The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-10
THE SEWAGE QUESTION.
The outlet at Causten's Bluff and
the Oyster Industry at Thunder

bolt.
Wilmington Island, Nov. editor of
the Morning News: 1t has been suggested
that 1 should present my opinion of the
effects of sewage on the oyster industry
of Chatham county. Wherever the point
of outflow may be located there will be
none whatever on the canning industry
on this island, because all the oysters used
at the factory are twice subjected to a
degree of heat destructive to germ life,
and because they are procured from be-
yond the limits of the county. If the
outflow be in Augustine's creek, near Caus-
tens Bluff, they may become, however,
very disastrous to the raw trade at Thun-
derbolt Wherever sewage has been util-
lied as a fertilizer, as for instance at Ber-
lin it has become an important source of
revenue to the municipality Failing, such
economical and most sensible use of 1t
here. l still advocate a point of outflow in
Savannah river. With the exception of
ten years sojourn in Germany QS4O to
lS4), l have travelled this river and its
branches for 50 years, and have occasion
ally rowed myself from the city to the
island, and have some knowledge of the
tides At Five Fathom, three miles be-
low town, the body of water is greater than.
at any part of the stream, the current is
more rapid than elsewhere, and the depth
of water greatest, but above all other ad-
vantages it flows within solid banks for
several miles without overlooking its
shores at every high tide. Here no class
of citizens would suffer detriment, no in
terests would be jeopardized and probably
no litigation be encountered. l repeat
that, If ever hereafter it became necessary
to resort to Savannah river for a supply
of potable water 1t should be procured
from point above tide water.
At Augustine creek, as adopted by coun-
Gil sewage matter in suspension would
cover many square miles of marshland at
high water to become deposited as a sedi-
ment at every subsistence of the tide. Have
the advocates of Understanding creek and
Causten's Bluff considered this objection?
These points are located in the brackish
water and most sickly region of Savannah
river. During an epidemic this sediment
might become an immense wet culture
propagation of disease germs.
Your writer, Justice" is well known TO
favor any industry which conduces to the
prosperity of this community, but think
his article apt to be- detrimental to the
oyster interests by exciting prejudice 1t
was based upon the experiments of Or.
Duriardine Beaumetz upon the American
oyster in France, after a voyage out OF
their element, of at least eight or ten
days. The microbes may have found ac-
cess through the open mouths of these
stale oysters from the atmosphere. Many
of your readers remember that the trade
in Cedar Keys oysters at Savannah was
abandoned because shipments arrived fire.
quently in stale condition. These investi-
cations at Paris are as worthless reflec-
tons upon the healthfuiuess of the Amer
lean oyster as the report OF that other
scientific professor sent over by the Prus-
sian government, some years ago to in
vestigate our oyster industry, who stated
officially that people partakng freely OF
oysters were rendered vicious, and that
the depravity OF the lower classes in
American seaports was attributed to this
article OF food.
1t is we'll known that a peculiar poison
is sometimes developed in stale oysters and
shell fish, like shrimp. A case OF poison
ing occurred last winter at the Prussian
court from stale oysters. The food Of the
oyster consists mainly Of microscopic plant