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In 1882 a project was adopted for closing the gap between the breakwater and the ice-breaker by means of a random stone foundation with a concrete superstructure. The random stone foundation was to be brought to a height of 12 feet below low water, with a width on top of 48 feet; the concrete superstructure to have a width on bottom of 24 feet, rising to a height of 12 feet above mean low water, with a width on top of 12 feet. The estimated cost of this project was $675,000.

In 1883 and 1884 the project was modified by providing a foundation of brush mattresses for the random stone superstructure and omitting the construction of a pile bridge across the gap, which formed part of the project of 1882 for closing the gap.

In 1890 the concrete superstructure was further modified by estab lishing its base at 15 feet below mean low water by making it rectangu lar in section, with a width of 27 feet and height of 27 feet, and by constructing the work to above the plane of high water of large concrete blocks, above which concrete in mass is to be used. The estimated cost of the modified project, including the $356,250 appropriated from 1882 to 1888 was $856,250.

In 1891 the random stone substructure having been practically completed, the project for the hitherto proposed concrete superstructure was modified by substitution of random stone for the remaining part of the work, so as to raise the structure to a height of 14 feet above mean low water, with a width on top of 20 feet, the width at low water to be 40 feet, and the slopes below this plane to be such as may be formed by the action of the sea, between low water and the top the slopes to be about 1 on 0.7 formed by heavy stones laid in position. The estimated cost of completing this part of the work is $320,000, or, including the $436,250 appropriated from 1882 to 1890, the cost of closing the gap is $756,250.

From the beginning of the work in 1822 to June 30, 1891, the total amount expended was $2,549,155.79, of which $357,052.09 was expended on the project of 1882 for closing the gap.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, the sum of $78,212.08 was expended in raising the structure in the gap to the level of mean low water over a distance of 1,006 feet. It is important that this work should be completed as soon as possible, since in its present condition it is a serious danger to commerce.

The increase in the dimensions and draft of vessels since the present harbor was designed in 1822, together with the shoaling which has ensued behind the breakwater, renders the present harbor under these changed conditions inadequate for the requirements of commerce. Upon the completion of the present project of closing the gap, additional anchorage area will be added to the harbor and make it of great and continued value to coasting vessels.

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended

June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year.

July 1, 1892, balance unexpended

Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892

Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1893..

$79, 197.91 78, 212.08

985.83

50,000.00

50,985.83

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project
Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and

270,000.00

harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix G 7.)

8. Rancocas River, New Jersey.-In its natural condition Rancocas River carried a minimum low-water depth of about 44 feet between the

mouth and Centerton, a distance of about 71⁄2 miles, and from Centerton to Mount Holly, a distance of about 54 miles, a ruling depth of about 21 feet.

The original project of 1881 proposed the formation, by a dike at Coats Bar and dredging elsewhere, of a channel from 150 to 200 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water from the mouth to Centerton, and from thence to Mount Holly a channel 5 feet deep.

Operations were carried on under this project from 1881 to 1884, under appropriations aggregating $20,000 made in 1881 and 1882. To the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $28,702.64 had been expended in the formation of a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water between the mouth and Centerton, and in the removal of three wrecks.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $1,197.27 was expended in the formation of a channel 25 feet wide and 4 feet deep at mean low water between Centerton and Mount Holly.

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.......

June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year

Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project .. Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix G 8.)

$1, 197. 27 1, 197. 27

5,000.00

46,000.00

9. Alloway Creek, New Jersey.-In its original condition Alloway Creek was obstructed between its mouth and Quinton, a distance of about 10 miles, by shoal areas in the upper half of the stream, which reduced the low water depths to about 4 feet.

The original project of 1889 proposed the formation, by dredging, of a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 60 feet wide from Quinton to a point about 1,000 feet above the Upper Hancock Bridge; from thence a channel of the same depth and 75 feet wide to a locality known as the Square, where the work is to be supplemented by a dike. At a locality known as the Canal, in addition to a channel of the lastnamed dimensions, the width of the stream was to be increased to about 150 feet between its low-water lines.

