August, 1883, repairs were made to the outer crib of the north pier, which was run into and considerably damaged by the steam barge Raleigh, of Cleveland, of which occurrence mention was made in report of June 30, 1883. On the 10th day of October, the propeller Delaware collided with the south pier at a point about 75 feet to the eastward of its inner or west end, forcing nine of the protection piles into the channel and breaking them, and carrying away 53 feet of the fender timbers. The piles being in a position which rendered them dangerous to the navigation of the channel were taken out by means of a dredging machine on the day of the collision. New piles have been driven, to which fender-timbers have been bolted during the past month. Repairs were made at the angle at the west end of the north pier where the stone ballast and timber work had been displaced by the water of Lake Michigan which (owing to the large quantities of sand which are constantly being taken from the beach for building purposes) flows across the point into the river during very heavy storms. On the 19th instant the propeller Michigan, of the Grand Haven line of steamers, collided with the north pier at a point 75 feet from its eastern extremity on the channel face, crushing several timbers of the superstructure, breaking off one pile and a section of the oak fender-timber. This break has been repaired. The timbers of the superstructure of the extensions of both the north and south pier, which were built in 1871 and 1872, are becoming very much decayed and will require renewal in the course of the next two years. These extensions are each C00 feet in length. An estimate of the cost of cutting down and rebuilding the 1,200 ruuning feet of superstructure, protecting the same with guard-piles, driven at distances of 10 feet between centers, and reinforcing the same with oak cap-timbers, and including new fender piles and bulkhead timbers at the extremities of the piers is $27,523.72. In this estimate no allowance is made for stone ballast, the quantity of that material now in the piers being sufficient. A plat of the soundings taken on the 25th day of April last shows the depth of water in the harbor channel to have diminished somewhat during the past year, but as yet the section of channel which carries 17 feet of water is more than 120 feet in width for its whole length between the harbor piers. The nearest collection district is Milwaukee, Wis. The nearest port of entry is Milwaukee, Wis. The amount of revenue collected at this port during the fiscal year (customs) is reported by A. W. Hall, esq., collector, to have been $193,073.40. He also furnishes the following information respecting the arrivals and departures of vessels from this harbor: The condition of the work and the progress made during the year are given in the report of Assistant Engineer W. H. Hearding herewith, and accompanying map. PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR EXPENDITURE DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1885. It is proposed to replace the superstructure built in 1869-70 340 feet in length, and to maintain the present channel. PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS ASKED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1886. It is proposed to expend these funds in dredging, in extending the south pier, and in current repairs. The project for extending the south pier is contained in the annual report of the Chief of Engineers for 1883. The work is necessary for arresting the drift of sand into the harbor and to reduce the funnel-shaped entrance to prevent disturbance within the harbor by waves entering the present wide mouth. The nearest collection district is Milwaukee, Wis. The nearest port of entry is Milwaukee, Wis. Amount of revenue collected at the nearest port of entry during the last fiscal year was $193,073.40. 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 ..... $6,887 79 4,507 85 2,379 94 7,000 00 9,379 94 35,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... 35.000 00 REPORT OF MR. W. H. HEARDING, ASSISTANT ENGINEER. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Milwaukee, June 30, 1884. A SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report upon the harbor of Racine, Wis. During the month of August, 1883, a few repairs were made at the east end of the north pier, and the slip which was formerly used by the United States Life Saving Service for launching boats, was substantially closed with framed timbers. dredging machine, with two dump-scows and service of tug-boat, was hired in July for the purpose of dredging in the channel between the harbor piers. Work was commenced on the 27th day of that month, and continued until October. The total quantity of material excavated during the season was 17,466 cubic yards, which provided a channel of about 60 feet in width and 16 feet in depth, about mid-distance between the piers for the whole length of the harbor channel, beginning at a point in side the shore line, and extending to the line of the natural depth of 16 feet of water in Lake Michigan. A plat of the soundings taken by me on the 12th instant shows that the bank on each side of the dredged channel has been leveled or flattened by the action of the waves from the lake during the past winter, so that the sand thus displaced, together with that which has been introduced from the lake shore, or bed outside, has reduced the depth of water in the channel to 134 feet when referred to datum; but as the present stage of water is more than 1 foot above datum, vessels drawing not more than 14 feet of water can enter the harbor without difficulty. Large quantities of sand are being removed from the beach by parties owning property adjacent to the north pier, and it is stated by residents of Racine that, owing to the consequent exposure of the north side of the pier, quite a large quantity of sand is forced through the interstices between the cribs during heavy northeast storms. While this statement may be correct, it is more than probable that the greater portion of sand which is introduced is brought by the waves from the bank which has always been formed to the southeastward of the harbor entrance, since the improvement of the harbor was first undertaken. A section of the superstructure of the north pier adjoining the light-house crib, and extending eastward for a distance of 340 feet, is in a bad condition, and should be rebuilt as soon as practicable. This section is 20 feet in width, and was constructed in 1869 and fo70. The cost of cutting down and rebuilding this section, including protection piles, is estimated at $5,325.82. The present supply of stone ballast is considered sufficient for this section of piers. The trestle work which carries the foot-walk from the light-house crib to the outer beacon light has many unsound timbers in it, and in replacing the uprights it would undoubtedly be found that many of them would be required to be of new material, which expense cannot be accurately determined until the work is undertaken. Twó hundred dollars would probably cover the cost of the new material required. The number of arrivals at and departures from this harbor during the past fiscal year as per information kindly furnished by A. W. Hall, esq., collector of the port, were as follows: I have the honor to subscribe myself, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. H. HEARDING. GG 4. IMPROVEMENT OF KENOSHA HARBOR, WISCONSIN. CONDITION OF THE WORK JUNE 30, 1884. The condition of the work is given by Assistant Engineer W. H. Hearding in the accompanying report and map herewith. PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR EXPENDITURE DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1885. It is proposed to rebuild the superstructure over 355 linear feet of the south pier now in dilapidated condition, and to make such minor repairs to piers as are needed. PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS ASKED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1886. These funds are to be used in rebuilding the superstructure over 415 linear feet of the inner section of the south pier, and in maintaining the present channel or entrance. The nearest collection district is Milwaukee, Wis. The nearest port of entry is Milwaukee, Wis. Amount of revenue collected at the nearest port of entry during the last fiscal year was $193,073.40. |