Quebec Channel and Connor's Point, this reach not being included in the project of 1881. The piers bordering the entry need repairs, the Wisconsin Point pier especially. The necessity of protecting Minnesota Point against erosion has been referred to in preceding reports. Before work of improvement commenced in 1881, under the present project, the ruling depth in the entry was about 11 feet. Amount expended under appropriations prior to adoption of the present plan (January, 1881). Amount expended to June 30, 1884 (including outstanding liabilities), under original and present plan Amount expended under present plan to June 30, 1883 (including outstanding liabilities).... Estimated cost of present project.... $335,513 26 389,360 71 53,847 45 312,080 00 The act of Congress approved July 5, 1884, appropriates forImproving Superior Bay and Harbor, Wisconsin, and also the channel of the Saint Louis River through said bay, $45,000. It is proposed to apply this sum in dredging and maintenance of piers, beach protection, &c. The sum of $50,000 can probably be expended with profit during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, in dredging under the present plan and bay, in maintaining the channel of the Saint Louis River within the repairing piers, and in keeping up the beach protection. This estimate is consequent upon the wording of the act approved July 5, 1884, which includes the deep channel of the river, and the main business of the port being now at Connor's Point. Abstract of appropriations made for improving Superior Harbor, Wisconsin; how expended and to be expended, &c. *Of this amount there was expended in dredging between the piers at the natural entry the sum of $3,397.95, and in dredging from the entry channel to the wharves of Superior City the sum of $19,230.21. Of these amounts there was expended during June and July, 1879, in dredging in the Bay of Superior, on a line connecting the harbors of Duluth and Superior, the sum of $2,000. These amounts were not included in the original estimate. This amount was expended in dredging in the Bay of Superior, between the piers at the entry, along a line leading from the entry into and up the Nemadji River, and in the Quebec Wharf Channel and vicinity, between the piers, about $1.800; otherwise about $8,200. This amount was expended in the fall of 1882 in protecting the breach in Minnesota Point, known as the "Opening." This amount was expended in dredging between the piers at the entry and in the Quebec and Northern Pacific Wharf channels and vicinity, and in removing shoals between the piers, &c. These amounts are assumed. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available.... $23,326 00 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 $14,763 96 July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities 4,538 95 19,302 91 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project, adopted in 1881 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 217,080 00 50,000 00 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Under date of February 18, 1884, the collector of customs at Marquette, Mich., writes in regard to the Superior City Harbor: "Referring to your letter of inquiry of the 8th instant, I have the honor to report as follows: "Total revenues collected at the port of Superior, Wis., during the year ended December 31, 1883, $10. "Arrivals, 10 vessels, of 7,734 tons; departures, 10 vessels, of 7,734 tons. "Superior is in the collection district of Superior. "Amount of revenue collected at Marquette during the year ending December 31, 1883, $19,987.42." ARRIVALS AND CLEARANCES OF VESSELS FROM OPENING OF NAVIGATION, 1884, to JUNE 30, 1881. DEAR SIR: The following, in general terms and round numbers, is a statement of the trade and commerce of Superior for the year 1883: The imports and exports added together make an entire trade of $3,865,000 handled at the port of Superior during the year 1-83. As Superior is the distributing point for a large extent of country, the town is necessarily credited with some articles twice-when they come in and when they go out. The railroad iron received was for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company for its line in Montana and beyond, and for the section built eastward of Superior. The shipping business shows a great increase over any recent year. During the spring and summer (1883) several of the large lake steamers visited the port, and a number of sailing vessels were engaged in carrying away oak staves brought here by the Chicago, Saint Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway from a point on its line 80 miles south of Superior. It is a noteworthy fact that these staves, being among the first freights brought here by the Omaha Railway, were consigned to Liverpool, England, finding their way from Superior to the ocean by the lakes and the Saint Law rence. During the months of September, October, and November, the channel having been dredged to a full depth of 16 feet, there were several arrivals of large steamers and sailing vessels