south to the village, where it forms a junction with the east branch, and together they empty into Lake Michigan. Both of these rivers are about eighty miles long, and of considerable size at their head-waters, and much increased in size and volume by numerous tributaries. The west branch is navigable for vessels drawing 7 feet of water, as far as Neshoto, and the east branch a distance of about four miles, with 10 feet depth of water. These rivers, from their sources to within eight miles of their mouth, afford a number of excellent water-powers, some of which are already being used for milling and log-driving purposes. On the east branch there have been erected four mill-dams for grist and saw mills; on the west branch are nine dams, five for milling purposes and the others used to facilitate the running of logs. No better farming land can be found anywhere in the State than in the portion of country traversed by these rivers. Very little waste-land, or land unadapted to profitable cultivation, is to be found; and what there is, is mostly confined to the immediate vicinity of the lake-shore. The town of Two Rivers contains about 24,000 acres of land which was formerly covered with a dense growth of timber; about one-twentieth of this land is now under cultivation, producing wheat and other cereals unsurpassed in any other section of the country. Two Rivers is included in the collection district of Milwaukee, which is the nearest port of entry. The nearest light-house north is Cana Island, coast-light of third order, eighty-eight miles distant; and south seven miles is Manitowoc light. The benefits to be derived from making a harbor at this place would be, to add materially to the manufacturing and agricultural interests already developed in that section of the country, besides affording a shelter to a large number of vessels which frequent that locality, which is one of the most exposed points along the coast. All the shipping at this point is done over two piers built in the lake to depth of 15 feet of water, maintained by private enterprise, and exposed to the inconvenience of wind and sea from the lake side. At some seasons of the year no landings can be made. Appended to this report is a statement of the shipments and receipts for the year 1869. Receipts at port of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, during the year 1869. 30,350 green hides in bundles; 10,748 dry hides, loose; 135,990 pounds dry hides.. 4,200 bundles general merchandise; 1,471,458 pounds merchandise. 513 barrels salt.. 1,443 empty one-half barrels $300,000 00 500,000 00 1,300 00 1,100 00 802,400 00 Shipments from port of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, for the year 1869. 1,158,381 pounds leather; 7,474 pounds glue-stock; 177,960 pounds hair... $975, 600 00 35,424 tubs; 138,288 pails; 1,512 barrel-covers; 7,260 churns; 2,220 halfbushels; 840 pecks; 852 keelers in racks; 3,660 keelers in nests; 18,336 kannikins; 335,550 broom-handles; 37,060 gross clothes-pins; 279 buttertubs; 6,818 fish-kits; 480 sleds.. 81,400 00 38,580 chairs; 1,544 bedsteads; 375 cribs 50,000 00 3,661 half-barrels fish; 174,250 pounds fish, fresh, in boxes; 11,100 pounds fish, fresh, in barrels 32,200 00 2,446 cords wood; 1,148 cords slabs.. 8,600 00 10,945,746 feet lumber; 2,770,550 laths; 131,782 pickets; 21,096 posts; 2,000 telegraph-poles; 2,444 ties.. 220,000 00 1,367,800 00 Arrivals and departures of steamers and propellers at south pier, 1869.. 248 100 38 103 Total 494 PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT. This consists in building two parallel piers, 200 feet apart, into Lake Michigan, to 18 feet depth of water, and at the north extremity of the west pier to build a close-piling wing 20 feet in length, as shown in the accompanying tracing; and in dredging a channel between the piers and at the river entrance to a depth of 12 feet at lowest stage of water. Detailed estimates for the construction of such work are herewith respectfully submitted. A.-Cost of constructing one crib 32 feet by 20 feet by 17 feet. Labor of framing and placing 2,508 feet timber, at 15 cents per foot Add ten per cent. for contingencies.... 30 00 376 00 1,409 10 140 91 1,550 01 B.-Cost of constructing one crib 50 feet by 25 feet by 21° feet. Labor of framing and placing 6,140 lineal feet timber, at 15 cents per foot Add 10 per cent. for contingencies.... 1,144 00 30 00 921 00 3,379 73 337 97 3,717 70 C.-Total cost of improving the mouth of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 9, 1870. