FF II. HARBOR OF REFUGE AT ENTRANCE OF STURGEON BAY CANAL, WIS CONSIN. Estimated cost (see Report of Chief of Engineers, 1874, I, page 141). $180,000 160,000 The modified project of improvement consists in the formation of an artificial harbor of refuge, by building two piers, each 1,200 feet long, beginning at equal distances, respectively, north and south from the lake entrance to the Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan Ship Canal, 850 feet apart at the shore-line, converging to a distance of 235 feet from each other with detached piers, each extending 150 feet further, the latter being so placed that the entrance is widened to 335 feet. The outer end of each detached pier is connected with the outer end of the adjacent main pier by 165 linear feet of fender piling. The project also embraces the formation of a dredged channel of indefinite width, 16 feet deep, extending from the harbor entrance to the entrance to the canal. The pier work has been completed with the exception of two courses of superstructure, which are to be built over 350 linear feet of the south pier. The two piers are identical in manner of construction, the first 800 feet of each being revetted pile-pier and the rest crib-pier. During the past fiscal year the United States dredges removed 51,744 cubic yards of material, a large number of broken piles, and parts of two wrecks from the harbor. An area of 100 feet in width by 300 feet in length at the immediate entrance to the canal was dredged to a depth of 16 feet, and nearly all of the remaining area, except for a distance of 50 feet from the dockfront and piers, was dredged to a depth of 14 feet below datum; 200 linear feet of the sheet-piling of the north pier was riprapped, and 2094 cords of stone were placed in the piers where most needed. Soundings taken in the harbor indicated the existence of rock in the southwest corner at a distance of more than 100 feet from the direct channel leading to the canal, having a depth of 113 feet below datum at the shoalest point. This rock should ultimately be removed to a depth of 14 feet below datum, or some plan should be adopted to render this part of the harbor inaccessible to vessels. The construction of a fender piling similar to that at the entrance of the harbor would effect this object and would also afford an easier entrance to the canal. About 20,000 cubic yards of material should be removed from the angles at the shore line to make the ten acres comprising the harbor available. The advantages expected to accrue to vessels navigating Lake Michigan, when the construction of a harbor of refuge at this place was projected, have not been entirely realized. It is reported that in tempestuous weather the harbor is too limited, and does not afford sufficient security to vessels seeking its shelter, often necessitating their passage through the canal to avail themselves of the superior advantages afforded by the natural harbor of Sturgeon Bay. Tolls are expected by the company from vessels, whether using the canal as an avenue to safety or for purposes of trade. As the construction by the United States of a harbor of refuge at the lake entrance of the canal is a direct benefit to the canal itself, it would seem no more than just that vessels seeking safety in the harbor, and compelled to pass through the canal to secure such safety, should be exempt from paying toll to the canal company. It is therefore recommended that such legislation may be accomplished as shall render the canal free to vessels that may be compelled to use it through stress of weather. It is proposed to apply the appropriation of $10,000 made at the last session of Congress to the completion of the superstructure of the south pier and to filling with stone and covering with plank all open superstructure, and to dredging. The appropriation asked for the year ending June 30, 1886, should be applied to repairs and dredging. As only about one-half the length of the canal has been sheet-piled, it is probable that material from the canal banks will be deposited in the harbor, and that periodical dredging will be required. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available. $8,358 60 July 1, 1884, an ount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883. 7,252 70 July 1, 1884, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884............ 1,105 90 10,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885.......... 11, 105 90 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... 20,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886.. 