In his opinion, concurred in by the division engineer, Lieut. Col. O. H. Ernst, Corps of Engineers, and by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, which has reviewed this report under the provisions of sections 3 and 14 of the above-mentioned act, the extension of the project for improvement of this locality in the manner indicated by the act is not considered worthy of being undertaken by the United States. I concur in this opinion. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. L. GILLESPIE, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. Hon. ELIHU ROOT, REPORT OF CAPT. CHARLES KELLER, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Grand Rapids., Mich., October 3, 1902. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report upon a preliminary examination of Charlevoix Harbor, Michigan, "with a view to obtaining a channel 18 feet in depth from Lake Michigan to Pine Lake." This examination and report are required by the provisions of section 14 of the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902, and the duty was assigned to my charge by letter of the Chief of Engineers dated June 23, 1902. Charlevoix Harbor lies at the mouth of Pine River, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, about 35 miles from the western entrance of the Straits of Mackinac and upon the peninsula between Grand and Little Traverse bays. Pine River gives access through its lower portion, the so-called "Lower channel," to Round Lake, which is really the harbor proper of the town of Charlevoix, and thence through the upper channel to Pine Lake. Round Lake is about one-half mile in diameter and has depths of over 40 feet. Pine Lake is about 15 miles long and 1 to 2 miles wide. Its maximum depths exceed 60 feet. The main channel in Pine Lake extends to the town of Boyne. About 6 miles from the western end of the lake an arm of Pine Lake (called the South Arm) extends southward 8 miles to the villages of East Jordan and South Arm. Charlevoix Harbor has been under improvement by the United States since 1878, when actual operations were begun under an appropriation made in 1876. The first appropriation for the upper channel was made in 1882 and actual work begun in 1885. Up to the time of the enactment of the current river and harbor act the project for this harbor, as finally modified in 1885, proposed, at an estimated cost of $186,000, the creation of a 12-foot channel from Lake Michigan to Round Lake between piers and revetments 100 to 150 feet apart, and from Round Lake to Pine Lake between revetments 83 feet apart. To June 30, 1902, there had been expended upon this project the sum of $154,368.81, with the result that a channel of at least the required depth throughout had been created and maintained, although an extension of 200 feet remained to be added to the south pier to complete the project. Upon June 30, 1902, the maximum draft which could be carried through the lower channel to Round Lake was 16.3 feet, while a depth of 15 feet existed in the upper channel. These depths are referred to the zero of the harbor gauge which is at mean lake level for the period 1861 to 1875, reference 581.28 above mean tide at New York City. At the date of this report the actual lake stage is a foot below this zero, and during the late fall and early winter, while navigation is still open, the gauge readings are apt to fall somewhat lower than -2 feet for the monthly mean, while individual readings are somewhat lower than the figures quoted. The river and harbor act of June 13, 1902, contained the following provision: Improving harbor at Charlevoix and entrance to Pine Lake, Michigan: Continuing improvement, $20,000, to be first expended in obtaining a uniform depth of channel from Lake Michigan to Pine Lake. This provision, in effect, changed the project at this harbor so that the depth to be obtained from lake to lake is now 16.3 feet, the controlling depth of the lower channel shown by the survey of June 17-19, 1902, a print of which is herewith, and to secure this depth dredging in the upper channel became necessary. Under a project dated June 25 and approved July 7, 1902, for the expenditure of the funds appropriated by the act of June 13, 1902, in compliance with the requirements of the above-quoted condition, an emergency contract was entered into with Samuel O. Dixon, of Milwaukee, Wis., for the dredging in the upper channel necessary to secure the necessary channel of uniform depth from lake to lake. The total quantity dredged amounted to 30,370 cubic yards, and as a result the depth in the upper channel is now, as shown upon the print, not less than 17 feet, or 0.7 foot deeper than the controlling depth of the lower channel. At present, therefore, the harbor at Charlevoix is in the following condition: A depth of not less than 16.3 feet is found in the lower channel and this occurs upon but one range opposite station 6, the channel soundings upon the adjoining ranges being well over 