The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-13
SAVANNAH WATER FOR TROOPS.
The Difficulty in Getting Good Water
at Key West.

Savannah may be called upon to supply
vast quantities of water for the govern
ment during the continuance of the war
The two tank vessels now loading here
may be followed at intervals by others.
The artesian well water of this city is rec
ognizcd by the army and navy officers as
being absolutely healthful and probably
the best in point of quality that can be OBJ
tanned on the Atlantic coast
The local supply would be adequate to
largely meet the governments needs as,
In the event of continued calls arrange
ments could be made TO utilize the water
now allowed TO 60 to waste in the early
hours of the morning
At points south Of here there is evidently
little chance for the government to secure
water in large quantities. If there were, the
Maverick ana the barge with her would
not have been sent all the way from Key
West 10 this port At Key West the water
supply is a times not even sufficient to
meet the local demand.
"Cisterns are depended on entirely" said
Weather Observer Boyer yesterday in dis
cussing the water phase of the war. At
Key West rain water alone is relied upon.
Efforts to secure a supply from artesian
wells have proved fruitless. There are
hundreds of Clsterns, cut out of the coral
lime stone rock and holding several thou
sand gallons each. The water is taken out
in buckets and the continual agitation
keeps the supply from etagnation. To-
ward the end of the dry season the supply
sometimes runs out and water is then
brought from the mainland and sold IN
demijOhns. The government has enormous
cisterns at Fort Taylor, on the Key West
island, and at its military barracks there,
and these are also thrown open to the pub
lie in time of need Key West has practical
ly no source for water for the army or
navy. At Tampa the water is bralSish and
the supply limited, and at the several small
points along the Florida coast the water
supply IS inadequate or of not the quality
desired OF course, fresh river water
could be had in any quantity needed, but
the government is evidently too anxious to
avoid disease among it's sailors and SOL
diers to take chances with such water"
The coming TO Savannah for water is
practically a recognition of the superiority
of the quality of its supply and of the bet
ter facilities offered here for loading tank
steamers than at other Southern ports.
The tank steamship Maverick, which ar
rived here Saturday, commenced loading
yesterday morning. The coat of white
wash which had been put on the inside of
the tanks was thoroughly washed off be-
fore the water was taken in. Two streams
from a hydrant on Bay street and one
from River street, were turned into the
steamship. Extra pressure was turned on
from the water works and It is calculated
that the tanks will be filled by this morn
ing.
The tank barge, which is to be towed
by the Maverick. has been white washed
inside, and will be cleaned out this morn
ing and water will be turned in as soon
as the steamer is supplied. Capt. Rubelli
expects to have both vessels fully sup
piled by tonight and will sail tomorrow
morning.
A large crowd of people visited the yes
sells yesterday to see process of taking in
water for the soldiers.