131,132,000 feet B. M. of lumber, 129,452 barrels of salt, and 187,216 tons of unclassified freight. The expenses of operating and care of the canal for the fiscal year were $27,242.45 and the receipts $546. The estimated amount required on this account for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is $32,000, all of which is already provided for by indefinite appropriation. (See Appendix L L 3.) 4. Dry Dock at Saint Mary's Falls Canal, Michigan. Under the provisions of the act of the legislature of Michigan in accordance with which the Saint Mary's Falls Canal was transferred to and received by the General Government, it seems to be obligatory upon the United States to construct a dry dock at Sault Ste. Marie (see Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1881, Part III, pages 2267 et seq., and for 1884, Part III, pages 2030 et seq.). Four projects have been discussed, and that providing "for a dry-dock near the east end of the area transferred from the Fort Brady military reservation to the canal reservation" is recommended for adoption. With the Annual Report for 1884 plans and estimates were submitted for three of the projects. For the one that is for converting the upper chamber of the old locks into a dry-dock no plans and estimates were submitted, as it was deemed inadmissible. This omission is now supplied, in obedience to the requirements of the act of July 5, 1884, the estimate amounting to $68,266. The estimate for the project recommended is $323,872, and the amount which can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, is $215,000, of which $150,000 should be appropriated by the United States and $65,000 (more or less) transferred by the State of Michigan. (See Appendix L L 4.) 5. Harbor at Cheboygan Michigan. -The project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1871, the object being to afford a channel from the original mouth of the river 200 feet wide and not less than 14 feet in depth. This project was modified in August, 1882, to provide for the deepening of the basin opposite the steamboat landing and the entire channel to the 15-foot curve in the Straits of Mackinaw, thus making the depth 15 feet for the full width of 200 feet. By the 30th of June, 1883, the basin had been deepened to 15 feet, and this depth, with a width of 200 feet, carried down-stream for a width of 110 feet a further distance of 1,600 feet, and finally a cut of 90 feet wide to the outer end. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year 1883-'84 and no work was done. The sum of $5,000 appropriated by the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, has not been expended, because of no complaints of the channel and for the reason that it is desirable to await further appropriations before resuming operations. The officer in charge is of opinion that the estimate heretofore submitted of $50,000 for the completion of the project is entirely too small, and estimates $100,000 as the probable cost. The original estimate for this work was.. $395,000.00 Amount thus far appropriated.. $118,000 00 Revised estimate of amount required to complete project... 100,000 00 218,000 00 Difference 177,000 00 The extension of railroads to this point has increased the importance of the place more rapidly than was anticipated, and the improvement should now be pushed to completion. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.... July 1, 1865, amount available. { $5,000 00 5,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....... 100,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1887 50,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L L 5.) 6. Harbor at Thunder Bay, Michigan. -The project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1876 and subsequently modified, the object being to obtain an entrance channel from the bay into the river of navigable width and of not less than 14 feet in depth. This has been practically accomplished, but the improvement is of such a character that it may require attention from time to time, and it is recommended that a sufficient amount be appropriated to raise the available fund to $10,000. No portion of this would be expended, unless it should become necessary in order to re-establish the present navigation. The commerce directly benefited by this improvement is that to and from Thunder Bay River, at the mouth of which is situated the important and rapidly growing town of Alpena. The results thus far attained give great satisfaction. 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 Amount (estimated) required for maintenance of existing project harbor acts of 1867. (See Appendix LL 6.) $4,541 96 700 4,534 96 10,000 00 5,000 00 7. Harbor at Au Sable, Michigan. -The present project for the improvement of the harbor was adopted in 1866 and modified in 1879, the object being to obtain a channel of not less than 10 feet in depth for a width of 100 feet, from the lake to the State Road Bridge at Au Sable. The project has been carried out, the result being the requisite channel in the river; but the results on the bar at the mouth have not been satisfactory, and no further attempt to accomplish the desired object is recommended at this time. A balance remaining from appropriations heretofore made is available to meet any emergency that may arise, and no further appropriation is asked for at this time. July 1, 1884, amount available (See Appendix L L 7.) $4,900 55 4,900 55 8. Saginaw River, Michigan. -The present project aims to secure a channel of 200 feet in width, 14 feet deep, from Saginaw Bay to Bay City, and 12 feet deep thence to the head of navigation in Saginaw River. During the last fiscal year work has been prosecuted in accordance with this project. Under the appropriation made by the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, 132,555 cubic yards of material were removed by dredging, under three contracts, at a cost for the same of $36,103.36, of which $21,638.92 were expended above Bay City, and $14,464.44 opposite and below Bay City. Work is still in progress "opposite and below Bay City," and will be continued until the portion of the appropriation allotted it (one-half) is exhausted, which will probably be about September 1, 1885. It is estimated that the project can be completed at a cost of $371,000, which sum is arrived at by deducting from the estimate of last year the amount appropriated by the act of July 5, 1884. The interests involved are so large as to justify the most extensive operations, and the length of the channel is such (nearly 23 miles) that they can be readily carried on without the slightest interference with each other. The sum stated below is therefore recommended to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. 