12. Port Washington Harbor, Wisconsin.-Work was commenced for i the construction of this harbor, by dredging, on the 5th day of September, 1870. A portion of the proposed basin, 600 feet in length and 50 feet in width, was excavated to an average depth of 6 feet. Piles were driven, forming a dock front of 460 running feet. Six hundred and forty running feet of crib-pier work, 14 feet in width, will be constructed this season, (320 feet on each side of the channel.) An additional appropriation of $50,000 will be required to carry out the piers to the depth of 14 feet. $15,000 00 Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870 ........ Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871. 15,000 00 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871.... Amount available July 1, 1871 Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 (See Appendix A 12.) 13. Milwaukee Harbor, Wisconsin.-With the exception of a few repairs, no work has been done at this harbor during the past fiscal year. Under the contracts now in force it is expected that an extension to each of the harbor piers, of 400 feet, will be completed to the water surface by the first day of December next, which will carry them out to the depth of 15 feet of water. Repairs will be made to the old pier work during the next year; also to the outer crib of the south pier, which was seriously damaged last fall by a collision. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870 1871.... Amount available July 1, 1871 (See Appendix A 13.) $40,000 00 38,000 00 2,878 21 75,121 79 14. Racine Harbor, Wisconsin.-During last season the outer portion of the north pier was planked over, the compartments on the south side of the end crib of the north pier were raised and filled with stone, 60 feet of the south pier was repaired near its intersection with the shore, and the pier extension of 1867 and 1868 was ballasted with stone. Two cribs, each 64 by 20 feet, have been sunk in extension of the south pier, and two cribs of the same dimensions will be sunk during the present season, forming together a total extension to the south pier of 256 run ning feet. Superstructure will be built over these four cribs next spring. Repairs will be made to the old work of the north pier for a length of 206 running feet. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, Amount available July 1, 1871 (See Appendix A 14.) $10,000 00 10, 000 00 2,714 35 17, 285 65 15. Kenosha Harbor, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin.-The work done at this harbor has consisted in taking off the old superstructure from the south pier for a length of 552 running feet, and rebuilding it 12 feet in width; also closing apertures with plank, and filling the intervals with stone. During the month of March, 1871, the outer crib of the north pier, sunk in 1867, was broken, and the lower portion moved bodily a distance of 9 feet in a northeasterly direction. A crib 50 feet in length and 30 feet wide will be placed eastward of the displaced crib, its south face being upon the present general alignment of the north pier, and the displaced crib will be protected by close piling. The superstructure of the south pier will also be raised. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870 $10,000 00 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871..... Available July 1, 1871.. Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 (See Appendix A 15.) 16. Chicago Harbor, Illinois.-The construction of a breakwater for an onter harbor, in accordance with the plans of the Engineer Department, was commenced in September, 1870. During the season 23 cribs, each 50 feet long by 30 feet wide and from 18 to 26 feet deep, were placed in position, making 1,150 feet of breakwater up to the water surface. The cribs stood well during the winter. This spring 6 cribs 50 by 30 feet were placed on the return at the north end of the breakwater, making 29 cribs placed during the year. The work, including about 200 feet of superstructure, exhausted the original appropriation of $100,000. The work is now in rapid progress under the appropriation made March 3, 1871. The contract was awarded to the Illinois Central Rai!road Company. It is estimated that 2,000 feet of breakwater will be completed with the present appropriation at cost of two-thirds of the original estimate, owing to the lower price of materials. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.. Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871.. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871 .......... Amount available July 1, 1871 Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 (See Appendix A 16.) $100, 000 00 100, 000 00 79,906 42 120, 405 23 200, 000 00 17. Harbor of Refuge at Calumet, Illinois.—Work was commenced at this harbor in August, 1870, an appropriation of $50,000 having been made by Congress July 11, 1870. The work to be done consisted in cutting a channel from the Calumet River to the lake, and in protecting the same by piers and revetment. The Calumet and Chicago Canal and Dock Company having already commenced the work of cutting a channel from the lake to the river, and entered into a contract for the purpose, the Government work was confined to the construction of piers extending into the lake, and the excavation of the channel beyond the shore-line. During the year 320 feet of crib-work was placed on the north pier and 192 feet on the south pier. The cribs for the north pier were built at Chicago and towed to Calumet and placed in position. They have been connected with the shore by a row of piling 300 feet long. A channel 50 feet wide and 7 feet deep was cut from the lake to the river by the company last season. The effect of the freshets this spring was to widen this channel to 150 feet at the narrowest point, and increase the depth to about 9 feet. The gap in the north pier being closed up, there is no danger of this channel filling up. Vessels drawing 9 feet of water can readily enter the harbor. During the present season it is proposed to extend the north pier 672 feet. This will make the north pier 1,300 feet in length, starting from the original shore-line; 440 feet of the south pier will also be completed. The effect of the improvement has been to cause extensive improvements at the mouth of the river, and to afford greatly increased facilities for the growing commerce of Chicago. An additional $50,000 was appropriated by the act of Congress dated March 3, 1871, which will be principally expended by the close of the present season. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.. $50,000 00 Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871 50,000 00 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871..... 