to February 26, 1872, when the improvement of the Falls of the Ohio River first became of any practical benefit to commerce, the natural channel-way at this point was by means of three chutes over the falls. The main chute (Indiana Chute) was navigable for descending boats from three to five months and for ascending boats about one or one and onehalf months in the year. A canal built by private parties around the falls on the Kentucky side, called the Louisville and Portland Canal, permitted the passage of vessels not exceeding 185 feet in length and 50 feet in breadth, and was, therefore, only available for the smaller class of vessels which were then navigating the rivers of the Mississippi basin." The project for this improvement was adopted in 1868, and its object was to deepen, widen, and enlarge the Louisville and Portland Canal, to complete the new locks and branch leading to them (which work had been begun in 1860 by the Louisville and Portland Canal Company, and stopped for want of funds in 1866). Since then the project has been extended by the action of Congress so as to include the improvement of the Indiana Chute. Ever since February 26, 1872, the improvements made here have permitted the passage of boats through the canal not exceeding 335 feet in length and 80 feet in width. During the year ending June 30, 1882, $34,118.60 have been expended upon this chute. The advantage in this has been to bring the natural main navigable channel over the falls into a better condition. All the work done in this direction will relieve the artificial channel or Louisville and Portland Canal in periods when commerce is crowded at that point. During the last fiscal year the falls were navigable for ascending and descending boats one hundred and fifteen days, and for descending boats only, one hundred and twenty-seven days; 2,543 vessels, with a registered under-tonnage of 758,871 tons, passed over them. These carried, in addition to general merchandise, 18,545,000 bushels of coal and 18,600 tons of iron ore. July 1, 1881, amount available.. July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881.... $71,760 73 34,118 60 July 1, 1882, amount available..... 37,642 13 Amount allotted from appropriation August 2, 1882, for improving Ohio 35,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883.... 72,642 13 (See Appendix X 1.) In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of January 9, 1882, requesting information as to what, if any, additional works are necessary at the Falls of the Ohio to complete the improvements thereof in a manner to serve the interests of commerce, and reasons why such additional works, if any, are necessary, with estimates of the cost of such works, a report from Lieut. Col. G. Weitzel, the officer of Engineers in charge, was transmitted to the Senate and printed as Senate Ex. Doc. No. 129, Forty-seventh Congress, first session, which will also be found in the appendix to this report, and to which attention is invited. (See Appendix X 1.) 2. Operating and maintaining the Louisville and Portland Canal.-Dur ing the past year the canal was only required two hundred and fifty days, or seventy days less than the annual average. This was due to It the unusual number and duration of the high stages of the river. was closed one hundred and fifteen days by high water; 3,964 boats, with a registered under tonnage of 904,343 tons, passed through the canal. The act of March 3, 1881, provides authority for the Secretary of War to draw his requisition on the Secretary of the Treasury, from time to time, for the purpose of operating and keeping this canal in repair. (See Appendix X 2.) IMPROVEMENT OF OHIO AND MONONGAHELA RIVERS AND OF ALLEGHENY RIVER, PENNSYLVANIA-CONSTRUCTION OF HARBOR OF REFUGE NEAR CINCINNATI, AND OF ICE HARBOR AT MOUTH OF MUSKINGUM RIVER, OHIO. Officer in charge, Maj. William E. Merrill, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders Lieut. William M. Black, Corps of Engineers, until November 7, 1881, and Capt. Frederick A. Mahan, Corps of Engineers, from December, 1, 1881, to the close of the fiscal year. 1. Ohio River-Davis Island Movable Dam.-During the fiscal year the navagable pass of this dam, which extends from the lock a distance of 556 feet to the pier, which separates it from weir 1, and which consists of a massive foundation of timber and concrete, on top of which are 139 movable wickets, was begun and completed. This work required the excavation of 12,424 cubic yards of sand and gravel, and the laying of 6,453 cubic yards of concrete, in addition to the framing and construction of the timber flooring and the erection of the wickets, with their appurtenances. The guiding-crib at the head of the lock was also extended to its full length of 710 feet, and 56 wickets were framed for weir 1. The work was much favored by an unusually low stage of water in the river. Brown's Island Dam.