Six thousand one hundred and thirty cubic yards of mud and clay were removed from this channel, when operations were suspended upon it on account of lack of funds; the dredge was transferred to the channel over the bar, northeast of the light-house, and that channel was widened and deepened by removing 3,000 cubic yards of mud, clay, &c. Operations were suspended in August, 1873, the funds appropriated having been exhausted. The condition of the harbor at present is as follows: The channel over the bar, northeast of the light-house, is 300 feet wide, and presents a depth of from 11 to 17 feet at low water. The Oswegatchie River has been dredged to the rock-bottom from just below the bridge to its mouth, and presents a channel 50 feet wide and 12 feet deep near the middle of the stream, sloping up to between 9 and 11 feet near the docks. The channel parallel to the line of docks, connecting the mouth of the Oswegatchie with the deep waters of the St. Lawrence, has been dredged to a depth of 12 feet at low water, and a width of 150 feet, for a distance of 4,300 feet; a small portion east of the ferry-dock is only 125 feet wide, but is to be dredged to the same width as the rest. The channel, when completed, will be 4,800 feet long, the lower 500 feet being yet incomplete, but presenting a depth of from 10 to 11 feet at present. During this season it is proposed to complete the channel in the St. Lawrence River, and to widen that over the bar, near the light-house. It is recommended also that a channel 150 feet wide, similar to the one now almost completed in the St. Lawrence, shall be dredged from a point opposite the north end of the docks of the Northern Transportation Company up to the elevator, as a very large portion of the commercial interests of the place is centered at this locality. This would require the removal of about 15,000 cubic yards of mud, sand, &c., and would probably cost, including expenses of every character, about $5,000. It is questioned whether this recommendation is in opposition to the report of the board of engineers of May, 1868, as they stated that it was the dredging at the wharves that should be done by the owners, while my proposition is to carry on the channel now being dredged to the elevator, keeping, as at present, 25 feet from the wharves. The estimated cost of the present project for the improvement of this harbor was $175,000, of which amount $100,000 was to be devoted to dredging at various localities. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, the sum of $102,000 has been appropriated, of which amount $96,000 has been expended, in addition to the $6,000 now available. About $5,000 more will be required, should it be decided to dredge the channel near the docks of the Northern Transportation Company;. $70,000 will be required should circumstances render piers necessary, as indicated by the board of engineers in 1868. Ogdensburgh is a port of entry, in the collection-district of the Oswegatchie. There is a fixed white light of the fourth order near the entrance to the harbor. Forts Ontario and Montgomery are each one hundred and twenty-five miles distantthe one to the southwest, the other to the east. The amount of revenue collected during the fiscal year was $224.364.35. The value of the imports was $2,027,483. The value of the exports was $602,522. The number of vessels entering was 1,069, with an aggregate tonnage of 264,726 tons. The number of vessels clearing was 1,060, with an aggregate tonnage of 259,412 tons. There are three steam-ferries between this port and Canada, two of which make trips every half hour during the season of navigation. An abstract of contracts in force, and a financial statement, are transmitted. Financial statement. Balance in Treasury of the United States July 1, 1873. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. $3,092 72 2,644 97 6,000 00 5,737 69 6,000 00 5,000 00 Abstract of contracts for improving harbor at Ogdensburgh, N. Y., in force during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, by Maj. John M. Wilson, Corps of Engineers, United States Army. A survey and examination of the harbor were made in August, 1872, and in March, 1873, an appropriation of $10,000 was made for its improvement. It was proposed to improve the harbor by opening a channel 200 feet wide and 11 feet deep through the bar at the head of Little River, the upper entrance to the harbor, and to facilitate the approach to the docks below the dam by removing materials from that locality. It was determined to devote the appropriation of March, 1873, to the channel through the bar; and, after advertising, the work was awarded to Mr. H. J. Mowry, of Syracuse, N. Y., at the rate of $1.24 per cubic yard, measured in position. Operations were commenced on July 30, 1873, and continued until October 25, 1873, when they were suspended, the contract being completed. During this period the dredge worked 647 hours, and as the dredging was sometimes quite difficult, considerable breakage occurred, and it was idle for repairs from time to time. The channel dredged was 200 feet wide, 400 feet long, and the depth obtained was from 11 to 12 feet at low water. The materials dug consisted of marl, stiff clay, mud, hard-pan, bowlders, and logs; the clay and hard-pan were calcareous. The amount of material removed, measured in position, was 7,935 cubic yards; the amount measured in scows was 8,728 cubic yards, showing a gain of about 10 per cent. over the amount in position. During the present season it is proposed to widen and straighten the channel over the bar at the head of Little River, and to deepen the channel below the dam, to facilitate the approach to the docks. At present there is an excellent channel, from 200 to 400 feet wide, from the head of Little River to the bridge; below the dam, a channel from 400 to 500 feet wide, and from 12 to 15 feet deep, is found, until within 200 feet of the ferry-dock. It is proposed to carry this channel up to the dock. The original estimated cost of the improvement of this harbor was $17,000. