APPENDIX V. REMOVING SNAGS AND WRECKS FROM THE MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI RIVERS-IMPROVEMENTS AT VARIOUS POINTS ON MISSOURI RIVERSURVEY OF MISSOURI RIVER FROM ITS MOUTH TO FORT BENTON— IMPROVEMENT OF GASCONADE RIVER, MISSOURI. REPORT OF MAJOR CHARLES R. SUTER, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1884, WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE WORKS. IMPROVEMENTS. 1. Removing snags and wrecks from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. 2. Missouri River from its mouth to Sioux City, Iowa, &c. 3. Survey of Missouri River from its mouth to Fort Benton, Mont. 4. Gasconade River, Missouri. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit my annual report on the works under my charge during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. JOHN NEWTON, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. CHAS. R. SUTER, Major of Engineers. V 1. REMOVING SNAGS AND WRECKS FROM MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI RIVERS. Owing to the failure of the river and harbor bill, operations under this head were extremely limited. Two boats were employed, the H. G. Wright in the Missouri and the J. N. Macomb in the Mississippi, their aggregate period of work being 5 months, which was all that the small balance remaining from the previous year's appropriation would allow. 1531 MISSISSIPPI RIVER. Operations on this stream extended from Saint Louis, Mo., to Waterproof, La., a distance of 860 miles. The snag-boat J. N. Macomb left Saint Louis September 6 and worked down-stream to Waterproof, La., from which point she turned back October 18, and worked back to Saint Louis. She was laid up November 21, having been in commission about three months. For rebuilding one wooden snag-boat and fitting it up for wrecking purposes For working expenses of three boats, 10 months each, at $4,000 per month. Total $50,000 120,000 170,000 Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883... $19,290 71 18, 390 48 July 1, 1884, amount available 900 23 Amount allotted from appropriation by act approved July 5, 1884.... 60,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 60,900 23 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 170,000 00 MISSOURI RIVER. Operations on this stream extended from the mouth to Kansas City, Mo., a distance of 375 miles. The snag-boat H. G. Wright left Saint Louis August 14, and entered Missouri River the following day; she worked up-stream to Kansas City, from which point she turned back September 30. She then worked down to the mouth of the river and returned to Saint Louis. up November 3, having been in commission 2 months. Table of work done in Missouri River. She was laid Recapitulation of work done during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. For building light-draught snag-boat..... For operating three boats, nine months each, at $4,000 per month. $80,000 108,000 Total 188,000 Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available . $98,338 65 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883....... 16,693 90 July 1, 1884, amount available.... -- Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884..... 81,644 75 50,000 00 131,644 75 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885...... CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BOATS. Nothing was done under this head during the year, as the amount of funds available was not sufficient. It is hoped, however, during the present season to construct a new snag-boat for the Missouri River, which is much needed. Plans have been prepared for a stern-wheel snag-boat, also for the Missouri River, and an estimate for its construction is submitted. The old wooden snag-boat De Russy has become entirely unserviceable, her hull being completely worn out. Part of her machinery is in good order, and the boat should be rebuilt without loss of time, as we are now short of boats suitable for work on the Mississippi River. She should also be equipped for removing wrecks, of which a great number have accumulated. Estimates for this purpose are submitted. OPERATIONS FOR COMING SEASON. During the coming season it is proposed to devote thirteen months' work to the Mississippi, and five months' work to the Missouri. The work is situated in the collection district of New Orleans. The amount of revenue collected at the port of Saint Louis, Mo., during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $1,549,400.58. The commerce benefited by the work is that of the entire Mississippi Valley. V 2. IMPROVEMENT OF MISSOURI RIVER FROM ITS MOUTH TO SIOUX CITY, IOWA. Owing to the failure of the river and harbor bill last year, it became necessary to reduce the season's operations to a minimum in order to provide means for watching and protecting the large and costly plant belonging to the works. Work under the various allotments of the appropriation of 1882 are described under their respective heads. SAINT CHARLES, MISSOURI. Work here consisted in completing the revetment made in the early part of the season in Saint Charles Bend by covering it with rock. After this was done the plant was sent to Kansas City. During high water of July the river broke through the slough behind Saint Charles Island, which has since become the main channel of the river. There will probably be no further cutting of the bank in Saint Charles Bend, though extensive changes are reported as in progress lower down. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available... $7,543 14 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.... 3,864 21 July 1, 1884, amount available 3,678 93 GLASGOW, MISSOURI. Nothing was done at this place, the allotment having been transferred to Saint Charles, as stated in last year's report. NEBRASKA CITY, NEBRASKA. The available balance being too small for prosecuting the work to advantage, it was definitely closed up in the fall and the plant sent to Saint Joseph, Mo. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 .... July 1, 1884, amount available.... OMAHA, NEBRASKA. $3,506 19 1,511 33 1,994 86 During the fall season the Omaha revetment was extended downstream to the bridge, a distance of 1,270 feet, and 2,500 feet of old work was repaired. As this was all the work deemed necessary until a complete scheme of channel rectification is undertaken, the work was definitely closed up and the plant transferred to Saint Joseph. The report of Assistant Charles S. Pease, who had charge of the season's operations, is appended. July 1, 1883, amount available.. Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883... July 1, 1884, amount available ..... SIOUX CITY, IOWA. $11,916 25 8,150 27 3,765 98 Nothing was done at this point, the balance of the allotment having been transferred to Nebraska City, as stated in my last report. |