Fort Barrancas and Redoubt, Pensacola Harbor, Florida, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year preparations for constructing four 4-inch front-pintle platforms for two 100-pounder and two 200-pounder Parrott rifles were made, and the necessary material sent there. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort McRee, Pensacola Harbor, Florida, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-The site of this work has been undermined by the action of the sea to such an extent, that much of its scarp has fallen down, leaving the casemates open, and it is generally in so dilapidated a condition as to be beyond repair, and to possess no value beyond the materials of which it is composed. Projects have been prepared by the board of engineers for fortifications, and approved, for the erection of barbette-batteries for heavy guns, and a mortar-battery, to take the place of the old work, in rear of the present site, and upon ground beyond the encroachments of the sea, for which an appropriation of $50,000 is asked for the next fiscal year to commence the work of construction. Fort Morgan, eastern entrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year the sea-wall for the protection of the western or channel front of the fort was completed; thirty-one running feet of the old drain were rebuilt; the gate at the main entrance was repaired, the grass on the slopes and in the ditch was cut, and the weeds removed; ten 4-inch front-pintle masonry platforms, with low traverse-stones, and two of same with high traverse-stones, were constructed for ordnance on hand. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. $50,000 During the present fiscal year it is proposed to maintain a watch over engineer property, and to make such slight repairs as may become necessary. A plan has been prepared for the modification of this work by the construction of exterior batteries, with positions for thirty-seven guns of the largest caliber, and by arranging emplacements for mortars in the old work, at a total cost of $370,000. Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay, Alabama, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year four palmetto pile-jetties, for the preservation of the shore and glacis on the eastern front of the fort, were completed; four front and four center pintle platforms were taken up preparatory to constructing 4-inch frontpintle platforms for ordnance on hand; four gun-carriages and chassis were removed from the beach to the fort; some slight repairs were made to the engineer buildings, and the same whitewashed. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. A plan has been prepared for the modification of this work, adapting it to the use of more powerful artillery, the estimated cost of which is $83,000. Fort on Ship Island, coast of Mississippi, in charge of Capt. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year a temporary bridge was erected across the drawbridge-well, so that ordnance could be transported into the fort. Two 15-inch Rodman guns and two 100pounder Parrott guns were mounted by the Ordnance Department. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. No appropriation asked for next fiscal year. Fort Pike, Rigolets Pass, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-This work commands the passage by vessels drawing 7 feet or less through the Rigolets into Lake Pontchartrain, and to the wharves on the lake-front of New Orleans. Projects for its modification, in accordance with the approved system, were approved in 1870, and detailed estimates of the cost of the proposed modification made out. During the past fiscal year operations have been confined to necessary repairs for the preservation of the work. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort Macomb, Chef Menteur Pass, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-This work commands the passage by vessels drawing 4 feet or less through the Bayou Chef Menteur into Lake Pontchartrain, and the road along Gentilly Ridge to the city of New Orleans. Projects for the modification of this work, to fit it for the reception of the latest approved armament, were submitted in 1870, and estimates of cost prepared. During the past fiscal year operations have been limited to repairs necessary for the preservation of the work. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. No appropriation asked for next fiscal year. Tower Duprés, Lake Borgne, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W Howell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year repair of the tower was completed and a keeper put in charge to prevent further damage by malicious persons. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Battery Bienvenue, Lake Borgne, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-No work was done during the past fiscal year, except for the care and preservation of the battery and building pertaining to it. A fort-keeper was retained in charge. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Tower at Proctorsville, Lake Borgne, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-No work done during the past fiscal year. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort Jackson, Mississippi River, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. WHowell, Corps of Engineers.