34,096 93 Amount available July 1, 1871 65,903 07 75,000 00 Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 (See Appendix A 17.) 18. Michigan City Harbor, Indiana.-The work at this harbor during the year has been confined to dredging between piers so as to afford additional harbor room. It is found that continual dredging is necessary between the piers to maintain the required depth of water. The best remedy for this state of things seems to be the construction of an outer harbor. The cost of the outer harbor recommended by a board of engineers in January, 1870, is estimated at $324,000. 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. The importance of a good harbor at this point has been fully discussed in former reports. Amount on hand July 1, 1870.... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870 Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871... Amount available July 1, 1871 Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 (See Appendix A 18.) $5.915 91 25,000 00 15,000 00 18, 999 55 26,916 36 100,000 00 19. New Buffalo Harbor, Michigan.-An appropriation of $5,000 was made for the improvement of this harbor by the act dated July 11, 1870, making, in addition to funds already available, $11,050. This sum being insufficient to accomplish any permanent results, it was decided to expend it in such manner as to be available in case of future appropriations. A contract was accordingly made for the construction of a pile pier into the lake on the north side of the proposed channel. This work is now in progress, and it is expected that 300 feet of pier will be completed this season. Amount on hand July 1, 1870.... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.. $6,075 74 5,000 00 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, $2,837 18 Amount available July 1, 1871... 8,238 56 (See Appendix A 19.) 20. Improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers.-The operations now in progress are the construction of dams and dikes at the crossings of the canal proposed by Major G. K. Warren, Corps of Engineers, with a view to determining the practicability of improving the navigation of the Wisconsin River itself, and also whether that part of the canal project is feasible which relates to using the river in crossing from one side to the other. The works are not sufficiently advanced to determine these questions definitely, but it is expected that at the close of the season suflicient work will have been accomplished to decide the most practicable plan for improving this line of navigation. Amount on hand July 1, 1870... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871..... Amount available July 1, 1871 (See Appendix A 20.) $8,312 38 100,000 00 1,409 43 106,902 95 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. Major Houston was charged with and completed the following surveys directed to be made by the act of July 11, 1870, viz: 1. At the mouth of Oconto River; 2. At the mouth of Two Rivers, and 3. At the mouth of Ahnepee River. General commerce and navigation do not require a harbor at the mouth of Oconto River, Wisconsin, as vessels can ride at anchor here during the heaviest storms, but the improvement of the mouth of the river would be a great local benefit. Peshtigo River, eight miles north, affords a good harbor with thirteen feet 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. To improve the Oconto River and make it navigable for heavydraught vessels, will require the expenditure of half a million of dol lars. The survey for a ship-canal from the head of Sturgeon Bay across the Portage to Lake Michigan, directed by act of March 3, 1871, is in progress, and will be completed this season. (See Appendixes A 21, 22, and 23.) 21. Grand Marais, Lake Superior, Michigan.-An examination of this harbor has been made, in compliance with the act of March 3, 1871, and three projects have been submitted, costing, respectively: First estimate Estimate of modified project. $181, 525 00 291,930 00 167, 707 00 The reports of Major Houston are transmitted herewith, with the remark that the subject will be referred to a board of engineers for examination and report; and their recommendations will be submitted to you as soon as received. (See Appendixes A 24 and A 25.) HARBORS ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN. Officer in charge, Captain F. U. Farquhar, Corps of Engineers. 1. Aux Becs Scies Harbor, Michigan.-During the past fiscal year the wings on east ends of north and south piers were each extended 210 feet. One crib, 64 feet by 20 feet, was sunk on extension of north pier. Dredging was commenced May 15, 1871, and the channel is now dredged to a depth of 12 feet. During the present season two cribs, 64 feet by 20 feet, will be sunk. The north pier should be extended 264 feet, and the south pier 328 feet, which will require an additional appropriation of $56,000. This work should be done in one season. Amount on hand July 1, 1870... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.. Less amount covered into the Treasury by act of July 12, 1870 ... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871.... Amount available July 1, 1871....... Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873.... (See Appendix B 1.) $8,280 90 10,000 00 10,000 00 28, 280 90 5,721 50 22,559 40 12, 714 95 9,844 45 56.000 00 2. Manistee Harbor, Michigan.-With the exception of partly building one crib and repairing the old slab-work on north side of the channel nothing was done at this point, except to get ready the necessary materials for the season's work. During the present season each pier will be extended 158 feet, and the unexpended balance of money appropriated will be used in protecting the old slab-work on the north side of the channel. To finish this protection, together with the cutting off the angle on the south side, will require an additional appropriation of of $13,812 50. Amount on hand July 1, 1870.... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871 .... Amount available July 1, 1871.. Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 (See Appendix B 2.) $1,255 54 20,000 00 9,000 00 10, 253 26 20.002 28 14,000 00 3. Pere Marquette Harbor, Michigan. The superstructure of the north pier was finished last season, and the piers thoroughly re-ballasted. Work was commenced on a pier-head for north pier, and the closing of the beach between the east end of south pier and the shore. The recommendation for the removal of the old slab-pier on the south side of the channel, so as to widen the channel, is renewed. |