The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-28
NAVIGATION TO AUGUSTA.

The organization, or more properly the
reorganization. at Augusta On THURSDAY
OF the Savannah River Association Is a
matter in which the people of both Au-
gusta and Savannah as well as those liv-
ing in the territory contiguous to the river
between the two cities. are deeply interest
ed. The purpose of the association is the
development and maintenance of the Sa-
vannah river as a navigable stream from
Augusta to this city.
The distance from Augusta to Savannah
by river is 200 miles. On each side of the
stream, In both Georgia and Carolina,
there is fertile back country capable of
high development and productiveness. A
number of small towns are within easy
reach of the river, and others would spring
up If the Savannah were made the sreat
highway of traffic that it ought to be.
In years gone by the river was great
artery of commerce. Up to the time OF
the completion of the railroads which now
tap its upper territory its waters teemei
with craft carrying freight and pass1n-
gers. At one time Charleston had near
ly twenty steamboats, plying between that
city and Augusta, and Savannah had TWO
large steamboat corporations, whose secu-
rites were regarded as ''gilt-edge," own
ing lines of steamers to Augusta. The
first iron steamboats, employed in America
were operated on the Savannah river.
They were designed and shaped in Eng
land and shipped to this city smoked
down" Here they were assembled and
the machinery put in. Subsequent to the
War of Secession. when the railroa IS hal
been destroyed by Sherman, the river was
again filled with steamers carrying
freight ard passengers.
The reason the river is not the great
highway it should be is that it has not re-
ceiyed the attention it deserves at the
hands of Congress. Had it been given
one-half the attention and appropriations
received by smaller and less imp rta1t
streams, its steam fleet would now com
pare favorably with that OF any river of
it's mileage in the country. There are
few steamers which run regularly to AL
gusta, but their tonnage is not large
enough to make them as profitable as they
should be.
with an open river to Augus ia, river
capable of accommodating steamers of
considerable tonnage the competition in
freights that would result would be of
greatest benefit to the whole Savannah
river valley and adjoining territory. Wa
ter freights are always cheaper than rail
frelghts. AS a consequence, therefore,
the railroads would have TO reduce their
charges or the traffic would go by the riv-
er. At all events shippers would receive
the benefits of lower rates. This would
have the result of turning cotton, which is
now going North from about the heal
of navigation on the Savannah, to its nat
ural channel through this city, and would
give Savannah and Augusta merchants
and others much business which they are
not now getting.
From time TO time there have been small
appropriations made for the Savannah
river, but they have never been large
enough to accomplish great deal of good.
There is no reason why adequate apprc-
priations should not be secured for opening
and maintaining a navigable channel 10
Augusta. If the people interested will go
about the matter intelligently and earnest
ly the proba bilites are that Congress
could be brought to see the justice and ne
cessity of providing the money needed.