3. Lewis River, Washington, from its mouth to Speliah Creek.-Maj. Handbury submitted report of examination under date of November 23, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that Lewis River is worthy of improvement from its mouth to Etna. The cost of a survey for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement is estimated at $500. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 144, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix W W 11.)

EXAMINATION AND PLAN, BY BOARD OF ENGINEERS, FOR OVERCOMING OBSTRUCTIONS TO NAVIGATION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BETWEEN THREE MILE RAPIDS AND CELILO FALLS, OREGON AND WASHINGTON, IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892.

The river and harbor act approved July 13, 1892, authorized the President to appoint a board of engineers, to consist of seven members, three of them to be civilians, to thoroughly examine the obstructions to navigation in the Columbia River from its navigable waters below Three Mile Rapids to its navigable waters above Celilo Falls, and to report such plan, with estimates of cost, "for overcoming or removing said obstructions as in their opinion is most feasible and best adapted to the necessities of commerce, together with a statement as to the usefulness of such improvement to navigation, its relation and value to commerce, and the most desirable location therefor, the cost of construction and of the right of way, including the necessary land therefor, being considered." The sum of $20,000 was appropriated to defray the cost of the examination and the expenses of the board.

By direction of the President, Col. George H. Mendell, Lieut. Col. Charles R. Suter, Lieut. Col. William R. King, and Maj. Charles J. Allen, Corps of Engineers, and Messrs. William R. Hutton, E. Porter Alexander, and Virgil G. Bogue, civil engineers, were appointed to constitute this board by orders from the War Department dated July 29, 1892. The report of the board was rendered under date of April 12, 1893, and copy thereof was submitted to the Secretary of War June 9, 1893, for transmission to Congress.

The overcoming of the 12 miles of obstructions above Dalles City, 213 miles from the mouth, will, with the completion of the canal at the Cascades, open up through navigation to the upper Columbia River and to the Snake River. Three constructions to effect the object desired at this point have been considered: (a) A portage railway, estimated to cost $454,390, if constructed with a view to minimum expenditure, or $682,301, if constructed with a view to subsequent utilization in constructing a boat railway; (b) a boat railway, estimated to cost $2,264,467, or if constructed first as a portage railway available for immediate use and then enlarged to a boat railway, $2,517,063; and (c) a canal, estimated to cost not over $4,000,000.

The board reports that the obstructions to navigation in the Columbia River from the navigable waters below Three Mile Rapids to the navigable waters above Celilo Falls can be overcome in the most feasible, speedy, and economical manner, and in that best adapted to the present necessities of commerce and to its future development, by the construction of a portage railway at an estimated cost of $454,390, and recommends that further development of commerce demanding greater facilities than could be thereby afforded be provided for, when required, by the construction of a canal.

EXAMINATIONS, SURVEY S, AND

CONTINGENCIES

RIVERS AND HARBORS.

OF

For examinations, surveys, and contingencies of rivers and harbors an appropriation of $125,000 should be made, as follows:

For examinations, surveys, and contingencies, and for incidental repairs for rivers and harbors, for which there may be no special appropriation; for expenses connected with the inspection of bridges reported as obstructions to navigation, the service of notice required in such cases, and the location of harbor lines as required by the act of September 19, 1890; and for expenses connected with the examinations and reports by officers of the Corps of Engineers and by boards of engineers, upon plans for bridges authorized by law to be constructed, and upon bridge bills, reports on which may be called for by Congress, $125,000.

SUPERVISION OF THE HARBOR OF NEW YORK.

The supervisor of the harbor during the year was Capt. Frederick Rodgers, U. S. Navy.

The office and functions of the supervisor of the harbor of New York were established by act of Congress approved June 29, 1888, entitled "An act to prevent obstructive and injurious deposits within the harbor and adjacent waters of New York City by dumping or otherwise, and to punish and prevent such offenses."

Under the provisions of section 5 of the act a line officer of the Navy is designated to discharge the duties created by the act, under the direction of the Secretary of War. On May 23, 1889, the Secretary of War directed that all communications in connection with these duties should be addressed to him through this office, and on February 1, 1890, he further directed that the powers conferred upon him by the act should be exercised through the Chief of Engineers. The report of the supervisor of the harbor, describing the operations in his charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, is submitted as Appendix X X. Estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895.-The estimate of funds required for this service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895, is given in the above-mentioned report, as follows:

For pay of inspectors, deputy inspectors, office force, and expenses of office

For pay of crew and maintenance of steamer Nimrod

$20,000

For pay of crew and maintenance of steamer Argus

10,000

For purchase or construction of two steam tugs

10,000

For pay of crew and maintenance of two steam tugs to be purchased or constructed..

