foot of Lake St. Clair (head of Detroit River), has increased, and remedial measures are loudly demanded. The obstruction can easily be removed by dredging a channel through it, but the amount of excava tion required is so great that no improvement of value can be made without a very considerable expenditure of money. The annoyance to shipping because of the insufficient depth of water on these flats must increase in proportion to the improvement of the water route at other points, and the consequent increase in the size and carrying capacity of the vessels engaged in the commerce of the Lakes. The proposed improvement is one link in the chain projected for the amelioration of the general navigation of the Lakes, and as the necessity is urgent no time should be lost in beginning the dredging. The commerce passing this obstruction is essentially the same as that which passes St. Clair Flats Canal and Detroit River, amounting to about 20,000,000 tons per year, or an average of about 90,000 tons per day for the season of navigation. The estimated cost of the improvement based upon a channel depth of 19 feet is $553,000. This depth will suffice for several years, and the cost of removing the additional half foot to attain the depth of 20 feet, recognized as that which it is desirable the channel should ultimately have in common with the entire route, would be out of proportion to the immediate benefit. By the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, the sum of $75,000 was appropriated for "improving St. Clair Flats Ship Canal * all or any portion of which may, in the discretion of the engineer, be expended in dredging Grosse Pointe Channel." After consultation with the representatives of the vessel interests, the conclusion was reached that it would be best to push the work already begun at St. Clair Flats Canal, to which end $70,000 should be expended upon it, leaving $5,000 for the removal of any small and welldefined obstruction that might be found at Grosse Pointe, as well as for the purpose of making such surveys as might be necessary before making a definite project. Consequently the matter of the improvement of Grosse Pointe Channel has remained in abeyance. It is believed that the proposed improvement is both necessary and urgent. To accomplish valuable results, a large appropriation will be required at first. Unless this be granted the results will be unsatis factory, and the eventual cost will be greatly increased. With an available sum of $200,000 a narrow channel of the proposed depth can be opened, and will afford immediate, though insufficient, relief. Its width can subsequently be increased to such extent as may be necessary. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 July 1, 1889, balance available (See Appendix L L 13.) $75,000 70,000 5,000 5,000 14. Clinton River, Michigan.-In 1870 the channel over the bar at the entrance to this river afforded a depth of only 34 feet, whilst the depth in the river for some distance above was 10 feet. A project for dredging a channel across the bar was approved and carried into effect in 1870. A project for the general improvement of the river from its mouth to the city of Mount Clemens was submitted in 1880, renewed in June, 1889, and approved by the Chief of Engineers under date of June 14, 1889. It contemplates a navigable depth of 8 feet for the entire distance, and involves closing a high-water channel and dredging a shoal at the lower end of Mount Clemens, opening a straight channel across "Shoemaker's Bend;" closing "Cat-fish" (or Blind) Channel; and the construction of a revetment on the north side of the channel from the visible bank at the mouth to the requisite depth of water in Lake St. Clair; together with such dredging as may subsequently be found necessary to attain the desired navigable depth. The operations reported last year as in progress, with a view to affording temporary relief, were completed at a cost of $1,584.19, with very satisfactory results. These form no part of the general project, and their cost should not be deducted from the estimate therefor. The city of Mount Clemens, by warranty deed approved by the Attorney-General of the United States, has conveyed to the Government. the requisite right of way at "Shoemaker's Bend." The balance available for the execution of a portion of the general project, remaining from appropriations of August 5, 1886, and August 11, 1888, is $14,361.86. With this fund it is proposed to close the highwater channel and remove the shoal at Mount Clemens, and to make the cut across "Shoemaker's Bend." Should any balance then remain, it can be applied to closing Cat fish Channel, and to such other work in the vicinity of the mouth of the river as it will suffice to accomplish. The estimated cost of the approved project is $32,926. The amount now available is $14,361.86. Consequently the remainder to be appropriated is $18,564.14. The work to be done in revetting the north side of the channel at the mouth is of such character that it can only be advantageously done when the funds applicable thereto are sufficient to carry it to completion without interruption. It is therefore recommended that the remainder of the estimate be appropriated in one sum. The aggregate expended on this improvement to June 30, 1888, was................ The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, was .. Total expenditures to June 30, 1889. July 1, 1888, amount available (Covered by existing contracts) $25, 581. 88 1,556. 26 27, 138. 14 $3,500.00 5,307.62 10,000.00 Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1883.. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 July 1, 1889, balance available 15, 307.62 945. 76 14, 361.86 18, 564. 14 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 19,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L L 14.) 15. Detroit River, Michigan.-Originally the channel at Lime Kiln Crossing, Detroit River, could not be depended upon for more than 13 feet of water, the ordinary depths being much affected by the direction and force of the wind. As originally projected in 1874, the improvement at this point was to consist of a curved channel 300 feet wide, with a uniform depth of 20 feet, and the original estimate was based upon this project. In 1883 it was wisely determined to so modify the project as to secure a straight channel, the least width of which should be 300 feet, with a somewhat greater width at each end, utilizing the work already done. In 1886 this was further modified to the end that the width of the channel should be increased to 400 feet by removing an additional 100 feet from the western (American) side. The appropriation of $37,500 made by the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, was applied towards this project, resulting in the completion of the 300 feet channel, and the removal of an additional cut 50 feet wide for nearly the whole extent of the improvement. By the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, the sum of $130,500 was appropriated to complete this improvement. When tenders were called for it was found that the lowest bid was at such a price as would not only suffice to complete the 400 feet channel, but an additional width of 40 feet, and upon presentation of the facts to the Chief of Engineers the project was again modified, the authority being dated November 19, 1888. Contract dated October 30, 1888, was entered into with Messrs. Dunbar & Sullivan for the work to be done under this appropriation. Drilling and blasting were actually begun (at the contractor's risk) on the 27th, or three days prior to the date of the contract, and were continued with great energy, day and night, until December 13, 1888. The dredge worked steadily from November 21 to December 19, when further operations were stopped by the ice. Work was resumed March 16, 1889, and by the close of the fiscal year an aggregate of 8,508 cubic yards of solid rock, and 30 yards of loose rock had been removed at a cost for excavation of $37,720.44, and for contingent expenses of $2,636.89. The aggregate expended on this improvement to June 30, 1888, was.... $572, 449.89 The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, was.. Total expenditure to June 30, 1889.. 40, 357.33 612, 807.22 The funds now available being sufficient to complete the work, no estimate is submitted for further appropriations. July 1, 1888, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.. July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.... July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts.. (See Appendix L L 15.) $160.52 130, 500,00 130,660,52 $27,495.77 130, 660.52 16. Rouge River, Michigan.-The approved project contemplates dredg ing Rouge River to a depth of 16 feet and width of 240 feet at the mouth, gradually narrowing to 100 feet at a distance of about 1,150 feet above, and then continuing this width to the bridge of the St. Louis and Wa bash Railroad, a total distance of about 15,000 feet. By the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, the sum of $10,000 was appropriated for beginning the work. This was expended under contract dated October 11, 1888, with James Rooney, of Toledo, Ohio, in the removal of 81,163 cubic yards of material at 112 cents per cubic yard. The resulting channel is 16 feet deep, 240 feet wide at the mouth, and gradually narrowing to 100 feet at the upper end of Brady's dock, a distance of about 1,150 feet; and 60 feet in width at the bottom (two dredge cuts,) thence for an additional distance of about 7,600 feet, or a total of about 8,750 feet. In view of the degree of relief afforded, and the comparatively small cost of the work, the result is very satisfactory. The estimated cost of completing the improvement is $21,690.39, and it is recommended that the entire amount be appropriated in one sum, in which case the work can be completed by a single dredge of the kind used by Mr. Rooney in a length of time equivalent to one working sea son. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.... July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities... $10,000.00 $9,716.00 9,875.00 125.00 July 1, 1889, balance available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix L L 16.) 