14. Inside passage between Fernandina and Saint John's River, Florida.— Nothing has been done for improving this route since the last suspension of operations, on December 1, 1880. The work has not been resumed, for the reason given by the engineer officer in charge that there seemed to be not only no urgent need for its continuance, but no prospect of securing any permanent improvement from the expenditure of small appropriations. July 1, 1884, amount available.... (See Appendix N 14.) $4,434 45 4,434 45 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF JULY 5, 1884. The following locality was examined by the local engineer in charge, and not recommended for improvement: 1. Altamaha River, Georgia, from Darien to its mouth.-Report transmitted to Congress, and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 260, Fortyeighth Congress, second session. (See also Appendix N 15.) And it appearing, after preliminary examination by the local engineer, that the locality was worthy of improvement by the General Government, Colonel Gillmore was charged with and completed the following, the results of which were transmitted to Congress, and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 260, Forty-eighth Congress, second session: 1. Darien Harbor, Georgia.-(See Appendixes No. 15 and No. 16.) Colonel Gillmore was also charged with the preliminary examination of North Fork of the Edisto River, in the counties of Orangeburg and Lexington, South Carolina. His report on this examination was returned to him, at his request, for further consideration, and will be duly submitted when received. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. Officer in charge, Capt. W. T. Rossell, Corps of Engineers. Superpervising engineer, Lieut. Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers. 1. Saint John's River, Florida.-Operations for the improvement of this channel were carried on from September, 1884, through the fiscal year, in conformity with the plan submitted by the engineer officer in charge June 30, 1879. The plan consists essentially in the construction of two low jetties, starting, respectively, from the opposite shores of the entrance, and so directed that the outer ends on the bar will be approximately parallel to and about 1,600 or 1,800 feet distant from each other, or such amended distance as shall hereafter be adopted. By means of these works it is expected to maintain a practicable lowwater depth of 15 feet upon the bar, where previously the navigable lowwater depth has not usually exceeded 6 to 7 feet. Prior to July 1, 1884, the foundation course of the north jetty was laid for a length of 1,115 feet, beginning on the shore of Fort George Island. The mattresses forming that course were log rafts, covered with brush or poles, overlaid with riprap stone. The matresses varied from 19 to 22 inches in thickness, through log and brush or pole, and from 42 to 60 feet in width. The foundation-course of the south jetty was laid to an aggregate length of 4,813 feet, including a shore branch or return 874 feet in length. Additional courses were laid to raise this jetty, the bottom course varying in width from 20 to 87 feet. Eight spur-jetties, four on each side, were built against the south jetty, to arrest the scour alongside the work. They were built in two courses. The scouring currents, both parallel to and across the south jetty, having gradually increased in strength, caused a large portion of the work to settle considerably, and special measures were adopted to avert the danger that threatened the structure. An apron of revetting mats has been laid on both sides of the jetty along the south side, beginning at low-water mark and extending 2,513 feet, and varying in width from 40 to 100 feet. The apron on the north side varies in width from 80 to 100 feet, and extends from Spur 2, north side, a distance of 1,950 feet. As an extra precaution, the comparatively high and steep portion of the jetty, between Spurs 2 and 3, was supported on the south side for a length of about 120 feet by a sort of buttress, built up of six courses of mattresses, each well covered with rip-rap stone, its base resting on the south revetment already mentioned. During the past fiscal year work has been done on both jetties. The apron revetments of south jetty have been extended on both sides seaward to the end of the jetty, as it existed on July 1, 1884. The south jetty was then extended seaward by mattresses, varying in width from 110 to 120 feet, for a distance of 1,962 feet, the mattresses being covered with riprap-stone to a depth of 1 foot. The north jetty has been extended to the high-water mark, a distance of 905 feet, the mattresses varying in width from 50 to 65 feet, and seaward a distance of 987 feet, the width of mattresses being 100 feet. All these mattresses are covered with riprap stone to a depth of 9 inches. The engineer officer in charge states that owing to small appropria tions and frequent stoppages of work the cost of this improvement will be considerably in excess of the original estimate. With the balance of the appropriation it is proposed to still further extend the foundation course of the north jetty. The appropriations for this improvement aggregate $525,000. The total expenditures to June 30, 1885, were $494,074.05, and have resulted in forming a channel between the proposed positions of the two jetties with a least depth of 6.1 feet at mean low water and a width of about 400 feet. It is proposed to use the appropriation asked for in extending the north jetty sea ward across the bar, completing the south jetty, and then building up the north jetty. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 $2,163 96 150,000 00 152, 163 96 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.......... July 1, 1885, amount available 30,925 95 harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix O 1.) Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... 781,409 00 2. Upper Saint John's River, Florida.-By the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, the sum of $5,000 was appropriated for improving the Upper Saint John's River, Florida, this being the first appropriation made for this work. The part of the Saint John's River referred to in the act extends from Lake Monroe to the head of Lake George, a distance of about 45 miles. The stream has sufficient depth for the class of vessels adapted to navigate the Upper Saint John's, but is very crooked. The engineer officer then in charge, October 5, 1883, recommended to confine the work of improvement to the most prominent bends, establishing a straighter channel by suitable cut-offs, to be made 6 feet deep at low-river stage and 100 feet wide at the bottom. Two estimates were submitted, one for straight cut-offs, at a cost of $43,000, and one for curved cut-offs, at a cost of $38,800. The work would consist chiefly in dredging, but some light closuredams and some grubbing will also be required. The work was advertised, but no bids were received, on account of the small sum appropriated, and operations have been deferred until further appropriations are made. