The engineer in charge suggested that the plan for the closing of the eastern side of the harbor of refuge be changed; that instead of prolonging the east pier another lake arm of breakwater be built to the eastward, leaving an opening opposite the piers of 350 feet for an entrance. This plan would give about 80 per cent. additional harbor room, and would give as much protection to the original harbor as the present plan. The increased cost would be proportionally small, and the entire cost of the harbor of refuge thus enlarged would be about the amount of the revised estimate for completion upon the present plan, and nearly $500,000 less than the original estimate. This project was referred to a Board of Engineers, which approved of the project in an amended form. The recommendation of the Board having been finally approved, with slight modification, the matter was made the subject of a special communication to the House of Representatives for the favorable consideration of the Committee on Rivers and Harbors. (See Appendix M M 10.) But owing to the failure of the river and harbor bill no sanction was given by Congress for the application of the $100,000 appropriated by act of July 5, 1884, towards the construction of the proposed eastern arm of the breakwater. The balance on hand July 1, 1884, when all outstanding contracts were completed, was only $19,239.73, too small a sum to invite proposals for continuing the breakwater; hence there has been no work done during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, and the appropriation of July 5, 1884, being unavailable for the proposed eastern extension of the break water, no work will be practicable until further legislation, thereby occasioning over two years' delay in progress of the work. The amount expended for the harbor and harbor of refuge during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, was $18,104.44. The sum of $300,000 can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, for continuing the existing project. 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................ $19, 239 73 100, 000 00 119, 239 73 18, 104 44 101, 135 29 300,000 00 Amoun (estimated) required for completion of existing project... barbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix M M 10.) 11. Fairport Harbor, mouth of Grand River, Ohio.-The present project for the improvement of this harbor consists of parallel piers, 200 feet apart, running out into the lake. It was adopted in 18.5, and has been modified by prolonging the piers from time to time so as to gam increased depth, the object being to afford a channel of entrance of navigable width and not less than 16 feet in depth. When the work of improvement was commenced, in 1826, the mouth of the river was closed by a sand-bar 1,200 feet wide, at times so hard and dry that teams could be driven across. In 1829 the depth in the channel was about 8 feet, and in 1839, when work was suspended, there was a depth of 11 feet, and any vessel then navigating the lakes could enter at any time without danger. In 1865 the piers were found to be seriously dilapidated. In 1870 there was a depth of 12 feet in the channel. In 1879 this depth was increased to 14 feet, in 1881 to 15 feet, and at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, there was a good channel between the piers with least depth of 16 feet at low water, and in the lake beyond piers with least depth of 15 feet at ordinary level of the lake. During the fiscal year the work was in progress by which the east pier is to be extended 80 feet, the superstructure of the west pier repaired, and minor repairs made to both piers. Dredging was also carried on by the removal of 10,082 cubic yards. The dredging restored a good 16-foot channel between piers and good 15-foot channel through bars in lake beyond end of piers. The above work was under the appropriation of July 5, 18×4. The sum of $4,337.76 was expended during the fiscal year, and remainder of appropriation will be exhausted about August 1, 1885. The sum of $30,000 can be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, in prolonging the piers, in repairing piers, and in dredg ing in accordance with existing project. 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, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1885, amount available.... $425 08 10,000 00 10,425 08 $4,226 57 111 19 4,337 76 6,087 32 50,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix M M 11.) 30,000 00 12. Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio (in charge of Capt. Edward Maguire Corps of Engineers, to March 9, 1885).--The original project for the im provement of this harbor was adopted in 1826. The rock bottom wa then found at 9 feet below the water surface, and there was a depth o only 2 feet of water on the bar at the entrance when operations wer commenced. The project provided piers running out on either side of the mouth o the river from shore to 12 feet water in the lake. The present project contemplates the extension of the piers out to 1 feet water, the removal of the decayed portions of both piers and re building with new material, at the same time straightening the line o the west pier so as to afford a uniform width of 160 feet in the channel Operations were commenced in 1826, and have been prosecuted wit more or less interruptions and suspensions (no work was done betwee 1839 and 1865), and have resulted in a much improved harbor. Th close of the present fiscal year leaves a good wide channel 15 to 1 feet deep from the lake into the harbor. There has been appropriated a total of $372,401.21 up to the clos of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, of which amount the sum $357,252.78 has been expended. During the fiscal year the west pier was extended shoreward 282 linear feet, in accordance with project, and the channel dredged so a to give a good 16 foot channel, except where roc bottom occurs at les depth. Some repairs were made to the east pier and to the shore pre tection at inner end of west pier. Revised estimates give the sum of $80,250 as required to complet the existing project, of which amount the sum of $77,550 can be profitably expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, in renewing piers, extending pier, dredging, and rock excavation. July 1, 1884, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884... July 1, 1885, amonnt expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. $2,695 42 22,500 00 25, 195 42 $10,046 99 1,186 03 11, 233 02 13,962 40 80,250 00 July 1, 1885, amount available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. (See Appendix M M 12.) 77,500 00 13. Conneaut Harbor, Ohio (in charge of Capt. Edward Maguire, Corps of Engineers, to March 9, 1885.)