The dates and amounts of appropriations for this work are as follows: July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities. $9,009.30 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... 248, 540. 08 July 1, 1893, balance available.... 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. 257, 549, 38 81, 862.92 1,300,000.00 700,000.00 Abstract of proposals for dredging from Nantasket Beach Channel, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, opened September 8, 1892, by Lieut. Col. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers. The contract was awarded to Mr. Augustus B. Martin, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. Abstract of proposals for dredging from the channel leading to Jeffrey's Point, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, opened September 20, 1892, by Capt. S. S. Leach, Corps of Engineers, during the official absence of Lieut. Col. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers. The contract was awarded to Mr. Charles H. Souther, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. Abstract of proposals for dredging from the main ship channel, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, opened September 20, 1892, by Capt. S. S. Leach, Corps of Engineers, during the official absence of Lieut. Col. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers. The contract was awarded to Mr. Charles H. Souther and Mr. Augustus R. Wright, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Amount of revenue collected, 1891, $18,038,772.34; 1892, $14,491,854.98; 1893, $15,791,588.16. B 14. IMPROVEMENT OF WEYMOUTH RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. Weymouth (Fore) River, tributary to Hingham Bay, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, on the southwest, is one of the most important water courses on the south coast of Massachusetts Bay. It is navigable at low water for vessels not exceeding 18 feet draft for 4 miles from its mouth, and for a further distance of 3 miles, to the head of navigation, at least 3 feet depth was found at mean low water before its improvement. The original project for its improvement was submitted December 2, 1889. It was based on the survey provided for in the act of August 11, 1888, and proposed to improve the natural channel of the river by dredging, so that 6 feet depth at mean low water could be carried to the head of navigation, in a channel 100 feet wide to near the wharves at Weymouth Landing; thence to Braintree Bridge 80 feet wide, and above the bridge 50 feet wide, with increased width at each turn to facilitate the movement of vessels. The total length of channel to be improved was 7,000 feet, approximately, and the cost was estimated to be $40,000. The total appropriations for this work to date have been $20,000. On June 30, 1892, the improved channel was 6 feet deep at mean low water, 40 feet wide to Braintree Bridge, and 25 feet wide thence to the head of navigation. On July 18, 1892, it was recommended that the available funds be expended in widening the improved channel to 60 feet below Braintree Bridge and in completing it above the bridge. This was approved July 23, 1892. On August 8, 1892, an advertisement was issued inviting proposals for this work. The bids received were opened September 8, 1892, and an abstract of them will be found in the annexed table. The lowest bid received was regarded as excessive and it was rejected. No other operations were in progress during the fiscal year, and at the date of this report the improvement is in the same condition as on June 30, 1892. The dates and amounts of the appropriations for this work are as follows: By act of September 19, 1890.. July 13, 1892 Total...... $10,000 10,000 20, 000 The amount required to complete the improvement is $20,000, all of which could be expended to advantage during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895. Weymouth River is in the collection district of Boston, Mass., of which Boston is the port of entry. The nearest light-house is on Long Island, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. Commercial statistics are included in the statement for Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. Money statement. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... $10,000.00 38.64 9, 961.36 20,000.00 20,000.00 Abstract of proposals for dredging in Weymouth River, Massachusetts, opened September 8, 1892, by Lieut. Col. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers. The lowest bid was rejected, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. B 15. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT HINGHAM, MASS. Hingham Harbor is situated in the southern part of Hingham or Hull Basin, which comprises all that part of Boston lower harbor south of Nantasket Roads. A chart of the harbor was published in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1888, Part I, p. 456. The harbor covers an area of one square mile and has extensive mud flats, bare at low tide. The mean rise or fall of the tide is 9.4 feet. The channel leading to Hingham, south of Ragged and Sailor islands, was before improvement very narrow and crooked and ob structed by sunken rocks and shoals. Its least width was 30 feet and least depth 4 feet at mean low water. The object of its improvement is to widen and deepen the natural channel from deep water, near the head of the harbor, to the steamboat wharf, a distance of 2,500 feet. The original project for improvement was submitted December 23, 1874. It provided for an improved channel on the east side of Sailor Island, past the west side of beacon to the Hingham wharf, 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water, at an estimated cost of $11,000. This project was modified January 20, 1885, when it was proposed to deepen the improved channel to 10 feet at mean low water, and to remove a mid-channel ledge lying between Chandler and Ragged islands, measuring 128 cubic yards, at an estimated cost of $18,700. The total amount appropriated for this work to date is $29,000. On June 30, 1892, the revised project for the improvement of the harbor had been completed, with the exception of the removal of the . mid-channel ledge. On July 18, 1892, it was proposed to expend the available funds in completing the project by the removal of the mid-channel ledge. This was approved July 22, 1892. On August 6, 1892, an advertisement was issued calling for proposals for this ledge work. The bids received were opened September 6, 1892, and an abstract of them will be found in the annexed table. On September 14, 1892, a contract was entered into with Messrs. Geo. W. Townsend & Co., of Boston, Mass., to remove 128 cubic yards of ledge. Operations under this contract were commenced in October, 1892; were suspended on account of ice in the harbor during part of March and April, 1893, and were satisfactorily completed in May, 1893. No other operations were in progress during the fiscal year, and at the date of this report the project for the improvement of this harbor is completed. Hingham Harbor is in the collection disrict of Boston, Mass. The nearest lighthouse is the Narrows Light, on the main ship channel in Boston Harbor, distant about 5 miles. The dates and amounts of the appropriations for this work are as follows: Allotted from appropriation for Boston Harbor, act of March 3, 1875... Act of March 5, 1886 August 11, 1888. September 19, 1890 July 13, 1892. Total $10,000 Abstract of proposals for removal of ledge from Hingham Harbor, Massachusetts, opened September 6, 1892, by Lieut. Col. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers. The contract was awarded to Messrs. Geo. W. Townsend & Co., with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. |