F 7.

OSWEGO HARBOR, NEW YORK.

HISTORY OF THE WORK.

The earliest map on record of Oswego (then Chonagnen) was made by Chaussegras De Lery, and dated July 17, 1727.

The harbor was then formed by a low spit, which extended from the west bank of the river near its mouth and sheltered a portion of the channel within.

The next map, made in 1756, shows a similar spit extending from the east bank, narrowing the entrance and increasing somewhat the sheltered area.

In 1827 the mouth of the river was described as being an open roadstead, affording no shelter from winds off the lake. The two low sandy strips were still in existence, but the area they sheltered was small and shallow, and during the spring and fall was difficult of access, on account of the strong current.

The growth of commerce rendered a harbor necessary, and Congress made an appropriation of $33,384.64 for that purpose, and work was at once commenced.

The plan was to inclose an area at the mouth of the river by extending jetties about 230 feet into the lake from each shore, and joining the outer ends of these, which were 2,050 feet apart, by a breakwater, leaving, however, an opening of 250 feet through which to enter the channel.

This was one of the first lake harbors commenced by the Government, only four others, Erie, Sackett's, Buffalo, and Ashtabula having received appropriations before it.

In 1828 an appropriation of $9,583.39 was made, and in 1829 the breakwater was completed.

In February, 1829, Capt. T. W. Maurice, of the Corps of Engineers, recommended the formation of a mole outside the west pier, the cost of which, together with a pier-head, was estimated at $12,720.

In 1830 an appropriation of $7,472 was made and the formation of the mole commenced; counterforts were also recommended to strengthen the west pier.

In 1831 an appropriation of $22,016.84 was made, and in 1832 one of $19,000; the construction of the mole was continued and counterforts built to strengthen the pier.

In 1834 an appropriation of $8,400 was made and Lieut. R. C. Smead, of the Fourth Artillery, was assigned to the charge of the work.

Lieutenant Smead reported the work on the mole as commenced, but nowhere completed; a sufficient amount of stone had been thrown in to form the desired mound if the fragments had been large enough to keep their places, but the greater part were only from 100 to 500 pounds' weight, and were moved by the waves as readily as beach-gravel; quantities of them, with sand formed by the abrasion of the rest, had been thrown over the piers by the waves and formed banks inside. During 1833 a part of the mole was raised as high as the top of the pier, (6 feet above water,) and some more of it to the water-surface.

Col. Jos. G. Totten inspected the work at this time and recommended that the mole be given a certain regular profile and then paved with flat limestone; in its present condition, he stated, was such that it only served to guide the waves against the face of the pier. Observations both here and elsewhere showed that when the depth was too great for waves to

break upon the natural bottom, a vertical wall was the best to resist them, but it was too late to apply this principle to the west pier, and the sloping profile must be perfected.

Forty-three thousand dollars was asked for thisand for a pier-head, and $5,500 for a stone light-house to be built on the proposed pierhead to replace the old one on the bluff near the fort.

An estimate of $56,802 was also presented for a masonry superstruc ture for the pier, which would be needed when the wooden one was decayed.

In 1834 an appropriation of $30,000 was made for the pier and mole, and $3,666 for the light-house.

General Gratiot, in his annual report, stated that the appropriation for that year was made so late that the only work that could be done was to repair the damages of the winter and to add about 900 cords of stone to the mole. Lieutenant Smead reported that the portion of the mole raised 6 feet above water in 1833 was entirely washed down, and in the spring of 1834, 2 to 4 feet of water was found where it had been; the stone placed in 1834 weighed from two to four tons, but were too light.

In 1835 an appropriation of $6,485 was made for the light-house, but nothing for the pier. The foundation for the light-house was built and stone prepared for the tower; 4,084 cords of stone and 1,115 tons of limestone pavement were added to the mole; the pavement was formed of Chaumot limestone, 2 feet thick, the blocks weighing three tons each; it extended out 30 feet from the pier, the foot of the slope being formed of blocks 10 feet long and 3 feet wide, weighing five tons.

In 1836 an appropriation of $20,000 was made for the mole, and $1,200 for the light-house; the latter was completed and the former was progressing well, 600 lineal feet being finished.

An estimate of $111,942 was presented for completing the mole and for a masonry superstructure.

In 1837 an appropriation of $15,000 was made, the construction of the mole continued, and that of the masonry superstructure commenced.