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, 1834 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities. July 1, 1885, amount available ..... $1,606 63 22 13 50,000.00 51,628 76 $40,483 43 2,636 21 43,119 64 8,509 12 371,000,00 Amonnt (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... barbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L L 8.) 9. Harbor of Refuge Sand Beach, Lake Huron, Michigan. -The present project for this improvement was adopted in 1873. It consists of a breakwater constructed of timber cribs filled with stone, inclosing an area which is to be deepened, where necessary, by dredging. Its object is to afford a harbor of refuge to the vessels engaged in the navigation of the Northern and Northwestern lakes when caught by heavy weather near the dangerous Point Aux Barques. Previous to 1876 vessels so caught were compelled to run a distance of 60 miles, and find refuge in Saint Clair River. After the subsidence of the gale those upward bound had to work their way back again. The total amount expended to June 30, 1885, was $950,675.21, and has resulted in completing the substructure for 8,130 linear feet of breakwater, and the superstructure for 6,180 linear feet, leaving 1,850 linear feet of superstructure yet to be built. From inside the harbor 76,779 cubic yards of material have been removed by dredging. The amount of dredging yet to be done, to meet early requirements of the harbor, is estimated at about 175,000 cubic yards. The expenditures during the fiscal year were $51,535.79, and resulted in building 1,075 linear feet of superstructure; putting the outside wainscoting on the remainder of the main pier; driving the underwater bolts; putting the remainder of the inside sheeting in place; building 200 linear feet of face-wall on the east end of the west pier, and 60 feet on the north end of the south pier; establishing 2 mooring buoys; completing the minute survey of the harbor; dredging 27,740 cubic yards of material from the inside of the harbor, and in many minor matters. The amount required to complete the work according to the present It is earnestly recommended that this entire sum be appropriated so that the work may all be put under contract and completed at the earliest possible day. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884... $45,375 88 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities. 100,000 00 July 1, 1885, amount available.... { (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1887 100,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L L 9.) 10. Ice-Harbor of Refuge at Belle River, Michigan. -The project for this improvement was adopted in 1880, the object being to make a channel 50 feet wide 13 feet deep to the first bridge, and 12 feet deep thence to the second bridge, affording a safe harbor against running ice. The estimated cost of the work proposed was $14,465. This project was completed on the 4th June, 1885, at a cost of $12,000. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884...... July 1, 1885, amount available.... (See Appendix L L 10.) $2,000 00 1,952 90 47 10 11. General repairs and renewals at Saint Clair Flats Canal, Michigan.— The canal was projected in 1866 with a view to obtaining a straight channel 13 feet deep and 300 feet wide across Saint Clair Flats, and completed accordingly. This project was modified in 1873 so as to obtain a channel of 16 feet in depth and 200 feet wide, lying halfon each side of the axis of the canal. On either side of the canal is a dike of nearly 7,300 feet in length, an aggregate of nearly 14,600 feet, or more than 20 miles. These dikes consist of timber cribs resting upon piles driven into the original bottom of the shoal, and filled with the material dredged from the channel. To maintain a channel bank a single row of sheet-piling was driven along the channel-face of the cribs previous to dredging. The lake sides of the dikes were protected by shorter sheet-piling. The entire timber structure is now much decayed and ought to be renewed. The single row of sheet-piling is insufficient to prevent the leakage of material from the dikes into the channel of increased depth, and requires to be reinforced. It is manifest that the commerce of the lakes will at no distant day demand a depth of 20 feet, and any remedial measures now adopted should be based upon that fact. As it now stands, intended for a 13-foot channel and made to do duty for one of 16 feet, it is clear that no greater depth can be maintained unless the re-enforcing sheet-piling be given a penetration at least 8 feet deeper than that in present use. The great importance of the improvement now proposed is so well known that it does not seem to be necessary to do more than present the case for consideration. The estimated cost of the project (which does not include any dredg. ing at present) is $153,298, and it is earnestly recommended that the whole amount be appropriated in one sum, so that one contract may be made for the entire work. Amount (estimated) required for proposed project. (See Appendix L L 11.) $153,293 12. Operating and care of Saint Clair Flats Ship Canal, Michigan.— Through this canal, 300 feet wide and 13 feet deep, with an axial channel of 200 feet wide and 16 feet deep, passes a commerce of nearly 20,000,000 tons per annum, the passages of vessels numbering about 40,000. The expenses for operating and care arise from the salary of the custodian, who resides at the canal, and such minor repairs as require immediate attention. The expenses are provided for by indefinite appropriation under section 4 of the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding December 30, 1884, deposited to credit of Treasurer of United States.... $4,274 16 69 632 43 4,907 28 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886 17,700 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L L 12.) 13. Clinton River, Michigan. In 1870 the channel over the bar at the entrance to this river afforded a depth of only 35 feet, whilst the depth in the river some distance above the bar was 10 feet. The present project for the improvement was adopted in 1870 and modified in 1880. It aims to obtain an entrance channel of 60 feet in width and 8 feet in depth. This was practically accomplished in 1882. The river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, provided for an examination and survey of Clinton River. This was made in January, 1885, and the results transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 210, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. The estimated cost of the project for the improvement proposed in this report is $32,926, and the whole amount could be profitably expended in the next fiscal year. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... $32,926 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 32,900.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L L 13.) |