4. Ice harbor at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.-This work, in its present plan, was commenced in 1866, the object being to provide a harbor in the Delaware River to protect vessels against moving ice. In 1785 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania built, for the convenience of commerce, piers at Marcus Hook, extending from the shore line into the river. It is assumed that at some subsequent time these shore piers were turned over to the United States, since in 1829 an appropriation was made of $5,000 for repairing these piers, improving the harbor, and removing obstructions. No further appropriation was made until 1866. At this latter date the project was adopted for the construction of detached piers in the harbor, consisting of stone superstructures upon crib foundations filled with stone, together with the deepening of the harbor by dredging. In 1881 it was proposed to increase the area of the harbor by the construction of a bulkhead about 1,800 feet in length parallel to the shore line and about 150 feet outside of high-water line, and the deepening of this added area by dredging. Nothing was done towards the carrying into effect of the modification of 1881, on account of the objections of some of the abutting property owners, and in 1881 this hitherto proposed modification was abandoned, and an increased depth proposed for the areas protected by the detached piers outside of the natural shore line of the river. The amount expended from 1866 to June 30, 1892, was $209,000, which was applied to the construction of two landing piers and seven detached ice piers, the deepening by dredging of the protected area, the placing of mooring piles, and the necessary examinations. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, landing piers were repaired and mooring piles were repaired and replaced, at a cost of $1,067.16. The piers and mooring piles suffered some injuries from ice and vessels during the past severe winter. The repairs are estimated to cost about $260. The funds now available are sufficient for these and all other anticipated necessities. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended (See Appendix G 4.) $5,000.00 1,635.62 3, 364.38 5. Ice harbor at head of Delaware Bay, Delaware.-The act of August 2, 1882, appropriated $25,000 for the commencement of work on the ice harbor at the head of Delaware Bay, to include the removal of some sunken piers, the remains of an old ice harbor, in the channel east of Reedy Island, Delaware. The desirability of an ice harbor at the head of Delaware Bay has been long recognized, but until the improvement of the main ship channel shall have been materially advanced, it is believed that appropriations can be applied, with better results to commerce, to the improvement of the channel rather than to the formation of an ice harbor suited to the requirements of the case. As to location, the prevailing judgment would place the ice harbor at or very near Liston Point, but since the works already planned for the improvement of the channel in this part of the river involve the construction of about 11 miles of dikes, the changes which may result from such extensive constructions render the prior location of an ice harbor hazardous. The amount expended to June 30, 1892, was $8,763.07, of which $3,700 was applied to the removal of the sunken piers back of Reedy Island, as provided in the act of August 2, 1882, making the appropriation of $25,000. The balance was expended in surveys, examinations, preliminary studies, and office expenses. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, no expenditures were made. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended... (See Appendix G 5.) $16, 236.93 16, 236.93 6. Construction of iron pier in Delaware Bay, near Lewes, Del.The original project for this work proposed the construction of a landing pier about 1,700 feet in length, extending from the shore south of the breakwater into Delaware Bay to a depth of 22 feet at mean low water, the pier to consist of a substructure of wrought-iron screw piles surmounted with a timber superstructure. The work was commenced in 1871, and completed, except as to superstructure, in 1880. The amount expended to June 30, 1890, was $368,453.66, and resulted in the construction of 1,155 linear feet of pier 21 feet in width, and 546 linear feet 42 feet in width, or a total length of 1,701 feet. The depth of water at the outer end of the pier head was about 21 feet at mean low water. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $7,033 was expended in replacing about 200 linear feet of the pier destroyed by the collisions of wrecked vessels in 1889, and in placing fender piles along 1,200 linear feet of the shore arm of the pier. The total amount expended in construction, repairs, and inspection was $378,500. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, there were no expenditures on account of this work. The right to use this pier for railway purposes, granted in the act of July 15, 1870, has never been exercised, and doubtless never will be, as the pier has not sufficient strength to support the weight of modern freight engines. It is therefore impossible to obtain any assistance from the railroad company in maintaining and repairing the structure. The timber superstructure is greatly impaired by natural decay, and is in a dangerous condition. It should be thoroughly repaired as a matter of public safety. The cost of this work will not exceed $6,300. During the ice period of last winter the pier suffered some injuries from ice or vessels. The cluster piles at the pier head were broken and five fender piles were torn out. The repair of these injuries is estimated to cost about $650. The need of clear regulations governing the use of this pier and the neighboring anchorage under the shelter of the Delaware Breakwater became very apparent last winter during the season of ice and storms, when the harbor was crowded with shipping. Legislation providing for the establishment of such regulations with penalties for their enforcement is recommended. An appropriation of $860 is recommended, to provide for urgent repairs of unexpected injuries and the supervision and protection of the property and adjacent anchorage. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 $7,810. 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix G 6.) 7. Delaware Breakwater, Delaware.