CCC 2. SURVEY OF WAVERLY SHOAL, LAKE ERIE. REPORT OF MAJ, AMOS STICKNEY, CORPS OF ENGINeers, for the FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1892. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Buffalo, N. Y., January 16, 1892. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report upon the survey of Waverly Shoal, Lake Erie. This shoal takes its name from the fact that the propeller Waverly struck upon it September 26, 1890, on voyage from Buffalo, N. Y., to Gladstone, Mich. The vessel was drawing 15 feet of water at the time of striking the shoal, and remained fast until a part of her load was removed, when she got off, reloaded, and proceeded on her way, after a detention of three and a half days. The shoal lies nearly on the line laid out in the Lake Survey chart as the course from Buffalo, N. Y., to Fairport, Ohio. It was not discov ered by the Lake Survey, as the adjacent lines of deep-water soundings passed on either side of it. The general direction of the axis of the shoal is northeast and southwest, and it is about 24 miles from the Buffalo Breakwater light-house, and about 13 miles from the Canadian shore. The 18-foot contour surrounds an area of about 700 feet in length, by from 100 to 200 feet in width. The 16-foot contour surrounds a space about 160 feet in length by 20 to 50 feet in width. The least depth found was 15 feet, though it is probable that there is less depth over some of the bowlders. A buoy was placed on the shoal by the inspector of the tenth light house district in June, 1891. The survey was made by Mr. Ernest Siegesmund, assistant engineer, in the latter part of Septembr, 1891, when the weather was fair and the lake calm: Buoys were anchored along the axis of the shoal and their bearings taken with a theodolite from a base-line measured on the shore and from the Horse Shoe Reef light-house, the Buffalo breakwater light-house, and the south end of the breakwater. Light lines were stretched between the buoys and other lines to small boats anchored at various points. By means of these lines the points of soundings were located with sufficient accuracy. Nearly 1,300 soundings were made, covering the area of less than 24 feet depth, and some lines run out to deeper water. The soundings are reduced to the same plane of reference as those on the chart of the lake survey of 1875. The bottom is rock, with bowlders upon it. Two charts* accompany this report, one showing the soundings and the other showing the location of the shoal. The location, as near as it could be determined, is marked in pencil on the original lake survey chart sent to me from your office. The shrinkage of the paper makes it difficult to locate any point on this chart with precision. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, AMOS STICKNEY, Major of Engineers, U. S. A. CCC 3. SURVEY OF SHOALS IN ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, NEW YORK. REPORT OF MAJOR MILTON B. ADAMS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1892. 1. HASKELL SHOAL. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Burlington, Vt., October 9, 1891. GENERAL: I have the honor to report the completion of the survey of the St. Lawrence River near Haskell Shoal made by your instructions of August 10, 1891. * A chart is transmitted herewith, on which a very dangerous shoal is indicated in red ink, and the least depth on the shoal, 13 feet, is also shown. Two other shoals were found in the course of the survey of the locality with only 26 feet of water where much greater depths are indicated on the chart; they have also been indicated in red ink on the chart herewith. The search NNW. of Haskell Shoal only developed the existence of the one shoal there that has 26 feet of water over it, and the search was made so thoroughly that it seems reasonable to assume that there is no other shoal in that part of the river. The fact that another shoal has been found to exist in the St. Lawrence River almost in exact course of passing steamers, only known to one vessel captain and located by him half a mile below its true position, would seem to emphasize my recommendation of October 10, 1888. (See Report of Chief of Engineers, 1889, page 2463, 1st to 7th lines.) Again the opinion is advanced that the method of sounding used in the survey of the river for the location of its rocky shoals was not sufficiently searching, and that it might well be supplemented by thoroughly dragging all its navigable portions. * Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. THOMAS L. CASEY, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. M. B. ADAMS, Major of Engineers. REPORT OF MR. F. M. BARSTOW, ASSISTANT ENGINEER. UNITED STATES ENGINEER Office, SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report on the survey of the midchannel shoal