The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-07-15
Hermitage Farm,

FIullOI ISSS LII -
Dear Sir-Notwithstanding the fact
that we differ in regard to the question
of the damming of the Savannah
river, but, knowing thst the Press n
Banner is always an open tribune TO
all opinions, / come again to ask the
use of its columns to lay before the
people of our section the status of our
river at the present time.
The Savannah river is formed by the
junction of the Tugaloo and the Sen
eca rivers, which unite o loo miles
above Augusta. Georgia. 49,,
From the Atlantic ocean, IN Wnlch
the Savannah river empties, 1t reaches,
through its afluents, the Allegheny
mountains about 400 miles distant.
1t is navigable:
By sea-going vessels from the
ocean to Savannah.."..".- Is miles
By steamboats, from Savan-
nah to Augusta ....."."...l4 miles
By pole boats from Augusta
10 Tallulah Falls....."."...l54 miles
A distance of ..-.-......"..".320 miles
Because of the fact'that the Savan-
nah river is, with part Of the Tugaloo
river, a boundary line between two
states, and because of the fact of its
navigability, not only up and down
stream, but through its numerous fer
ries, it has been comprised upon the
list of the navigable waters OF the
Union.
And the standing of the Savannah
river as such has been the object of ju-
dietary decision, in the case of Lawton
vs. Connor, which decision establishes
that 1.-THE Savannah river is a public
navigable stream, and the voyages OF
a vessel and its cargo between landings
in Georgia and South Carolina are in
terstate in character"
II.
The settlement of the territory ad.
jacent to the Savannah, Tugaloo and
Seneca rivers, is for the most part due
to the navigation of these rivers.
Until 1888, when the rail roads have
been established in this section and
have driven the navigation of the riv.
ers out of existence, the upper Savan.
nah river and is a%f1uents the Tugaloo
and the Seneca rivers were carrying
an immense trade, in fact the greatest
part of the trade of this section.
In 1878 Congress passed q bill pro-
viding for the examination of the up
per Savannah river, in view of i'm.
proving said river for the pole boat
navigation. In compliance with this
bill, the Chief Engineer U. S. A. had
such. examination made, and his re-
port of February Is, 1879. concluded to
the possibility of such improvement.
The fact that the navigation of the
upper Savannah river has been discon-
tinued has not had for effect to render
the upper Savannah river unnaviga-
BILE and unacceptable of improvement.
The upper Savannah river remains to.
day with all its potentialities as to, the
possibility of an improved navigation.
Should the people decide to reopen
today the pole boat navigation, moth,
ing in the state of the river could pre-
vent it.
In the other hand, should the people
decide to establish on said river a more
improved method of navigation, the
obstacles presented by the rapids could
easily and cheapiy be overcome by
means of the devices in use in other
countries on rivers having the same
difficulties. ?,
BY Act Of March 2, 1907, Congress
has authorized the building of several
dams on the on the upper Savannah
river, said construction subject to the
regulations prescribed by the Act OF
Congress of June 81, 1906.
Among the dams thus authorized to
be built was the dam at Gregg shoals,
by the Savannah River Power COM
pany of Anderson. The plans submit
ted by the Company did not provide
for the construction of q lock, on the
ground that the upper Savannah river
is not navigable.
Objection was raised against the OBJ
struction of the river.
The contention of both parties has
been submitted to the Secretary of
War, and the matter was investigated
by the Chief Engineers U. S. A.,
which investigation has eliminated in
a hearing held at Savannah, Ga, in
the Office of Lieutenanl-C Colonel Dan
c. Kingman, Corps Engineer U.S.A.,
upon the following notice:
"Notice of public hearing. To whom
it may concern:
Congress has granted authority to
Savannah River Power Co., to con-
struct a dam across Savannah river,
Ca, at Gregg shoals, in accordance
plans to be approved by the Chief of
Engineers, U. s. A. The construction
of q dam will necessarily affect the
navigability of the river, and there
fore, in order to afford all parties at in
terest an opportunity 10 be heard IN
the matter, a public hearing will be
held at the United States Engineers
Office, Post Office Building, Savan-
nah, Ca, at 9 o'clock A. M. eastern
standard time) April s, 1907. 1t is
preferred that all statements submit.
ted should be- in writing. Dan. G.
Kingman, Lieutenant Col. Engineer"
Nv.
After the hearing, the Secretary of
War has rendered his decision, which
is embodied in the two following let.
ters. addressed, the first one to the
President of the Savannah River
Power Co., the second one to the wri-
ter.
First letter:
War Department,
Washington, May 2, 1907.
Sir-Referring to your application
of February IA, 1907, for the approval
of plans for a dam proposed to be built
across the Savannah River at Gregg
shoals, 1 beg TO invite your attention
to to the following report of the Chief
of Engineers, U. S. A., on the matter :
"APplication is made by the savan'