Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-01

Important Improvement Conn
pIeted end Under WaT-Gratifying
Progress of the Work.

pIeted end Under WaT-GratlIylng
Progress of the Work.
There is no work in which the people OF
Savannah and the State Of Georgia, as well
as the country at large, are so greatly In
terested in in this section than the improve
ment of our river and harbor. Its impor-
lance has been demonstrated most forcibly
of late, notably in the united efforts OF the
Georgia delegation in Congress, the
hearty and able advocacy of an in
creased appropriation by the press
of our sister cities, and the earnest con-
siderarion which has been given its claims
by the Commerce Committee of Congress.
Under these circumstances our citizens gen
erslIy will be pleased to learn that the work
is progressing rapidly and satisfactorily.
While much has already been done, there
are other essential improvements to be car
ried out, which, however, will be rendered
easy of accomplishment with Increased
means. and when completed the Savannah
river, through the wonders of engineering
skill, will be made superior to the Clyde, for
which science has done so much, and at a
fraction of the cost OF that great work.
A knowledge of our river based only
upon the numerous reports and news
| paper articles which have been written
upon the important subject OF deepening It's
channel from the inner roads to the city
| wharves, can scarcely convey correct
idea of the vast Improvement already &C
complished, and Of what is in contempla-
ton.
Savannah possesses a great advantage
over New Orleans, Charleston and other
seaports, In that there is no trouble in
crossing her bar at any and all tides. There
the ocean tide sweeps in with scarcely an
obstruction, sffording numerous safe en-
frances to the principal or ship channel, at
a depth Of twenty-seven feet at high water,
with secure and commodious anchorage
inside for the fleets of the world.
This great depth at the bar is due TO the
immense water spaces or reservoirs formed
| by Calaboga Sound, May river, New river,
| and other estuaries, thus giving free access
to the incoming tide, which at its ebb
washes out the bar, carrying off whatever
debris NAV be brought down the Savannah
river in its course from the water sheds
formed by the mountains OF Northern Geor-
gia and Carolina to its mingling with the wa
tiers of the Atlantic.
Above the inner roads the Savannah forms
two rivers, known as the North and South
| channels. which unite at the head or western
end Of EIba Island, but between this point
| openings known as "Philbrick's cut, " "the
| Oakley's" and "the Sisters" At Elba
/ Island the united rivers spread out, flowing
| in one body to the headof Fig Island, where
| It again divides, one branch flowing in front
/ of the city and the other In the rear Of
Hutchinson's Island and known as "Back
/ river"
At the western end of Hutchinson's Island
| commence the works for the improvement
| of the ship canal, on whose placid bosom is
| transported the maj or part of the products
/ of half dozen States. At the point men
| toned submerged dam was constructed sew
/ eral wears since with the object of diverting
| a part of the water of Back river so that 1t
would flow past the city, and, having been
| found of practical utility, it has lately been
/ strengthened and enlarged. The next work
| comprises the two jetties opposite the lower
| end of the city, constructed for the purpose
| of reducing the width Of the river and max
i ing It uniform, and thus to scour out
/ what is known as the "Garden Banks, /"
a sand bar of considerable length. The
result has been satisfactory, as the channel
| at that point has been deepened consider
| ably and navigation made easier. Lower
down, stretching from the eastern end
i of Fig Island, are "training walls" or Jet
ties extending across the old ship channel
/ These jetties are nearly a mile in length,
and are made, like all others used In the work,
/ of mattresses" or rats constructed OF
i logs and boughs-120 feet long and from Ii
i to 80 feet wide A number of these are
sunk in proper position by stone ballast
| placed on top until the jetty is brought to
| the requisite height desired.
The next Improvement in order is the
| submerged dam IN the South channel, near
| the mouth OF st. Augustine creek, which is
| Intended to divert the current into the North
/ channel, allowing, however, a sufficient
| depth of water for vessels bound south by
the inland passage, and was built about two
| years ago.
From this point to "Philbricll's cut" there
| is as vet no further improvert ITS, though
/ it is designed to put in series 4 spur jet
| ties and training walls. The Ut has been
entirely closed up by dam recently built.
| At the Oskley's dam 3 600 feet In length,
/ extending from Island No. 2 to Birds Island,
was completed last Friday, and work is now
in progress on another dam at the opening
| between Bird Island and Cockspur. These
are very important improvements as the COM
| pletion of this work will give an unbroken
coast from Elba Island to Cockspur Island,
and will probably deepen the channel and
eventually scour the sand bars formed
| by the cross tides heretofore flow
ing between the two rivers. The plans
decided upon also provide for dams
and retaining walls along the river as far
1 GOWN rs 81. 0llCudCl buOdl duu guO hAOAls
| There is scarcely a doubt that when this
work is finished, that there will be secured
for the Savannah river not only the twenty
two feet of water so long and earnestly
wished for, but even more.
Under the direction of Captain B. d.
Green, and immediate supervision OF Mr.. r.
S. Burnett, the assistant engineer in charge
of the work, more has been accom-
| plished in the way of permanent improve
ment of our river and haTbor than
within the previous fifteen years. Hereto
fore the work has been attended
with a succession Of delays. Either the
weather was too hot or too cold, storms in
/ terfered or contractors were derelfct, and
days, weeks and months elapsed without
anything practical being accomplished. We
are gratifed to say that the situation is now
changed. Mr.. Burnett has allowed nothing
to interfere with the operations below the
city, and has pushed the work forward with
| a steadiness and determination that has re-
suited even now In great benefit.
The able officers who have from timesto
time had charge OF the work at this point
were much hampered by contractors-often
unable or incompetent to do the wOrk-or
retarded In their operations by the slow
| movements of the decentralization" office;
but the astonishing and satisfactory results
of the past years work proves that these
retarding Influences have ceased, and that
| the appropriations are being placed where
| they edo the most good" comparatively
| free from these drawbacks.
There IS, however, one desirable thing
| lacking. Captain Green should have a
''check bookn In Savannah when we get
that two hundred thousand dollars, OF which
| there now seems to be no doubt. We trust
| that he will see that the depository of the
| funds is located here, thus enabling him to
command all the labor and facilities neces-
i Gary for the Nunrk