bores in positions 1, 2, and 3, and one hundred pounder Parrott rifles in positions 4 and 5. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. $7,700 Fort Pulaski, mouth of Savannah River, Georgia, in charge of Lieut. Col. Q. A. Gillmore, Corps of Engineers.-The work has been confined to the demi-lune. During the past fiscal year there have been finished the breast-height wall and concrete foundations of gun-platforms 8 and 9; the masonry of service-magazine and passage-way between guns 7 and 8; the masonry of breast-height wall, foundation retaining-wall, the sand filling and concrete foundation for guns 6 and 7; the piling and masonry for service-magazine between guns 5 and 6; the piling, breastheight wall, and sand and concrete foundation for gun-platform No. 5; the piling, masonry of breast-height wall, foundation retaining-wall, and sand and concrete foundation for gun-platforms 3 and 4; the piling and masonry of service-magazine between 3 and 4; the excavation for foundation of storage-magazine, and the parapet for guns 8 and 9. For guns 6 and 7 the parapet is about three-fourths finished, and the parados in rear of 8 and 9 is roughly formed. Center-pintle platform No. 5, and front-pintle platforms Nos. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9, (all timber platforms,) have been laid, and two guns of the approved caliber mounted on 8 and 9. No more gun-platforms are to be laid in the demi-lune. In the water-battery, west of the north wharf, a new breast-height of timber has been put up and the parapet and traverses repaired. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875........ Appropriation asked for next fiscal year. $20,000 50,000 During the present fiscal year it is proposed to confine the work to the demi-lune, in constructing the storage-magazine, and the retaining-wall west of demi-lune sally-port, in hanging all the magazine-doors, and in continuing sand-filling and sodding of slopes. New Fort on Tybee Island, mouth of Savannah River, Georgia, in charge of Lieut. Col. Q. A. Gillmore, Corps of Engineers.-The plans for defensive works on the north point of Tybee Island are still under consideration. The land required by the United States has been surveyed, but has not yet been purchased, for the reason that the parties claiming to own it, and who made an offer to sell, which was subsequently accepted, have been unable as yet to show any title. No appropriation for the work has yet been made. Fort Clinch, Amelia Island, Florida, in charge of Lieut. Col. Q. A: Gillore, Corps of Engineers.-No operations have been carried on at this work during the past fiscal year, and there are no funds available at the present time, except the balance of a small sum allotted for hiring a fort-keeper, from the appropriation for contingencies of fortifications. The modification of this work is still under consideration. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Florida, in charge of Lieut. Col. Q. A. Gillmore, Corps of Engineers.-No operations have been carried on at this work during the last and none contemplated during the present fiscal year. No appropriation asked for. Fort Taylor and Batteries, Key West, Florida, in charge of Lieut. Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers, until January 29, 1874; since that date in charge of Maj. Jared A. Smith, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year the foundations of sea-faces of scarp-wall for south battery have been excavated to the coral rock and filled with concrete complete. The scarp or sea-wall on face running east has been completed 352 feet from angle, and the remaining portion finished save coping. On face running northwest the wall is completed 196 feet from angle, and an additional distance of 165 feet finished, save coping. About one-half the sand required to complete embankment and parapet on the easterly face of battery has been procured and placed in position. Although looking to emplacements for guns as an ultimate result, none have been finished during the year. The extensive damages caused by the hurricane, October 6, 1873, to buildings, railroad, and other portions of the work, have been thoroughly repaired. A new locomotive has been purchased, most of the freight-cars have been rebuilt, and much other work done to facilitate future operations. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875 $20,000 50,000 During the present fiscal year operations will be confined principally to completing the scarp-wall and collecting sand for parapet, &c., of south battery. Fort Jefferson, Garden Key, Tortugas, Florida, in charge of Lieut. Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers, until January 29, 1874; since that date in charge of Maj. Jared A. Smith Corps of Engineers.-A considerable part of the work during the past fiscal year consisted in repairing damages caused by a destructive hurricane in October, 1873. These damages have been completely repaired; the officers' quarters partially, and soldiers' barracks entirely roofed with galvanized iron, and the work in both these buildings brought comparatively near completion. A large quantity of sand has been collected and the embankments and roofing of traversemagazines somewhat more than half completed. Five of the barbettegun platforms have been fitted with 4-inch pintles for 10-inch Rodman guns, and the pintles procured and arrangements made for setting them in the eight remaining platforms. Considerable work has been done to put the temporary buildings, sewers, and other parts of the work in thorough order. