Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-18
THE BIG coMBrNAr1oN on LAND AND sEA

THE BIG COMBINATION on LAND AND SEA.
New YORK. May 14.-The writer has had an
abundant opportunity for observing while
journeying from Macon to Savannah, and
during his voyage on the good ship City of
Columbus to this city, what are the operations,
capacities and condition of the most important
factor in the late tripartte alliance and amalga-
nation of the greatest railways of Georgia
and South Carolina, which was effected by the
consummate management Of President
Wadley.
THE "oLD CENTRAL"
as usual, was as smooth as billiard table, and
under the immediate supervision of Superin-
tendent Rogers, works with automatic pre-
cision. The conductors, engineers. brakemen
and other employees are always at their posts.
and courteous to all. New roads of equal
length deviate as seldom from the exact figures
of the time table,
RAPID INCREASE OF BUSINESS.
On the train 1 was permitted to glance at the
returns for several months Of the agent at Mil
len, Mr. Daniel and found that the revenue
from fTeights was more than tICice as large
as during the corresponding period of last
year This would indicate a very healthy state
of affairs, and vindicateS the wisdom of the
late lease ami virtual consolidation of the Cen
trail with the Georgia and South Carolina
Roads.
In Savannah your correspondent took lodg-
ines for day with the irrepressible Bresnan
who has fairly placed the MARSHALL House in
the front rank or Southern hotels. A soJourn
OF one day only was sufficient 10 evince unmls-
takably that Georgia's ancient seaport is
RAPIDLY ADVANCING
In population and commercial Importance
Many handsome improvements are in progress
and there is an air of thrift about the city and
contentment visible in the couutenanceS of her
hTStnpcS "a
Never have L seen the wharves so crowded
with shipping at this season of the year or tl,c
streets as full of hustle az animation. lu the
single advance in railway securities 1he paet5ie
have realized hundreds g thousands If dol
lars. No wonder that they are In sues happy
frame of mind. livery Georgian should feel
principal seaport which is identified with the
origin and past history and traditions OF the
commonwealth.
The wharves Of the
OCEAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY
are probably unequalled in extent ana com.
pleteness by any on the Atlantic coast. Con-
venient of access by rail and the best carriage
ways with ample depth of water, a frontage of
half mile on the river, provided with vast
storehouseS, guano sheds, cotton presses and
hoistIng apparatus. there is nothing lacking In
the arrangement for speedy and satisfactory
transportation. They presented busy scene
when the writer drove to the berth OF
the steamship City of Columbus on Tuesday
was rapidly sending home in the yielding mud
OF the river the sturdy posts upon which the
foundations of other buildings were to be laid
and additional land redeemed from the stream.
Crowds Of orays, carts, carriages and hacks
kept up continuous clatter; trunks, some of
them respectable corn bins in size, lay piled
upon the ground; porters in long process
sion, with crates Of new po-
tatoes, tomatoes. green peas, snap
beans, cucumbers, squaShes, strawberries,
ETC., on their shoulders, marched up, the gang
way and deposited their burdens, and ever and
anon there came on board bevies Of passen-
gers, embracing the pale and coughing invali /.
ruddy tourists, business men, children and
ladies, the self-satisfied millionaire and the
humble occupant of the steerage. The whole
air was vocal with the jabber of the negroes
and female huckSters on shore, and
the voices Of the passengers and
their friends. Sailors, hackmen. steve
dores and the escaping steam OF the ship also
contributed to swell the confusion and impart
more life to the scene. But in the midst Of 1t
all, at given signal, he gangway was with
drawn, almost capsizing into the water those
who would remain on board to the last mo-
ment. the strong hawsers were cut loose, the
engine began it's strokes, and the noble ship
moved gently away upon her ocean voyage.
The
CITY OF COLUMBUS
is fully as stauuch as any OF the quartette Of
ocean steamers which bear the names of the
chiefest cities of Georgia. Like all of them her
hull is constructed of iron, and she measures
capacity of tire thousand seven hundred balese
of cotton. In ali of its appointments, the ship
is fully abreast of every modern Improvement,
loading and unloading. pumping, hoisting,
heaviDg anchor, and even steering by steam.