17 feet. The piers and revetments protecting this channel are in good condition, requiring only the customary maintenance with the exception of the north revetment which, from station 0 to station 9+44 is a plank beam, built at various times between 1882 and 1887 and now in ruins west of the angle near station 2+40. Only the portion of this revetment west of station 4+50 is now maintained by the United States, that east of this point being in use by private parties as a coal dock and for various other purposes. In the upper channel the available depth is not less than 17 feet but the banks are sand and the existing revetments, consisting of pile work built in 1885, are not sand tight and for the preservation of the depth require extensive rebuilding, part of which is, however, included in the above-mentioned project of June 25, 1902, which contemplates rebuilding the entire north revetment of the upper channel at a cost of $3,000. In effect, therefore, with the exception of a few lumps in the lower channel near and west of station 6, a through 17-foot channel exists, which may readily be rendered permanent by the customary operations of maintenance. a Not printed. The commerce tributary to this harbor consists of the summer passenger business and of freight, of which probably more than 90 per cent is outward-bound lumber and forest products. Commercial statistics, as obtained at this harbor and recorded in successive Annual Reports of the Chief of Engineers, have never been complete. With reference to the passenger traffic, the most that is definitely known is that at present and for several years past three large steamers have made during the three summer months regularly scheduled trips to this harbor from Chicago, these trips varying for each steamer from two to three per week, and it is known that this passenger business is relatively large and increasing. Freight statistics have been unsatisfactory, because most of the traffic originating upon Pine Lake is known not to have been reported by the deputy collector of customs at Charlevoix, for the reason that vessels in this trade do not clear there. As an illustration of the defective nature of these freight statistics may be cited the report of shipments from Charlevoix for the calendar year 1901, as given in the Annual Report for 1902. The total there given is 169,057 tons, whereas it is reliably known that the shipments from the head of Pine Lake amounted to over 275,000 tons. For the passenger traffic and that part of the freight traffic directly tributary to the harbor of Charlevoix proper, the depth at present existing in the lower channel is believed to be adequate. The demand for greater depth, as far as can be ascertained, seems to have originated with the lumber interests at the head of Pine Lake, where the villages of Boyne, South Arm, and East Jordan are now the scene of a considerable and growing traffic in this commodity. There are three large sawmills, a shingle mill, lath mill, and two planing mills at Boyne, while another sawmill and a stave and heading mill are to be constructed. In addition, there are a tannery and a chemical plant, and it is reported that a blast furnace is to be erected. The shipments of lumber and forest products from Boyne and near-by points during the calendar year 1901 aggregated 160,026 tons of 2,000 pounds, as shown in the letters of Messrs. G. Von Platen and William H. White & Co., hereto appended. From East Jordan and South Arm the shipments of sawed lumber and of forest products aggregated 117,371 tons, as shown in the letters of the South Arm Lumber Company, the East Jordan Lumber Company, and in the statement of Mr. C. L. Lorraine, of East Jordan, all of which are appended. The shipments from Boyne, it is stated, will be practically doubled in the near future, while those from South Arm will hereafter be increased by 40,000 tons annually, due to shipments of white pine to be made by the estate of David Ward, as shown in the letter herewith. In all, therefore, shipments from the head of Pine Lake should in the near future aggregate from 350,000 to 450,000 tons, with a probable duration, at this rate, of twenty to thirty years. To this should be added from 75,000 to 125,000 tons originating at and near Charlevoix. The traffic is, therefore, now of great value and will grow increasingly valuable. It is true, however, that complaints made by the Pine Lake interests related exclusively to the upper channel, and were made at a time when its depth was uncertain and insufficient, varying as it did from 14 to 15 feet below the gauge zero, these depths, as previously stated, being reduced by about 2 feet in the late fall and early spring. This con dition has been remedied by the recent dredging, so that now the upper channel affords a depth of 17 feet for a width of 50 feet or more. With the reinoval of the small shoal in the lower channel at and west of station 6, which will take place early next year, the through depth