latter could have any appreciable influence, it not having been extended far enough outward to warrant such anticipation. During the year ending June 30, 1880, it is proposed to continue work as heretofore, subject to such modifications to be recommended by the Board of Engineers as may be approved. The collector of the port of Galveston has kindly furnished the following commercial statistics of the port: Entrances and clearances from June 30, 1878, to June 30, 1879. Total value of exports shipped to foreign countries during the year ending December 31, 1878.. Total amount of revenue collected on imports The work is located in the collection-district of Galveston. $15,016, 646 75.732 The nearest light-house is on Bolivar Point at entrance to Galveston Bay. 6×2,446 £ Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.......... K 8. IMPROVEMENT OF SHIP-CHANNEL IN GALVESTON BAY, TEXAS. April 4, 1871, report of "survey at Buffalo Bayou for a channel of navigation through Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay to Bolivar Channel. near the outer bar in the Gulf of Mexico," was rendered and estimates for the improvement submitted. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, under act of Congress approved June 10, 1872, appropriating $10,000, a channel was excavatel by the government dredge at Galveston, through Red Fish Bar, 1.500 feet long, 70 feet wide, and of a depth to admit vessels drawing 7 feet. * Original estimated cost of the work, by the officer in charge, $1,259,446.43; revised estimated cost submitted by the Board of Engineers, convened in New York City p Special Order No. 9, Headquarters Corps of Engineers, dated Washington, D. C., Ja uary 26, 1874, $1,759,401.85. The act of Congress approved March 3, 1875, appropriated $25,000 "for improvement of the ship channel between the mouth of San Jacinto River and Bolivar Channel in Galveston Bay," and $10,200 for "improvement of Red Fish Bar in Galveston Bay." The ship channel being but a continuation, north and south of Red Fish Bar, of the channel through the latter the two works were advertised together and awarded to the same parties. The Red Fish Bar work was completed, and a small portion of the ship channel, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. The channel dredged was 6,100 feet in length, and had a minimum depth of 144 feet at mean low tide, and connected depths of 9 feet and 8 feet in the upper and lower bays, and, with the private work of improvement at Morgan's Point, permits the passage of vessels of 9 feet draught to within a few miles of Houston. By act of Congress approved August 14, 1876, an appropriation of $72,000 was made, and by act of Congress approved June 18, 1878, an additional appropriation of $75,000 was made, making a total of $147,000 available for the work, but only made applicable to that portion between Red Fish Bar and Bolivar Channel. Under date of June 26, 1878, I was directed by the Chief of Engineers to submit a project for the expenditure on the work of this amount. Project was forwarded July 1, 1878, and approved by the Chief of Engineers under date of July 9, 1878. July 26, 1878, copy of specifications, &c., was forwarded for approval, which was given under date of July 31, 1878. Advertisement was published August 6, 1878. Bids were received September 9, 1878. The following is an abstract: 58 E Abstract of bids received for improvement of ship channel in Galveston Bay, Texas, between Bolivar Channel and Red Fish Bar. Under date of September 19, 1878, I was directed by the Chief of Engineers to award the contract to George C. Fobes & Co., as being the lowest bidders, and known to the department as responsible parties. Under date of October 1, 1878, George C. Fobes & Co. were notified that the contract had been awarded them, and articles of agreement and bond sent to Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, at Baltimore, Md., on whom Fobes & Co. were requested to call, with their bondsmen, to sign. December 17, 1878, I was notified by letter from the Chief of Engineers that the contract had been approved, and Fobes & Co. were notified of approval December 20, 1878. December 25, 1878, Fobes & Co. acknowledged receipt of notification of approval of contract, and state: The dredge is on the ways at Wilmington, N. C., being sheathed. The tug and scows are also under way, and will be ready in a few days. January 7, 1879, I addressed a letter to Fobes & Co. requesting them to inform me, at the close of each week, what progress had been made toward carrying out their contract, that I might have an inspector on hand and the line marked in time, so as not to delay the work. In their reply, of January 11, 1879, they state: "Shall be ready (should the weather be favorable) to start by the time it arrives" (referring to copy of contract, which had not at that time been sent them, after being completed). Contract was sent them January 14, 1879, receipt of which they acknowledged January 29, and stated that they proposed