The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-27
FOR THE NEWNAVYYARD
LIEUT. CARTER DESCRIBES THE AID
VANTAGES OF SAVANNAH.


VANTAGES OF SAVANNAH.
1t is a Good Point OF Dsfsnse-Accessi-
BILE Both by Rail and Water, and If q
Dry Dock were Built it Would be OF
Great Advantage TO the Merchant
Marine.
The Washington ID. c. Post Of last
Thursday contains the following interview
with Lieut. Carter, giving Savannah's Gd'
vantsgss as a site for a navy yard: Lieut..
o. NJ Carter, corps Of engineers, for years
in charge Of the river and harbor improve
ments at Savannah, whose vindication as a
result of the recent Investigation Of charges
against his work was 50 thorough and
triumphant, is in town on flying visit.
Lieut. Carter. owes his popularity in Savau-
nah not only 10 the excellent work he has
done there, but To the intelligent in
terest he has taken in all efforts
TO promote the city's prosperity. Asked by
O representative of tie Post whether
Savannah was being considered as a posi-
bic site for the now south Atlantic navy
yard, which the navy department Is en-
deavoring TO locate IN obedience to an act
of the last congress, Lieut.. Carter said that
il was.
sAvANEAH's GOOD POINTS.
"What advantage has Savannah as a site
for a navy ysrviF' was asked.
"Well, y replied Lieu. Carter, "of course
! cannot speak as naval expert, but with
out expressing any opinion, viii give you
Savannah's good points in that connection
In a very few words First of all she has
good water You know how important
hat - 70 oil xyaecals Than ka ~
four miles from the sea, and 50 situated
as to be easily defended both by land and
by water. Her railway connections are
unexcelled in the south. She has direct
connection now with Kansas City, and so
commands the grain and provisions OF the
west as well as the coal aud irou and steel,
lumber and naval stores nearer at hand
Savannah, being a commercial and
manufacturing city, would be able 10 fur
would yield the necessary machinists, ship
wrights. calkers, carpenters, and so on, at
once, and train up more for the future.
Speaking of these worEmen reminds me that
a large dry dock, such as tho government
might build if navy yard should be es-
tabIished at Savannah, is very much needed
by merchant vessels, and could be made a
source Of revenue, if desired. There is
now no dry dock on the coast
south of Norfolk The climate Of
Savannah is equable healthy, permitting
outdoor work all the year round There is
no interruption TO commerce on sea or land
on account of the weather at any time Of
the year. The sinking of artesian wells
recently has given better water TO drink,
and so has about put an end to diseases
arising from malaria. These artesiau wells
can be sunk almost anywhere in that
region. Pine forests abound, giving health
and Vipi1inp shin NH nt be tivna -
DEPTFORD THE SPOT.
"What particular spot has been suggested
as the site for the navy yardN
DeptfOrd plantation was the place
brought ITO the attention of the navy yard
commission, Il is near Fort jackson, two
miles below the city, with a depth of
anchorage of thirty-iive or forty feet in
front. On one side Is a light bluff, Just
suited for barracks, with the railroad
right at hand, giving through connection
with the whole country. On the other side
Is the river. made borings there for foun-
dations and found hard mari at from forty
to sixty feet when the commission was
there 1t is entirely accessible, and yet
easily defensible.n
wv ould navy yard at Savannah be
available for every naval purposeP
Yes; as reconstruction or an equipment
yard 1t would have steel, iron, lumber, and
coal near, at hand; as depot of supplies it
could draw tectly from the whole west
and south, and as coaling station it could
get coal either by rail from the south or by
schooner from tie north.n
THE DEPTH OF WATER.
What depth have you in the riverFo
On the bar the depth is as great as at
Port Royal, and then we have twenty-five
feet up 10 the city, except in three small
spots where there have been some deposits
OF silt since spring. but l shall have those
cleared away before fall. -
What about Port Royals"
II don't want to make comparisons. You
know, however, that the water is salt
there, that there is no city to furnish labor
and supplies, that it lacks railroad facil-
ties, and that it is not easily defended,
being almost directly open TO the sea-"
is Savannah prosperingN
Eyes, greatly. She is spreading out and
building up. Her commerce is Increasing
constantly. l especially note, of course,
her shipping interests, which are greater
every day. No city in the south has better
prospects,
The naval commissioners held a meeting
in Washington Thursday, but maintained
strict secrecy as to theirdeliberations. 1t is
understood, however that they will not
make report on the subject until congress
meets, and the reason assigned for this
actlop1s that If property owners obtained an
linking as TO the site selected there would
be an immediate rise in the price.