It is proposed, during the present season, to complete the east pier, to dredge such portions of the materials between the piers as can be removed without blasting, and, during the coming winter, to drill and blast, using the ice as a platform.

The plan for the improvement of this harbor consists in carrying out the piers to the depth of 12 feet, dredging a channel between them, and also dredging in the harbor up to the bridge.

Olcott is a port of entry in the collection-district of Niagara. The nearest port is Niagara, and the nearest light-house is at the fort.

The amount of revenue collected at this port for the fiscal year was $1,409.72 in gold, and $52.65 in currency.

The value of the imports was $8,000. The value of the exports was $28,000.

Forty-one vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 26,417 tons, entered and cleared, and 23 vessels ran in for shelter from storms.

work..

Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1875, to complete the

40,000 00

F 2.

OAK ORCHARD HARBOR, NEW YORK.

The opening of the fiscal year found operations in progress-dredging the channel between the piers. The work was exceedingly difficult, the materials consisting of a very stiff clay, mingled with cobble-stones, stone washed out of old pier, &c. By August 24 the contractor had succeeded in removing 8,019 cubic yards, and had secured a depth of at least 10 feet at low water for a width of 100 feet half-way up between the piers; here the ridge of red sandstone was encountered, upon which a depth of 7 feet at low water was obtained. Operations were suspended August 24, 1872, the contract being completed.

Work was resumed in September, with hired labor; leveling up the outer ends of the piers, which had sunk in the sand during the winter, and also renewing the decayed superstructure of the west pier.

The outer ends were properly leveled and the decayed materials removed from 90 feet of superstructure, and replaced with new, by No vember 30, when work ceased on account of the weather.

Operations were resumed in May, 1873, and, by the close of the fiscal year, the superstructure upon 60 linear feet more of the west pier had been renewed, and both piers were left in good condition.

On April 29, 1873, proposals were examined for opening a channel 75 feet wide between the piers, by removing rock, clay, &c.; the bids being deemed exorbitant, were all rejected.

During the present season it is proposed to continue operations with hired labor; to blast out the rock in the channel, and to employ a dredge by the day to remove it.

It is expected that a channel 75 feet wide and 12 feet deep at low water will be opened between the piers.

It is thought that the piers at this harbor have now been carried out into the lake as far as is necessary at present. As soon as the channel between the piers is properly opened the work of improvement will be completed.

Oak Orchard is a port of entry in the collection-district of Genesee. The nearest port is Niagara, forty-five miles distant. A fixed white light of the fourth order has been placed on the outer end of the west pier.

The amount of revenue collected during the fiscal year was $2,395.80. The value of the imports was $11,151.68. The value of the exports was $55,286.20.

Twenty-five vessels entered during the year, with an aggregate tonnage of 1,358 tons; 15 vessels cleared, with an aggregate tonnage of 706 tons, and 33 vessels sought refuge from storms.

Twenty-seven thousand one hundred and sixty-six bushels of wheat and 5,060 bushels of barley were among the exports.

Abstract of proposals for excavating at Oak Orchard Harbor, New York, opened by Major John M. Wilson, Corps of Engineers, April 29, 1873.

Abstract of contracts for improvement of Oak Orchard Harbor, New York, in force during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873.

The opening of the fiscal year found operations in progress, tearing down the decayed superstructure of the west pier and rebuilding under contract with James McLean, of Troy, N. Y.

The work progressed in the most unsatisfactory manner, and vigilant supervision was necessary in order to have it done properly.

By November 5, 1872, Mr. McLean succeeded in completing his contract, and during this period 700 linear feet of the superstructure of the west pier was removed to the level of the water and rebuilt in a most substantial manner. Operations for the season were suspended November 6, 1872.

In April, 1873, operations were renewed with hired labor; the renewal of the superstructure of the west pier was continued and completed for a distance of 70 feet, and the east pier, that had been injured by fire, was fully repaired. Minor repairs absolutely necessary were made at forty different places, and at the close of the fiscal year the piers were in excellent condition and the channel presented a depth of from 11 to 16 feet at low water.

A new survey of the harbor was made in May, 1873, which developed a shoal off the outer end of the east pier.

There being no available funds no further operations are proposed during this season.

Charlotte is a port of entry for Rochester, and is six miles north of that city. There is a fixed white light of the fourth order on shore, and a beacon with a fixed white light of the sixth order on the west pier. The nearest fort is Ontario, sixty miles distant.

The amount of revenue collected during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, was $78,117.72. The value of the imports was $463,331.00, and the value of the exports was $228,037.00.

Six hundred and seventy-five vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 73,229 tons, entered, and 682 vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 109,406 tons, cleared during the fiscal year.

Amount available July 1, 1872

Amount expended during year

Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1875..

$11,328 65

11,328 65

5,000 00