The Savannah morning news., 1903-09-01
FOREIGN SHIPPING.
Old Lines Prosper and New Lines "A
Success.

Ola Lines Prosper and New Lines a
Success.
In few other branches of Savannah's
business are good showings to be made
than there are in the development of
| foreign shipping. Direct lines have been
established to the ports of Europe, and
the liberal freights given them demon
strate to their promoters the wisdom of
their establishment They were at
first experiments, but they required the
test to which all business undertakings
are put, and which they have Well I'M
dergone during the year.
Among the new lines is the Burg
Line, of which ]. f. Minis & Co. are
agents, operating a direct line of steam
ers between Savannah and Amsterdam
and Rotterdam. This gives a regular
monthly service. The steamers in the
service are the Voorburg and Zeeburg.
These boats are owned in Amsterdam.
Their cargoes have consisted largely of
cotton, turpentine, rosin, phosphate
rock, lumber and cottonseed prod
ucts. AS the line became bet
ter known, bookings were up
business during the year forecasts
even larger patronage from the in
terror for the coming year The sail
lngs have been regular and the service
has been satisfactory to both shippers
and owners alike.
Plans of Direct Lines.
The idea, when these lines were es-
tablished, was to build up the business
from year to year, and to eventually
establish a regular trade. The pro-
moters did not enter this undertaking
blindfolded, for they knew that out of
the Northern ports are regular and old
established lines. which have been con-
trolling the business up to this time. The
establishment of a line out of a South
ern port therefore meant that it would
nave TO quote rates, give service and
show energetic management to get into
the business of the direct boats from
the North for a share of the business
which has been previously going to
them. The satisfaction expressed with
the operation indicates that the plans
of the promoters have been successful.
The other line is the Hansa Line. for
which Williamson & Rauers are agents,
plying between Savannah and Bremen
and Hamburg. II too has done a pros
porous business, and seems to be a fix
tura.
hhhy tramp boats Came.
During the year the Custom House
records show there were about $50 for
eign steamers to clear from Savannah
from Sept l, 1902, to Sept. l. 1903. They
have carried the usual products. The
receipts of cotton were larger during
the year with the indications favorable
to an increase for the new year. One
reason for expecting this is
the more extensive transportation IA
cilities and the establishment of har-
monious relations between the home
railroads and foreign roads in the
West, whose lines haul a great deal
| of the cotton crop. An important deal
| In this connection was that by which
the St Louis and San Francisco Rail-
way, better known as the Frisco Sys-
tenn, secured a representation in the
Board of the Sea board Air Line, which
the public believe forecasts harmoni-
GUS management of the two systems
probably resulting in traffic arrange.
mcnts which will bring more cotton to
Savannah. The reason it is thought
this cotton will come to Savannah in
stead of to some of the other various
seaports reached by the Seaboard Air
Line is the superior facilities offered
for handling it here. The system of
port handling is excellent, and assures
the prompt transfer of cotton on de-
livery by the railroads on to the steam
ers by means of lighters or on the cars.
In some cases the cotton is transferred
from the railroads onto lighters and
shifted by tugs alongside steamers for
loading. This is the way f. o. b. cotton
is handled. In some cases it is deliver
ed in cars at the docks where steam
ers are berthed. and promptly dis
charged from them and loaded on
steamers.
Another reason for believing that
more cotton will come to Savannah
the new season is the preparation be-
ing made to care for and house it, with
view to avoiding as far as possible
what the spinners know as country
damage. This damage is caused by
exposure to the weather, tumbling the
bales about on muddy surfaces and
otherwise subjecting 1t to rough treat
ment. All the railroads are increasing
their shed capacity so that when the
new crop comes it will be well cared
for. Board floors in some cases are
covering soil surfaces, and thereby
protecting the cotton in this way.
These improvements are sure to prove
popular with the spinner, and it is be-
lieved will result in routing much new