provement was submitted January 4, 1889. This project was on a somewhat larger scale than the one previously suggested, and contemplated a depth of channel of 5 feet at mean low tide, which would give about 14 feet at high tide. The estimated cost of the project was $36,000. The following appropriation has been made: September 19, 1890, $10,000. No work had been done up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, as it was not deemed expedient to expend any money on it until sufficient funds had been appropriated to accomplish some good results, which could not be done with the amount of the first appropriation alone. There were no expenditures during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, and no work was done. 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 A 14.) $10,000.00 10,000.00 16, 000. 00 26,000.00 10,000.00 15. Portland Harbor, Maine.-The entrance to the main part of the harbor of Portland or the anchorage has always been good, but prior to the improvements made by the Government the approach to the inner harbor was obstructed by a shoal known as the middle ground, over which the depth was only from 8 to 10 feet at mean low tide, while between it and Stamford Ledge the greatest available depth was only 16 feet. Besides, the best part of the wharf front of the city was exposed to the swell from the Atlantic, which sometimes made it dangerous for vessels to lie at the docks, and the depth along this front was in some places as little as 4 feet, making a part of it unavailable for commercial purposes. The first work of improvement undertaken by the Government was the construction of the breakwater. This was begun as early as 1836. It was completed in 1874. The project for the improvement of the harbor by deepening its waters was first undertaken by authority of act of Congress of 1868. The project was at that time to excavate a channel 300 feet wide, through the southern slope of the middle ground, to a depth of 20 feet at mean low tide. In 1870 the project was amended so as to provide for a channel 400 feet wide, and in 1871 it was again amended so as to provide for a width of 500 feet. In 1872 the improvement of Back Cove was added to the project, and in December of that year the project was further amended by providing for the dredging of the inner harbor up to the harbor commissioner's lines to a depth of 16 feet. By 1876 all the contemplated improvements had been executed except some dredging in the inner harbor. In 1881 Congress made an appropriation for the further improvement of the harbor, and a project was adopted looking to the entire removal of the shoal known as the middle ground, at an estimated cost of $160,000. The project was completed in 1885. In 1886 the board of trade of Portland asked for the further improvement of the harbor to a depth of 29 feet at low tide, and in 1887 this project was adopted, the estimated cost being $135,000. This is the project now in process of execution. The total amount expended on the harbor up to June 30, 1891, inclusive of all works of improvement, was $505,360.40. These expenditures have resulted in giving, by means of the breakwater, partial protection to vessels lying at the lower wharves, and by means of dredging, an available depth to navigation of 29 feet at mean low tide, a depth sufficient to accommodate the largest class of ocean steamers. The expenditures during the year ending June 30, 1892, have been $4,302.44, which expenditures have been applied to the widening of the 29-foot entrance to the inner harbor. July 1, 1892, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. 33, 856.74 34, 619.83 July 1, 1892, balance available .... Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 2, 194.38 30,000.00 32, 194.38 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 (See Appendix A 15.) 16. Channel in Back Cove, Portland, Maine.-Before any work was done toward improving Back Cove there existed no channel properly considered as such. Only the rudiments of an old channel existed, and for the most part even this was nearly dry at low tide. The first project adopted had for its object the dredging of a channel 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low tide from Tukeys Bridge to the "stone shed wharves." The estimated cost was $10,000. The project was completed in 1874. A survey was made in 1886, and a new project adopted having in view the widening of the channel to 300 feet and deepening it to 12 feet at mean low tide, with a turning basin at the upper end. The estimated cost was $180,000. This project is now in process of execution. The expenditures to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, under the existing project amounted to $51,634.31, and these had given a partially completed channel 12 feet deep at low tide, 4,050 feet long, and about 90 feet wide, with a turning basin 400 feet wide at the upper end. The expenditures during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, were only $57.30, and no work was in progress. A contract, however, was made in 1891 for continuing the work, which contract will be commenced about July 1, 1892. The increased facilities which this channel gives has enabled heavier vessels to reach this part of the harbor, and the increased tonnage of the year 1891 over 1890 was about 6,000 tons. 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. ENG 92-3 $24, 615. 69 57.30 24, 558.39 22,500.00 2,058.39 20,000.00 22, 058.39 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 A 16.) $83, 750.00 17. Saco River, Maine.-The first work done on the Saco River was in 1827, when an appropriation was made for the erection of piers, placing beacons or buoys, and removing obstructions. Prior to this the depth of water on the bar was only about 2 feet at mean low tide, while much of the river was deeper. The entrance was also dangerous in rough weather, and the numerous projecting rocks and ledges in the river proper, in connection with the swift currents, made its navigation dangerous. In 1866 a plan was proposed for the improvement of the mouth of the river, and a project adopted in 1867. The project was for the construction of a breakwater at the mouth of the river, the removal of sunken rocks, and the rebuilding of some of the most important piers, against which vessels might drift without damage. The project was completed in 1873 at a cost of $169,275. Nothing more was done on the Saco until 1883, when a resurvey of the breakwater was made, and a new project submitted for raising and repairing it, and extending it out to Sharps Ledge. The action of Congress indicates that it desired the old breakwater to be repaired and raised, but not extended. The harbor and river act of 1884 directed a survey to be made of the river. This was done in 1885, and a project submitted for the improvement of the river proper, from its mouth to the head of navigation. In 1886 and 1888 appropriations were made for repairing and raising the breakwater, and for improving the river. In 1890 the two projects were