The appropriation of $6,000 by the act of September 19, 1890, was the first made for this work.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $3,467.88 was expended in deepening to 6 feet at mean low water the channel at the Canal, Square, and Upper Hancock Bridge.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $2,131.73 was expended in deepening the channel. There are now channels 75 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water through the worst bars at the Square, Canal, and Upper Hancock Bridge.

[blocks in formation]

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project ........ Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix G 9.)

16,000.00

10. Maurice River, New Jersey.-In its original condition Maurice. River had a depth of 5 feet at mean low water over the bar at its mouth and a channel of over 10 feet deep extending from its mouth for a distance of about 20 miles, or to within 4 miles of Millville. For the remaining distance of about 5 miles, to the head of navigation at Millville, there were shoal areas which reduced the low-water depth to about 2 feet.

The original project of 1882 proposed the formation, by dredging, of a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water through the 4 miles of river below Millville Bridge, and from thence to the head of navigation a channel of the same width and 4 feet deep. In 1891 the project was modified by extending the 6-foot channel to the head of navigation, and in 1892 by a further extension of 500 feet with a width of 50 feet.

At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $34,916.34 had been expended in the formation of a 6-foot channel from a point 4 miles below to about 1,400 feet above Millville Bridge.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $8,083.77 was expended in the full completion of the improvement. The river is now navigable at all stages of the tide to a point 1,400 feet above Millville Bridge.

The estimated cost of this improvement was $112,000. The conditions having been very favorable, it has been completed at a total cost of $43,000.

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.

June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year.

(See Appendix G 10.)

$8,083.77 8,083.77

11. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation. During the past fiscal year the following wrecks were removed under the provisions of the act of June 14, 1880: The scow Paddy Ryan, from Rancocas River, New Jersey; the iron steamer Nuphar, from the outer bar at Townsend Inlet, New Jersey; the canal boat Agatha Brady, from Delaware River, opposite Fairmount avenue wharf, city of Philadelphia.

(See Appendix G 11.).

EXAMINATION, BY BOARD OF ENGINEERS, FOR LOCATION AND PLAN FOR HARBOR OF REFUGE FOR DEEP-DRAFT VESSELS NEAR MOUTH OF DELAWARE BAY, MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 1890.

In compliance with the provisions of the act a Board of Engineers, consisting of Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Maj. C. W. Raymond, and Capt. W. H. Bixby, Corps of Engineers, was constituted by the Secretary of War to examine "Delaware Bay, with a view of determining the best site near the mouth of the same for a national harbor of refuge suitable for deep-draft vessels," and submit "report thereon, with a project and estimate of cost of construction of such a harbor of refuge."

A preliminary report on the subject, dated December 11, 1890, was printed as Appendix G 22 of the Annual Report, Chief of Engineers, for 1891.

The final report, dated January 5, 1892, was submitted, transmitted to Congress, and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 112, Fifty-second Congress, first session.

The plan and location proposed for the formation of a deep harbor of refuge at this locality contemplate the construction of a stone break

water 14 miles long extending in a general northwest and southeast direction on the east branch of the Shears, off Cape Henlopen, Delaware; and construction of a row of ten ice piers across the upper end of the harbor, to protect the anchorage against ice descending the bay. The total cost of this work is estimated at $4,665,000.

(See Appendix G 12.)

IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN DELAWARE AND ON EASTERN SHORE OF CHESAPEAKE BAY, MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA, AND OF INLAND WATER WAY FROM CHINCOTEAGUE BAY, VIRGINIA, TO DELAWARE BAY, DELAWARE.

Engineer in charge, William F. Smith, United States agent, Major of Engineers, U. S. Army, retired; Division Engineer, Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers.

