an expenditure of about $3,000 for dredging and minor repairs, the Marcus Hook Harbor in process of enlargement, and the new ice harbor at the head of the bay projected, the requirements of commerce in this direction have received full consideration. The regulation of these harbors, however, to insure their legitimate use and develop fully their advantages to vessels during a winter voyage, is an important matter, and the Engineer officer in charge renews the recommendation, made in the last two Annual Reports, for the appointment of harbor-masters, who should have the requisite authority to control the occupancy of the harbors and prevent improper use of them. In this I fully concur. The engineer in charge presents arguments in favor of the acquisition and ownership by the United States of a certain amount of dredg ing plant for general use in connection with the improvement of the Delaware and its tributaries. Surveys of the Delaware River have now been made from Bridesburg, Pa., to the head of the bay at Liston's. These, with the tidal and current observations and the lines of levels connecting all important points, constitute the material for an effective study of the river as a whole, and combine individual improvements into a general scheme. July 1, 1881, amount available.......... July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilties July 1, 1881 July 1, 1882, outstanding liabilities... July 1, 1882, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882.. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883.. $142,237 78 $56, 643 93 10,771 94 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 275 000 00 (See Appendix F 2.) 3. Delaware River at Schooner Ledge.-Operations on this work have continued during the past year. At the close of the fiscal year the 24-foot channel had been increased in width to 220 feet. During the progress of an examination of the vicinity of the ledge two wrecks were discovered directly in the path of vessels, and removed. After the expiration of the present contracts the removal of about 2,000 cubic yards of rock will complete the present project, beyond the limits of which additional scattered rocks are found. As this locality is a very dangerous one in thick weather, it is important that the work should not be interrupted. To enable a contract to be made at rates advantageous to the United States, the whole amount necessary to complete this improvement should be appropriated in one sum. July 1, 1881, amount available July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $78, 212 31 outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881. $55,845 62 July 1, 1882, outstanding liabilities 5,989 15 61,834 77 July 1, 1882, amount available........ 16,377 54 Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882 . 40,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883...... 56, 377 54 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 57,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 57,000 00 (See Appendix F 3.) 4. Delaware River near Cherry Island Flats.-The construction of a channel 900 feet wide and 24 feet deep has been in progress since 1880. During the past fiscal year the width has been increased from 270 feet to 390 feet. A comparison of the surveys made in the fall and spring shows that the channel generally maintains its depth. With a greater width than has now been obtained, and the general use of the new channel by all vessels, it is probable that a permanently increased depth will be secured. To maintain the new channel, however, without the aid of deflecting works, it is absolutely necessary that all steamers should use it, and the engineer in charge expresses regret that the ship-owners and pilots have not hitherto been more ready to co-operate with the United States in this. An annual appropriation of $100,000 is the least with which operations can be continuously sustained. July 1, 1881, amount available..... July 1, 182, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstandng liabilities July 1, 1881 July 1, 1-2, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1882, amount available Amount appropriated by act passed Angust 2, 1882 . Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883 .... 122,720 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1984. 100,000 00 (See Appendix F 4.) 5. Schuylkill River, Pennsylvania.-Operations during the past year were continued under the project approved in 1875, described in the Annual Report for the last year, and have resulted in the partial removal of a shoal lying on the west side of the channel below Girard's Point; in making two cuts 1,700 feet in length on the north side of the channel, near Penrose Ferry Bridge; in the partial removal of a shoal 3,000 feet above Penrose Ferry Bridge; in making two cuts 1,200 feet long on the east, and one cut 400 feet long on the west side of the channel at the "angle." and one cut 1,100 feet long on the west side of the channel abreast of the works of the Philadelphia Oil Refinery. At the two localities first named the material was dredged to a depth of 24 feet, at the others to a depth of 20 feet. Operations were much embarrassed by the abandonment of the work by one of the contractors in October, 1881; $25,000 remains to be expended under this contract. In view of the importance of the Schuylkill River as a part of the port of Philadelphia, a new project is needed to increase the facilities for navigation, but until harbor lines shall have been decided upon by the city authorities, it is not considered advisable to prepare this. Forty thousand dollars is required for a continuance of the work during the fiscal year 1883-84. July 1, 1881, amount available. July 1, 182, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $149, 700 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 40,000.00 (See Appendix F 5.) 6. Ice Harbor at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.-The two piers in process of construction at the close of the fiscal year 1880-'81 were finished in October, 1881. The project under which they were constructed contemplated an increase of the sheltered harbor from 34 acres to 14 acres. An amended project was submitted by the Engineer officer in charge in October, 1881, which, at a cost of $8,800 beyond the $90,000 of the original estimate, would add 4 acres more to the harbor by thee rection of one additonal pier, the construction of a bulkhead along the whole length of the harbor at an average distance of 150 feet from high-water mark, and the dredging of the whole harbor to a depth of 15 feet at mean low-water, shoaling to 10 feet alongside the bulkhead. Pending the action of Congress with regard to this last project, the continuation of the improvement has been postponed. July 1, 1881, amount available.. July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881 Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882... July 1, 1882, amonnt available....... Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883.... $40,678 91 1,882 79 38,796 12 15,000 00 53,796 12 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884.. (See Appendix F 6.) 20,000 00 20,000 00 7. Ice Harbor at Chester, Pennsylvania. For reasons given in former reports, it is not proposed to make any further outlay of public funds for the maintenance of this harbor. It is proposed to abandon it as soon as the enlargement of the harbor at Marcus Hook is completed. July 1, 1881, amount available July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881 $32 24 32 24 (See Appendix F 7.) 8. Ice Harbor at New Castle, Delaware.-As stated in the last annual report, contract was made in July, 1881, for the construction of the additional ice-pier needed to complete the harbor, with the $20,000 appropriated in the act of March 3, 1881. According to the contract, the work should have been completed on or before January 1, 1882. An extension of time was, however, granted the contractor until July 31, 1882. The appropriation of $3,000 asked for in the last annual report will suffice to put the harbor in a condition of thorough efficiency. July 1, 1881, amount available... $23,566 64 July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881 $1,578 72 July 1, 1882, outstanding liabilities 21,987 92 23,566 64 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 3,000 00 3,000 00 (See Appendix F 8.) 9. Wilmington Harbor, Delaware.-The project under which the work is in progress contemplates carrying a 15-foot channel from deep water in the Delaware River past the city of Wilmington. A contract was made in November, 1881, for the construction of a jetty at the mouth to reach the 12-foot low-water curve in the Delaware. At this date about 100 feet have been partially completed and filled with stone. Dredging to the depth of 12 feet at low-water was carried on under contract during the year from below Third Street Bridge to the pulp works. At present the condition of the channel is as follows: From the point of beginning to Harlan & Hollingsworth's ship-yard the width is 150 feet; thence to the Delaware Western Railroad bridge the width is 100 feet; thence to a point 200 yards below the pulp works 70 feet; a single cut 40 feet in width exists through the remaining distance. To secure a 15-foot low-water navigation an annual appropriation of not less than $50,000 will be required. July 1, 1981, amount available July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881.. July 1, 1882, outstanding liabilities....... July, 1, 18-2, amount available....... Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883........... $49, 843 92 $16,866 22 534 12 17,400 34 32,443 58 50,000 00 82.443 58 75,551 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 50,000 00 (See Appendix F 9.) 10. Broadkiln River, Delaware.—In the last annual report recommen dation was made that the application of the available balance of appro priation be deferred until further action had been taken by Congress. In consequence of the lateness of the season when the appropriation of August 2, 1882, was made, and of the small amount still available to begin this work with any hope of securing an adequate return for the outlay, it is proposed to further delay expenditure to await the future action of Congress in regard to this improvement. 36,500 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 16, 000 00 (See Appendix F 10. 11. Mispillion Creek, Delaware.-During the past year, with an appropriation of $3,500 in the act of March 3, 1881, the work has been continued according to the project. During this time a channel 40 to 50 feet wide, 6 feet deep at low-water, and 950 yards long, was made through "Mushpot Shoal." A similar channel was made through "Fork Shoal." The act of March 3, 1881, provided further for a survey of the mouth of the stream, which was made. While the work already done has had a beneficial effect on the prin cipal industry of the stream, that of ship-building, it will always remain to open the mouth, to such an extent at least as will permit the entrance and exit of loaded vessels near the period of high-water. For the completion of the present project of a 6-foot low-water navigation to the month, $3,500 will be required. An available entrance depth of 4 feet at mean low-water would cost $55,000; of 3 feet at mean low-water (7 feet at high-water), $49,000. July 1, 1881, amount available July 1, 1882, amount expended during fisca! year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881.. July 1, 1882, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1882, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883 ..... $3,451 72 $1,864 97 1,532 43 3,397 40 54 32 3,000 00 3,054 32 3,500 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 3,500 00 (See Appendix F 11.) 12. Duck Creek, Delaware.-The work was put under contract in July, 1881, as stated in the last annual report, and completed early in August. The channel made was about 600 yards long, 75 feet wide, and 8 feet deep at low-water. Two thousand five hundred dollars more will be required to increase its width to 100 feet, as originally projected. Before making an estimate for permanent works to protect this channel, it would seem to be advisable to observe the action of the tides and currents upon the dredged channel. July 1, 1881, amount available...... July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882. $2,912 93 2,912 93 2,000 00 14,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1834. 14,000 00 (See Appendix F 12.) 13. Cohansey Creek, New Jersey.-A re-examination of the creek was made in July, 1881, as required by the act of March 3, 1881. It showed that there is substantially a 7-foot low-water channel from the deep water of the creek below Stony Point upwards, but of insufficient width at some points. Above the upper steamboat landing the dredged channel has shoaled somewhat, but seems to exhibit good indications of permanence. It is now proposed to bring the 7-foot low-water navigation from deep water below the lower steamboat wharf upward as far as Commerce Street Bridge, and thence to the Nail Works Bridge, to have a low-water depth of 6 feet, the channel width to vary from 100 feet at the lower end to 50 feet at the upper bridge. No bids were received in response to the advertisement of August 31, 1881, inviting proposals for doing this work, and it was then decided to postpone operations until it should be ascertained what action Congress would take at the ensuing session. About $5,000 in addition to the $11,500 now in hand will be required to complete this work. July 1, 1881, amount available... July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881..... $7,003 01 504 60 July 1, 1882, amount available.... 6,498 41 Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882. 5,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883....... 11,498 41 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 5,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 5,000 00 (See Appendix F 13.) |