The experience to be gained by the practical working of the means and appliances about to be used in the removal of obstructions can alone determine to what extent it may be advisable to modify these estimates in the future. All of which is most respectfully submitted by your most obedient servant, J. N. MACOMB,

Colonel Engineers, Brevet Colonel United States Army.

Brevet Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Brigadier General Commanding Corps of Engineers,
United States Army, Washington, D. C.

A.-Abstract of proposals for hulls and attachments for three double-hulled steam

B.-Abstract of proposals for boilers, engines, and machinery, for three double

hulled steam snag-boats.

C.-Abstract of proposals for joiner work and cabins for three double-hulled steam

snag-boats.

D.-Abstract of proposals for tackle, blocks, and cordage, for three double-hulled steam snag-boats.

E-Abstract of proposals for painting and glazing for three double-hulled steam

F.-(Miscellaneous.)—Abstract of proposals for iron for chains, making chains, and salt for salting hulls for three double-hulled steam snag-boats.

Wire tiller

rope.

G.-Abstract of contracts made on account of the construction of snag-boats and apparatus for clearing western rivers.

(*Approximate,) inch chain, 6 cents per pound; 2 inch chain, 5 cents per pound. (tApproximate,) 50 cents per bushel.

H.-List of some of the obstructions to the navigation of the Arkansas river, from its mouth to Little Rock, including White River cut-off.

up

Entering White river about ten (10) miles above Napoleon, on the Mississippi, to go into Arkansas river through the cut-off, a distance of eighteen (18) miles; White river, for twelve (12) miles before reaching cut-off some few snags and logs; also the wreck of the steamer Lady Jackson; through the cut-off, a distance of six (6) miles, very loggy and full of snags. In low water very difficult to make.

On entering the Arkansas river at Napoleon, there are fifteen (15) bends up to head of cut-off, a distance of thirty (30) miles, a great many snags, and three rack heaps, in the way. There are snags and logs in all the bends, some more difficult than others to navigate, especially after night; also two or three wrecks of steamers. No towns, but a great many landings, in that distance.

From the head of the cut-off to Red Forks, a small place on the left-hand side of the river, a distance of twenty (20) miles, there are ten (10) bends. River crooked and snags all the way, and all the crossings in low water get very shoal. Channel narrow, and at extreme low water only navigable for small steamers. Three (3) wrecks of steamers sunk a long time; names of them I do not know. Breaks can be seen in low water from Red Fork to Arkansas Post. The next important place is ten (10) miles; some few landings between. The river considered very good, although in low water a great many bad breaks to be seen. On up the river for five (5) miles you come to Smith's cut-off, a very bad place for logs and snags. On up the river some few snags in the way.

44

Up to Floyd Smith's landing, a distance of four (4) miles, going on up, snags all the way for seven (7) miles. There you come to the new cut-off, called 'Moore's or Smith's Bend cut-off," very crooked and snaggy. Some five (5) miles above you come to Forroley's bend; all snags; a narrow track for a steamboat. From Forroley's cut-off to Pine Bluff, a distance of eighty-nine (89) miles, there are thirty-six (36) bends; all of the bends have snags in, and in low water the river is shoal, excepting in the bends among the logs, which makes the channel very crooked. In this distance there are a great many high snags, of all shapes and sizes; a great many of them we ran over going down stream after night.

Along this one hundred and seventy (170) miles, from the mouth of the river to Pine Bluff, there are upwards of two hundred (200) landings, including woodyards; there are thirteen (13) wrecks of steamers and barges sunk, that I know of. Only few of them are in the way; some of them show breaks in low water, and some of them are covered up in the bars.

From Pine Bluff to Little Rock, a distance of one hundred and ten (110) miles, there are thirty-three (33) bends and very crooked low-water channel, narrow, and in the crossings always changing; the same nature as the lower part of the river; snags and logs all the way, and bad bars. There are four (4) bluffs come in on the left-hand side (going up) of the river, called "Dug's Bluff," "Yellow Bluff," ,” “White Bluff," and "Red Bluff.”

In this distance of one hundred and ten (110) miles, there are upwards of ninety (90) landings, wood-yards included, and fourteen (14) wrecks of steamers and wrecks that I know of. Several of these are very much in the way, and some are covered up in the sand, and some of the breaks can be seen in low water.

The distance from mouth of river to Little Rock I call two hundred and eighty (280) miles. All pilots have their own distance is why I mention this. EUGENE G. HANDLAN,

A true copy:

Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Arkansas River Pilot.

[Steamer" Bertha."]

J. M. MACOMB,

Colonel Engineers, Brevet Colonel U. S. A.

No.

No. 1.

Abstract No. 1, on account of "improving Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas rivers" Proposals for sale to the United States of one side-wheel steamer for removing wrecks, &c., in the above rivers.

No. Name of bidder. Town- State.

Date of advertisement.

Amount.

Remarks.

1 Thomas Murdock. Cincinnati. Ohio. March 11, 1867 $21,000 Only bid received.

Abstract No. 2, on account of improving Missouri and Arkansas rivers, proposals for furnishing boats and equipment for the removal of snags and other obstructious from the upper channels of said rivers by contract.