-About one-half of this dam was completed, the work having been greatly retarded by the unusually low stage in the Ohio, which prevented the boating of material. Twelve-Pole Dike.-This dike was fully completed to a length of 650 feet, the wood-work was completed and half filled with stone for an additional length of 952 feet, and some work was done for a further distance of 181 feet, making a total length of 1,793 feet. Portland Dike.-This work has been extended 2,124 feet, of which 1,431 feet is completed. Being just below the Falls of the Ohio, it is unusually subject to interruption by small rises. Puppy Creek Dike.-The substructure has been extended into the river a distance of 1,500 feet, of which 400 feet is of full height. No work has been done on the superstructure. Grand Chain-Upper Dike.-A length of 1,700 feet has been built, of which 1,070 feet is completed. The dike will be extended to an additional length of 1,300 feet. Grand Chain-Lower Dike.-This dike is 2,670 feet long, of which 1,300 feet has been completed. Its effect has already been very favorable. Work at the Grand Chain was hindered by high-water in the Mississippi. Dredging. The dredges Ohio and Oswego were employed during the year 1881 in excavating in the vicinity of the Davis Island Dam, at Stoops's Ferry, at Phillis Island, at Baker's Island, and in the harbors of Pittsburgh, Marietta, and Harmar. A large amount of rock was removed from the channel by the dredge crews while the dredges were laid up on account of low-water, being roughly estimated at 1,511 tons. A total of 47,671 cubic yards of gravel and loose rock was removed by dredging, two wrecks were taken up, 232 piles were drawn, and twelve snags were destroyed. The average cost per cubic yard for dredging was 283 cents. Snagging. The snag-boat E. A. Woodruff began work on June 11, and went into winter quarters on December 15; 1,026 snags were removed and 34 wrecks were either wholly or partly broken up. While laid up at the Little Chain by low-water the crew were employed in removing the rocks which obstructed the channel at that place, the amount removed being 476 cubic yards; 251 cubic yards were also removed from other localities. Removal of rocks. In addition to the rock-work reported above, a number of special parties were employed at various points during the extreme low-water of last summer. The result of their labors was the removal from the bed of the river of an estimated weight of 10,296 tons of rock from thirty-two different localities. The sums expended on the Ohio River have greatly facilitated navigation by the removal of snags, wrecks, and rocks, the dredging of troublesome bars and points, and the increase in depth at special bad places. During the year ending June 30, 1882, there was expended on the river $365,415.05. The whole amount estimated for 1883-84 can be profitably expended in the manner stated in detail in the report of the officer in charge. In view of frequent legislation on the subject of bridges over the Ohio River, Major Merrill has embodied in his report (for which see Appendix Y) a tabular statement of the losses thus far incurred through the collision of river craft with the piers and superstructure of Ohio River bridges. The officer in charge submits the following estimate for the ensuing year: Office expenses, inspection, engineering, and contingencies. 25,000 00 July 1, 1882, amount available... $446,348 36 Amount allotted to improvement of Indiana Chute, Ohio River 20,000 00 426,348 36 Amount appropriated by act approved March 21, 1882 . 100,000 00 526,348 36 September 9, 1881, amount allotted to improvement of Indiana Chute, Ohio River... $40,000 00 July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881. 338,034 76 July 1, 1882, outstanding liabilities.. 27,380 29 405,415 05 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 980,000 00 (See Appendix Y 1.) 2. Monongahela River, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.-No work of construction was done during the fiscal year for lack of funds. Under contract 1,385 cubic yards of stone were quarried and delivered. During the present season the head of the lock and part of the side walls will be built, and a frame dwelling for lock-keeper will be constructed. The officer in charge recommends an appropriation of $89,000 to complete the work, and $2,000 for running expenses and contingencies at No. 9, making a total estimate of $91,000. July 1, 1881, amount available... July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881. July 1, 1852, outstanding liabilities. July 1, 1882, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882.. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883............. $45,569 19 $6,079 06 7,600 22 37,968 97 25,000 00 62,968 97 89,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project......... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. (See Appendix Y 2.). 91,000 00 3. Allegheny River, Pennsylvania.-Slight damages in the dams at SixMile Island and Nicholson Island were repaired at a cost of $2,835. The remainder of the appropriation was expended in removing rocks and snags from the banks and channel. Eight parties were employed, and the result of their labor was the removal of 40,166 cubic yards of rock and 151 snags. A marked improvement has been noted in the navigation of many of the shoals. Surveys, with a view to improvement, were made at Red Bank Bar, Mahoning Bar, Nicholson Island, Murphy's Island, Nine Mile Islands, and at the old canal aqueduct just above Freeport. The worst obstruction to commerce is Garrison Ripple, at the head of Herr's Island, and within the city limits of Pittsburgh. It can only be improved by a lock and dam, for which an estimate is submitted, as follows: For removal of rocks For lock and dam below Herr's Island $100,000 153,000 The total amount thus far expended on the Allegheny up to June 30, 1882, is $53,100.72. During the year ending June 30, 1882, there was expended $23,249.97. The work already done has been of considerable benefit to navigation. July 1, 18-1, amount available... July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881.... $25, 149 25 July 1, 1882, amount available... Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882 . Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883 .... 23,249 97 1,899 28 15,000 00 16,899 28 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 253, 000 00 (See Appendix Y 3.) 4. Harbor of Refuge near Cincinnati.-Both of the dikes originally designed for this locality have been completed, and the contract has been closed. The Ohio dike is 2,135 feet and the Kentucky dike 2,477 feet long. Both are built of continuous crib work, filled with stone. A third dike was recommended in the last annual report and $16,000 was appropriated. As the estimated cost of the dikes is $33,000, an additional appropriation of $17,000 to complete the work will be required. Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882 $16,000 00 17,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 17,000 00 (See Appendix Y 4.) 5. Ice harbor at mouth of Muskingum River, Ohio.-The stage of water during the season of 1881 was favorable, and good progress was made. As much of the upper end of the lock as could be attempted without undermining the State dam was successfully built. This includes the miter wall, the upper guard-piers, and 80 feet of the two walls. The lock floor was also completed for the same length, making its total area 9,000 square feet. This work required 5,500 cubic yards of excavation, 1,000 cubic yards of concrete, 1,700 cubic yards of masonry, the driving of 712 piles, and the cutting of 7,200 superficial feet of stone. During the year the contractor for stone delivered 2,587 cubic yards of dimension and 2,547 cubic yards of rubble stone. The officer in charge submits the following estimate for the ensuing year: July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $216, 400 00 150,000 00 66,400 00 48, 751 04 $39,383 61 41, 496 42 7,254 62 40,000 00 47,254 62 66,400 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. (See Appendix Y 5.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. 66,400 00 To comply with requirements of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881, Major Merrill was charged with survey of the Clarion River from its mouth to Ridgeway, Pa., the results of which were transmitted to Congress and printed in Senate Ex. Doc. No. 18, Forty-seventh Congress, first session. (See Appendix Y 6.) IMPROVEMENT OF KENTUCKY RIVER AND OF TRADEWATER RIVER, KENTUCKY; OF BIG SANDY RIVER, KENTUCKY AND WEST VIRGINIA; AND OF GUYANDOTTE AND LITTLE KANAWHA RIVERS, WEST VIRGINIA. Officer in charge, Maj. James W. Cuyler, Corps of Engineers. 1. Kentucky River, Kentucky.—The present project for this improvement is to reconstruct the old State slackwater works in the lower 100 miles of river, and to continue the slackwater system of navigation to the "Three Forks," 158 miles farther up, by the construction of entirely new works. This project has been so far carried into execution as to reopen to navigation, by the operations of the year just closed, the four lower old works, thus improving the lower 82 miles of river. |