-The original project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1829. Operations were carried on during the years 1820 to 1832, and from 1836 to 1838, inclusive, which consisted in the construction of piers 125 feet apart, running from shore out to a depth of 12 feet of water in the lake, and in dredging. The design was to afford a depth of 12 feet of water through the bar at the mouth of Conneaut Creek, which bar was dry at low water when work was commenced. The improvements have been prosecuted at this harbor with more or less interruptions and suspensions. No work was done from 1839 to 1844, from 1845 to 1852, from 1853 to 1866, and none for the past three years. The best channel ever obtained was 11 feet, and the more usual depth has been 8 or 9 feet. The present depth of water on the bar is 7 feet. Up to the close of the present fiscal year the sum of $112,629.39 has been appropriated for this harbor, of which sum $112,623.28 has been expended. The present project for this improvement contemplates rebuilding the east pier and renewing the superstructure of the west pier at an estimated cost of $35,090. The commerce of the port has always been small. July 1, 1884, amount available..... $19 68 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.... 13 57 July 1, 1885, amount available...... 6 11 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 35,000 00 35,000 00 (See Appendix M M 13.) 14. Dunkirk Harbor, New York (in charge of Capt. Edward Maguire, Corps of Engineers, to March 9, 1885).-The existing project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1870, the object being to form an artificial harbor by constructing a breakwater 2,860 feet long and nearly parallel with the shore, and by excavating a channel, so as to afford a depth of 13 feet into this harbor, the estimated cost of which was $350,000. The break water construction has been carried out in part, 1,341 feet having been completed at a cost of $98,000, and the channel has been excavated to 13 feet in depth, but is quite narrow, besides presenting the ragged edges of the unblasted rock, jutting out on either side, and being exposed to wind and waves from any direction between northwest around to northeast. It is therefore somewhat dangerous at times for a vessel to make the entrance. In case any further extension of the breakwater is deemed advisable the officer in charge recommends its extension to the westward 560 feet, as contemplated in the original design, which would diminish in some degree the dangers of the entrance, and at the same time create additional shelter within the harbor. A total of $459,079.38 has been appropriated, of which amount $450,611.98 have been expended to the close of fiscal year ending June 30, 1885. The breakwater, if extended 560 feet to the westward, might also, with benefit to the harbor, be extended 300 feet eastwardly, a total of 860 feet. It would then be 659 feet shorter than its original estimated length. The cost of such extensions, with present prices of materials, would be some $70 per linear foot, and would amount to $60,200. During the fiscal year work was in progress for about 6 weeks in dredging and repairs to east breakwater. Amount expended during fiscal year was $1,541.89. The condition of the harbor is about the same as at the close of the last fiscal year. July 1, 1884, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. $9.29 10,000 90 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.... 10,009 29 1,541 89 July 1, 1885, amount available... 8,467 40 200 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 60, 200 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix M M 14.) 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, Major Overman, and recommended for improvement, viz: "At Cleveland, Ohio, for opening and improving the channel known as the old river bed of the Cuyahoga River."-But in consequence of the views of the local engineer not being concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, and in accordance with the requirements of the act, no instructions were given to make a survey of the locality with the view of submitting an estimate for the work. (See Appendix M M 15.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBORS OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, AND BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AND OF NIAGARA RIVER-IMPROVEMENT OF HARBORS ON LAKE ONTARIO. Officer in charge, Capt. Edward Maguire, Corps of Engineers. [The harbors on Lake Ontario were in charge of Lieut. Col. H. M. Robert, Corps of Engineers, to January 28, 1885.] 1. Erie Harbor, Pennsylvania.-The original survey of this harbor was made in 1819, at which time the channel was narrow and tortuous, with a depth of only 6 feet. In 1823 a plan for the improvement was adopted, and constitutes the present work at the entrance to the harbor, excepting some changes which have been required either on account of the age of the structures originally built or other causes. The piers have been extended from time to time, and are now in good condition. The present project contemplated the extension of the piers to the 16foot curve in the lake, and the maintenance of a channel of navigable width and 16 feet in depth from the harbor inside to the lake outside. The last examination made of the harbor on June 20, 1885, showed that the channel between the piers was in good condition, but that there bad been an increased shoaling above and to the south of the north pier, due to the sand carried down from the peninsula during storms. There was a least depth of 15.4 feet at extreme low water south of the north pier and in the entrance, and a least depth of 12.2 feet off the end of the Lorth pier. The present officer in charge is of the opinion that on account of the rapid current which flows in and out through the channel the north pier should not be extended, but that owing to the increasing shoaling which has already taken place the south pier should be extended 400 feet. He recommends that the neck of the peninsula be protected by a breakwater, and that the movement of sand around the eastern end of the peninsula, and which threatens to close the harbor entrance, be arrested by the construction of Jetties perpendicular to the shore of the peninsula. The estimated cost of the work is $173,044.50, and the amount of the appropriation asked for is $126,000. If the present project of pier extension alone be carried out, the amount required will be $84,120. Operations have been prosecuted with more or less interruptions and suspensions (no work was done from 1838 to 1842, from 1846 to 1853, and 1855 to 1864), and have resulted in much benefit to the harbor and its channel entrance. The work during the fiscal year consisted of minor repairs to the piers. To carry out the recommendation of the Board of Engineers of June 14, 1882, $10,000 of the amount available for the harbor are set aside to provide for the prompt construction of a dike at the neck of the peninsia in case of necessity. The total amount appropriated for this harbor up to June 30, 1885, is $731,367.23, of which $672,056.37 have been expended. July 1, 1884, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. Jy 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of utstanding liabilities July 1, 1884.. F 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities.. 1, 1885, amount available..... $12,037 06 50,000 00 62,037 06 $2,726 20 2,906 20 59,130 86 84, 120 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal yearending June 30, 1837 126,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1865 and 1867. See Appendix N N 1.) 2. Buffalo Harbor, New York.-The original project for the improvement this harbor was adopted in 1826, the date of the first appropriation, , as modified at various times, provided for the construction of a oth and south pier at the mouth of Buffalo Creek, a masonry sea-wall Thing south from the inner end of the south pier, and a breakwater |