APPENDIX F F. HARBORS ON LAKE SUPERIOR (EAST OF SUPERIOR CITY), ON GREEN BAY, AND ON THE WESTERN SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN, NORTH OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL J. W. BARLOW, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1884, WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE WORKS. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith the annual reports upon the river and harbor improvements in my charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. W. BARLOW, Lieut. Col. of Engineers. Brig. Gen. JOHN NEWTON, Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. FF 1. IMPROVEMENT OF ONTONAGON HARBOR, MICHIGAN. Original estimates (see Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1867, page 20).. $363, 770 Appropriated 272, 600 The project for the improvement of this harbor consists in the construction of two parallel piers, 250 feet apart, extending from the mouth of the Ontonagon River in a north westerly direction to the 18-foot curve 5908 EN -115 in Lake Superior, with a channel between the piers affording a depth of 12 feet at low water, connecting the deep water in the lake with the deep water in the river. Operations under this project were begun in 1867. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, the work of extending the east pier was in progress, under a contract with Joel Rich, of Ontonagon, and 200 linear feet of superstructure had been built and one crib sunk by him at that date. During the last fiscal year, under the same contract, the east pier was extended 250 feet, by sinking 5 cribs, each 50 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 123 feet deep; 200 linear feet of superstructure was built over cribs Nos. 51 to 54, which had been sunk the previous year in extension of the east pier, and the outer crib, No. 60, was planked over, completing the contract. By hired labor and purchase of materials in open market planking was placed on cribs Nos. 56 to 59 (inclusive); a length of 200 feet of the east pier and 20 snubbing posts were placed in the east and west piers. The condition of the harbor is now as follows: The east pier is 2,265 feet in length, and projects 200 feet further into the lake than the west pier, which is 2,275 feet in length. On the outer 300 feet of the east pier six courses of superstructure are yet to be built, and on the outer 650 feet of the west pier two courses of superstructure are to be built. The necessity of completing this superstructure is urgent. Soundings taken between the piers and on the outer bar in September, 1883, showed the existence of a channel about 12 feet deep at low water and with a least width of 100 feet. As stated in the last annual report on the improvement of this harbor: The formation of a bar in the vicinity of the outer entrance to the piers reduces the available depth to something usually less than 11 feet. The dredging which has been done at this harbor was applied toward deepening the channel through the outer bar; the work was of but temporary relief. Rapid pier extension to the deep water of the lake seems to be the only permanent method of overcoming the difficulty. It is highly probable that in the near future the pile-pier, or revetment, near the inner end of the west pier will require a sand-tight lining similar to that applied to the pile-pier at Ahnepee and Sturgeon Bay harbors; the present condition of the revetment is such as to permit large quantities of sand to pass into the channel between the piers, and this sand, carried by the current outward, probably hastens the formation of the outer bar. It is proposed to apply the appropriation of $15,000 made in July, 1884, to pier construction. The work contemplated during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is the further extension of the piers. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. $15,932 16 15,787 97 July 1, 1884, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 . 144 19 15,000.00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 15, 144 19 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 91,170 00 60,000 00 List of materials and labor used at Ontonagon Harbor, Michigan, in the construction of six crib substructures, each 50 by 20 by 124 feet; and 400 linear feet of partial superstru cture four courses high, under contract dated September 16, 1882, with Joel Rich. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1883. 40 31 16 03 Arrivals. Departures. No. Tonnage. Crews No. Tonnage. Crews 175 23 198 107, 474 7,574 115, 048 046 175 178 23 4, 224 198 Exports and imports by water. EXPORTS. F F 2. IMPROVEMENT OF EAGLE HARBOR, MICHIGAN. Modified estimate (see Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1876, II, 328, 1877, I, 98, II, 845). Appropriated $97,000 97,000 The modified project for the improvement of this harbor by blasting a channel 130 feet wide and 14 feet deep at low water, through the rocky reef which obstructed the entrance, and by sinking two guiding cribs to mark the new channel, was completed in 1879. The balance of funds on hand will be applied, when necessary, to the preservation of the cribs and channels. There were no operations during the year ending June 30, 1884. July 1, 1883, amount available.. Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.... July 1, 1884, amount available... $3,802 53 13 60 3,788 93 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1883. [Obtained from Mr. W. P. Raley, of Eagle Harbor, Mich.] Name of harbor, Eagle Harbor, Mich. Collection district, Superior, Mich. Nearest light-house, Eagle Harbor, Mich. Arrival and departure of vessels. |