report submitted under date of January 22, 1880, in which the cost of obtaining a 2 to 3 foot low-water navigation from Athens to Nanticoke Dam was placed at $200,000. The total amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $44,898.52, and was applied towards obtaining a low-water channel from 3 to 4 feet deep through some of the worst obstructions below Wilkes-Barre. In a commercial point of view this river has no importance except in the rafting of timber, and this is gradually becoming smaller yearly. July 1, 14, amount available...... July 1, 1855, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.. (See Appendix G 18.) $101 48 101 48 19. Removal of wrecks from Delaware Bay and River.-There have been no operations except examinations of the wreck of the bark Daring during the past fiscal year under this appropriation, the removal of all wrecks having been made under the provisions "Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation." July 1, 1884, amount available. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.... July 1, 1885, amount available.... (See Appendix G 19.) $2,663 09 242 12 2,420 97 20. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation. During the past fiscal year the following wrecks have been removed under the provisions of section 4, act of June 14, 1880: Schooner John S. Detwiler, from the upper end of Cross Ledge Shoal, Delaware Bay; ship Parkfield, from the shoal between the inlets of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey; bark Daring, from Bombay Hook Roads, Delaware Bay. (See Appendix G 20.) 21. United States Commission advisory to the Board of Harbor Commis sioners of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-The United States Commission advisory to the Harbor Commission of Philadelphia have had under consideration the port wardens' lines. A survey and chart were made of the river front from Five Mile Point to the upper limits of the city. Authority was obtained from the State legislature permitting the re-establishment of the harbor lines previously established by the authority of the State. The United States Commission have prepared a chart, showing a line beyond which, in their opinion, no wharf should be allowed to extend until the more definite location of the port wardens' lines shall be made. The recommendation of this temporary limit was adopted by the port wardens, and it is believed that definite lines will be adopted during the next fiscal year. (See Appendix G 21.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF JULY 5, 1884. The following localities were examined by the local engineer in charge, Maj. W. H. Heuer, Corps of Engineers, and not recommended for improvement: 1. Corson's Sound and Townsend Inlet, New Jersey. (See Appendix G 22.) 2. Mouth of Salem River, New Jersey. (See Appendix G 23.) 3. Harbor of Atlantic City, at Absecon Inlet, New Jersey. (See Appendix G 24.) 4. West Branch of the Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania, between Salt Lick and Buttermilk Falls. (See Appendix G 25.) Reports on the above were transmitted to Congress and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 71, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBORS AND RIVERS IN THE STATES OF DELAWARE AND MARYLAND-IMPROVEMENT OF MAURICE RIVER, NEW JERSEY. Engineer in charge, Mr. W. F. Smith, United States agent; supervising engineer, Lieut. Col. W. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. 1. Maurice River, New Jersey.-This is a considerable stream, in the southern part of New Jersey, flowing through extensive swamps into Delaware Bay. The portion embraced in the scheme of improvement is the lower reach of 24 miles from the thriving town of Millville to the mouth of the river. From a point 4 miles below the town to the mouth the depths vary from 10 to 20 feet or more, and the chief obstructions are in the 4 miles just below the town and in the bar at the entrance. The widths are ample, varying from 500 to 1,000 feet. The low-water depth over the bar is about 5 feet, with a range in the tide of 6.1 feet. The original project consisted in improving the navigation of the 4 miles above referred to by a 6-foot low-water channel 100 feet wide as far as Millville, and a short distance along the city front a 4-foot lowwater navigation. The estimated cost of the improvement was $112,000. Millville has a railroad connection with the Philadelphia and New Jersey system. By reason of the appropriation of July 5, 1884, of $17,000, a project was approved for making an artificial channel from a point 2.14 miles below the bridge, varying in width at points from 50 to 100 feet, with a depth at mean low water of 4 feet, the work to be carried as far as the available sum would allow. A contract has been made and work is now being done under it, which will probably be completed in October of the present year, and it is expected that a channel will be cut of the above widths and depths to a point 900 feet above the bridge and nearly to the head of tide-water. July 1, 1884, amount available.... $3,000 00 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. 17,000 00 20,000 00 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884... 1,004 80 July 1, 1885, amount available.... 18,995 20 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. 92,000 00 35,000 00 (See Appendix H 1.) 2. Wilmington Harbor, Delaware.-The mouth of the Christiana River at the commencement of the improvement of the harbor of Wilmington had a narrow channel-way, with only a minimum depth of 9 feet at low water. The original project for this work provides for a low-water channel of 12 feet in depth, its width varying from 75 to 150 feet. The project was amended so as to provide a low-water channel, 15 feet in depth, of suitable width, from the mouth of the Christiana River to above the city of Wilmington, Del. In 1871 a new project, including the construction of a jetty, was approved, and corresponding operations have been in progress since then. Operations have been continued during the past fiscal year in dredg ing out the bar at the mouth of the Christiana River, in carrying the jetty to a height above mean high water, and removing the light-house wharves and an old crib, both of which obstructed the free movement of the tides. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, the total amount expended was $181,092.52. At that date the beacon pier at the end of the jetty had been completed for increased protection from the ice, and there was a bar at the mouth carrying only 10 feet at mean low water, inside of which was a channel extending nearly to the Third Street Bridge, having a depth of 15 feet. Beyond this not more than 10 feet depth could be counted on for some places. During the year the sum of $9,864.25 was expended, and the jetty has been raised 4 feet throughout its entire length; the bar at the mouth has been removed, giving a practicable passage at the mouth 15 feet in depth at mean low water, with a width at the lower end of 160 feet, and at the upper end of the cut of 130 feet, and arrangements have been made to remove the wharves and crib early in July, 1885. A plan was also submitted and approved for lengthening the jetty so as to bring the waters of the Delaware and Christiana rivers, to unite without collision. