under it deepening and permitting quite as great discharge as before its introduction. It appears that the total closure of this bayou will alone effect the end desired-that of improved navigation in Red River below Tone's Bayou, the cost of which is estimated at $20,000. Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check... 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, (as revised in this (See Appendix R 3.) $1,007 63 989 00 18 63 20,000 00 4. Improvement of Cypress Bayou, and construction of dams and dredg ing at the foot of Soda Lake, Texas and Louisiana.-Work on the former was continued throughout the year when rendered practicable by the stage of water in the bayou, and resulted in widening, deepening, and straightening the channel from Jefferson to a point below Smithland. Further examination was made at the foot of Soda Lake, and a plan for improvement projected, which, from its character, could not be commenced with the insufficient appropriation available. The officer in charge submits estimates for the next fiscal year amounting to $372,580. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. $38,000 00 Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check. 14,794 38 28, 368 34 Amount available July 1, 1874 24,426 04 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, (as revised in this Office) (See Appendix R 4.) 238,000 00 5. Improvement of Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana.-This work was completed January 13, 1874. It has benefited a large lumbering interest in Southwestern Louisiana. Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check (See Appendix R 5.) $9,287 51 9,210 96 76 55 6. Improvement of the harbor of Galveston, Texas.-Captain Howell submitted a report upon the results of the survey he had been directed to make for the purpose of determining and estimating the cost of some plan of improvement calculated to give an eighteen-foot entrance to this harbor. As the method of construction proposed by him is in some degree new, and involves a large expenditure, it was deemed advisable to refer his report to a board of engineer officers for opinion thereon. These reports were transmitted to Congress at its last session, and printed in H. R. Ex. Doc. No. 136. The appropriation of June 23, 1874, will be expended in accordance with the recommendation of this board, but only so far as to test the merits of the plan. It is hoped a result may be presented early in the next session of Congress, when estimates for the prosecution of the work will be submitted. Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check.. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874.. Amount available July 1, 1874.. (See Appendixes R 6 and R 7.) $3,608 31 60,000 00 3,606 54 60,001 77 7. Improvement of Red Fish Bar, in Galveston Bay, Texas.-This work contemplates widening, deepening, and lengthening the cut through Red Fish Bar to meet the growing wants of commerce. The appropriation of June 23, 1874, is not deemed sufficient to complete the work. Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check. Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874 Amount available July 1, 1874.. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, (as revised in this (See Appendix R 8.) 868 41 10,000 00 50.00 10,018 41 5,000 00 8. Surrey for the location of the terminus of the Fort St. Philip Canal under the lee of Sable Island.-The survey of 1871 and 1872 gave the data for considering the location, except, 1st, borings and soundings along the line of probable location of the trunk of the canal; and, 2d, for inclosure of Grand Bay. These are now given by Captain Howell. (See Appendix R 9.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. Captain Howell was charged with and has completed the following: In compliance with provisions of the act of June 10, 1872 1. Of the Neches and Angelina Rivers, Texas.-This was transmitted to Congress at its last session, and printed in H. R. Ex. Doc. No. 84. (See Appendix R 10.) In compliance with the act of March 3, 1873 2. Pascagoula Harbor, Mississippi.-Transmitted to Congress, and printed in H. R. Ex. Doc. No. 84. (See Appendix R 11.) 3. Entrance of Matagorda Bay and the channel of Indianola, Texas.Transmitted to Congress, and printed in H. R. Ex. Doc. No. 174. (See Appendix R 12.) 4. Bayou Lafourche, Louisiana, from Lafourche Crossing to the mouth. (See Appendix R 13.) 5. From the mouth of Red River down Atchafalaya River to Brashear, Louisiana. (See Appendix R 14.) The survey for connecting the inland waters along the margin of the Gulf of Mexico from Donaldsonville, Louisiana, to the Rio Grande, Texas, in compliance with the provisions of the act of March 3, 1873, is in progress, but owing to its great extent, not yet completed. SHIP CANAL TO CONNECT THE MISSISSIPPI WITH THE GULF OF MEXICO. To comply with a resolution of the House of Representatives of March 14, 1871, Captain Howell was charged with the surveys for the location and plan of this work. His results and accompanying drawings were referred to a board of engineer officers for examination, whose report, together with that of Captain Howell, with explanatory remarks from members of the board and from this office, was transmitted to Congress at its last session, and printed in Ex. Doc. H. R. No. 220, and will be found in the appendix to this communication, as also a brief account of the application of the jetty-system to the mouth of the Rhone, recently received from Mr. E. Malézieux, engineer-in-chief in the corps of Ponts et Chaussees. (See Appendixes R 15 and R 16.