reached the latter structure and none lodged on the former. During a heavy run of ice in January, and while the Osage River was discharging over the dam, the sheer dike was subjected to a very severe treatment resulting in three of the piles being broken and the lashings were stripped off of seven pile clusters. It is very probable that the main dike theu escaped serious injury. The cost of the foregoing work is shown in detail in the Appendix, Exhibit A. Degrading Dike 29 A.-Instead of simply reenforcing the bracing on this dike as provided for in the project by your direction, the grade of the outer 300 feet of this structure was lowered to an elevation of 2.6 feet above standard low water at the outer end and 5.4 feet above at the inshore end. This work was commenced November 25 and completed December 3. Dike 34.-The extension of this dike 191 feet to the proposed line of rectification was begun October 31 and completed November 24. Nineteen bents of 2-row was built. The inner 14 bents were spaced 10 feet each way; in the other 5 bents the rows were 20 feet apart. Dike 35.-The extension of this dike 247 feet to the proposed line of rectification was begun November 2 and completed on the 25th of the same month. Twenty-five bents of 2-row work, the rows 20 feet apart, was built. Dike 36.-A breach 109 feet in length in the old dike, near the outer end, that occurred sometime in December, 1895, was repaired and the outer 7 bents reenforced. Eleven bents of 2-row was built to close the gap. In the three dikes last referred to 185 piles, in all, were driven, of which 19 were for temporary anchorage; 682 linear feet, or 36,530 square feet, of foot mattress was made; 502.82 cubic yards of rock ballast was expended, and 490 linear feet of pole curtain built. All of the new work was built to the grade of the old work at its junction therewith, and 34 and 35 were carried out on uniform grades to an elevation at their outer ends of 2.4 feet above standard low water. In bracing 34 and 36 the usual 6 by 8 inch wales, 4 by 8 inch open direct, and 4 by 6 inch open drop braces were used, the latter fastened at the top of the upstream pile and to the downstream pile at the bottom. A portion of 35 was braced in the same manner, but on account of some foot mattress, which, during the progress of work had broken loose from its anchorage and folded up against the piles, it was not possible to use the open drop braces on 16 of the bents, and ties made of four parts of 4-inch strand were substituted. The tie extended from the bottom of the river on the pile in the upper row to the top of the pile in the lower row. Dike 29 B.-On the 10th of April a small breach occurred at the root of this structure, which on the 15th had enlarged to 15 feet wide and 13 feet deep. Four days' work with a small force closed the breach on the 20th, 120 cubic yards of rock being used and 20 linear feet of cross curtain placed. The cost of the foregoing work is shown in detail in the Appendix, Exhibit B. REVETMENT REPAIRS. Murrays Bend.—A caving in the upper bank-work of this revetment in detached places over a reach of about 410 feet and in the locality of 3,890 feet from the head of the revetment was reported September 16. Temporary repairs were made by filling in on the shore side of the old anchor piles with fascines of brush and rock to a depth of about 30 inches, 60 cords of brush and 85 cubic yards of rock being expended. In October another series of small breaks developed in the upper bankwork over a reach of 220 feet in the locality of 420 feet below the lower end of those above referred to. They also were temporarily repaired, and in the same manner as above described, using 25 cords of brush and 49.3 cubic yards of rock. Again in December two small breaks aggregating about 100 feet in length developed in the upper work just below those above reported, and they were repaired in the same manner, requiring an expenditure of 10 cords of brush and 20 cubic yards of rock. The cost of these repairs was $766.49, as shown in detail in the Appendix, Exhibit C. DAMAGES TO WORKS. Beginning with March 22 at a stage of 4.3 feet above standard low water and covering a period of sixty-one days to May 21, when it had returned to the same stage, the river may be said to have been in flood. The highest stage attained was 16.2 feet above standard low water on April 30. During the period referred to the Osage River was not contributing any to the discharge of the Missouri. After the flood had subsided, an examination disclosed the following: Dike P.-The outer 215 feet of this dike was four-row work, carrying a T head, having arms of 40 feet and 70 feet up and down stream, respectively. The upper arm was taken out during the June, 1896, high water, and 165 feet of the dike with the trail had been destroyed since April 7 of this year. A portion of the wreckage, lodged on Dike Q, showed some of the piles whole, which would indicate scour; others, however, were broken off 10 to 15 feet above the point. On May 7 the depth of water over the line of the break was 22 to 27 feet, and at the present end of the dike, 15 feet. Dike 19 4.-The outer 289 feet of this dike was four-row work carrying a three-row trail 100 feet long. One hundred and twenty-nine feet of the dike and all of the trail had been carried out. At the present end of the dike the water was 26 feet deep, increasing to 32 to 40 feet farther out. Dike 19 A.-The injuries sustained by this structure have been already reported under a previous chapter. Dike 19 B.-The outer 270 feet of this dike and 70 feet of trail constructed in June, 1895, was built of white-oak piles in three-row work. The outer 80 feet of the dike and the upper 20 feet of the trail had been scoured out. The depths of water at the present end of the dike and at the upper end of the trail were, respectively, 18 and 26 feet, while in the breach it was from 26 to 35 feet. Dike 30.