Concho........ Mallory Steamship Co....... Plying between New York, Key

West, Tampa, Galveston, and
Mobile.

10. There are at the present time two piers at New Smyrna, neither of which, however, are suitable for receiving freight from barges or steamboats and transferring it to coastwise vessels. If any improvement of this locality were undertaken it should be coupled with a proviso that municipal terminals, of such character and extent as may be prescribed by the Secretary of War, should be constructed by the municipality.

11. There are no other matters which could be logically considered in connection with the proposed improvement of Mosquito Inlet.

12. Considered alone, Mosquito Inlet is not worthy of improvement by the Federal Government. Considered as a part of a system of waterways such as outlined above, which if constructed would develop a great amount of water-borne transportation, would materially decrease the cost of transporting produce to market and supplies to this locality, and would contribute materially in the development of the State, it is believed to be worthy of improvement by the United States, provided the work could be done at a reasonable cost.

13. It is, therefore, recommended that a survey be made and plans for the improvement of the inlet and channel up to New Smyrna prepared.

[First indorsement.]

J. R. SLATTERY, Major, Corps of Engineers.

OFFICE OF DIVISION ENGINEER,
SOUTHEAST DIVISION,

To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS:

May 2, 1913.

1. I am convinced that the best system of improvement for the benefit of water-borne commerce either originating in the State of Florida or destined to that locality can only be determined by treating the problem in a comprehensive way. The sheltered inside route along the coast, affording a channel of ample depth and width, is the first requisite; after this come the deep-water harbors, where the freight shall be changed to or from the deep-water ship, as the case may be. The intracoastal canal, in my opinion, should be at least 10 feet deep and should be thoroughly sheltered and safe for river steamboats, motor boats, or tugs and barges. This should be developed first, and after it was developed and put in operation it could then

HD-63-1-vol 10-6

be determined how many new deep harbors should be created for the benefit of commerce, eliminating entirely from consideration the deepwater harbor which is developed for the benefit of the real estate owner. It might very likely be found that transportation on the canal was so cheap, so expeditious; and so satisfactory that freight would not leave it until it was obliged to, and that it would not be necessary to make many expensive deep-water harbors.

2. I agree with the district officer that Mosquito Inlet, considered alone, is not worthy of improvement by the General Government, and that the time has not arrived when the question of this improvement should be taken up. I think it should be taken up only after the intracoastal canal has been determined upon and its construction well advanced toward completion. I don't see how a deep-water harbor at New Smyrna could have much commerce. The railroad that goes to it would not profit by delivering its freight to vessels, and it would in every way be to the advantage of the road to secure the long haul, and the absence of adequate water routes paralleling the coast or penetrating to the interior would make it impossible to quickly collect a full-sized cargo of perishable material. I would advise that no survey be made.

DAN C. KINGMAN, Colonel, Corps of Engineers.

[For report of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors,

see p. 2.]

WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORTS ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION AND SURVEY OF BEVERLY HARBOR, MASS., WITH A VIEW TO SECURING A CHANNEL DEPTH OF 24 FEET AND OF WIDENING THE CHANNEL ON THE NORTHERN SIDE BY THE REMOVAL OF THE LEDGE NEAR THE ESSEX BRIDGE.

SEPTEMBER 5, 1913.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed, with illustration.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 3, 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 September 3, instant, together with copies of reports, with map, from Col. F. V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, dated September 25, 1912, and June 10, 1913, on a preliminary examination and survey, respectively, of Beverly Harbor, Mass., made by him in compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912.

Very respectfully,

HENRY BRECKINRIDGE,
Acting Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, September 3, 1913.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,

From: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army.
To: The Secretary of War.

Subject: Preliminary examination and survey of Beverly Har or,
Mass.

1. There are submitted herewith for transmission to Congress reports dated September 25, 1912, and June 10, 1913, with map, by