20,000 00 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. [Obtained from E. S. Minor, superintendent.] Number of vessels and their tonnage which passed through the Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan Skip-Canal during the year ending December 31, 1883. IMPROVEMENT OF AHNEPEE HARBOR, WISCONSIN. Estimated cost (see Report of Chief of Engineers, 1876, III, pages 346-359). $175,000 Appropriated 140,000 The project for the improvement of this harbor consists in the formation of a small artificial harbor communicating with the lake by a channel 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep at low water, formed by the construction of two piers extending from the shore-line to the 18-foot curve in the lake. Also, by the removal of rock from the river bed near its mouth for a distance of about 750 feet. No work was done during the past fiscal year except repiling about 300,000 feet, board measure, of Government timber, the funds on hand at the beginning of the year being only $125.77. The present condition of the harbor is as follows: The piers begin at a distance of 230 feet from each other at the shoreline. A north pile-pier 14 feet wide extends 350 feet into the lake, whence a crib-pier 20 feet wide and 250 feet long diverges toward the channel until within 125 feet of the south pier, and is then continued for a distance of 200 feet further, parallel with the south pier, making a total length of 800 feet. The south pier is built straight for a length of 975 feet, the 625 linear feet from the shore-line being pile-pier 14 feet wide; the rest of the pier is composed of cribs 20 feet wide, sunk close together, in the same manner as the outer part of the north pier. There have been blasted and removed from the channel about 15,800 cubic yards of rock; 77,865 cubic yards of soft material has also been removed by dredging, making a channel 50 feet wide, with a least depth of 10 feet. The project of 1875 contemplated extending the piers to the 18-foot curve, with pier heads 30 feet wide. Owing to the filling in that has taken place, and the lowering of the datum plane seven-tenths of a foot, the length of piers then estimated for will carry the pier-heads to only 163 feet of water. This depth will meet the present or near future requirements of commerce, and it is thought that pier-heads 24 feet wide. will give sufficient stability. The question of widening the entrance should be considered during the progress of the improvement. It is proposed to expend the appropriation of $15,000 made at the last session of Congress in the construction of 450 linear feet of superstructure over cribs already sunk, and in extending the north pier 150 feet by the addition of three cribs, which were begun and built from eight to twelve courses high in 1882, and completing superstructure over the same; also in drilling, blasting, and dredging rock from the river bed to as great an extent as the appropriation will allow. The rock taken from the river will be utilized as filling for cribs and superstruct ure. During the year ending June 30, 1886, it is contemplated to complete the piers and continue the work of blasting in the channel. July 1, 1883, amount available Money statement. $125 77 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.... 33 06 July 1, 1884, amount available 92 71 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. 15,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885...... 15,092 71 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 35,000 00 35,000 00 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1883. Estimated cost (see Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1881, page 2084)... $200,000 00 $35,000 00 43, 042 72 About 2,000 feet below its natural mouth the Kewaunee River approaches within 300 feet of the lake shore. The project of improvement consists in the formation of a channel from this part of the river to deep water in Lake Michigan, affording a depth of not less than 12 feet at low water, by the construction of two parallel piers, 200 feet apart, extending from the shore-line to the 18-foot curve in the lake, with dredging between the piers and through the neck of land separating the river from the lake. Work was begun under the above project in 1881. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, the work of extending the north pile-pier was in progress, 100 linear feet having been built under a contract with Hanson & Scove, of Manitowoc, Wis., dated September 16, 1882. During the year ending June 30, 1884, this contract was completed by the extension of the same pier 350 linear feet further, making a length of 450 feet built under the contract. The north pier is now 700 feet long; the south pier is 275 feet long. No dredging is necessary until the work of cutting through the neck of land between the river and the lake is begun. The harbor commissioners of Kewaunee have paid $8,042.72 of the cost of the work. It is contemplated to expend the appropriation of $18,000 made at the last session of Congress, and also the money asked for the year ending June 30, 1886, to further pier extension, making a cut through the spit separating the river from the lake, and dredging between the piers. Until this is done the harbor will be of no benefit. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project........... $8,981 20 8, 105 96 875 24 18, 000 00 18,875 24 156,957 28 50,000 00 List of materials and labor used at Kewaunee Harbor, Wisconsin, in the construction of 450 linear feet of pile-pier, under contract dated September 16, 1882, with Hanson & Scove. The value of articles furnished by the Kewaunee Harbor commissioners and applied to this work amounts to.. Total..... Cost per linear foot if value of materials furnished by the harbor commissioners be added $9,328 23 578 20 9,906 43 22 01 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1883. [Obtained from Joseph Duvall & Co. and V. Mashek & Co.] Name of harbor, Kewaunee, Wis. Collection district, Milwaukee, Wis. Nearest light-house, Twin River Point, Wisconsin. |