For continuing the improvement $10,000 is asked. July 1, 1883, amount available... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. July 1, 1884, amount available..... $3,644 48 3,432 71 211 77 24,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 10, 000 00 (See Appendix K 17.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 2, 1882. The following localities were, after preliminary examination, reported by the local engineer as not worthy of improvement by the General Government and the work not a public necessity: 1. Hull's Creek, Northumberland County, Virginia. (See Appendix K 18.) 2. Piscataway Creek, Prince George's County, Maryland. (See Appendix K 19.) 3. Chicamuxen Creek, Charles County, Maryland. (See Appendix K 20.) 4. Piscataway Creek, Essex County, Virginia. (See Appendix K 21.) Where improvements would be advisable but not a public necessity: 1. Port Tobacco Creek, Charles County, Maryland. (See Appendix K 22.) Upon a favorable report from the preliminary examination made by him, as required by the above act, Mr. Abert was charged with and completed the following, the results of which were transmitted to Congress and printed as Senate Ex. Doc. No. 64, Forty-eighth Congress, first session: 1. Quantico Creek, Virginia. (See Appendix K 23.) 2. Piankatank River, Virginia. (See Appendix K 24.) 3. Great Wicomico from Cedar Point to Indian Point, Northumberland County, Virginia. (See Appendix K 25.) 4. Roanoke River, North Carolina. (See Appendix K 26.) IMPROVEMENT OF HARBORS OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, AND BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA; OF CURRITUCK SOUND, COANJOK BAY, AND NORTH RIVER AND BAR; IMPROVEMENT OF CERTAIN RIVERS IN VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA, AND SOUTH CAROLINA. Officers in charge, Capt. James Mercur, Corps of Engineers, to March 15, 1884, since which time Capt. F. A. Hinman, Corps of Engineers. 1. Harbor at Norfolk, Virginia.-Prior to the commencement of this improvement, the harbor proper had much deteriorated by filling up, due to many causes. The project for improvement, which consisted in dredging, was adopted in 1877, and, with slight modifications, all operations have been conducted in accordance therewith. The amount expended to June 30, 1883, was $326,817.32, which resulted in securing a channel having a least width of 200 feet and 25 feet deep at low water, from Hampton Roads to Norfolk, and also the general improvement of the harbor proper, affording additional anchorage ground. There was expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, $30,030.54 which was applied to improving the channel with Southern Branch of Elizabeth River, the approach to the United States navy-yard, and the improvement of the Eastern Branch, with good results to navigation and commerce. The amount that can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is $75,000. It is proposed to expend this in dredging Berkley flats, which is necessitated by the great increase of commerce, requiring additional wharf facilities, and also in deepening and widening the channels of the Eastern and Southern Branches, which the increase in the draught of vessels requires. The estimated amount required for the entire and permanent completion of the work of improvement in accordance with the approved and adopted project has been exceeded. Since the original estimate was made, the conditions upon which it was based have materially changed, owing to increased commerce, necessitating new wharves and increased anchorage room. The difficulty of correctly judging of the future requirements of this harbor, which is growing in importance yearly, renders the separation of estimates based on a comprehensive plan for its entire and permanent completion quite impracticable at this time. July 1, 1883, amount available.. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1884, amount available.. $33, 182 68 $29,980 54 30,030 54 Amount received from an officer for fuel Amount appropriated by an act approved July 5, 1884 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 3,152 14 33 75 25,000 00 28, 185 89 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 75,000 00 (See Appendix L 1.) 2. Improving approach to Norfolk Harbor and the United States navyyard between Lambert's Point and Fort Norfolk.-The original condition of the channel was good, with the exception of a bar opposite the mouth of the Western Branch of Elizabeth River, on some parts of which there was a depth of only about 15 feet at mean low water. The project for the improvement adopted in 1878 was to dredge this bar for a distance of 4,800 feet to a width of 500 feet and a depth of 25 feet at mean low water. It is not known what amount has been expended at this particular locality, as it cannot be separated from the sum total of the general expenditures for the improvement of the harbor at Norfolk and its approaches, of which this is a part. The result obtained from the expenditures at this point was a channel 4,400 feet long, 265 feet wide, and 25 feet deep at mean low water, which greatly facilitated navigation and commerce. No work has been done in this locality since November, 1880. The act of July 5, 1884, appropriated $50,000 specifically for widening the channel. There can be profitably expended on this work, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, the sum of $100,000, which it is proposed to apply to continuing the improvement by widening the channel. The advantages and benefits to be derived therefrom will be a better approach to the harbor and more room for anchorage. A project for the application of this appropriation is under consideration by a Board of Engineer Officers. $50,000 00 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 ....... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 100,000 00 (See Appendix L 2.) 3. Archer's Hope River, Virginia.-Prior to commencement of this work there existed a shallow natural channel in the river which could not be reached on account of the bar near its mouth where it enters the James River. The project adopted in 1881 contemplated the dredging of a channel 6 feet deep and not less than 50 feet wide from the mouth of the river to Williamsburg, 5 miles above. The amount expended to June 30, 1883, is $9,805.79, which resulted in securing only a channel of ample width and depth through the sandbar at the entrance, but as no dredging was done in the river proper, no material benefit has resulted to navigation. The amount expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, is $69, which, of course, did not materially benefit the work. The amount asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, will be applied to dredging in the river, although it is doubtful whether the river can be permanently improved except by an expensive system of dikes near the entrance. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 July 1, 1884, amount available .................. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 4. Blackwater River, Virginia.