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the accompanying map and report of a survey of the mouth of Ahnepee River, Wisconsin, made in compliance with your instructions dated July 23, 1870. It is found that just inside the mouth of the river there is a ledge of rock, and that, in order to obtain a basin of sufficient depth and capacity for vessels navigating the lake, it will be necessary to remove at least 30,000 cubic yards of rock, involving a heavy expenditure not called for by the local necessities or by general commerce and navigation. The locality, however, is very favorable for the construction of an outer harbor, as indicated in the map by blue lines. The bottom is generally clay, and the shore gravelly, and there is very little drift on the lake shore. The conditions are favorable both for the construction and permanence of the basin. The accompanying report furnishes all the obtainable facts bearing on the trade of this locality. As to the benefit to general commerce and navigation by a harbor at this point, an inspection of the chart of Lake Michigan shows the nearest harbors to be Bailey's Harbor on the north, a distance of forty miles, and Manitowoc on the south, a distance of forty-three miles. The security of navigation on this lake requires frequent harbors. By multiplying harbors, lake navigation may be made as safe as that of a river, and for a similar class of vessels. On the west side of Lake Michigan there are eight artificial harbors nearly finished and in process of construction, from Calumet River to Manitowoc, a distance of one hundred and seventy-seven miles, making the average interval about twenty-five miles. From Manitowoc to Bailey's Harbor the distance is about eightythree miles, so that it is evident that a harbor at Ahnepee would be a great benefit to the general navigation of the lake as a harbor of refuge. The amount required for the entire and permanent completion of the work is $370,000. There can be profitably expended during the next fiscal year $100,000. Ahnepee is in the collection district of Milwaukee, which is the nearest port of entry. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major of Engineers, U. S. Army. Brigadier General A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. Report and estimates for improving the mouth of Ahnepee River and constructing an outer harbor. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 9, 1870. Major: I have the honor to submit herewith my report on the survey of the mouth of Alinepee River, Wisconsin, together with estimates, based on the result of said survey, for improving the mouth of the river, and constructing an outer harbor. AHNEPEE OR WOLF RIVER Empties itself into Lake Michigan at a point about one hundred and twenty-two miles north of Milwaukee. The town of Ahnepee is located near the mouth of the river in Kewaunee County, and is thirty-five miles east of Green Bay City. Its population is estimated at nearly one thousand inhabitants, while that of the county is some twelve thousand. The river runs in a northwesterly course, and is navigable as far as the first rapids, which is some seven miles distant from the mouth, with a depth of water not less than 6 feet. The country bordering on the river is undulating, and has a fertile soil. Along its banks we find heavy timber land of maple, beech, and oak, and at intervals some clearings and good farms. The amount of agricultural district centering at this point, and which has no other outlet, comprises the towns of Pierce, Casco, Lincoln, Brussels, Forestville, and Ahnepee. The products are chiefly corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley, peas, beans, and potatoes. The manufactories consist of 2 flouring-mills, 4 saw-mills, 1 chairfactory, 1 brick-yard, 3 tanneries, 1 brewery, 1 ship-yard, and 1 shingle-mill. Nearly every branch of industry, but principally the manufacturing interests, has been held in check by the monopoly of the Bridge-pier Company, exorbitant charges being made for dockage and shipments over the pier. PRESENT IMPROVEMENT. This consists of a pile pier which was built some eight years ago. It extends in to Lake Michigan to a depth of 18 feet, and is 860 feet in length. This pier is all the facility afforded for the shipping interest. About six years ago an attempt was made by the citizens of the town to open a straight cut across the narrow sand and grav el beach abreast of the mouth of the river. They first drove two rows of close piles across the point from the river to the lake, a distance of 90 feet, and dug out a channel across to a depth of 5 or 6 feet. For want of funds this enterprise was afterwards given up, and nothing further has been done. By an act of the legislature, which was passed last winter, the town was authorized to raise, in three years, $20,000 by taxation, for the purpose of improving the mouth of the river, and making it accessible for vessels of small draught. The amount raised this year is $6,000. It was at first contemplated to open a channel at the mouth of the river, and protect the sides of the cut with close piling, but since the survey has been made the commissioners have decided to wait and see what action Congress would take in the matter. They have, however, stated in writing that "should the Government build a harbor at that point they will give sufficient guarantee to make a