In 1838 an appropriation of $46,067 was made, the portion of the masonry superstructure which was commenced in 1837 was completed, and the piers and mole thoroughly repaired; the removal of a shoal in the channel was recommended. Mr. J. W. Judson relieved Lieutenant Smead during this year. He recommended that the further construction of the mole should be discontinued, and the stone on hand applied to building the superstructure. This was approved, and work the succeeding season was carried on accordingly. A point was established 7.79 feet below the edge of limestone pavement, 61 feet north from its south end, which was intended to be at the lowest water-level of the lake. All observations of water-level have since been referred to this bench-mark; the water has several times been at it, but never below it.

No further appropriation was made until 1844. In 1839 a survey of Oswego Harbor and its vicinity was made by Captain Canfield. This survey shows a depth of 20 feet at low water, between the piers, about the same as at present, (1874,) but a marked difference has taken place outside the west pier, the present depth (1874) being only 12 feet, where it was then (1839) 24 feet. This is due partly to the material of which the mole was built, but mainly to the sand which has collected around it.

In 1841 and 1842 the reports show that the piers and mole had been

badly damaged by the gales, and that $168,000 was required to complete the work.

In 1844 an appropriation of $20,000 was made, and work at once commenced. Both pier-heads were rebuilt from the water-line, and the face of the piers repaired. Work was continued through 1845, and 155 feet added to the masonry superstructure of the west pier.

In 1846 all work upon rivers and harbors was suspended, the policy of Congress being opposed to internal improvements by the General Government. Mr. Judson, in his report, stated that in November and December 160 feet of the east pier was carried away, with its pier-head and counterfort.

No funds were on hand, but a sufficient sum was subscribed by the citizens for the agent to repair the remainder and secure it.

In 1847 a gravel-bar, which had formed at the foot of the "island" across the channel, was removed at private expense.

No further appropriation was made until 1852, when $40,000 was appropriated.

In the mean time the wooden superstructure of both piers had fallen into decay, and the west pier had been badly breached.

Operations were resumed early in 1853, and during the years 1853, 1854, and 1855 were continued upon repairs of the piers. In 1853 a board of engineers, consisting of Lieutenant-Colonel Kearney and Majors Long, Bache, and Turnbull, submitted a plan for the enlargement of the harbor.

The plan was to construct two detached breakwaters, 700 feet in advance of and parallel to the original work, and 400 feet apart. These were afterward to be connected with the shores, or joined together if experience should show either to be desirable. The plan was not carried out.

In 1855 the breach made in 1852 had been fully repaired, but 420 feet of the west pier was yet to be rebuilt. The east pier was kept in re. pair by private enterprise, and the United States dredge, under direction of the engineer in charge, was engaged deepening the entrance to the harbor at the expense of the city.

In 1858 an appropriation of $10,000 was made and expended upon repairs. The work was reported by Lieut. Col. J. D. Graham as in bad condition, and still needing extensive repairs, several breaches having been made during the winter of 1857.

In 1860 an appropriation of $30,000 was made and applied, during the years 1860, 1861, 1862, and 1863, to much-needed repairs; 800 linear feet of pier was rebuilt, and a crib-work protection thrown around the angle of the stone pier.

In 1864 an allotment of $25,000 was made to Oswego Harbor, from the general appropriation for repair of lake harbors, and LieutenantColonel Blunt was assigned to the charge of the work. Operations were carried on upon repairs during 1864 and 1865. In January, 1866, the outer end of the light-house pier was breached, and the light-house was reported in danger, and in September it was reported that the outer crib had been carried away 12 feet below water; the jetty at the angle of the stone pier was also carried away, but was replaced by another; some dredging was done during the year.

An appropriation of $45,000 was made in 1866.

In 1867 operations were continued reparing the pier and the dredge, Congress having made an appropriation of $60,000.

A contract was made to keep the pier in repair at $12,000 a year, which was estimated to be about the future annual expense; a large

amount of dredging was done, and portions of the harbor opened for use which had not been available for several years.

The extension of the light-house pier 500 feet into the lake was suggested.

An appropriation of $20,000 was made in 1868, and repairs continued under the contract of 1867; dredging was continued and a depth of 12 feet was obtained throughout nearly the whole of the west cove.

Lieutenant-Colonel Blunt was relieved in January, 1869, and the charge of the work passed through the hands of Major McAlister and Captain Harwood to Major Bowen, who assumed charge in May,

1869.

An appropriation of $22,500 was made, and work was at once commenced upon the extension of the west pier.

Major Bowen, during this year, recommended the construction of an outer harbor.