1. Wilmington Harbor, Delaware.-Previous to 1836, when the first appropriation for the improvement of Christiana River was made, the depth of water at the entrance was about 8 feet. The minimum depth in the channel of the portion of the river below Third Street Bridge was 8 feet. This depth was increased by dredging in that year to 10 feet. Under a project commenced in 1871 and completed in 1881, a 12-foot channel from 100 to 200 feet wide was made from the mouth to above the city of Wilmington. The present project was adopted in 1881 and is for a 15-foot low-water channel from the mouth of the river to the Pulp Works, with a width of 150 feet from the mouth to the Rolling Mill Wharf; 100 feet to the Delaware and Western Railroad Bridge; and 75 feet to the Pulp Works. The project included further, a channel 12 feet deep and 50 feet wide from the latter works to the Delaware Railroad Bridge and the construction of a jetty on the north side of the mouth of the river. Dredging operations and the construction of the jetty were begun in the following year. The original estimate was $175,551, which was increased in 1883 to $191,384 by changing the width of the proposed channel to 150 feet throughout. In 1884 the project was amended by raising the height of the jetty 4 feet; an extension of 322 feet to the jetty as then built was also proposed and approved, but has not yet been carried out.

Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, the sum of $188,057.83 had been expended under this project. There was then an improved channel 15 feet deep at low water and 150 feet wide between the Delaware River and a point about 600 feet above the Third Street Bridge of a total length of 5,200 feet.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, dredging operations under a contract previously made were continued. The contract was completed August 14, 1891, the dredged channel having been extended 1,000 feet since July 1, reaching the Pusey & Jones shipyard.

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended..

June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year

July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.....

Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892.

$15, 692. 17 13, 346.83

Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1893.

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project

Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix H 1.)

2,345.34 40,000.00

42, 345.34

47, 634.00

2. Ice harbor at New Castle, Delaware.-This ice harbor is one of the oldest in the Delaware River, its construction for the protection of vessels against floating ice having been commenced during colonial times. Since the beginning of the present century its improvement has been carried on by the General Government at various intervals, the total amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, being $223,593.15.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, a new ice-pier was constructed in the harbor under contract with the Delaware Construction Company of Wilmington, Del., at a cost of $9,500. The pier was begun on October 1 and was completed on December 28, 1891. Whilst this work was going on, the contractor also removed, under the same contract, one of the old piers (H), which had been in a dangerous condition. During the past year the harbor lines, approved by the Secretary of War on June 26, 1891, were permanently located.

The existing project as far as it relates to the construction of icepiers is completed. The harbor in its present condition affords the best shelter on the Delaware River for deep-draft vessels in winter, and the necessity for increasing the protected area is already apparent.

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended..............
June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year

July 1, 1892, balance unexpended

(See Appendix H 2.)

$15, 190.79 11, 343.99

3,846.80

3. Appoquinnimink River, Delaware.-This stream is a tidal tributary of Delaware Bay, flowing through New Castle County, Del. It is navigable for vessels of light draft from the mouth to above Odessa. A bar having only 12 feet of water over it at low tide obstructs the mouth of the river. The average rise and fall of the tide at the bar is 6 feet; at Odessa it is 3.2 feet.

The project for improvement proposed in a report on a survey of the river made in 1889 and adopted under an appropriation made by the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, provides for dredg ing a channel 8 feet deep at mean low water with a width of 100 feet from the mouth to New Bridge, near Townsend's Wharf, and thence 89 feet wide to the county bridge at Odessa, the estimated cost of the improvement being $39,963. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, the sum of $4,963.72 has been expended, giving a greatly increased harbor space at the town of Odessa. Nothing was done during the past fiscal year.

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.....

July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.....

Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892

Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1893

(Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix H 3.)

$36.28

36.28

5,000.00

5,036.28

29, 963.00

4. Smyrna River, Delaware.-This river, formerly called Duck Creek, had, before improvements began in 1879, a minimum depth of 23 feet within the river and about 4 feet over the bar at the mouth. Navigation was possible only at high tide, and was carried on by one steamer and seven small schooners.

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