improvements have been made by the company on the river and site of the city of South Chicago. Several hundred feet of docks have been put in, and a considerable amount of dredging in the river. The sand is being removed from the cut and used in making streets. A number of buildings and a hotel have been erected, and a railroad track laid to the mouth of the river connecting with the Michigan Southern Railroad. A large amount of timber has been shipped to this point for building purposes, and for shipment to the interior. The original estimate for improving this harbor is, in round numbers, $300,000. One hundred thousand has been appropriated which will be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872. The sum of $75,000 can be profitably expended in the extension of piers and dredging during the next fiscal year. A 18. IMPROVEMENT OF MICHIGAN CITY HARBOR, INDIANA. The operations during the year at this harbor have consisted principally in dredging between the piers, and in widening and deepening Trail Creek nearly up to the railroad bridge, for the purpose of affording the additional harbor-room required. It seems impossible to maintain the required depth of water at this harbor, except by constant dredging. The mouth of the harbor is directly exposed to the action of storms which have the effect of forming bars. At the commencement of operations this spring there was ample depth of water at the mouth of the harbor in the ordinary stage. At the end of the piers there was 20 feet, and at the mouth, immediately between the piers, 12 feet. It seems, however, to continually shoal up, and the only remedy seems to be the construction of an outer harbor, which is much needed as a harbor of refuge. The estimated cost of the outer harbor recommended by the board of engineers is $324,000. One difficulty about this harbor is the funnelshape at the entrance. The piers originally having been but 100 feet apart, the western pier was made to flare out so as to make the entrance 230 feet wide. This causes a heavy sea at the entrance to the harbor. The funds now available are sufficient for the necessary repairs of inside work and dredging. Future appropriations should be devoted to the construction of an outer harbor, which would protect the work already done, and enable the owners of property to construct wharves as the commerce of the place demands. I think that a modification of the plan of outer harbor proposed by the board of engineers can be modified with advantage without additional cost. The importance of a good harbor at Michigan City has been fully and favorably discussed in previous reports of officers of the corps and board of engineers. A 19. IMPROVEMENT OF NEW BUFFALO HARBOR, MICHIGAN. The appropriation of $5,000 having been made by the act of July 11, 1870, for the improvement of this harbor, making with the amount available from former appropriations $11,050, a contract was made on the 10th of January, 1871, with R. A. Conolly for constructing a pilepier from the shore outward in Lake Michigan for the purpose of protecting the channel to be excavated from Lake Pottawatomie to the lake. The materials for the work have been delivered, and the work is now in progress. It is expected that about 300 feet of pier will be completed this season. This work is preparatory to future operations in case appropriations are made for this harbor. The amount appropriated is insufficient to produce any results. In my last annual report I submitted an estimate for the improvement of this harbor, amounting to $125,000. With that sum a good harbor might be made at this point. There does not seem to me to be any necessity for an artificial harbor at New Buffalo. The local requirements are insignificant. A harbor of refuge in that portion of Lake Michigan is very much needed, but that result can be obtained at Michigan City, ten miles west, where the Government has already expended large sums. For these reasons no appropriation is recommended for this harbor. A 20. IMPROVEMENT OF THE FOX AND WISCONSIN RIVERS. No active operations were carried on on this work during the year. On the 5th day of May, 1871, I relieved Colonel J. N. Macomb, in charge of the work, in compliance with Paragraph 7, Special Orders No. 124, dated War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, March 28, 1871. The maps, &c., of the survey made in 1867 were in possession of Major G. K. Warren at Newport, Rhode Island, and it was not until the 8th of June, 1871, that I received from Major Warren at Newport such maps as were necessary for commencing operations. Work was not commenced until the 1st of July, 1871. The works in progress this season have for their object to determine the practicability of improving the navigation of the Wisconsin River itself, by means of dikes and dams, and also whether the canal project recommended by Major Warren is feasible so far as relates to using the river in crossing from one side to the other. Hence the work at present is limited to the locations where the proposed canal crosses the river, and the work done will be available whatever