of his combination, without the drawback of having the work nearly useless until completed, and constantly more endangered while in process of construction than a continuous work would be. By beginning the construction I propose at the angle, and working both ways, a lee will be obtained rapidly, the work will be of use almost from its beginning, and will be of increased utility year by year until its completion. I will now proceed to explain my reasons for its location, and describe the same. Experience at Buffalo has shown that vessels may come to in heavy weather under the lee of a breakwater, distant perpendicularly 2,200 feet from the nearest pier-head. But in projecting an important work to accommodate the wants of a rapidly-increasing commerce for an indefinite series of years, I considered it proper to estimate for the maximum area of anchorage, especially when the soundings show that increased area can be obtained at but trifling increase of expense. I accordingly fixed upon 3,000 feet as the perpendicular distance from pier-head to breakwater. The attack of the waves coming from two general directions, two branches are needed to the breakwater. To give ample accommodation to a fleet of vessels coming from either direction under stress of weather, I fixed upon 4,000 feet as a commodious length for each arm, putting it at a maximum, as in the former case; but in this it is to be observed that, by building from the angle, the length of each arm may be varied to suit the wants of commerce from time to time. To thoroughly cover the present entrance to the harbor from the attack of waves, I considered it necessary to prolong each arm of the breakwater 400 feet shoreward from its intersection with a line drawn from each pier-head, severally, in the direction of the prevailing incoming wave on that quarter. For convenience in locating the work, I have placed the angle, the initial point, on the prolongation of the axis of the present east pier of entrance. Hence results the location. The cross-section I should recommend will greatly depend upon the conclusions arrived at by the board of engineer officers now studying the difficulties presented in building upon a similar foundation at Buffalo, N. Y. As a basis, however, for estimate of expense, I have indicated on the map a cross-section of tried stability. It is that of the Buffalo breakwater, modified to meet the requirements of the increased width necessary for the increased depth of water. The Buffalo breakwater will stand in from 21 to 30 feet of water; the proposed Cleveland work would stand in an average of about 34 feet. The Buffalo breakwater is 34 feet wide; I project the Cleveland work at 40 feet. The only other modification I make, in the Buffalo cross-section, is to put two longitudinal walls in superstructure, bonding with the one in crib, a measure which experience has shown very desirable in a work of this character. Any estimate I might form of the expense of the work, I suppose, would be mere conjecture, the grounds of computation are so uncertain, especially when building upon yielding soil. The original estimate of cost per lineal foot of the Buffalo breakwater has, by reason of coming upon a loose foundation, more than doubled, by reason of casualties incidental to an unstable basis. The primary conditions at Buffalo and Cleveland, although not exactly the same, would, in my opinion, nearly counterbalance. Buffalo has the heavier attack of the waves, but Cleveland, on the other hand, has the least favorable foundation for the work. While, therefore, I refrain from attempting to make a close estimate, an approximate one may be arrived at from comparison of the present theoretical expense of the construction per lineal foot of the Buffalo breakwater with that of a similar structure at Cleveland, bearing in mind the greater depth of water at Cleveland, and consequent greater projected width of the work, and doubling the estimate for foundation, a conclusion fully warranted by the doubly treacherous foundation upon which the work must rest. I respectfully submit herewith a comparative statement showing in detail the theoretical cost per lineal foot of the Buffalo breakwater built on the plan as modified by the board of engineers of April 9, 1873, and an estimate for a similar construction at Cleveland, modified and calculated as I have above stated. It is probable, however, that the deliberations of the board of engineer officers now studying the Buffalo question will result in conclusions which will increase these estimates about 25 per cent., if not more. The following is the summary of my conclusions: In my opinion, for a harbor of refuge at Cleveland, Ohio, a breakwater is required of rectangular cross-section 40 feet in width, standing in an average of 34 feet of water, to consist of two arms starting from an initial point on the prolongation of the axis of the present east pier of entrance, each arm to be 4,000 feet in length, to be 3,000 feet distant in a perpendicular direction from the opposite pier-head of the present harbor, and overlap shoreward a line drawn from said pier-head in the direction of prevailing incoming waves, 400 feet. Estimated cost per lineal foot, approximate and maximum, $500. Total approximate cost, $4,000,000. All of which is respectfully submitted, and I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, F. HARWOOD, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. Theoretical cost (with no allowance for settling or contingencies) of 50 feet of Buffalo break water. 