I send, herewith, a communication from Mr. Geo. W. Clark, transmitting tabular statements of the marine business of the port of Charleston, South Carolina. I have endeavored to obtain from the Chamber of Commerce, and they from other persons intimately acquainted with the business of the port, an estimate of the increased value of commerce which would follow a permanent improvement in the channel of entry. But I find that these estimates vary within large limits, and are practically of no value. The percentage of increase is variously put at 25, 50, and 100 per cent. I should say the first figure would be nearest the truth. A large amount of cotton is shipped to New York for exportation which would, with an increased depth of water on the bar, be sent directly from this port, thus increasing its business and prosperity. The export of the phosphates, which is rapidly becoming an important item, would be greatly increased. It is a heavy cargo, and requires deep draught for large vessels. I am indebted to my assistants, Messrs. Eppley and Guerrero, for their faithful and intelligent co-operation in the field-work. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major Q. A. GILLMORE, WM. LUDLOW, Captain of Engineers, Brt. Lt. Col. V. S. A. Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., New York City. CUSTOM-HOUSE, CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, March 23, 1871. SIR: Acknowledging receipt of your communication of 20th instant, informing as to such information pertaining to the business of this port desired by yourself, duly to hand, I have the pleasure to transmit for your uses tabular statements as follows: A. Of vessels entered at this port during the year 1870 from foreign ports... No. Fons. C.-Of vessels entered coast wise at this port during the year 1870.. B. Of vessels cleared at this port during the year 1870 for foreign ports 124 39, 324 E.-Imports at this port during 1870 F.-Exports at this port during 1870 G.-Duties received during 1868, 1869, and 1870 $547,471 00 11, 184, 208 00 705,873 62 In this connection, I beg to state that many vessels enter and clear at this port without reporting at this office, they being under license, and laden with domestic goods only. How large the number of such is, can only be conjectured. My opinion would place the number at, say 300 to 400, at least. Should any other statistics be desired, please advise. Respectfully, &c., GEORGE W. CLARK, Collector. WILLIAM LUDLOW, Captain Engineers, Brevet Lieutenant, Colonel U. S. A., Charleston, S. C. NOTE. The tabular statements are omitted as unnecessary, the information they contain being summarized in the letter of the collector above. APPENDIX Q. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Baltimore, Maryland, September 11, 1871. GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith papers as follows: Improvement of Susquehanna River, near Havre de Grace. Improvement of Rappahannock River below Fredericksburgh. Improvement of Appomattox River below Petersburgh. Improvement of Cape Fear River below Wilmington. Wicomico River, near Salisbury, Maryland; James River and Kanawha Canal, enlargement and extension; Accotink, Neabsco, Quantico, Aquia, Choppawamasic, on Potomac River; Norfolk Harbor, Elizabeth and Nansemond Rivers; Roanoke River; Neuse River; Cape Fear and Deep Rivers, as high as La Grange. In a second package, recapitulations of each of the foregoing. In one or two cases the usual commercial statistics are not found. This is either because I was unable to procure them, after application to the proper officials, or else they are to be shortly forwarded with special reports. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brigadier General A. A. HUMPHREYS, WM. P. CRAIGHILL, Major of Engineers. Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. Q1. Annual report for fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, of the improvement of the entrance to the harbor of Baltimore, in Patapsco River, and Chesapeake Bay. On On the 1st of July, 1870, operations had been some time suspended for want of funds. By the act approved July 11, 1870, an appropriation of $42,900 was made. The dredges and scows which belonged to the United States were taken in hand, and repaired sufficiently to carry them through the remainder of the working-season, already welladvanced. Dredging began about the 1st of September and was continued during that month and the next, in the lower or new channel. During November the dredges were worked in the Brewerton Channel. the 6th of November the charge of the improvement was transferred to me by Colonel J. H. Simpson, who was ordered to another post of duty. The dredging was discontinued about the close of November, and the machines brought to anchor for the winter near town, in a secure place. The dredges and scows were shortly afterward sold, under the authority of the Honorable Secretary of War. They were old, and for a long time had annually needed heavy repairs, making them an expensive property for the United States. Other reasons were set forth in my report of November 12, 1870, in which the sale was recommended. These need not be repeated here. The property was sold, after due advertisement, for fair prices. The proceeds are available for continuing the improvement. An appropriation of $50,000 was made by the act approved March 3, 1871. After due advertisement, a contract for dredging was made, under date of April 20, 1871, with Mr. M. F. Brainard, of Albany, work to begin in June. The dredging has been confined to the Brewerton Channel, in which Captain J. H. Cooper, the efficient port warden, has zealously co-operated with two of the dredges under his charge. Mr. Brainard, although apparently putting forth his best efforts toward the fulfillment of his contract, has not made as good progress as was anticipated. His machinery is good, but, being new, has worked stiffly and has proved weak at some points. A constant improvement has lately been observed in his work, and a still greater change for the better during the remainder of the season is confidently expected. Proposals will