The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-28
TWO MILES ABOVE THE CITY.
A Steamship Drawing 15h Feet OF
Water Carried 10 the Upper
Wharves

Wharves.
The incalculable benefit Of the work on
river and harbor improvements was dem
onstrated yesterday when steamship
drawing 15lz feet Of water was docked
at the Commercial GuanO Company's
wharf, about two miles above the city.
The general impression has been that
no large vessel could safely 90 to the
wharves Of the fertilizer companies. which
are abreast Of West Savannah and almost
out to the Hermitage. Soundings were
made some time ago in that vicinity
BY the harbormaster. and he declared that
there was a plenty OF water for a large
vessel to go to the wharves. Neverthe-
less, masters Of vessels have been reluc-
tant about taking chances OF getting
aground. and it is said that during last
season at least seven steamers and sail
ing vessels having cargoes to be delivered
at that point were discharged at wharves
opposite the city. and their cargoes light
cred 10 their destination. This involved
heavy expenditure on the part Of the con-
signees, and they had ample grounds for
complaint when they were satisfied that
there was water enough to float the yes
sells to their wharves.
There is no more doubt about the mat
ter now The British steamship Lisnac-
rieve' Capt. Lawson, master, yesterday
arrived from Hamburg, via Port Royal,
with cargo of German kainit consigned
to the Commercial Guano Company. Capt.
John Fitzgerald, the old reliable pilot,
was at the helm. He had previously made
about 900 careful soundings in the vicinity
OF the fertilizer wharves and found that
the average depth at mean low water
was about lz1s feet, while in a great many
places it ranged l4l2 feet. The shallOwest
sounding showed II feet inches and was
only in one small space.
III take vessel drawing 10 feet safe
~ 10 those wharves, on an average tide
OF feet rise" said Capt. Fitzgerald,
when asked if he would undertake to
pilot the Lisnacrieve to the Commercial
Guano Company's wharf. The steam
ship, however. only drew 15lz feet when
she arrived, so Capt. Fitzgerald did not
have an opportunity to prove his asser-
ton. After safely docking the steamer,
Capt Fitzgerald said if there were any
vessels drawing 10 feet of water, that
were to go to the fertilizer wharves above
the city, he would guarantee TO put
them there without running aground.
An amusing incident occurred during
the trip up the river, in which Capt.
Fitzgerald and Capt. Lawson played the
the wharves watched the Lisnacrieve
glide past the city, ana many wondered
what business a large steamship like
her had above the Central railroad
wharves. Some commented on the reck-
lessness of the pilot undertaking to go
in such shallow water as it was sup
posed to be.
Capt. Lawson, who was here last win
ter, and had the general opinion in
stilled in him regarding the depth of
water in that vicinity, became nervous
and anxiously inquired where his vessel
was being taken.
ITO Augusta" the pilot solemnly an
swered, and turned his wheel slightly
a-port.
But I'm consigned for Savannah"
cried Capt. Lawson, land I don't know
anything about Augusta" Whereupon
he became somewhat excited, and visions
of a wrecked steamship, and an asylum
containing a crazy pilot shot through
his brain.
Meanwhile Capt. Fitzgerald stood firm
at the wheel, watching his course care
fully, but fearful that Capt. Lawson
would soon cast anchors and stop the
steamship In the stream, before he had
accomplished his object He got there
though, and last night, for the first time
in the history of the port, large foreign
steamship was moored safely about two
miles above the city.