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SURVEY OF SASSAFRAS RIVER, MARYLAND, ABOVE GEORGETOWN.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,

Wilmington, Del., January 22, 1885. GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a report and estimate of cost for the improvement of the Sassafras River, Md., above Georgetown, made in accordance with the river and harbor act approved July 5, 1884. The copy of the map forwarded is from the survey of Mr. J. L. Seager in 1879, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Craighill, Corps of Engineers. The examination by Mr. Newton determined the fact that no change had taken place in the bottom of that part of the river under consideration. The estimated tonnage on the river is 2,850 tons. The total amount of commerce is estimated at $2,063,000. The surrounding country dependent upon this river for transportation is about 100 square miles and is exceedingly fertile.

The work necessary to be done to give proper depth and width to a channel from Georgetown drawbridge to Lime Landing, a distance of 3 miles, consists in the removal of about 246,698 cubic yards of material.

The amount necessary to be appropriated to do this work is, including engineering and superintendence, $65,000, all of which can be profitably expended during the fiscal year.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. F. SMITH, United States Agent.

The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A.

[First indorsement.1

OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY,

February 4, 1885.

Respectfully returned to Mr. W. F. Smith, United States Agent, for additional report and revision of estimates, and also for explanation why it is expedient to give 10 feet in a large section of the river which sustains a natural depth of only 2 or 3 feet or less; and whether it might not be much less costly in the lower portions of the part of the river embraced in the map, as well as more permanent to follow more closely a line of dredging along the already existing channels. By command of Brigadier-General Newton.

JOHN G. PARKE,
Colonel of Engineers,

[Second indorsement.]

Bvt. Maj. Gen., U. S. A.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,
Wilmington, Del., February 5, 1885.

Respectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers, with additional report and revised estimates, as required by first indorsement.

WM. F. SMITH, United States Agent.

REPORT OF MR. V. M. NEWTON.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,
Wilmington, Del., January 21, 1885.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit a report on the condition of the Sassafras River, Maryland, from Georgetown to the head of navigation, also an estimate of the dredg ing necessary to meet the requirements of commerce. The Sassafras River flows

nearly due west, and empties into the Chesapeake Bay, 394 miles east of Baltimore. An examination of the river made by me on the 17th of January reveals no material change in depth since the survey of 1879, made by Mr. J. L. Seager, under the direction of Colonel Craighill, Corps of Engineers.

ESTIMATE OF DREDGING.

From Georgetown draw-bridge to Riley's Point, 6,400 feet up-stream, the channel is about 400 feet wide, with an average depth of 15 feet at mean low water. Commencing at Riley's Point it is proposed to dredge a cut 2,440 feet long, 100 feet wide (proposed width of channel), and to a depth sufficient to give 10 feet depth at mean low water 667,600 cubic feet.

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From Wilmer's Point eastward, 6,790 feet, 100 feet wide, and to 10 feet at mean low water 3,346,500 cubic feet.

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Thence to Lime Landing, 4,200 feet, a channel 75 feet wide, to 10 feet at mean low water = 2,646,750 cubic feet.

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6,660,850 cubic feet =246,698 cubic yards, including turning-basin at Lime Landing. Cost of dredging 246,698 cubic yards of soft mud, at 25 cents per cubic yard, $61,674.50. The material to be dredged is soft mud, which could be easily handled and dumped in the many coves of the river.

STATISTICS OF COMMERCE.

The following statistics are taken from a report made by Mr. Charles M. Bird, upon preliminary examination of Sassafras River October 20, 1884 :

"The surrounding country tributary to the river amounts to about 100 square miles, and is remarkable for its fertility. It is almost entirely under cultivation, and produces large crops of wheat, corn, and potatoes, besides vast quantities of peaches and other fruits. At Georgetown a county bridge crosses the river; it is a drawbridge, with a clear span of draw opening of 45 feet."

The number and tonnage of vessels at present upon the river, owned principally in and around Georgetown, are as follows:

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The deepest draught is 8.5 feet. The steamboats and schooners run principally between Baltimore and Georgetown. They penetrate above Georgetown as far as Wilmer's Point Landing, and occasionally at high water as far as Fox Hole Wharf. Produce is brought down from Lime Landing (3.8 miles above Georgetown) in lighters to Fox Hole Wharf and Wilmer's Point Landing. The present amount of commerce on the river is as stated above.

*

Respectfully submitted.

V. M. NEWTON.

General WM. F. SMITH,

United States Agent.

ADDITIONAL REPORT AND REVISED ESTIMATE OF MR. WILLIAM F.

SMITH, UNITED STATES AGENT.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,

Wilmington, Del., February 5, 1885.

GENERAL: I have the honor to make the following additional report and estimates in accordance with the indorsement of the Chief of Engi

neers on the report and estimates for the improvement of the Sassafras River, Maryland.

1. With reference to depth of improved channel: As some of the vessels now engaged in commerce on that river, and which would be supposed to be used on the improved channel, draw 8 feet, a depth of 10 feet at mean low water was deemed a scant depth to secure the necessary obedience to the helm for a vessel of such draught.

2. With regard to the line of the improvement laid out in the lower portion of the river embraced on the map, I have been guided by the following ideas, which I believe sound in principle:

Firstly. Taking the river in question as an arm of the great tidal res ervoir in which the fresh-water supply does not affect the depth, the improvement becomes simply a slip cut from the navigable waters to a certain desired point.

Secondly. If the above is correct, the nearer to a straight line that the slip is cut the freer would be the action of the tides, and therefore the less would be the liability of deposit of sediment, and also the less would be the wear on the sides of the cut. I have, therefore, in the plan submitted, given that which was deemed best for a permanent im. provement.

I forward herewith a tracing of the portion of the river from Riley's Point, about 6,400 feet above Georgetown, to the upper part of the 6-foot curve, with estimates of the amount of material to be removed in case of following the deepest water.

Pursuing this method there would be a saving in the cost of $8,473. The distance would be increased 140 feet, and the curves made show for themselves. Taking this plan, and still allowing a depth of 10 feet at mean low water, the appropriation necessary for the entire work would be $56,527.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A.

WM. F. SMITH,

United States Agent.

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