-This river originally had a channel with a minimum depth of 8 feet scant, much obstructed by logs and leaning trees, sunken wrecks, shoals, and projecting points, which rendered navgation exceedingly difficult. The original project, adopted in 1878, was to dredge bars and points, remove logs, and trim the banks of overhanging timber. There was expended up to June 30, 1883, $12,395.57, which resulted in securing a channel 9 feet deep, and of ample width except at projecting points. There was expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, $1,604.43, which was applied to taking out additional logs and trimming the banks of leaning trees. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, the sum of $1,000 can be profitably expended. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding Amount (estimated( required for completion of existing project $1,604 43 1,604 43 8:0 00 1,000 00 5. Nottoway River, Virginia.—Prior to improvement, this river could not be said to have any channel except on the lower 19 miles of its course. In this portion there was from 9 to 25 feet of water, much obstructed by wrecks, snags, and leaning trees. The remaining 31 miles was so much blocked by snags, &c., that it was with difficulty that flatboats of 12 inches draught could pass over it. The original project was adopted in 1881, and proposed the removal of all obstructions, both natural and artificial, to Peters's Bridge, 50 miles from its mouth, to obtain a good depth in the lower portion and a channel of 2 feet depth through the upper portion of the river. The amount expended to June 30, 1882, was $6,420.30, which, by removing wrecks, &c., secured a good channel not less than 9 feet in depth in the lower portion of the river. The upper portion was also cleared and the channel improved, but the careless manner in which timber has been rafted since has caused it to fill up again with logs, &c., and consequently navigation has not been permanently benefited. No further appropriation is asked for this river. July 1, 1883, amount available... July 1, 1884, amount available.. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix L 5.) $579 70 579 70 2,000 00 6. North Landing River, Virginia and North Carolina.-This river, prior to improvement, was much obstructed by logs, snags, &c., and also by shoals and abrupt bends. The original project, adopted in 1879, contemplates the dredging of the shoals, cutting off projecting points at abrupt bends, and removing logs, snags, &c. The amount expended to June 30, 1883, was $46,249.08, which secured a channel not less than 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep throughout its entire length, 17 miles. There was expended in the fiscal year ending Juue 30, 1884, $3,528.26, which was applied to the removal of logs, snags, &c. There can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, $15,000, which will be applied to redredging some of the shoale and taking out such logs, snags, &c., as may be encountered. As this work is not susceptible of entire and permanent completion, no estimate can be made for that purpose. Small periodical expendi tures will be required to maintain it. July 1, 1883, amount available.... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883. July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities $9,250 92 $3,495 76 32 50 3,528 26 5,722 66 July 1, 1884, amount available... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 15,000 00 (See Appendix L 6.) 7. Meherrin River, North Carolina.-Previous to the commencement of operations on this improvement the channel was so much obstructed by logs and leaning trees as to make navigation difficult and dangerous; there were also some shoals having a ruling depth of less than 8 feet. The original project for the improvement, adopted in 1883, confined operations to the removal of logs, &c., the appropriation not being sufficient to undertake dredging in addition. The amount expended up to June 30, 1883, was $163.19, the work being but just commenced. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, there was expended $3,970.71, which, by clearing the river of logs and leaning trees, resulted in making navigation free and uninterrupted for the steamers at present engaged on the river. The amount that can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is $7,500, with which it is proposed to dredge the shoals as originally estimated for and to remove any logs that may be encountered. It is expected to complete the improvement as estimated, securing a channel of ample width and 9 feet in depth at low water. Small periodical appropriations will be necessary to maintain the work, as it is not susceptible of permanent completion. July 1, 1883, amount available.... $4,836 81 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.... 3,970 71 July 1, 1884, amount available.............. 866 10 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix L 7.) 7,500 00 8. Currituck Sound, Coanjok Bay, and North River Bar, North Carolina. Prior to commencing this improvement there was no channel proper in Currituck Sound. Dredging had been done in certain portions and a cut made through Coanjok Bay by a private company. The original project, adopted in 1878, which has only been modified so far as relates to Coanjok Bay, contemplated dredging a channel 80 feet wide at bottom and 9 feet deep at low water. Up to June 30, 1883, the amount expended was $112,953 49, which resulted in securing a channel 9 feet deep and 50 feet wide the entire length of the upper sound, 10.5 miles, the partial widening and deepening of the channel through Coanjok Bay, and the construction of a shell dike 9,600 feet long on the west side of this channel, for its protection. There was expended in the year ending June 30, 1884, $4,046.01, which secured a channel from 40 to 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep through Coanjok Bay. There can be profitably expended in the year ending June 30, 1886, $15,000. This sum it is proposed to expend in furtherance of the orig inal project, as modified. July 1, 1883, amount available.. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883... July 1, 1884, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885............ $7,046 51 4,046 01 3,000 50 5,000 00 8,000 50 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 15,200 00 (See Appendix L 8.) 9. Scuppernong River, North Carolina.-Before work was commenced on this river there was a bar at the mouth of it with about 5 feet of water thereon. The upper portion of the stream was obstructed by logs, snags, overhanging trees, &c., and by projecting points at abrupt bends, permitting navigation for small vessels only with difficulty. The project adopted originally in 1880 for its improvement was to dredge the bar and make cut-offs at projecting points to a depth of 9 feet, and also to remove the various obstructions. The amount expended up to June 30, 1883, is $6,000, and resulted in dredging the bar and two cut-offs at projecting points, and also the removal of the obstructions so far as practicable, thus materially assisting navigation. There have been no expenditures since. The act of July 5, 1884, appropriated $2,000 for this work, which it is proposed to expend in dredging other cut offs and the removal of any obstructions that may be encountered, thereby completing the work, as far as can be foreseen now. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. (See Appendix L 9.) $2,000 00 |