-This work, and Fort St. Philip, nearly opposite, sixty-five miles below New Orleans, constitute the main defenses of that city against hostile naval expeditions. The depth of water through the bayous and lakes leading toward the city will only permit the approach of the smaller vessels carrying light armaments. The principal channel-way to the city, through which a naval attack may be made, is the Mississippi River. Operations during the past fiscal year consisted in improving the drainage of the site of the fort; regrading and grassing new earthwork; keeping the slopes of old earth-work in good condition; providing twenty wooden platforms for fifteen-inch guns; laying four foundations for platforms; providing material for sixteen foundations; providing iron for three iron bridges across moats; constructing concrete piers for these bridges; providing means of transportation between New Orleans and the forts. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875........... $30,000 42,000 During the present fiscal year it is proposed to put in position as many platforms for guns as possible, with the appropriation available, after putting up superstructure of bridges, making repairs to levees, and providing for care of the work during the year. Fort St. Philip, Mississippi River, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-Operations during the past fiscal year consisted in the construction of three magazine-traverses; the partial construction of two others; the completion of the parapet and temporary breast-height wall of the lower battery; grading and sodding the slopes of the upper battery; the demolition of two old magazines and the redan on north front of main work; the preparation of the material obtained for use; the reclamation of earth for future use from the batture in front of the fort; providing eighteen wooden platforms for fifteen-inch guns; laying two foundations for platforms; providing material for sixteen foundations and for completing magazine-traverses; providing adequate means of transportation between New Orleans and the forts. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875... $30,000 46,000 During the present fiscal year it is proposed to complete two magazines in upper battery, place eighteen gun-platforms in position, and care for the work. Fort Livingston, Barataria Bay, Louisiana, in charge of Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers.-This barbette work is situated on the western end of Grand Terre Island, at the entrance to, Barataria Bay. It guards the only approach to New Orleans by vessels drawing seven feet or less, available on the west side of the Mississippi River. It also secures a safe anchorage and harbor of refuge for our own light-draught coasters in time of war. A project for its modification and repair was devised and approved in 1870. To carry to completion this approved project there will be required an appropriation of $58,000. During the past fiscal year no operations have been carried on except for the care and preservation of the work. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort at Fort Point, entrance to San Francisco Harbor, California, in charge of Lieut. Col. C. S. Stewart, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year four service-magazines have been built-one completed from height of two feet ten inches above its floor, three nearly half finished, a concrete foundation for eight platforms for heavy guns and for the corresponding breast-height walls put down to the level of beds of pintle-blocks, making in all 2,025 cubic yards of masonry. Pintles and rails have been placed on two platforms for fifteen-inch guns, and four platforms for heavy mortars constructed. The embankment of the right of the inner line of batteries has been completed to the height originally designed, and for 690 running feet of parapets of extension of the outer line the earth-work is nearly half in place; in all, some 21,194 cubic yards. About 8,100 square yards of sodding have been put in place on slopes. Asphaltic flooring has been placed in eleven traverse-magazines. The wharf has been rebuilt, and much miscellaneous work done. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875.. $30,000 50,000 Fort at Lime Point, San Francisco Harbor, California, in charge of Maj. George H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year 1,228 cubic yards of masonry were put in place; 55,717 cubic yards of excavation were made; 7,980 square yards of soil were hauled from a distance for parapets and magazine-coverings; 7,480 square yards of sod dings were laid on the parapets and traverses. The battery at Point Cavallo was completed with the exception of gun-platforms and breastheight walls. The parapets and traverses in the Gravelly Beach Battery, having yielded under the winter-storms, they were filled with soil to the proper level and partially sodded. The road to the new site near Point Diablo was commenced, and 4,200 lineal feet completed. The masonry-work at Point Cavallo was put upon two magazines and on the necessary drains. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875... $30,000 50,000 During the present fiscal year it is proposed to complete the road begun, to build the advance battery at Point Cavallo, and to execute. such work at Point Diablo as proves practicable. Fort on Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Harbor, California, in charge of Maj. George H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers.-During the past fiscal year 1,185 cubic yards of masonry were put in place, and 59,160 cubic yards of excavation and filling were made. The south caponnière was partially remodeled. Two magazines, with bomb-proofs, were built. The breast-height walls for two guns were built and two stone platforms laid. Parapets for four guns were made; 6,300 square yards of sodding were laid on parapets, magazines, and slopes. The timber-work on the greater part of the old wharf was renewed. The wood revetment in rear of the wharf was replaced by a substantial stone wall laid in mortar. The retaining-wall in battery 1 was extended thirty-five feet. Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875..... Appropriation asked for next fiscal year.......... $20,000 50,000 During the present fiscal year the south caponnière and shell-room will be completed. Magazines R and S will be covered and sodded. The filling in battery 7 will probably be completed, and the excavations on the south end of the island will be completed. Batteries at Point San José, San Francisco Harbor, California, in charge of Lieut. Col. C. S. Stewart, Corps of Engineers.-East Battery.-The six wooden front-pintle platforms are rotten and unserviceable. The tim bers of the magazine are so rotten that it has not been used for years. West Battery.—The three platforms on the left are serviceable, the three on the right unserviceable from decay of timber. The timber of the magazine has not yet fallen in. No work has been done during the past fiscal year and none contemplated during the present year. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. No appropriation asked for next fiscal year. Batteries on Angel Island, San Francisco Harbor, California, in charge of Lieut. Col. C. S. Stewart, Corps of Engineers.-These three temporary earthworks, constructed during the late war, are essentially unserviceable. The platforms are decayed, and most of the carriages have been condemned. It is proposed to postpone the commencement of batteries of a permanent character, projected to replace them, until more advanced. points are fortified. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. Fort at San Diego, California, in charge of Lieut. Col. C. S. Stewart, Corps of Engineers. During the past fiscal year work has been directed chiefly to the completion of buildings and the construction of embankments. The stable, 24 by 50 feet, has been finished, and a stone house, 24 by 50 feet, a carpenter's shop, 14 by 24 feet, and overseer's quarters, 24 by 34 feet, built. The site has been cleared, and 27,626 cubic yards of embankment made along the right and left faces, and in the parade to about reference (20.00). Concrete drains have been built for a length of 380 feet, and the foundations of one magazine laid, and its walls carried up to the spring of main arch, requiring 313 cubic yards of concrete. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. No appropriation asked for next fiscal year. Defenses of the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon, in charge of Maj. Henry M. Robert, Corps of Engineers, from July 1, 1873, to October 22, 1873; since that date in charge of Maj. N. Michler, Corps of En gineers.-These defenses consist of Fort Stevens, on the south side, and three detached batteries at Cape Disappointment, Washington Territory, on the north side of the entrance. The works are in a very dilapidated condition, the entire wood-work of Fort Stevens, except the magazine, which is sadly in need of repair, being rotten. The wooden revetment of the interior slopes all around the fort is fallen, and several traverses lying in a confused mass of earth and timber; the sea threatens the site of the fort. All the magazines at Cape Disappointment are in such a dilapidated condition as to be useless. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875. $20,000 During the past fiscal year the operations were confined to making the annual survey of Sand Island and Point Adams. BOARDS OF ENGINEERS. The board of engineers for fortifications, stationed in New York City, consisting of Col. J. G. Barnard, Col. Geo. W. Cullum, (until January 13, 1874,) Lieut. Col. Z. B. Tower, and Lieut. Col. H. G. Wright, and, for the time being, the officer in charge of the defenses under consideration, has submitted during the past fiscal year reports upon applications of the Treasury Department for transfer of a portion of Presidio reservation, known as Mountain Lake, for the erection of a marine hospital, and for permission to build a road through Fort Stevens military reservation, Oregon, from the fort to the site of light-house; in reference to manner of finishing traverses and breast-height walls of batteries, showing a method of securing thicker and higher traverse and greater security to gunners serving the piece; upon project of Capt. C. W. Howell, substituting for the proposed battery above Fort Jackson, La., a battery of like number of guns on the Fort St. Philip side of the river and below that work; upon project of Maj. Wm. P. Craighill for changing the advanced casemate battery of Fort Monroe into a barbettebattery; upon the subject of the introduction of the Gatling gun into our service for flank-defense of fortifications; upon question of expediency of using concrete in breast-height walls in northern climates; upon House resolution of February 16, 1874, relative to the sale of Horn Island military reservation, Gulf of Mexico; upon application of Mr. John V. Cockroft to purchase or hire the property at St. Augustine, Fla., known as Fort Marion; upon proposed plan for mortar-battery at Fort Johnson, S. C.; upon proposed modification of Fort Pickens, and plans for construction of batteries exterior to that work; also on opposite side of channel, near Forts McRee and Barrancas; upon subject of defense of harbors of New York and Philadelphia by torpedoes, the manner of leading cables to shore, and construction of operating-rooms, &c., |