APPENDIX G 1. UNITED STATES. ENGINEER OFFICE, HOUSTON AND GREENE STREETS, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations on the improvement of Plattsburgh harbor, New York, and Burlington Harbor, Vermont, during the year ending June 30, 1871. On September 23, 1870, advertisements were issued for proposals for extending the breakwater in a northeasterly direction for a distance of about 90 feet. Abstract of bids received is transmitted herewith. The extension, which is in one crib 94 feet in length and 25 feet in width, was commenced in January, and in February was sunk in its proper position and filled with stone; the work on the superstructure is to be completed during the present season. Under the appropriation for this harbor passed March 3, 1871, advertisements were issued for a still further extension of the breakwater in a northeasterly direction for a distance of about 140 feet. Abstract of bids received is transmitted herewith. The extension, which is in one crib 150 feet in length and 25 feet in width, was commenced in June and carried up to a height of about 7 feet. This crib is to be completed, sunk, and filled with stone by December 30, 1871, and left to settle until the following season, when the superstructure is to be constructed and filled with stone to a height of 9 feet above the level of average low water. To complete the improvements at this harbor the following work should be undertaken: ESTIMATE. 156 feet of breakwater, at $90. Revetment of beach Dredging... $14, 040 00 7,000 00 16, 000 00 2,000 00 39, 040 00 I respectfully recommend that an appropriation of $23,000, necessary to complete the breakwater and build a revetment of the beach and for contingencies belonging to the same, be made at the next session of Congress. The completion of the breakwater should not be delayed, while the protection of the beach is immediately necessary to prevent the erosion of the beach, and a call for additional amounts to dredge the harbor. Abstract of bids received in answer to advertisement of September 23, 1870, for extension of breakwater at Plattsburgh, New York. Abstract of bids received in answer to advertisement of April 17, 1871, for extension of the breakwater at Plattsburgh, New York. REPORT OF OPERATIONS ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF BURLINGTON HARBOR, VERMONT. On August 18, 1870, advertisements were issued for proposals for extending the breakwater in a northerly direction for a distance of 175 feet. Abstract of bids received is transmitted herewith. The extension is in two cribs, one 80 feet in length and one 91 feet in length, each 30 feet in width; these cribs were both completed, sunk, and filled with stone by December 31, 1870; the work on the superstructure is to be completed during the present season. Under appropriation for this harbor, passed March 3, 1871, advertisements were issued for an extension of the breakwater in a southerly direction for a distance of about 200 feet. Abstract of bids received is transmitted herewith. The extension, which is to be in two cribs, will be 217 feet in length, and 30 feet in width, and was commenced in the month of June, but at the close of the year no definite progress had been made. These cribs are to be completed and filled with stone by December 30, 1871, and left to settle until the following season, when the superstructure is to be constructed and filled with stone to a height of 9 feet above the level of average low water. Of the extension of the breakwater in a northerly direction, as recommended by a special board of engineers, June, 1867, there remains to be constructed a length of 669 feet. In the mean time, however, the wharves have developed so far to the southward that the call for an extension of breakwater in that direction appears to be more urgent than in the other-though both are necessary. Icannot transmit with this report the map of Burlington Harbor, made by the lake survey under Major Comstock, having sent my copy to the superintendent at Burlington to have certain lines concerning this breakwater marked thereon. The question as to the application of succeeding appropriations to the extension in either direction will be submitted in time to the Chief of Engineers for his action. In view of the large extension of breakwater needed in both directions, I respectfully recommend an appropriation of $60,000 for this work. This amount would suffice for the construction of about 450 feet of breakwater. Abstract of bids received in answer to advertisements of April 17, 1871, for extension of the breakwater at Burlington, Vermont. Abstract of proposals received in answer to advertisement of August 18, 1870, for the extension of the breakwater at Burlington, Vermont, opened at 12 o'clock, noon, on September 5, 1870. GENERAL: In submitting to you the annual reports of my assistants, in local charge of the several works intrusted to my general supervision, I beg leave to offer the following remarks: ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE. By the joint resolution in relation to the Rock Island bridge, approved on 20th July, 1868, it was provided that the expenditure (for said bridge) on the part of the United States should not exceed the sum of $1,000,000, and by several acts appropriating and re-appropriating money, the sum named in this limitation has been granted for this great work. Of this fund there was in my hands on 1st July, 1870..... $26,026 SS During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, I received... 302, 500 00 Making in all.. 328,526 88 Of which I have expended during the fiscal year, chiefly for the substructure 169, 748 60 Leaving on hand 1st July, 1871 ... 