For this work $170,000 have been appropriated, and up to June 30, 1884, $128,571.45 have been expended. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, the catch-sand of open wooden frames filled with seaweed, in the prolongation of the shore extension of the south jetty, constructed for the purpose of checking the eroding action of the wind, was completed. The core of the north jetty was extended to a distance of 2,640 feet, and that of the south jetty to a distance of 1,300 feet from their initial points under contract. A hydrographic survey of the bar and entrance was made before the spring freshet and another after it, to ascertain the effect of the freshet upon the channel. A survey of the river up to the Eastern Railroad bridge, distant 2.7 miles from the river's mouth, was also made so as to connect with United States Engineer surveys above. The dike is in good condition, and continues to retain large masses of sand in the basin. The amount available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886 ($9,868.14), it is proposed to expend under existing contracts in continuing the construction of the jetties in accordance with the approved project, and in removing the two ledges. To complete the present improved project $205,000 is estimated to be necessary, all of which could be expended to advantage during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. The condition of the improvement renders it highly important that the work should be carried forward without delay. 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.... $1,428 55 40,000 00 41, 428 55 $26, 245 12 31,560 41 9, 868 14 [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 B 1.) 205,000 00 205, 000 00 2. Merrimac River, Massachusetts.-The object of the work is the improvement of the channel of the river from its mouth, near Plum Island Light, to the head of the Upper Falls, a distance of 214 miles. Previous to the commencement of the work the channel was narrow and crooked, and much obstructed by bowlders, ledges, shoals, and the remains of old crib-work and piers. The present project was adopted in 1870, and modified in 1874. It proposes a channel of proper width, having the following depths at high water of ordinary stages of the river: from the mouth to Deer Island Bridge, 16 feet; from Deer Island Bridge up to Haverhill Bridge, 12 feet; thence to the foot of Mitchell's Falls, 10 feet; thence to the head of Upper Falls, not less than 44 feet, with the mill-water at Lawrence running. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $166,911.27, and resulted in improving the channel from the mouth to the head of the Upper Falls, in accordance with the adopted project. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, 1,056 cubic yards, scow measurement, of bowlders, gravel, and clay were removed by dredging, clearing the channel above and below the new draw-bridge at Rock's Bridge for a width of 60 feet and to a depth of 12 feet at mean high water, conforming the channel to the new draw as now rebuilt. The amount available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is $589.19. To complete the improvement, so that the same depth of water which has been obtained through Mitchell's Falls can be carried to Lawrence, additional work will be required, at a cost as estimated of $22,500, which amount can be expended to advantage during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. July 1, 1884, amount available .... $88 73 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. 3,500 00 3,583 73 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 .. 2,999 54 July 1, 1885, amount available........... 589 19 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 22,500 00 22,500 00 (See Appendix B 2.) 3. Scituate Harbor, Massachusetts.-This harbor is situated on the west shore of Massachusetts Bay, midway between Boston and Plymouth lights. The project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1880. The object is to create a harbor of refuge for vessels approaching Boston from the eastward. The project consists of building two breakwaters-one from Cedar Point, on the north side of the entrance, and the other from the point of the First Cliff, on the south side-and deepening by dredging the area inclosed and in front of the entrance. The estimated cost of the improvement is $290,000. In furtherance of these projected improvements $37,500 have been appropriated. The total amount expended to June 30, 1884, is $27,500. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, 22,724 cubic yards of sand and shingle were removed from the harbor by dredging, resulting in the excavation of a channel through the inner bar to the "Deep Hole," 1,600 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 5 feet deep at mean low water, and the deepening of the "Deep Hole" to 7 feet at mean low water over an area of 200 by 160 feet. The amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is $391.46. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, is $75,000, which, if appropriated, it is proposed to expend in continuing the improvements in accordance with the approved project by building the south breakwater, by enlarging the basin ("Deep Hole"), and by removing Harbor Rocks, which are a serious inconvenience to navigation. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884..... $10,000 00 9,608 54 391 46 July 1, 1885, amount available... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix B 3.) 252,500 00 75,000 00 4. Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.-The improvement of this harbor since 1866 has been in accordance with the recommendations of the United States Commissioners, whose services terminated in that year. The objects in view have been: 1. To preserve the harbor by protecting its headlands and islands with sea-walls, aprons, and jetties of stone, &c.; and, 2. To improve it by widening and deepening the channel by dredging and by removing rocks and ledges. Under the first head, sea walls, aprons, and jetties have been constructed, or old ones have been repaired, at Point Allerton and the islands of Great Brewster, Lovell's, Gallop's, Long Island, Deer, Rainsford, Georges, and the Castle. Under the second head, dredging and blasting has been done— 1. In the main ship channel (originally but 100 feet wide and 18 feet deep), securing a channel at least 600 feet wide and 23 feet deep at mean low water. 2. In Hingham Harbor (where the channel was 30 feet wide and 4 feet deep), resulting in a channel 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water. 3. At the mouth of the Mystic River, which has been enlarged from 150 feet wide and 16 feet deep to 400 feet wide and 23 feet deep at mean low water. 