CONGRESS LEMON BAY, FLA. LETTER FROM THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF WAR. TRANSMITTING, WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORTS ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF LEMON BAY, FLA., TO GASPARILLA SOUND. OCTOBER 11, 1913.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 9, 1913. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, dated October 7, instant, together with copy of a report from Capt. G. R. Spalding, Corps of Engineers, dated July 12, 1911, on a preliminary examination of Lemon Bay, Fla., to Gasparilla Sound, made by him in compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved June 25, 1910. Very respectfully, HENRY BRECKINRIDGE, Assistant Secretary of War. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Washington, October 7, 1913. From: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. Subject: Preliminary examination of Lemon Bay, Fla., to Gasparilla Sound. 1. There is submitted herewith, for transmission to Congress, report dated July 12, 1911, by Capt. G. R. Spalding, Corps of Engi neers, on preliminary examination of Lemon Bay, Fla., to Gasparilla Sound, authorized by the river and harbor act approved June 25, 1910. 2. Lemon Bay is a narrow coastal lagoon on the west coast of Florida, about 16 miles long, connected at its southern end with Gasparilla Sound, an arm of Charlotte Harbor, by a shallow waterway about 1 mile long, locally known as the cut-off. It has a navigable depth of about 4 feet for about 8 miles through its central part, decreasing at either end to 1 or 2 feet. The improvement desired is a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water between the bay and the sound. 3. The district officer is of opinion, concurred in by the division engineer, that this improvement is desirable if its cost is not unreasonable, and recommends a survey to develop a plan, with estimate of cost. 4. This report has been referred, as required by law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and attention is invited to its report herewith, dated October 2, 1911. After careful consideration of this subject, the board is unable to concur in the recommendation for a survey, believing that the cost of an adequate improvement would not be commensurate with existing or reasonably prospective commerce, especially since such a channel would almost certainly involve rock removal at a still further large cost. 5. After due consideration of the above-mentioned reports, I concur in general with the views of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and therefore, in carrying out the instructions of Congress, I report that the improvement by the United States of Lemon Bay, Fla., to Gasparilla Sound in the manner apparently desired by the interests concerned, as described in the reports herewith, is not deemed advisable at the present time. Wм. T. ROSSELL, Chief of Engineers, United States Army. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS. [Third indorsement.] BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, Washington, October 2, 1911. 1. Respectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers, United States Army. 2. Lemon Bay is a narrow coastal lagoon about 16 miles in length on the west coast of Florida. It has a navigable depth of about 4 feet for about 8 miles through its central part, decreasing at either end to 1 or 2 feet. Its southern end is connected with Gasparilla Sound, an arm of Charlotte Harbor. by a shallow waterway about 1 mile in length, locally known as the cut-off. The average range tide is about 2 feet. of 3. The improvement desired is a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water between Lemon Bay and Gasparilla Sound, connecting with the railway stations of Placida and Gasparilla, located at the northerly and southerly ends of the railroad bridge of the Charlotte Har bor & Northern Railway, recently constructed to Boca Grande at the southern end of Gasparilla Island. 4. The commerce of Lemon Bay is of a miscellaneous character, amounting to about 1,460 tons. At present the greater part of this is carried to Tampa or Punta Gorda by way of the Gulf. The improvement desired would make it possible to ship by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railway without going into the Gulf. 5. The district officer expresses the opinion that the improvement contemplated is desirable if its cost is not unreasonable. He recommends a survey, in which the division engineer concurs, at an estimated cost of $2,000, calling attention to the fact that an extensive investigation is required on account of the prevalence of underlying rock at shallow depths in this locality, and to the belief that a greater depth than 4 feet is necessary to meet the demands of navigation. 6. The board has carefully considered this subject, and is unable to concur in the recommendation for a survey looking toward the improvement of this waterway. The tributary country is comparatively sparsely settled, the amount of commerce is small, and its character is such that it can not reasonably be expected to attain such propor tions in the near future as to warrant the expenditure that will be certainly necessary for adequate improvement. It seems also certain that such a channel would require rock removal, involving still further large cost. In view of these conditions, the board believes that commensurate benefits would not result from the improvement, and that it is not advisable for the United States to undertake the work. 7. Interested parties were notified of the unfavorable views of the board and invited to submit statements and arguments relative to the proposed improvement. Two communications on this subject have been received and given consideration. 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 as to render the improvement advisable in the interests of commerce and navigation. For the board: WM. T. ROSSELL Colonel, Corps of Engineers, PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF LEMON BAY TO GASPARILLA SOUND, FLA. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Jacksonville, Fla., July 12, 1911. SIR: In compliance with department letter of August 4, 1910, and fourth indorsement, dated March 18, 1911, I have the honor to submit the following report on a preliminary examination of Lemon Bay to Gasparilla Sound, Fla., as authorized by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910. 2. Previous examination of this waterway in connection with a proposed inland route from Tampa Bay to Gasparilla Sound was made by me in 1909, and my report thereon can be found printed in |