Letter of Mr. M. D. Howard. HOLLAND, MICH., July 4, 1877. DEAR SIR: In reply to your inquiries relating to the resources and shipping requirements of Holland and vicinity, will say that I have seen Mr. Post's statement, which he will forward ere this. But I think he omitted some items of interest that may with propriety be included, to wit: Hemlock-bark has been and would be shipped annually from this port to the extent of from 2,000 to 5,000 cords in excess of the tannery demands, could lake freights be obtained at competing rates. Here one pays $1.50 per cord freight, while other good harbor ports get them at $1. In staves and barrel stock, usually from 250,000 to 1,000,000 staves per annum have supplied our local marine with freights; now they are shut out for want of water. In the matter of the 5,000 to 10,000 cord of wood annually shipped from this port, the trade is largely reduced on account of the advanced rates of shipment, which equal nearly 50 cents per cord, a margin sufficient to secure large shipments, if it could be saved. Six months would not elapse after we have secured a channel suitable for iron-ore vessels to enter this port before we would have a blast-furnace that would develop the bog-ore that exists in large and paying quantities in the vicinity of Black Lake, which would develop large natural wealth. The time required to fully develop all that could be said on this port in season for your report compels me to be brief; but we feel under obligations to you that you have given the opportunity to say this much. Yours, Captain MOWER. M. D. HOWARD. BB 10. IMPROVEMENT OF SAUGATUCK HARBOR, MICHIGAN. In the fall of 1876, there was allotted for this work $1,500, from the appropriation of $3,000, approved August 14, 1876, with which to make necessary repairs for preservation of the existing work. This sum was expended, with the exception of $172.44, upon the outer 110 feet of the south pier, which put it in good shape for the winter. During June, with the unexpended balance of the appropriation, still more ballast was added to this portion of the work, and the outer portion of the pier was decked with 3-inch plank, extending shoreward on the weather (north) side of the pier in a strip 6 feet wide for 224 feet, leaving the work in what is believed to be a permanently good condition. In the bend of the river, 16 pockets, in which the filling had settled uniformly to below the water level, were refilled with edgings and ballasted with stone. The outer end of north pie-the outer 400 feet of which was entirely. devoid of filling to a depth of 3 feet below water-was refilled for a distance of 56 feet. Work has been suspended for the present, as the inspector's services are needed at Black Lake Harbor. The balance of the funds will be expended later in refilling the north pier so far as possible. The local industries of the country tributary to the Kalamazoo River in the vicinity of Saugatuck have undergone a great change in the last few years. The timber business, which was formerly the absorbing interest, has given way to fruit-culture and farming, which former is rapidly developing into considerable proportions. A line of steamers ply between this port and Chicago direct, and appear to do a good business. Thirty-eight thousand four hundred and fifty eight dollars and seventy-four cents have been estimated as necessary to the completion of the existing project, and I recommend the appropriation of $10,000 for next season. Total amount appropriated from 1868 to 1876, inclusive, $98,000. Original recommendations call for an expenditure of $136,458.74. This work is located in the Michigan collection-district, Michigan. It is situated at the Kalamazoo light. The nearest port of entry is Grand Haven, Mich. Statement of vessels entered and cleared during the year ending June 30, 1877. Money statement. July 1, 1876, amount available.... $244.86 Amount appropriated by act approved August 11, 1876... 3,000 00 July 1, 1877, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1877, amount available.... 427 21 38,458 74 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... BB II. IMPROVEMENT OF SOUTH HAVEN HARBOR, MICHIGAN. The act of August 14, 1876, appropriated to this work $10,000. In September, there was allotted of this $3,500, for repairing the existing work, which was absolutely necessary for its preservation through the winter. The work comprised the leveling up of the north pier-head, building a plank-beam in the north side of north revetment near the shore-line, where a break existed, refilling and ballasting within, placing brush mats about the end of north pier, upon which a heavy riprap of stone was deposited, and in decking over the piers. This work now stands in good condition. In the winter a break was made through the south pier, where the cribs join the old slab and log pier, near the shore-line. We had no means with which to prevent an enlargement of the breach, and during the winter and spring it extended to a length of 90 feet. Through it the sea and sand made a clean sweep. The channel this spring had but 63 feet of water. Vessels were una ble to enter and were obliged to load and unload at the piers. The balance of the appropriation ($6,500) made available this spring will be expended in closing the gap (above mentioned) and dredging the channel. The work is now being prosecuted with the Government machinery, (dredge and pile-driver,) 5,326.4 cubic yards of sand have been removed from the channel thus far, and the materials for the work are mostly on hand. The recommendations in my last annual report are renewed, viz, to finish the work of dredging and revetting the north side, which will embrace 250 feet of work, at an estimated cost of $12,000, and to extend both piers 300 feet, (estimated cost $60,000.) Estimates heretofore made from time to time amount to $202,000. There has been appropriated since 1867 a total of $130,000. This work is located in the Michigan collection-district of Michigan. It is situated at the South Haven light. The nearest port of entry is Grand Haven, Mich. Statement of vessels entered and cleared during the year ending June 30, 1877. Entered: Number, 234: tonnage, 35,535; men, 1,809. Cleared: Number, 232; tonnage, 35,002; men, 1,799. Money statement. July 1, 1876, amount available... $90 27 Amount appropriated by act approved August 14, 1876.... 10,000 00 -$10,090 27 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1879.. 