21, 690.39 21,700.00 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 11, 1888. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Colonel Poe, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement, with facts and reasons for such opinion. The Chief of Engineers, concurring in the conclusious reached in these instances, has given no instructions to make further survey with the view to their improvement: 1. False Presque Isle Harbor, Lake Huron, Michigan, for a harbor of refuge. (See Appendix L L 17.) 2. Au Gres River, Michigan, to deepen channel to village of Au Gres to ten feet depth.-(See Appendix L L 18.) 3. Au Sable River at Au Sable, Michigan, with view of twelve-foot channel and breakwater.-(See Appendix L L 19.) 4. Port Austin, Michigan, for breakwater.—(See Appendix L L 20.) 5. Lexington, Michigan, for breakwater.-(See Appendix L L 21.) 6. Forestville, Michigan, for breakwater.-(See Appendix L L 22.) 7. Pine River at St. Clair City, Michigan, to deepen channel from mouth to Belknap's brick yard to depth of sixteen feet.-(See Appendix L L 23.) 8. Quanicassee River, Michigan, to deepen channel from mouth to village of Sebewaing to twelve feet.-(See Appendix L L 24.) 9. Port Sanilac, Michigan, for harbor of refuge.-(See Appendix L L 25.) 10. Algonac on St. Clair River, Michigan, with view of uniting north and south channels between Clark and Harsems Island.-(See Appendix L L 26.) It appearing from the report of the preliminary examination made by the local engineer that the following localities are worthy of improvement, and the public necessity therefor being apparent from the facts and reasons reported, which are concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, Colonel Poe was charged with and has completed their survey, the results of which will be found in Appendix L L. 1. Thunder Bay River, Alpena, Michigan, for sixteen-foot channel from mouth to one mile above.-(See Appendix L L 27.) 2. Black River, at Port Huron, Michigan, to deepen channel from mouth to Grand Trunk Railroad bridge to depth of eighteen feet.-(See Appendix L L 28.) It appearing from the report of the preliminary examination made by the local engineer of Detroit River, at Gross Pointe, Michigan, to dredge channel now in use to depth of twenty feet, that the locality is worthy of improvement, and the public necessity therefor being apparent from the facts and reasons reported, which are concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, Colonel Poe was charged with its survey, the results of which will be submitted when received. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBORS ON LAKE ERIE, WEST OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA-IMPROVEMENT OF SANDUSKY RIVER. Officer in charge, Maj. L. Cooper Overman, Corps of Engineers. Division engineer, Col. H. L. Abbott, Corps of Engineers. 1. Monroe Harbor, Michigan.-The original project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1835, when Monroe was a town of considerable importance, and when the navigable waters of the River Raisin were separated from the waters of Lake Erie by extensive shoals. It provided for cutting a canal through River Raisin Point between the river and the lake, 4,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, and protecting the entrance into the lake by parallel piers, the object being to afford a channel of entrance of navigable width, with a depth of 10 feet. Work was commenced in 1835 and has been continued from time to time since that date. At the close of the last fiscal year there was a fair channel with a least depth of 10 feet, up to a point below Monroe where rock bottom exists, which is deemed sufficient for the present commerce of the port. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, the sum of $5,000 was expended in pressing repairs and dredging in accordance with terms of the last appropriation. No other work was done during the fiscal year. The total amount appropriated for this harbor has been $220,515.27. If the harbor is to be kept up there is need of extensive repairs to piers and canal revetment, in order to prevent their ultimate destruction. These are estimated to cost $20,000, besides about $6,000 needed for immediate repairs. $5,000.00 Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888... 4,869,97 July 1, 1889, balance available..... 130,03 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... 20,000.00 10,000.00 (See Appendix M M 1.) 2. Toledo Harbor, Ohio. The original project provided for making the existing channel 200 feet wide and 12 feet deep through Maumee Bay, and this was amended from time to time, resulting in the adop tion of the present project, which provides for a width of 200 feet at bottom and a depth of 16 feet at low water between the city of Toledo and deep water in Lake Erie. The total amount appropriated for this harbor for the several projects for improving the natural channel, from 1866 to close of fiscal |