that portion in District of Columbia.-The improvement recommended contemplates dredging a channel 24 feet deep and 200 feet wide from the mouth up to the Navy-Yard Bridge, with a basin in front of the navyyard 400 feet wide and 24 feet deep; this channel to be widened, at a reduced depth, to 1,000 feet, as the demands of commerce may require in the future. The material dredged is to be deposited on the flats or marshes on either side of the river. For the present, it will be sufficient to dredge a channel 20 feet deep up to the navy-yard. The total cost of this work is estimated at $656,000. Lieut. Col. Hains states: Before the project is regularly entered upon, steps should be taken to secure the title of the United States to all the land to be reclaimed. This will require the action of Congress. Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 30. (See also Appendix J 13.) 2. Potomac River, Virginia and Maryland, up to the city of Washington, with the view of removing obstructions and deepening the channel.-The improvement recommended contemplates the formation of a channel 200 feet wide and 24 fect deep at low tide through the five obstructions to 24-foot navigation in the river up to Georgetown, at an estimated cost of about $300,000, as follows: Kettle Bottom Shoals. Total..... Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 33. (See also Appendix J 14.) $1,320 30, 195 33,000 93, 885 141, 504 299,904 EXAMINATION AND SURVEY, MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF ACT APPROVED MARCH 3, 1891. The required examination and survey for a breakwater to form a harbor of safety and refuge in Lynnhaven Bay, near Cape Henry, at the foot of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, were made by Lieut. Col. Hains, and his report thereon submitted. The cost of a breakwater 4,500 feet long, constructed of concrete blocks laid close and bonded together, upon a riprap base, with the approximate location selected, is estimated at $1,555,538. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 27, Fifty-second Congress, first session. (See also Appendix J 15.) IMPROVEMENT OF CERTAIN RIVERS AND HARBORS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA. Officers in charge, Capt. G. J. Fiebeger, Corps of Engineers, to November 30, 1891, and Lieut. Edward Burr, Corps of Engineers, since that date; Division Engineer, Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engi neers. 1. Harbor of Norfolk and its approaches, Virginia.-In 1877, previous to commencing the present improvement, the harbor of Norfolk was obstructed by shoals at the mouths of the Eastern and Southern branches, the shoal in the Eastern Branch being about one-third of a mile long, with a low-water depth of 15 to 16 feet, and the shoal in the Southern Branch being short and with a depth of from 22 to 23 feet. The approaches to the harbor were obstructed by shoals at Sewall Point, 3 miles long, with a low-water depth of 20 feet, and at the mouth of the Western Branch, 1 mile long, with a depth of 19 feet. The depths on all these shoals and the width of the channels, particularly on the inner harbor where encroached upon by the Portsmouth and Berkley flats, were insufficient for the requirements of the port. The plan of improvement adopted in 1878 was to deepen and widen the channels at the mouth of the Southern Branch and along the Portsmouth and Berkley flats in the harbor proper, and to improve the approaches to the harbor by dredging a channel 500 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water through the shoals at Sewall Point and at the mouth of the Western Branch. The revised project of 1885 is as follows: (1) To dredge a channel not less than 500 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water from the deep water in Hampton Roads to Norfolk and the United States navy-yard on the Southern Branch, and also to dredge a channel in the Eastern Branch not less than 22 feet deep at ordinary low water, with a width of 700 feet at its mouth and not less than 300 feet at the Norfolk and Western Railroad Bridge; (2) to ultimately dredge the entire area bounded by lines parallel to and 75 feet from the port-warden lines to a depth not less than 25 feet from Fort Norfolk to the United States navy-yard, and not less than 22 feet from the mouth of the Eastern Branch to Campostella Bridge, and to build a bulkhead at Berkley Flats. To the project of 1885 there was added in 1890 the dredging of an anchorage at the mouth of the Western Branch, with a depth of not less than 25 feet, at an estimated cost of $150,000, which amount was added to the original estimate. With slight modifications all operations have been conducted in accordance with the adopted projects. The amount expended to June 30, 1891, was $498,716.09, from which resulted a channel not less than 350 feet wide and 25 feet deep from Hampton Roads to Norfolk Harbor, a channel of the same depth and from 125 feet to 500 feet wide in the Southern Branch to the United States navy-yard, and a channel not less than 22 feet deep and 200 feet wide in the Eastern Branch to the Norfolk and Western Railroad Bridge. The channels thus dredged were in good condition, except the bar at the mouth of