In 1870 an appropriation of $50,000 was made, the extension of the light-house pier was completed, and the whole of the west pier repaired.

In September, 1869, a survey of the harbor and its approaches was made, and in March, 1870, Major Bowen presented a project for an outer harbor. A board of engineers, consisting of Lieutenant-Colonel Woodruff and Majors McFarland and Bowen, was convened at Oswego on the 30th of March, and the project of Major Bowen was submitted for its consideration.

The plan consisted of a breakwater 5,800 feet long, to be located nearly parallel to the old west pier, and 1,100 feet in advance of it, thus affording a good harbor about 100 acres in extent. The estimated cost was $1,161,682.

In January, 1871, Maj. J. M. Wilson assumed charge of the work, and soon after the opening of navigation operations were commenced under contract, repairing damages done to the old pier by the winter storms, and on July 5 the construction of the new pier was commenced, an appropriation of $100,000 having been made; $6,000 was also allotted from the general appropriation for repairs in 1870.

By the close of the year 1871, 640 lineal feet of the new pier had been completed.

Operations were resumed by hired labor in March, 1872, the contractor having been released by act of Congress.

During this year an appropriation of $100,000 was made and work carried on both by contract and hired labor, so that by the close of operations in November, the pier was 1,700 feet long, the superstructure being completed on 1,100 feet of it.

The old pier was also put in complete repair during the season. The winter gales of 1872-73 were very severe, and did considerable damage to the pier, settling it from 2 to 4 feet throughout a length of about 700 feet; the cribs of the outer 140 feet were torn from their gril lage bottoms and thrown on shore. The old pier also sustained considerable damage.

In February, 1873, a survey was made through the ice on part of the line; floating ice 25 feet thick was bored through in order to determine the formation of the bottom.

Operations were resumed in April, 1873, the cribs on shore were launched, the pier leveled, crib-tops sunk, and superstructure built on the portions which had settled, and by the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, the new pier was 1,815 feet long, the superstructure upon which was completed for a length of 1,180 feet.

OPERATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

The opening of the fiscal year found operations in progress, both by contract and hired labor; under the former they were suspended the last of August, but were continued by hired labor both on the new and old piers throughout the season.

THE NEW BREAKWATER.

The work upon the new breakwater has progressed very satisfactorily; 400 feet of crib-work has been added to the line, and three counterforts, each 30 feet long, sunk in rear of it; 1,125 feet of superstructure complete has been built, so that at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, the new breakwater was 2,215 feet long, and strengthened by three counterforts, amounting to 90 feet more.

During the winter of 1873-74 the pier was subjected to a series of gales of terrific violence; the damage was, however, trifling, and consisted principally in tearing off a few deck-plank, settling the stone somewhat on the lake side, the pier slightly in three places, and breaking off one suubbing post; the violence of the sea can be somewhat appreciated when it is stated that this snubbing-post was of solid oak, 14 inches square, its top about 4 feet above the deck of the pier; it was broken off flush with the deck. By the close of the fiscal year these damages, except a small amount of stone-filling and replacing a few deck-plank, were repaired.

During the year's operations the following materials have been used on the new breakwater:

904,804 feet, board-measure, hemlock timber. 17,378 feet, board-measure, hemlock plank. 528,532 feet, board-measure, pine timber. 114,021 feet, board-measure, pine plank.

312 feet, board-measure, pine boards. 5,060 feet, board-measure, hard-wood plank. 4,192 treenails.

8,285 pounds of screw and washer bolts. 155,396 pounds of drift-bolts.

13,823 pounds of spikes.

5,122 cords of stone.

192 lineal feet of oak posts.

The breakwater now forms an excellent protection from gales coming from the southwest, west, and northwest; docks are in process of construction in rear of it, which will be used this season.

The cost thus far has been about as follows: For the first 600 linear feet, the depth running from zero to 19 feet, $70 per linear foot; for the next 1,705 feet, the depth running from 20 to 28 feet, $159 per linear foot; the original estimate was $200 per foot for the whole work; the deepest portion is completed.

REPAIR OF THE OLD WEST PIER.

During the fiscal year the old west pier has been most seriously damaged, and during the spring of 1874 it was literally torn to pieces, breaches amounting to 140 feet in length having been made entirely through at various points, while the outer section of the pier for a total length of 410 feet was entirely destroyed; there being but little ice, the pier was subjected to the full force of a series of most violent storms. Minor repairs were made from time to time, when rendered necessary,