On the south side there is a pile and edging revetment from 16 to 18 feet wide, extending beyond the shore-line into Lake Michigan 425 feet and inland 148 feet. To complete this work to Portage Lake 900 feet of additional revetment are required. The completion of this is of prime importance, as this last winter the heavy seas from the northwest nearly broke through the narrow sand beach that separates the channel from Lake Michigan on the south side. During the past year, owing to the small amount of money available, the only work done was the completion of the north revetment to Portage Lake, placing superstructure on crib at Lake Michigan end of same, and overhauling filling where necessary. The original estimate for this harbor was made by Maj. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers, in 1879, and amounted to $189,860. Up to the end of the fiscal year $49,416.81 had been expended, with the result as indicated. The appropriations have in no instance been large enough to warrant extended and continuous work on the piers and revetments, and as a natural result the item of contingencies has been large comparatively. It will be useless to dredge between the piers, except to keep a narrow channel open along the north pier for local commerce, until the south revetment has been completed to Portage Lake and both piers extended into Lake Michigan. Under date of October 30, 1883, I submitted to the Chief of Engineers an estimate of cost of completing this work upon the plan already approved. This estimate was for $210,000. Since the original estimate was made by Major Mansfield the price of material has advanced, and a new method of crib construction has been adopted in place of the one then followed. Although the first cost of a crib on pile foundation is greater than where the crib is merely placed on the lake bottom, previously leveled, the ultimate cost is less, as there is no loss of stone and no unequal settling, necessitating a general leveling up before the superstructure can be placed. The importance of improving this locality, so as to afford a harbor of refuge near the lower end of Lake Michigan, has been set forth in the reports of my predecessors. North of Grand Haven the harbor mouths are narrow, so that in heavy weather, during the fall and spring, many vessels are now lost annually, from unsuccessful attempts at effecting an entrance, that might be saved were there some haven easier of access provided for them. I consider that $150,000 can be expended to advantage on this work for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, in pier extension and dredging, and respectfully recommend that this amount be appropriated. This work is in the Michigan collection district, Michigan. The nearest port of entry is Grand Haven, and the nearest light-house is the Manistee Light. Original estimated cost of work, 1879. Whole amount appropriated from 1879 to 1884, inclusive.. July 1, 1883, amount available.. Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. 4,530 64 July 1, 1884, amount available.... 5,583 19 12,500 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885.. 18,063 19 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 197,500 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 150,000 00 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. JJ 4. IMPROVEMENT OF MANISTEE HARBOR, MICHIGAN. The condition of this harbor at the close of the fiscal year was as follows: Depth of water.-Between the piers, 15 feet; on the bar in advance of piers, 14.6 feet; water surface, +1.0 feet. This improvement consists of a dredged channel connecting Manistee River with Lake Michigan, protected on both sides by parallel revetments and piers extending into Lake Michigan. The south pier extends into the lake 667 feet, and, with the revetment inside, is 1,472 feet long. Its construction is as follows: The crib work is all in fair condition. Some additional ballast is required in places. The revetment is badly decayed, but being backed with slabs and edgings is sand tight and serviceable. The north pier extends into Lake Michigan 761 feet, and, together with the revetment, is 2,286 feet long. The character of construction is as follows: All of this work is in fair condition, requiring only nominal repairs. During the past fiscal year a crib 50 feet long by 30 feet wide was sunk on pile foundation in extension of south pier, and 14,202 cubic yards of material dredged from the channel. In order to carry the pier heads out to 14 feet of water the south pier will have to be extended 400 feet and the north pier 200 feet. In a communication to the Chief of Engineers on this subject, under date of October 30, 1883, I estimated the cost of this work and that of renewing the superstructure of pile revetments, which will be required in a few years, at $112,700, or deducting from this the appropriation in river and harbor act approved July 5, 1884, $10,000, there remains $102,700 to be appropriated. I consider that $60,000 can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, in extending both piers as proposed, and respectfully recommend that this amount be appropriated. This work is located in the Michigan collection district, Michigan. The nearest port of entry is Grand Haven, Mich. A light is shown near the head of south pier. Original estimated cost, 1866, amended 1875.. Whole amount appropriated, 1866 to 1884, inclusive. Whole amount expended. $234, 000 00 228,000 00 215,331 70 Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available.... July 1, 1884, amount available..... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 ... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 $14, 310 73 11, 642 43 2,668 30 10,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 12, 668 30 |