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBOR OF MOBILE-REMOVAL OF THE BAR AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOR OF CEDAR KEYS, FLORIDA—IMPROVEMENT OF THE NAVIGATION OF THE CHOCTAWHATCHIE, APALACHICOLA, CHATTAHOOCHEE, AND FLINT RIVERS. Officer in charge, Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers. 1. Improvement of Mobile Harbor.-This has been continued in accordance with the plans recommended by a board of engineer-officers in 1872 and 1873. The cut through Dog River Bar has been widened through its whole length (7 miles) to 120 feet, one mile of this to 150 feet, and one mile to its contemplated width of 200 feet, with 13 feet of water at mean low tide. One of the wrecks in this channel has been taken out, and the removal of another nearly completed. The re-opening of Choctaw Bar Channel, which was commenced in January, 1874, was interrupted by an unusually high freshet on the river, which caused another partial filling up, although part of the dike across Pinto Pass, and of the jetty at Pinto Point, had been removed. Dredging in this channel was resumed again in June, and at the close of the year a cut of 120 feet in width, 13 feet deep at mean low water, through the new bar was nearly completed. With the unexpended balance, and the appropriation of June 23, 1874, this work will be brought so near completion that an appropriation of only $26,000 is asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873 Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check, (including $7,823.94 $110, 287 34 percentage due on contracts not yet completed). 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.. 24, 186 22 100,000 00 96, 945 35 123, 185 12 26,000 00 (See Appendixes S 1 and S 2.) 2. Improvement of the harbor of Cedar Keys, Florida.-During the year proposals for dredging were advertised for, but the bids received were too high to secure, with the funds available, ($7,500,) sufficient work to be of service. The bids, therefore, were not accepted, and the work is postponed until further appropriation is made, unless more reasonable offers can be received. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873... Amount available July 1, 1874 Amonut required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix S 3.) $7,500 00 44 41 7,455 59 30,000 00 3. Improvement of Choctawhatchee River, Florida and Alabama.-No appropriation was made for the improvement of this river for the last fiscal year. It is proposed to apply the appropriation of June 23, 1874, to the removal of snags and overhanging trees, beginning at the mouth of the river, and working up as far as the appropriation will allow. In estimation of this work during fiscal year ending June, 30, 1876, $10,000 could be profitably expended. Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874.. Amount available July 1, 1874.. Amonnt required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876 (See Appendix S 4.) $5,000 00 5, 000 00 10,000 00 4. Improvement of Apalachicola River, Florida.-No appropriation was made for the last fiscal year. By act of June 23, 1874, $10,000 were appropriated for this improvement. It is proposed to apply this amount to the removal of dangerous snags, and any remaining balance to improving Moccasin Slough on this river. Twenty thousand dollars could be profitably expended upon the improvement of this river during the next fiscal year. Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874.. Amount available July 1, 1874 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876 (See Appendix S 5.) $10,000 00 10,000 00 20,000 00 5. Improvement of Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers, Georgia.—No appropriation was made for the last fiscal year. It is proposed to apply the appropriation of June 23, 1874, to the removal of wrecks and snags, and the improvement of the worst of the bars on these rivers as far as the appropriation will allow, from their mouths to Columbus on the Chattahoochee, and to Albany on the Flint. The amount asked for continuing these improvements during the year ending June 30, 1876, could be profitably expended during that year. Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874 Amount available July 1, 1874... Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. (See Appendix S 6.) $25,000 00 25,000 00 50,000 00 ATLANTIC COAST. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS ON THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND THE ATLANTIC COAST OF FLORIDA. Officer in charge, Lieut. Col. Q. A. Gillmore, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders Capt. D. P. Heap, Corps of Engineers, until December 19, 1873, First Lieut. F. A. Mahan, Corps of Engineers, from December 10, 1873, to April 24, 1874, Capt. J. W. Cuyler, Corps of Engineers, after March, 1874, and Capt. J. C. Post, Corps of Engineers, after June 17, 1874. 