The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-21
T0BUILD TWO MORE SHIPS
THE OCEAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY
TO SPEND 100000.

Inc directors NeROCldJlnB q AOdh W
Reconstruct the Steamship Wharves
and to Build the Proposed Extern
sions-The Last Spike on the Bir-
mingham Extension Driven and
Through Trains to be Run July /
The Buena Vista Extension Contract
Gen. Alexander was in his Office yester-
day applying himself closely to his work
after pleasant trip north, which included
Chester where he-witnessed the launching
of the new steamship City of Birmingham.
He is very proud of the new ship, and he
says that she will be ready for the carrying
trade by Aug. l. On the very day that she
was launched the work of putting in her
boilers began. The engines were completed
and ready to be put in when the hull left
the ways. The Ocean steamship company
contemplates building two more steam
ships, to cost together 81, 10000 and they
will be ready for the line by Aug. / of next
year. Gen. Alexander says that it is not
true that the Central has bought or contem-
plated the purchase of the Georgia Pacific
from the Richmond and Danville system.
The Central has one road to Birmingham,
and that is enough. He had no idea that
the Georgia Pacific road is for sale 1t is a
good property and not in the market In
Gen. Alexander'S opinion there is business
enough for all the railroads in Georgia
without any one system trying to buy out
another.
NOT BUYING UP RAILROADS.
The general said there is no foundation in
fact either for the statement that the An
niston and Atlantic has been purchased by
the Central, nor is it true that the the loans
Ia,1 I'd
any railroad deals and schemes to buy
up other roads. The Central, he says, is
not scheming to buy up other roads. 1t is
about to negotiate loan to enable it to en-
large its wharf facilities at Savannah, to
build its airline from Eden to Americas, to
connect its through line to Columbus and
Birmingham, to enlarge its equipments for
its old and new lines, to build two new
steamships and to provide for the payment
of some of the bonds Of the system falling
due within the next four or five years
1t has already negotiated for the money
to build the Buena Vista extension to Co
lumbus, and will have no trouble in placing
bonds to enable it to build the road from
Eden to Americas, and the work will begin
this year The route has already been de-
termined from Americas as far east as the
East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia road
which it will cross at Eastman, or between
Eastman and Godwinsville, the road taking
Vienna in its line. A branch road will be
built from Dublin to connect with the
Americas and Eden. The loan will also
cover expenses for equipments and better
meilts, and the other added properties al
luded to above
Gen. Alexander says that it was thought
best to continue the dividends and provide
by the placing of bonds for the conuem-
plated improvements of the system as the
capitalization of the roads of the Central is
lower than it was few years ago, when
the system had poor tracks, light engines
and inadequate terminal facilities, and the
report of the next year will show a lower
capitalization than last year
THE BIRMINGHAM TERMINUS.
He was asked if the Centrals terminal
facilities at Birmingham are good,
and he said that he thought they
ought to be, as they had cost $3.50. 600
They cover about seven acres of ground.
Besides, the company still owns about
four acres of low land, connected by right of
way with the seven-acre tract, for which
the Raoul management paid $50, 200. This
was not found to be as eligible as desired,
0nd was too limited in area. The Louis
VILE and Nashville has been figuring on its
purchase, but the Central is not likely to let
1t go, as land has appreciated rapidly in
value. The industrial progress of Birming-
ham is great, and the Central expects to get
large share of the carrying trade of the
thrifty manufacturing city, so that its
eleven acres III time may not be too much
Gen. Alexander says that tho Central
and the Kansas City, Memphis and Biz
mingham systems expect to be mutually
beneficial to each other, and the freight and
passenger traffic of each is expected to be
largely increased by the completion of the
Centraps new road from Columbus to Biz
mlngham, and when the Eden and Ameri-
Gus gap is closed up by the completion of
the road directly west from Savannah, the
freight tariff will be reduced to minimum.
and Birmingham will be given a short line
to an ocean outlet for her manufactured
products. and Georgia and Alabama cotton
planters will be within few hours ride of
the great seaport and cotton market of the
coast.
BACK FROM THE NORTH.
General Manager Belknap of the Central
railroad, accompanied by his private secre-
tary, Mr.. Finney, arrived home Yesterday
morning from their trip north to witness
the launch of the new steamship CITY of
Birmingham. Maj. Belknap says that the
sea was very calm on the voyage to New
York, and the passengers, which left here
on May to attend the launching, were
very slightly affected by seasickness. The
launching was beautiful sight, and as Miss
Pauline Caldwell stood in the bow of the
huge steel hull of one of the finest of
modern steamships, as it glided from its
lofty ways into the CLASSY waters below.
the cheeks of the fair Birmingham lady
blanched for a second, but as the huh
glided over the water, the color came back
to her cheeks, and she stood the central
figure of a successful launch, while the
crowd on shore shouted until it was hoarse.
Maj Belknap says that he left DR.. Caldwell
and the ladies of the party in New York,
and that as DR.. Caldwell was so much
pleased with the sea voyage, he thinks the
party will return by steamer.
THE BUENA VISTA EXTENSION.
Last night when MORNING NEWS re-
porter called on Maj. Belknap, the latter's
office wGs beseiged with railroad contract
ors, as it had been all the afternoon. Yes
,erday was the last day for receiving bids
ior the construction of the Buena Vista ex-
pnsion to Columbus. After dismissing the
asst contractor Maj. Belknap said that
there were quite number of bids, and the
.ompetitio will therefore be lively. He
thought that there were no less than fifteen
bids. He had not had time to examine
ihem and il would be two or three days be-
!ore the contract will be let He expects to
be able to close a contract by Saturday, and
anish up the work which has accommodated
auring his absence, so that he can get off
Sunday for a trip over the new Columbus
and Birmingham extension, the last spike
IN which was driven in the CooSa tunnel