7,000 cubic yards, more or less, at the rate of 25 cents per cubic yard. At the end of the fiscal year 6,425 cubic yards of material had been removed from the channel. The condition of the harbor is as follows: The north pier is 1,844 feet long, and projects 250 feet beyond the south pier, which is 1,910 feet long. Both piers are constructed of crib. work, varying in width from 14 to 20 feet. The distance between them increases from 175 feet at the shore-line to 275 feet at their outer extremities. Future extensions of the two piers will be parallel. The channel between the piers has a general depth of from 11 to 12 feet, except over the bar near the entrance, where the depth is about 10 feet. In the improvement of this channel 131,676 cubic yards of material have been removed. As stated in the last annual report upon the improvement of this harbor The dredging is very temporary in its relief, and the minimum amount consistent with the demands of commerce has been done, since permanent relief can only be gained by a rapid extension of the piers. The open condition of the old crib-pier permits large quantities of sand to pass through the piers and into the channel; this sand, carried by currents, is finally deposited near the entrance in the form of bars. It is probable that the most efficient method of overcoming this difficulty will be to render the piers sand-tight by some method of revetment. The commerce . of this important harbor has been greatly embarrassed during late years by the formation of the bar previously described, and it is believed that no permanent amelioration can be obtained until the pier extension has been carried over the bar to the deep water beyond; consequently, appropriations of sufficient amount should be made so as to permit the rapid extension of the piers. Since the report was written from which these extracts are taken several vessels have been lost and injured while attempting to enter the harbor. One wreck was removed from the channel at the expense of the United States. Liberal appropriations might be not only a saving of private property, but a saving to the United States of expenses incurred in the removal of obstructions to navigation caused by wrecks. The cost of pier extension under the present method of construction will be greater than the amount estimated at the time the project of 1881 was adopted. The fact is noted in the following extract from the last Annual Report: Since the estimate of $150,000 made for the revised project in 1881, the necessary change from pile to crib pier, and the unexpected scour in the vicinity of the pier extension (which latter demands largely increased quantities of stone for foundations and riprap) will probably require the above estimate to be increased by about onethird. Following are revised estimates for the completion of the existing proj ect, based upon the cost of work during the seasons of 1882 and 1883: 1,050 linear feet crib-pier, 20 feet wide, at $73. 300 linear feet crib-pier, 24 feet wide, at $91 90,000 cubic yards of dredging, at 28 cents Contingencies and superintendence.. Total...... An increase of $45,000 over the estimate of 1881. $76,750 27,300 25, 200 10,750 140,000 It is proposed to expend the appropriation of $28,000 made at the last session of Congress in pier extension and such dredging and repairs as may be absolutely necessary. The money asked for the year ending June 30, 1886, should be applied to pier extension. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.... Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885...... $14,631 61 14,287 57 344 04 28, 000 00 28, 344 04 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... 112,000 00 60, 000 00 List of materials and labor used at Sheboygan Harbor, Wisconsin, in the construction of 250 linear feet of pier, consisting of five cribs placed on pile foundations and superstructure, under contract dated September 16, 1882, with W. T. Casgrain. Articles. Quantities. Prices. Amounts. Pine timber, 12 by 12 inches and 12 by 18 inches, framed. linear feet.. feet, B. M.. Drift-bolts, 1-inch Screw-bolts, 13-inch .do.. Spike, inch, by 7 inches. Stone Foundation piles, driven and cut off Total.... Cost per linear foot, $72.90. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ending deCEMBER 31, 1883. In addition to the above the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway exported 47,390,540 pounds of freight. 5908 EN--117 In addition to the above the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway imported 67,980,156 pounds of freight. FF 17. IMPROVEMENT OF PORT WASHINGTON HARBOR, WISCONSIN. Estimated cost (see Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1877, page 866).... $181,527 17 Appropriated 164,500 00 This improvement consists in the construction of two parallel piers about 150 feet apart, extending from the shore-line to the 14-foot curve in Lake Michigan, together with the formation of two interior basins, having a depth of 12 feet; the basins to be connected with the deep water in the lake by a dredged channel having a depth of 12 feet at low water. Work under this project was begun in 1870. There were no operations during the year ending June 30, 1884. The north pier is 870 feet long, composed of cribs 12 feet wide for a distance of 370 feet, and 20 feet wide for the remaining outer 500 feet, and extends 50 feet beyond the south pier, which is constructed in a precisely similar manner for a length of 450 feet. One crib is yet to be sunk on the extension of the south pier to make the two piers identical. The