and it is quite probable that accretions will again occur on the shoals there and elsewhere during the season of freshets. Such costs of maintenance will not, it is believed, be excessive in relation to the first cost of the improvement, and they will be very small as compared with the traffic benefited. Under the act of 1892 the rock excavation near the Reform School Dock at Vergennes was twice advertised and placed under a contract, insuring the completion of the work proposed with the funds available. 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 R R 7.) $10,000.00 259.75 9, 740.25 9,740.25 8. Ticonderoga River, New York. The project for this improvement was adopted in 1881, its object being to afford a channel of navigable width and a least depth of 8 feet at low water from Ticonderoga village to Lake Champlain, a distance of about 2 miles. The original estimated cost of the improvement was $42,516. The appropriation of September 19, 1890, $2,000, was expended under contract, and operations consisted in the dredging and removal of 8,132 cubic yards of material from shoals near the mouth of the river. The work done under the small appropriation of 1890 was of substantial benefit, though it has lost some of its efficacy through deterioration. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. $26, 016. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 26, 016.00 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 R R 8.) 9. Narrows of Lake Champlain, New York and Vermont.-The original project for this work was adopted in 1885, and had for its object the removal of such obstructions in the channel between Whitehall, N. Y., and a point a mile below, known as the Elbow, as would afford a least depth of 12 feet with a least width of 150 feet, and the dredging of the channel along Cedar Mountain and across Kenyon Bay so as to afford a least depth of 12 feet and a width of 200 feet. The estimated cost was $80,000. Under appropriations in 1886 and 1888, aggregating $45,000, the project was completed, and the resulting channel being found deficient in width at certain sharp bends, a supplementary project was adopted, involving dredging, at an estimated cost of $21,000. The act of 1892 contained an appropriation of $18,500, making, with the balance in hand, a sum sufficient to complete the project, which has been placed under contract. Nothing was done during the fiscal year. Operations will begin soon after its close and will be completed by November 30, 1893. 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 $2,290.04 18, 500.00 20, 790. 04 28.88 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. July 1, 1893, balance available.... (See Appendix R R 9.) 20, 761. 16 16, 300.00 4, 461. 16 10. Breakwater construction in Lake Champlain.-In compliance with instructions from this office, Maj. M. B. Adams, Corps of Engineers, then in charge of works in that district, submitted a comprehensive report and discussion upon the subject of breakwater construction in Lake Champlain, which, together with remarks thereon by officers who have had experience with similar works on the Great Lakes, is submitted herewith as Appendix R R 10. 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, Maj. M. B. Adams, Corps of Engineers, and reports thereon submitted through the division engineer, Col. Henry L. Abbot, Corps of Engineers: 1. North Hero Harbor, on Lake Champlain, Vermont.-Maj. Adams submitted report of examination under date of September 3, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 112, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix R R 11.) 2. Harbor at Adams (Tobias) Landing, on Grand Isle, Vermont.-Maj. Adams submitted report of examination under date of September 3, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 64, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix R R 12.) PACIFIC COAST. IMPROVEMENT OF OAKLAND HARBOR, CALIFORNIA. This work was in the charge of Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders Lieut. Clement A. F. Flagler, Corps of Engineers, the entire year, and Lieut. H. C. Newcomer, Corps of Engineers, to August 20, 1892. The principal features of this improvement as originally projected are (1) two mid-tide training walls of rubblestone extended from the shore westward into San Francisco Bay about 2 miles; (2) a connection by a canal 13 miles in length with the estuary of San Leandro; (3) a dam at the mouth of this estuary; (4) dredging of basins and channels to give a depth of 20 feet at low tide, which at high tide will accommodate vessels of the largest class. Two modifications of the original project have been adopted, namely, to increase the width of tidal canal from 300 to 400 feet, and to raise the height of jetties from half-tide level to full high water. In the original condition of the entrance the low-water channel depth was about 2 feet, admitting at time of high tide vessels drawing 6 to 8 feet of water. The present navigable condition is a convenient channel from the Bay of San Francisco to and along the city front 300 feet in width and 14 feet in depth at low water, admitting vessels at high water of 19 feet draft. The channel in the upper bay is 200 feet wide and 8 feet deep at low water. These depths have been well maintained during the year. Along the front of the city of Oakland the channel was widened during the past year from 225 to 300 feet, and this strip of 75 feet width was excavated to 18 feet at low water. This is an advantage for convenience of navigation. The channel in the upper bay has been increased in depth and the general facilities for commerce and navigation have been enlarged. Each year shows the benefit of improvements in the entry of larger vessels. The other operations of the year, namely the excavation of a portion of the canal and the addition to the south jetty, are in continuation of the project but have no immediate bearing upon commercial facilities. The amount expended to June 30, 1893, is $1,551,644.14. The quantity of dredging during the year is 418,732 cubic yards, of which 102,441 yards applied to the excavation of the canal, completing the contract; 155,119 yards to widening and deepening the channel in front of the wharves of Oakland, completing the contract; and 161,172 yards to excavation of the upper chaunel in front of Brooklyn, contract nearly completed. All of the spoil was securely placed ashore. A contract made on October 8, 1892, for giving 20 feet depth in front of Oakland, not yet begun, is to be completed by April 14, 1894. The quantity of work done on the south jetty is included in 7,676 tons of stone delivered and in 20,684 square feet of dry masonry. Contract not yet half finished. The contemplated operations for the coming year include deepening the channel in front of Oakland already provided for by contract; in enlarging the channel of the entrance, in extension of the south jetty, and in case of sufficient funds becoming available, a continuation of work upon the canal. July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities 132, 955.86 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. $4,797. 