25, 000 00 72,000 00 BB 12. IMPROVEMENT OF SAINT JOSEPH HARBOR, MICHIGAN. Eight thousand dollars was allotted to this work last fall out of the appropriation of $12,000 approved August 14, 1876. Of this amount $1,237.69 was expended during the fall and winter. One hundred and twenty-eight cords of stone were purchased, of which 92 cords were used to riprap the north pier and 36 cords placed on south pier, in re serve. The spring examination develops the necessity for a considerable outlay for repairs, and the balance now on hand should be applied to this purpose this season. During the spring-blows the end crib of the north pier became undermined, and, with its superstructure, was wrenched from its place, and carried ashore just south of the south pier, where it lies embedded in the sand, in five feet of water. The seas have combed the stone out of the north pier so as to leave them below water in several places. The old work inside of the work of 1875 is in a very dilapidated condition, the superstructure being broken in three places, and rotten for quite a distance. The stone is gone to below water in a number of places, and it is thought that all the funds available will be required to put the piers in proper repair. The filling and stone are out of the south pier for a space about 90 feet long to a little below water on the lake side. The depth of water remains good. During the winter Messrs. Culbert & Hopkins got out the material for and framed the crib called for under their contract dated November 28, 1876, and early in May, 1877, took the timbers to Saint Joseph and put them together. The crib was sunk and filled on the 28th of that month. The crib was placed in good alignment and level, and has just been superstructured. The repair and refilling of the piers is very necessary. The recommendations and estimates of last year are renewed, namely, to extend the north pier to 16 feet of water, requiring three cribs, estimated to cost $16,261.71. (See Report of Chief of Engineers, part 2, 1876, page 518.) This work is located in the Michigan collection-district, Michigan. It is situated at the Saint Joseph lights. The nearest port of entry is Grand Haven, Michigan. Statement of vessels entered and cleared during the year ending June 30, 1877. Entered: Number, 194; tonnage, 67,960; men, 2,916. Cleared: Number, 190; tonnage, 67,536; men, 2,900. SAINT JOSEPH RIVER. The town of Benton Harbor, as will be seen by the custom-house report of tonnage, is very nearly as considerable as a point of local importance in shipping as Saint Joseph. The energy and enterprise displayed by the people of this town and vicinity in dredging and maintaining a canal giving them communication with Lake Michigan, would seem to entitle them to a sufficient appropriation to enable them to hold the advantages gained through their own exertions. A very large money-interest is at stake upon the ability of steamvessels to make quick trips from this point during the fruit-season, and as the propellers are frequently obliged to dredge a narrow cut with their wheels in order to enable them to pass over the bar at the lower end of the wing-dam, it is respectfully urged that a sufficient amount be appropriated to cover the expense of filling and ballasting the wing-dam, dredging away the bar mentioned, and revetting the Paw Paw River in extension of the wing-dam 800 feet, which will cost about $15,000. With the improvements recommended, it is thought that no further expenditure will be necessary, save for such repairs as may be needed from time to time to keep the work in order. Statement of vessels entered and cleared at Benton Harbor, Michigan, during the year ending Amount appropriated by act approved August 14, 1876.. 12,000 00 July 1, 1877, amount expended during fiscal year. -$12, 365 40 4,309 36 1,048 74 5,358 10 July 1, 1877, amount available.... 7,007 30 31,261 71 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1879. 31, 261 71 Abstract of proposals received and opened November 8, 1876, for improving the harbor of Saint Joseph, Michigan. Contract awarded to Culbert & Hopkins, lowest bidders. APPENDIX C C. ANNUAL REPORT OF MAJOR G. WEITZEL, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1877. (Letter of transmittal under Appendix S.) CC 1, SAINT MARY'S FALLS CANAL, MICHIGAN. At the beginning of the fiscal year there were but two contracts in force for the further prosecution of this work. The one was with Mr. Henry Van Vleck, for furnishing the face stone for the new locks, and the other with Messrs. Boyle & Roach, for furnishing the backing-sand and laying the walls of the same. In order that there may be no doubt whatever about the quality of the mortar to be used, I deliver the cement. We use the English Portland cement for laying the face-stone and the miter and lift walls, and all portions of the wall adjacent to wet places. For the remainder of the wall we use American cements, and, so far, chiefly that obtained from the vicinity of Louisville, Ky. The work made but very slow progress during last season, on account of the slow delivery of the face-stone; but during the present season there has been a great improvement. The amount of face-stone required is a little over 10,000 cubic yards, and the amount of masonry in the walls is about 27,000 cubic yards. At the end of the fiscal year about one-fifth of the face-stone had been delivered and about one-sixth of the masonry laid. In addition to the operations which were carried on under these two contracts, two other smaller pieces of work were done by day's labor. The one was filling in the area between the south pier at the foot of the new locks and the shore-line. This pier was built during the preceding year, and there was a considerable area between the inside of it and the shore-line which was covered with water. We filled in this area to the level of the top of the pier and the shore, and we have thus obtained, in close proximity, excellent yard-room for unloading, storing, and handling the large amount of material required in the construction of the new locks. The other consisted in raising the banks of the canal, near its lower end, to a height of from 2 to 4 feet by means of levers. This was done to guard against such events as occurred on the 23d of June, 1876. On the morning of that day the water in the canal suddenly rose to about 4 feet and was running over the banks. If it had not been promptly checked in its flow, the most disastrous results might have occurred at the lower |