Statement of the number and tonnage of all vessels belonging to the port of Albany, N. Y., June 1, 1893. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT SAUGERTIES, N. Y. The harbor of Saugerties is at the mouth of Esopus Creek, which empties into the Hudson River on the west shore, about 100 miles above the city of New York. With the exception of some slight works undertaken by the inhabitants, giving no permanent results, nothing had been done towards the improvement of this harbor until it was undertaken by the United States Government in 1887. In 1883 a survey of the harbor was made, under the direction of the engineer officer in charge, which indicated that there was a shoal at the entrance 1,100 feet wide between 6-foot contours, over which the least depth was 3 feet, mean low water. Two plans of improvement were recommended, both providing for the construction of parallel dikes and for dredging the channel between them 7 feet deep, mean low water. (See Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1884, Part I, p. 716.) The reëxamination of the harbor made in 1887 after the State had done some dredging in the channel, resulted in the submission of a third project, differing from those previously submitted only in the direction to be given to the dikes. The range of tides is 4 feet approximately. The project of 1887 was approved, and its execution was begun the same year. (See Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1887, Part I, p. 662.) The estimated cost of construction of north and south dikes, each 2,300 feet long, and for excavating from the channel between them 30,000 cubic yards of material, was $52,000. The purpose of the dikes is to contract the channel, to promote the scour of the freshets, and to maintain the improved navigable depths during the low stage of summer, which usually lasts for two months approximately. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, both dikes had been completed; the north dike had then a length of 2,058 feet and the south dike a length of 2,363 feet, and the waterway between them was 260 feet wide. The inner harbor, west of the shore ends of dikes, was 2,000 feet long, 150 feet wide, and 143 to 20 feet deep at mean low water. From the steamboat wharf of inner harbor to the Hudson River the navigable channel had been deepened by dredging, giving a width of 150 feet between 9-foot curves. As the direct result of improvements which have been made by the Government, vessels drawing 12 feet and upward can reach the factories located on the inner harbor at high tide. The project is completed, with the exception of the removal of a small group of bowlders on the south side of channel near shore end of jetties, and the appropriation asked is to maintain the improvements in good order. WORK DONE DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1893. The river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, appropriated $5,000 to maintain the dikes in repair, and to remove the rocky points near the shore end of the north dike. During the month of September, 1892, a dredge was employed three days to determine more definitely the character of the rocky formation near the shore end of the dikes. Most of what had previously been supposed to be rock in place was found to be bowlders. The dikes were thoroughly examined at the same time, and specifications were drawn up for the repair of the timber work of portion of the south dike and for the refilling of both dikes with stone where necessary. Proposals for repairs were invited according to law, and agreement was made September 19, 1892, with Wm. Parrott, the lowest bidder. The work was begun October 24, and completed December 1, 1892. This involved the reconstruction of 150 feet of the old structure of the south dike, which had been raised and canted by the ice, also the refilling of the north dike with stone where settlement had taken place. Beside this, four men were employed by hired labor for twenty days rearranging the stone in both dikes. The material furnished and put in by the contractor was as follows: 3,914 linear feet pine piling. 5,086 B. M. feet square timber. 1,414 pounds tie rods. 1,076 pounds drift bolts. 595 cubic yards rubblestone. As the work removing the rock was of such a character as not to permit its being let conveniently by contract, it was determined to do this work by hired labor and the use of the drill scow Hudson. The machine was put to work May 29, 1893. After removing several bowlders from the channel near the shore end of jetties, work was begun removing a portion of the rocky reef projecting into the channel at Barclays Point, on south side of the inner harbor. This reef is not only a great obstruction to navigation, but is the probable cause of the shoaling of the inner harbor, of which it is the eastern boundary. This work is now in progress. The channel is now in better condition than ever before, and will be much improved when straightened by dredging and when the northern half of the reef at Barclays Point has been removed. The south dike needs slight repairs. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, inclusive of outstanding liabilities, was $2,930.95. The estimate of $5,000 recommended for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895, will, if appropriated, complete the project of 1887, and if the improvement is to continue thereafter a new project and estimates will be required. Saugerties is in the collection district of Albany, N. Y., which is the nearest port of entry. The nearest light-house is at the mouth of Esopus Creek. Amount expended to June 30, 1893, inclusive of outstanding liabilities.. 44, 338.01 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. $592.94 5,000.00 5, 592.94 2, 775.72 2,817.22 155.23 2, 661.99 5,000.00 5,000.00 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. The commercial carriers are 5 steamboats for freight and passenger traffic, owned by the Saugerties and New York Steamboat Company, the Saugerties and Albany line, and the Saugerties, Rondout and Hudson line, and 405 sailing and other craft, the former carrying 17,000 passengers annually, and in all aggregating 189,000 tons of freight, valued at $5,484,000, the principal products being general merchandise, bluestone, coal, and lumber. The population of Saugerties is 5,000. E 3. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT RONDOUT, N. Y. The harbor of Rondout is at the mouth of Rondout Creek, which empties into the Hudson River on its west side, about 90 miles above the city of New York. From the entrance to the lock of the Delaware and Hudson Canal, a distance of 3 miles, the creek is a tidal stream, the range of tides being 4 feet, approximately. Prior to 1871 improvements had been made by private persons and corporations, but no permanent benefit had been derived from them. In 1869 a survey of the harbor was made by the Government with a view to its permanent improvement, and it was then found that the available depth of water in the channel was about 7 feet. The project of improvement, based upon this survey, provided for the formation and maintenance of a channel 100 feet wide and 14 feet deep at the mouth of the creek to be obtained by means of dredging and diking. Two parallel channel dikes were to be built outward, toward and into the Hudson River, their outer ends curving gently down stream, while a branch dike running upstream along the Hudson from the outer end of the north dike was to protect that dike from destruction by running ice. The estimated cost of the work was as follows: Building the north dike, 748 yards long Dredging channel 3,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 14 feet deep at low water, 48,000 cubic yards at 30 cents Contingencies Total.... The final length of the north and south dikes was, however, to be determined after observing the effects which they might produce in the removal of the bar as they were gradually extended outward. The work was begun in 1872 and was completed in 1880. It was found by experience that the dikes might be made shorter than originally deemed necessary and the total cost of the work reduced to $90,000, less than two-thirds of the original estimate. On the completion of the work in 1880 the north dike was 2,200 feet, approximately, with a branch dike running up the Hudson 1,000 feet, approximately, and the south dike was 2,800 feet long, approximately, with a spur to the light-house 330 feet long. The distance between the dikes at the entrance was 350 feet, approximately. As the result of the works of improvement, there was a channel over the bar, from the creek to the Hudson, 50 feet wide, giving 133 feet mean low water; 100 feet wide, giving 12 feet mean low water, and 200 feet wide, giving 10 feet mean low water. At the outer end of the dikes the distance between the 12-foot curves was over 300 feet. The north and branch dikes were originally built to the height of mean high water, while the south dike, for 500 feet west of the lighthouse, was built only to the level of the half-tide. The low part of the south dike was subsequently raised by crib work to mean high water; but even with this increased height the dikes are submerged during storm tides and freshets, and are required to be marked by fender piles to enable vessels to enter the harbor at such times without danger of being wrecked upon the concealed dikes. The appropriations for this harbor made since the completion of the works in 1880 have been applied exclusively to the repair of the dikes. The improved depths in the channel have been well maintained, but the dikes have greatly deteriorated, partly owing to the ice, partly to the natural decay of the timber, and partly to the undermining of the piles by scour. The survey of the harbor in September, 1889, indicated a continued. improvement of the channel between the dikes, not in the enlargement of the width of the 14-foot channel, but in that of the 9-foot channel, which then had a width of 250 feet. On the south side of the entrance there has been a slight shoaling, due probably to the removal in 1884 of 150 feet from the outer end of the south pier to meet the wishes of the boatmen, who alleged that their tows required a wider entrance between the piers on that side when coming in with vessels on flood tide. The change in length of the south dike doubtless facilitates entrance at flood tide, but the shoaling of the bar on that side, which is shown by the survey of 1889, makes it probable that the south dike should be increased rather than decreased in length. The river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, appropriated $5,000 for repairing existing works, which was expended in repairs to north and branch dikes. This work was completed October 28, 1891. The channel maintains itself in good navigable condition sufficient for the wants of commerce. While the dikes are in good condition of repair they are much exposed to damage by ice in the river and by boats, that frequently run into and break down the timberwork at the intersection of the north and branch dikes. WORK DONE DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1893. The river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, made an appropriation of $5,000 for repairs to existing works. Proposals for repairing the north and south dikes were invited October 13, 1892, and contract for the work was made with William Parrott, the lowest bidder, October 31, 1892. The work covered the repairs to the north branch dike, putting on new waling timber where the old timber had been displaced, the rebuilding of 350 feet of the south dike, and the driving of several white-oak piles. On account of the late date at which the contract was let, the repairs to the north branch dike only could be made before the cold weather set in. Work was resumed April 20, 1893, and is now in progress. During the winter, which was a very severe one, considerable damage was done to the old timberwork of the south dike. It will be replaced under the existing contract. The material furnished and put in by the contractor to date is as follows: 12,008.4 linear feet pine piling. 167 linear feet white-oak piling. 16,382.1 feet, B. M., yellow-pine square timber. 4,625.7 pounds tie-rods, screw bolts, driftbolts, and washers. The channel is in excellent condition, and with the completion of the present contract the dikes will be in good repair. They are much exposed, however, to damage by ice and by boats, that frequently run into and break down the timberwork at the intersection of the north and branch dikes. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, inclusive of outstanding liabilities, was $2,927.67. An appropriation of $5,000 is recommended to maintain the dikes in proper repair. Rondout is in the collection district of New York. The nearest works of defense are those in New York Harbor. Amount expended to June 30, 1893, inclusive of outstanding liabilities... $109, 428. 67 Money statement. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended $5,000.00 1, 743. 11 3, 256.89 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts $1,185.56 1, 745.36 July 1, 1893, balance available 1,511.53 |