duction to 350 feet of the opening between the east end of the west breakwater and the north end of the light-house pier, the construction of spurs along the face of the outer west breakwater to reduce the effect of accumulated seas, and to provide for deepening by dredging the inner harbor at the mouth of the Oswego River. The act of Congress of August 11, 1888, provided for the removal of the outer east breakwater, of which 250 feet had been built. This has been done, and the construction of an east breakwater now forms no part of the project. In 1890 the project was further modified by providing for the protection and permanent maintenance of an opening that had been formed by waves in a storm through the outer breakwater near the western angle; the object of this opening being to keep the water in the harbor pure by allowing a circulation through, and to provide another entrance for small vessels. The natural entrance to the mouth of the river was shallow and difficult of access, and afforded very little shelter to vessels of any considerable size. The sundry civil act approved March 3, 1893, authorized the unexpended balance of the current appropriation to be applied to the removal of rock within the harbor lines to a uniform depth. A project was therefore prepared for the removal of about 3,000 cubic yards of solid rock from the bed of the river near its mouth, so as to secure a uniform depth of 15 feet at extreme low water in this portion of the harbor. This work is now in progress. The object of all these improvements has been to give protection and shelter to the city docks and wharves and to the commerce of the harbor, and to make a depth suitable for the deepest draft vessels on the lake. The total amount expended from the adoption of the project to June 30, 1893, is $1,786,812.75. The amount expended from the adoption of the present project in 1870 is $1,316,431.88. The total expenditure has resulted in the completion of the original project of 1827, and in the construction of the outer west breakwater; the reduction to 350 feet of the opening between the east end of this breakwater and the north end of the light-house pier, the construction and removal of about 250 feet of the east breakwater, the completion of two spur cribs, and the deepening of the river mouth to a depth of 15 feet at low water; in the securing full protection to the dock and wharves west of the river mouth, and channels of entrance 16 feet deep and 350 feet wide to the inner and outer harbors, and in securing increased depth in the inner harbor. In addition, the various works have been cared for and maintained, and the perishable portions renewed, when necessary, from the beginning of the work in 1829 to the present time. The operations of the fiscal year have been the renewal of the superstructure on the light-house pier extension, in the parapet form, for a length of about 342 feet; leaving about 90 feet to be done in order to complete it. This will be done this season. There has already been removed from the harbor near the river mouth about 2,500 cubic yards of solid rock measured in place. This will enable vessels drawing 15 feet to reach at the lowest stage of the lake a coal trestle and elevators before inaccessible. Minor repairs have also been made as required to the piers and breakwater. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 26, 970. 44 18, 818. 12 3, 953.80 14, 864. 32 85,000.00 85,000.00 6. Harbor at Sacketts Harbor, N. Y.-The project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1881, and proposed the deepening of the harbor by dredging over an area of about 15 acres to a depth of 12 feet at low water. The depth previously existing was less than 8 feet over a large part of this area. In 1826 and 1828 the sum of $6,000 was expended in clearing and deepening this harbor. The total amount expended from 1826 to June 30, 1893, is $14,406.01. The amount expended from the adoption of the present project to June 30, 1893, is $8,406.01, and has resulted in the removal of 24,010 cubic yards of sand, mud, and gravel from the harbor, and in the construction of a stake and fascine dike 164 feet in length, with a mooring crib 18 feet square at its extremity to shelter the basin and exclude gravel drift from it. With the completion of this work the harbor has a depth of 12 feet at low water over about 6 acres of its area, except in a small place where the presence of rock in place limited the depth to a little less than 12 feet. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.... June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended.......... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... $449.26 38.00 411. 26 5,000.00 5,000.00 EXAMINATION MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892. The preliminary examination for harbor of refuge in Mexico Bay, on Lake Ontario, New York, required by act of July 13, 1892, was made by the local engineer, Capt. Dan. C. Kingman, Corps of Engineers, and his report thereon, dated November 11, 1892, submitted through the division engineer, Col. Henry L. Abbot, Corps of Engineers. Capt. Kingman considers that the value of such a harbor is, to a certain extent, measured by the value of all the commerce on Lake Ontario, but that the question as to whether or not it ought to be built depends largely upon its cost, to make an estimate of which would require a survey costing about $1,000. It is the opinion of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the improvement is not worthy of being made by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 118, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix Q Q 7.) IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN VERMONT AND NORTHERN NEW YORK. This district was in the charge of Maj. M. B. Adams, Corps of Engineers, to December 10, 1892, and of Capt. Smith S. Leach, Corps of Engineers, since that date; Division Engineer, Col. Henry L. Abbot, Corps of Engineers. 1. Shoals between Sister Islands and Cross-over Light, St. Lawrence River, New York.-The act of August 11, 1888, provided for a survey of the shoals described, which being made, a report was submitted July 2, 1889, and printed in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1889, pp. 2463 and 2464. The estimate of cost was $43,305 for a total volume of 2,077 cubic yards of rock to be removed, affording a draft of 18 feet at low water. Appropriations of $5,000 in 1890 and $10,000 in 1892 were made. contract already completed and another now pending will consume the $15,000 appropriated and will accomplish the removal of the two smaller of the three shoals included in the project. Two outlying spurs of one of these shoals, not detected by the first survey, have been included in the project, increasing it to 2,627 cubic yards, and a pro rata revised estimate of $54,772 has been adopted. 