steam-boat landing in said Norwalk and Long Island Sound." As a channel of the projected width (100 feet) and depth of 6 feet at mean low water already existed, this was interpreted to require a depth of 6 feet at extreme low water (see Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1881, Part I, page 609), which would be 8 feet at mean low water, and the project was accordingly modified to provide for obtain ing that depth up to South Norwalk. The latest estimate, made to include the cost of this modification and of a large amount of dredging already required to maintain the depths, places the total cost, from the time of beginning work, at $84,000. Up to July 1, 1888, the channel below South Norwalk had been dredged 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water, but the width had somewhat diminished by washing in from the banks. Above South Norwalk the channel was from 60 to 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water. March 3, 1888, a letter was sent to the Secretary of War by the Hon. William P. Frye, United States Senator, asking that a special examination of Norwalk Harbor be made with reference to a developing business which urgently required a further improvement. There was no money available for a detailed examination, but inquiry was made and estimates for the desired improvement (which consisted of dredging at Wilson's Point at the western approach to the harbor) were submitted, based upon charts of the United States Coast Survey. A copy of the letter to the Secretary of War, with indorsements, is appended. OPERATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1889. By act of August 11, 1888, Congress appropriated $28,000 for continuing the improvement of this harbor, with provision as follows: Twenty-five thousand dollars of which shall be expended in dredging and deepening the channel in the lower harbor up to Wilson's Point. Proposals were received for dredging in the river under the $3,000 applicable to that work, and for dredging at Wilson's Point under the $25,000 specially appropriated for such dredging. Under date of January 15, 1889, a contract was entered into with Messrs. A. J. Beardsley & Son, of Bridgeport, Conn., for dredging at Wilson's Point, at the rate of 11 cents per cubic yard, and under date of February 4, 1889, a contract was made with the same parties for dredging in the river at the rate of 15 cents per cubic yard. Work at Wilson's Point was begun January 15, and continued until April 20, 1889; 109,995 cubic yards of sand, mud, and clay had been dredged, making a channel 15 feet deep and 200 feet wide, extending about two-thirds the required distance. The Housatonic Railroad Company, which controls all the commerce of the harbor, had done a large amount of dredging in the harbor, so that there was a channel to the wharves of fully 12 feet depth and 100 to 300 feet wide, before the Government work was begun. On this account further work was not immediately needed, and the contract was temporarily suspended, to be resumed early in July. In May, 1889, the depots, docks, and landings of the railroad company were almost totally destroyed by fire, and their freight terminus was transferred to Bridgeport. It is understood that the wharves will be rebuilt. Under the contract for dredging in the river work was begun April 23, and completed May 6, 1889, 12,337 cubic yards of mud being removed in restoring the channel where it had narrowed from washing in at the sides; 10,194 cubic yards of this amount were dredged from below South Norwalk, making 8 feet depth, and 2,143 cubic yards from above South Norwalk, making 6 feet depth. PRESENT CONDITION OF IMPROVEMENT. In the river the channel below South Norwalk, which has been dredged 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep, is in fair condition, the width being slightly less than projected on account of caving and washing of the banks. Above South Norwalk the channel is 6 feet deep and from 60 to 100 feet wide. At Wilson's Point the channel close to the docks is 12 feet deep, dredged by the railroad company; outside of this is a channel also 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide, extending to the 12-foot curve, and dredged by the railroad company. East of the latter is a channel 200 feet wide and 15 feet deep, but as yet extending only to the 12-foot curve, dredged under the Government contract. PROPOSED OPERATIONS. Under the contract now in force it is proposed to complete the channel at Wilson's Point to 15 feet deep and 300 feet wide as originally desired. It is believed that this can be accomplished under the appropriation of $25,000, as yet but partly expended. This is much less than the estimated cost, because of the large amount of work done by the railroad company since the date of the estimate and because of the unexpectedly low rates obtained. No further appropriation will be needed for Wilson's Point. The estimated amount to complete work in the river is $4,000. This could be advantageously expended in the ensuing year in restoring and maintaining the channels already dredged. It seems unnecessary and inexpedient to attempt to make and maintain a width of 100 feet above South Norwalk. Appropriations for improving Norwalk Harbor have been made as follows, viz: Aug. 5, 1886 Dredging (6 feet) above South Norwalk.. Aug. 11, 1888 Dredging (8 feet) below and (6 feet) above South Norwalk. Dredging (6 feet) above and (8 feet) below South Norwalk, and $25,000 Total Norwalk is in the Fairfield collection district, and is 11 miles west of Bridgeport, the port of entry. Norwalk light-house is on Sheffield's Island, at the harbor entrance. The nearest work of defense is Fort S.huyler, at the head of Long Island Sound, 29 miles southwest. Money statement. July 1, 1888, amount available.. Amount appropriated by act of Augast 11, 1888. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888... July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts.. July 1, 1889, balance available.... 4,000.00 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. 4,000.00 Abstract of proposals for dredging at Wilson's Point, Norwalk Harbor, Connnecticut, opened December 13, 1888, by Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers. NOTE.-Amount available for contract work, $22,000. *Lowest bid; entered into contract with A. J. Beardsley & Son, under date of January 15, 1889. Contract still in force. Abstract of proposals for dredging in Norwalk River, Connecticut, opened December 13, 1888, by Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers. *Lowest bid; entered into contract with A. J. Beardsley & Son, under date of February 4, 1889. Contract completed May 6, 1889. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. No statement of commerce of the Norwalk River for 1888 is yet received; it is probably not far from that for 1886, when the receipts and shipments amounted to 438,600 tons, carried by 2,370 vessels of 9 to 10 feet draught. The total amount of freight received and shipped at Wilson's Point during 1888 was 94, 235 tons, |