She is COMMANDED by Capt w. H Fisher. with
8. L Adkins and j. B. Kubel as first and
zee nd officers, all good and true men.
The Captain, only thirty: nine years Of age, is
the youngest skipper in The fleet, albeit a
veteran salt of twenty five years experience.
In manners he is affable and gentle. with none
of the austerity OF authority. But in times Of
difficulty or danger no one could be f1rmer and
more seIf-possessed than he. He was con-
stantly either On the look out in the pilot
box or studying the charts of the coast sur
vey. The steward, stewardess, walters and
other employees II the ship are all in admir-
able training, and did their duty well
Among the passengers were many proprie-
tors of
ORANGE GROVES,
a few Of whom spend their winters In Florida.
All seemed pleased. and some were beginning
to realize the results of their investments by
the sale Of the golden fruit thev were rearing
ApropoS of oranges, the writer is aStonished to
see sound and sweet Messina oranges selling on
the streets at retail for one cent piece, and
the best lemons attwenty-five cents for twenty
I his. too, aft incurring the cost of voyage
Of three thousand miles. And yet we learn
that wherever it has been introd ced in
European markets, the Florida orange Is great
ly preferred, and commands remunerative
prices
TALK WITH THE CAPTAIN.
In an interesting conversation with CAPTAIN
Fisher, he stated that the business of the Ocean
Steamship Company has nearly doubled within |
the past two years. Previously to that period |
1t was the custom at this season to take off one |
or more steamers and they seldom sailed with !
full cargoes But now every ship leaves well
freighted, and the company have found it ne
cessary to purchase OF her vessels to assist in |
the carrying trade. The establishment of the |
line was the saving clause to the Central Rail- |
road. and he's placed it upon basissthat de-
fes competition.
THE VOYAGE
was unusually calm and eventIess until arriv- |
ing off Sandy Hook The sea was as smooth
as mill pond, and after the first day when |
The swell caused by the recent East wind had |
subsidized there was no excuse for the most |
delicate stomach to feel "qualmsh " One !
little incident only disturbed the monotony of |
he long hours, and that was the coming on |
board of a
LITTLE SPARROW
On the coast of North Carolina, when the ship |
vas at least twenty miles from land
The petite stranger at first seemed badly |
but soon made itself at home, and |
began TO PICK up the crumbs that lay scattered |
on the deck. OF course. the freedom of the |
whole ship was extended to it.
DISMAL AND DANGEROUS FOG.
When the steamers passengers retired to |
'est on Thursday night, it was with the conf. |
lent expectation that at p. m. she would be
Wind and weather are proverbially fickle and
sbout two OF clock the deep tones Of the bell
ind repeated screams of the whistle Quickly
aroused every sleeper. Soon the cause was
made apparent. 4 glance outside revealed
he murky gloom whi had obscured moon
IND stars, and wrapped the ocean
n Egyptian darkness The ship was
moving easily along, ever sounding fog
ignalS which were answered on all sides BY
'ther vessels lost to view in the impenetrable
;loom. Heaving OF the lead, too. continued
Without cessation. Once the ship touched bot
om, and the sands were stirred up by the
Wheel. But she backed off without difficulty,
md again we WEI Q in deep water. In the HlIdst
Il the thickest of the gloom the oaicer on the
ookout shouted "a vessel directly in our
rack kaFd-a-port!" "Hard-a-portl'' thundered
he Captain, and gracefully obeoient to the
elm, the noble ship glided aside, narrowly
Missing Bangor schooner, which moment
ater would have been cut down to the waters
dge.
After this it became necessary to cease noy.
ng entirely and cast anchor Nor did ths ship
esume her course until the fog had begun To
III, and objects were again dimly visible In
he distance.
The coolness and skill manifested throughout
y Captain Fisher was the theme of general
emark on board.
It was noon ere our voyage was ended. and
llF& rI.s -