The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-06
LOOKING AT THE SITES.
THE NAVAL COMMISSIONS VISIT
TO DEPTFORD.

Its investigation Ended and the Com
mission to Leave for Washington
To Day-The Drive Around the City
and to Thunderbolt-The Ocean
Steamship Wharves Inspected-The
Banquet at the Pulaski House-The
Commissioners Impressions Of
Savannah.
The naval commissioners will leave for
Washington at noon to-day, after having
spent two and half days in Savannah in
conference with the loca; committees and
in inspecting such points as were suggested
to them as available for the establishment
Of a navy yard.
The commissioners take with them much
instructive data relative to the importance
Of this port from commercial standpoint,
showing Savannah to be great diStrib-
uting point for the south as well
as the north, not only through
the extensive systems OF railroads
terminating here, but by coastwise and for
eign vessels and il is believed when
these are considered with the advantages Of
fresh water, and dista2ce from the ope n
sea to better resist The assault of q foreign
foe, that il two sites are to be recommended
one for the Gulf coast and ono for the
South Atlantic coast Savannah will be
practically without a rival on the sea-
board.
PLEASED WITH SAVANNAH.
The commissioners have been highly
pleased with Savannah, and they have
taken no pains to conceal that fact While
this applies more particularly, perhaps, TO
their impressions of the people and the prog
ress the city is making. they have gone
further aud shown that they have been i'm
pressed with the facts wnich have been pre-
sented to them, bearing on the location Of a
naval establishment. The railroad con-
nections Of Savannah at once attracted
their attention, and especially with refer
ence to the short distance to the
coal and iron ores Of the minera,
heart of the south reached in a few hours
and the distance to be diminished wit >
shorter lines westward. The natural adh
vantages Of Savannah as O naval station, it.
is believed py those VINO have seen lnucu OF
the commission while it has been here, have
impressed it favorahly, and one of the best
Informed members Of the local committee
which conferred with the commission has
said that there is no doubt that there is a
sufficient depth of water; that few vessels
drawing over 81 or % feet OF water are now
built, as few harbors would be accessible to
vessels Of much greater draught-only three
in this country.
THE CHARACTER OF FOUNDATIONS
AS to the character Of the formation for
foundations, il there is any doubr OF the
stability of the underlying strata of this sec
ton, Commander Brownson best answered
that objection when he said to the MORN
ING NEWS; Engineering can accomplish
almost anything
The time has been industriously spent by
the commissioners since their arrival here,
and their wishes have been strictly OBJ
served, 50 that they have NOT been
delayed nor embarrassed in their in
designations. Where they have chosen to
excuse members of the local committees
from accompanying them, the committee
men have remained in the background, and
where it was desirable to have escorts they
have been at the service of the commits
sion. At none of the places visited have
the wishes and the comfort Of the commits
sioners received greater consideration, and
they will bear with them on their journey
to Washington after last nights clever in
tercourse with the people of Savannah, inn
pressions Of hospitality as marked as the
impressions they have expressed of the
jealous, yet considerate cooperation in the
work which called them here This is the
conensus OF opinion among those w"O have
mingled with the members of the commits
sion during their stay here.
SHOWN THE CITY.
Yesterday morning the commissioners
accompanied by Mayor Schwarz, Capt. W.
w. Gordon, Capt. J. d. Johnston a I'd AL
derman Cam, visited the Deptford planta-
ton east of the city and examined it with
reference to its suitability as a site for the
navy yard. After dinner the commission
ers were taken to the Ocean steamship
wharves and atterward to the water works.
newly bored artesian well, not yet con-
NO fah wa AusyfrR 49, A
man Wells says, yet put down. The COM
missioners were much pie sed with it, and
did not stint their compliments to the clear
aud healthful water which has done so
much to decrease the mortality of toe city
until its death ratio is lower than that Of
any other city on the South Atlantic or
Gulf coast.
The commissioners, apart from the drive
for purposes OF investigation, were driven
about the city. The TeIfar Acadamy was
visited. They were also taken to Bonaven-
ture, which was much admired. 1t was
O'Clock last evening when they returned
from their drive and retired to their rooms
to prepare for the event of last night.
THE COMMISSION BANoUETED.
The banquet to the commissioners at the
Pulaski house last night was a pleasant
windup to their visit to Savannah. About
forty Savannah gentlemen were
present, among them the mayor
and Aldermen Bailey, Haines, Mills.
Cam, Reid and Nichols and the following
invited guests: Col. Peter Reilly, Hon.
William Clifton, S. Guckenhsimer, E. A.
We'll, Jacob Paulsen, Col. H. S. HaInes, Gen.
q. NJ. Sorrel, Gazaway HartriGge, s. b.
Adams, Or. w. F. Drummer, J. F. Minis,
Hon. w. d. Harden, l.. c. Downs, Capt.
w. W. Gordon, Capt. J. d. Johnston, Hon
W. 5. Chisholm, Hon. r, E. Lester. Capt
J. F Wheaton, F. G. duBignon, and Hon.
A p. Adams.
The dinner was served in private par
lor and was an elegant affair. The menu
was as follows:
Little Neck Clans Haul Sauterne.
Green Turtle. Pale Sherry.
Boiled Striped Rock, a la Hollandaise
Tenderioin ~ Beef, larded, with Mushrooms.
Chicken Croquettes. with Green Peas.
Chat Loeyile.
Spring Lamb, Mint Sauce. Clicquot.
Chicken Salad.
New Potatoes Green Peas. ASPARAGUS
Pound Cake Lady Fingers.
Vanilla Ice Cream.
Strawb berries with Cream.
Fruit and Coffee.
Lunch.
THE SPEECHES.
After the lunch had been thoroughly dis
'ussed and cigars lighted, Mayor Schwarz
raped for attention and introduced Com
nander Brownson, who, in the name OF the
laval commission, expressed his apprecia-
lion of the hearty welcome received BY il
rom the citizens OF this city. In the course
II his remarks he called attention to three |
questions arising of late that had a ten