water, through which a shoal, crooked channel, little more than a drain, now exists. An unfavorable report was made on this locality in 1902, but the district officer states that conditions have changed since then, the oyster, clam, fish, and other industries having materially increased. The commerce now amounts to about 18,600 tons, consisting principally of oysters, clams, and general store supplies. The oysters are gathered in the adjacent waters in the Thorofare, some miles distant, and brought into Oyster to be shucked and sent thence north and west. Clams and fish are also brought into Oyster for preparation for shipment. The improvement is desired in order that deeper-draft vessels may be used in these industries than is now practicable with the present shoal water. 2. A plan of improvement is presented in the report on survey providing for a channel 6 feet deep and 100 feet wide, for a small outside anchorage and a larger inside anchorage, the estimated cost being $22,500, the probable cost of annual maintenance being placed at $2,000. The district officer believes the locality worthy of improvement to this extent. He believes, however, that it would be advisable first to open a channel 50 feet wide at bottom and 5 feet deep at mean low water, increasing the width of the shore end of the channel to 100 feet for a length of about 600 feet for anchorage purposes. He states that this will afford relief in less time than a channel of the full dimensions proposed and will accommodate existing commerce of the first year, the full dimensions to be provided subsequently in connection with maintenance. The estimated cost of the smaller channel is $11,500. If this channel is not enlarged, the cost of annual maintenance is estimated at $2,500, the reasons for the higher cost of maintaining the smaller project being explained herein. The division engineer concurs in the recommendations of the district officer. 3. It will be seen that the smaller and less effective project would be more expensive in the course of time and would probably not fully meet the increasing demands of commerce and navigation. If any improvement therefore is to be undertaken, it should be the larger and more efficient project. 4. The commerce involved, amounting to about 18,000 tons, pertains almost exclusively to the fishing, clamming, and oystering industry. There are about 2,500 persons engaged in these pursuits, using about 500 boats, handling about $350,000 worth of oysters annually, $150,000 worth of which is handled at Oyster. The improvement would also be of advantage to general commerce and navigation. 5. The investigations of the board lead it to the conclusion, however, that the benefits to general commerce would not be sufficient to justify the undertaking of the project proposed by the district officer if the entire expense is to be borne by the United States. This appears to be a case in which local interests would receive special benefits, and therefore it would appear that the locality should share in the first cost of the work if the United States is to bear the subsequent expense of maintenance. 6. The board therefore reports that in its opinion it is advisable for the United States to undertake the construction of a channel 6 feet deep and 100 feet wide, at an estimated first cost of $22,500 and $2,000 annually for subsequent maintenance, provided, however, that local interests shall contribute one-half this amount, $11,250, toward this work before it is undertaken. A like amount should be made available by the United States in one appropriation. 7. In compliance with law, the board reports that there are no questions of terminal facilities, waterpower, or other subjects so related to the project proposed that they may be coordinated therewith to lessen the cost and compensate the Government for expenditures made in the interests of navigation. For the board: W. M. BLACK, REPORT ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF OYSTER CHANNEL, VA. ENGINEER OFFICE, UNITED STATES ARMY, Wilmington, Del., November 11, 1912. From: The District Engineer Officer. To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army (Through the Division Engineer). Subject: Preliminary examination of Oyster Channel, Va. In compliance with department letter of August 3, 1912, report is submitted of a preliminary examination of the harbor of Oyster, Va., provided for by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912, as follows: From deep water to Oyster, Virginia, to provide a channel one hundred feet wide and six feet deep, with a suitable anchorage for small boats. Oyster is a small village in Accomac County, Va., and is about 2 miles east of Cheriton station on the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad. Cheriton is about 4 miles north of Cape Charles City. The country about Oyster is now highly productive, although by no means fully developed. "Deep water" is found in the Thorofare, a natural channel running along the coast through marshes, some 8 miles wide, which separates Oyster from the Atlantic Ocean. The Thorofare is connected with the ocean by Sand Shoal Channel and Sand Shoal Inlet in which the least depth is 16 feet at mean low water at the bar. Inside of the bar ample depths for large vessels obtain. Oyster is separated from deep water by a mud flat about threefourths of a mile across which is nearly bare at low water. The present channel is a mere natural drain across the flat. The range of the tide is about 4 feet. A preliminary examination of this locality was made in 1902, the report being printed in House Document No. 202, 58th Congress, 2d session. This report was unfavorable. Since 1902 conditions have changed in some important respects. The oyster and clam industries have been greatly developed, due to the small gasoline boat which has increased the working radius of the oysterman. Farming, fishing, and other industries have increased to an extent which alters the situation since 1902. The locality was examined by me personally and an investigation of its resources, industries, and needs was made by Mr. George W. T. Miller, assistant engineer, whose report furnishes the following facts and figures: Distance by water, Oyster to Cape Charles City, 25 miles. Distance by water, Oyster to Norfolk, 45 miles. Population of which Oyster is business center, 