158, 778 28 In addition to which I believe that there is available in the In all 577,500 00 736, 278 28 the larger portion of which has been pledged in contracts for the work, or authorized to be so pledged. There can be no doubt of its sufficiency for the completion of the bridge. The accompanying report, (marked A,) from Captain A. Stickney, in charge of the substructure, shows the state of the work at the end of the fiscal year. The only unfinished pier will be completed in ample time for the superstructure. The contractors for the superstructure, having met with unexpected delays in the manufacture of the iron-work, applied for and received an extension of time for the completion of their contract for the first three spans of the bridge until 15th October, 1871. It is supposed that this will not materially delay the completion of the entire work, which they promise shall be done in the current fiscal year. The report (marked A 1) of Captain W. H. H. Benyaurd, herewith submitted, gives a concise statement of the progress of the superstruc ture, of which he is the engineer in local charge. While the work during the fiscal year would seem to have been chiefly of a preparatory character, there will be but a short time required to set up the iron, which has been fabricated at different shops at a distance, and is now in course of delivery here, when the importance of this preparatory work will be manifest to all. When this work shall have been completed, and all claims connected with it adjusted, it is proposed to give an exact statement, in minute detail, of its cost, and a full history of the bridge, from its inception. PRESERVATION OF THE FALLS OF ST. ANTHONY. Funds received during last fiscal year. $70,000 00 61, 425 83 8, 574 17 30,000 00 38, 574 17 This, at the end of June, was thought to be sufficient for carrying out the plan of permanently closing the tunnel as far as the foot of Nicollet Island, as by report (marked B) of Mr. F. Cook, my assistant in local charge; but certain newly-discovered weak points were developed a few days after the close of the fiscal year, which caused a diversion of the labors of the working party, as set forth in the supplementary report, (marked C.) It is a fortunate circumstance that we had an organized force at hand to go to the rescue in the case of this new and unexpected irruption of the waters, and my assistant, Mr. Cook, deserves great credit for the promptness with which he put forth his well-directed efforts, and arrested the havoc arising from this new danger. At the same time this evidence of a widely extending weakness in the natural barrier, (forming the falls,) demonstrates the insufficiency of former estimates for "the preservation of the Falls of St. Anthony," and it is only on getting the results of the survey, now in progress there, that new estimates can be presented. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MINNESOTA RIVER. This work was carried on under an agreement with Mr. Sanford A. Hooper, upon the terms of his contract of a former year, because there was not time for advertising anew without the risk of losing the favorable season for work; moreover, General Warren, my predecessor in charge of this work, pronounced this "a contract at very reasonable rates." It will be seen by the accompanying report (marked D) from Captain Edwin Bell, the United States inspector of this work, that daring the year there were removed 743 snags and 848 cubic yards of boulders. Amount received for this work Expended in last fiscal year.. On hand 1st July, 1871 ... To which may be added the appropriation made on the 3d of March, 1871.. Leaving available for current fiscal year.... $10,000 00 9,903 55 96 44 10,000 00 10, 096 44 which will be applied to continuing the work under a new contract, which has been entered into with Mr. S. A. Hooper, on terms differing but little from those of his previous contract. As the Minnesota River, above the south bend, must be, for some years to come, the main channel of communication for developing the region through which it flows, I would ask for a further appropriation for completing its improvement of fifteen thousand dollars. IMPROVING ILLINOIS RIVER. The work upon the Illinois River improvement is fully set forth in the accompanying report (marked E) from Mr. R. E. McMath, civil engineer, assistant in local charge of the operations, by which it will be seen that the contract with F. D. Van Wagenen for work in the upper part of the river was nearly completed at a cost of some $80,843 59, of which there was paid by me $34,755 48, the larger part having been paid by my predecessor, (see my exhibit of expenditures under head of "Repair, preservation, &c.," herewith.) Under the contract with J. T. Hayden, for work upon the lower portion of the river, there has been paid for engi neering and office expenses. And for work done by contractor.. Leaving available to be applied to continuing this work the sum of ..... $11,763 75 14,506 35 26, 270 10 63, 729 90 which will be required for the contract now in course of execution. The assistant in charge presents an estimate for the completion of the work in accordance with the present plans, amounting to the sum of $292,000, of which $150,000 could be expended profitably during the coming fiscal year. In this I agree with him, and would respectfully ask for an appropriation for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1873, the sum of $150,000 for continuing the improvement of the Illinois River. DES MOINES RAPIDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. This work has been pushed forward with commendable zeal, as set forth in the accompanying report (marked F) of Captain A. H. Burnham, Corps of Engineers, the assistant in local charge of the operations. To this report of the resident engineer I am compelled to refer for all details concerning the last year's operations. It will be seen by it that his estimate for the completion of this great work is $1,000,000, and I agree with him in the opinion that if the amount can be granted in one appropriation, at an early day, it will conduce greatly to economy in the execution of the work remaining to be done. |