the Eastern Branch, which by 1889 had shoaled to 20 feet, and the bar at the mouth of the Southern Branch, which had shoaled to 22 feet. Under the appropriation of September 19, 1890, a contract was made with the National Dredging Company, of Wilmington, Del., to remove about 1,260,000 cubic yards of material before May 30, 1892. Under this contract there were removed, previous to July 1, 1891, from Sewall Point Bar, 273,022 cubic yards of material. During the present fiscal year the contractors have removed the following amounts of material: Sewall Point Bar, 233,756 cubic yards; Eastern Branch, 279,114 cubic yards; anchorage and channel at Western Branch, 478,834 cubic yards. The total for the year was 991,704 cubic yards and the total for the contract, which was completed May 14, 1892, was 1,264,726 cubic yards. The channel through Sewall Point Bar was increased in width from 350 feet to 500 feet, with a depth not less than 25 feet. The bar at the mouth of the Eastern Branch was redredged to 22 feet depth and a portion of Berkley Flats, 240 feet wide and 1,400 feet long, was dredged to 16 feet. The dredging at the Western Branch produced 32 acres of the proposed anchorage, with a depth not less than 25 feet, and made more available 17 acres requiring no dredging. L During this fiscal year there was expended $130,526.90, which was applied to payments on contract, office expenses, surveys, care of property, etc. Upon the completion of the contract examinations were made of the dredged channels, showing them all to be in good condition, except at the mouth of the Southern Branch, which has the same depth as in 1889. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended............ June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended. July 1, 1892, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1892, balance available.... 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 K 1.) $136, 315, 20 130, 526.90 5,788.30 45.75 5,742.55 150,000.00 155, 742.55 307, 744.56 2. Approach to Norfolk Harbor and the United States (Norfolk) NavyYard, between Lambert Point and Fort Norfolk. -In its original condition the channel in this portion of the approach to Norfolk Harbor was obstructed by a shoal at the mouth of the Western Branch, about 1 mile long, on which there was 19 feet at ordinary low water. The project of 1878 was to dredge through this shoal a channel 500 feet wide with a depth of not less than 25 feet at ordinary low water. The revised project of 1886 is (1) to secure a channel not less than 500 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water from Lambert Point to Fort Norfolk by the construction of a dike and by dredging, and (2) to ultimately widen this channel to within 75 feet of a straight line drawn from Fort Norfolk to the deep water off Lambert Point, 6,800 feet of which is the proposed port-warden line, making the channel at least 700 feet wide. The amount expended on this improvement between July 5, 1884, and June 30, 1891, was $196,638.43, from which resulted a channel between Lambert Point and Fort Norfolk 700 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water and a channel of the same depth and 600 feet wide from deep water off Lambert Point to the port-warden line. During the year ending June 30, 1892, there was expended on this improvement $861.57, which was applied to surveys, office expenses, and care of property. The project of 1886 has been completed with the exception of the dike. The survey of 1889 and examinations of April, 1890, and May, 1891, did not show any shoaling of the dredged channel. A survey made in May, 1892, shows a shoaling on the eastern side of the channel thought not to be due to natural causes. This can only be determined by later surveys, but it is thought that the dike will not be necessary for the maintenance of the channel. No further appropriations will be required for this project at present. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended. June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year. 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 K 2.) $861.57 861.57 108, 000.00 3. Hampton Creek and Bar, Virginia.-An examination and survey of this river were made in 1875 in accordance with the river and harbor act of June 23, 1874. The channel in the river was at that time 60 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water. Over the bar the depth was only 6 feet. The plan of improvement adopted was to secure a channel 150 feet wide and 9 feet deep at low water in the creek and over the bar. improvement was secured June 30, 1880, at a cost of $12,000. This The river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, called for an examination and survey, with a view to continuing the improvement. It was recommended that the channel dredged in 1879-'80 be widened to 200 feet in the creek and from 200 to 300 feet over the bar, at a total cost of $10,000. This amount having been appropriated in the river and harbor act of 1890, a survey was made of the creek and a contract entered into for the necessary dredging. The amount expended on the present project to June 30, 1891, was $127.26, which was applied to surveys and office expenses. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $9,872,74 was expended on this improvement and was applied to payments on contract, surveys, and office expenses. Eighty-four thousand three hundred and twentyone cubic yards of material was removed under contract. Through the bar the channel was increased to 300 feet in width, and in the creek to 200 feet in width for about 2,400 feet, and 160 feet for a further distance of about 1,200 feet or to the head of navigation. The depth obtained was 9 feet at ordinary low water. The project being completed no further appropriation is required for this improvement. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.... June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year.. (See Appendix K 3.) $9,872.74 9,872.74 4. Nansemond River, Virginia.-This river is one of the important tributaries of Hampton Roads, Virginia, and is navigable at high water for vessels drawing 11 feet as far as the city of Suffolk, 16 miles from its mouth. Five railroads, two of which terminate at this place, put this city in communication with the South and West, and two lines of steamers run between it and Norfolk and Baltimore. In 1872, before any improvement was undertaken, the navigable channel of the Nansemond River was 5 feet deep at low water and was much obstructed by wrecks, snags, etc. Between 1873 and 1878 the Government dredged a channel, wherever necessary, 8 feet deep at low water from Suffolk to Hampton Roads, at a cost of $37,000. This depth not being sufficient to meet the demands of its growing commerce, in obedience to the requirements of the river and harbor act of August, 1886, an examination and survey of the river were made to determine what other improvement was necessary. The plan of improvement then proposed and since adopted is to secure a channel not less than 100 feet wide at bottom, 12 feet deep at mean low water, from the head of navigation to the mouth of Western Branch, 5.37 miles, including a turning basin 200 feet square, 300 feet below Suffolk Bridge, by dredging and the construction of spurs and training walls, and a channel of like depth from mouth of Western Branch to deep water at Town Point, 200 feet wide at bottom at its upper end and gradually increasing to at least 400 feet at its lower end, etc., the total estimated cost being, in round numbers, $152,500. The amount expended on the present project to June 30, 1891, was $8,584.33, which was applied to dredging a channel 40 feet wide and 11 feet deep at ordinary low water through Suffolk Shoal, also to repairs to dikes. Ten thousand dollars was appropriated for this improvement by the act of September 19, 1890, and contract was made with the Alabama Dredging and Jetty Company of Mobile, Ala., to do the required dredging, the work to be completed by June 30, 1892. To June 30, 1892, the contractor had failed to begin work and on his application an extension of sixty days to the contract time of completion was granted. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $41.50 was expended, which was applied to office expenses. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended ... July 1, 1892, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. July 1, 1892, balance available... 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 K 4.) $11, 415. 67 41.50 11, 374. 17 9,700.00 1, 674. 17 10,000.00 11, 674. 17 122, 500.00 5. Chickahominy River, Virginia.-This river is one of the principal tributaries of the James and is navigable at high water for vessels drawing 10 feet to Windsor Shades and for vessels drawing 12 feet to Binn Bar, 23 miles below Windsor Shades. The latter place, which is the head of navigation, is 25 miles from the mouth of the river. Before improvement the channel from Windsor Shades to Binn Bar was obstructed by several shoals, over which the depth was 4 to 5 feet at low water; the entrance to the river was also obstructed by a bar. The existing project of improvement is to dredge a channel from 100 to 150 feet wide and at least 8 feet deep at low water through the shoals near the head of navigation and a channel 200 feet wide and 14 to 15 feet deep at low water through the bar at the mouth. The rise of the tide is about 3 feet. Up to June 30, 1891, $21,590.98 had been expended on this project. The channel through the bar had been completed, and that through the shoals given a least depth of 63 feet and a least width of 40 feet. The improved portion of the river was surveyed in January, 1891, and the dredged channels found in good condition. At Work under the contract made for dredging was commenced and completed in April, 1892; 13,000 cubic yards of material was removed, with the following results: The channel at Binn Bar was dredged 60 feet in width for a distance of 1,000 feet. At Osborne Bar the channel width was increased from 30 to 60 feet for a distance of 570 feet. Old Fort Bar the channel was dredged 80 feet wide for a distance of 550 feet, and a point below the bar 50 feet by 150 feet was removed. At Windsor Shades Bar a channel 40 feet wide was dredged 1,400 feet long. All these channels were dredged to a depth not less than 9 feet at low water. The amount expended on this improvement during fiscal |