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 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts . July 1, 1893, balance available. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $4, 909.44 10,000.00 14,909.44 8, 198. 43 6, 711.01 4,500.00 2,211.01 39, 772.00 39, 772. 00 2. Ogdensburg Harbor, New York. The improvement of this harbor has been carried on under three successive projects, covering substantially the same area, but providing for a progressive deepening to meet the increasing demand of commerce for draft of water. The last of these projects now in progress of execution was adopted in 1890, and contemplates the deepening of the channels leading from the deep water of the St. Lawrence River and along the city front to 163 feet at extreme low water, at an estimated cost of $158,950. Prior to improvement, depths of 5 to 12 feet prevailed along the city front. There is now a channel 150 feet wide with a clear depth of 163 feet at extreme low water along the greater part of the city front, with two entrances of equal or greater depth from the river. The completion of a contract now pending will extend the channel with the same dimensions to and across the mouth of the Oswegatchie River and deepen a third entrance at the upper end. All moneys appropriated, not heretofore expended, are pledged under the present contract. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended... 44, 694. 01 $10, 127. 11 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. 28, 534.89 38, 662.00 6, 032. 01 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 R R 2.) 70, 000.00 70,000.00 3. Breakwater at Rouse Point, Lake Champlain, New York.-The proj ect of this improvement was adopted in 1885, and comprised a straight breakwater composed wholly of stone, with a total length of about 2,000 feet, reaching the 18-foot curve in the lake. The estimated cost was $110,000. To the close of the last fiscal year operations had been carried on under four contracts, made in 1885, 1886, 1888, and 1890, and 1,700 feet of the structure had been completed. The 18-foot curve was then 125 feet from the unfinished end and it was therefore decided to terminate the breakwater with an extension of 135 feet, and with a total length of 1,835 feet. The original estimate of cost was $110,000, or $55 per linear foot. The appropriations of the years above noted aggregated $83,500 and in the act of July 13, 1892, the sum of $15,000 was appropriated, that being the estimated cost of the proposed extension. With the total of $98,500 appropriated the project will be completed, the actual cost being somewhat less than $54 per linear foot. Under the last appropriation of $15,000 a contract was entered into for the 135 feet extension, work to be begun November 1, 1892, and completed November 30, 1893. At the close of the fiscal year the rubble foundation and core were in place and the setting of the large stones in the superstructure had begun. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended..... $7.97 15,000.00 Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.... 15, 007.97 4, 738.86 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities.. 10, 269. 11 $2, 148.69 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. 8, 120.42 (See Appendix R R 3.) 10, 269. 11 4. Great Chazy River, New York.-A survey of this stream from its mouth, on Lake Champlain, to Champlain Village was provided for in the act of 1888. The report made was printed in the Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1889, p. 2466. The project adopted was to dredge a channel between the points named in the act 40 feet wide and 5 feet deep, at a cost of $18,000. The act of 1890 appropriated $10,000 to this improvement, which was expended under contract in accordance with the project. An appropriation of $5,000 was made in the act of 1892, which has also been placed under contract and will be expended by November 30, 1893. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended.... July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.... 3,000.00 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 R R 4.) 3,000.00 5. Plattsburg Harbor, New York. This work has been intermittently prosecuted since 1836. Under the project then adopted, and subsequent modifications, a breakwater of a permanent and substantial character, 1,850 feet in length, has been completed. This structure is believed to afford sufficient shelter for the present needs of commerce. In addition to the breakwater, some dredging has been done in the anchorage and a short length of wasting beach has been protected. The total cost of the improvement has been $122,412.03. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.... June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended.... (See Appendix Ꭱ Ꭱ 5.) $15, 275.34 15, 007. 37 267.97 6. Burlington Harbor, Vermont.-This improvement dates from 1836, modifications of the original plan having been made from time to time, so as to afford adequate protection to the increasing commercial and shipping interests of the harbor. The last modification, made in 1886, provides for further extension of the break water, both to the north and to the south, with its gradual withdrawal as it is prolonged, into water about 30 feet deep, instead of 38 feet deep, so as to reduce the cost. The old parts of the under superstructure are much decayed, and the balance of the appropriation of September 19, 1890, $15,691.83, will be expended.in repairs, as also the additional funds asked for, if appropriated. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.... 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 R R 6.) $15, 759.89 68.06 15, 691.83 129,000.00 10,000.00 7. Otter Creek, Vermont.-The object of this improvement is to afford a channel of navigable width and a depth of 8 feet at low water from the town of Vergennes, Vt., to Lake Champlain. The original project was adopted in 1872, and was estimated to cost $58,146. In 1882 surveys developed the fact that rock in situ would be encountered within the proposed limits of width and depth, and the estimate was increased to $73,748.40. In 1884 a relocation of the channel at Bull Brook Bend avoided part of the rock excavation, reducing the cost by about $500, and the lower prices which have prevailed in recent years have insured the completion of the project for less than the revised estimate of 1882. Occasional expenditures for maintenance will doubtless be required. It has been found necessary to repeat operations at Bull Brook Bend, ENG 93-27 |