Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874.. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876... (See Appendix U 19.) $10,000 00 9, 175 99 15, 411 31 5,000 00 20. Improvement of the Roanoke River, below Weldon, North Carolina.-A second snag-boat of greater capacity has been worked, in conjunction with the smaller one, over the river from Weldon to its mouth, about one hundred and thirty miles, removing snags, rafts, overhanging trees; and trees have been cut down on banks which threatened to slide, thus diminishing the probability of slides of earth, and the consequent introduction into the river of the trees growing thereon. The great prevalence of freshets has made some delay.. The cut-off known as Devil's Gut, which was lately passable by only a small boat, has been cleared, so that a steamer of moderate size can use it. The distance between Jamesville and Williamston is thus shortened six miles. In January, 1874, the snag-boats assisted in raising a tugboat, which was sunk in the river by accident, and otherwise would probably have been a total loss, as well as become a serious detriment to the regimen of the stream. There have also been removed or so broken up that the débris are no longer an obstruction to navigation several vessels, viz, a light-boat at Broad Creek, a steamboat near Jamesville, and a light-boat and three schooners at Willow Bend. These were the last of the wrecks that obstructed the navigation. Some progress has also been made in removing rocks near Weldon, but the contractor has been retarded by freshets. All his blasting is done, and he expects to complete his work in the summer of 1874. The results have been in general satisfactory, and of decided benefit to the navigation of the river, in which a large and fertile country is interested. Its products of cotton, lumber, and shingles are important. In the estimate contained in the annual report for 1872, it was stated that the sum of $270,000 was necessary for giving 5 feet at low water from Weldon down. The appropriations by Congress have been $20,000 March 3, 1871; $10,000 June 10, 1872; $10,000 March 3, 1873; $5,000 June 23, 1874; total, $45,000. On the 30th of June, 1874, the sum of $15,227.94 was available for this river. Up to this time operations have been confined to removing wrecks, snags, rafts, overhanging trees, sunken logs, and some rocks near Weldon, which, except the last, should be continued. Unless it is determined to enter systematically upon the improvement of the river in the attainment of a low-water depth of 5 feet, no appropriation is needed for year ending June 30, 1876. If that work is to be carried out, the sum of $100,000 should be provided for the first year. 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 required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876 (See Appendix U 20.) $20,000 CO 4,073 41 5,000 00 13, 852 22 15, 227 94 100,000 00 21. Improving Cape Fear River, below Wilmington, North Carolina.-The sand has continued to accumulate around the closing work between Smith's and Zeke's Islands in a very encouraging manner. The deflecting jetty from Federal Point has been extended to a length of 500 feet. The Point has grown by the accumulation of sand along the jetty, and Zeke's Island has been also enlarged in the same way. The channel has deep ened over the Baldhead Bar, and an effort is to be made to assist this effort of the river to resume its old regimen by working a suction-dredge upon this bar. A cut will be made by dredging behind the Horseshoe Shoal, in the direction of the channel which existed there before the opening of New Inlet. The object of this operation is the same as that of the others mentioned above, to direct the ebb and fluvial currents from New Inlet into their former and natural course down the river direetly. Efforts will also be made to increase the depth of water between New Inlet and Wilmington. NOTE. From a report received from the officer in charge of this work, October 8, 1874, it appears that the depth of water continues to increase in the channel over Baldhead Bar, which has become the entrance and used almost exclusively. Cargoes were, until lately, lightered below the Fort Caswell rip, or inner bar of the western channel. This is now done at Smithsville, at a reduction in cost of nearly one-half. This change is due to the use of the Bulkhead Channel. If the dredging behind the Horseshoe Shoal has successful results, and the channel is completed through the "Logs," 12 feet at low water can be taken up to Wilmington, and the use of lighters dispensed with. It is expected to accomplish this end with the present appropriation and in a few months. Balance in Treasury of United States, July 1, 1873. Deduct amount expended in fiscal year 1872-73. $100,000 00 9,063 32 Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874. 150,000 00 Amonnt expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. 92,985 13 147,951 55 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix U 21.) 