loaded with coal. These came into the entry and up to the Northern Pacific Railroad dock without delay and with perfect ease, being assisted by a tug only in making the short turns in the Quebec Channel. The coal was shipped from Erie, Pa., and received here by the Saint Paul and Pacific Coal and Iron Company for distribution through Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Dakota. The following is a statement, giving the name of each vessel, its draught and to nage, arriving at Superior with coal from September 1 to November 30, 1883: The above named coal company is, this winter, constructing in Superior Bay, near the extremity of Connor's Point, for the trade of 1884, a coal dock 1,000 feet long by 290 feet deep, with a railway track through its length. This dock will have a storing capacity of 125,000 tons, and may be easily reached from the Superior entry by vessels drawing 16 feet. Other coal companies are proposing to erect docks this year for the handling of coal on Superior Bay. The Northern Pacific Railroad, now coinpleted and in active operation from Superior to the Pacific Ocean; the Omaha Railroad, really a part of the great Chicago and Northwestern system, whose ends touch Chicago, Superior, Sait Paul, and Omaha; the Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba, projected from Saint Cloud to Superior; the Milwaukee and Saint Paul, projected from Eau Claire, Menomonee, and Stillwater to Superior; the Wisconsin Central, from Ashland, with one or two roads from the lower Red River Valley and the Southwest, give assurance that ere long an immense trade will be done at Superior, rendering its harbor second in importance to none on the great lakes. It is to be hoped that Congress will make an ample appropriation this year for the speedy continuation and progress of the adopted plan for improvement of Superior Harbor. Probably no other harbor in the country is likely to become so prominent and so necessary for a large area of country, embracing the northern belt of States and Territories, as the harbor of Superior. Very respectfully, Maj. CHAS J. ALLEN, JAMES BARDON. Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. EE 3. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT GRAND MARAIS, MINNESOTA. The project for the improvement of this harbor for a harbor of refuge, adopted in 1879, provided for a break water and for dredging within the area bounded by Mayhew's Point and the inner shore-line, to afford anchorage for vessels drawing 16 feet. The work upon the breakwater, resumed in June, 1883, as stated in the last annual report, was completed August 31 of that year under the contract with C. P. Macdougall, approved October 4, 1882. In addition to this contract work the crib nearest the shore was enlarged and the shore connection carried up about 20 feet on the rock and securely bolted to it. The breakwater, as completed, is 350 feet in length. Commencing at the shore end, it consists of 6 timber cribs, each 50 feet long by 30 feet in width, and a pier-head 50 feet long by 40 feet in width. The superstructure is continuous. The work of dredging under the contract with Williams & Upham approved October 2, 1882, commenced on the 1st of August, 1883, and was completed on the 6th of September, the allotment for dredging having been at that date exhausted; 16,6663 cubic yards of material were removed by the dredge. Before the work of improvement commenced there was but a narrow space under the protection of Mayhew's Point for vessels seeking refuge during storms, and the entrance was of insufficient depth. Vessels drawing 16 feet of water can now make the harbor. The harbor area should be considerably enlarged by dredging. A good light is much needed here. This is the only harbor of refuge on the north shore of Lake Superior. Mr. Archibald Johnson, inspector of the work during the season of 1883, is entitled to much credit for fidelity to duty. It is proposed to expend the sum of $10,000, appropriated by act of Congress approved July 5, 1884, in dredging and in maintenance of the break water. The sum of $20,000 can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, in dredging and in repairs, &c., to the break water. Total amount expended to June 30, 1884, including outstanding liabilities. $57, 283 30 Estimated cost of original project.. 139,669 40 This work is in the collection district of Duluth. Duluth, Minn., is the nearest port of entry, at which place the revenue collected during the year ending December 31, 1883, amounted to $4,253.51. ABSTRACT OF APPROPRIATIONS MADE FOR IMPROVING HARBOR AT GRAND MARAIS, COOK COUNTY, MINNESOTA. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.......... $19,811 29 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 .... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... COMMERCIAL STATISTICS, 1883. Arrivals and clearances of vessels, port of Grand Marais, Minn. 17.094 59 2,716 70 10,000 00 12,716 70 69,669 40 20,000 00 Exhibit of business done in the year 1883 at Grand Marais, Cook County, Minnesota. .4 15 6 1 |