4. In the Charles River: Its channel, originally crooked and but 50 feet wide and 3 feet deep, has been improved so as now to have a least width of 80 feet and 6 feet deep at mean low water, from its mouth to Arsenal street bridge, a distance of 74 miles, while up to Western Avenue Bridge 7 feet draught can be carried at mean low water in a channel 200 feet wide. 5. Nantasket Beach Channel, originally 50 deep, has been enlarged to 100 feet wide and 9 water. feet wide and 6 feet feet deep at mean low 6. The channel between Nick's Mate Shoal and Long Island has been improved from a depth of 4 feet to 12 feet at mean low water, and widened to 200 feet from about 50 feet. By far the greater part of the sums appropriated for this harbor since 1866 ($1,607,500), has been expended for its preservation. The total expenditure to June 30, 1884, was $1,571,087.77. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $19,841.12 were expended in repairing and extending the sea-walls and shore protections of Lovell's, Rainsford, Georges, and Deer islands, and making a hydrographic survey of a portion of the lower harbor. The amount estimated as required for projected works is as follows: For widening and deepening the main ship channel at Upper and Lower mid.le For preservation and repair of sea-walls For hydrographic surveys For engineering and contingencies Total.... $128,000 00 4,300 00 2,200 00 10,500 00 145,000 00 The amount of funds on hand now unallotted and available for the above expenditures is $5,000, leaving $140,000 to be appropriated. No appropriation for continuing the improvement of the Charles River is recommended; but the sum of $50,000 can be expended to advantage during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, in furtherance of the exist ing project, provided the draws of the two bridges on the part of the river to be improved are rebuilt so as to conform to the projected channel. 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 B 4.) $23, 370 11 5,000 00 28, 370 11 19,841 12 8,528 99 140, 000 00 140, 000 00 5. Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts.-The object of the improvement of this harbor is to protect it by the preservation of Long Beach and to deepen and widen the channels of approach to the city wharves. The preservation of Long Beach is essential to the existence of the harbor, and the natural channels of approach to the wharves were narrow and crooked, with about 6 inches depth of water at mean low tide. In the preservation of Long Beach from 1824 to 1884, inclusive, $112,916.89 were expended. In the improvement of the channels $28,419.16 have been expended since the adoption of the project for their improvement in 1875. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, 36,426 cubic yards (scow measurement) were removed by dredging, resulting in deepening the channel, 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep, to 9 feet at mean low water for a least width of 90 feet, with an increased width at its junction with the main ship-channel and the basin in front of the wharves. The balance available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is $3,317.50, which it is proposed to apply to the preservation of Long Beach, or so much thereof as may be necessary. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, $20,000 can be expended to advantage in widening and deepening the channel and in deepening the basin, by dredging, and in repairs to Long Beach, in accordance with the approved 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 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix B 5.) $51 09 10,000 00 10, 051 09 6, 733 59 3,317 50 20, 000 00 20,000 00 6. Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts.-This most important harbor of refuge is situated at the extremity of Cape Cod. The entire commerce and the fishing vessels of New Engla d are directly benefited by its preservation, which depends entirely upon the maintenance of the beaches inclosing it. The project for its improvement was adopted in 1866, and modified in 1869, 1872, and 1873. It consists in constructing bulkheads of wood and stone, brush and wood jetties and dikes, catch sand fences, planting of beach grass, &c., and it has been remarkably successful. Since the resumption of work in 1866 $136,478.44 have been ap propriated and allotted for this harbor, of which, up to June 30, 1884, $134,251.74 have been expended. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $1,672.85 were expended in repairs to dike at Abel Hill, and in backing the breakwater at Long Point, and in closing deep and dangerous gullies in the beach between Abel Hill Dike and Wood End Light, caused by a violent storm during the month of February. The field work of the triangulation in the projected hydrographic survey of the harbor was completed. There is available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, $553.85, all of which is needed for the hydrographic survey. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, $6,500 can be expended to advantage for the following objects: 1. To complete backing of breakwater at Long Point 2. To restore height of breakwater at Long Point, 600 tons of large stones. 3. To complete hydrographic survey 4. For immediate repairs of probable damage to beaches by storms Total...... $3,800 1.800 300 600 6,500 July 1, 1884, amount available.... 2,226 70 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 2,000 00 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 ..... 2,226 70 1,672 85 July 1, 1885, amount available..... 553 85 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 6,500 00 6,500 00 (See Appendix B 6.) 7. Lynn Harbor, Massachusetts.-This harbor is situated about 9 miles northeast of Boston. Its entrance channels are narrow and crooked, with but 6 feet of water at mean low tide, the greater part of the harbor being flats, some of which are bare at low water. The original project for its improvement was proposed in 1881, and modified in 1884, after additional physical facts relating to the locality had been obtained. The improved project consists in dredging a channel 200 feet wide and 10 feet deep at mean low water, through the outer and inner bars from deep water near White Rocks to the harbor line, essentially following the direction of the White Rocks channel. To aid in keeping this dredged channel open at its outer end, a training-wall is proposed, starting from high-water line near Little Nahant, gradually approaching the dredged channel, to which at its outer end it becomes parallel. The upper part of the dredged channel, it is supposed, will require occasional dredging. The original estimate of cost of this improvement was $145,000. The present estimate of cost is $157,000. This excess of $12,000 over the original estimate is due to the dredging found necessary in rounding the junctions of the channels with deep water to prevent shoaling and to a further reasonable allowance of dredging for the same purpose in the Western half of the upper channel. But by far the greater part of this excess is due to the fact that shoaling from side slopes and flats during |