placed in extension of the north pier, and the same length was in extension of the south pier, forming a total length of pier-extension under both contracts of 448 running feet, built in 7 separate cribs, each of dimensions 64 feet in length by 20 feet in width. The quantities of materials used and amount of labor performed, with the amount of expenditure, are shown in the following table: The character of the lake-bed at this point is unfavorable to the settling of cribstructures, being formed of a loose, shifting sand, and the cribs which were sunk without being previously provided with stone foundations upon which they could rest have tilted seriously. The work of building superstructure over these cribs is in active progress, and, it is expected, will be completed during the month of July. It is proposed to finish the piers by placing a crib of dimensions 50 by 30 feet at the extremity of each. Bids will be received for the construction of these cribs on the 5th day of August, 1872. It is also proposed to dredge about 5,000 cubic yards of sand out of the channel, and make repairs to the piers where most needed. This work will be done by contract, under appropriation for the improvement of this harbor by act of Congress dated June 10, 1872. The number of arrivals and departures of steamers and sailing-vessels during the past year is as follows: Of steamers.. Of sail-vessels.. Total...... Arrivals. Departures. This number does not include vessels which have taken shelter in the harbor from stress of weather. An approximate account of imports and exports is as follows: Imports.-Merchandise, 79,242 packages; iron, 441,200 pounds; railroad-iron, 2,000 tons; nails, 2,140 kegs; coal, 1,600 tons; salt, 7,821 barrels; corn, 2,820 bushels; lumber, 3,720,000 feet, board measure; shingles, 640,000; plaster, 2,100 tons; bark, 1,341 cords; sundries, 8,972 packages. Exports. Wheat, 572,000 bushels; flour, 32,720 barrels; 26,590 packing-barrels ; wool, 76,520 pounds; horned cattle, 321; peas, 42,321 bushels; chairs, 16,000; sundries, 61,320 packages. During the past year the Sheboygan and Fond du Lac Railroad has been extended westward as far as Princeton, a distance of seventy-nine miles, and a daily line of propellers established from this port to Pentwater, Michigan. It is expected that the facilities for doing business opened by these routes will increase the commerce of the place materially during the next year. Sheboygan is situated in the collection-district of Milwaukee, which place is also the nearest port of entry. The nearest light-house is about one mile north of the harbor, and shows a fixed white light, furnished with a fifth order of lens. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brevet Colonel D. C. HOUSTON, Major of Engineers, United States Army. The sum appropriated at the last session of Congress ($18,000) does not cover the work of repairs required at this harbor, as estimated in my annual report for 1871, when I estimated the sum of $28,000. An estimate of $10,000 is, therefore, submitted for the year ending June 30, 1874. Amount available July 1, 1871 ... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872, including Amount appropriated by act of June 10, 1872. $938.48 retained from payments to contractors. Amount available July 1, 1872 Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. A 12. IMPROVEMENT OF PORT WASHINGTON HARBOR, WISCONSIN. The assistant in immediate charge, Mr. W. H. Hearding, reports the operations of the year as follows: OFFICE UNITED STATES ENGINEERS, SIR: I have the honor to report upon the work of improvement which has been efected at the harbor of Port Washington during the past fiscal year. Under the agreement made with Mr. Albert Conro, of Milwaukee, of date June 12, 1971, ten cribs, each 64 feet in length, 14 feet in width, and 14 feet in height, were built and sunk in a depth of 9 feet of water, five of which were placed on the north and five on the south side of the channel leading to the proposed basin. The direction of the piers is approximately S. E. by E. E. They are built parallel with each other, the width of channel between them being 150 feet. The cribs are well constructed, and were set, and remain in excellent alignment. The necessary dredging for setting these cribs was done at the expense of the town of Port Washington, as was also the dredging which was done in the channel. The material composing the bed of the channel is a stiff clay, mixed with bowlders. By reason of this favorable character of material for crib-foundations, (there being no probability of the crib settling,) the superstructure was finished over the whole of the cribs by the time specified in the agreement, viz, December 1, 1871, the whole of the work having been done satisfactorily. The cost of building and sinking these ten cribs, and covering them with superstructure, was originally estimated at $18,774.30. The quantity of materials used and labor performed in their construction was as follows, viz: The work proposed to be done during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, is the extension of each of the piers 100 feet each extension to be formed of two cribs of dimensions 50 by 20 feet; also the dredging of about 6,000 cubic yards in the basin, and for setting the cribs. The improvement of this place by the construction of a basin promises to be a complete success. Already a large and increasing business is transacted from the basin. Since opening of navigation in April of this year, sixty-eight vessels, with a carrying-capacity of 204,000 bushels, have entered and cleared