July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.......... Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1893, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... 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. (See Appendix H 19.) $768.96 6,500.00 7, 268, 96 206.89 7,062. 07 7,062.07 6,700.00 6, 700.00 20. Manokin River, Maryland.-Before improvements were commenced in 1891, the depth of water at the mouth of the river, at the so-called "Mud Flats," was between 1 and 2 feet at low tide. These flats are nearly 3 miles wide, and made navigation, except at high water, impossible, thereby rendering the upper part of the river, which has a very fair depth and width, almost useless for extensive shipping purposes. The average rise of the tide at the flats is 2.6 feet. The adopted project for improvement is for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide from Locust Point to Sharp Point, embracing the section called the "Mud Flats," at an estimated cost of $30,000. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $7,370.92 had been expended and the proposed cut across the mud flats had been made for a width of 30 feet and to a depth of 5 feet at low tide, which opened the river for navigation during low tide. During the past fiscal year an additional cut, 30 feet wide, was dredged, adjoining the first cut at the mud flats, and this cut and portions of the old cut which had shoaled were made 6 feet deep at mean low water. Several sharp points in the upper river, above Sharp Point, were also removed and navigation upon the whole river at low tide was thereby greatly facilitated. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892.. June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year..... July 1, 1893, balance unexpended 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. (See Appendix H 20.) $129.08 7,500.00 7,629.08 6, 989. 13 639.95 15,000.00 10, 000. 00 21. Onancock Harbor, Virginia.-Onancock Harbor, or Onancock River, is about 5 miles long and flows through a portion of Accomac County, Va., into Chesapeake Bay. The original depth at the head of the river was 4 feet at mean low water, and at the mouth, which is obstructed by a wide bar, it was 5 feet. The average rise of the tide is 2 feet. During the years 1880 and 1881 $8,000 was expended in dredging a channel 100 feet wide across the bar to a depth of 8 feet at mean low water and in dredging the shoals at Onancock and above Wise Point to a depth of 7 feet. The improvements were of great benefit to ship ping at the time, but subsequently the channel at the bar filled up again to nearly its original depth. The present project for improvement, adopted in 1890, provides for an 8-foot low-water channel 300 feet wide at the outer bar and 200 feet wide at the inner bar, called the "Middle Ground." The estimated cost is $12,511. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $5,905.19 had been expended and a channel of one half the proposed width had been dredged at both bars to a depth of 8 feet. A contract has been made for the expenditure of the appropriation of $6,511, made July 13, 1892, in dredging the remaining width of the channel, and it is expected that the contract and project will be completed by December 31, 1893. Nothing further is recommended. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended ... Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1893, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. (See Appendix H 21.) $94.81 6, 511.00 6, 605. 81 26.21 6, 579.60 6, 579.60 22. Harbor and approaches at Cape Charles City, Va.-This harbor is an artificial rectangular basin of about 10 acres area, originally excavated to a depth of 12 feet just back of the shore of Chesapeake Bay about 12 miles north of Cape Charles. It is in Northampton County and forms the shore terminus of the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad, transfer of passengers and freight being made by boat to and from Norfolk, Va. The tide rises on an average 2.6 feet. The project for improvement proposed in a report on a survey made in 1889 provides for dredging the harbor to a depth of 14 feet and the entrance thereto and the channels in Cherrystone Inlet and across Cherrystone Bar to a depth of 16 feet below mean low water, the width at the inlet and bar to be 100 and 200 feet, respectively, and for protective works of stone at the entrance. The estimated cost of the project is $142,340. The dredging project was adopted in 1890, and at the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $21,676.89 had been expended in dredging about one-half of the area of the harbor to a depth of 14 feet, in widening the channel in the entrance and deepening it to 16 feet, and in removing part of a shoal in Cherrystone Inlet about a mile below the harbor to the same depth. The improvements were at the time of great benefit to the large class of vessels that daily leave and enter the harbor. The appropriation of $10,000 made July 13, 1892, is still unavailable, as the owners of the harbor have not yet made any decision with regard to accepting the provisions of the act, and nothing therefore was done during the past fiscal year. The dredged channel is reported as shoaling again, especially at the harbor entrance, which needs protective works. 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. (See Appendix H 22.) $10, 400.00 10, 400. 00 23. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering naviga tion. During June, 1893, preparations were begun for the removal of the wreck of the tug Charles Lea, in Mispillion River, Delaware, under the provisions of the act of June 14, 1880, at an estimated cost of $150. (See Appendix H 23.) EXAMINATIONS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892. The preliminary examinations of the following localities, required by act of July 13, 1892, were made by the local engineer, William F. Smith, United States Agent, Major of Engineers, U. S. Army, retired, and reports thereon were submitted through the division engineer, Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. 1. Mouth of St. Jones River, Delaware.-Maj. Smith submitted report of examination under date of September 20, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that St. Jones River is worthy of improvement to the extent of redredging the mouth. No further survey is necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 34, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix H 24.) 2. For inland waterway connecting the Mispillion and Broadkiln rivers, Delaware, so as to reopen the navigation of Cedar, Slaughter, and Primehook creeks.-Maj. Smith submitted report of examination under date of August 11, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the locality is not worthy of improvement. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 85, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix H 25.) 3. Pocomoke River, Maryland, with a view of uniting its waters with the waters of Synepuxent Bay, at a point above Snow Hill.—Maj. Smith submitted report of examination under date of August 16, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the route is worthy of improvement. The cost of a survey necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement is estimated at $800. