The Savannah morning news., 1901-02-06
The NAVAL STATION
CHARLESTON'S INNING BEFORE
SENATE COMMITTEE.
Mr.. HERBERT REPLIED TO.
GOOD IMPRESSION MADE BY THE
DELEG ALTON.

CharIestOn's HeaIthfuIne.s Testifea
10 by Local Experts-PrOspect or
Securing Fresh water Set Forth.
Now ~ Feet of Water ON the Rar.
Said Mai. Haines, and ut Highest
water the biggest Battleship in
the Navy Could Pass Into the Har-
bOr with safety.
Washington, Feb. 5.-Charleston had her
inning to-day before the Senate Naval
Committee on the subject of transferring
the naval station from Port Royal to the
site at Chicora Park. recommended by the
Rodgers board, Charleston's delegation
was composed of Judge william II. Braw-
ley, DR.. Alfred Meminger, Dr. J. L.
Buist, DR.. Charles Rees, Dr. Bernard E.
Baker, Alderman R. G. Rhett. Maj B. II.
Rutledge, p. H. Gadsden, b. A. Haygood,
Maj. f. c. Haines, Maj. f. w. Abbott,
Maj Il. +. Rufner, Capt. j. c. Sanford
of the Corps of Engineers and Mayor J.
Adger Smyth.
Charlestons reply to the attack recent
y made by Gen. Herbert was made by
ton. without wasting time, Mayor smyth
introduced to the committee Drs. Bulst.
Memingcr and Rees, who testified as to
the healthfulness of Charleston. These
three experts made a favorable impress
sion upon the members of the commit
tee by their straightforward statements
and heir ready replies to questions by
members OF the committee and also from
Gen. Herbert;
Alderman Rhett explained. to the salts
faction of the committee, the financial
questions involved relative to the raising
of funds by the city to provide an ade-
quate fresh-water supply for the pro-
posed station. Judge Brawley also con-
trlbuted to the legal status of the case by
expound.ng the law on the subject in
r1sun,r which seemed to have conclusive
weight with the members of the commit
tee, the majority OF whom have pleasant
personal recollections of him, when he
was member of the House Of Repre-
sentatives
Senator Hale, chairman of the commit
tee, remarked that the committee would
be pleased to hear something on the one,
and the important subject under consider
alton, namely, the harbor facilities for "a
naval station. Mayor Smyth was we'll
fortified to proceed on that line, and he
| introduced Major Haines, the engineer
officer In charge OF the Charleston divis-
ion. Major EIalnes informed the commit
tee that there is now twenty three feet
Of water on Charleston bar. and at high
water the biggest battieship in the
American navy may with safety pass into
the harbor. In repy to the direct ques-
don from Chairman Hale, Major Haines
said he was willing to stake his profess
sonal reputation on the prediction that a
channel of twenty feet can be main
tained In Charleston harbor with the aid
Of the two dredges already provided for
by law.
Gen. Herbert by numerous questions
had endeavored to show that there was
a dangerous shoal just outside the jet
ties, which would render it dangerous for
a battleship to attempt TO cross Charles
ton bar. Col. Haines replied that there
would be no difficulty in getting across
the bar with a twenty-six foot channel.
and there would be ample water inside
he jetties to float the biggest battleship
n the navy.
Az this point Senator Tillman suggested
that Philadelphia, New York and other
big harbors were asking the government
for millions of dollars for river and har-
Dor improvements, and therefore now
South Carolina is back In the Union and
wants her share.
"she seems to be getting it since you
came into the Senate. remarked Senator
Chandler, addressing himself to the
South Carolina Sena tor. This little pleas
antry created no little amusement
Maj. Abbott proved to be the star wit
ness Of the occasion He was stationed in
Charleston during the construction of the
jetties, and he at once impressed the
members Of the committee that he was
not only entirely familiar with the sub
ject under discussion, but that he was an
engineer of more than ordinary ability.
He explained that when he commenced
work on the jetties. ten-foot channel
existed, and when he was relieved, a 19-
foot channel had been created so clear
and comprehensive were his statements
TO the numerous inquiries made to him
by members of the committee, that even
Prof. Haupt, Port Royals expert, was
OBLIGED to nod his head approvingly.
Maj. Rufner and Capt. Sanford, both OF
whom have seen service in Charleston
harbor, sustained the views expressed by
Col. Haines and Mai. Abbott. Cant.
Sanford was especially clear in explain
ing TO the committee the practical re-
suits already obtained In Charleston har-
Dor and what is expected to be obtained
IN the future. Both OF these officers said,
in reply to an inquiry from Chairman
Hale, that they consider It thoroughly
practical to maintain twenty-six-foot
channel IN Charleston harbor under the
present system.
Gen. Herbert endeavored to turn the
tide in favor of Port Royal by an appeal
TO the members Of the committee to con-
slider the economical feature of the trans
fer, IL they could not reconcile themselves
to the charge that Charleston is unhealth-
ful and does not posses the necessary har-
Dor facilities for a naval station.
judge Erawley was prepared to reply
to Gen. Herbert. but members of the
committee intimated that no reply was
necessary, so the committee adjourned.
and the Charleston delegation proceeded
to the Navy Department to confer with
Rear Admiral Endicott relative to the
purchase Of the Charleston site
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