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Ocean-going steamers of the heavy class may now come into our inner harbor, but local dredging is required to enable them to reach and lie at our wharves.

The report of Gen. G. K. Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel of Engineers in charge of the improvement of harbors and rivers on this section of the coast, to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. A., is largely quoted in the appendix to this report.

We renew our suggestion that a great advantage would probably result from the adoption of the plan so largely followed in Europe, in regard to dredging and towing apparatus, where substantial plant is owned by the local authorities and let at moderate rates to those who do the work. In this way the number of competent bidders may be greatly increased and lower rates obtained.

DUMPING GROUNDS.

The dumping ground for material dredged under the United States Government is in deep water near Half-way Rock, east of Conanicut Island. We regard the dumping here as quite unobjectionable, but some opposition has been made to it and a petition for interference by the General Assembly was considered by the House Judiciary Committee in March last. The petitioners were, however, given leave to withdraw. Assent was given to dumping on their land near Public street by the Providence Gas Company. Conditional assent to dumping near the shores of Potowomut Neck was given, but the conditions were not complied with. Conditional assent was given to dumping below Bucklin's Island in Pawtucket river.

Assent was withheld upon an application to designate "Sheep Pen Cove," near Prudence Island, as a dumping ground. Printed notices were issued and distributed calling the attention of inhabitants along the Blackstone to the laws against allowing material to be deposited in that river. It has been necessary to renew the caution to steamboat owners against dumping ashes in the harbor or channels. The need for regulating and controlling the matter of dumping in public waters, is constantly apparent.

HARBOR LINES.

A harbor line from Field's Point to Rock Island and including the mouth of Pawtuxet river was designed by the Harbor Commissioners and having met the approval of nearly all the riparian owners it was presented to the Governor and Senate and was approved by them on April 28, 1881.

Application has been made for the establishment of a harbor line on the west side of Pawtucket river above Red Bridge. A line will probably be designed for some two and a half miles of the shore.

OBSTRUCTIONS IN PAWTUCKET RIVER.

The serious artificial obstructions to navigation at India Point, to which we have repeatedly called attention, still exist. The interests of all parts of the State seem to require the interference of the General Assembly to compel the removal of at least the worst of these obstructions and a partial restoration of the free tidal flow and an improvement in the facility for navigation.

LICENSES, ETC.

Licenses have been issued as follows :

1. April 13, to the Dunnell Manufacturing Company, to rebuild their wharf on the easterly side of Pawtucket river in the town of Pawtucket.

2. May 4, to the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad Company to rebuild their bridge at Bowers Cove in the town of East Providence.

3. May 25, to Daniel E. Day to build a seawall on the westerly side of Providence river below Crawford street bridge in Providence. 4. May 28, to the New York, Providence and Boston Railroad Company to build a railroad bridge across the mouth of Brush Neck Cove in Warwick, and also to strengthen the railroad bridge already built across Warwick Cove.

5. July 27, to Mrs. Ellen Wright to extend Wright's wharf on the west side of Pawtucket river, above India Bridge, in Providence.

6. November 15, to the Town Council of the Town of Pawtucket to construct a basin on the east side of Pawtucket river, near the wharf of the Joseph Smith Company, in Pawtucket.

7. November 23, to the Pawtucket Gas Company to fill certain portions of their flats, near their wharf, on the west side of Pawtucket river.

Assent to various constructions has been given as follows :

1. March 26, to John W. Davis to repair his wharf at Bullock's Point in the town of East Providence.

2. June 8, to the Bay Mill Company-through Albert Hill-to make changes in their wharf in Greenwich Bay, in East Greenwich.

3.

August 24, to A. O. Bourn to construct a boat wharf near the foot of Walley street in Bristol.

4. October 19, to W. T. C. Ward well, to enlarge his wharf at the foot of State street in Bristol.

Action has been taken to prevent unauthorized changes in other places. Constant attention is required in these matters to prevent injurious constructions or encroachments in public tide waters.

DRAW-BRIDGES.

The Commissioners renew their suggestion that further legislation is needed to regulate the times for opening draw-bridges and as to blocking the approaches to draws. Special complaints have been made to the Board in regard to the management of the draw at Stone Bridge- or Howland's Ferry bridge,- between Tiverton and Portsmouth, and also as to the blocking of the passages at India Point, in Providence.

A SUBMERGED ROCK.

In March 1881, a schooner drawing twelve feet of water struck upon a rock hitherto unknown, situated above Half-way Rock and south of Prudence Island. This is now called Fiske Rock and a buoy has

been placed upon it bearing N. E. by N. from the spindle on Halfway Rock, and 392 yards distant from it and about three-quarters of a mile from the south end of Prudence Island. The bearings from this buoy are as follows:-North point of Conanicut Island W., N. W., W., north end of Dyer's Island N. E. by E. E.

WORK OF THE UNITED STATES ENGINEER DEPARTMENT.

By the courtesy of the Chief of Engineers and of General G. K. Warren, the Board has received an advance copy of General Warren's report upon operations in Rhode Island waters, for the year ending June 30, 1881, and a summary, prepared specially for the purpose, giving the operations from June 30 to December 31, on each of the works in the State of Rhode Island. These papers are printed in the appendix herewith.

RAILROAD TERMINAL FACILITIES.

The city of Providence has taken much needed action towards improved railroad facilities and a valuable report may be expected from the able commission charged with the investigation. It is of great importance that railroad tracks, free to the use of all the companies, be run to the entire wharf front of the city and of East Providence, so that the cost of transfer of freight from the vessels to the trains may be reduced to a minimum. It is regarded as quite feasible to do this and at the same time relieve the streets of the city from the great annoyance and danger of running freight cars through its business thoroughfares.

Respectfully submitted,

J. HERBERT SHEDD,

JEDEDIAH WILLIAMS, Harbor Commissioners.
LUCIUS B. DARLING,

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