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 94, Fifty second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix H 26.) 4. Nanticoke River, Delaware.-Maj. Smith submitted report of examination under date of August 4, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the river is worthy of improvement. The cost of a survey necessary for preparation. of project and estimate of cost of improvement is estimated at $500. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 120, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix H 27.) 5. Black Walnut River, at the mouth of Great Choptank River, Maryland.-Maj. Smith submitted report of examination under date of September 1, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the harbor is not worthy of improve ment by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 69, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix H 28.) IMPROVEMENT OF PATAPSCO RIVER AND BALTIMORE HARBOR, MARYLAND, AND JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. These works were in the charge of Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. 1. Patapsco River and channel to Baltimore, Md.-The depth of this channel has by successive steps been increased from 17 feet at mean low water to 27 feet, with an average rise of tide of about 18 inches. The project of improvement first adopted and commenced in October, 1853, had for its object to give a channel 22 feet deep at mean low water, with a width of 150 feet. Little was done before the late war, but afterwards these dimensions were increased, a depth of 24 feet at mean low water being determined upon, with a width of channel ranging from 250 to 400 feet. This channel was completed in 1874, important changes of position having been given to a portion of it by which the distance was materially lessened and the expense of maintenance decreased. The object of the improvement was to permit the approach to Baltimore, at mean low water, of vessels drawing from 221 to 23 feet, and at ordinary high water of vessels drawing 24 and 243 feet. Later the project had in view a depth of 27 feet at mean low water, with a width of 600 feet, to allow the entrance and departure of the largest vessels. Up to June 30, 1892, the United States had expended $2,932,517.01. The city of Baltimore and the State of Maryland, chiefly the former, have also contributed to the same object more than $500,000. The expenditure up to June 30, 1893, by the United States was $3,186,215.10. The river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, contained the following important proviso: Provided, That such contracts as may be desirable may be entered into by the Secretary of War for the completion of the existing project, or any part of same, to be paid for as appropriations may from time to time be made by law. As soon as possible thereafter a contract was made with the American Dredging Company for the completion of the improvement. The work was very vigorously prosecuted and satisfactorily finished in December, 1892. The total amount of material removed and redeposited under the contract was 6,219,179 cubic yards. The channel is now 600 feet wide with a depth of 27 feet at mean low water, the width being much greater at the turns. Of course this channel will require repairs from time to time, like all artificial highways. The latest experience and a restudy of the conditions of the case confirm the opinion and estimate made some years ago that the maintenance of the channel after completion will require the annual expenditure of $50,000. This is, however, a small sum when contrasted with the great gain to Baltimore and her dependent interests, as well as in revenue to the United States Treasury, by the increase of the depth from 17 to 27 feet at low water, which means the introduction of many lines of deep ocean steamers to European and other foreign and domestic ports within the past twenty years, whereas there were none before of any importance. The expense of repairs is increased if they are not regularly and systematically made. The channel to Baltimore was finished in 1892 to a depth of 27 feet at mean low water. This depth can not be maintained except with occasional work in the nature of repairs. No appropriation was made for such work in the year ending June 30, 1894, and no dredging can therefore be done. The appropriation now asked for is consequently for two years. The present small balance is held for an extraordinary contin gency and necessary surveys after the completion of the work. These surveys are now in progress. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended $66, 310, 15 Amount appropriated by sundry civil act approved August 5, 1892...... 208,000.00 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year............. 274, 310. 15 253, 698. 09 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1893, balance available...... 20, 612.06 800.00 19, 812.06 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 100,000.00 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. (See Appendix I 1.) 2. Channel to Curtis Bay in Patapsco River, Baltimore Harbor, Maryland.—The river and harbor act of 1892 contained the following item: Improving Patapsco River, Baltimore Harbor, Maryland: For dredging a channel 150 feet wide at bottom and of a depth of 27 feet, mean low water, from the main ship channel to Curtis Bay, in accordance with recommendation of Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, submitted December 13, 1890, $28,000. The total estimated cost of the improvement was $85,000. The first appropriation of $28,000 has been expended in dredging to a depth of 25 feet at low water. The work, under a contract with the National Dredging Company, was commenced in November, 1892, and after considerable interruption by ice and severe weather, was satisfactorily completed in May, 1893. The channel is made 150 feet wide. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892... (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project ..... $28,000.00 28,000.00 57,000.00 57,000.00 3. James River, Virginia.-When the improvement of the James River was regularly undertaken by the Government the navigation. was obstructed by sunken vessels, by remains of military bridges, and by other obstructions put into the river during the late war to prevent the national fleets from approaching too close to Richmond. There were also other natural obstructions. Rockett Reef and Richmond Bar had only 7 feet of water at mean low tide. From Warwick Bar to Richmond the channel was crooked and obstructed by dangerous rocks and ledges. The Dutch Gap Cut-off was not then open and the river was in a poor condition as regards its availability for commercial purposes. The original project of improvement was to secure a depth of 18 feet at full tide (corresponding to about 15 feet at low tide) to Richmond, with a channel width of 180 feet. This project had reached an advanced state of progress when Congress, by act approved July 5, 1884, adopted another looking to 22 feet at mean low tide from the sea to ENG 93-10 |