73 122, 419. 94 127, 217.67 July 1, 1893, balance available 5,738. 19 841,000.00 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 350,000.00 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 S S 1.) EXAMINATION MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892. The preliminary examination of entrance to harbor of San Francisco, Cal., known as Golden Gate, required by act of July 13, 1892, was made by the local engineer, Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, and his report thereon, dated July 27, 1892, submitted. It is his opinion, concurred in by this office, that the entrance, being now unexceptionable, is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 90, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix S S 2.) IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA AND IN CALIFORNIA SOUTH OF SAN FRANCISCO. This district was in the charge of Lieut. Col. W. H. H. Benyaurd, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders Lieut. Charles L. Potter, Corps of Engineers, the entire year, and Lieut. James J. Meyler, Corps of Engineers, to October 10, 1892. 1. Napa River, California.-The project is to clear the river of snags and the banks of overhanging trees interfering with navigation, and to dredge the bars between Carr Bend and Vernon Mills in the immediate vicinity of Napa. Work upon this improvement was commenced in 1889. The river was cleared of snags, and the channel was dredged from Carr Bend to the highway bridge at Third street. The, work completed two years. ago left the river in good boating condition. It is not considered that any improvement effected can be permanent. Floods in the river caused by the winter rains bring down large quantities of detritus which lodges in the river and forms shoals. The channel, dredged two years ago, has been partially refilled from material brought down during a heavy freshet last December. The total amount appropriated for this improvement is $17,500, and the total amount expended is $17,480.65. No work was done during the past season. The amount of $10,000 is asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended....... June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year...... July 1, 1893, balance unexpended................ Amount (estimated) require 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 T T 1.) $41.43 22.08 19.35 10,000.00 10, 000. 00 2. Redwood Creek, California.—This improvement is a continuation of that heretofore carried on under appropriations made for the improvement of Redwood Harbor. The creek has been dredged several times, the object being to provide a channel 50 feet wide and 3 feet deep at low tide from the lower end of the tannery bend to the wharves at Redwood, a distance of about 6,000 feet. From the tannery bend to the Bay of San Francisco, distant about 6 miles, a good navigable channel exists for the class of vessels engaged in the trade with Redwood City. Dredging was in progress at the beginning of the fiscal year with the balance available from the appropriation of $8,000 made by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890. The work was continued during July and August, and the dredged channel completed. The improvement can not be considered of a permanent character, as owing to natural causes there is a constant tendency to shoaling. An examination recently made by the officer in charge shows that as expected the dredged channel has partially refilled, though a well defined cut existed around the tannery bend capable of affording navigation during the higher stages of tide. No appropriation is asked for the coming fiscal year. Funds may be needed in the future to continue the dredging as the condition of the channel may warrant and the commerce justify. The total amount appropriated for dredging at Redwood is $23,400, of which $8,000 was for Redwood Creek, and the total amount expended to the close of the fiscal year, including outstanding liabilities, is $23,386.49. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.... July 1, 1893, balance unexpended.... (See Appendix T T 2.) $2,708.18 2, 694.67 13.51 3. San Luis Obispo Harbor, California.-The project for this improvement is intended to protect the anchorage and landing at Port Harford by the construction of a breakwater on Whaler Reef, extending from Point San Luis to Whaler Island, and thence to a point where the outer reef rises above high water. The total length of the structure, when completed, including the island, will be about 2,300 feet. The breakwater will rise to a height of 6 feet above high tide with such slopes in front and rear as may be assumed under the action of the seas. That portion of the breakwater between the point and the island, about 300 feet in length, is practically completed, and work has been commenced upon the extension beyond the island and carried an additional length of 340 feet. In addition, several thousand tons have been deposited in the deeper portions of the reef, on the line of the structure outside. The present completed length of breakwater is about 900 feet. At the commencement of the fiscal year work was in progress under contract with the San Francisco Bridge Company. This work was completed in August, the contractor having delivered and placed in position 2,812.77 tons during the two months. Work is now being continued with the appropriation of $30,000 made by river and harbor act of July 13, 1892. After advertising, in the usual manner, a contract was entered into with A. A. Polhamus, April 22, for rock in place at $1.94 per ton. The above amount will permit the delivery of about 15,000 tons, which will extend the breakwater an additional 400 feet. Owing to the inefficient plant provided by the contractor, but little progress was made at the close of the fiscal year. The changes now being made in the outfit will cause a more rapid progress to be made in the future. As the breakwater advances seaward the depth of water on the reef on the line of the structure becomes greater, reaching finally 30 feet at mean low water. The original project contemplated first filling up the gaps in the reef and raising the breakwater to the plane of mean low water, and afterwards raising it higher, if deemed advisable. The conditions arising from the almost constant swell across the reef, making it difficult and dangerous to deposit rock from barges direct upon the reef, as well as the increased expense of these operations, caused the officer in charge to recommend that the project be changed so as to permit the breakwater to be built continuously above high water as the work proceeded, the material being deposited in place from trestle work built from the shore. A revised project with estimate to carry on the work in this manner was submitted and approved. The total amount appropriated for this improvement is $95,000, and the total amount expended is $66,864.90. |