Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... 1,817,500.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix N 11.) 1, 000, 000. 00 12. Inside water route between Savannah, Ga., and Fernandina, Fla.— The existing project of improvement, submitted in report of survey dated November 25, 1891, provides for the establishment of a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water between Savannah, Ga., and Fernandina, Fla. The estimated cost of the improvement is $105,000, provided that amount may be made at once available. An appropriation of $15,000, the first for this work, was made by the river and harbor act approved July 13, 1892. In its present condition, the channel depth is less than 5 feet in some places. No work was done prior to the present fiscal year, during which work was entirely confined to Jekyl Creek. (See above.) The depth across the bar at this place now is 5 feet, as against 4.08 feet before its improvement. The expenditures during the year, including all outstanding liabili ties, amounted to $14,937.69. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended... July 1, 1893, balance available...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix N 12.) $15,000.00 346.69 14, 653.31 14,591.00 62.31 90,000.00 90,000.00 13. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navi gation.-Proposals for removing the wreck of the Austrian bark Undine, lying in Savannah Harbor, Georgia, were opened on June 15 and the contract was awarded to Messrs. Johnston and Townsend, Somers Point, New Jersey, the work of removal to begin early in the next fiscal year. (See Appendix N 13.) EXAMINATION MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892. The preliminary examination of Savannah River, Georgia, between Spirit Island and the point where the Charleston and Savannah Railway crosses said river, required by act of July 13, 1892, was made by the local engineer, Capt. O. M. Carter, Corps of Engineers, and report thereon, dated November 14, 1892, submitted through the division engineer, Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. It is the opinion of Capt. Carter, and of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that this locality is worthy of improvement to the extent heretofore recommended and approved. No further survey is necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 50, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix N 14.) IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN FLORIDA. This district was in the charge of Maj. John C. Mallery, Corps of Engineers, to June 20, 1893, and in the temporary charge of Lieut. Albert M. D'Armit, Corps of Engineers, since that date; Division Engineer, Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. 1. St. Johns River, Florida.-Operations for the improvement of this river have been carried on in conformity with a project submitted in 1879, by the late Col. Q. A. Gillmore, Corps of Engineers. The plan contemplates the formation of a continuous channel 15 feet deep at mean low water from Jacksonville to the ocean. The points where work is required are in a reach near Dames Point, 12 miles from the mouth, and on the bar at the mouth. Near Dames Point the mean low-water depth varies from 12 to 13 feet, with a tidal range of about 2 feet. The bar at the mouth is formed of sand. Before work began the mean low-water channel depth across it varied from 5 to 7 feet, with a tidal range of 5.8 feet. The channel across the bar shifted continuously north and south "through a mile range. The work was divided into two parts: (1) The formation of a channel across the bar at the mouth, by the concentration and direction of the tidal currents by two jetties, to start from the opposite shores of the entrance, and to converge until, on the bar, their outer ends should be approximately parallel and 1,600 feet apart; and (2) the improvement of the Dames Point Reach, by dredging, and the construction of works of protection, under a project approved June 11, 1891, and approved in a modified form March 30, 1892. As the improvement at the mouth was at first most urgently needed, the five appropriations up to that of 1886, inclusive, aggregating $675,000, were made for improving "the channel over the bar at the mouth," under the estimate for that part of the total project. Since 1887 the depth on the bar has been greater than that in the Dames Point Reach, and the interests of commerce have demanded that the work at the latter point should be started. Accordingly, the appropriations of 1888 and 1890 were made for improving the river "from Jacksonville to the ocean, including the channel over the bar at the mouth," under the estimate for the entire project. The work of improving the channel at Dames Point is now being carried out by means of an appropriation of $300,000 made by Duval County, and the appropri ations of 1892 and 1893 were made for improving the channel over the bar at the mouth. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $958,595.40 had been expended. The south jetty had a total length of 8,293 feet. Of this, 1,740 feet was built to the full height; 5,600 feet was above mean low water, excepting in a few places which were slightly below it, and the depth over the remaining 953 feet varied from 13 to 18 feet at mean low water. The total length of the north jetty was 10,991 feet, 553 feet at the inner end and 276 feet about one-half way out was built to the full height and capped; 6,478 feet was at, and in places above, mean low water; 1,050 feet was about 1 foot below mean low water and the remaining 2,634 feet sloped down to a depth of about 10 feet. Prior to 1886 the jetties were built of alternate layers of mattresses and rock. Since that date mattresses have been used in the foundation course only. Prior to November, 1887, the mattresses consisted of logs and brush and of poles and brush. Since that date they have consisted of brush fascines held together by pole binders. A survey of the Dames Point Reach was made in 1889 and a survey of the Mile Point Bank in 1892. Work, by contract, under the appropriation of 1890 was completed December 30, 1892. Under the provisions of the act approved July 13, 1892, a contract was made for the completion of the improvement. Work was begun under the same on April 1, 1893. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, there were placed in the south jetty 22,894 square yards of mattresses, 3,449 cubic yards of second-class stone, and 8,734 cubic yards of third-class stone; extending the foundation course a distance of 1,685 feet, making the total length of the jetty 9,978 feet, and the jetty was raised in various low places. No work was done on the north jetty during the fiscal year. The south channel is still the only available one, and has but 10.7 feet on the outer bar. The north jetty channel has deteriorated while the south jetty channel promises to open within a short time as a result of the prolongation of the south jetty. The depth on the inner bar, which was 15 feet last year, has increased to 18 feet. July 1, 1992, balance unexpended..... Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 Amount appropriated by sundry civil act approved March 3, 1893. June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.. $61, 405. 48 112,500.00 284,500.00 458, 405. 48 71, 863. 53 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended 386, 541.95 July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities $7,900.88 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts 338, 509. 39 346, 410. 27 40, 131. 68 July 1, 1893, balance available (See Appendix O 1.) 2. Upper St. Johns River, Florida.-By the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, the sum of $5,000 was appropriated for improving the Upper St. Johns River, Florida; this being the first appropriation made for this work. The stream has sufficient depth for the class of vessels adapted to its navigation, but it is very crooked. The approved project of 1883 was to establish a straighter channel by suitable cut-offs, to be made 6 feet deep at low-river stage and 100 feet wide at the bottom, at an estimated cost of $38,800. The work was advertised, but no bids were received on account of the small sum appropriated, and operations were deferred until further appropriations might be available. On April 2, 1892, the original project was modified so that the money available might be expended in removing the worst points at the bends where cut-off's had been proposed. A contract was let for the work, and operations began March 16, 1893. The plant provided by the contractors has proven inadequate, and only 2,006.7 cubic yards had been removed up to the end of June, 1893. The officer in charge recommends the construction by the United States of a suitable snag and dredge boat, for use in the rivers and harbors of the east coast of Florida, at a cost of $20,000. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.. $4,930. 05 385.25 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended 4, 544.80 July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities $822.27 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. 3, 377.73 4, 200.00 344.80 July 1, 1893, balance available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix O 2.) 33,800.00 33,800.00 3. Volusia Bar, Florida.-Volusia Bar is situated at the head of Lake George, and is formed of materials brought down by the St. Johns River and deposited at the point where the current of the narrow river loses its velocity as the bed widens to form the lake. The usual depth on the bar, before operations began, was from 3 to 4 feet, with a very crooked channel. At times this depth was diminished so much as to stop navigation entirely. The adopted plan of improvement was to contract the waters on the bar by the construction of two converging jetties formed of brush and stone, with a view to causing a scour to the depth of 6 feet. Should the depth caused by the jetties not be sufficient, recourse was to be had to dredging. Between the jetties on the bar, lines of guide piles were placed to keep vessels off the jetties and to define the channel clearly. In 1887 it was decided to limit the channel depth sought to the 5 feet then obtained, on account of the evident shoaling in the lake beyond the jetties, and because that depth was sufficient for the requirements of the existing commerce of the river. Up to June 30, 1892, $25,889.91 had been expended. The jetties had been built to their full length and to a height sufficient to produce the desired effect. Two lines of firmly set fender piles defined the jetty channel on the crest of the bar, and a straight channel with a minimum low-water depth of 5 feet had been obtained. In the spring of 1890 the crests of both jetties were found to have lowered slightly, and several gaps had been made through them, to a depth of 4 feet in one place. One hundred and ninety-seven cubic yards of rock was placed on the jetties, filling the lowest places. In December, 1889, one of the river steamers broke out one of the panels of the west pile-fender line. The officer in charge reports that, on account of the shoalness of the lake beyond the jetties, any further increase of depth should be attained by dredging from time to time, as may be required. He states that this will require an annual outlay of $500, provided a contract can be made for the work. Under the appropriation of July 13, 1892, the break in the row of fender piles has been repaired and dredging on the bar will be begun during the summer. Amount (estimated) required for maintenance of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix O 3.) 1, 000. 00 1,000.00 4. Ocklawaha River, Florida.-The portion of the Ocklawaha River which it is proposed to improve lies between Leesburg, on Lake Griffin, and the mouth, a distance of 94 miles. The channel width varies from 30 to 70 feet, and the depth from 5 to 9 feet. From the outlet of Lake Griffin, for a distance of 28 miles, the river is sluggish in current, has numerous bends, and is badly obstructed by floating islands and grass. For the remaining 58 miles the current is strong and the principal obstructions are snags and overhanging trees. The approved project is to clear the channel between Lake Griffin and the mouth by removing snags and the worst overhanging trees, and by moving the floating islands out of the channel and staking them in place by piles. The amount expended on this improvement up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, was $8,775.69. Under the appropriation made by act of September 19, 1890, a survey and map of the river were made and the channel was cleared of its worst obstructions from the mouth to the prairie, a distance of 60 miles. A total of 3,881 snags and 705 overhanging trees was removed, and 84 trees were trimmed. The unprecedented low water developed a few shoals which it appears desirable to have removed, and more effective means being proposed for keeping the channel clear of floating islands. A revised project has been adopted in 1892 calling for an additional expenditure of $15,000. The estimated annual cost for maintenance of the channel is $1,000. The $1,000 appropriated July 13, 1892, was expended in clearing the river of obstructions. Five hundred and seventy-four snags and 312 overhanging trees were removed, and 14 trees were trimmed. A fairly navigable channel exists at high water as far as the floating islands and at extreme low water as far as the prairie. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892. June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended.......... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix O 4.) $1,224.31 1,000.00 2,224.31 2, 222.61 1.70 15,000.00 15,000.00 |