200,000 00 SURVEYS, EXAMINATIONS, AND ESTIMATES FOR IMPROVEMENTS. Major Craighill was charged with, and bas, during the fiscal year, submitted to this Office reports upon surveys of the following localities: 1. Elk River, Maryland, below Elkton.-The chairman of the Committee on Commerce of the Senate of the United States having inclosed to the Secretary of War, December 19, 1872, a petition from citizens of Cecil County, Md., for an appropriation for the improvement of Elk River, in that State, and having asked for information on the subject, an examination of the river was made, and a report submitted which was printed in the report of the Chief of Engineers for 1873. See page $15. A further survey was directed in the appropriation bill of March 3, 1873, which was made in October, 1873. For the report see pages 4 and 63 of House Document No. 84, Forty-third Congress, first session. (See Appendix U 22.) 2. Old-House Channel to main channel of Pamlico Sound, North Carolina.-A survey or examination of this locality was directed in the appropriation bill of March 3, 1873. A great pressure of other duties caused it to be deferred until December, 1873. A report was submitted February 24, 1874, which was printed in H. R. Ex. Doc. No. 174, Fortythird Congress, first session. (See Appendix U 23.) 3. James River and Kanawha Water-line, &c.-A board of engineers was constituted by Special Orders 17, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, January 27, 1874, to examine and report upon the James River and Kanawha Canal project. This board was organized with the addition of an eminent civil engineer of Baltimore, Mr. B. H. Latrobe, at the request of the Hon. H. G. Davis, a member of the Senate Committee on Transportation-Routes to the Seaboard, to comply with the desire of those interested in the proposed water-line, to secure such additional evidence in regard to the cost of the entire canal, the watersupply of the summit-level, the probable time required to complete the work, and other questions involving its practicability, as would place all of these matters beyond doubt in the public mind. The report was printed in H. R. Ex. Doc. No. 219, Forty-third Congress, first session, but some corrections and emendations have been given in the reprint in this volume. (See Appendix U 24.) CONSTRUCTION OF PIER AT LEWES, DELAWARE-HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS ON DELAWARE RIVER AND BAY-IMPROVEMENT OF THE NAVIGATION OF DELAWARE AND SCHUYLKILL RIVERS-OF BROADKILN RIVER, DELAWARE-OF SOUTH AND SHREWSBURY RIVERS-AND OF COHANSEY CREEK, NEW JERSEY. Officer in charge, Lieut. Col. J. D. Kurtz, Corps of Engineers, with Capt. M. R. Brown, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders. 1. Construction of pier near Lewes, Delaware.-During the year the superstructure of the pier has been extended 105 feet, and all the piles have been inserted to 1,281 feet from the abutment in 15.5 feet depth of water. Nearly a corresponding number of braces have been adjusted. The appropriation was nearly exhausted early in November, and active work suspended. A keeper has remained in charge of the buildings and other property. It is proposed, during the present year, to place in position the thirty piles now on hand and finish the corresponding bracing and superstructure, if it can be done, and perhaps to drive a few temporary fender piles to make the pier available for vessels. Amount required to complete the work, $176,500. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873. $8,000 00 Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check, (including $32,377 per centage due on contracts not yet completed). 39,263 12 Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874... 10,000 00 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. 47,268 12 Amount available June 1, 1874... 10,000 00 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.... 176,500 00 (See Appendix V 1.) 2. Construction and repair of Ice Harbor Piers at New Castle, Delaware. -The remains of the old pier in the middle of the harbor and a quan tity of stone accidentally dropped from vessels employed in building piers, have been removed; the wood-work of an old pier has been sheathed and protected with iron plates; and a new pier has been built up to lowwater level. It is proposed to apply the appropriation of the present fiscal year to the removal of obstructions from the harbor and the commencement of a new pier. Amount required to complete the work, $40,500. $34,000 00 10,000 00 22,000 15 14,947 65 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876... (See Appendix V 2.) 30,000 00 3. Harbor at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.—The ice-piers at this harbor were completed in 1871. Last year four iron ladders have been attached (one to each pier) to give access to the top. The piers require some repairs, which can be made during the present season from the existing appropriation. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873.. (See Appendix V 3.) $10,462 12 10,462 12 4. Wilmington Harbor, Delaware-During the fiscal year the rock excavation above Third-street bridge was completed. Local surveys have been made at different points along the river, as far up stream as Third-street bridge, and the information derived therefrom has been added to the chart of the Christiana River in course of preparation. The removal of about 100 cubic yards of rock from the channel just below Third street bridge is in progress under contract. With the appropriation of June 23, 1874, it is proposed to remove about 135 cubic yards of fast rock from the channel below Third-street bridge, at the locality where work is now being done. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, it is proposed to improve the river and harbor by dredging the channel so as to afford twelve feet depth of water with the increased width of 120 feet at ordinary low tide, as follows, viz: along the channel just above the buoy depot; opposite and below Brandywine Creek; near Third street and Market street bridges. This improvement will require the removal of 53,000 cubic yards of material; 6,000 cubic yards of this amount will be loose gravel and sand, and the remainder soft mud. An appropriation of $20,000 is required to do this. Amount required to complete the work, $46,000. 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.. (See Appendix V 4.) $5,000 00 1,895 6 6,000 00 1,739 15 11, 156 51 20,000 00 5. Improvement of Schuylkill River, Pennsylvania.-During the fiscal year 97,493 cubic yards of material were removed from the bar just above Penrose-Ferry bridge; 7,500 cubic yards from the bar near Gibson's wharf; 434 cubic yards of rock from the channel near Locuststreet wharf, and 172 cubic yards of rock from the channel-way at and near South-street wharf. The depths of water attained at the several localities named, at ordinary low tide, are, 20, 18, 19, and 16 feet, respectively. The present season it is proposed to continue dredging operations at the bar above Penrose-Ferry bridge. Next year it is proposed to complete the cut through the bar above Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. $51,500 00 5, 807 05 20,000 00 54,975 17 ... 20,000 00 40,000 00 6. Improvement of Delaware River at Fort Mifflin Bar.-During the fiscal year 140,000 cubic yards of material have been removed. A cut 300 feet in width on the eastern portion of the bar, affording 20 feet depth of water at low water, has been excavated from the New Jersey channel on the south to the Pennsylvania channel on the north. And on the west a cut of the same extent in length has been made, with a width of 225 feet, affording the same depth of water. The locality of the improvement is eight and a half miles from the navy-yard, the width of the Delaware River at this point being about one mile. During the present working season it is proposed to continue the dredging under the present contract, so as to increase the width of the excavation through the bar to 800 feet, with 20 feet depth of water at ordinary low tide. This will require the removal of about 70,000 cubic yards more material, which will complete the work under the existing contract. With the appropriation of June 23, 1874, it is proposed to remove, during the present season, 70,000 cubic yards of material from the bar; next season to remove 103,000 cubic yards of material, increasing the width of the excavation to 1,200 feet, with a depth of water of 22 feet at ordinary low water. For the next fiscal year, to continue the improvement, increasing the general width of the excavation to 1,500 feet, with side slopes and openings up and down stream of 2,000 feet. This will require an additional removal of 140,000 cubic yards of material, and a further appropriation of $50,000. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873. $50,000 00 50,000 00 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. 27,189 03 66,981 62 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. 50.000 00 (See Appendix V 6.) 7. Improvement of Delaware River at Horse Shoe Shoals.-It was recommended last year, in view of the expense of the proposed improvement, that it be deferred until it was found that, from further experience, iceboats cannot keep the channel open at this point. The last winter having been very mild, no special experience on this point, was obtained. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873.. 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 Appendix V 7.) $49,500 00 154 80 154 80 49,500 00 8. Improvement of Delaware River between Trenton and Bordentown, New Jersey. Work has progressed steadily on this improvement. A channel, with a depth of 6 feet at low water and a width of 75 feet, has been carried through the shoal from deep water above to deep water below. It is proposed next year to widen and straighten the channel to facilitate its easy passage by steamers, vessels, and boats. Amount required to complete the work, $40,000. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix V 8.) $22,500 00 2,057 45 10,000 00 9,708 00 14,949 27 25,000 00 |