Julius H. Kroehl - Pearl Fishing in Panama

Pearl Fishing in Panama

1864 Kröhl became chief engineer and shareholder of the Pacific Pearl Company. He built the Sub Marine Explorer in 1865. He successfully tested his craft in May 1866 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Later, in March 1867, he, with his crew and submarine, shipped out to Panama. He supervised its transport by rail once at Aspinwall (now Colón), and the vessel’s reassembly at the Pacific side of the country.

Kröhl died on September 9, 1867 in Panama City, Panama, United States of Colombia, attributed to "fever," and was buried there (Consular papers, included in Pension file). It has been speculated that he died of decompression sickness, during experimental dives with the Sub Marine Explorer. However, the symptoms of decompression sickness do not match that of malaria (see Greenberg email below). His widow, Sophia, argued that his death was from service-related malaria, citing witnesses who knew him during the Vicksburg campaign as well as medical statements.

He is buried in the Cementerio de Extranjeros (Foreigners' Cemetery), located in the Chorrillo district of Panama City, Republic of Panama. These cemeteries are reserved for Protestants, and Freemasons of any religious affiliation. Thomas Kilby Smith was the US Consul who inventoried his possessions and reported the death.