The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-10
MARINE INTELLIGENCE.
MARINE RAILWAY WILL BRING
VESSELS TO SAVANNAH.

The ROurlSe Railway Nearing Com
pIetiOn-It VIII he the Best on the
south AtIantic-TuE w. $. Brews-
fOrt-LOading Steamship North
man-Matters of Interest to Ship
pers and Mariners.
Within a short time Savannah will
have one of the most complete marine
railways on the South Atlantic coast.
For the past year Mr.. John Rourke
has been constructing a plant at his
shops, and at large cost has about fin
ished it. He will shortly have every
thing ready for it's operation.
When seen yesterday by a Morning
News man Mr.. Rourke said that in
the present undertaking his original
idea of building the best marine rail
way on the South Atlantic will be
fulfilled, and that he will be able to
haul out craft quickly and safely. The
close attention given to the details
of construction, he says, makes it
improbable that vessels will have any
mishaps in hauling out, such as are
frequent with less carefully built rail-
ways. Mr.. Rourke further states that
as he will be able to haul out craft
at reasonable cost he not only expects
tugs and small steamers from this
and neighboring ports, but he believes
craft will be sent here from away for
repairs. Up-to-date machinery counts
for much, he said ,and once the facili-
ties for doing this work is known it
is sure to bring vessels here.
The KOurke railway is located at the
east end of the foundry property. The
Central of Georgia Railway tracks run
through the property, but this does not
Interfere, for MT. RotTKe got around
the obstacle by putting the engine and
machinery on the south side of the
tracks, while the railway proper is on
the river side, with the cables for haul
ing the carriage up and down running
underneath the tracks. The track on
which this carriage rests is built upon
a foundation of deeply driven piling,
making it equal to any weight that
may be placed upon it. The carriage
is of huge timbers and braced so as
to make it as substantial as a solid
mass. Cn the railway the carriage is
so built that its surface is level at any
position, thereby keeping the vessel on
ii in the same position it Is in the
water.
which NOW seems certain, the chances
are it will be the forerunner for other
large improvements by it's owner. And
it will also be big thing for Savan-
nah in bringing vessels mere for re-
pairs, which would otherwise go to
ports North or South of here. Com
petition must be met as it is, but the
fact that the latest Improvements are
embodied in Savannahs railway will
make it the more attractive and profit
able for vessel owners desiring work
of this kind.
When the railway is ready to operate
the citizens of Savannah will have an
opportunity to witness it. The inten-
ton is to arrange for the hauling out
of a vessel when the railway is fin
ished, so that the visitors on this oc-
casion may see with what ease and
safety the immense weight of vessel
may be handled.
The tug w. s. Brewster, which has
been at Rourke's shops for repairs, was
turned out yesterday, together with
dredge No. a. owned by P. Sanford
Ross. The Brewster left for Beaufort
with the dredge in tow, where work is
to be done in front of the government
docks.
Stevedore VIM. Butler is loading the
steamship Northman. She is the sec
ond of the Northwest Steamship Com
pany's steamers to load lumber at Sa-
vannah MIR. Butler hopes to finish the
cargo not later than tomorrow. The
~ x..slI faIr Oh I