seven outer cribs of the north pier and the eight outer cribs of the south pier are without superstructure. From the inner end of the south pier a pile revetment extends between the north bank of the Sauk River and one of the artificial basins for a distance of about 400 feet. This pile revetment and the south pier prevents the débris of the river from filling in the artificial basins and channel connecting them with the lake. The two basins, formed by dredging inside the shore-line, have a united area of about 53 acres; the north basin is slightly larger than the south one. There have been removed from them and from the channel between the piers by dredging 226,000 cubic yards of material. At the date of the last annual report the basins had an available depth of from 8 to 12 feet, and a channel with 10 feet depth of water existed between the piers for a width of 75 feet. No soundings have been taken since. It is proposed to expend the appropriation of July 5, 1884, in completing unfinished superstructure to full height under the contract system, and in repairing piers by hired labor. The appropriation of $17,000 asked for the year ending June 30, 1886, is for the purpose of extending the piers to the 14-foot curve, as designed in the project, in repairing the old work, and in dredging channel and basins. July 1, 1883, amount available.. Money statement. $82 95 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. 22 45 July 1, 1884, amount available...... 60 50 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884....... 10,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885.. 10,060 50 Amount (estimated) required for the completion of existing project.. 17,000 00 17,000 00 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1883. FF 18. REMOVING SUNKEN VESSELS OR CRAFT OBSTRUCTING OR ENDANGERING NAVIGATION. In October, 1883, the schooner Petrel, about 150 tons burden, laden with cord-wood, sprung a leak, while already in a water-logged condition, and in endeavoring to make the harbor at Sheboygan, Wis., during a gale, sunk in the channel between the piers at a point about 1,200 feet inside the pier-heads, lying submerged diagonally across the channel, with her bow almost in contact with the south pier. A recommendation that $600 should be granted for the removal of the schooner was approved. The necessary delay required by law between the date of advertising the intention of the Government to remove her and beginning the work of removal rendered it unadvisable to take any active measures until spring. On the 24th of April, 1884, immediately after the opening of navigation, the work of removing the wreck, by the process of blasting with dynamite and towing the débris into the lake, was begun under the direction of Inspector E. A. Cannon. At the end of nine days the last vestige of the wreck had been removed, at a cost of $563.84. In the fall of 1883 three different parties had offered to do this work, at prices ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. Mr. Cannon's detailed report of the process of removal is appended. REPORT OF MR. E. A CANNON, INSPECTOR. SHEBOYGAN, Wis., May 7, 1884. SIR: In compliance with your instructions I have the honor to submit the following detailed report of the removal of the wreck of the schooner Petrel. The schooner Petrel, 150 tons burden, length 110 feet, arrived off Sheboygan about noon October 17, 1883, in a water-logged condition; there was a heavy sea at the time, and while attempting to enter the harbor she listed so as to become unmanageable, and struck the inner side of the north pier at a point about 600 feet from the pier-head; a tug went to her assistance and succeeded in towing her about 600 feet further in, when the line parted; the schooner sunk almost immediately after, with her bow close to the south pier and her stern at an angle of about 45° down-stream, in which position she remained through the winter. On the 24th of April I made an examination of the wreck; the bow and bottom were imbedded nearly 2 feet in the river-bed and covered with about 18 inches of sand; the after part projected about 4 feet above the river bed, the highest part being about 9 feet below the water surface. Work was at once begun by making an effort to find the center-board opening with the aid of a force-pump; intending to fire a blast under the keel. A quantity of sail, rope, timber, &c., lying on the wreck prevented this attempt from succeeding. I then decided to level the wreck even with the river bed by exploding charges of dynamite which had previously been placed by the diver; in some cases the force-pump was used to get the cartridges as far under the wreck as possible. Three difficulties had to be contended with: (1) When the work was begun the water was so muddy that the diver could not see the condition of the wreck; (2) no men accustomed to the use of dynamite could be procured, and those whom I was compelled to hire were afraid to handle it, or even to be near it; (3) the freezing of the dynamite; as it freezes at a temperature of 45°, I had to thaw it out with hot water; steam is preferable for this purpose when it can be had; in using steam, however, it should not be allowed to come in direct contact with the dynamite, nor should the dynamite be subjected to more than 125° of temperature. The method of preparing and placing the charges was as follows: Cylindrical tin cans, 5 inches in diameter and 9 inches high with bail and cover were made, and filled with the contents of the cartridges. A hole in the cover with a half |