-Under the act of Congress, May 7,1822, $22,700 was appropriated for a survey of Delaware Bay, near Cape Henlopen, for the purpose of determining upon the site for a harbor of shelter. In 1828 an appropriation of $250,000 was made for commencing the work under a plan submitted by a board of commissioners appointed by Congress. The project of the board contemplated the construction in the concavity of the bay, just inside Cape Henlopen, of two massive works on the pierres perdues or riprap system, separated by an interval or gap of 1,350 feet, the greater, called the breakwater, to afford safe anchorage during the gales from the north and east; the other, called the icebreaker, to protect shipping against northwesterly gales and the heavy drifting ice of the bay. This project was completed in 1869 under aggregate appropriations, including the first for survey, of $2,192,103.70. The stone used in the work amounted to 892,528 gross tons, and varied from one-quarter of a ton to 7 tons in weight, the smaller constituting the bulk of the mass, the larger used to cover the exterior slopes. As completed in 1869 the breakwater is 2,558 feet long, and the icebreaker 1,359 feet long on top. The average width on top is 22 feet, and at base 160 feet. The top is from 12 to 14 feet above mean low water. In 1882 a project was adopted for closing the gap between the breakwater and the ice-breaker by means of a random stone foundation with a concrete superstructure. The random stone foundation was to be brought to a height of 12 feet below low water with a width on top of 48 feet; the concrete superstructure to have a width on bottom of 24 feet, rising to a height of 12 feet above mean low water, with a width on top of 12 feet. The estimated cost of this project was $675,000. In 1883 and 1884 the project was modified by providing a foundation of brush mattresses for the random stone superstructure and omitting the construction of a pile bridge across the gap, which formed part of the project of 1882 for closing the gap. In 1890 the concrete superstructure was further modified by establishing its base at 15 feet below low water by making it rectangular in section, with a width of 27 feet and height of 27 feet, and by constructing the work to above the plane of high water of large concrete blocks, above which concrete in mass was to be used. The estimated cost of the modified project, including the $356,250 appropriated from 1882 to 1888, was $856,250. In 1891, the random stone substructure having been practically completed to an average level of 15 feet below low water, the project for the hitherto proposed concrete superstructure was modified by substitution of random stone for the remaining part of the work, so as to raise the structure to a height of 14 feet above mean low water, with a width on top of 20 feet, the width at low water to be 40 feet, and the slopes below this plane to be such as may be formed by the action of the sea; between low water and the top the slopes to be about 1 on 0.7, formed by heavy stones laid in position. The estimated cost of completing this part of the work is $270,000, or, including the $486,250 appropriated from 1882 to 1892, the cost of closing the gap is $756,250. From the beginning of the work in 1822 to June 30, 1892, the total amount expended was $2,627,367.87; of which $435,264.17 was expended on the existing project for closing the gap, the substructure having been thereby raised to the level of mean low water over a length of 1,006 feet. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, the sum of $50,823.39 was expended in raising the substructure to low water over its full length. The gap is now completely closed to the level of mean low water. Should funds become available, it is proposed to apply them to the construction of the superstructure, and the strengthening of the slopes if necessary. The increase in the dimensions of vessels since the present harbor was designed in 1822, and the shoaling which has ensued behind the breakwater, render the harbor in its present condition inadequate to the requirements of commerce. Upon the completion of the present project of closing the gap, additional anchorage area will be added to the harbor, and it is probable that the shoaling will cease and the anchorage be deepened. Under favorable conditions the work can be completed in a single working season. Its immediate completion is urgently necessary, since the substructure in its present condition is a serious danger to navigation, being invisible at the higher stages of the tide. One vessel has been totally wrecked upon it, and several others have been severely injured. It has been found impossible to mark it in such a way as to insure the safety of coasting vessels. The appropriation of the whole amount necessary for the completion of the work is therefore recommended. 270,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 270,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix G 7.) 8. Rancocas River, New Jersey.-In its original condition Rancocas River carried a minimum low-water depth of 43 feet between the mouth and Centerton, a distance of about 7 miles, and from Centerton to Mount Holly, a distance of about 5 miles, a ruling depth of about 23 feet. The original project of 1881 proposed the formation, by a dike at Coat's Bar and dredging elsewhere, of a channel from 150 to 200 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water from the mouth to Centerton, and from thence to Mount Holly a channel 5 feet deep. Operations were carried on under this project from 1881 to 1892, under appropriations aggregating $30,000, made in 1881, 1882, and 1890. To the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $29,899.91 had been expended in the formation of a low-water channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep from the mouth to Centerton, and 25 feet wide and 4 feet deep from Centerton to Mount Holly, and in the removal of three wrecks. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, $4,845.22 was expended in the formation of a low-water channel 50 feet wide and 5 feet deep above Centerton for a distance of about three-fourths of a mile. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892.. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $5,000.00 4,845. 22 154.78 46,000.00 12, 000. 00 9. Alloway Creek, New Jersey.-In its original condition Alloway Creek was obstructed between its mouth and Quinton, a distance of about 10 miles, by shoal areas in the upper half of the stream, which reduced the low-water depths to about 4 feet. The original project of 1889 proposed the formation, by dredging, of a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 60 feet wide from Quinton to a point about 1,000 feet above the Upper Hancock Bridge; from thence a channel of the same depth and 75 feet wide to a locality known as the Square, where the work is to be supplemented by a dike. At a locality known as the Canal, in addition to a channel of the last-named dimensions, the width of the stream was to be increased to about 150 feet between its low-water lines. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, $5,599.61 had been expended in dredging at the Canal, Square, and Upper Hancock Bridge, whereby channels from 40 to 75 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water were formed through the worst bars. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, $3,221.39 was expended in dredging the channels. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended... Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892. June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix G 9.) $400.39 3,000.00 3,400.39 3, 221.39 179.00 16,000.00 16,000.00 10. Salem River, New Jersey.-In 1872 the upper part of this river was separated from the lower part by a dam and connected with the Delaware River by a canal. Thus two independent streams were formed. In its original condition the channel of the Upper Salem River carried about 3 feet at mean low water over the bar, from 5 to 11 feet through the canal, and about 3 feet to Hoxie's Bridge. The original project for its improvement was adopted in 1881. It provided for the removal of a shoal near Biddle's Landing at an estimated cost of $4,500. The work done in 1881 and 1882 resulted in the formation of a channel 60 feet wide and from 6 to 7 feet deep at mean low water from the head of the canal to a point about 200 feet above Biddle's Landing, leaving about 700 feet to be improved. On account of shoaling, it was then estimated that the completion of the improvement would cost from $4,000 to $6,000. No work has been in progress since 1882, until the past fiscal year. |