Solo and Galeta Island.
Today, Coco Solo looks very different. It is now home to two large container terminals. These are places where huge ships load and unload containers. One of them, Manzanillo International Terminal, is one of the busiest container ports in all of Latin America!
See also
In Spanish: Coco Solo para niños
- List of former United States military installations in Panama
- Naval Base Panama Canal Zone
