Wharf, Philadelphia, which much interfered with the movements of the large vessels in the vicinity, was removed to 25 feet. Tidal stations were established at Lewes, Del., Fort Delaware, Marcus Hook, and Fort Mifflin, and current-observations were made at several points. During the ensuing year the Mifflin Bar work will be continued in order to widen it to 500 feet. The proposed dredging at Bulkhead Shoals will be completed, and the improvement of the river along the city front will be begun. The tidal observations will be continued, and the gauges connected by a line of levels. For the prosecution of this work during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, $150,000 is recommended. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1881. 150, 000 00 (See Appendix E 6.) 11. Improvement of Delaware River at Schooner Ledge. This reef, the only one known at present to exist in the main channel of the Delaware, has between 18 and 19 feet upon it at mean low-water, and is a dangerous obstruction to deep-water navigation. The act of March 3, 1879, appropriated $50,000 for commencing its removal, which will be begun as soon as the necessary preparations can be made. Amount appropriated by act approved March 3, 1879.. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... (See Appendix E, 7.) $50,000 00 50,000 00 177,000 00 60,000 00 12. Improvement of Delaware River at Cherry Island Flats.-This is an extensive mud flat in the Delaware, with but 18 and 19 feet at low-water. The act of March 3, 1879, having appropriated $100,000 for this improvement, the construction of a 24-foot channel to the westward of Cherry Island Flats will be begun as soon as possible, with a view of having an opening through made this autumn. Amount appropriated by act approved March 3, 1879. July 1, 1879, amount available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix E 8.) $100,000 00 100, 000 00 204,000 00 100,000 00 13. Ice-harbor at New Castle, Delaware.-The necessity for protecting vessels against the heavy ice of the Delaware was early seen, and the construction of this harbor was begun in colonial times. Its extension by the United States was undertaken in 1803, and continued at irregular intervals to the present. The sheltered area, which is every winter crowded with vessels of all sizes, is about 900 feet by 300 feet. The outer pier of stone, with crib foundation, was completed during the fiscal year; and it is proposed to expend the available balance, including the appropriation of $5,500 in act of March 3, 1879, in dredging the inner part of the harbor to 18 feet at mean low-water, in placing additiona mooring posts, and in protecting the foundation of the exterior pier with rip-rap. An appropriation of $23,000 is recommended by the officer in charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, for the construction of one additional pier, which will complete the harbor according to proposed design. July 1, 1878, amount available... Amount appropriated by act approved March 3, 1879. $10,000 00 July 1, 1879, amount expended during fiscal year.... July 1, 1879, amount available.... $15,500 00 9,092 44 150 00 9,242 44 6,257 56 3,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. (See Appendix E 9.) 3,000 00 14. Improvement of Wilmington Harbor, Delaware.-During the fiscal year the appropriation of June 18, 1878, was applied to dredging, principally from the channel near the mouth, and to the removal of fast-rock from the ledge below Third Street Bridge, Wilmington. A survey made in the spring shows that with the exception of a shoal area of considerable extent near the entrance there is a 12-foot mean low-water channel to near Third Street Bridge, although of less width than is required in the interest of navigation. The south side of the channel, both above and below this bridge, is obstructed by fast-rock. The appropriation of March 3, 1879, will be applied to continuing the removal of this rock. During the year ending June 30, 1881, it is proposed to dredge the shoal at the mouth, and to remove the reef above Third Street Bridge to 13 feet at mean low-water. For this work an appropriation of $10,000 will be required. 10, 000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project . Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1881.. 10,000 00 (See Appendix E 10.) 15. Ice-harbor at Chester, Pennsylvania.-This harbor is the uppermost of the series of ice-harbors existing on the Delaware River for the protection of shipping. The area inclosed is about 700 feet by 150 feet, protected by 4 wooden piers on two lines. The commerce seeking shelter has largely outgrown the capacity of the harbor, and the act of March 3, 1879, provides for an examination of this and the Marcus Hook Harbor with the view of enlarging their facilities. Repairs were made during the fiscal year, principally to the lower line of piers, and in the construction of a new connecting bridge, and the replacing of decayed or worn-out material. July 1, 1878, amount available.... July 1, 1879, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1879, amount available.... (See Appendix E 11.) $3,400 00 2,695 26 704 74 16. Ice-harbor at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.-This harbor was completed in 1871 in accordance with the existing plan. It consists of two landing-piers of wood and four of stone, sheltering an area of about 600 feet by 250 feet. It is yearly filled with vessels during the ice-season, and has become inadequate to supply the demand for additional space. The two landing-piers were thoroughly repaired during the past fiscal year; the bridges connecting them with the shore were rebuilt, and the harbor deepened to 18 feet at mean low-water by dredging. An examination of this harbor will be made with the view of enlarging its capacity. July 1, 1878, amount available,. July 1, 1879, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1879, amount available.... (See Appendix E 12.) $5,021 76 4,663 80 357 96 17. Ice-harbor at Reedy Island, Delaware River.-This work, begun in 1852, was, owing to the insufficiency of the appropriation, constructed of wood and but partially completed. It is now in an unserviceable condition from the decay of the pier and the accumulation of mud. The importance to the shipping and commerce of the Delaware River of a harbor in this vicinity for vessels against drifting ice being very great, a careful examination will be made of the locality with a project for the reëstablishment of the harbor. (See Appendix E 13.) 18. Improvement of Broadkiln River, Delaware.-Nothing has been done for the improvement of the river since 1874. Should further appropriation be made, a resurvey and examination will be required, as the long time that has elapsed since the work was suspended makes it desirable to have a resurvey to show if any modification of the original project is desirable before expending more money upon it. (See Appendix E 14.) 19. Improvement of Mispillion Creek, Delaware.