90,000

24,000

Total.....

154,000

MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION.

The Mississippi River Commission, constituted by act of Congress of June 28, 1879, is in charge of the improvement of Mississippi River between the mouth of Ohio River and the head of the Passes and of surveys of the entire river.

The commissioners during the past year were Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers, president; Lieut. Col. Charles R. Suter, Corps of Engineers; Maj. O. H. Ernst, Corps of Engineers; Henry L. Whiting, assistant, U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey; B. M. Harrod, Robert S. Taylor, and Henry Flad.

The report of the Commission upon the operations under its charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, is submitted as Appendix Y Y.

Estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895.-The following estimates of funds required for carrying on the works under its charge for the year ending June 30, 1895, are submitted by the Commission:

For improving Mississippi River from head of the Passes to the mouth of Ohio River, including salaries, clerical, office, traveling, and miscellaneous expenses of the Mississippi River Commission.....

For improving harbors at

New Madrid, Mo

Memphis, Tenn

Greenville, Miss.

Vicksburg, Miss. (Delta Point).

Natchez, Miss., and Vidalia, La.

New Orleans, La

For improvement at head of Atchafalaya and mouth of Red River, Louisi

ana.....

Total

$2,665, 000

MISSOURI RIVER COMMISSION.

The Missouri River Commission, constituted by act of Congress of July 5, 1884, is in charge of the improvement and surveys of the Missouri River below Sioux City, Iowa.

The commissioners during the past year were Lieut. Col. Charles R. Suter, Corps of Engineers, president; Maj. A. Mackenzie, Corps of Engineers; Maj. O. H. Ernst, Corps of Engineers; G. C. Broadhead, and R. S. Berlin.

The report of the Commission upon the operations under its charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, is submitted as Appendix Z Z. Estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895.-The following estimates of funds required for carrying on the works under its charge for the year ending June 30, 1895, are submitted by the Commission:

Office and traveling expenses, and salaries of Commission.
Surveys, gauges, physical data, and publications...
Operating snag boat.

Systematic improvement in first reach..

Total

$20,000

30,000

35,000

665,000

750,000

CALIFORNIA DEBRIS COMMISSION.

Act of Congress approved March 1, 1893, provided for the establishment of the California Débris Commission, to consist of three officers of the Corps of Engineers, appointed by the President, with the concurrence of the Senate, whose functions relate to hydraulic mining in the territory drained by the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems in California. The Commission is empowered and required to adopt plans for improving the navigation of the rivers in the systems mentioned, to project and construct works for impounding detritus and preventing the deterioration of the rivers from the deposit of hydraulicmining and other débris, and to devise means and issue permits for resuming and carrying on hydraulic-mining operations under conditions that will not injure other interests in the State. The powers of the Commission, methods of procedure, etc., are prescribed in the act in detail.

The commissioners appointed May 3, 1893, by the President are Col. G. H. Mendell, Lieut. Col. W. H. H. Benyaurd, and Maj. W. H. Heuer, Corps of Engineers.

The annual report of the Commission, with plans and estimates, which the act requires to be submitted on or before November 15 of each year to the Chief of Engineers for transmission to the Secretary of War and Congress, will be submitted when received.

HARBOR LINES.

The existing provisions of United States law relating to the estab lishment of harbor lines are contained in section 12 of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, as follows:

SEC. 12. That section 12 of the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, be amended and reenacted so as to read as follows:

Where it is made manifest to the Secretary of War that the establishment of harbor lines is essential to the preservation and protection of harbors he may, and is hereby authorized to, cause such lines to be established beyond which no piers, wharves, bulkheads, or other works shall be extended or deposits made, except under such regulations as may be prescribed from time to time by him; and any person who shall willfully violate the provisions of this section, or any rule or regulation made by the Secretary of War in pursuance of this section, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, at the discretion of the court, for each offense.

Cases where the establishment of harbor lines at particular harbors has appeared to be essential to their preservation and protection have been considered by the local engineer officers or by boards of engineers constituted for the purpose, and reports thereon submitted, with maps, indicating the lines recommended for establishment by the War Department; and the reports have been submitted to the Secretary of War with the recommendations of this office. Under the provisions of the law and in this manner harbor lines have been established by the Secretary during the year at the following localities, the correspondence and reports being submitted as appendixes to this report:

Shaws Cove, New London Harbor, Connecticut.-Under date of January 20, 1893, Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers, submitted a report, with map, proposing and recommending establishment of harbor lines in Shaws Cove; approved by the Secretary of War January 26, 1893. (See Appendix D 32.)

