8. Taunton River, Massachusetts.-This river rises in Norfolk County, Mass., and empties into Narragansett Bay at Fall River. The object of the improvement is to deepen and widen the channel leading to the city of Taunton, at the head of navigation, so that vessels of 11 feet draft can reach the city at high water.

In its original condition the channel was narrow and obstructed by bowlders, and from Berkley Bridge to Taunton the depth was not, in places, more than 5 feet at mean high water. A vessel of 30 tons burden was as large as could go up to Taunton.

From 1870 to 1879 $63,000 was appropriated to secure 9 feet depth at high water. This work was completed in 1879.

The present approved project of 1880, as modified in 1888, provides for a channel 60 feet wide and 11 feet deep from Weir Bridge to the shipyard, a channel 80 feet wide (100 feet at the bends) and 11 feet deep from the shipyard down to and through the Needles and Briggs Shoal; thence to Berkley Bridge a channel of the same width and 12 feet deep, and from Berkley Bridge to the deep water at Dighton the channel was to be 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep. The depths are estimated from high water. The ledge which crossed the bottom of the river at Peter Point and the numerous bowlders which lay on the bottom and sides of the channel from Taunton to Dighton were to be removed, at a total cost, as estimated in 1888, of $108,000.

One hundred and one thousand dollars was appropriated, and $96,654.31 was paid out on this work up to June 30,1891; this expenditure giving results as follows:

With the exception that but 40 feet of the 60 feet of width could be dredged between the bridge at Weir and the shipyard, on account of interfering with private property, and that on account of the hardness and depth of material at the sides the 80-foot channel was not in all cases dredged to its full width, the channel down to Berkley Bridge had been completed. The channel as proposed between Berkley Bridge and Dighton had been completed, with the exception of removing a small amount of ledge rock uncovered in dredging below Peter Point, and had been cleared of bowlders from Taunton down to Berkley Bridge. The work of removal of the ledge at Peter Point had been completed. The material blasted in the channel had been dredged and deposited in the form of a half-tide dam running from Reuben Island to the west shore of the river, with the view of accelerating the current in the dredged channel off and above Dighton and preventing deposits in this part of the channel. Vessels of 11 feet draft can now reach Taunton, at the head of navigation.

The work of dredging with plant belonging to the Government and a hired tug was in progress at the beginning of the fiscal year. The dredging was commenced at the second shoal above Berkley Bridge and continued up stream. The second reach and a portion of the third were completed.

There remain, to complete the existing project, widening and deepening at a few points above the bridge and the removal of the small amount of ledge rock above referred to.

The balance available is to be applied to continuing the improvement.

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....

(See Appendix C 8.)

$4,345. 69

4,322.67

23.02

4.30

18.72 7,000.00

7, 018. 72

9. Pawtucket River, Rhode Island. This river, otherwise called Seekonk River, is the upper portion of Providence River, and extends from Pawtucket to Providence. Before improvement the channel in the river had a ruling depth of about 5 feet at mean low water.

Between 1867 and 1882, $52,000 was appropriated to dredge the channel to 7 feet depth. This work was finished in 1876.

The present approved project of 1883 provides for the excavation by dredging of a channel 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water from the deep water above Red Bridge to the ledge opposite Grant & Company's wharf at Pawtucket; thence the deepening by blasting of a channel through the ledge to Pawtucket Bridge, of the same depth and 40 feet wide, at a total cost, as estimated in 1883, of $382,500.

One hundred and forty-five thousand dollars was appropriated and $126,452.02 was paid out on this work up to June 30, 1891, this expenditure resulting in the securing of a new channel 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide, with wide enlargements at the bends, from the deep water above Red Bridge to within 14 miles of the head of navigation, and 60 feet wide and of the same depth to within three-fourths of a mile of the same point.

This completed portion of the channel is already a great benefit to the commerce of the river. A ruling depth of about 6 feet can be carried from the upper end of our present work to Pawtucket.

At the beginning of the fiscal year no work was in progress. Work of dredging was commenced on August 8, 1891, and continued to October 31, by which 70,000 yards of material was removed from the narrowest parts of the channel. Work was done by hired labor using two Government dredges and five scows.

The work yet to be done is to excavate the channel to its full width of 100 feet from Bass Rock to a point opposite Grant & Company's wharf, and to deepen the channel through the ledge to the same depth with a width of 40 feet.

It is proposed to extend the channel towards Pawtucket by dredg ing and to commence work on the ledge.

The balance available will be applied to continuing the improvement.

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. ...$202, 500.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and

harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix C 9.)

10. Providence River and Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.-The object of this improvement is to furnish a wide and deep channel for foreign and coastwise commerce from the ocean to Providence.

Before the improvement of the river was commenced in 1853 many shoals obstructed navigation, and at one point in the channel, a place called "The Crook," the available low-water depth was but 4 feet. Between 1852 and 1873, $56,500 was appropriated to secure first 9 and then 12 feet depth of channel. This work was finished in 1873.

The present approved project of 1878, modified in 1882, provides for a channel 25 feet deep and 300 feet wide, suitable for large ocean vessels, extending from Fox Point, in the city of Providence, to the deep water of Narragansett Bay, and for an anchorage basin between Fox and Field Points, 300 feet wide, at a depth of 25 feet; 600 feet wide, at a depth of 20 feet; 725 feet wide, at a depth of 18 feet; 940 feet wide, at a depth of 12 feet; 1,060 feet wide, at a depth of 6 feet, at a total cost, as estimated in 1882, of $675,000.