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884...... $5,000 00 July 1, 1855, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 20 79 July 1, 1885, amount available.......... 4,979 21 (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. (See Appendix O 2.) 3. Volusia Bar, Florida.-Operations have been carried on here at intervals since December, 1880, in conformity to the project submitted by the engineer officer in charge July 16, 1879. Volusia Bar is located at the southeast end of Lake George, about 162 miles from the mouth of the Saint John's River, at a point where the water of the river discharges into the lake. The plan of improvement comprises the construction of two converging brush and stone jetties, with a view of establishing and maintaining a channel 6 feet deep over this bar, where heretofore the low-water depth had occasionally not exceeded 34 to 4 feet. The cost of the project was estimated at (revised) $25,000. The following work has thus far been done, viz: The west jetty now reaches a point 2,206 feet from shore. It is generally formed of a single course of brush mattresses from 6 to 12 feet in width, covered with broken stone, except at its outer end, where a length of 159 feet is overlaid with a second course 6 feet wide. The east jetty has been carried to a length of 3,459 feet from shore. Its shore end is about 2,400 feet from that of the west jetty; it converges toward it as it approaches the bar. The outer portions of both jetties upon the bar are about parallel to each other and 240 feet apart. The east jetty is constructed substantially like the west jetty; 247 linear feet of its extreme outer end is formed of two courses of mattresses with broken-stone covering. The piles driven in clusters to confine the steamers to a single channel were all knocked down or broken. During the past fiscal year the broken piles have been removed, new piles driven, and 75 cubic yards of rock put on low places in the east jetty; 158 piles were driven in clusters and chained, and 19 broken piles removed. The appropriations for this improvement have aggregated $17,500. The total expenditures to June 30, 1885, were $17,337.51, and have resulted in forming and maintaining a channel between the jetties with a least depth of 52 feet and width of about 70 feet. The balance available and appropriation asked are to be used for raising and extending the jetties and finishing the improvement as projected. July 1, 1884, 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 ...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project............. (See Appendix O 3.) $430 96 2,000 00 2,430 96 2,268 47 162 49 7,500.00 7,500 00 4. Apalachicola Bay, Florida.-The present project for this improvement was adopted in 1880, the object being to afford a channel of entrance from Apalachicola Bay into Apalachicola River, up to the wharves of the city of Apalachicola, 100 feet wide and 11 feet deep at mean low water. Before the improvement was begun the channel had an available depth of 4 feet. The amount expended to June 30, 1885, is $54,284.37, and has resulted in giving a channel of 60 feet in width and 7.5 feet depth through the bar. An examination made before work was begun during the past fiscal year showed that the cut previously dredged had filled in places, giving an available channel of 7 feet only. Dredging was applied to the crest of the bar, the cut being made 60 feet wide and 9 feet deep at mean low water. The appropriation was exhausted before the cut could be carried entirely through the bar. The amount asked for is to be applied to deepening, widening, and extending the cut in accordance with the project. 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............. $10,000 00 9, 284 37 715 63 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 45,000 00 45,000 00 (See Appendix O 4.) 5. Tampa Bay, Florida.-The present project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1880, the object being to afford a channel from Tampa Bay through the bar at the mouth of the Hillsborough River 150 feet wide and 9 feet deep at mean low water, and of the same depth and 200 feet wide up the river to the port of Tampa. The channel before improvement was begun had an available depth of only 5 feet. Under the appropriation of July 5, 1884, a contract has been made by which a channel is to be dredged in Hillsborough River of a width of 150 feet and depth of 9 feet at mean low water, and from thence of the same depth and 60 feet wide as far as the appropriation will permit. Work was begun under this contract on May 29, and up to June 30, 1885, has resulted in dredging a channel 150 feet wide and 588 feet long to the required depth. The amount available and appropriation asked for are to be applied to continuing the improvement as projected. The amount expended to June 30, 1885, is $47,801.50, and has resulted in securing a channel 150 feet wide in the Hillsborough River, and a somewhat narrow channel from the mouth of the river to the deep water of the bay, with a depth of 9 feet at mean low water, with the exception of several shoals where the depth is only about 71⁄2 feet. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884. $981 96 $22,000 00 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1885, amount available...... 6,819 54 7,801 50 12,198 50 (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. (See Appendix O 5.) 37,000 00 37,000 00 6. Suwanee River, Florida.-The present project for the improvement of this river was adopted in 1880, the object being to afford a channel of entrance through the east and west passes from Suwanee Bay into Suwanee River of navigable width and of not less than 5 feet depth at mean low water, and to improve the river above so as to give a channel 500 feet wide with a least depth of 4 feet from Roland's Bluff to Ellaville. Before the improvement was begun the chaunel across the bar had an available depth of 3 feet; from inside the bar to Roland's Bluff there was a least depth of 5 feet, and from Roland's Bluff up to Ellaville a least depth of 12 feet. The river above its mouth is much obstructed with snags and overhanging trees. The amount expended up to June 30, 1885, is $15,683.76, and has resulted in obtaining channels through East Pass into Suwanee Bay of 60 feet in width and 4 feet in depth at mean low water. It is proposed to apply the balance available in continuing the dredg ing of channel at East Pass. The appropriation asked for will be applied to carrying on the project for improving the river above its mouth. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. $5,000 00 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of [Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. (See Appendix O 6.) 37, 158 00 37,000 00 7. Key West Harbor, Florida.-The present project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1882, the object being to afford a channel of entrance from the Gulf of Mexico into the northwest channel to Key West so as to give a depth of 17 feet at mean low water. |