from the basin; all of which departed with full cargoes of grain, cord-wood, brick, stone, hay, provisions, &c., and almost all of which brought to the place full cargoes of merchandise. Besides these, three vessels ran into the harbor for shelter during storms. Vessels drawing 6 feet of water can run into the basin by keeping close to the north pier. The quantity of merchandise which has passed over the bridge-pier, which is owned by private parties, during the past year, is as follows, viz: Of wheat, 112,285 bushels; oats, 2,360 bushels; barley, 750 bushels; malt, 30,000 pounds; flour, 2,000 barrels; butter, 427,500 pounds; eggs, 2,065 barrels; shooks, 13,000 bundles; wood, 1,550 cords; pork, 150 barrels; wool, 3,500 pounds; hay, 210 tons; potatoes, 12,450 bushels; wagon-hubs, 1,600 sets; plows, 300; hams and shoulders, 16,050 pounds; peas and beans, 3,685 bushels; tallow, 6,400 pounds; hides, 15,600 pounds. Port Washington is situated in the collection-district of Milwaukee, which is the nearest port of entry. The nearest light-house is at the harbor. Respectfully submitted. Your obedient servant, Brevet Colonel D. C. HOUSTON, Major of Engineers, United States Army. W. H. HEARDING. The total appropriations for this work, including that of June 10, 1872, of $15,000, amount to $45,000. An estimate of $50,000 is submitted for the next fiscal year to be applied to extending the piers, and excavating the channel and basin. Amount available July 1, 1871.... Amount appropriated by act of June 10, 1872 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1872. Amount available July 1, 1872 .. Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. $20,542 70 15,000 00 18,978 69 16,564 01 50,000 00 A 13. IMPROVEMENT OF MILWAUKEE HARBOR, WISCONSIN. The operations of the year are given in the following report of Assistant W. H. Hearding, in immediate charge of the improvement. OFFICE OF UNITED STATES ENGINEERS, Milwaukee, June 30, 1872. SIR: The following report upon the work which has been done at the harbor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the past fiscal year, is respectfully submitted. Under the contract of Messrs. Hasbrouck & Conro, of this city, dated September 21, 1870, eight cribs, of dimensions 50 by 26 feet, were sunk and filled with stone ballast, the cribs being built to height of 1 foot above mean lake-level, four of which, equal to an extension of 200 feet, were placed on the north side, and the remaining four were placed on the south side of the harbor-channel. This work was effected by the contractors before the 1st of December, 1871, according to the terms of agreement, and closing the contract. The quantity of materials used and labor paid for in the construction of these eight cribs was as follows, viz: 45,733 linear feet of pine timber, at 163 cents 1,341.75 cords of stone ballast, at $8.25 65,862.19 pounds of iron drift-bolts, at 34 cents 75 pounds of iron screw-bolts, at 64 cents 45,733 linear feet of framing, at 83 cents.. Total cost of eight cribs to 1 foot above water-surface.. $7,545 94 11, 069 43 2,469 83 4 87 3,772 97 24,863 04 On the 17th day of June, 1871, a contract was entered into by Henry Starke, of the city of Milwaukee, to construct a further extension of 150 running feet to each of the piers, to consist of two cribs, each 50 by 26 feet, and one crib, of dimensions 50 feet in length by 30 feet in width, on each side of the channel, and to build superstructure over the whole fourteen cribs embodied in the two contracts. These last six cribs specified in Starke's contract were built to a height of 1 foot above mean lake-level; the last of them being sunk in position and filled with ballast on the 25th day of November, 1871. The quantity of materials used and labor paid for in the building and sinking of the six cribs was as follows, viz: Timber. Materials used. Iron. Labor paid Amount paid. 6,000 480 46, 897. 16 | 3,653. 80 391 1,075.6 36,045 16 $21, 440 77 Mr. Starke commenced building the superstructure over the seven cribs forming the north pier-extension early in May of this year. He has nearly completed the same to a mean height of 5 feet above mean lake-level; the outer crib, 50 feet by 30 inches, being 74 feet above that datum. The whole of the work, as far as completed, is well done and ballasted with stone. The quantity of materials used and labor performed in building this superstructure to date is as follows: 10,310 linear feet of pine timber at 19.3 cents.. .... 464 linear feet of oak timber, at 30 cents 49 pounds of iron spikes, at 7 cents 171 pounds of iron screw-bolts, at 10 cents. 5049 cords of stone ballast, at $8 10,3564 linear feet of framing, at 10 cents. Driving 9 piles, at $5..... Total.... $1,989 83 13.95 37 44 525 80 3 43 17 10 4,039 20 1,035 65 45 00 7,707 40 The third crib from the outer end of the north pier was struck by some unknown vessel and damaged to a serious extent, soon after the crib was placed in position. The fracture was repaired and the superstructure carried by means of piles. It is expected that two cribs of the south pier, which have been damaged by collis. ion, will be repaired, and the whole of the superstructure built over the seven cribs forming the south pier-extension, during the present working season; also, that protection will be given to the ends of the piers by driving clumps of piles, five to each clamp, to be sprung together and banded with chains; also, that repairs will be made to a portion of the inner (or old) cribs. As the stage of water in the lakes is low during the present season, one or two vessels which have been deeply