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. $50,000 Fort Pickens, Pensacola Harbor, Florida, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year the cistern in the S. W. bastion, two outer and six inner magazine-doors, two posterndoors, store-houses, quarters, and kitchen for workmen, were repaired; four 4-inch front-pintle masonry platforms with low traverse-stones, and two of same with high traverse-stones, were constructed for ordnance on hand; two of same with low traverse-stones were nearly completed. Thirty-three 4-inch pintle masonry platforms were taken up, preparatory to constructing front-pintle platforms for ordnance on hand. Fifty wooden embrasure-shutters for the casemates were made and put up. The old unserviceable railroad-track was taken up, and lumber purchased and sent there to rebuild it. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. $50,000 During the next fiscal year it is proposed to commence some of the new exterior works, which have beeù approved, for the modification of this work. Fort Barrancas and Redoubt, Pensacola Harbor, Florida, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year preparations for constructing four 4-inch front-pintle platforms for two 100-pounder and two 200-pounder Parrott rifles were made, and the necessary material sent there. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort McRee, Pensacola Harbor, Florida, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-The site of this work has been undermined by the action of the sea to such an extent, that much of its scarp has fallen down, leaving the casemates open, and it is generally in so dilapidated a condition as to be beyond repair, and to possess no value beyond the materials of which it is composed. Projects have been prepared by the board of engineers for fortifications, and approved, for the erection of barbette-batteries for heavy guns, and a mortar-battery, to take the place of the old work, in rear of the present site, and upon ground beyond the encroachments of the sea, for which an appropriation of $50,000 is asked for the next fiscal year to commence the work of construction. Fort Morgan, eastern entrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year the sea-wall for the protection of the western or channel front of the fort was completed; thirty-one running feet of the old drain were rebuilt; the gate at the main entrance was repaired, the grass on the slopes and in the ditch was cut, and the weeds removed; ten 4-inch front-pintle masonry platforms, with low traverse-stones, and two of same with high traverse-stones, were constructed for ordnance on hand. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975. $50,000 During the present fiscal year it is proposed to maintain a watch over engineer property, and to make such slight repairs as may become neces sary. A plan has been prepared for the modification of this work by the construction of exterior batteries, with positions for thirty-seven guns of the largest caliber, and by arranging emplacements for mortars in the old work, at a total cost of $370,000. Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay, Alabama, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year four palmetto pile-jetties, for the preservation of the shore and glacis on the eastern front of the fort, were completed; four front and four center pintle platforms were taken up preparatory to constructing 4-inch frontpintle platforms for ordnance on hand; four gun-carriages and chassis were removed from the beach to the fort; some slight repairs were made to the engineer buildings, and the same whitewashed. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. A plan has been prepared for the modification of this work, adapting it to the use of more powerful artillery, the estimated cost of which is $53,000. Fort on Ship Island, coast of Mississippi, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year a temporary bridge was erected across the drawbridge-well, so that ordnance could be transported into the fort. Two 15-inch Rodman guns and two 100pounder Parrott guns were mounted by the Ordnance Department. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875, No appropriation asked for next fiscal year. Fort Pike, Rigolets Pass, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell. Corps of Engineers.-This work commands the passage by vessels drawing 7 feet or less through the Rigolets into Lake Pontchartrain, and to the wharves on the lake-front of New Orleans. Projects for its modification, in accordance with the approved system, were approved in 1870, and detailed estimates of the cost of the proposed modification made out. During the past fiscal year operations have been confined to necessary repairs for the preservation of the work. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort Macomb, Chef Menteur Pass, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-This work commands the passage by ressels drawing 4 feet or less through the Bayou Chef Menteur into Lake Pontchartrain, and the road along Gentilly Ridge to the city of New Orleans. Projects for the modification of this work, to fit it for the reception of the latest approved armament, were submitted in 1870, and estimates of cost prepared. During the past fiscal year operations have been limited to repairs necessary for the preservation of the work. