Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix J 11.)

53.34

3,000.00

7,000.00

7,000.00

EXAMINATIONS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892.

The preliminary examinations of the following localities, required by act of July 13, 1892, were made by the local engineer, Maj. Charles E. L. B. Davis, Corps of Engineers, and reports thereon submitted through the division engineer, Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers.

1. Mouth of Parish Creek, Maryland.-Maj. Davis submitted report of examination under date of November 30, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the United States. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 106, Fiftysecond Congress, second session. (See also Appendix J 12.)

2. Wicomico River, Western Shore of Maryland.-Maj. Davis submitted report of examination under date of November 25, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that this river is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 63, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix J 13.)

3. Obstruction at mouth of Little Wicomico River, Virginia.-Maj. Davis submitted report of examination under date of December 14, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 137, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix J 14.)

4. Obstruction at mouth of Morattico Creek, Virginia.-Maj. Davis submitted report of examination under date of November 30, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the creek is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 62, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix J 15.)

5. Bar at mouth of Milford Haven, Virginia.-Maj. Davis submitted report of examination under date of November 29, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the locality is worthy of improvement. The cost of a survey necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement is estimated at $600. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 59, Fifty-second Congress, second ses. sion. (See also Appendix J 16.)

IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

This district was in the charge of Lieut. Edward Burr, Corps of Engineers; Division Engineer, Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. 1. Harbor of Norfolk and its approaches, Virginia.-In 1877, previous to the commencement of the present improvement, the harbor of Norfolk was obstructed by shoals at the mouths of the Eastern and Southern branches, the shoal in the Eastern Branch being about one-third of a mile long, with a low-water depth of 15 to 16 feet, and the shoal in the Southern Branch being short and with a depth of 22 to 23 feet. The approaches to the harbor were obstructed by shoals at Sewall Point 3 miles long, with a low water depth of 20 feet, and at the mouth of the Western Branch 1 mile long, with a low-water depth of 19 feet. The depths on these shoals and the widths of the channels, particularly in the inner harbor where encroached upon by the Portsmouth and Berkley flats, were insufficient for the requirements of the port.

The plan of improvement adopted in 1878 was to deepen and widen the channels at the mouth of the Southern Branch and along Portsmouth and Berkley flats in the harbor proper, and to improve the approaches to the harbor by dredging a channel 500 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water through the shoals at Sewall Point and at the mouth of the Western Branch.

The revised project of 1885 is as follows: (1) To dredge a channel, not less than 500 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water, from the deep water in Hampton Roads to Norfolk and the United States navy-yard, on the Southern Brauch, and also to dredge a channel in the Eastern Branch not less than 22 feet deep at ordinary low water, with a width of 700 feet at its mouth and of not less than 300 feet at the Norfolk and Western Railroad Bridge; (2) to ultimately dredge the entire area bounded by lines parallel to and 75 feet from the port-warden lines to a depth not less than 25 feet from Fort Norfolk to the United States navy-yard, and not less than 22 feet from the mouth of the Eastern Branch to Campostella Bridge, and to build a bulkhead at Berkley Flats.

To the project of 1885 there was added, in 1890, the dredging of an anchorage at the mouth of the Western Branch, with a depth of not less than 25 feet at ordinary low water, at an estimated cost of $150,000, which amount was added to the original estimate.

With slight modifications all operations have been conducted in accordance with the adopted projects.

The amount expended on this improvement to June 30, 1892, was $629,242.99, from which resulted a channel, not less than 500 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water, from Hampton Roads to Norfolk Harbor, a channel of the same depth and from 125 feet to 500 feet wide in the Southern Branch to the United States navy-yard, and a channel not less than 22 feet deep at ordinary low water and from 300 feet to 500 feet wide in the Eastern Branch to the Norfolk and Western Railroad Bridge.

The channels thus dredged were in good condition, with the exception of the bar at the mouth of the Southern Branch, which by 1889 had shoaled to 22 feet and had not been redredged.

