Abstract of proposals received for the improvement of Saco River, Maine. Abstract of contracts made for the improvement of Saco River, Maine. Nature of work. Name of contractor. Quantity, large Price per ton of 2,240 pounds. Tons. IMPROVEMENT OF KENNEBUNK RIVER, MAINE. The improvements of this river consist in 1. The construction of two stone piers, in extension of those heretofore built at the mouth of the river, on each side, and in the place of the wooden catch-sands, which have been entirely washed away by violent storms. 2. The repairs of the Government wharf above the mouth of the river: and 3. The repairs of the old piers. The appropriations made for this work are as follows, viz: By act of Congress of July 11, 1870.. Total... $5,000 00 5,000 00 10,000 00 Under the appropriation of July 11, 1870, proposals were invited for building the stone pier on the eastern side of the river, and a contract was made with Messrs. Albert Blaisdell and Joseph S. Bailey of Portland, Maine, the lowest responsible bidders for the same, at $21 35 per lineal foot. On the 12th of December, 1870, they had finished 168 lineal feet in completion of their contract. Repairs were made on the eastern stone pier, as well as on the Government wharf above it; and the appropriation was nearly exhausted before the close of the season. Under the appropriation of March 3, 1871, proposals were invited for building the stone pier on the western side of the river, and a contract was made with Mr. Charles H. Bragdon, of Biddeford, Maine, for building the same, at $18 62 per lineal foot. On the 30th of June the contractor had delivered several cargoes of stone and had made some progress otherwise on the work. On the 15th of August this contract was completed. Amount appropriated for, this work, as above... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871 Amount available July 1, 1871 .. $10,000 00 4,991 16 5,008 84 This amount is believed to be sufficient for completing the contemplated improvements of this river. The papers described as follows are hereto appended, viz: 1. Abstract of proposals received for building eastern pier. 2. Abstract of proposals received for building western pier. 3. Abstract of contracts made for building eastern and western piers. Abstract of proposals received for the improvement of Kennebunk River, Maine. Nature of work. Name of bidder. Quantity, more Price per run- Linear feet. of eastern pier. George B. Carll and Robert W. Gray, 3 4 Building an extension of eastern pier. Building an extension Albert Blaisdell and Joseph S. Bailey, of eastern pier. Chas. H. Bragdon and Alfred Goodwin, 5 Building an extension Edward Warren, Kennebunkport, Me.... of eastern pier. 6 Building an extension of eastern pier. Hugh Bowen and David H. Hill, Port- 150 27 00 7 Building an extension Fitz H. Jordon, Portland, Me.. 150 28 00 of eastern pier. No. for ref. erence. Abstract of proposals received for the improvement of Kennebunk River, Maine. Abstract of contracts made for the improvement of Kennebunk River, Maine. Nature of work. Name of contractor. Price per Quantity. running foot. IMPROVEMENT OF COCHECO RIVER, WITHIN THE TOWN OF DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Cocheco River is navigable by vessels drawing 6 feet of water at mean low water, or 134 feet at ordinary high water, up to the Lower Narrows, which point is about one and one-eighth mile below the dam at Dover, or three-fourths of a mile below the head of navigation. But from the Lower Narrows up to Dover the navigation is obstructed in several places, as follows; viz: 1. Lower Narrows.-Here it is contracted to 100 feet in width, being about one-half of its general width; and, for an extent of about 160 feet, it is obstructed by boulders and ledge-rock, upon which there are but 2 feet of water at mean low water. Two feet more depth is required at this place, to enable vessels drawing 10 feet to pass it at mean high water. 2. Trickey's Shoal.-At this place the river shoals to a depth of about 2 feet, at mean low water, for an extent of about 260 feet-thie bed being composed of boulders and gravel. Two feet more depth is required here also. 3. Clement's Point, about one-half mile above Lower Narrows. Here the river narrows to a width of 125 feet, and its bed is covered with boulders and gravel, for an extent of about 210 feet, with but 13 feet of water upon it at mean low water. A depth of 4 feet at mean low water is required at this place also. Immediately below this point is a rock, known as Watson's Rock, which is bare at low water, and should be removed. 