139,875 feet board-measure timber and lumber, at $20... 11,891 lineal feet framing, at 12 cents... 2,876 feet board-measure, joists and plank, fitting, &c., at $7. 32,197 pounds drift-bolt iron, at 33 cents.. 680 pounds spikes, at 5 cents.. 435 cords stone, at $6.85.... Cost for 50 lineal feet.......... Cost per lineal foot...... $2,797 50 1,426 92 20 13 1,247 63 37 40 2,979 75 8,509 33 $170 00 Calculated at present contract-rates of material and labor for Buffalo Harbor, New York. F. HARWOOD, Major of Engineers. Theoretical cost of 50 feet (one crib length) of breakwater for Cleveland, Ohio, work to be 40 feet wide, to be built in 34 feet depth of water, with stone foundation of 4 feet depth, doubling the estimate for stone foundation over that of a similar structure at Buffalo to meet the greater difficulty of a more yielding site. MATERIAL. 186,550 feet board-measure timber and lumber, at $20 per 1,000 feet board measure.. 756 pounds wrought-iron spikes, at 8 cents per pound.. LABOR. 14,020 lineal feet timber, at 12 cents per lineal foot 34,135 pounds drift-bolt iron, at 6 cents per pound 669 cords of stone, at $9 per cord... 6,310 feet board-measure plank and joists, at $12 per 1,000 feet board-mea sure.. Cost for 50 lineal feet.. $3,731 00 60 48 1,682 40 2,048 10 6, 051 00 75 72 13, 648 70 Cost per foot... $273 00 NOTE. This is calculated at current rates of material and labor at and near Cleveland, Ohio. No contingencies are reckoned, it being impossible to get a reliable basis of calculation. I estimate, however, that $500 per lineal foot will cover all expenses, making the total maximum cost of the harbor $4,000,000. F. HARWOOD, APPENDIX F. ANNUAL REPORT OF MAJOR JOHN M. WILSON, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1874. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit here with the annual reports for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, of the various works of river and harbor improvements under my charge. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN M. WILSON, Major of Engineers, U. S. A. OLCOTT HARBOR, NEW YORK. HISTORY OF THE WORK. In 1846 the first survey under the General Government was made under the direction of Col. Wm. Turnbull, of the United States Corps of Topographical Engineers, and a plan for the improvement of this harbor was submitted. The business of the place was unimportant, though private enterprise had already extended a pier 250 feet into the lake, and the claim for improvement was based upon the need of a harbor of refuge, the nearest available ports at that time being Niagara, eighteen miles west, and Genesee, sixty miles east. In September, 1866, a resurvey of the harbor was made under Lieut. Col. Charles E. Blunt, and a plan of improvement submitted. It was proposed to contract the mouth of Eighteen Mile Creek, which here empties into the lake, by two parallel piers, two hundred feet apart, and extending one thousand feet out into the lake; to dredge a channel between them, and to form a harbor inside by excavating in the creek. The survey showed a bar extending across the mouth of the creek, upon which there was a depth of only 15 feet of water. Congress, in 1867, made an appropriation of $60,000 for this work, and contracts were made and operations commenced in the fall of that year, constructing the piers. The survey for the Niagara Ship-Canal, made during that year, showed this point to be an available one for its terminus, and that Olcott might become a place of some prominence. Operations were carried on under contract in 1868, and at the close of that season the west pier was 345 feet long, 275 feet being complete, and 70 feet without superstructure; two cribs had also been sunk on the line of the east pier, and a channel dredged so that vessels drawing seven feet could enter the creek. Lieut. Col. Blunt was relieved in January, 1869, and the charge of this work, as well as that of others under the control of the Chief of Engineers upon Lake Ontario, passed through the hands of Major McAllister and Captain Harwood to Major Bowen, who assumed charge in May, 1869. Major Bowen immediately annulled all contracts, and commenced the prosecution of the work by hired labor. In 1870 an appropriation of $10,000 was