One hundred and fifty thousand dollars was appropriated for this improvement by act of July 13, 1892, and a contract was made with the Morris and Cumings,Dredging Company of New York, N. Y., to remove about 1,000,000 Eubic yards of material, the contract to be com

Of

pleted by December 31, 1893. Dredging was commenced under this contract in November, 1892, and continued to the end of the fiscal year, 917,170 cubic yards of material being removed and redeposited on Wloughby Bank to the eastward of the Ripraps in Hampton Roads. this amount 142,282 cubic yards was removed from Berkley Flats, at and above the mouth of the Eastern Branch; 93,088 cubic yards was removed from Portsmouth Flats and the bar, at the mouth of the Southern Branch; 170,572 cubic yards was removed from the flat opposite Atlantic City, and 383,019 cubic yards was removed from the anchorage at the mouth of the Western Branch.

A portion of Berkley Flats, 4,000 feet long and of a maximum width of 400 feet, was dredged to depth of not less than 22 feet at ordinary low water, increasing the width of the channel in the Eastern Branch to 1,050 feet at the mouth and to 500 feet nearly to the Norfolk and Western Bridge. The bar at the mouth of the Southern Branch and a portion of Portsmouth Flats were dredged to a depth of not less than 25 feet at ordinary low water, giving a channel from 400 feet to 650 feet wide in the Southern Branch to the United States Navy-yard. A portion of the flat opposite Atlantic City, 3,400 feet long and with a maximum width of 450 feet, was dredged to a depth of not less than 25 feet at ordinary low water, increasing the width of the channel at this point to 700 feet. The dredging at the mouth of the Western Branch produced 24 acres of the proposed anchorage with a depth of not less than 25 feet at ordinary low water, excepting over a number of old wrecks that were uncovered by the dredging and have not yet been removed. As the result of the operations of the past two years 56 acres of the proposed anchorage has been dredged and 17 acres requiring no dredg ing has been made available.

The amount expended during the fiscal year on this improvement was applied to payments on contract, repairs to plant, office, and operating expenses, etc.

307,744.56

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 200, 000. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix K 1.)

2. Approach to Norfolk Harbor and the United States (Norfolk) navy yard, between Lambert Point and Fort Norfolk.-In its original condition this portion of the approach to Norfolk Harbor was obstructed by a shoal at the mouth of the Western Branch, about 1 mile long, with a depth of 19 feet at ordinary low water.

The project of 1878 was to dredge through this shoal a channel 500 feet wide with a depth of not less than 25 feet at ordinary low water.

The revised project of 1886 is (1) to secure a channel not less than 500 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water from Lambert

Point to Fort Norfolk by the construction of a dike and by dredging, and (2) to ultimately widen this channel to within 75 feet of a straight line drawn from Fort Norfolk to the deep water off Lambert Point, 6,800 feet of which is the proposed port-warden line, making the channel at least 700 feet wide.

The amount expended on this improvement between July 5, 1884, and June 30, 1892, was $197,500, from which resulted a channel between Lambert Point and Fort Norfolk 700 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water and a channel of the same depth and 600 feet wide from deep water off Lambert Point to the port-warden line.

There were no expenditures during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, for this improvement.

The project of 1886 has been completed with the exception of the dike. The survey of 1889 and examinations of April, 1890, and May, 1891, did not show any shoaling of the dredged channel. A survey made in May, 1892, shows a shoaling on the eastern side of the channel thought not to be due to natural causes. This can only be determined by later surveys, but it is thought that the dike will not be necessary for the maintenance of the channel. No further appropriations will be required for this project at present.

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project ..... $108,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix K 2.)

3. Nansemond River, Virginia.-This river is one of the important tributaries of Hampton Roads, Virginia, and is navigable at high water for vessels drawing 11 feet as far as the city of Suffolk, 16 miles from its mouth.