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, $20,000 has been appropriated, of which amount $9,987.69 has been expended. No further appropriation will be required. Waddington is a port of entry, in the collection-district of the Oswegatchie. The nearest light-house is at Ogdensburgh; and Fort Montgomery, one hundred miles distant, is the nearest work of defense. The amount of revenue collected during the fiscal year was $18,022.92. The value of the imports was $124,050.00. The value of the exports was $1,164.00. Twenty-seven vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 1,187 tons, entered, and 31 vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 1,278 tons, cleared. An abstract of contracts in force is transmitted, also a financial statement. Financial statement. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873 Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874.. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874 Amount available July 1, 1874.. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876 10, 012 31 Nothing. Abstract of contracts for improving harbor at Waddington, N. Y., in force during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, by Maj. John M. Wilson, Corps of Engineers, United States Army. Henry J. Mowry, Syr- May 12, 1873 Dredging. $1.24 per cubic yard, measured in Contract closed October 27, 1873. APPENDIX G. ANNUAL REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN NEWTON, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1874. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, New York, August 20, 1874. GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith the annual reports upon the works under my charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN NEWTON, Lieut. Col. of Engineers, Bet. Maj. Gen. Brig. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, G 1. IMPROVING HARBOR AT PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK. During the year the superstucture of the extension of 100 feet to the breakwater, under contract with James D. Leary, was completed, and the crib-work of the extension of 56 feet, under contract with Luther Whitney, was completed and filled with stone. The superstructure will be completed between July 1 and December 31, 1874. With the amount appropriated by act of Congress approved June 23, 1874, it is proposed to make certain repairs to the south end of the breakwater, by replacement of logs which have been broken out, and to filling places where the stone has settled; these repairs are all on the old breakwater. No further appropriation is asked. Name of collection-district, Champlain. Financial statement. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873. $10,000 00 5,095 67 5,000 00 8,242 88 10,116 79 G 2. IMPROVING HARBOR AT BURLINGTON, VERMONT. During the year the superstructure of the extension of 180 feet of breakwater, under contract with Luther Whitney, was completed. In June, 1873, contract was made with Chas. J. De Graw for an extension of 220 feet of breakwater, but this contract was annulled on 25th August, 1873, for the reason that the contractor had failed up to that date to commence operations, having, instead, devoted his time to making efforts to have the contract extended, alleging his inability to procure the necessary timber for the cribs in order to complete them by the specified time, although it was definitely understood at the time of signing the contract that no extension would be allowed; the contract was, therefore, annulled, and, by approval of the Chief of Engineers, the work was awarded to Luther Whitney, the next lowest bidder; and under contract with him, two cribs, each 110 feet in length, were completed within the specified time, viz, December 31, 1873. The superstructure for this extension will be completed between July 1 and December 31, 1874. Under appropriation of June 23, 1874, it is proposed to extend the breakwater from the north end, in a direction nearly northwest. HISTORY OF THE WORK. A special board of engineers in 1867 recommended an extension of this breakwater in a northerly direction for a length of 1,500 feet; when I took charge in May, 1870, there remained of this length to be constructed 840 feet. Contracts were entered into during that year for a further extension of 171 feet, which being completed, there remained 669 feet of the length prescribed by the board to be constructed. But by permission of the Chief of Engineers, the extension to the northward has been suspended for several years, to devote the sums appropriated by Congress to a southerly elongation, which, by the growth of the water front in that direction, had become necessary. A length of 617 feet has, in pursuance of this object, been added, and is considered sufficient for the present, and until a further growth of wharves and business to the southward. It is proposed to devote the appropriation approved June 23, 1874, to an extension in a northwest direction to protect the growth of wharves to the northward, and Assistant D. White writes that the total length of such extension will ultimately be 2,000 feet, at a cost of $1.70 per linear foot; amounting in the aggregate to $340,000. An appropriation of $40,000 is asked. Name of collection-district, Vermont. Burlington is a port of entry. Financial statement. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873 ... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. G 3. IMPROVING HARBOR AT SWANTON, VERMONT. Under contract with Luther Whitney, one crib, 110 feet long, for breakwater, was completed and filled with stone during the month of September, 1873; the superstructure will be constructed between July 1 and December 31, 1874. Under appropriation of June 23, 1874, it is proposed to continue the breakwater on the line already adopted. For completing the improvement of this harbor the sum of $249,160 will be required. Swanton Harbor is in the collection-district of Vermont. Fort Montgomery is the nearest fort. The nearest light-house is on Windmill Point. Financial statement. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873.. Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amount available July 1, 1874. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, (to complete the improvement). $15,000 00 8,000 00 8,241 65 10, 193 35 249, 160 00 |