ment commander I reported to him, and submitted my report and maps. I was ordered to accompany the party, and left with Troop B, First Cavalry, under Captain Jackson, August 1, and accompanied the party to Lake Osoyoos, which was reached August 12. On August 12 I was ordered to accompany the detachment under command of First Lieut. George B. Backus to the Methow country, the object being to find and locate the pass mentioned in Lieut. H. B. Pierce's report of September, 1882, through the Cascade Range. The North Fork of the Twotsp and the Papoose Methow were examined to their heads. A detailed report and plat of the route have been made of this journey. On October 22, 1883, I left these headquarters in compliance with paragraph 3, Department Special Order No. 144, for Camp Spokane, to consult with Colonel Merriam, Second Infantry, as to the location for a bridge across the Spokane River. Three sites were examined. No. 1. opposite the post, where the stream flows through a rocky gorge. The idea here was to throw a span across the river where it is not more than 120 feet from bank to bank. This, if carried out, would necessitate considerable blasting, labor, and therefore too much money in making proper approaches, so this site was abandoned entirely. No. 2 was just above the bend that the river makes opposite the post, and where at that time a cable ferry was running. No. 3 was about midway between this bend and the site of the bridge built in the summer of 1882, but which was destroyed by the washing out of one of the piers during the high water of 1883. The selection then was between these two, and No. 3 was taken, for the following reasons: The stream at No. 2 was over 400 feet wide, and necessitated at least two piers in the water, while the bottom is composed of loose rocks and bowlders. At high water, until the river overflowed its banks, there could be no appreci able difference in the width of the stream, and the two piers would considerably increase the current. The stream at No. 3 was between 90 and 100 feet (the measurement was made by means of a temporary rope ferry), more rapid, and about 4 feet deeper than at No. 2. The bank on the north side would allow but little expanse at high water. On the south side, however, was a formation of bowlders, bound together by sea-weeds, and the slope up and back gradual, allowing room for all the expansion necessary. This would also make a good foundation for a pier, and all work, by throwing a span across the stream, could be done above water-an important consideration in securing good foundations in a stream like the Spokane. An eddy below the bend threw the current near the north side. Measurements for velocities and depths were taken, the former approximately, for putting up the necessary false works. Another point considered, which would have given preference to the former had all other conditions been equal, was that this site, though as convenient for the post as No. 2, it was more so to the traveling public, for they could only cross the Spokane at the bridge, and were it placed at No. 2 they would have to pass through the post to reach it, so that the wear and tear on the side-hill road to the post is greatly reduced. Plans and specifications submitted to the Quartermaster's Department were examined and approved at this office. The bridge was built by J. L. Bailey, of Spokane Falls, and consists of one span, modified Howe truss, 120 feet, three queen-post trusses, each 60 feet, and trestle approaches. By direction of the department commander it was built under supervision of post quartermaster, and accepted when completed by post commander and post quartermaster. On December 25, 1883, I left these headquarters with Lieutenant Abercrombie, Second Infantry, in compliance with paragraph 1, Department Special Order No. 178, to explore the Pend d'Oreille River in canoes. After some difficulty the start was made from Sand Point, Idaho, but we were forced back after much suffering from the excessive cold, and many hardships caused by the ice. The loss of our provisions compelled us to return. In pursuance with paragraph 4, Special Order No. 9, current series, Department of the Columbia, I left these headquarters for Fort Stevens Oreg., and Fort Canby, Wash., the latter part of January, for the purpose of examining and reporting upon extending the wharf at Fort Stevens; also the building of a breakwater at Fort Canby, for the protection of the commissary building. I returned on February 6, and reported as