Five railroads, two of which terminate at this place, put this city in communication with the South and West, and two lines of steamers run between it and Norfolk and Baltimore.

In 1872, before any improvement was undertaken, the navigable channel of the Nansemond River was 5 feet deep at low water and was much obstructed by wrecks, snags, etc.

Between 1873 and 1878 the Government dredged a channel, whereever necessary, 8 feet deep at low water, from Suffolk to Hampton Roads, at a cost of $37,000. This depth not being sufficient to meet the demands of its growing commerce, in obedience to the requirements of the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, an examination and survey of the river were made to determine what other improvement was necessary.

The plan of improvement then proposed and since adopted is to secure a channel not less than 100 feet wide at bottom, 12 feet deep at mean low water, from the head of navigation to the mouth of the Western Branch, 5.37 miles, including a turning basin 200 feet square, 300 feet below Suffolk Bridge, by dredging and by the construction of spurs and training walls; and a channel of like depth from the mouth of the Western Branch to deep water at Town Point, 200 feet wide at bottom at its upper end and gradually increasing to at least 400 feet at its lower end, etc., the total estimated cost being, in round numbers, $152,500.

The amount expended on the present project to June 30, 1892, was $8,625.83, which was applied to dredging a channel 40 feet wide and 11 feet deep at ordinary low water through Suffolk Shoal, and to repairs to dikes.

ENG 93-11

Ten thousand dollars was appropriated for this improvement by act of September 19, 1890, and a contract was made with the Alabama Dredging and Jetty Company, of Mobile, Ala., to do the required dredging, the work to be completed by June 30, 1892.

The contractors failed to commence the work before the time set for the completion of their contract. Upon their application an extension of sixty days to the contract time was granted and subsequently the contract was further extended sixty days. Dredging was commenced in July, 1892, and the contract completed in October, 1892. Forty-two thousand and twelve cubic yards of material was removed and redeposited on the flats in Hampton Roads to the westward of the mouth of the river. A channel 80 feet wide and not less than 12 feet deep at mean low water was dredged through three shoals from 2 miles to 3 miles below Suffolk Bridge.

Ten thousand dollars was appropriated for this improvement by act of July 13, 1892, and a contract was made with the Rittenhouse Moore Dredging Company of Mobile, Ala., to do the required dredging, the work to be completed by April 30, 1894.

Under this contract dredging was commenced in March, 1893, and completed in May, 1893. Thirty-seven thousand four hundred and fiftyeight cubic yards of material was removed and redeposited in Hampton Roads, as in the previous contract. A channel 80 feet wide and not less than 12 feet deep at mean low water was dredged through two shoals from one-half mile to 2 miles below Suffolk Bridge and the channel through Suffolk Shoal was increased in width by a cut 1,375 feet long and of the same depth.

The amount expended on this improvement during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, was applied to payments on contract, office, and operating expenses, etc.

July 1, 1892, balance unexpended

Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892

June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year

July 1, 1893, balance unexpended

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix K 3.)

$11, 374. 17 10,000.00

21, 374. 17 21, 342.89

31.28

122,500.00 50,000. 00

4. Chickahominy River, Virginia.-This river is one of the principal tributaries of the James River, and is navigable at high water for vessels drawing 12 feet to Binn Bar, 23 miles below Windsor Shades. The latter place is the head of navigation, and is 25 miles from the mouth of the river.

Previous to any improvement the channel from Binn Bar to Windsor Shades was obstructed by several shoals with a depth of 4 to 5 feet at low water, and the entrance to the river was obstructed by a bar.

The present project of improvement is to dredge a channel from 100 to 150 feet wide and not less than 8 feet deep at low water through the shoals near the head of navigation, and a channel 200 feet wide and 14 to 15 feet deep at low water through the bar at the entrance. The rise of the tide is about 3 feet.

The amount expended on the present project to June 30, 1892, was $23,813.69. The channel through the bar at the entrance to the river