laden have experienced some little difficulty upon entering, but by keeping in the deepest part of the channel, vessels drawing 14 feet of water can effect a ready entrance by changing their course but once for the entire length of the cut. To make a uniform depth of water of 14 feet, along the whole length of the cut at the present stage of water, which is I foot 4 inches below mean lake-level, and a width of 220 feet, the amount of dredging necessary to effect the same would be about 14,000 cubic yards. The number of arrivals of steamers and sailing-vessels during the past fiscal year has been 7,042, with a tonnage-capacity of 2,607,850 tons. Of departures, 7,042 with tonnage-capacity of 2,611,384 tons. Amount of duties collected during the fiscal year, $134,264.73 in gold. Receipts from tonnage-duties, inspection of steamers, licenses, enrollments, and marine hospitals, $13,714.30. The nearest light-house is situated at the north point of Milwaukee Bay, which is three miles distant from the harbor-channel, being provided with a fourth order of lens. Its height above the level of the lake is 102 feet. There is also a beacon-light on the north pier, at a distance of 680 feet from the extreme end. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major D. C. HOUSTON, Corps of Engineers, United States Army. No appropriation was made for this harbor at the last session of Congress, nor was any asked for, as the amount of the original estimate had been reached, and it was estimated that the funds available would extend the piers out as far as was necessary. The piers have already been extended out to a depth of 17 feet at the ordinary stage of water, and the funds on hand will complete the superstructure and repair the old work as far as it is deemed necessary at present. No further extension of the piers will be required for some time to come. In order to put this harbor in good condition the channel between the piers should be excavated to a depth of 14 feet at all stages of water, and I estimate that the sum of $10,000 will suffice to do this thoroughly. If it be the intention of the Government to do all that is necessary to complete and maintain this harbor, without reference to local aid, this sum will be required. Amount available July 1, 1871.... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872, including $75, 121 79 $2,470.98 retained from payments to contractors.. Amount available July 1, 1872... Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. A 14. IMPROVEMENT OF RACINE HARBOR, WISCONSIN. The operations of this harbor are reported as follows by Assistant W. H. Hearding, who has had immediate charge: OFFICE UNITED STATES ENGINEERS, SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report upon the harbor of Racine, Wisconsin. On the 30th day of September, 1870, a contract was made by the United States Government with Mr. F. M. Knapp, of Racine, under which he was to construct 256 running feet of crib-pier work to the water-surface, of 20 feet in width, in extension of the south pier. As the working season was far advanced at the time of effecting the contract, work was not commenced upon the piers until May, 1871. At the date of the annual report, June 30, 1871, the contractor had built 128 running feet of crib-work to the water-surface. The remaining 128 feet were built and finished to a height of 1 foot above mean lake-level in July, 1871. Repairs were made to a portion of the old work, at the west end of the north pier, for a length of 206 running feet, by taking out the old timber, and replacing it with new. This new superstructure was built 12 feet in width, and filled with slabs covered with stone ballast. The cribs built in extension of the south pier settled very unevenly, tilting out of their proper alignment. The quantity of materials used and labor performed in the construction of the south pier-extension to water-surface, and making repairs to north pier, were as follows: Of pine timber 24,246 linear feet; pine plank, 78 feet, board measure; iron drift-bolts, 30,623 pounds; iron screw-bolts, 50 pounds; iron spikes, 100 pounds; oak piles, 144 linear feet; stone ballast, 655.54 cords; slabs, 70.12 cords; framing, 24,262 linear feet; old timber taken out and replaced, 1,111 linear feet; piles driven, (number) 8. The contractor has been engaged during the past month in building superstructure over the south pier-extension, and it is expected that he will have completed the same before the 1st day of August. At this, as at other harbors on the west shore of Lake Michigan which are southward of Milwaukee, it would seem to be essential to carry out the north pier to such a distance beyond the extremity of the south pier as to protect it from seas produced by northeast storms. The general impression at this particular point is that the extension which has been made to the south pier has been prejudicial to the maintenance of as deep a channel between the piers as would have been maintained provided an extension of equal length had been given to the north pier, and from personal observation I am inclined to the belief that the north pier at this harbor should be extended 150 feet further into the lake than it is at the present time. It now projects 75 feet beyond the extremity of the south pier. To effect this would require the building of three cribs, each of dimensions 50 by 30 by 264 feet, placed upon foundations of stone. An estimate of the cost of building and completing these three cribs, protecting the end of pier, and filling intervals between cribs, is respectfully submitted as follows, viz: |