recently discovered between Cross-over and Sister Island lights, in the St. Lawrence River, New York: This shoal is not indicated on the sailing charts, and its existence was unknown until a deep-draft vessel recently ran upon it. It is located in a direction S. 26° 30 W. from Dark Island, N. 80 E. from Cherry Island, and N. 50° W. from Scow Island, about one-fourth of a mile above Haskell Shoal in mid-channel, directly in the usual sailing ronte of vessels. It is also situated nearly in the same straight line as the three shoals located and described in my report to you dated June 29, 1889, and the reasons given for the removal of those shoals are applicable to this shoal. The idea advanced in that report, that these shoals, being nearly in the same straight line, might be parts of the same ledge, and "that this ledge may come within 18 feet of the surface in other places not now known," seems to have been verified by the finding of this heretofore unknown shoal. The mid-channel shoal, about one-quarter of a mile below Sister Island, was also surveyed, but its removal does not appear to be as necessary on account of its nearness to a light-house. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. M. B. Adams, F. M. BARSTOW, Corps of Engineers. 2. SHOALS NEAR CROSS-OVER LIGHT. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: In compliance with your indorsement dated January 7, 1892 (file-mark, 187, 1892), a survey has been made of four shoals in the St. Lawrence River near Cross-over Light, by Assistant Engineer F. M. Barstow, under my instructions, and I have the honor to transmit herewith a tracing* from the drawing made of the shoals and his report on the survey. The bearings for locating the shoals on the river charts were taken from well-defined bench marks, and Cross-over and Coles light-houses were used in this connection before the recent instructions on the subject were received from the Light-House Department. Soundings were made over the shoals to 21-foot depths and their contents calculated, so as to be in readiness to estimate for their removal. In view of the recent movement towards effecting a depth of 20 feet in the upper lake channels, I have the honor to recommend that the excavations of the shoals in the St. Lawrence River be carried to the same depth that may be authorized by Congress for the upper lakes; i. e., as soon as authorized there, then the excavations in the St. Lawrence River be planed and estimated for the same depth. It is believed that of the several shoals found and sounded Haskell Shoal, the one situated one-fourth of a mile above Haskell Shoal, and the one near Cross-over Light (No. 1), are the most dangerous. REPORT OF MR. F. M. BARSTOW, ASSISTANT ENGINEER. CEDAR ISLAND, N. Y., June 30, 1892. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report on the survey of certain shoals in the St. Lawrence River, New York. The survey was made to find, locate, and measure four certain shoals reported to you as having been struck by large vessels navigating these waters during the low water of last fall. They will be designated as Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4. * Omitted. Shoals Nos. 1 and 2 were found, located, and measured without trouble. Nos. 3 and 4, after most careful and repeated soundings, I am unable to find, but have found two others, Nos. 5 and 6, in the channel that are liable to be struck by large vessels at any time. Shoal No. 1, from its location between Cross-over Light, Whale-back Shoal, and Bay State Shoal in mid-channel, where the channel is narrow and crooked, is one of the most dangerous shoals in this vicinity. I consider its removal to 18 feet below low-water mark necessary to afford safe navigation for large vessels. Shoals Nos. 2 and 5 are in Canadian waters, near a light-house, where the channel is wide. A buoy placed upon them would appear to be sufficient protection. Shoal No. 6 is near the Bay State Shoal, and on side of the channel, so it seems to me that if a buoy were placed upon it the protection would be ample. None of the above-described shoals are indicated on the sailing charts now in use. Their exact location, with soundings taken upon them, are included in the map, field book, and more detailed letter accompanying this report. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. M. B. ADAMS, Corps of Engineers. F. M. BARSTOW, CCC 4. RESURVEY OF THE LAKE FRONT AT CHICAGO. REPORT OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM L. MARSHALL, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1892. (For letter of transmittal see Appendix J J.) An allotment of $2,000 from the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, was made and assigned by the Chief of Engineers to this office for a resurvey of the obstructions due to rock reefs, lying off shore between Thirty-fifth street and the south limit of Jackson Park, for the correction of existing maps. A party was organized in April, 1892, and prosecuted work during the remainder of the fiscal year. A base line was measured on the exterior breakwater and a triangulation carried from Diversey street to Calumet Harbor, fixing the shore line. Six angles of this triangulation remain to be measured. Forty-three lines of soundings were made south of Thirty-fifth street and 18 lines north of Thirty-fifth street. The rock obstructions have been located, but more detailed examination will be made of them. The survey will be completed to include the harbors and approaches to Chicago and Calumet harbors, at the expense of the appropriations for these harbors. No further funds required. The report of Assistant Engineer L. M. Mann, herewith, shows in detail the work done. Money statement. April 6, 1892, amount available per letter Chief of Engineers $2,000.00 1, 172.99 July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.. July 1, 1892, balance available. 827.01 827.01 REPORT OF MR. L. M. MANN, ASSISTANT ENGINEER. CHICAGO, ILL., June 30, 1892. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the work done on the survey of the lake front, Chicago, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. After a few days spent in preparing tools, instruments, etc., and putting steam launch in good condition, actual work in the field was commenced April 25. A base line was measured on the exterior breakwater with a 100-foot steel tape with spring balance attachment. Four measurements resulted in a mean of 5,407.87 feet. Starting from this base a triangulation system was established covering the shore line from Diversey street (north end of Lincoln Park) to Calumet Harbor (South Chicago). The unusual advantage of the three lake cribs and the Auditorium tower as triangulation stations enabled me to evolve a very good system. All points south of the Auditorium to South Chicago form independent triangles with the 4-mile crib and the tower. There are thirty-four triangles in the system, requiring observation of one hundred and two angles. One of the sides, CC', on the easterly breakwater was subsequently measured, making a second base line. Also connections were obtained with the city base line, giving three measured bases in the system. The angles were observed with a transit reading to thirty seconds; four repetitions for each angle were read. Two-thirds of the triangles were closed within four seconds. Total number of angles observed 161 sets; in some cases more than one set was read to close triangle within limits. Total number of azimuths=192. The triangulation is very nearly complete; six angles are still required to close four triangles. The stadia work, which covers about 16 miles of shore line, is complete. All piers, slips, jetties, revetment, etc., along the shore were located; also prominent streets, buildings, etc. Total number of stadia readings 1,813. Twenty sounding stations were located from Chicago Harbor to Twelfth street, 400 feet apart; and from Twelfth to Seventy-first street 171 sounding stations were located, 200 feet apart. Forty-three lines of soundings were run in lake south of Thirty-fifth street, some of them extending 2 miles from shore. Eleven lines were run east of easterly breakwater to 25 feet of water. Seven lines were run in Outer Harbor. Total number of soundings=7,833; total number of sounding angles= 2,858. A preliminary examination of rocky reefs off Forty-seventh street and between Fifty-sixth and Fifty-eighth streets shows that a very close location of same is essential. Inner reef at Forty-seventh street is about three-fourths of a mile from shore; least sounding taken over same was 3.9 feet at datum. Outer reef at Forty-seventh street is about 2 miles from shore; least sounding taken, 20 feet at datum; but probably there is shoaler water. Outer reef at Fifty-sixth street is about 14 miles from shore; least sounding taken, 11.6 feet at datum. Inner reef about 14 miles from shore; least sounding taken, 9-10 feet at datum. There is over 30 feet of water between these reefs, and also inside of inner reef. Both the months of May and June have been about the rainiest months on record; the extraordinary bad weather has delayed the work to an unusual degree. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. M. MANN, CCC 5. SURVEY OF BLACK CREEK SHOAL, LAKE ONTARIO. REPORT OF CAPTAIN DAN C. KINGMAN, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, FOR UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the report of Assistant Engineer Judson upon an obstruction to navigation which was said to exist in Lake Ontario at a point about 4 miles west of Little Sodus Light, and about 1 mile out from the shore. |