The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-06
GRAND DUCHESS TO RUN HERE
PRESIDENT PLANTS ARRANGE
MENT FOR HIS NEW SHIP.

As Soon as Her OmcinI Trial Trip
Has Been Made She VIII Come to
Savannah and Run in Connection
with the Ocean Steamship Fleet to
New YOrk-Mr. Plant to Rebuild
the Demolished Car shed-TaIk of
Union Depot.
President Henry B. Plant of the Plant
system was in the city yesterday en- route
to Florida. When asked about the erection
of new depot to take the place of the
shed demolished by the storm, he. replied
that it is the wish of the road to build a
fine depot at Savannah, but until that is
done the old shed will be replaced by one
of about the same character.
Railroads" said Mr. Plant, "have been
making scant earnings of late, and any
great outlay in the erection of depots is
scarcely possible as a result. Interest on
bonds is a prior consideration to hand
some depots. and dividends must be made
even if car sheds are not so pretentious
as they might be-"
THE bondholders of the system" said
Mr.. Plant, with the present railway earn
ings. do not desire to build the depot that
the system would like to build at Savan-
nah as its headquarters, but with the pos
sibility of dividends becoming payable in
silver, deprecated currency they prefer
to await happier condition OF affairs for
the end ultimately in view.
''rhe old shed is to be restored in many
particulars in the new one. The greatest
difference in construction will be the lesser
height of the new one. Work will be
shortly commenced on the shed"
Mr.. Plant was asked about the new
steamship Grand Duchess. He at once set
at rest all rumors that have chung about
the use to which the vessel is to be put by
stating for the first time authoritatively
TO the public that her run will be between
Savannah and New York.
Through the courtesy of President
Conner and the Ocean Steamship Com
pany," said Mr.. Plant, "the Grand Ouch
ess has been rendered berth in its line
OF steamers plying between Savannah and
New York, and l will now state to the
Morning News what Mr. Conner has
known for some time. that she will run
between the cities named In connection
with the vessels Of the Ocean Steamship
Company"
The Grand Duchess is now undergo
ing the finishing touches in her construc-
ton at Newport News under the hands
of $50 skilled workmen. She is a source
OF interest and deep pride to the system,
on account of the magniicence of her APP
pointments and the money that has been
/ lavishcd on her cons truction.
Under Mr.. Plants personal inspection,
he i
and as she nears completion there is still
| more interest in her. A few days ago
Mr.. Plant said that he had requested
detailed account of the work on which
the $50 men are engaged. The report for
warded to him had fully satisfied him re-
garding 1t.
This is the tedious portion of the YES
sells construction and while requiring
great care and skilled artisans" said Mr.
Plant, SHOW little in the way of pro-
gress. The decorations and fittings of
the handsome interior require this great
attention and makes the work necessar-
lily SLOW"
The builders trial trip has already been
made and was satisfactory in every par
ticular, both to the builders and to the Off
Gals One or two other trips have been
made since in order to adjust portions of
the machinery. but the official trial yet
remains to be made. This will be made
OUT VI view OIh ndTDOT ana Will De JUST
as soon as the vessel is completed. She
will then come to Savannah and begin her
runs between this port and New York
In connection with the subject Of the
new car shed, Mr. Plant was asked his
opinion relative to a union depot to be
built by all the roads where the Central
depot now stands. He was not prepared
to talk on this matter however, but said
that If a proposition were made 1t would
go before Vice President r. G. Erwin.
1t is thought that one or two, and, per-
haps, the three other roads would readily
agree to a plan for the construction of a
union depot. The grounds in immediate
touch with the Central depot and the site
would be easily available for the erec-
tion OF a handsome depot and it may be
that the suggestion will meet the APP
prevail OF the roads.
Accompanying Mr.. Plant are Vice Pres
ident and Manager NJ. J. OBrien Of the
Southern Express Company, and a direc-
tor Of the Plant system, and Mr. Frank @.
Brown, president Of the Florida Southern.
The party left in the afternoon over the