made, and work vigorously prosecuted, so that by the close of that season the piers were each 610 feet long; the superstructure, however, upon 100 feet of the west pier and 220 feet of the east was incomplete; no dredging was done other than that necessary to prepare foundations for cribs. In January, 1871, Maj. John M. Wilson assumed charge of the work, and in March of that year an appropriation of $5,000 was made, and the extension of the piers was continued under contract. At the close of the season of 1871 the west pier was 791 feet long, and the east pier 731 feet long. Borings made between the piers during this season developed an extensive bed of red sandstone stretching across the channel, having upon it a depth of only 7 feet at low water; it was estimated that to obtain a channel 150 feet wide and 12 feet deep would require the removal of 7,600 cubic yards of this rock, besides about 12,000 cubic yards of sand, gravel, &c., and $50,000 was asked to complete the project. In 1872 an appropriation of $10,000 was made, and the prolongation of the piers continued, so that at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, the west pier was 881 feet long, and the east pier 851 feet long, a portion of the superstructure of both piers being yet incomplete. OPERATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1874. An appropriation of $10,000 was made in March, 1873. The opening of the fiscal year found operations in progress under contract with H. J. Mowry, constructing superstructure upon cribs previously sunk. Operations were continued until early in August, when they were closed, the pier-work being completed; during this period the superstructure of the west pier was filled with stone and decked over on a length of 90 feet of the pier, and that of the east pier entirely constructed on a length of 120 feet of the pier. In performing this work the following materials were used: 126 feet, board-measure, hemlock timber. 35,392 feet, board-measure, pine timber. 13,383 feet, board-measure, pine plank, 2,742 pounds drift-bolts. 616 pounds spikes. 121 cords of stone. In March, 1873, proposals were invited for opening the channel between the piers, by removing rock, sand, &c. No bids were received, and by authority of the War Department a dredge was hired, and the work carried on by the day. The dredge was brought from Lake Erie, through the Welland Canal, and operations were commenced on the 9th of August, and continued until the 28th of October, when they were suspended on account of the weather. During this period a channel 60 feet wide and 880 feet long was dredged between the piers, and one 20 feet wide, 650 feet long, and 12 feet deep from the bridge to the piers; the full depth of 10 feet at low water was obtained between the piers until a point was reached 560 feet from the inner end; here the bed of red sandstone was encountered. The dredging was exceedingly difficult from this point to the outer ends of the piers, a distance of 320 feet, and the depth gained was from 7 to 9 feet at low water. Operations were suspended October 28, 1873, and in November a survey of the harbor was made. A beacon, showing a fixed white light of the fourth order, was placed on the west pier in the fall of 1873. Operations were resumed, dredging the inner harbor between the bridge and the piers, in May, 1874, but suspended at the close of the month for want of funds. The following materials were removed from the harbor by dredging during the fiscal year: One old crib, 16 by 30 feet, filled with stone. One bowlder, measuring one cubic yard. The wreck of a vessel sunk fifty years ago. Two thousand three hundred and eighty-six cubic yards of red shale and rock. Thirteen thousand four hundred and twenty eight cubic yards of clay, sand, gravel, and mud. At present both piers are in excellent condition, the east being 851 feet long and the west 881 feet; they have been carried out to the depth of 10 feet at low water, and it is not intended to carry them farther until the channel is properly opened. Vessels drawing 9 feet can now enter the harbor at ordinary low water, and go up to the store-houses near the bridge. To complete the project the piers should each be prolonged 120 feet, the channel opened between them by removing rocks, &c., and the creek between the bridge and piers dredged out to form a harbor. During the present season it is proposed to open a channel 50 feet wide between the piers by removing 2,578 cubic yards of rock. The original estimate for the improvement of this harbor was $118,000. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, $105,000 had been appropriated, of which $94,988.68 has been expended. Thirty thousand dollars will still be required to complete the work. The excess arises from the fact that since the original estimate was made the bottom of the channel between the piers has been found to consist of |