The entrance to the harbor, according to the present plan, between Luddington Rock and Southwest Ledge is 3,500 feet wide. This width is unnecessarily great and might be reduced without interfering with the free passage of vessels and better protection be afforded the harbor. From a personal examination, I am of the opinion that the present and prospective demands of commerce for a long time to come would be met by changing the location of the western breakwater to the southwestward about 6,000 feet, and constructing a break water crossing Lnddington Rock on a course S. 540 W., commencing at a point on this line 1,000 feet N. 540 E. from Luddington Rock and extending S. 54° W. 5,000 feet, leaving an opening of 2,000 feet or less between its western end and the southern end of the westerly breakwater in its proposed change of location. The location of these works is shown on the accompanying sketch. The cost, in addition to the present estimates (viz, $1,311,134) will be about $750,000. The space behind the breakwater proposed through Luddington Rock is free from obstructions and has a depth of from 15 to 20 feet, with good holding ground; it can be reached at the eastern end with a depth of 17 feet, and at the western end with a depth of 28 feet. This plan will not interfere with its extension farther to the westward should the necessities of commerce demand it in the future. This work should commence at Luddington Rock and extend in both directions as funds are provided. This rock, which now forms an obstruction, will be covered by the break water, and a permanent beacon at the eastern end will, with the light-house on Southwest Ledge, clearly mark the entrance. The entrance between them will be 2,500 feet wide, with a minimum depth of 17 feet and a maximum of 25 feet. For the better protection of the harbor, the space between the eastern breakwater and the shore, a distance of 2,000 feet, should be partially closed by a breakwater, extending from the shore towards the eastern end of the easterly breakwater, leaving an opening in the present eastern channel, 13 feet deep, of 800 feet. The cost of this is estimated at $90,000. This is not so important as the works proposed on the western side of the harbor, and may be deferred until they are completed. With future appropriation it is proposed to construct the westerly break water in accordance with either the original plan or with such relocation as may be made by the Chief of Engineers under the special authority conveyed by Congress. In either case, during the ensuing year $500,000 could be profitably applied to construction of the westerly breakwater. Appropriations for the New Haven Breakwater have been made as New Haven, the port of entry for the collection district of New Haven, is situated at the head of New Haven Harbor, about 4 miles north of the breakwater. There is a light-house on Southwest Ledge, at the west terminus of the east breakwater. Fort Hale, 2 miles north of the breakwater, commands the channel, Money statement. July 1, 1888, amount available...... A mount 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. $91.21 75,000.00 75, 091.21 $17,845.66 29, 280.00 51,655.90 23, 435, 31 941, 134.00 July 1, 1889, balance available. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... A mount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 500,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. Abstract of proposals for breakwater at New Haven, Conn., opened December 13, 1888, by Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers. * Lowest bid; entered into contract January 7, 1889; contract in progress. NOTE.-Amount available for contract work $67,500. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS FOR YEAR ENDING december 31, 1888. Vessels passing New Haven Breakwater. These figures are not complete, as many vessels would pass unobserved in night or in thick weather. REPORT ON EXAMINATION WITH REFERENCE TO RELOCATION OF WESTERN BREAKWATER. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, New York, January 26, 1889. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report on an examination made with reference to relocating the western breakwater at New Haven, Conn., as provided for in the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, viz: Improving breakwater at New Haven, Conn., continuing improvement, $75,000; and the Chief of Engineers may, if deemed necessary, relocate the western breakwater; and the Secretary of War is authorized, in his discretion, to expend any portion of said sum in commencing its construction. I inclose a tracing* showing the results of this examination, character of bottom, etc. Under the present project the western break water is to extend in a northwesterly direction from Luddington Rock so as to protect the anchorage under the easterly breakwater (now nearly completed) from southwesterly storms, and thus form a harbor of refuge, protected from storms in all directions. It is represented by the Harbor Commissioners of New Haven that such a harbor would not have sufficient capacity for the present and future demands of commerce, and they have proposed a large harbor to the westward, as explained in their letter of October 13, 1887, with accompanying sketches (returned herewith). The present examination has been made with a view to making estimates for works necessary to provide a large harbor of refuge southwesterly of Luddington Rock, and has consisted principally in borings to determine the character of the bottom. These borings were at first made on a line running S. 54° W. from Luddington Rock for a distance of about 24 miles, and thence in a direction N. 650 W. for a distance of about 1 mile, it being assumed that these lines would afford the most desirable locations for breakwaters to protect a large harbor. The result of the borings was to develop a deposit of soft mud from 2 to 3 miles west of Luddington Rock as great, in places, as 28 feet deep in a depth of 33 feet of water. I therefore directed borings to be made so as to cover the entire area where works would probably be located. I have indicated on the tracing a plan for a large harbor, as follows: First, a breakwater to commence at Luddington Rock and extend in a southwesterly direction about 2 miles; second, a breakwater to commence at a point in the prolongation of the first and about one-half mile from its western extremity and extending in a northwesterly direction about 1 mile. The cost of these works is estimated at about $5,000,000. A large portion of this cost is due to the deposit of mud above referred to. As this deposit diminishes to the eastward, as shown on the tracing, as well as the depth of water, a harbor could be constructed at less cost, but at a sacrifice of area and depth of water. No adequate harbor can be made here except at great cost. The estimated cost of the western breakwater under the present project is $653,334. To relocate it as desired, in a southwesterly direction from Luddington Rock, involves not simply a change of place, but a large additional expenditure, for which no estimates have been submitted to Congress. The question of a large harbor here should be considered in connection with the general subject of harbors of refuge on Long Island Sound. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A. D. C. HOUSTON, Lieut. Col. of Engineers. LETTER FROM CAPT. CHARLES HARVEY TOWNSEND, TRANSMITTING COMMUNICATIONS REFERRING TO PROPOSED RELOCATION OF WESTERLY BREAKWATER. OFFICE BOARD OF HARBOR COMMISSIONERS, New Haven, Conn., January 10, 1889. SIR: In compliance with your request to the Harbor Commissioners "for New Haven Harbor," dated New York, May 24, 1888, I have after much delay been able to collect the inclosed statistics of values transported through Long Island Sound to and from foreign and domestic ports; also an estimate from numerous sources; also with com * Omitted. |