Bridgeport Harbor, Connecticut.-The Board of Engineers on harbor lines at Bridgeport, constituted by Special Orders No. 29, Headquarters, Corps of Engineers, May 12, 1891, consisting of Col. D. C. Houston, Lieut. Col. G. L. Gillespie, and Capt. Thomas L. Casey, Corps of Engineers, made report under date of January 4, 1892; approved by the Secretary of War July 1, 1893. (See Appendix D 33.)

New York Harbor and its adjacent waters.-The Board of Engineers on harbor lines for New York Harbor and its adjacent waters, consisting of Cols. Henry L. Abbot, William P. Craighill, C. B. Comstock, and D. C. Houston, and Lieut. Col. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers, constituted by Special Orders No. 11, Headquarters, Corps of Engineers, January 30, 1889, submitted reports as follows:

a. The board submitted a report, dated January 16, 1893, recommending modification of the harbor lines around Rikers Island, East River, established January 9, 1891 (see Annual Report, Chief of Engineers, 1891, pp. 963-965), at the request of the city of New York and to enable it to carry out contemplated improvements on the island; the modified lines were approved by the Secretary of War January 24, 1893.

b. At the request of riparian owners who had inadvertently, owing to indefinite location of the established lines, constructed piers extend

ing beyond the harbor lines established by the Secretary of War February 8 and March 4, 1890 (see Annual Report, Chief of Engineers, 1890, pp. 791 and 810), the board, in report of January 16, 1893, recommended modification of the lines on east shore of East River at Ravenswood, Long Island, so as to afford relief; the modified line was approved by the Secretary of War June 1, 1893.

(See Appendix E 16.)

Savannah River in vicinity of quarantine station near Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Ga.-At the instance of the mayor of Savannah, Ga., and in compliance with instructions from this office, Capt. O. M. Carter, Corps of Engineers, on January 10, 1893, submitted a report and map proposing and recommending for establishment a harbor line in Savannah River in the vicinity of the quarantine station_near Fort Pulaski; the line was approved by the Secretary of War January 19, 1893. (See Appendix N 15.)

Allouez Bay, near Superior, Wis.-Maj. Clinton B. Sears, Corps of Engineers, submitted report March 20, 1893, with map, proposing and recommending establishment of harbor lines in Allouez Bay, near Superior, Wis.; approved by the Secretary of War March 30, 1893. (See Appendix J J 13.)

Oconto Harbor, Wisconsin.-At the request of citizens of Oconto, Maj. James F. Gregory, Corps of Engineers, in report of May 9, 1893, proposed and recommended for establishment harbor lines at this locality; the lines were approved by the Secretary of War June 23, 1893. (See Appendix K K 29.)

Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, Wis.-At the request of the authori ties of the city of Milwaukee, Wis., recommended by Maj. James F. Gregory, Corps of Engineers, a modification of the dock lines established by the city in Milwaukee River was approved by the Secretary of War August 30, 1893. (See Appendix K K 30.)

Black River at Port Huron, Mich.-At the instance of the city authorities of Port Huron. Maj. William Ludlow, Corps of Engineers, in report of July 15, 1893, proposed and recommended for estab lishment harbor lines in Black River at that locality; the lines were approved by the Secretary of War July 21, 1893. (See Appendix M M 31.)

St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.-At the request of the common council of the city and in compliance with instructions from this office, Col. O. M. Poe, Corps of Engineers, on March 23, 1893, submitted a report, with maps, recommending a harbor line along the river front of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.; approved by the Secretary of War April 22, 1893. (See Appendix N N 9.)

Detroit, Mich.-The Board of Engineers on harbor lines at Detroit, consisting of Col. O. M. Poe, Maj. William Ludlow, and Lieut. Chas. S. Riché, Corps of Engineers, constituted by Special Orders No. 61, Headquarters, Corps of Engineers, October 5, 1891, made report dated September 8, 1892; approved by the Secretary of War September 24, 1892. (See Appendix N N 10.)

Oswego, N. Y.-The Board of Engineers on harbor lines at Oswego, N. Y., consisting of Col. Henry L. Abbot, Maj. E. H. Ruffner, and Capt. Dan C. Kingman, Corps of Engineers, constituted by Special Orders No. 28, Headquarters, Corps of Engineers, June 22, 1892, made report dated November 30, 1892; approved by the Secretary of War January 10, 1893. (See Appendix Q Q 8.)

Ports in the State of Washington.-In accordance with a request of the harbor line commission of the State of Washington, dated March