5,000. Estimated oystermen, clammers, fishermen, etc., from elsewhere who work in vicinity and obtain supplies, 2,500. Available oyster grounds: Planting grounds leased by the State, 20,000 acres; natural beds, Baylor oyster survey grounds, 30,000 acres; private grounds, 10,000 acres. Value of oyster crop $350,000 annually; value of crop landed at Oyster, $150,000 annually. Shucking houses at Oyster, 5; value, $7,000. Value of output, annually, $60,000. Boats using adjacent waters, about 500, valued at $250,000. Stores in tributary country, about 20, doing business of $150,000 annually. One general store at Oyster does $35,000 worth of business annually. Productive farms, about 20, worth $250,000. Shooting boxes of sportsmen's clubs, valued at from $15,000 to $18,000. To these rates should be added cost of hauling from Oyster to Cheriton, nearly as Valuable assistance in securing statistics was given by Hon. W. D. It is estimated that in addition to the present business the pros- Considerable coal would be received by water to supply the various canning and other establishments. The question of water-power development does not arise, nor are freshets known, as there are no large fresh-water streams near. There are no terminal facilities other than the small wharves at Oyster and the railroad station at Cheriton. Hauling to the railroad is by HD-63-1-vol 10-2 team. The road is not a public highway, but is free to the public, and it is stated that the right of way will be given to the public if the harbor is improved. In view of the industrial development that has already taken place under adverse conditions, the probability of further development under favorable conditions, the importance of the food products supplied by the fish, clam, and oyster industries to the people of several States, the small probable initial cost of the improvement desired, and its easy maintenance, I am of the opinion that the conditions at Oyster are unusually favorable for a substantial benefit to the Nation at large for a small investment. I therefore report that the harbor of Oyster is worthy of improvement, provided that the work can be accomplished at reasonable cost, which seems probable. To determine the cost a survey is recommended. A map of the locality is inclosed herewith.1 [First indorsement.] R. R. RAYMOND, Major, Corps of Engineers. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: 1. Forwarded. 2. It would appear from the report of the district officer that the commerce of Oyster now goes to New York and Philadelphia by rail. With the proposed improvement small boats could take the freight from Oyster and transfer it in the Thorofare to seagoing vessels bound for the above-named places. It would seem that this could be done at the present time by using gasoline boats. 3. As no use is made of this route at this time, it would seem to me that the General Government would not be warranted in making the proposed improvement, and hence a survey is not recommended. WM. T. ROSSELL, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Eastern Division. [Third indorsement.] BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, January 20, 1913. The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: For reasons stated herein, the board concurs with the district officer in recommending a survey in order to determine the extent and advisability of the improvement. It is requested that, if practicable, the statistics of commerce be given in short tons and that its origin and destination be reported. For the board: LANSING H. BEACH, Senior Member Present. 1 Not printed. blic. of the place REPORT ON SURVEY OF OYSTER CHANNEL, VA. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Wilmington, Del., April 2, 1913. ment From: The District Engineer Officer. Sup To: The Chief of Engineers eral (Through Division Engineer, Eastern Division). Subject: Survey of channel at Oyster, Va. red Sat -ion bor be cer t The river and harbor act of July 25, 1912, provided for a preliminary examination From deep water to Oyster, Virginia, to provide a channel one hundred feet wide and six feet deep, with a suitable anchorage for small boats. The report of the preliminary examination was submitted on November 11, 1912, and in it a survey was recommended to determine the probable cost of the desired improvement. Authority for a survey having been received, the field work was done between February 3 and 13, 1913, the field party being in charge of Mr. Wm. E. Sayder, junior engineer (surveyor). The survey was made under my direction and under the immediate supervision of Mr. G. W. T. Miller, assistant engineer. The accompanying map shows the result of the survey and covers sufficient area to afford an intelligent view of the whole situation. The fast land at Oyster is separated from deep water by a flat of mud, sand, and shells, the distance being about 3,000 feet. The existing channel is only a shallow and crooked drain, useful for navigation at high water only. The best and cheapest channel to construct will be a straight cut across the flats, as shown on the map. As northeast gales, accompanied by high tides, drive heavy waves across the marshes, the only available site for an anchorage suitable for small boats is to the west of the group of buildings at the present landing. This site is landlocked and well sheltered. The triangular area indicated by cross-hatching on the map contains near 2 acres. The sides of the triangle afford room for wharves and the base of the triangle may be moved westward as fast as the commerce of the port requires. The narrow entrance can be increased in width by moving back the oyster house on the north side. The construction of the anchorage will require the removal of 24,600 cubic yards of material and the 6-foot deep channel to deep water 100 feet wide, as shown on the map, will require the removal of 110,900 cubic yards, the total excavation being 135,500 cubic yards. It is estimated that this can be accomplished for 15 cents per cubic yard. It is estimated that occasional redredging will be required at a probable average annual cost of $2,000. The above estimate includes the cost of dredging for side slopes and for an overdepth of 1 foot. There has been no increase in the number of gasoline or motor boats in the development of the industries since November 11, 1912. |