Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-11
THE UPPER SAVANNAH.
Augusta Wants an Appropriation
for Its Improvement.

Augusta is stirring up the matter OF
improving the Savannah river SO that
navigation may be practicable during the
entire year. AS it is, with the present
low stage OF water, it is impossible for
steamers 10 reach Augusta, and their
carxoes have 10 be lightered i've miles
this side of there, The trouble ID alto
gether on the upper Savannah.
A meeting was held at Augusta Tues
day nigot to discuss the matter, and TO
take steps towards securing an additional
appropriation for the Improvement of the
river. Hon. George T. Barnes, represent
tatIve from the Tenth Congressional
district, was one of the speakers.
He called attention to Augustus
commercial advantages, and told
mittee Of Congress in trying to get
100000 and only getting $l5, 900. He went
before the committee and gave them sta
tistics. He was met with the report of
the engineer, stating that it would only
take 1000, and the custom is only to
give One-third each wear. However, he
managed to get $4,000 appropriated.
Forty-fye thousand dollars, he had since
learned, would make the river navigable
all tue year. He thought the proper
course TO pursue was to gather facts and
present them 10 the United States Engi-
neer Corps, with request that they pre-
sent the same To the Secretary OF War.
In 1927 fifteen steamboats, piled the river
between Augusta and Savannah, and
brought all the products from the East
and West Indies, and Augusta was then
a distributing point for Georgia, South
Carolina, North Carolina and Alabama.
Mr.. John LawtOn, OF Lawtonville, 5. c.,
owner OF the steamer Katie, was also
heard. BE stated that the money previ-
ously appropriated had been I'M udlciOusly
used. Jettles had been put in at Augusta
which washed the sand beds lower down
the river, ana now a steamer couldn't get
as near the city as heretofore. The work
should have been begun below. Forty
thousand dollars judiciOusly used, he
laid. would make the river navigable at
all seasons.
The Port Royal drawDridge during the
freshet season, In its present condition,
he also ssid, is dangerous in the
extreme to navigation, and unless
the railroad does the necessary work
in pile driving from the draw
to the bank on the Carolina side, about
three hundred feet above, the bridge Is
lianle at any time to cause the loss of any
passenger steamer going down, and the
lives OF all on board.
Maj. Barnes introduced the following
resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted:
Res2red, That a committee of citizens of
Augusta and cit Gems of South Caroiua be
appolnI ell Nv The chairman OF this meeting to
procure and present in suitable form lnfor
nation IN the following points:
l. The amount of commerce and navga-
ton OF the Savannah river when work of i'm
prOvement was commenced on same.
?. The amount of commerce and navigation
at the present time.
g. The effect of work thus far executed.
f. The probable cost OF preserving and
maintaining the improvement after being
completed, together with all inform alton re-
lative to the Improvement of the navigation
of the Savannah river, or advantages to be
derived from such Improvement.
Res0loed, That said committee be requested,
as early as possible, to prepare such state
ment, and forward copy of same to Lieut.. Il.
'. Abbott, United States Corps of Engineers,
Charleston, S. c.