channel through the bed of limestone, near the mouth of the river, that will pass the largest class of lake vessels." Abnepee is situated at a point nearly equally distant between Bailey's Harbor and Manitowoc, the former being forty miles north and the latter forty-three miles south. Its nearest light-house is on Cana Island, situated about five miles north of Bailey's Harbor, or forty-five miles north of Ahnepee. The illuminating apparatus is of the third order; the tower is 88 feet high. There is, then, eighty-two miles of coast which affords no shelter during heavy storms to the large fleet which frequents that locality. A large number of vessels are regularly engaged in the lumber trade to ports in Green Bay and Big and Little Bay de Noquette; also, transporting copper and iron ore from Escanaba to Milwaukee and Chicago, and their course is within twelve miles of Ahnepee. It would seem from the location that this point would be the best for making a harbor of refuge. There is, however, one drawback to it, on account of the limestone which lies under the bed of the river near the entrance. It was found impracticable, while making the survey, to take cross-section borings throughout to the rock for want of proper tools. However, a sufficient number of borings were made, at different intervals, to give a general idea of the quantity of rock to be excavated upon which to base an estimate. To remove the rock in the river as far as the bridge, a length of 700 feet by 150 feet wide, and an average depth of 8 feet, so as to insure 12 feet at the lowest stage of water, and make a sufficient basin inside to accommodate the wants of the locality, would require the removal of― 31,111 cubic yards of rock, at $30 per cubic yard, (a fair estimate) 70,000 cubic yards of dredging, at 30 cents per cubic yard. 650 feet close-piling, at $10 per lineal foot. 1.200 feet of crib-pier, at $50 per lineal foot.. 700 feet of crib-pier, at $75 per lineal foot... $933, 330 21,000 6,500 60,000 52,500 1,073, 330 It will be seen at once that this plan of improving the river is impracticable on acconnt of the large expenditure required. The question then arises: What is to be done? As before mentioned, Ahnepee is the most central point along the coast for a harbor of refuge, and some means must be devised to secure a shelter there if possible. We are, then, obliged to adopt some plan for an outer harbor similar to Chicago, only much sinaller and less expensive. Such a plan is therefore submitted, and is shown on the accompanying tracing, in blue lines, with estimates for the construction of the same. The bottom of the lake being mostly clay, and affording good holding ground, I think there will be no necessity of dredging before placing the cribs in position. From the shore, to a depth of 10 feet, a close pile-pier at each end can be substituted for cribwork, which will answer the purpose and be perfectly secure. However, as this plan may be hereafter changed, I herewith submit estimates for piers built entirely of cribwork. The prices of materials mentioned in the estimates are the current prices paid in that locality: A.-Estimated cost of one crib, 32 feet by 20 feet by 17 feet. 2.50 linear feet of square timber, at 15 cents per foot. 25 feet, board measure, 3-inch plank, at $15 per M. $376 20 3,146 pounds iron bolts, at 4 cents per pound... 9 pounds spikes, at 6 cents per pound.. 62 cords stone, at 86 per cord.... 10 cords brush, at $3 per cord. Labor of framing and placing 2,508 feet timber, at 15 cents per foot.. Add 10 per cent. for contingencies..... 4 32 125 84 54 372 00 30 00 376 20 1,285 10 128 51 1, 413 61 B.-Estimated cost of one crib, 50 feet by 25 feet by 21 feet. 6,140 linear feet of timber, at 15 cents per foot.. 450 feet, board measure, 3-inch plank, at $15 per M. 8,902 pounds iron bolts, at 4 cents per pound.... 15 pounds spikes, at 6 cents per pound. 143 cords stone, at $6 per cord.. 10 cords brush, at $3 per cord.. Labor of framing and placing 6,140 lineal feet timber, at 15 cents per foot.. Add 10 per cent. for contingencies. $921 00 6275 356 08 90 858 00 30 00 921 00 3,093 73 309 37 3,403 10 C.-Estimated cost of one crib 50 feet by 30 feet by 30 feet. 9,403 linear feet of square timber, at 15 cents per lineal foot 405 feet, board measure, 3-inch plank, at $15 per M...... Labor of framing and placing 9,403 lineal feet timber, at 15 cents per foot... 1, 401 45 Add 10 per cent. for contingencies..... 5,056 07 505 60 $1,410 45 6.75 523 52 90 1,704 00 D.-Total cost of constructing an outer harbor at Ahnepce, Wisconsin. 37 cribs, 32 feet by 20 feet by 17 feet, at $1,413 61 each.. 24 cribs, 50 feet by 25 feet by 21 feet, at $3,403 10 each 42 cribs, 50 feet by 30 feet by 30 feet, at $5,561 67 each Total 5,561 67 $52,303 57 81, 674 40 233,590 14 367,568 11 Appended to this is a statement of the amount of exports and imports at Ahnepee, Wisconsin, for the past year. Amount of exports at Ahnepee for the year 1870. |