The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-07

Trade in coal and fuel has been very
gratifying 10 merchants in this branch of
business. The volume of trade has some
what exceeded that of the previous year,
owing in a measure to The Transporting of
soldiers from Savannah during the season.
but the increase may also be attributable
to he coaling OF a greater number of
tramp vessels at this point than has !sith
erto been the case. The total amount of
COAT handled during the season including
ali grades aud classes. is approximately
10000 tons. Figuring this al say, 81 per
ton-which would be a fair average es j.
mate-would make a total valuation for the
business of Savannah during the season of
100000. This coal comes from both South
Crn and Northern mines.
There has been some difficulty within the
past few weeks in procuring tonnage foe
shipments from the North, but this Is
thought to be attributable entirely to the
storm season, hence only a temporary OBJ
stacle, Freight rates have ruled higher
than as hitherto been the case and owing
20 the recent severe storms,
they have lately undergone
still further advance. Coal from Mary
land and Virginia and Northern ports
is carried almost exclusively by coastwise
vessels. For this purpose, schooners from
New York and Philadelphia are extern
sively employed, although an occasional
vessel from Savannah is thus engaged.
The Tennessee and Alabama coal is
brought by rail. The latter coal is slight
ly inferior in quality for steam purposes,
and in the locality of the mines is much
cheaper, but owing to the complications
In the matter of shipping, costs practical
ly the same f. o. b. Savannah as the Nir-
ginia and Maryland coal, 1t being neces-
sary to ship over various railroad lines.
This Is unfortunate, az the tramp steam
ers which frequent this port for coaing
mil nd hn ON I'd
toners in this line, are DESTROYS of a
cheaper grade of coal regardless of quail
", hence If Southern coal could
be laid down at lower rate
OF transportation than is now the case,
Savannah would become, on account of
convenience, the principal coaling station
along the Southern coast. Savannah's IA
cifties for receiving and unloading coal
are unsurpassed by any sea port city in
the South. Some WharVes have been eX-
tended to the new wharf lice and are so
arranged as 10 stow away in dry bins 5000
to 5000 tons of coal, and where the process
of unloading formerly required seven 20
eight days, vessels are now relieved of an
average cargo of coal in three days.
The value of the coal trade is usually
underestimate by most people, and really
figures quite prominently as a factor in the
commercial world. Savannah not only sup
plies her immediate home trade and the
railroads, but the entire surrounding coun-
try including neghboring towns as
well. True wood is used eX-
tensivey in the country towns but much
anthracite and some bituminous coal goes
TO country trade through Savannah. All
the larger coal merchants handle a line
of wood as well. This. however, is gath
cred from the surrounding country ano
while much pains is manifested in its pro-
per preservation, and this line cuts nc
small figure in trade, it is considered as g
secondary article by most dealers, and
far more attention is directed toward Goa
than wood.
In view Of the rapidly with which Sa.
vannah Is growing in population. the pros
poets for the early erection of new manu-.
featuring establishments and the improve
Inent in wharf facilities. business in this
line for the coming year should exceed
the trade OF the last season.