BELVEDERE HARBOR, CAL. LETTER FROM THE ACTING SECRETARY OF WAR, TRANSMITTING, WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORT ON EXAMINATION OF BELVEDERE HARBOR, CAL. AUGUST 29, 1913.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed, with illustration. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, August 27, 1913. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, dated 26th instant, together with copy of report from Lieut. Col. Thomas H. Rees, Corps of Engineers, dated April 16, 1913, with map, on preliminary examination of Belvedere Harbor, Cal., made by him in compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912. Very respectfully, From: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. To: The Secretary of War. Subject: Preliminary examination of Belvedere Harbor, Cal. 1. There is submitted herewith for transmission to Congress report dated April 16, 1913, with map, by Lieut. Col. Thomas H. Rees, Corps of Engineers, on preliminary examination of Belvedere Harbor, Cal., called for by the river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912. 2. Belvedere Harbor is in San Francisco Bay, 3 miles north of the Golden Gate and at the southerly end of the Tiburon peninsula. The depth inside the bar ranges generally from 2 to 3 feet at mean lower low water, and the range of tide is about 3.8 feet. The town of Belvedere is composed almost entirely of homes owned by business. men of San Francisco. It has no export trade, and its imports, estimated at 10,000 tons annually, consist of commodities and building materials necessary for the existence and improvement of a suburban residence district. The improvement desired is stated by the district officer to be a channel 150 feet wide and 9 feet deep at mean lower low water, extending on a straight line from near the present passenger wharf to near the old hotel and thence to the right, expanding into a turning basin and anchorage 300 feet wide near the drawbridge. In view of the local nature of the desired improvement, the existence of deep water with ample transportation facilities at a distance of only three-fourths of a mile from the town, and other reasons fully explained, the district officer, who is also the division engineer, expresses the opinion that this harbor is not worthy of improvement by the United States. 3. This report has been referred, as required by law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and attention is invited to the board's accompanying report, dated July 29, 1913, concurring with the views of the district officer. 4. After due consideration of the above-mentioned reports, I concur in general with the views of the district officer and 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 Belvedere Harbor, Cal., in the manner apparently desired by the interests concerned, as described in the reports herewith, is not deemed advisable at the present time. WM. T. ROSSELL, Chief of Engineers, United States Ármy. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS. [Second indorsement.] THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: July 29, 1913. 1. Belvedere Harbor is in San Francisco Bay, 3 miles north of the Golden Gate. The harbor or cove adjoins the similar though smaller cove of Tiburon, which would not be benefited by the improvement now contemplated. At the latter place is located the freight terminal and shops of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, while the passenger terminal is at Sausalito, some 2 miles to the southwest. Shoal water separates Belvedere and Tiburon Harbors from the deep waters of Raccoon Strait. The depth inside the bar ranges generally from 2 to 3 feet at mean lower low water. The range of tide is about 3.8 feet. 2. The town of Belvedere is composed almost entirely of homes owned by business men of San Francisco. There are a few small dwellings and shops on the road leading to Tiburon. The population in summer is estimated at 600 to 1,000. In winter it is not so great. 3. Belvedere has no export trade, and its imports, estimated at 10,000 tons annually, consist of those commodities essential to the existence and expansion of a residential suburb. About one-third of the commerce is reported as landing at Tiburon. 4. The improvement desired is the provision of a channel with a depth of about 9 feet at lower low water, 150 feet wide, expanding into a turning basin and anchorage 300 feet wide at the northerly end of the harbor. It is claimed that a passenger landing in that vicinity would afford better service for the entire community than is now given at Tiburon and Belvedere. The improvement contemplated would be effected by dredging, and in connection with this work local cooperation has been offered. 5. In view, however, of the small commerce, present and prospective, the existence of ample facilities three-fourths of a mile distant, and the local character of the commerce, the district officer is of opinion that the harbor of Belvedere is not worthy of improvement by the United States. 6. Interested parties were informed of the unfavorable tenor of the district officer's report and given an opportunity of submitting their views to the board. Two communications' from Hon. William Kent, M. C., containing commercial data and arguments have been received and given consideration. 7. From the facts now before the board, it appears that improvement of this locality would be largely in the interests of a small residential community and to the members of yacht clubs and others utilizing these shoal waters for mooring their craft. The commerce is not large nor is there any prospect of a material growth. The improvement would afford better terminal facilities than now exist, but in the opinion of the board these should be provided by local interests, and not by the Federal Government, as no material benefit would accrue to general commerce and navigation. For these reasons the board concurs with the district officer, who is also division engineer, and reports that in its opinion it is not advisable for the United States to undertake the improvement of Belvedere Harbor, Cal. 8. In compliance with law, the board reports that there are no questions of terminal facilities, water power, or other related subjects which could be coordinated with the suggested improvement in such manner as to render the work advisable in the interests of commerce and navigation. For the board: W. M. BLACK, PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF BELVEDERE HARBOR, CAL. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, San Francisco, Cal., April 16, 1913. From: The District Engineer Officer. To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. Subject: Preliminary examination of Belvedere Harbor, Cal. 1. The examination of this harbor was made by First Lieut. (now Capt.) A. B. Barber, Corps of Engineers, assistant in this office, who reports as follows: The following report of my examination of Belvedere Harbor, pursuant to your verbal instructions, is respectfully submitted. 1 Not printed. low water, and the range of tide is about 3.8 feet. The town of Belvedere is composed almost entirely of homes owned by business men of San Francisco. It has no export trade, and its imports, estimated at 10,000 tons annually, consist of commodities and building materials necessary for the existence and improvement of a suburban residence district. The improvement desired is stated by the district officer to be a channel 150 feet wide and 9 feet deep at mean lower low water, extending on a straight line from near the present passenger wharf to near the old hotel and thence to the right, expanding into a turning basin and anchorage 300 feet wide near the drawbridge. In view of the local nature of the desired improvement, the existence of deep water with ample transportation facilities at a distance of only three-fourths of a mile from the town, and other reasons fully explained, the district officer, who is also the division engineer, expresses the opinion that this harbor is not worthy of improvement by the United States. 3. This report has been referred, as required by law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and attention is invited to the board's accompanying report, dated July 29, 1913, concurring with the views of the district officer. 4. After due consideration of the above-mentioned reports, I concur in general with the views of the district officer and 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 Belvedere Harbor, Cal., in the manner apparently desired by the interests concerned, as described in the reports herewith, is not deemed advisable at the present time. WM. T. ROSSELL, Chief of Engineers, United States Army. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS. [Second indorsement.] THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: July 29, 1913. 1. Belvedere Harbor is in San Francisco Bay, 3 miles north of the Golden Gate. The harbor or cove adjoins the similar though smaller cove of Tiburon, which would not be benefited by the improvement now contemplated. At the latter place is located the freight terminal and shops of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, while the passenger terminal is at Sausalito, some 2 miles to the southwest. Shoal water separates Belvedere and Tiburon Harbors from the deep waters of Raccoon Strait. The depth inside the bar ranges generally from 2 to 3 feet at mean lower low water. The range of tide is about 3.8 feet. 2. The town of Belvedere is composed almost entirely of homes owned by business men of San Francisco. There are a few small dwellings and shops on the road leading to Tiburon. The population in summer is estimated at 600 to 1,000. In winter it is not so great. 3. Belvedere has no export trade, and its imports, estimated at 10,000 tons annually, consist of those commodities essential to the existence and expansion of a residential suburb. About one-third of the commerce is reported as landing at Tiburon. 4. The improvement desired is the provision of a channel with a depth of about 9 feet at lower low water, 150 feet wide, expanding into a turning basin and anchorage 300 feet wide at the northerly end of the harbor. It is claimed that a passenger landing in that vicinity would afford better service for the entire community than is now given at Tiburon and Belvedere. The improvement contemplated would be effected by dredging, and in connection with this work local cooperation has been offered. 5. In view, however, of the small commerce, present and prospective, the existence of ample facilities three-fourths of a mile distant, and the local character of the commerce, the district officer is of opinion that the harbor of Belvedere is not worthy of improvement by the United States. 1 6. Interested parties were informed of the unfavorable tenor of the district officer's report and given an opportunity of submitting their views to the board. Two communications from Hon. William Kent, M. C., containing commercial data and arguments have been received and given consideration. 7. From the facts now before the board, it appears that improvement of this locality would be largely in the interests of a small residential community and to the members of yacht clubs and others utilizing these shoal waters for mooring their craft. The commerce is not large nor is there any prospect of a material growth. The improvement would afford better terminal facilities than now exist, but in the opinion of the board these should be provided by local interests, and not by the Federal Government, as no material benefit would accrue to general commerce and navigation. For these reasons the board concurs with the district officer, who is also division engineer, and reports that in its opinion it is not advisable for the United States to undertake the improvement of Belvedere Harbor, Cal. 8. In compliance with law, the board reports that there are no questions of terminal facilities, water power, or other related subjects which could be coordinated with the suggested improvement in such manner as to render the work advisable in the interests of commerce and navigation. For the board: W. M. BLACK, PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF BELVEDERE HARBOR, CAL. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, San Francisco, Cal., April 16, 1913. From: The District Engineer Officer. To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. Subject: Preliminary examination of Belvedere Harbor, Cal. 1. The examination of this harbor was made by First Lieut. (now Capt.) A. B. Barber, Corps of Engineers, assistant in this office, who reports as follows: The following report of my examination of Belvedere Harbor, pursuant to your verbal instructions, is respectfully submitted. 1 Not printed. |