required by the department commander. The wharf has not been extended, but the breakwater was built by the Quartermaster's Depart ment. During the month of September, 1883, Topographical Assistant Alfred Downing accompanied Captain Baldwin, Fifth Infantry, to select a site for a proposed mill on the Okinakane, near the mouth of Bonaparte Creek. He run the necessary lines of levels and took some of the necessary measurements for determining the available water-power. LIEUTENANT RODMAN'S EXPEDITION. Lieut. S. Rodman, jr., First Artillery, taking command of the party ordered into the Methow country after the death of Lieut. H. H. Pierce, Twenty-first Infantry, examined Lake Chelan during the months of July and August, 1883, going to its head both overland and by canoes up the lake, and his report setties beyond question the existence of but one head. Besides this, Lieutenant Rodman examined the main Methow as far as practicable for pack trains. LIEUTENANT TRUITT'S EXPEDITION. Lieut. C. M. Truitt, Twenty-first Infantry, at Fort Townsend, Wash., in May, 1884, under instructions of his post commander, continued the trail mentioned in my last annual report, towards the Olympic Range, and after fifteen days' travel reached a peak (altitude 5,266 feet) which he called Mount Chambers. He went farther than any other reconnoitering party. Itineraries were also received from the infantry and cavalry companies en route to and from the suminer encampment on Foster Creek, Wash.; also, of Troop H, First Cavalry, up the Okinakane from its mouth to Lake Osoyoos. OFFICE WORK. Maps and plans (completed by hand).-Maps showing route of the General of the Army from old Fort Colville, Wash., to the Fraser River, British Columbia, during August, 1883. Scale 8 miles to 1 inch. Map of Indian trail from old Fort Colville to Curlew Creek; 4 miles to 1 inch. Maps of Vancouver post and reserve; 165 feet to 1 inch. Plan showing water supply to light-battery buildings. Map showing trails examined by engineer officer Department of the Columbia, between old Fort Colville and Osoyoos Lake; 4 miles to 1 inch. Map of trail from Osoyoos Lake, Wash., to Fort Hope, British Columbia, as followed by Topographical Assistant Downing in July, 1883; 8 miles to 1 inch. Plan of proposed dwelling-house for Chief Moses. Plans of new staff quarters under construction at Vancouver Barracks. Map of Alaska, showing exploration route of 1883; 16 geographica miles to 1 inch. Map showing route of Alaska military reconnaissance of 1883, from Fort Selkirk, British Columbia, to Fort Yukon, Alaska; 4 miles to 1 inch. Map of route from Fort Yukon to the sea, on same scale (20 sheets in all). Map of route from Fort Selkirk, British Columbia, to Fort Yukon. Alaska; 16 miles to 1 inch. Plans and elevations of light-battery buildings, Vancouver Barracks, Plan of Fort Stevens post and reserve; 200 feet to 1 inch. Maps of reconnaissance by engineer officer from Osoyoos Lake to headwaters of Methow River; 4 miles to 1 inch. TRACINGS. Seventy tracings have been made during the year. Of these, twentyfive were made from the Alaska reconnaissance sheets, and the remainder comprise those made from maps of scouts, Indian trails, Indian reservations, military reservations, posts, and new buildings, and those proposed to be built. SOLAR MAPS. One hundred and seventy-five solar prints have been made; upwards of one hundred of these apply to Alaska. MISCELLANEOUS. Much outdoor work has been done by myself and assistants within the Vancouver military reserve, principally the laying out of new roads, running lines of levels, locating sites for new buildings, and verifying old lines. Upwards of forty maps have been mounted upon linen and issued to officers within the department. By direction of the department commander, there has been compiled a table of distances between all posts in the department. Also an alphabetical list of all places reached by rail, within this department (from Portland, Oreg.), and their distances have been compiled. Much has been added to the department map (16 mile scale) during the year, such as the extension of railroads, and location of new trails, roads, &c. In conclusion, I would state that the small sum of money for which I receipted on my assignment to duty here is expended, and the Quartermaster's Department has to be called upon to furnish the necessary material and repair of instruments for this office. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. GEO. W. GOETHALS, First Lieutenant of Engineers. |