be invited and new contracts made for additional dredging in both channels, covering the whole of the funds available for the work. The Brewerton Channel needs greater width, as does also the new channel below. The Brewerton Channel is provided with range-beacons, which greatly facilitate its use, but these very important auxili. aries for the efficient use of the lower channel have not yet been furnished. It is hoped their erection will not be much longer delayed. An interesting letter to Colonel Simpson, from Port Warden Cooper, being pertinent to the matter under consideration, is here inserted and commended to special attention. PILOT OFFICE, 83 Thames Street, Baltimore, November 24, 1870. GENERAL: It affords me pleasure to say that at your invitation, on the 19th instant, a delegation from the Baltimore (Maryland) Pilots' Association, (including myself,) examined the Craighill Channel. We sounded it thoroughly from both sides of the steamer, going down, and at various points coming up, and found 21 feet of water at average low tide. This channel can be used by steamers drawing 19 or 20 feet, as long as the buoys remain in their present position; but for sailing vessels of heavy draught its width, 200 feet, is too narrow to use without assistance of steam-tugs, as the buoys cannot be relied upon, it being apprehended that the running of ice will remove or displace them, and as there are no landmarks that can be used in running this channel, it will require beaconlights to be erected before its general use can be availed of. But with more width of channel, and the erection of lights, it will not only be found perfectly safe, but five miles will be saved in the sailing distance between Baltimore and Cape Henry. With much respect, general, I remain your obedient servant, JOHN H. COOPER, President Baltimore (Maryland) Pilot Association. Brevet Brigadier General J. H. SIMPSON, Until lately, the depth of water aimed to be attained, and deemed to be sufficient, has been 22 feet at low water. The vast increase in the commercial importance of Baltimore since the late civil war, and the great development of her trade, especially by steam with foreign parts, has made the desire for a greater depth than 22 feet at low water very strong, and the urgency for it very great. Being called upon for estimates of the cost of obtaining a greater depth, communications were made, of the following tenor, to the Board of Trade, the Corn and Flour Exchange, and the harbor committee of the city council: 66 UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, MY DEAR SIR: In your letter, March 27, is found the following: They will be pleased to have, at your earliest convenience, separate estimates of the cost of dredging the Brewerton and Craighill Channels, both, to the depth of 21, 23, and 25 feet respectively, at medium low tide; and for width of 200, 300, and 500 feet in the Brewerton, and for 300 and 500 feet width in the Craighill Channel. Please recommend what you consider the most advisable width we should endeavor to obtain in either or both channels." As stated in a previous communication of March 28, 1871, the survey of the Patapsco was delayed by heavy rains and high winds. I regret you did not mention the cause of this delay, to which you refer in your late letter to the city council. I am able, however, now, to give the information you desire. FROM END OF BREWERTON CHANNEL TO FORT M'HENRY. Width, 200 feet; depth, 21 feet To give a channel 24 feet deep at mean low water, of width as follows: Craighill Channel, 400 feet; Brewerton Channel, 250 feet; from end of Brewerton to Fort McHenry, 250 feet, will cost $757,000. To give a channel of the same width as just stated, but of a depth of 23 feet, will cost $542,000. I regard these widths as the smallest with which a great city like Baltimore should be satisfied. As to the depths, I have nothing to say, except that to obtain the depth of even 25 feet, though costly, would be probably the most remunerative in the end to the city. Any further information will be furnished with pleasure. Very respectfully, Mr. JOHN S. WILLIAMS, Chairman of Committee Corn and Flour Exchange, Baltimore, Maryland. An appropriation of $200,000 is recommended for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873. Hon. John L. Thomas, jr., under date of July 28, 1871, writes as follows: In compliance therewith, I have to state that the sum collected, in coin, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, as duties on imported merchandise, was $8,892,528 98, and the total receipts for the same period, including currency derived from tonnage, hospital, storage, steamboat inspections, licenses to pilots and engineers, &c., amounted to $5,993,086 70. The arrival and entry of vessels from foreign ports, for the last two and a half years, bear the following proportions: 1869, 650 vessels; 1870, 735 vessels; from January, 1871, to June 30, 1871, 508 vessels. The increase within the last six months is in greater proportion than that of the preceding years, and, according to the ratio of increase for the six months of the present year, will exceed that of last year more than one-third in number. The amount of merchandise, the quantity of which is determined by weight, is also annexed for your consideration, and is as follows: Amount of merchandise weighed during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1870– Amount of merchandise weighed during the year ending June 30, 1871— Imports... Pounds. 317, 259, 977 3,718, 112 5,437, 094 326, 415, 183 Pounds. 394,875, 496 Exports.. Transportation in bond. Abatement Total...... Excess over the year ending June 30, 1870..... This is exclusive of merchandise measured, gauged, in packages, &c. The domestic exports for 1870 and the six months ending June 30, 1871, are as follows: The whole of his interesting letter is appended hereto; an abstract of bids received is also appended. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1871.. $20, 453 30 92, 010 58 200, 000 00 Abstract of proposals for dredging in Patapsco River below Fort Carroll, opened at 12.10, p.m., April 1, 1871. |