Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-17
QUIZ RIVER AND HARBOR.
The Appropriations - What Has
Been Done aud What is 90 be Ae-
eOmplfshed-LighIi the River.

We are pleased 10 lay before our readers
this morning some definite information In
reference to the appropriations made Iby
Congress for the river and harbor Of saTan-
nah at the late session. There were so
many amendments to the several bills that
it was difficult to know exactly what had
been passed or what not. Hearing yester.
day that Col. E. G. Anderson, who has
always taken such lively interest in all that
concerns our hsrbor, and who is probably
better informed in regard TO its condition
and needs than any one In Georgia, had re-
ceived some definite information, we
called upon him to ascertain the status
OF affairs. He had just received letter
from Senator Brown on the subject, in
which 1t was stated that the sum OF 500, 900
had been appropriated for lighting the
river, and Sos 900 for improving the harbor,
a portion Of which latter sum is to be ex-
pended for the work of cutting away the
projection at Fig Island and the payment Of
damages for the land taken. Both these sp-
propriations were increased over the origi-
nal amounts reported, and this was accom-
plished through the arduous efforts Of Sen
ator Brown, Hon. James II. Blount and our
lUucQlabe Representative. 1OHs JOHu ".
Nichols, and other friends.
The appropriation for lighting the river Is
considered sufficient for the purpose, and
this important work will be commenced
very shortly under the direction Of the
National Light House Board at Washington,
and will be completed in time to be avail
able for next years commerce. There
will be niEe lights in all from Tybee
to the city, and they will be located in
accordance with the projected improvement
for deepening the river, 80 as to avoid the ne
cessity for any changes In the future. The
first OF these lights will be at the Knoll
buoy (the location of the old nghtship),
range lie hts ito guide vessels past that
point; the second at the east end of Long
Island, where the blind beacon is; the
third at the western end of the same island:
the fourth at Venus Point; the fifth at the
west end Of Jones' Island; the sixth on the
southeast end of Elba Island; the seventh
on Elba Island, near the point Of shoals
where the channels defects over, and
makes its turn to the beacon on the
other shore, which is also to be lighted.
The course will then be around the head of
Elba Island by range lights in the neighbor-
hood OF Fort Jackson and Depthford Bluff,
beyond, thence by plain sailing to light on
Fig Island, which is in range of light on the
Exchange. The lighting of the river in
this manner will be of incalculable benefit
to our commerce, and should have been
done long since. 1t is, however, gratifying
to know that the work will soon be com
menced. In this connection we may
state singular fact, show
ing how little Savannah has been
favored in this respect. The total amount
OF appropriations up to January 10, 1881,
for the lighting of Delaware river, from
Philadelphia to the Capes, was 81, 119, IT'S so,
while the total amount up to the same time
for lighting the Savannah river was only
$l45,037, and yet the exports alone Of Sa-
vannah for the year 1880 were $40, 745, 900,
greatly In excess, we are informed, OF the
commerce on the Delaware. This demon
strates clearly that the port Of Savannah is
certainly not exacting in seeking appropria-
tions.
With regard to the appropriation of $685.
COO for the improvement of the harbor, our
city is to be congratulated, as the original
appropriation was only $25 900, and it was
increased to this amount only through the
energy and persistence of Senator Brown
who derived valuable information, facili-
tating their labors, from Colonel Anderson,
VINO was In Washington for some time.
This appropriation will be expended I'M
der the direction of General @. A. Gilmore,
and the work in progress will be continued
with Vlgor. From the sea BUOY to the
Knoll channel, near where the old light
ship lay, there is plenty of water.
The first obstruction is met at this
point, which will be at once improved. It
was here that the Sebastacook and TLomp-
son were sunk during the war, and shoal
has thereby been made. Tie hulls of these
vessels are sunken in the mud, and we IN
derstand will have to be blown out. This is
the first material point to receive the atten-
ton of the engineers. Another point re-
curing deepening is what is known as
Horseshoe Flats, above the oyster beds.
While the appropriation is not sufficient to
make the entire improvements de-
sired, yet much can be accom-
plished, and by next season our harbor
will be greatly improved, allowing vessels
drawing nineteen feet to come up to the
city on ebb tide.
Another interesting matter is the follow
ing, which Senator Brown had incorporated
and passed, and the benefit of which work
is readily apparent:
"And the Secretary of War is hereby
directed to cause to be made examinatio ns
and surveys, or both, and estimates of the
cost OF further Improvements necessary to
be made in the Savannah river and harbor
to increase the depth of water in said
river and harbor from the bar up to the
city to taOeHty tlOO feet and to make an
estimate of the cost of widening the chan
mel Of the Savannah river opposite the city
to six hundred feet uniform width with the
balance of the channel