-The appropriation of March 3, 1879, for the improvement of this stream will be applied to removing the shoals therefrom so as to secure a 6-foot low-water navigation. The depth at the entrance is even a greater obstruction, but the amount available does not admit of any work at that point. Amount appropriated by act approved by March 3, 1879.. July 1, 1879, amount available.. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $3,000 00 3,000 00 8,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1831. 8,000 00 20. Construction of pier in Delaware Bay, near Lewes, Delaware.-This work was commenced in 1870. The plan adopted was the combination of wrought-iron screw-pile shafts and cast-iron caps and screws, with a superstructure of yellow-pine timber. The length of pier was to be 1,701 feet, and to reach 22 feet at low-water. The estimated cost was $387,000. The first pile was driven in 1872. Tests of the weight-supporting capacity of the piles have been made with satisfactory results. Owing to the decreased prices of labor and material the cost of constructing the pier will not reach the original estimate, but the insufficient annual appropriations have largely drawn upon the saving due to this cause. Owing to the late date at which the appropriation of June 18, 1878, became available, and delays incident to labor difficulties and the outbreak of yellow fever at the South, the new material for continuation of work on the pier was not received until November; the remaining two bays of substructure were then pushed to completion despite the disadvantages attending such work so late in the year. 24,500 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 24,500 00 21. Delaware Breakwater Harbor.-In view of the present condition of this work and the deterioration it has undergone, which is still in progress, and may at no distant day render it useless except for the smaller class of vessels, the questions involved in the preservation of the harbor were referred to the Board of Engineers for Fortifications for its views and recommendations. The Board, after careful consideration, recommended as a possible remedy the closure of the gap existing between the breakwater proper and its adjoining ice-harbor, which it is believed would to a greater or less extent check further deposits within the harbor and remove those existing on the shoals in its vicinity and would increase the protected area of anchorage nearly fourfold. The cost of this was approximately estimated at less than $600,000, and the Board believing that the necessity of giving full efficiency to this great harbor of refuge is urgent, recommended an immediate appropriation of $150,000. This report was transmitted to Congress on the 15th February last, and printed in House of Representatives Executive Document No. 92, Forty-fifth Congress, third session. The construction of this great work was begun in 1829, and completed in accordance with the original design in 1869, at a cost of $2,123,000. In addition, the removal of the eight wrecks which have been lying in the western portion since October, 1877, and rendered it practically useless as an anchorage, is imperatively demanded by the interests of navigation and domestic commerce. The estimated cost of removal is $28,000, which sum it is recommended be appropriated. (See Appendix E 16.) 22. Port Wardens' Line, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-The charts of the topographical and hydrographical survey of the city front not having been completed at the date of this report, this question remains as last reported. (See Appendix E 17.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. To comply with provisions of the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, Colonel Macomb was charged with and has completed the following examination and surveys: 1. Manasquan River, New Jersey. The results of this survey were transmitted to Congress and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 53, Fortyfifth Congress, third session. (See also Appendix E 18.) 2. The Mispillion Creek, Delaware. (See Appendix E 19.) 3. Duck Creek, Delaware. (See Appendix E 20.) The results of these were transmitted to Congress January 4, 1879. 4. The salem River, New Jersey, between Sharpstown and Delaware Canal. (See Appendix E 21.) 5. Woodbridge Creek, Middlesex County, New Jersey. (See Appendix E 22.) 6. Elizabeth River, New Jersey. (See Appendix E 23.) 7. Rahway River, New Jersey. (See Appendix E 24.) The results of these were transmitted to Congress January 7, 1879. 8. The Delaware River below League Island. (See Appendix E 25.) And to comply with provisions of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879, has been charged with and is now engaged upon the following, the results of which will be duly submitted when received: 1. The Delaware River at Chester and Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, to ascertain its adaptability for an ice-harbor. 2. Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBORS AND RIVERS OF CHESAPEAKE BAY, MARYLAND; OF JAMES AND APPOMATOX RIVERS, VIRGINIA; OF GREAT KANAWHA AND ELK RIVERS, WEST VIRGINIA; OF NEW RIVER, VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA; AND OF CAPE FEAR RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA. Officer in charge, Maj. W. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders Capt. J. W. Cuyler and Lieut. Thomas Turtle, Corps of Engineers. 1. Improvement of Susquehanna River, near Havre de Grace, Maryland.— At the request of Prof. S. F. Baird, made to the Secretary of War May 23, 1879, some dredging was done in the latter part of May and the early part of June, near Spesutie Island, to aid the movements of boats engaged in the business of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries. The funds for the work, $500, were derived from the general appropriation for examinations and surveys and contingencies of rivers and harbors, no specific appropriation having been made for the work. The assistant commissioner states that more work is necessary. It is recommended that a specific appropriation of $5,000 be made for this purpose. July 1, 1879, amount expended during fiscal year (allotment) . $500 00 5, 000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1881. 5, 000 00 (See Appendix F 1.) 2. Improvement of the harbor of Queenstown, Maryland. The last appropriation for this locality previous to 1879 was made June 10, 1872. The expenditure was concluded in December, 1872, with the formation of a channel 100 feet wide, 8 feet deep at low-water, from Chester River to the steamboat wharf. The community interested obtained another appropriation of $3,000 March 3, 1879, as some deposition had taken place in the channel and it needed straightening. Amount appropriated by act approved March 3, 1879... (See Appendix F 2.) $3,000 00 3,000 00 3. Improvement of Chester River at Kent Island Narrows.-The last appropriation for this work was made June 18, 1878, $3,000, but nothing has been done during the year ending June 30, 1879. The channel seems to be but little used. See annual report of last year. |