4. The Upper Narrows, generally known as the "Gulf." This place is about three-fourths of a mile above the Lower Narrows, and threeeighths of a mile below the dam. The river is here contracted, for a short distance, to a width of but 60 feet between its rocky banks; and its channel is obstructed by ledges and boulders for a distance of about 300 feet, the shoalest part of which has but 1 foot of water upon it at mean low water. This shoal should be excavated to an average depth. of 2 feet, so as to give a channel 60 feet in width, with 4 feet of water upon it at mean low water. Immediately above this point there is a shoal about 100 feet in length, with but 6 inches of water upon it at ordinary low water. This shoal is composed of coarse gravel, and should be deepened about 34 feet, to obtain the desired depth of 4 feet at mean low water, or 103 at mean high water-the average rise and fall of the tide being here 63 feet. The removal of the ledge at the "Gulf," which now acts as a dam in causing the shoal above it, may in some measure be attended with the Scouring away of this shoal. There is also, above the "Gulf," and opposite the steam-mill, another ledge of about 30 feet in extent, which should be reduced 3 feet for a. width of 60 feet. The following is an estimate of the improvements above proposed, viz: 1. Lower Narrows, excavating and removing ledge and boulders 2. Trickey's Shoal, excavating 1,500 cubic yards, boulders, gravel, &c., at $1... $7,000 00 3. Clement's Point, excavating 1,500 cubic yards, boulders, gravel, &c., at $1.. 1,500 00 4. Upper Narrows, or Gulf, excavating 1,500 cubic yards, ledge and boulders at Gulf, and above, at $20 per cubic yard Excavating 1,000 cubic yards gravel, (above Gulf,) at 50 cents per cubic yard........ Add for contingencies, say Total... Amount appropriated therefor, March 3, 1871. Additional amount required to complete the work..... 1,500 00 30,000 00 500 004,500 00 45, 000 00 10,000 00 35,000 00 This amount could be profitably expended upon the work during the next fiscal year. Under the appropriation of March 3, 1871, proposals were invited for opening a channel through the Lower Narrows to a width of 75 feet, and to a depth of 4 feet at mean low water. Messrs. Morris & Cumings, of New York City, were the lowest bidders for doing this work, for $7,000 by the job, and a contract* was made with them for completing the same on or before the 31st of October, 1871. In the latter part of June the contractors had commenced operations." Amount appropriated for this work by act of March 3, 1871.... Expended up to the 30th of June, 1871. Amount available July 1, 1871 $10,000 00 125 67 9,874 33 * This contract was nearly completed on the 16th of September, 1871. Appended hereto are the following papers, viz: 1. Abstract of proposals received. 2. Abstract of contracts made. Abstract of proposals received for the improvement of Cocheco River, within the town of Dover, New Hampshire. Abstract of contracts made for the improvement of Cocheco River, within the town of Dover, New Hampshire. EXAMINATION AND SURVEY OF COCHECO RIVER, AT DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Cocheco River is a tributary to the Piscataqua River, which it joins about four miles below Dover, New Hampshire, the distance from its junction, down the Piscataqua, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, being about ten miles. Vessels can navigate these rivers without obstruction, with 6 feet of water at mean low water, (or about 134 feet at mean high water,) up to the Lower Narrows, so called, which are about one and one-eighth miles below the dam at Dover, or three-fourths of a mile below the head of navigation; but from the Lower Narrows up to Dover the navigation is obstructed in several places, the locality, character, and extent of which are as follows, viz: 1. Lower Narrows.-At this place the river is contracted to 100 feet in width, being about one-half of its general width; and for an extent of 180 feet these narrows are obstructed by a ledge across its bed, upon which there are but 2 feet of water at mean low water. About thirty years ago this ledge was somewhat improved, under a small appropriation made therefor by Congress, but not to an extent sufficient to meet the requirements of commerce. It should be still further excavated to a width of 75 feet and for a depth of 2 teet, so as to give a depth of 4 feet at mean low water, and enable vessels drawing 10 feet to pass safely over it without danger of rubbing. |