Five hundred and sixty thousand dollars was appropriated and $533,790.83 was paid out on this work up to June 30, 1891; this expenditure resulting in the completion of the 25-foot channel 300 feet wide, and more than half of the anchorage basins.

At the beginning of the fiscal year work under contract was in progress and was continued until August 10, by which over 87,000 cubic yards of material was removed from the anchorage basins.

There is required for the completion of the existing project the excavation of the remainder of the anchorage basin between the head of Sassafras Point Reach and Field Point.

The balance available will be applied to the continuation of the work according to the project.

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....... 65,000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and

harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix C 10.)

11. Removal of Green Jacket Shoal, Providence River, Rhode Island.— This shoal is in that part of Providence River which constitutes the harbor of Providence. It lies off the wharves, on the south front of the city, and occupies a part of the harbor that is required for anchorage purposes, covering an area of about 18 acres between the 15-foot curves, and about 30 acres in all.

The present approved project of 1885 provides for the removal of the entire shoal to a depth of 25 feet at mean low water, limiting the work by lines drawn 200 feet from the harbor lines, at a total cost, as estimated in 1885, of $112,346.

Seventy-nine thousand two hundred and fifty dollars was appropri

ated, and $64,996.56 was paid out on this work up to June 30, 1891; this expenditure resulting in the excavation of an area of about 132 acres on the western side of the shoal to a depth of 25 feet at mean low water, making an important addition to the anchorage facilities of Providence Harbor.

At the beginning of the last fiscal year no work was in progress.

Work of dredging under contract was commenced August 12 and continued to October 27, by which about 4.4 acres more of the shoal were removed.

The balance available will be applied to the continuation of the excacavation of the shoal.

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 C 11.)

12. Greenwich Bay, Rhode Island.-Greenwich Bay is an arm of Narragansett Bay, located in the towns of Warwick and East Greenwich, R. I. It has a length from northwest to southeast of about 31⁄2 miles and an average width of 13 miles.

The channel leading to the town of East Greenwich was deep enough for the present demands of commerce, but so crooked as to render navigation difficult.

The present approved project of 1885 provides for the straightening and widening of the channel by the removal of sand bars and shoals, at a total cost, as estimated in 1888, of $2,000.

Two thousand dollars was appropriated, and $1,896.08 was paid out on this work up to June 30, 1891; this expenditure resulting in the practical completion of the proposed work, by cutting off the bar extending out from Long Point about 210 feet and widening the channel for a distance of about 500 feet.

Nothing but minor office work has been done during the past year. Nothing further is needed.

13. Cove and water way near Coaster Harbor Island, Rhode Island.This cove is situated in the northwestern part of the city of Newport, R. I., near the southeastern extremity of Coaster Harbor Island, which is occupied by the U. S. Navy as a training station. A causeway connecting Coaster Harbor Island with Rhode Island forms the northern boundary of the cove and separates it from the water way above. This causeway, having but one small opening, has checked the flow of water around the island and caused deposits, so filling the water way as to cause it to give forth unhealthy and disagreeable odors.

The present approved project of 1889 proposes to dredge the cove to the necessary depth and to increase the flow of water by larger openings in the causeway, at a total cost, as estimated in 1889, of $5,500. Five thousand five hundred dollars was appropriated, and $2,266.97 was paid out on this work up to June 30, 1891; this expenditure resulting in the completion of the dredging in the cove and the construction of four small bridge trusses.

At the beginning of the last fiscal year no work was in progress. Work was resumed on June 17, 1892, on the cutting of openings through the causeway, but this work was stopped on the 20th to wait the completion of certain work on the Naval War College at this place, which work required a free passage over the causeway during June and July. The bridges are framed, and ready to put in position in a short time. To complete the existing project it is only necessary to cut the causeway and erect the bridges.

14. Newport Harbor, Rhode Island. This harbor is at the main entrance to Narragansett Bay, and all the year it serves as an easily accessible harbor of refuge to foreign and coastwise commerce.

Before improvement the capacity of the inner harbor was limited by shoals, and it was not adequate to the number and size of the vessels seeking it for refuge. The southern or main entrance was obstructed by a bar which stretched out from Goat Island, and the general business wharves of the city could not be reached at low tide by vessels drawing more than 8 feet.

Between 1873 and 1875 $28,500 was appropriated to secure 12 feet depth in the harbor. This work was completed in 1876.

The present approved project of 1880, as modified in 1882, 1883, and 1884, provided for work as follows:

Deepening the south entrance to 15 feet at mean low water and widening it by dredging Goat Island Spit northward to a line drawn from · the dolphin which marks the spit to clear the permanent dock at Fort Adams by 100 feet, and by the excavation of a channel 750 feet wide and 15 feet deep at mean low water around and to the eastward of this dolphin; deepening to 13 feet at mean low water the area included between the 13-foot curve on the west, a line drawn from the southwest corner of Perry Mill Wharf to Lime Rock on the south, the harbor line on the east, and a line drawn parallel to and 50 feet from the city wharf on the north; deepening to 10 feet at mean low water the area northwest of a line drawn from Lime Rock through the spindle which is in the southeast part of the harbor, and excavating a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water along and outside the harbor line south to a point opposite the gas company's wharf; and the construction of jetties on the western shore of Goat Island, to arrest the drift of littoral sand and gravel into the entrance of the harbor, at a total cost, as estimated in 1884, of $132,000.

One hundred and four thousand five hundred dollars was appropriated and $103,164.12 was paid out on this work up to June 30, 1891; this expenditure giving results as follows:

The 13-foot anchorage area has been completed. The channel along