How the Panama Canal shapes Pacific naval logistics

How important would the Panama Canal be to the U.S. Navy if it did not exist?

Its absence would greatly lengthen reinforcement routes and could redirect American ships through South America or the Indian Ocean.

Without the Panama Canal, supplying the Pacific would become much harder. Reinforcements might have to round South America, or Atlantic ships could approach through Africa and the Indian Ocean to join British forces. The scenario shows how one passageway affects basing, reinforcement timing, and coalition naval options.