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. No appropriation asked for next fiscal year. Tower Duprés, Lake Borgne, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W Howell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year repair of the tower was completed and a keeper put in charge to prevent further damage by malicious persons. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Battery Bienvenue, Lake Borgne, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-No work was done during the past fiscal year, except for the care and preservation of the battery and building pertaining to it. A fort-keeper was retained in charge. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Tower at Proctorsville, Lake Borgne, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-No work done during the past fiscal year. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort Jackson, Mississippi River, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W Howell, Corps of Engineers.-This work, and Fort St. Philip, nearly opposite, sixty-five miles below New Orleans, constitute the main defenses of that city against hostile naval expeditions. The depth of water through the bayous and lakes leading toward the city will only permit the approach of the smaller vessels carrying light armaments. The principal channel-way to the city, through which a naval attack may be made, is the Mississippi River. Operations during the past fiscal year consisted in improving the drainage of the site of the fort; regrading and grassing new earthwork; keeping the slopes of old earth-work in good condition; providing twenty wooden platforms for fifteen-inch guns; laying four foundations for platforms; providing material for sixteen foundations; providing iron for three iron bridges across moats; constructing concrete piers for these bridges; providing means of transportation between New Orleans and the forts. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875.... $30,000 42.000 During the present fiscal year it is proposed to put in position as many platforms for guns as possible, with the appropriation available, after putting up superstructure of bridges, making repairs to levees, and providing for care of the work during the year. Fort St. Philip, Mississippi River, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-Operations during the past fiscal year consisted in the construction of three magazine-traverses; the partial construction of two others; the completion of the parapet and temporary breast-height wall of the lower battery; grading and sodding the slopes of the upper battery; the demolition of two old magazines and the redan on north front of main work; the preparation of the material obtained for use; the reclamation of earth for future use from the batture in front of the fort; providing eighteen wooden platforms for fifteen-inch guns; laying two foundations for platforms; providing material for sixteen foundations and for completing magazine-traverses; providing adequate means of transportation between New Orleans and the forts. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875.. $30,000 46,000 During the present fiscal year it is proposed to complete two magazines in upper battery, place eighteen gun-platforms in position, and care for the work. Fort Livingston, Barataria Bay, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-This barbette work is situated on the western end of Grand Terre Island, at the entrance to Barataria Bay. It guards the only approach to New Orleans by vessels drawing seven feet or less, available on the west side of the Mississippi River. It also secures a safe anchorage and harbor of refuge for our own light-draught coasters in time of war. A project for its modification and repair was devised and approved in 1870. To carry to completion this approved project there will be required an appropriation of $58,000. During the past fiscal year no operations have been carried on except for the care and preservation of the work. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort at Fort Point, entrance to San Francisco Harbor, California, in charge of Lieut. Col. C. S. Stewart, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year four service-magazines have been built-one completed from height of two feet ten inches above its floor, three nearly half finished, a concrete foundation for eight platforms for heavy guns and for the corresponding breast-height walls put down to the level of beds of pintle-blocks, making in all 2,025 cubic yards of masonry. Pintles and rails have been placed on two platforms for fifteen-inch guns, and four platforms for heavy mortars constructed. The embankment of the right of the inner line of batteries has been completed to the height originally designed, and for 690 running feet of parapets of extension of the outer line the earth-work is nearly half in place; in all, some 21,194 cubic yards. About 8,100 square yards of sodding have been put in place on slopes. Asphaltic flooring has been placed in eleven traverse-magazines. The wharf has been rebuilt, and much miscellaneous work done. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875... $30,000 50,000 Fort at Lime Point, San Francisco Harbor, California, in charge of Maj. George H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year |