The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-31

towards the docks to see her go by. 1t
was a long time after that, however, be-
fore she hove in sight, and during all that
time there were many eager, anxious peo-
pie waiting to see her appear around the
bend in the river.
1t was at first reported that she had
been seen at Tybee, by the means of a
strong glass, from the top of the city ex-
change, but it was impossible to tell
whether that was the Birmingham or
some other vessel.
About 6 O'Clock, however, she was seen
three or four miles down the river. This
was the report that brought everybody
that could get there down to the wharves.
The two masts of a vessel could be seen
coming slowly up the river, and those
who knew the ship said it was without
doubt the Birmingham.
CHEERS AS SHE CAME UP THE RIVER.
The crowds began togather thicker and
thicker on the wharves as she came
nearer into sight, and when she re$ched
the eastern end of the city which was
shortly before.7 o'clock, she gave three
long and loud whistles, in response to a
cheer from those on the wharf, that could
be heard in the center of the city.
Along Savannah's five miles of wharves
people were lined as thickly as they could
stand They could hardly realize that
the Birmingham had succeeded in
weathering that fierce storm and was
coming up to her wharf. At every little
landing where the crowds were gathered
they cheered Justify, and Capt Burg res
ponded with signals from his gong.
FIRST NEWS FROM THE SAVANNAH.
A flag marked 'CITY OF SAVAN-
NAH'' hung from the port side of the
Birmingham. What did it meanl was
the question everybody asked.
1t seemed susceptible of only one con-
struction. The passengers from the ILL
fated Savannah we're on board. This fact
was not known until the vessel had al
most reached the exchange dock, but
when it was realized the cheers grew
louder and longer, and the sounds from
Captain Burg's gong seemed to increase in
proportion.
AS the Birmingham approached her
wharf everybody ran in that direction
Fathers, brothers and friends were there
long before the vessel had been docked,
all waiting eagerly to welcome home
the precious freight which some of them
had almost given up as lost
AT HER DOCK.
Over a thousand people gathered on the
Central railroad wharf to see the vessel
land. Getting into dock is a slow work
for big vessel like the Birmingham, and
it was especially so under the circum-
stances, as she was not in the best con-
dition after her fierce battle with the
waves, although casual glance would
have given no indication whatever that
she had been anywhere near a storm.
She reached her dock about 7:30 o'clock,
but it was at least three-quarters of an
hour later before she had swung her star
board side around and the gangplank
was swung up.
RUSH FOR THE GANGwAY.
There was a rush for the gangway, and
people were endeavoring to crowd into it
and onto the vessel and get the news from
the City of Savannah and the story of it's
loss. The crowd had to be pulled back
by main force. 1t was finally got back
and the passengers began to land.
There was many greeting that it
did the heart good to witness. The
passengers from the City of Savannah
who had been picked up by the Birming-
ham were taken to the De Soto, where
they were registered by Agent Anderson
of the Ocean Steamship Company.
The rescued at Coffin Point are at Sena-
tor Don Cameron's place.
SCENE OF THE WRECK.
Hunting Island, where the City of Sa-
vannah went ashore, is the easternmost
island of the sea islands of South Carroll
ma lying south of the entrance to st.
Helena Sound and east of Harbor Island
and ST. Helena Island 1t is ten miles in
length and from one to two miles in
width. Like all the outlying islands on
the South Atlantic coast, it is a success
sion of sand dunes, with stunted vege-
tation. Its shoals extend seaward for 4 to
miles. The dangers of such shoals are
well known, and mariners always keep
well out to sea unless they are making an
channel to get into port, and
only in such a cyclone as that which
ragged on Sunday night, when human
hands were powerless, could such a dis
aster have oyertaken the City of Sa-
BRoADsIDE TO THE SEA.
The wrecked steamer is lying on the
south side of the breakers about three
miles from the beach, headed north
northeast, and listed to the starboard.
She is lying on her starboard side at an
angle of about 45 degrees and her decks
4 i 1. Il. al