-This dike was intact, but the mattress constructed across the bar had settled, and the accretions were being cut away. Dike 32.—The outer 177 feet of this dike with its entire T-head 120 feet long, all three-row work, had been swept away by scour and pressure from drift. The depth of water at the present end was 16 feet, with 17 to 20 feet farther out. Dike 29 A.-The upper 18 clusters of piles in the sheer dike above this structure were in good condition. The lower 8 clusters, some of which were under water, appear to be more or less damaged. Dike 29 B.-The injury sustained by this structure has been already reported under a previous chapter. Later on-about the 22d or 23d of May-a breach 200 feet in length developed in Dike I. The south end of the breach is about 300 feet inshore from the stream end of the dike. Soundings taken in the breach on May 25 showed from 17 to 28 feet of water. During the January flood the new work of Dike 35 was breached. Ten bents were carried away. PROCURING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS. The brush, poles, and rock used during the year were procured by hired labor. Other materials-piling, lumber, strand, etc.-were purchased in the usual manner. Brush.-In October a small brush party procured 76.4 cords of brush from the accretions at the mouth of Rising Creek and was then disbanded. With the exception of 10 cords of curtain poles cut on the 31st of May, all of the brush and poles used prior to June were supplied by a party sent out from the lower division. On the first day of June a small party began cutting brush and poles, and by the 12th of that month were disbanded, having procured 140.4 cords of brush and 81.75 cords of poles. One thousand one hundred and ninety-four and nine-tenths cords of brush and 100.6 of poles were received from the lower division party. The cost of this material is shown in the Appendix, Exhibit D. Rock.-A quarry site was found in the bluff at Osage Point, and the usual quarry privileges secured in consideration of the payment of 14 cents per cubic yard of rock ballast removed. A force was organized and equipped and began work there on October 16. The quarry force was somewhat reduced during the month of November, but operations were continuous until December 23, when the force was disbanded. Eight thousand two hundred and seventy-nine and nine-tenths cubic yards (estimated) of rock ballast was produced. Of this amount 1,985.9 cubic yards was hauled out of the quarry either to point of expenditure or storage; the balance of it was left at the quarry. The cost of the work is shown in detail in the Appendix, Exhibit E. TOWBOAT SERVICE. The towboat service was performed by the steam tenders Melusina, Sabrina, and Are thusa. They were in service ninety, thirty-two, and forty-one days respectively. Up to the time when the Melusina was laid up for the winter (December 5), she almost exclusively performed the service. She was not again put in commission, the Arethusa or the Sabrina, or both, doing the necessary work, as was found to be most advantageous. PLANT. Care and repair of plant.-No extensive repair was done during the year. A number of broken way-logs and worn out butter boards in storage and launching ways were replaced, putting them in shape to receive the hulls. The United States steamers Alert and Golden Gate arrived at the Ewing boat yard on the 14th and 18th of October, respectively, and were subsequently laid up for the winter. Steam was raised on the United States steamer Alert on the 19th of October, and the wash of her wheel utilized to clear away the accretions that had formed at the foot of the launching ways. She was thus employed for three days. A portion of the accretions that could not be so reached was removed by means of a jet of water supplied from Pile Sinker No. 6. Between November 9 and December 4 the following hulls were pulled out and placed on the ways, as the pieces were thrown out of service: Sixteen 100-foot barges, eight 64foot barges (3 of them with cabin quarters), 1 Vulcan pile driver, 1 large constructionquarter boat, 1 pile sinker, steam tender Melusina, United States steamers Alert and Golden Gate and 11 punts. Shores were set under all rakes, decks and holds cleaned, and machinery properly laid up for the winter. Nine 100-foot barges and three 64-foot barges were left in the river, as they were totally unserviceable and beyond repair. They were securely tied up below the stream ends of Dikes 9, 10, 11, and 19 A, but all of them sank during the winter excepting the four 100-foot barges moored at Dike 19 A. The work of preparing floating plant for early service in the spring was commenced by a small party February 18. The following hulls were repaired, calked, and launched by March 29: Sixteen 100-foot barges, eight 64-foot barges, three of them with cabin quarters, one pile driver, one large construction quarter-boat, machine boat, steam tender Melusina, United States steamers Alert and Golden Gate, and eleven punts. The repairs made to the hulls were comparatively slight. Rotten spots in the gunwales and bottoms of the barges, and other hulls, were cut out and engraven pieces put in; decks were pitched; timber heads and kevils renewed, where needed; and the roof of construction quarter-boat No. 6 patched with new strips of canvas and painted, and her guards thoroughly overhauled. There was a general overhauling and repair of the piping, wheels, rudder, etc., of steam tender Melusina, and the machinery and all other pieces put in good working order. Current repairs incident to the wear and tear of service were done from time to time as the need