44 4. Improvement of Saginaw River, Michigan.-This improvement is in an efficient state, and continues to prove valuable. No further appropriations are at present required. 5. Harbor of refuge on Lake Huron.-The point on the shore of Lake Huron south of Point aux Barques, known as Port Hope, is recommended by Major Poe for the site of the proposed harbor of refuge, after a careful examination of the three localities named in his preliminary report of January, 1871. Repeated borings at all three localities with an apparatus made efficient and trustworthy after many trials, established the existence at Port Hope of good holding-ground, better, even, than that at Sand Beach Bay; and as the locality possessed the requisite condition of near proximity to Point aux Barques, it was recommended by Major Poe, who, however, requested that the subject might be submitted to a board of engineers of high rank, before a final decision was made. As this request was in accordance with my own views, and was approved by you, a board of engineers, experienced in lake-harbor constructions, was at once convened and ordered to make personal examination of Port Hope and Sand Beach Bay, and report their views as to the site best adapted to meet the wants of navigation. Their report will be submitted to you as soon as received. The design submitted by Major Poe aims to make the required protection from the sea by constructing a breakwater in the ordinary form of wooden cribs, filled with ballast stone. This breakwater, it is proposed, shall be 2,500 feet long, parallel with the shore-line; thence from the northern end a wing of the same character, to extend 1,500 feet toward the shore. In addition, it is proposed to construct on the north a smaller breakwater, its eastern end being southwest and distant 500 feet from the west end of the wing of the main breakwater, and its length 800 feet, extending toward the shore. The estimated cost of the main work is And for the auxiliary breakwater is $449, 744 71 28,000 00 Total 477,744 71 As the cost of a harbor at either of the two points, Port Hope or Sand Beach Bay, will largely exceed the present appropriation of $100,000, the additional sum of $200,000 is recommended for appropriation at the next session of Congress. 6. Survey and estimate for removing middle ground at the mouth of Black River, in Saint Clair River, Michigan.-This survey was directed by the act of March 3, 1871, and was completed during the year; a map, with detailed estimates for improvement, having been submitted. The officer in charge proposes building a dam across Black River and dredging out a new channel at its mouth at a cost of $66,924. His estimate for the removal of the middle ground to a depth of 15 feet, (involving the excavation of 168,300 cubic yards gravel at 40 cents,) is $67,320. To obtain a depth of 18 feet requiring the excavation of 393,800 cubic yards, at 40 cents, $157,520. (See Appendix C 5.) 7. Improvement of Clinton Rirer, Michigan.-The appropriation of July 11, 1870, ($5,000,) was expended under contract during the past year, and resulted in obtaining a channel 2,700 feet long, with an average width of 98 feet at top and 58 feet bottom, and depth of 9 feet. The sum appropriated by the act of March 3, 1871, will be expended during the present season in making a survey of the improvement with the view of adopting the necessary measures for maintaining its efficiency. No appropriation is recommended for the next fiscal year. (See Appendix C 6.) 8. Examination of the mouth of Pine River, Saginaw Bay, Michigan.This is a small stream emptying into Saginaw Bay, on its northern side. It has a depth of about 7 feet for a width of less than 100 feet, with only 4 feet on the bar at its entrance. A harbor here can be of no general importance, and is not required as a harbor of refuge. A channel, to be useful, should be at least 100 feet wide at top and 7 feet deep. To dredge this will cost about $7,500. The officer in charge made no estimate for piers, because the cost of building them is not warranted by the existing commerce of the place. IMPROVEMENT OF THE SAINT CLAIR FLATS, LAKE SAINT CLAIR. Agent in charge, Colonel Thomas J. Cram, Corps of Engineers, (retired.) Saint Clair Flats Canal.-This work was completed and opened to the public on the 25th July, 1871. A small force is kept at work during the season as a precaution in watching and caring for the newly made embankments, under the direction of the custodian in charge. An appropriation will be required for the fiscal year ending June, 1873. For wages of the custodian and for contingent repairs, $2,500. (See Appendix C 8.) HARBORS ON LAKE ERIE WEST OF DUNKIRK. Officer in charge, Major Walter McFarland, Corps of Engineers, to April 25, 1871, since which time Captain George L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. 1. Mouroe Harbor, Michigan.-During the year 8,000 cubic yards have been removed from the bar at mouth of the ship-canal, giving a good 12-foot channel into it. Amount on hand July 1, 1870............. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871 .. Amount available July 1, 1871 (See Appendix D 1.) $6,253 71 6, 101 60 152 11 2. Harbor of Toledo, Maumee Bay, Ohio.-The improvement of the western channel by dredging has been carried on during the season. The excavation amounts to 54,573 cubic yards on June 30. The balance on hand June 30, 1871, will be expended during the present fiscal year. Required during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, to complete this dredging as contemplated, $20,000. Amount on hand July 1, 1870... $121,724 23 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 fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. 20,844 92 Amount available July 1, 1871..... Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873.... (See Appendix D 2.) $100, 879 31 20,000 00 3. Sandusky River, Ohio.-No further improvement of this river has been made since June 30, 1869, for the want of funds. An appropriation of $20,000 could be profitably expended in widening the present channels through the bars of this river. 4. Sandusky City Harbor, Ohio.-The contract made in September, 1869, for dredging the inner channel of this harbor was completed in November, 1870, resulting in the removal of 28,192 cubic yards of material, in a cut 60 feet wide and 2,500 feet long. The appropriation of July 11, 1870, ($10,000,) will be expended this season in excavating about 25,000 cubic yards from the channel cut in inner bar, in a cut half a mile in length and 90 feet in width. No appropriation is recommended for the next fiscal year. Amount on hand July 1, 1870. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.. $9,749 81 10,000 00 9, 145 25 (See Appendix D 4.) 5. Huron Harbor, Ohio.-The east and west piers of this harbor have been repaired. They are now in good condition and the channel-way full 15 feet depth of water at low stage. No appropriation for the next fiscal year is required except $1,000 as the probable annual cost of keeping the piers in repair. Amount on hand July 1, 1870.... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871... Amount available July 1, 1871.......... $12,551 52 3,156 76 9,394 76 (See Appendix D 5.) 6. Vermillion Harbor, Ohio.-No funds have been available for any improvement here during the year. The piers are in fair condition, and there is ample water in the channel to meet all requirements of the commerce of the harbor. No appropriation for the next fiscal year is required. (See Appendix D 6.) 7. Black River Harbor, Ohio.-Nothing of consequence has been done during the year. The piers are in good repair, and there is a good channel with 12 feet of water to the harbor. No appropriation for the next fiscal year is required. Probable yearly amount required to keep the piers in good condition, $1,000. Amount on hand July 1, 1870...... $7,980 05 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. 66 00 Amount available July 1, 1871.. 7,914 05 (See Appendix D 7.) 8. Cleveland Harbor, Ohio.-During the year the pier-head of the east pier has been repaired, and 9,500 cubic yards of sand removed from the channel between the piers. No further appropriation is required for the improvement of this harbor upon the plan adopted, but the commerce of Cleveland is increasing so rapidly that additional harbor facilities will be needed at no distant day. Annual expenditure of $1,000 will probably keep the piers in repair. Amount on hand July 1, 1870 .... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870 $2,420 00 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871 20,000 00 2,628 45 19,791 55 (See Appendix D 8.) 9. Grand River Harbor, Ohio.-No work has been done year. There is now a good channel with 12 feet of water. priation for the next fiscal year is required. Amount available July 1, 1871.. (See Appendix D 9.) during the No appro $53, 664 59 10. Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio.-Under the appropriation of $15,000 of March 3, 1871, a contract has been entered into to remove about 7,000 cubic yards of shale-rock by blasting and dredging, so as to give a depth of 12 feet at low water. This work is now in progress, and the 60-foot channel, blasted in 1869-270, will be widened to the full distance between the piers. This will make as good a harbor as is possible to make of it. No appropriation for the next fiscal year is required. amount annually required to keep the piers in repair, $800. Amount on hand, July 1, 1870.... Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871..... Amount available July 1, 1871. (See Appendix D 10.) Probable $150 22 15,000 00 5.00. 15, 145 22 11. Conneaut Harbor, Ohio.-The pier-head of the east pier has been repaired. Under the appropriation of $6,000 of July 11, 1870, a contract has been made for the extension of the east pier 90 feet. This work is now in progress. No appropriation for the next fiscal year is required. be kept in repair at an annual cost of $500. Amount on hand July 1, 1870 .... The piers can ', $2,864 15 6, 000 00 Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870 (See Appendix D 11.) 7,321 82 12. Erie Harbor, Pennslyvania.-During the fiscal year 9,851 cubic yards of sand were removed from the inner bar, and 15,466 cubic yards from the outer bar of this harbor, under the contract of March 29, 1867. The repairs to the breakwater connecting the south pier with the south shore have been completed. The appropriation of July 11, 1870, has been used in part in these repairs. An additional appropriation of $29,000 was made on March 3, 1871. Under this, contracts have been made for removing about $60,000 cubic yards from the channel across the inner bar, and for removing the sunken cribs near the east end of the north pier, and extending this pier eastwardly 120 feet. The channel across the inner and outer bars will be widened to 350 feet (the width between the piers at the beaconlights on north pier) and will have a depth of 15 feet at low stage of water. The allotment of $10,000 for the protection of the peninsula will be expended during the year in the purchase and planting of trees, and in the construction of jettees of brush and stone at the threatened points. No appropriation is required for the next fiscal year. Amount prob ably required annually to keep the piers and breakwater in repair, $1,500. Amount on hand, July 1, 1870. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, (See Appendixes D 12, 13, and 14.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. The act of July 11, 1870, directed examinations to be made at Port Clinton and Rocky River, Ohio. These were made by Major McFarland, Corps of Engineers, and submitted to Congress February 4, 1871. The improvement he suggests for Port Clinton Harbor requires about 4,500 feet of pier-work, at a cost of $120,000, including the deepening of the entrance to Portage River to 8 feet. To make a harbor at Rocky River, either for commercial purposes or as harbor of refuge, a large amount of dredging would be required, and also the construction of a protecting pier. Major McFarland estimates the cost of a pier at $30,000, and the cost of dredging a channel, 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep, from the outside of the outer bar along both sides of the island in the river, to be from $48,000 to $132,000, according as the material to be excavated may or may not prove to require blasting. (See Appendixes D 16 and 17.) The resurvey of Monroe Harbor, Michigan, and the survey of Maumee River, above Toledo, Ohio, directed to be made by the act of March 3, 1871, are in progress, under the direction of Captain Gillespie. HARBORS ON LAKE ERIE, EAST OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA. Officer in charge, Captain Franklin Harwood, Corps of Engineers. 1. Dunkirk Harbor, New York.—The west pier was secured and re-enforced during the working season of 1869, and now stands in good and safe condition. The removal of the old outer breakwater was completed in 1871; preparations to carry into effect the plan of the board of engineer officers of November 3, 1870, were made, and the work commenced at the close of the fiscal year, 1870-'71; and by the close of the working season the day-beacon will be established, and 200 feet of breakwater laid, exhausting the existing appropriation. |