The south jetty was 1,300 feet long, of which 1,077 feet were fully completed; the balance was a core, which was approximately at the height of mean low water. During the fiscal year this core was "leveled up" throughout its whole length. No increase in length of jetty was made. The work remains in good order. The sand-catch in rear of the south jetty was 572 feet long, with 606 feet of spurs or jetties. During the year, 444 feet of this sand-catch were repaired and refilled, and 245 feet of new work, with 294 feet of spurs, were built. This new work was a double wire fence filled with sea-weed. So long as the sea-weed remained damp, it served its purpose very well, but when it became dry it was easily displaced by the wind, and the sand-catch became powerless to stop the drifting sand. Proposals have been invited (to be opened July 15) for the rebuilding of this sand-catch in a more substantial manner, of timber, brush, and stone. During the latter part of the fiscal year a survey was made covering the area from the gorge between Salisbury Point and Plum Island, to the jetties and in front of the jetties to the outside 15-foot curve. This survey shows that a navigable 12-foot channel exists through the bar, generally 300 feet wide, and nowhere less than 200 feet wide. The depth, as shown by the survey of June, 1885, was a little over 9 feet; this increased depth is most encouraging for the improvements in prog ress. The chart accompanying this report shows the condition of the channel across the bar along the line of deepest water, which is the existing navigable channel, and the improvement in depth over that of last year. A comparison between the surveys of 1885 and 1886 shows that the shore-line outside the jetties has not essentially altered. Within the jetties the high and low water lines remain practically unchanged on the Salisbury Beach side. At the most southerly point of the cove, just inside of the south jetty, the high-water line has advanced about 150 feet, thus strengthening this weak part of Plum Island. The remainder of the high-water line to the gorge section and the low-water line show no material change. The distance from the gorge section along the 9-foot channel of 1885, to the outside 18-foot curve, was 5,300 feet. From the same point along the 12-foot channel of 1886, to the outside 18-foot curve, the distance is only 4,900 feet. This difference is caused by the straightening of the channel, which at the bar has moved about 500 feet southward, and by so much nearer the proposed true axis, and also by the westward advance of the exterior 18-foot curve. A comparison of the "Thalwegs" of 1880, 1885, and 1886 shows the extensive excavations made by the currents on the bar proper, part of the material apparently having been deposited by the flood-current in rear of the bar. The freshets of the river during the year have not been in excess of the average high-water stages, and were not characterized by unusally high velocities. The apparent increased action of the jetties during the year can, therefore, be accounted for only on the probable supposition that the jetties have become more consolidated by settling and filling with sand, and thus better able to direct the currents at low stages. The balance available July 1, 1886, $3,242.46, is not sufficient to continue the improvements beyond the repair of the sand-catch. The amount required for the completion of the existing project is $205,000, all of which can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888. If such an appropriation is made it is proposed to apply it to the rapid simultaneous construction of both jetties. This work is located in the collection district of Newburyport, Mass., of which Newburyport is the port of entry. The nearest light-house is on Plum Island, at the entrance to the harbor. The accompanying commercial statistics for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, have been furnished by the collectors of customs for Newburyport, Mass. Money statement. July 1, 1885, amount available.. July 1, 1886, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1885...... $9,868 14 6,625 68 July 1, 1886, amount available.... 3,242 46 Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886... 37,500 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1887...... 40,742 46 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 167,500 00 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. CUSTOM-HOUSE, NEWBURYPORT, MASS., SIR: In reply to yours of May 25, 1886, I would report "commercial statistics" showing the amount of revenue collected, number of entrances and clearances, tonnage and character of the same, foreign and domestic, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. No particular change has taken place in the situation of the harbor and its necessities since last report in 1885; therefore no other particular suggestions are offered. I am, very respectfully, yours, &c., DANIEL P. PIKE, Deputy Collector. B 2. IMPROVEMENT OF MERRIMAC RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. I relieved Maj. C. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., of the charge of this work, February 4, 1886, in accordance with Special Orders No. 16, Adjutant-General's Office, dated January 20, 1886. The object of this work is the improvement of the channel of the river from its mouth, near Plum Island Light, to the head of the Upper Falls, a distance of 211⁄2 miles. Previous to its commencement the channel was narrow and crooked in several places, and much obstructed by bowlders, ledges, shoals, and the remains of old crib-work and piers. The project was adopted in 1870 and modified in 1874. It provides for a channel of navigable width, its various parts having the following depths at high water of ordinary stages of the river: From the mouth near Plum Island Light to Deer Island Bridge, 163 feet; from the Deer Island Bridge up to Haverhill Bridge, 12 feet; thence to the foot of Mitchell's Falls, 10 feet; thence to the head of the Upper Falls, not less than 44 feet, with the mill-water at Lawrence running. The cost of the improvement under the amended project of 1874 was estimated to be $47,000. The following appropriations have been made for this work by Congress: By acts from July 11, 1870, to June 18, 1878. Total..... $132,000 5,000 12,000 9,000 9,000 3,500 170,500 The total amount expended to June 30, 1885, was $169,910.81. The condition of the improvement June 30, 1885, was as follows: The channel from the mouth of the river to the head of the Upper Falls had been completed in accordance with the amended project. The excess of expenditure over the estimate was caused by the removal of rocks and other obstructions whose existence was unknown, or whose removal was not contemplated when the original estimate was made, and by the making of surveys and examinations not provided for in the estimate. No operations were in progress during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. The balance available July 1, 1886, $299.04, will be used in inspecting the improvement from time to time. Certain additional improvements are needed for this lower part of the river, and are recommended as follows: Contingencies 1. Remove sunken rocks and shoals from the falls above Haverhill $1,500 8,750 1,250 Total....... 11,500 To extend the improvement so that the depth of water obtained through Mitchell's Falls can be carried to Lawrence (a distance of 5 miles from the head of the falls) was in 1882 estimated to cost, for dredg ing through Gage's Shoal and Andover Bar, and removing bowlders and ledges, $11,000. Or for the improvement of the channel from its mouth at Plum Island to Lawrence (a distance of 26 miles) would require an additional appropriation of $22,500. For the purposes above mentioned this amount could be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888. This work is located in the collection district of Newburyport, Mass., of which Newburyport is the nearest port of entry. The nearest light-house is the Plum Island Lights and the Newburyport Upper Harbor lights. Money statement. July 1, 1885, amount available. $589 19 July 1, 1886, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1885.... 290 15 July 1, 186, amount available.... 299 04 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... 22,500 00 22,500 00 B 3. IMPROVEMENT OF SCITUATE HARBOR, MASSACHUSETTS. I relieved Maj. C. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., of the charge of this work, February 4, 1886, in accordance with Special Orders No. 16, Adjutant-General's Office, dated January 20, 1886. The object of this improvement is to create a harbor of refuge for vessels when eastward of Boston. At the commencement of the improvement the harbor had a lowwater area of about 57 acres, over 6 acres of which there was a depth of at least 3 feet at mean low water. It was open to the action of easterly winds. The project adopted in 1880 is to build two breakwaters; (one from "Cedar Point," on the north side of the entrance, and the other from the point of the "First cliff" on the south side); and to deepen the area inclosed and in front of the entrance by dredging. The breakwaters are to be of rubble-stone and are to be 20 feet wide on top, which is in a plane 4 feet above mean high water, except at the outer ends, which are raised 6 feet higher, so as to be conspicuous guides for entrance. The dredging proposed (covering a channel length of 2,700 feet) will require the removal of 500,000 cubic yards, and will give a depth of 15 feet at mean low water in the entrance channels; from 12 to 15 feet be tween the breakwaters; 12 feet immediately in rear of the south breakwater, and 10 feet for the main harbor basin. The estimated cost of the breakwaters was $100,000, and of the dredg ing $190,000, or a total of $290,000 for this improvement. In aid of this project the following appropriations have been made by Congress, viz: By the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880.. Total....... $7,500 10,000 10,000 10,000 37,500 The total amount expended to June 30, 1885, was $37,108.54. The condition of the improvement June 30, 1885, was as follows: The north breakwater had been constructed to its full height for a length of 720 feet, about 15,000 tons of rubble-stone having been put in place. The south breakwater had not been commenced. A portion of the beach between Cedar Point and the land had been protected by a |