Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-29
aUrCnrNsoN ISLAND.
The work OF Restoration Half Conn
pIeIe and Progressing FAvorably.


Editor Morning NsaOs The letter OF Col.
Wadley and others with the reply of DR.. j.
G. Thomas are matter of great surprise TO
me aud perhaps some little modification.
For four weeks past two private citizens
have been vigorously engaged in restoring
Hutchinson Island, they have employed
forty to sixty hands. paying off these hands
in large amount from their private means
weekly, and have successfully overcome
the great difficulties OF the work Of restora-
ton of public property, when certain well
known, influential gentlemen suddenly ap-
pear In public print asking that DR.. j. G.
Thomas and somenew debating and literary
society exert themselves to have Council
place large force of work people upon the
island to restore the dams and breaks and
drain it. 1t would seem to me that, before
going into print, these gentlemen might
have taken the proper steps to obtain relia-
Bile information as to the matter they have
so extensively corresponded about.
am In position to give reliable infor-
nation, and therefore, in justice to Captain
G. +. Stubs, will ask the privilege Of your
columns to give it. Four weeks ago the con-
tract to restore the dams and repair the
breaks OF the public domain on Hutchin-
sons Island was given to DR.. James j.. War
ing. Since then a large force has been
employed, and twc-thirds OF the Injured or
Frustrated and washed out dams have been
entirely restored. Besides the most difficult
of the breaks has been restored, though not
entirely finished, in consequence OF the
necessity to remove a trunk on one side,
which. as every expert would know, is a
most difficult and precarious undertaking.
This work has been nearly completed to-
day by a small picked force, whilst the
main force is pressing forward the work
towards and near to Fig Island point. The
island will certainly be submerged for the
next two spring tides; first as precaution
and second as necessity. There is for
midable break or rather small river setting
into the island directly opposite to the pro-
| iected line of Abercorn street, which will
| require the use of a steam pile driver. All
available steam pile drivers within this
| river are In employ and under contract ex-
cept one, and that one will necessitate some
considerable alteration, which is now being
made at my expense by Messrs. McDonough
| q Ballantyne. With the experience and
light before me, this little river, eighteen
| feet deep at high water, can be readily
closed, but only by the most thorough and
cautious work When this has been done
we shall be ready to shut down the gates
| and dry the island, not sooner.
Mr.. Editor, permit me to express some
surprise that these gentlemen should have
addressed themselves fer the relief of this
community from the dangerous con ditiou
of this island to people who never have
soiled their boots nor their gloves with the
mud of the island aud never will, and should
have forgotten to apply to me, who, by per-
sonal sacrifice and fatiguing labor, restored
the island four years ago, according to
| his own plans, is familiar with every weak
| point and peculiarly OF the entire tract Of
land and holds now the contract and is ac-
| lively engaged in its completion.
With your permits sion l will to morrow
call public attention to the real difficulties
upon Hutchinson's Island and to certain
necessary work which must be done to com
| plete the scheme of drainage projected by
| me when Chairman of Dry Culture. The
lessee, Capt. Stubs, is not called upon to
complete what has been. by the storm of
August 9th, proven to be an imperfect
work. IL is unavoidable, however distaste-
| full this work, and however great the sacri-
| flee, that the island should be restored to its
condition preceding the storm. But when
that has been done the.proper time will have
arrived for the people of Savannah, through
| their proper representatives, to do such
work there as may in future reasonably di-
minish greatly the risk of the present dis
aster. am, verv truly, sir, yours,
JAMES j. WARING, NJ. d.