plan is ultimately adopted. The dikes and dams are built of brush and stone, which experience has shown to be best adapted for the purpose on this river. A special report will be submitted of the operations on this river at the close of the season, which it is thought will enable the Department to decide upon the ultimate plan of improvement. At that time estimates will also be forwarded.. A 21. OFFICE OF UNITED STATES ENGINEERS, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 17, 1870. GENERAL: I have the honor to forward the accompanying map and report of a survey of the mouth of Oconto River, Wisconsin, made in pursuance of your instructions dated July 23, 1870. I have indicated on the map two locations for the piers necessary for the improvement of the mouth of this river. A large amount of dredging will be required in either case. The business at Oconto is principally lumbering. Large amounts of lumber are shipped from the mouth of the river. At present vessels are loaded from rafts or scows, which are towed out into the bay where the vessels are anchored. What is desired is a harbor where vessels can lie in safety at all times and receive their cargoes. The general commerce and navigation will not be benefited by a harbor at this point. The improvement of the mouth of the river would increase the facilities for exporting lumber, and be a great local benefit. Oconto is but thirty miles from Green Bay, and but eight miles from the Peshtigo River, where there are good harbors. The bay at Oconto is but ten miles in width. The amount required for the entire and permanent completion of the work is $500,000. Oconto is in the collection district of Milwaukee, which is the nearest port of entry. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brigadier General A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief Engineer of United States Army, Washington, D. C. Beport on the survey of the mouth of Oconto River, and estimates for its improvement submitted. OFFICE OF UNITED STATES ENGINEERS, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 17, 1870. MAJOR: I have the honor to present you herewith a report on the survey of Oconto River, which was made last September, and to submit estimates for the improvement of the mouth of the river, based on the results of said survey. The Oconto River has its mouth on the west coast of Green Bay, at a point thirty miles north of Green Bay City. The river is small, varying in size, and navigable only for small craft drawing four feet of water, as far as the town of Oconto, situated some three miles from its mouth. Its length is about seventy-five miles. From the entrance of the river, as far as to the town, the ground is low and marshy, and at high water is inundated. West of the town the ground is much higher, and about three miles up the river a dam, some ten feet high, has been erected, which affords a good waterpower and runs one saw-mill. Above this the river is used mostly for logging purposes. The town of Oconto has a population of 3,500. It contains several saw-inills, stores, hotels, churches, a town hall, and printing office. The steamer North West makes a daily trip from Green Bay City to this point. The business is mostly lumber, which is shipped in large quantities to Chicago and Milwaukee. On account of the shallow water in the river, vessels come to anchor in Green Bay, abreast of the river, and lumber rafts are towed to them. Three tugs are thus engaged on the river in towing rafts and scows from the mills to the vessels. The following table shows the amount of business done during the past year: Statement of lumber, &c., shipped from Oconto, Wisconsin, for the year 1870. About 200 tons mixed merchandise, value. The number of arrivals and departures of vessels was ...... $400,000 00 1,456 306 During the past year the town has built a pile-pier extending some 1,800 feet into Green Bay, to 15 feet depth of water, the cost of which amounts to nearly $30,000. This money was raised by special tax on the town property, authorized by an act of the legislature. It is proposed to construct a wagon road, 50 feet wide, from this pier to the town, a distance of 6,920 feet, or a little over one and one-third miles, and to transport the lumber by rail to the pier, from whence it will be shipped by vessels. To improve the river, and make it navigable for heavy draught vessels, will require an expenditure of half a million dollars, as will be seen by the estimates given herewith; and the benefits to be derived will be entirely local. No harbor of refuge is needed in that locality, as vessels can ride at anchor during the heaviest storms, besides which Peshtigo River, eight miles north, affords a good harbor with 13 feet depth of water; and on the east shore of Green Bay, twelve to eighteen miles from Oconto, are situated the natural harbors of Big and Little Sturgeon, which are always accessible. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS. Two plans are submitted for the improvement of the river: The first plan consists in making a new channel from the lower steam saw-mill, in a direction nearly east, to the first bend in the river, taking advantage of the deep water inside. the river at that point and the slab-piers already constructed, then extend the piers in the bay to the depth of 12 feet. The second plan consists in dredging a new channel, from the same mill, in a northeasterly direction, cutting across the point to the river, and from thence across the marsh to the water of Green Bay, whence the crib-work will commence. The revetment of the cuts in both these plans to be made with slabs. Estimates for these improvements are herewith respectfully submitted. Cost of constructing one crib 32 feet by 20 feet by 17 feet. 2,508 lineal feet square timber, at 15 cents per lineal foot.. 288 feet (board measure) 3-inch plank, at $15 per 1,000 3,146 pounds iron bolts, at 4 cents per pound.... 9 pounds spikes, at 6 cents per pound. 62 cords stone, at $10 per cord... 10 cords brush, at $3 per cord Labor of framing and placing 2,508 feet timber, at 15 cents per lineal foot.. $376 20 4 32 125 84 54 620 00 30 00 376 20 1,533 10 Cost of improving the present river entrance. 局 180 cribs 32 feet by 20 feet by 17 feet, at $1,533 10 each..... 21,060 cords slabs, at $2 per cord.. 690, 491 cubic yards dredging, at 30 cents per cubic yard.. Add 10 per cent. for contingencies.. $275, 958 00 42, 120 00 207,147 30 525, 225 30 52,522 53 Total.. 577,747 83 Cost of making a new channel in a northeasterly direction. 150 cribs 32 feet by 20 feet by 17 feet, at $1,533 10 each Add 10 per cent. for contingencies.... $229,965 00 44,880 00 177,780 00 452, 625 00 45, 262 50 497,887 50 I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM T. CASGRAIN, Assistant. Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, Milwaukee. A 22. OFFICE OF UNITED STATES ENGINEERS, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 12, 1871. GENERAL: I have the honor to forward the accompanying map and report of a survey of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, made in compliance with your instructions dated July 23, 1870. In order to make use of these rivers, which are fully described in the accompanying report, as a harbor, it is necessary to widen and deepen the mouth, to revet the sides of the excavation and extend piers from the shore-line into the lake, according to the plan adopted at other harbors on Lake Michigan and elsewhere. I have indicated in the map the approximate position of the piers and revetment. The piers are placed 200 feet apart, and extend out to a depth of 18 feet of water. From the points marked "A" and "B," outward, it is proposed to construct the piers of crib-work; inside of these points a revetment of sheet-piling. The accompanying papers furnish all obtainable facts bearing on the trade of this locality. As to the benefit to general commerce and navigation by a harbor at this locality, concerning which I am called upon to report, it is at present very slight. It is not probable that vessels engaged in the general commerce of Lake Michigan, i. e., those bound to other points, would, except at rare intervals, seek a harbor at Two Rivers. The proximity of the harbor at Manitowoc, which is but six miles from the mouth of Two Rivers, and at present accessible to the great majority of vessels navigating the lake, is an argument against constructing a harbor at Two Rivers for general purposes. The location, however, is favorable to the construction of a harbor for local development, except that the length of pier required to reach deep water involves a heavy expenditure. The amount required for the entire and permanent completion of the work is $265,588 80. There can be profitably expended during the next fiscal year, $75,000. Two Rivers is in the collection district of Milwaukee, which is the nearest port of entry. There is no light-house at present at this point. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. C. HOUSTON, Major of Engineers, U. S. Army. Brigadier General A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, MAJOR: I have the honor to submit, herewith, my report on the survey of the month of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, together with estimates, based on the result of said survey, for improving the mouth of the river. The village of Two Rivers is situated at the mouth of the east and west branches of Two Rivers, from which it takes its name; is built mostly on land having an elevation of from 10 to 20 feet above Lake Michigan, and contains a population of about two thousand inhabitants, two-thirds of whom are of German origin. It has 1 pail and tub factory, 1 chair factory, 2 saw-mills, 3 churches, 1 school-house, 3 stores, 2 tanneries, 1 post-office, 3 hotels, and 1 town hall. The east branch takes its rise in the county of Kewaunee, running thence in a southWesterly direction to the village of Mishicott, situated some eight miles from the village of Two Rivers, and from thence southerly to Lake Michigan. The west branch takes its rise in Brown County, runs in a 'southeasterly direction to Neshoto, a small village situated some seven miles from Two Rivers, and from thence |