will be 17 feet. The lower channel is practically self-maintaining, while the repair of the revetments of the upper channel should prevent much shoaling there. The channel throughout will afford ample depth for the largest lumber carriers which are likely to be in use. A lumber barge of more than average size, carrying about 1,000,000 feet B. M., will draw from 13 to 145 feet, depending upon the kind of lumber carried. The present facilities for navigation, therefore, seem ample, and nothing more than thorough maintenance appears to be called for. In view of the preceding facts, I have the honor to report that the improvement of Charlevoix Harbor, "with a view to obtaining a channel 18 feet in depth from Lake Michigan to Pine Lake," is not worthy of being undertaken by the United States. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. G. L. GILLESPIE, CHARLES KELLER, Captain, Corps of Engineers. Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. (Through the Division Engineer.) [First indorsement.] OFFICE DIVISION ENGINEER, NORTHWEST DIVISION, Chicago, Ill., October 4, 1902. Respectfully forwarded to the Chief of Engineers, United States Army. I concur in the opinion that a depth of 18 feet is in excess of the present requirements at Charlevoix Harbor, and that the improvement of the harbor to that extent is not advisable. O. H. ERNST, Lieut. Col., Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Northwest Division. [Second indorsement.] OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, October 13, 1902. Respectfully referred to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors constituted by Special Orders, No. 24, Headquarters, Corps of Engineers, current series, for consideration and recommendation, as required by section 3 of the act of June 13, 1902. By command of Brig. Gen. Gillespie: A. MACKENZIE, Colonel, Corps of Engineers. [Third indorsement.] BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, Washington, D. C., April 1, 1903. Respectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers, United States Army. The Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors has considered the within report of the district officer, the indorsement of the division. engineer thereon, and other data at hand. The harbor at Charlevoix, Mich., has been under improvement by the United States to a depth of 12 feet. The river and harbor act of June 13, 1902, by its tenor, modifies the project to require a uniforin depth in "Lower channel," between Lake Michigan and Round Lake (the latter constituting the harbor proper of Charlevoix), and “Upper channel," between Round Lake and Pine Lake. The sum appropriated has proved sufficient to create a depth of practically 17 feet at mean lake level from Pine Lake to Lake Michigan. This depth is believed by the Board to be sufficient for present and reasonably prospective commerce, and should be maintained. The Board is of the opinion that it is not desirable for the United States to extend the project with a view to providing a depth of 18 feet at Charlevoix Harbor, Michigan, from Lake Michigan to Pine Lake, as contemplated in the act ordering the preliminary examination. For the Board: H. F. HODGES, Senior Member Present. APPENDIXES. [1.] LETTER OF MR. G. VON PLATEN. BOYNE, MICH., September 3, 1902. MY DEAR SIR: Understand from W. H. White & Co. that you wish report of the tonnage shipped from our docks during the season of 1901. Taking the weights per M feet adopted by the railroads, we shipped last season by water, in ties, posts, wood, and lumber, 33,119 tons; and if anything this amount will increase for the next ten years. Besides the mills in this town, of which you will get a report, there has been shipped by the Maltby Lumber Company, of Boyne Falls, at least 15,000 tons, 6,000 tons by the A. J. Beardsley mills at Thumb Lake, and 4,000 tons by Guerin & Jubenville, at Hortons Bay. All these mills expect to ship, and will ship, in the future. It is absolutely necessary for us to get a deeper channel at Charlevoix between Pine Lake and Round Lake, as the light-draft boats are going out of commission as they become old and unseaworthy, and the carriers being built are all deep draft. Truly yours, Capt. CHAS. KELLER. G. VON PLATEN. [2.] LETTER OF MESSRS. W. H. WHITE & CO. BOYNE, MICH., August 30, 1902. DEAR SIR: In reply to your letter of August 21, as we have written you before, we appreciate the interest you have taken in getting us the channel through to the big lake at Charlevoix, and will do all we can to help maintain it. We have requested the prominent shippers around Pine Lake to send in a report to you of the average tonnage for each season of navigation, as nearly as they can estimate it. We gathered this information for the Department at Washington last winter, and as nearly as we can estimate the product shipped by William H. White & Co. for last season of navigation, and which will be about the same this year, was as follows: |