ESTIMATE. Removing the three rocks to 8 feet at mean low water: 1,976 cubic yards rock excavation, at $10... Contingencies, office expenses, etc., 10 per cent..... $19,750 00 1,979 00 $21,769 00 Removing rock No. 1 to 8 feet at mean low water: 855 cubic yards rock excavation, at $10. Contingencies and office expenses... $8,550 00 1,450 00 $10,000 00 The contingent expenses of survey and measurement would be a higher percentage of the cost of excavation in the case of the single rock than in that of the three. Very respectfully, EDWARD PARRISH, Assistant Engineer. Maj. GEORGE W. GOETHALS, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION, PAWTUCKET RIVER, RHODE ISLAND, WITH A VIEW TO SECURING A CHANNEL 200 FEET WIDE AND 18 FEET DEEP FROM THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER AT PROVIDENCE, TO THE LOWER WHARVES IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, [Printed in House Doc. No. 89, Fifty-sixth Congress, second session.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, November 22, 1900. SIR: I have the honor to submit here with for transmission to Congress copy of report, dated July 5, 1900, by Maj. D. W. Lockwood, Corps of Engineers, giving the results of a preliminary examination authorized by the emergency river and harbor act approved June 6, 1900, of Pawtucket River, Rhode Island, "with a view to securing a channel two hundred feet wide and eighteen feet deep from the mouth of the river at Providence to the lower wharves in the city of Pawtucket." Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN M. WILSON, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, Hon. ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War. U. S. Army. REPORT OF MAJ. D. W. LOCKWOOD, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Newport, R. I., July 5, 1900. SIR: The preliminary examination of Pawtucket River, provided for in section 2 of "the act of Congress approved June 6, 1900, making provision for emergencies in river and harbor works, for certain surveys, etc.," having been assigned to me, I have the honor to submit the following report in reference thereto: The wording of the act in reference to this river is as follows: Pawtucket River: With a view to securing a channel two hundred feet wide and eighteen feet deep, from the mouth of the river at Providence to the lower wharves in the city of Pawtucket. Under date of August 29, 1899, I had the honor to submit a report of a preliminary examination of this river, provided for in river and harbor act of March 3, 1899, in which I stated that in my opinion the locality is worthy of improvement" and recommending a survey covering that part of the river from the Red Bridge to Tenmile River and from Bucklins Island to the Pawtucket Bridge, the stretch between Tenmile River and Bucklins Island having already been recently surveyed. The report of the survey was submitted under date of November 25, 1899. Both reports were published in Document No. 113, House of Representatives, Fiftysixth Congress, first session. In the report of survey the estimate of the cost of securing a channel 100 feet wide on the bottom and 16 feet deep at mean low water up to the rock cutting and a channel 50 feet wide and 16 feet deep through it was $237,875. The railroad bridge at India Point is the worst existing obstruction to the navigation of Pawtucket River, by reason of its location and draw opening, and in my report above mentioned I stated "while deeper water would doubtless lessen freight charges somewhat, the real trouble, in my opinion, is at the railroad bridge. Under the circumstances, I do not feel justified in recommending an increase in the depth of the channel of Pawtucket River while the condition of affairs remains as at present at this bridge." The indorsement of Col. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers, division engineer, on this report was a follows: NORTHEAST DIVISION ENGINEER OFFICE, New York, November 29, 1889. Respectfully forwarded to the Chief of Engineers, concurring in the views of the district officer relative to the railroad bridge at India Point. This bridge, which was built in 1867-68, is not only badly located as regards the navigation of the river, but its draw openings have such deficient widths that the structure is an unreasonable obstruction to navigation. It is recommended that no further appropriation be made for the improvement of the river from the railroad bridge to the town of Pawtucket until the bridge is reconstructed to meet the demands of the commerce of the upper reach of the river. The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, under date of March 28, 1900, submitted to the Secretary of War for approval papers and plans for a new drawbridge over Seekonk River, at Providence, R. I., to wit, the bridge at India Point. Under date of April 23, 1900, the plans were returned to the railroad company by the Secretary of War, in order that new plans conforming to certain changes required might be submitted if the company so desired. Nothing further has been heard of the matter. In view of existing conditions, in my opinion, the Pawtucket River is not at present worthy of improvement. The width of 200 feet, named in the act, is considered excessive in view of the requirements of the commerce of the locality and the general character of the stream. To obtain this width and the depth named, the depth of cutting would be from 6 to 16 feet, and as the proposed channel stops at the lower wharves but little benefit would be derived from it farther up. work would be in rock and very expensive. been properly reconstructed a channel such Above the lower wharves the When the railroad bridge has as estimated for in my report of November 25, 1899, would, in my opinion, meet the needs of the present and prospective commerce of the Pawtucket River. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Respectfully forwarded to the Chief of Engineers. The opinion expressed by this office by indorsement November 29, 1899, quoted herein, is reaffirmed. It seems probable that the railroad bridge at India Point will be so modified at an early day as to meet the commercial demands of the river. When the work is accomplished the river will be worthy of improvement to the town of Pawtucket, as the records show that since the navigable depth at low stage has been increased from 5 feet to 12 feet in a channel 100 feet wide "the city of Pawtucket and its commerce have largely increased." The channel dimensions mentioned in the act of June 6, 1900, seem excessive, and are therefore not recommended. G. L. GILLESPIE, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, [Second indorsement.] OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, October 25, 1900. Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War, concurring in the opinion of the local officer and of the division engineer, that improvement of the locality by the General Government in the manner indicated by the act authorizing the examination, is not advisable. JOHN M. WILSON, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. [Third indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, October 27, 1900. The views of the local officer and of the division engineer, as concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, are approved. ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War. EXAMINATION AND SURVEY OF OHIO REEF (LEDGE), NARRAGANSETT BAY, RHODE ISLAND. [Printed in House Doc. No. 217, Fifty-sixth Congress, second session.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, December 13, 1900. SIR: I have the honor to submit the accompanying copies of reports, dated July 5 and December 8, 1900, with map, the former by Maj. D. W. Lockwood, Corps of Engineers, upon preliminary examination, and the latter by Maj. George W. Goethals, Corps of Engineers, upon survey, required by the provisions of the emergency river and harbor act of June 6, 1900, of Ohio Reef (Ledge), located in the east passage of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, with a view to determining the advisability of removing said reef as a dangerous obstruction to the navigation of said bay. It is stated by Major Goethals that the available depth of water on the flats surrounding this ledge is 17 feet, and the estimates submitted by him are based on the removal of sufficient material to secure this depth over the area now occupied by the ledge, the material to be removed consisting of sand, gravel, cobblestones, and bowlders, all at an estimated cost of $307,200. For the reasons given by Major Goethals, he recommends that the work of removal as contemplated in the act be not undertaken, but that an efficient fog signal be erected on these shoals in order that vessels may locate their positions during thick or foggy weather. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN M. WILSON, Hon. ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War. U. S. Army. |