combined, so that the one now in process of execution is for improving the Saco River, including the breakwater, and the construction of a proposed jetty opposite the same. The expenditures up to June 30, 1891, have been $236,104.72. These expenditures have resulted in constructing a breakwater which for a time gave additional depth of water on the bar and made navigation at the entrance safer, and the construction of piers in the river, which prevented vessels from being swept on the rocks and damaged. The increased depth required on the bar and in the river can not be expected until the works are further advanced toward completion. The expenditures during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, have been $20,832.50. These have been applied to the construction of the jetty, which has increased the depth somewhat between it and the breakwater, but not on the outer bar. The jetty can be extended further out with the funds now available, and in order to give immediate relief to commerce it is proposed to dredge a channel through the bar while the extension of the jetty is in progress. July 1, 1892, amount covered by uncompleted contracts..... 14, 544. 60 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 A 17.) $72,500.00 18. Kennebunk River, Maine.-The first appropriation for the improvement of the Kennebunk River was made in 1829, and was for repairing the piers at the entrance to the river, which were designed to improve the course and depth of the channel. Subsequent appropriations were made for the repair and extension of the piers and a wharf that had been built near the mouth of the river, at which vessels could tie up when the tides and storms detained them. In 1876 a project was adopted the object of which was to secure a channel 4 feet deep at low tide (the rise and fall of tide being about 9 feet) up to Kennebunkport, a distance of about 1 miles. The project completed in 1882. In 1888 a survey was ordered in the harbor and river act of that year. This was made in 1889, and a project submitted for the repair of the piers and wharf, the latter of which had fallen into decay, and the deepening of the river at Wading Place by the construction of a jetty. This project is now in process of execution. The expenditures up to June 30, 1891, have been $65,759.27. These expenditures have accomplished the construction and kept in repair the piers at the mouth of the river, the construction and repair of the Government wharf, and the construction of a jetty at Wading Place. These works have made navigation in the river safer and easier, though they have not maintained any material increase of depth. The expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1892, have been $14,152.44, which were applied to the repair of the wharf and construction of jetty at Wading Place. There is but little commerce on the river now, but formerly this was the seat of a large shipbuilding industry. The funds available will complete all contemplated improvements. 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.... (See Appendix A 18.) $19, 332.24 14, 152. 44 5, 179. 80 235.00 4, 944. 80 19. York Harbor, Maine.-A survey of York Harbor was made in August, 1884, in compliance with the requirements of the harbor and river act of July 5, 1884, and a project suggested having for its object the widening of the channel in three bends where the width did not exceed 75 feet and where the tidal currents are very strong. At the points referred to the channel was to be widened by dredging to 10 feet at mean low tide, that being about the ruling depth in the river. The estimated cost of the improvement was $25,000. It was found that the prices on which the estimate was based were too low, so that in 1887 the estimate was increased to $30,000. In 1888 the estimate was again revised, as it was found that some of the material to be removed, which was supposed to be gravel and bowlders, proved to be solid ledge. The estimate that year was given as $44,000. The total expenditures up to June 30, 1891, have been $30,972.58. These expenditures resulted in widening and straightening the channel at the bends, giving much better facilities to navigation and rendering it more safe. Before the improvements were begun the channel was very crooked and difficult to navigate on account of the swift currents. The expenditures during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, were $4,027.42, which were chiefly for liabilities incurred during the previous fiscal year. No work was done during the year just ended. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended June 30, 1892, amount expended during fiscal year.. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 (See Appendix A 19.) $4,027.42 4, 027.42 9,000.00 20. Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire.-The harbor and river act of 1878 called for a survey of Portsmouth Harbor, with a view to its improvement. The report of the survey was submitted December 12, 1878, and a project of improvement recommended. The project was for the construction of a stone breakwater between Great Island and Goat Island to check the cross currents, which tended to throw vessels on Goat Island Ledge; the removal of Gangway Rock, lying in front of the U. S. navy-yard, to a depth of 20 feet at low tide; and the removal in part of the ledge at the southwest point of Badgers Island to a depth of 10 feet at mean low tide. The estimated cost of the project was $150,000. Work under this project was begun in 1879. The project was completed in 1891. In addition to the above work the harbor and river act of September 19, 1890, appropriated $13,000 for the removal of a ledge known as Pier Rock. This work also was completed during 1891. The total expenditures for the improvement of the harbor up to June 30, 1891, were $113,850.94. These expenditures accomplished the construction of the breakwater from Goat Island to Great Island, the removal of Gangway Rock to 20 feet, and a part of Badgers Island Ledge to 18 feet, rendering navigation in the harbor safer than formerly. The expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, have been $14,569.55, which were applied to completing the removal of Badgers Island Ledge and the removal of Pier Rock to a depth of 12 feet below mean low tide. All the work proposed was completed during 1891, completing the project. 21. Bellamy River, New Hampshire.-A survey was made of the Bellamy River in 1887, and a project of improvement suggested, at an estimated cost of $28,000. The project is to secure a channel 50 feet wide and 5 feet deep, at mean low tide, from the mouth of the river up to Sawyer's Mill at Dover. The rise and fall of tide being about 7 feet, a high-water navigation of 12 feet will be secured. The above project was adopted in 1888, and its execution is now in progress. The expenditures up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, have been $10,111.52. These expenditures have resulted in giving a channel from the mouth of the river up to about 1 mile above |