survey for easterly breakwater to shore, Point Judith, R. I., at Point Judith harbor of refuge. The proposed easterly breakwater was intended to increase the sheltered area between the main breakwater and the shore, and its shore end was planned to be 900 feet from the beach. The present survey was made with a view to determin. ing the cost of closing this interval, which is estimated by Major Lockwood to be, including contingencies, $187,558.80. In transmitting this report Major Lockwood states that, in his opinion, the proposed improvement is not worthy of being undertaken by the United States, as the same is not justified by the interests of commerce involved, and this opinion is concurred in by the division engineer, Col. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. The closing paragraph of the report of October 23, 1896, by a Board of Engineers referred to by Major Lockwood, is as follows: In view of the expense involved in completing the main work and of raising a part of it (the eastern arm as seems desirable) to the height proposed, of 13 feet above mean low water, the board is of the opinion that the construction of a detached arm off the eastern entrance as a part of the main project may safely be deferred until the completion of the main work may demonstrate the necessity or otherwise of such a structure for additional shelter. This course seems all the more desirable in view of the fact that such a structure would necessarily interfere more or less with the main entrance about the end of the eastern arm. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN M. WILSON, Brig. Gen. Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. Нон. R. A. ALGER, Secretary of War. REPORT OF MAJ. D. W. LOCKWOOD, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, NEWPORT, R. I., April 14, 1897. GENERAL :-I have the honor to submit herewith a tracing of a survey made in compliance with river and harbor act of June 3, 1896, of "easterly breakwater to shore, Point Judith, at Point Judith harbor of refuge, Rhode Island." This work was assigned to me by department letter of July 24, 1896. The proposed easterly breakwater was intended to increase the sheltered area between the main breakwater and the shore, and its shore end was planned to be 900 feet from the beach. The present survey was made with a view to determining the cost of closing this interval. The amount of stone required for this work is estimated at 56,836 tons, in addition to the amount required to build the part already planned, to wit, 130,795 tons. As nearly all of the extension would be in water where the seas break most of the time, it is estimated that the cost per ton of rock in place would be at least $3, making the cost of the extension as follows: 56,836 tons riprap at $3 Contingencies and engineering 10 per cent. Total..... $170,508 00 17,050 80 $187,558 80 It may be stated that if the gap between the easterly breakwater and the shore be closed, the littoral currents will be interfered with and deflected, increasing at times the difficulties of entrance to the main shelter, and besides may lead to a deposition of sand along its western face. Attention is respectfully invited to the closing paragraph of the report of a Board of Engineer Officers on the harbor of refuge at Point Judith, R. I., dated October 23, 1896. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. W. LOCKWOOD, Major, Corps of Engineers. BRIG. GEN. JOHN M. WILSON, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. SIR: Chairman Harbor Commission, Providence, R. I. In compliance with your request of the 5th instance, I give herewith an abstract of the work done in Rhode Island under my direction, from July 1, 1897, to January 1, 1898. Great Salt Pond, Block Island.—The jetty on the southerly side of the entrance to the Salt Pond was completed early in July. It now extends from the shore out to the 18 foot contour. Harbor of Refuge at Block Island.-The dredging on the shoal at the entrance to the inner harbor, in progress at the close of the fiscal year, was completed July 20. The depth of 10 feet at mean low water being made across the shoal. Harbor of Refuge at Point Judith.-Work on the construction of the breakwater Was resumed July 17, and was in progress January 1; 70,051 tons of stone were placed in the work, mainly in building out the eastern arm to the full cross section. About 4,060 feet of the breakwater is now built up to the height of 10 feet above mean low water level and 1,700 feet from 4 to 7 feet above that level. Pawtucket River. This work of removing ledge rock in the upper section of the river was completed October 6. This work completed the channel through the ledge rock, giving a width of 40 feet with a depth of 12 feet at mean low water. Providence River. The work of dredging in the new 400 foot channel was continued and was in progress January 1. 309,896 cubic yards of dredged material were removed from the reach between Fuller's Rock and Pomham Light and from Long Bed on the eastern side of the channel just below Sassafras Point. Two dredges are employed on the work. Respectfully, D. W. LOCKWOOD, Major, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. |