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, is $75,000. If this sum is appropriated it is proposed to extend the jetty by cribwork for 322 feet, and to continue the enlargement of the artificial channel, all of which will be of benefit to the work and increase the facilities for commerce. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.... July 1, 1885, amount available ... 17, 043 23 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 166,384 00 75,000 00 (See Appendix H 2.) 3. Ice Harbor at New Castle, Delaware.-This important harbor of ref uge was finished August 8, 1882. It is now complete according to the existing project, but is greatly in need of repairs in various directions. Those most to be recommended are the continuing of the dredging in side the harbor, so as to give throughout the entire area 18 feet at mean low water, to repair one crib, and to rebuild another which is in con stant danger of being destroyed, and to place about 100 cubic yards of riprap around the pier. The amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884, $2,000, was expended in dredging, whereby one-fifth more space was added to the harbor, practicable, however, only for vessels drawing less than 12 feet. The amount that can profitably be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, is $20,600. If this sum should be appropriated it is proposed to expend it in dredging the harbor to a depth of 18 feet at mean low water, to rebuild one pier, repair another, and place riprapping around those piers exposed to strong currents. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. July 1, 1855, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities, July 1, 1854 ..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.......... (See Appendix H 3.) $2,000 00 2,000 00 20, 600 00 20,600 00 4. Duck Creek, Delaware.-The original condition of Duck Creek was a bar at the mouth, having 3 feet at ordinary low water, with nine shoals, with a minimum depth of 2.5 feet in the channel between the bar and Smyrna, the head of navigation. The approved project was for a cut through the bar to 8 feet depth at mean low water, and having in width not less than 100 feet, and the removal of the existing shoals as far as Smyrna. The work was carried on during the years 1880, 1881, and 1883, and as the work of the first two years filled up very promptly the project of the cut without a protecting work was abandoned. The work on the shoals in the river was never begun, as no appropriations were ever made. Up to June 30, 1884, the sum of $10,000 had been expended. No further appropriation has been made since. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project........ $12,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1566 and 1867. (See Appendix H 4.) 5. Saint Jones River, Delaware.-The present condition of this river is that there is a wide bar at the mouth having 2 feet at mean low water on it. Owing to the existence of shoals the practicable depth, at mean low water which can be carried to Lebanon is 4 feet, and to Dover, the head of navigation, 2.5 feet. The original plan was for a cut through the bar at the mouth 100 feet in width, and 3 feet in depth at mean low water, to be protected by a jetty. The estimate for this was $35,000, The first appropriation was in 1881, under which nothing was done, partly on account of the smallness of the amount and partly by reason of certain franchises given to incorporated companies by the State of Delaware, allowing tolis to be charged on vessels. The act approved July 5, 1884, appropriated $10,000 for this improvement. The approved project was for removing the shoals and cutting off sharp bends between the mouth and Dover so as to give a depth at mean low water nowhere less than 6 feet. Under this project a contract has been made, and the work is being carried on and will be terminated probably in October, 1885. July 1, 1-84, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884... July 1, 1885, amount available...... $4,882 10 10,000 00 14,882 10 719 99 14, 162 11 $20,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix H 5.) 6. Mispillion Creek, Delaware.-In its original condition this river had a width of about 90 feet at Milford, the head of navigation, increasing to 240 feet at its mouth. The entrance had a depth of 14 feet at mean low water. Above that were shoals having a depth of from 4 to 5 feet. The original plan was to dredge a channel through the bar at the entrance, and improving the bed of the stream. Eventually $13,000 was expended in improving the bed of the stream, which at last reports seemed to be permanent, and has been of much benefit to the ship-building and commercial interests of the locality. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... $58,500 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix H 6.) 7. Broadkiln River, Delaware.—The Broadkiln River has a bar at its mouth having a depth of water 24 feet at mean low tide, with shoals above the mouth and between that and Milton, the head of navigation. The original project was for a new entrance into Delaware Bay, with a protecting dike, and a general improvement of the bed of the river by the removal of shoals. The sum of $11,022.42 had been expended up to July 1, 1884, in dredging the main shoals and in making examinations of the creek. The amount available on the 1st of July, 1884, was $13,977.58. Upon an examination of the former work it was found to be practically as it was left in 1874, very little filling having taken place in the eleven years following. After this examination a project was approved for dredging a channel from the junction with Lewes Creek, giving a minimum width of 40 feet with a depth of 6 feet at mean low water, and cutting off certain bends which by their sharpness seriously interfere with navigation. Previous reports on the river were of such a character that any examination of the channel was delayed till April, and was then made at the request of the leading business men of Milton, with the above result. The work will probably be finished in November of this year. July 1, 184, amount available July 1, 185, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884... $13,977 58 723 50 July 1, 1885, amount available.... 13,254 08 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1e66 and 1867. 31,500 00 (See Appendix. H 7.) S. Broad Creek, Delaware, from its mouth to Laurel.-The town of Laurel is at the head of tide water on this creek, and originally the water was shoal to near Louisville, which is 3 miles below. In this portion of the stream the water varied in depth from one-half foot to 7 feet, and the width in places was not more than 40 or 50 feet. The Delaware Railroad connects Laurel with the railroad system of the county. There are two trestle bridges across the creek below Laurel, one a county bridge and the other the railroad bridge. The original plan was for a channel 60 feet wide and 7 feet deep at mean low water, with wing-dams and training-walls; estimate of cost $60,000. Under appropriations in 1880, 1881, and 1882-of $5,000, |