natural channel sufficiently to give a mean low-water depth of 5 feet and a width of 50 feet on the bottom. The depth at mean high water will be nearly 12 feet. The improvement commences at a point about 2 miles from the Piscataqua River. The expenditures to June 30, 1890, were $10,000. Amount expended in last fiscal year, $111.52. The expenses of the last fiscal year have been for advertising and other contingencies. By act of September 19, 1890, Congress appropriated $10,000 for continuing this improvement. Under date of December, 8, 1890, proposals were invited by public advertisement for dredging to extend the deepening of channel. Bids were opened December 30, 1890, and a contract for the dredging was awarded to Mr. A. B. Martin, of Boston, Mass., who was the lowest bidder. The price of dredging is 25 cents per cubic yard. Work under the contract is to be completed on or before November 30, 1892. In a narrow channel like the one in this river, where the depth of excavation is not very large, the dredge, of necessity, removes very much more material than the estimated amounts in situ. The scow measurements, therefore, exceed the situ measurements, not only be cause the material in scows is less compact, but because more material is actually removed. Ordinarily the excess of scow over situ measurements can be fairly approximated, but in many cases it will exceed the anticipated amount. This has been the case thus far on the Bellamy River, and the situation is such that a large excess can hardly be avoided. The entire estimated cost was but $28,000, and it is probable that had the entire amount been appropriated in a single sum the consequent reduction in price and in contingent expenses would have been sufficient to offset the increased measurements of material. Under the circumstances, however, it becomes necessary to increase the estimate for completing the work to $15,000. The partial improvement has been insufficient to develop any considerable change in tonnage or rates of freight. Money statement. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.... $10,000.00 111.52 July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... 9,888.48 9,000.00 July 1, 1891, balance available 888.48 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 15,000.00 Abstract of proposals for dredging in Bellamy River, New Hampshire, opened December 30, 1890. The contract was awarded to A. B. Martin, Boston, Mass. Cents. 34 29 30 36 28 25 31 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. The tonnage before the improvement was commenced was given as 7,500 tons. The improvement has not been sufficiently extended to develop any perceptible change. A 23. IMPROVEMENT OF COCHECO RIVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE. For a description of this river and its connections see Report of Chief of Engineers, 1887, page 548. Also see annual report of Chief of Engi neers for 1890. Under the provisions of section 13 of the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, an examination and survey of the river was made from Dover to its confluence with the Salmon Falls River, where the two form the Piscataqua. The officer in charge of the work submitted a project for improving the river to give a depth of 7 feet at mean low water, and a minimum width of 50 feet. The estimated cost is $175,000. The present channel is but 5 feet deep and has a width of but 40 feet in the narrowest places. Congress appropriated $25,000 by act of September 19, 1890, to commence the improvement. Under date of December 8, 1890, advertisements were issued inviting proposals for dredging to deepen the channel. Bids were opened December 30, 1890, and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, Mr. Charles H. Souther, of Boston, Mass., at 39 cents and $1.35 per cubic yard for soft and hard material, respectively, measured in scows. The contractor is expected to commence work in July and carry it on continuously as far as may be done with available funds. No tonnage statistics for the last year have been obtained, but the freights probably exceed those of the previous year, which were given as 40,000 tons. The completion of the improvement will be a great benefit in saving of freight and will doubtless bring an increase of tonnage. Money statement. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.................. July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. $25,000.00 215.29 24, 784.71 22,500.00 2,284.71 July 1, 1891, balance available.... 150,000.00 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893. 50,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. Abstract of proposals for dredging in Cocheco River, New Hampshire, opened December 30, 1890. The contract was awarded to Charles H. Souther, Boston, Mass., his bid being the lowest in the aggregate. Tonnage in freights Tons. 40,000 A 24. HARBOR OF REFUGE AT LITTLE HARBOR, NEW HAMPSHIRE. The project for this improvement, adopted in 1888, consists of two small breakwaters at the entrance to the harbor and dredging the channel and enlarged anchorage to a depth of 12 feet at low water. The situation of this harbor and the reasons for its improvement as a harbor of refuge were explained in Report of Chief of Engineers for 1890, page 454, and in preceding reports. At the beginning of the last fiscal year the funds previously appropriated, amounting to $30,000, had been expended in dredging the channel and anchorage. By act of September 19, 1890, Congress appropriated $40,000 for the improvement. Proposals for construction of a breakwater and beacon were invited by public advertisement dated December 1, 1890. Bids were opened December 30, 1890, and a contract for the work was awarded to Thomas A. Rowe, of Newton, Mass., who was the lowest bidder. The price for stone delivered in the breakwater is 69 cents per ton and the price of the beacon is $450, the stone for the beacon being furnished by the United States. Delivery of stone was commenced April 22, 1891. The beacon has been completed and 4,543 tons of stone have been placed in the breakwater. It is expected that the work will be carried on continuously until completed. There are no definite commercial statistics for this harbor, as it is essentially a refuge for all vessels which enter the Piscataqua River, as well as for some coasters. NOTE. For local commercial statistics, see Portsmouth Harbor, Cocheco and Bellamy Rivers. Money Statement. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.. $40,000.00 3, 442. 44 July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.... July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities.. 36, 557.56 $1, 196. 66 July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. 31, 325.81 32, 522.47 July 1, 1891, balance available 4, 035.09 165,000.00 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 100, 000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. Proposals for construction of breakwater and beacon at Little Harbor, N. H., opened December 30, 1890. The contract was awarded to Thomas A. Rowe, Boston, Mass. A 25. REMOVING SUNKEN VESSELS OR CRAFT OBSTRUCTING OR ENDANGERING NAVIGATION. On the 6th of July, 1890, the wreck of the lime-laden schooner Annie J. Russell was reported by the harbor commission to be sunken in the roads between Little Diamond Island and Peak Island, in Portland Harbor, Maine. Proposals for its removal were opened October 24, 1890, after advertisement and due notice to the owners. The contract was awarded to John F. Hamilton, of Portland, Me., the lowest bidder. The work of removal was completed on the 6th of November, 1890, The wreck was removed entire and deposited on the flats north of Cow Island. The entire expense, including examination, removal, inspection, etc., was $650. On the 21st of February, 1891, application was made to the Secretary of War, by parties interested in the navigation of the river, for the removal of the wreck of the schooners Golden Eagle and Cerulius from the channel of Pleasant River, Maine. Proposals were opened April 14, 1891. The contract was awarded to John C. Tibbetts, of Columbia Falls. Maine. The work of removal was commenced as soon as the condition of the river would permit, and completed June 6, 1891. The wrecks were removed entire and deposited on flats in a smal bayou adjacent to the river, entirely beyond the possibility of further return to the channel. The entire expense, including examination, removal, inspection. etc., was $700. Abstract of proposals for the removal of the wreck of schooner Annie J. Russell, Portland The contract was awarded to John F. Hamilton, Portland, Me. Abstract of proposals for removal of the wrecks of schooners Golden Eagle and Cerulins, in Pleasant River, Maine, opened April 18, 1891. The contract was awarded to John C. Tibbetts, of Columbia Falls, Me. |