1. Improvement of ship-channel in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.— The original project for this improvement comprised the removal of sundry wrecks sunk during the civil war, the removal of 125 feet from the outer end of Bowman Jetty, projecting from Fort Moultrie into Beach Channel, and dredging in that channel to 15 feet at mean low water. A subsequent further shortening of the jetty was left contingent on the results secured by the first reduction of 125 feet in its length. During the last fiscal year the depth attained over the section of 125 feet was in no place less than 113 feet. Only 738 cubic yards of stone were removed during the year. There were also removed from the east side of the jetty, and lying close to it, the wrecks of the Stono, the Prince of Wales, and the Juno. The wreck of the monitor Keokuk was removed from the main ship-channel abreast of Morris Island. No dredging was done in Beach Channel. During the present fiscal year it is contemplated to remove the 125 lineal feet from the outer end of Bowman Jetty, upon which work is now in progress, to a depth of 163 feet below mean low water, and to begin and possibly finish the necessary dredging in Beach Channel to a depth of 15 feet at mean low water. A further reduction of 50 feet in the length of Bowman Jetty is indicated as desirable by the results already attained. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873.. Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check. $26,700 00 9, 142 44 Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874.. Amount available July 1, 1874.. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix T 1.) $18,000 00 20,018 57 30,573 87 10,000 00 2. Improvement of Savannah Harbor, Georgia.-During the past fiscal year the operations have consisted in deepening the channel at various points by dredging and by the removal of wrecks, as specified below. 55,369 cubic yards of material have been dredged from the shoal northeast of Fort Pulaski, which obstructs the passage of vessels from Tybee Roads into the channel nearest the fort on the north side. The channel thus secured over the shoal is 13 feet deep at mean low water, and nearly 200 feet wide. 57,688 cubic yards of materials were dredged from the long shoal abreast of Elba Island, giving a channel 13 feet deep and 100 feet wide; 2,436 cubic yards were dredged from the shoal known as the "Wrecks," opposite the lower end of Fig Island, this amount being the deposits that had taken place in this channel the previous year. The wrecks of two large wooden vessels were removed from the channel near the oyster-bed beacon, opposite Fort Pulaski, where they were sunk as obstructions during the civil war. A loaded lighter was also removed from the channel near Fort Pulaski. No dredging was done opposite the lower end of Elba Island, nor opposite the upper end of Long Island, and none on Garden Bank, near the city of Savannah. During the present fiscal year it is contemplated that the work of improvement will be carried on substantially as follows: i. In dredging the shoal northeast of Fort Pulaski, in order to establish a channel 134 feet deep and 150 feet wide at mean low water. It is probable that the width will exceed 150 feet. 2. In dredging at "the Wrecks," opposite the lower end of Fig Island, so as to secure a channel 133 feet deep and 125 feet wide at mean low water. 3. In dredging the shoal abreast of Elba Island, so as to secure at that point a channel 133 feet deep and 125 feet wide at mean low water. 4. In dredging "Garden Bank," opposite the lower portion of the city of Savannah, so as to establish along the city-wharves a channel 13 feet deep and not less than 125 feet wide in that locality. 5. In removing a crib sunk during the civil war in the channel at the entrance from the Savannah River into St. Augustine Creek. These operations will be in furtherance of the project submitted last year by the engineer in charge, in the extension of which it is intended to establish a channel of such capacity that vessels drawing 22 feet of water can ascend from Tybee Roads to Savannah City on the flood-tide, and lay at the Savannah wharves at all stages of the tide without grounding. An essential feature of the project is a deflecting-jetty or sluice-dam at "cross-tides," four miles above the city, the object of which is to increase the volume and the velocity of the water flowing past the city on the ebb-current and augment its scouring effects upon the shoals. It is believed that the effect of this jetty or sluice-dam would be to increase the scouring effect of the ebb-current upon the shoals below, and therefore diminish the cost of dredging and of longitudinal jetties for contracting the water-way. To provide for its construction and continue the dredging, the engineer in charge recommends an appropriation of $175,000. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873.. $70,000 00 1,805 64 |