to leave Wilmington with tugs, &c., "the first of next week." February 7, 1879, I telegraphed to Colonel Craighill, Corps of Engineers, asking if he could inform me what Fobes & Co. had done towards dispatching a dredge and scows from Wilmington to Galveston, to which Colonel Craighill replied, February 9, that dredge had not left Wilmington, but was preparing to leave. February 10, 1879, Fobes & Co. report: The tow is now ready to leave Wilmington, only waiting the coal, which was shipped from New York Wednesday last. It should be there (Smithville?) now. * * Under date of March 26, 1879, I telegraphed to Fobes & Co. as follows: Has dredge left Smithville for Galveston? What arrangements have been made for placing a second dredge upon the work by April 1? Which, under date of March 29, they answered as follows by telegraph: Telegram just received via Baltimore. Since Monday until to-day storm-signal at Smithville; making up tow; leave to-night or morning; will write. On receipt of this, I immediately telegraphed them as follows: Wait for action of Chief of Engineers on a recommendation to annul, which will be forwarded to-day. Following is a copy of the letter to Chief of Engineers recommending annulment of contract: NEW ORLEANS, March 29, 1879. GENERAL: I have to-day notified Geo. C. Fobes & Co. (by telegraph) of my purpose to recommend annulment of their contract for dredging in Galveston Bay, Texas. In my letter of March 13 I gave a short history of this contract, showing how the contractors from time to time gave me unreliable information as to progress made in the matter of preparation for the work. To this I now add the following, viz: * It will be observed that the contractors, while yet setting a future date for dispatch from Wilmington, N. C., of their (1) dredge-boat and appurtenances, evade my request to be informed as to progress made toward compliance with that portion of contract requiring a second dredge-boat, &c., to be placed upon the work on or before the 1st of April, 1879. As I have no information to show that they have so far taker a single step in this direction, and as the evasion of the contractors satisfies me that they have not, I have thought it best to stop them at Wilmington until action may be taken on my recommendation to annul contract. I beg leave to charge an inexcusable delay on the part of the contractors in preparing to comply with the first term of their contract, and also with an obvious intent to not comply with the second term. By their trifling conduct the work has already lost two months of the best season for dredging, and must lose another if they are permitted to proceed with a plant entirely inadequate, the magnitude of the work and the great importance of its early completion, considered. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. C. W. HOWELL, In reply to which the following letter was received from the Chief of Engineers: OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, SIR: Your letter of March 29, reporting that you had notified Geo. C. Fobes & Co. by telegraph) of your purpose to recommend annulment of their contract for dredging in Galveston Bay, Texas, was duly received. Prior to the receipt of your letter one of the contracting firm called at this office, and from representations made by him as to the condition of his plant, and to the preparations then in hand for the faithful execution of his contract, it was concluded to defer action in regard to annulling the contract. Prior to the receipt of your letter he notified this office by telegraph that the plant had left Smithville on March 31. By letter received this day it is reported that the plant reached Fernandina, Florida, on the 4th instant. By command of the Acting Chief of Engineers: Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. C. W. HOWELL, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. JOHN G. PARKE, Major of Engineers. Capt. C. E. L. B. Davis, Corps of Engineers, was then placed in supervision of the work, with full instructions as to inspection of work, and an inspector appointed to assist him.' The following report from Captain Davis gives particulars relating to the work after arrival at Galveston of contractors' plant. REPORT OF CAPTAIN CHARLES E. L. B. DAVIS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations for improv ing the ship channel in Galveston Bay, Texas, for the year ending June 30, 1879. On May 6 the dredging fleet arrived off the bar, and after one day's detention at the quarantine station came to the city. After waiting some days for Mr. Fobes, the cofe tractor, who was expected to be in Galveston to superintend the work, but who failed to put in an appearance, Captain Lord, the man in immediate charge, reported that he would be ready to commence work on the 14th of May, on which date operations were begun. The appliances for carrying on the work consist of the tug boat John Bacon, of wood, built by the Portland Company in 1876; length, 71.8 feet; breadth, 17.8 feet; |