developed. By your direction United States steamers Alert and Golden Gate were placed in commission and cleared from Ewing boat-yard on the morning of April 23 for Vicksburg, Miss., where they were to be assigned for duty distributing supplies and affording relief to flood sufferers. At the time orders for placing them in commission were received (April 20), both steamers were in a dismantled condition and in need of some repairs. Measures were at once taken for the organization of a crew for each steamer, and as large a force of men as could be advantageously employed were at once put to work and continuously employed until the steamers were turned over to their officers ready for service. After being relieved both steamers returned to Ewing boat yard and were laid up. The Alert arrived there May 19, the Golden Gate four days later. The repairs made to the yard, plant, and appliances were slight and inexpensive. The ways were strengthened at several points, where they showed signs of weakness from decay, by putting in extra braces and shores; the steam-pulling winches and apparatus were overhauled several times. Besides the above, the stock of small tools, pulling blocks, wheelbarrows, quarry tools, bilge pumps, etc., was gone over and, such of them as needed it repaired. Unserviceable property.-Such pieces of unserviceable property as could be readily transported were sent to Gasconade, January 6, for inspection and condemnation. New plant.-The only new plant made during the year was ten wooden bilge pumps for use on barges and two pairs of shears for pulling piles. The cost of the above, except an item of $609.90 covering the expense incurred in repairs and other work incident to placing in commission the steamers Alert and Golden Gate, is shown in the Appendix, Exhibit F. SURVEYS. Besides the usual surveying incident to construction work there was the regular fall topographic and hydrographic survey of the division; some special observations, previously referred to, in the vicinity of Dike 29 A, and a special shore-line survey in the vicinity of Dike 16 B. During the month of September a shore-line survey of the reach involved in the project for the new junction of the Osage and Missouri rivers was made, 11 temporary gauges established, and proposed Dikes 32, 33, and 33 B located in the field and soundings taken on their lines. The proposed left bank of Osage River across Osage Point was staked out, a careful survey of the portion of the point east of that line, containing 10.8 acres, was made, and the proposed new waterway for the Osage River was cross sectioned at intervals of 100 feet. The temporary gauges, above referred to, were located as follows: On Dikes 16 B, 19 A, 19 B outer end, 19 B inshore above dam, Osage River below dam, Dikes 25, 27, 29 A, 31, 32 A, and 33 B. They, together with regular gauges at Ewing boat yard, Osage City (railroad bridge), and Bonnots Mill, were regularly read once a week during the period from September 10 to February 13. A chart showing weekly changes in local slopes, as indicated by these records, was prepared. On the 26th of November soundings were taken to show a longitudinal profile of bottom through the same reach. The low-water survey of the division was begun at a point about 1 mile below Claysville, Mo., on the 12th of October, and was completed to Isbell Station, Mo., on the 27th of the same month. Fifty-nine and three-tenths miles of stadia line were run and 147 cross sections of the river made. A map, to a scale of 1 inch= 1,000 feet, was developed from the notes. The accompanying map (Pl. I) was traced from a pantograph reduction made in the St. Louis office. Four complete sets of observations for the purpose of determining the local influence of sheer dike above Dike 29 A were taken between the dates of December 12 and June 9, which included the sounding of 15 partial cross sections and taking numerous float observations to show direction and velocity of current. The cross sections are parallel to each other and about 45 feet apart, being equally spaced between the upper end of the sheer dike and the main dike. They extend from the left bank out beyond the steamboat channel. Two cross sections on line of sheer dike were taken October 5 and 25, the former before the sheer was constructed, the latter during its construction. The results of these observations are shown on the accompanying map (Pl. IX). The cost of the above in item is shown in Appendix, Exhibit G. In compliance with instructions contained in your letter dated June 21, 1897, preparations looking to the abandonment of the boat yard at Ewings Landing, Mo., are being made; the Osage and Gasconade divisions will be consolidated, beginning July 1, 1897, and thereafter known as the Gasconade division of first reach. In closing, I desire to acknowledge the support afforded me by my assistants and the unfailing interest and application to duty exhibited by all employes on the Osage division. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. Col. AMOS STICKNEY, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., President Missouri River Commission. S. WATERS Fox, Division Engineer. List of exhibits forming appendix to foregoing report. Exhibit A.-Bill of cost of dike construction. B.-Bill of cost of dike repairs, etc. C.-Bill of cost of revetment repairs, Murrays Bend. D.-Bill of expenditures on account of procuring willow brush. E.-Bill of expenditures on account of procuring rock ballast. F.-Expenditures on account of plant during fiscal year. G.-Bill of cost of survey. H.-Statement of liabilities incurred during fiscal year. I.-Consolidated bill of expenditures on account of new mouth of Osage EXHIBIT A. Bill of cost of new dike work constructed during fiscal year ending June 30, 1897. |