40 feet and the slopes below this plane to be such as may be formed by the action of the sea; between low water and the top the slopes to be The estimated about 1 on 0.7 formed by heavy stones laid in position. cost of completing this part of the work is $400,000, or, including the $356,250 appropriated from 1882 to 1888, the cost of closing the gap is $756,250. From the beginning of the work in 1822 to June 30, 1890, the total amount expended was $2,547,125.92, of which $355,022.22 was expended on the project of 1882 for closing the gap. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $2,029.87 was expended in surveys and office expenses. The total expenditure to June 30, 1891, has been $2,549,155.79, of which $357,052.09 has been under the present project for closing the gap. The increase in the dimensions and draft of vessels since the present harbor was designed in 1822, together with the shoaling which has ensued behind the breakwater, renders the present harbor under these changed conditions inadequate for the requirements of commerce. Upon the completion of the present project of closing the Gap, additional anchorage area will be added to the harbor and make it of great and continued value to coasting vessels. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended .... Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.... July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. July 1, 1891, balance available ... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... $1,227.78 80,000,00 81, 227.76 2,029.87 79, 197.91 75, 082.00 4, 115.91 320, 000, 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 320,000. 00 harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix G 7.) 8. Rancocas River, New Jersey.-In its natural condition Rancocas River carried a minimum low-water depth of about 4 feet between the mouth and Centerton, a distance of about 7 miles, and from Centerton to Mount Holly, a distance of about 51⁄2 miles, a ruling depth of about 2 feet. The original project of 1881 proposed the formation, by a dike at Coats Bar and dredging elsewhere, of a channel from 150 to 200 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water from the mouth to Centerton, and from thence to Mount Holly a channel 5 feet deep. Operations were carried on under this project from 1881 to 1884, under appropriations aggregating $20,000 made in 1881 and 1882. To the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, $19,899.91 had been expended in the formation of a 6-foot channel over Coats Bar and its vicinity by dike construction and dredging. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $8,802.73 was expended in the removal of three wrecks, and in deepening to 6 feet at mean low water for a channel 100 feet wide the shoal areas between the mouth and Centerton. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890... July 1, 1891, balance unexpended $10,000,0 8,802, 7. 1, 197. $51,000,00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... (See Appendix G 8.) 9. Alloway Creek, New Jersey.-In its original condition Alloway Creek was obstructed between its mouth and Quinton, a distance of about 10 miles by shoal areas in the upper half of the stream, which reduced the low-water depths to about 4 feet. The original project of 1889 proposed the formation by dredging of a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water, and 60 feet wide from Quinton to a point about 1,000 feet above the upper Hancock Bridge; from thence a channel of the same depth and 75 feet wide. At a locality known as the Canal, in addition to a channel of the last named dimensions, the width of the stream was to be increased to about 150 feet between its low-water lines. The appropriation of $6,000 by the act of September 19, 1890, was the first made for this work. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $3,467.88 was expended in deepening to 6 feet at mean low water the channel at the Canal, Square, and upper Hancock Bridge. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890 June 30, 191, amount expended during fiscal year $6,000.00 3,467.88 July 1, 1891, balance unexpended. 2, 532. 12 July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities... July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. July 1, 1891, balance available 1,003. 36 19,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....... (See Appendix G 9.) 19,000.00 10. Maurice River, New Jersey.-In charge of W. F. Smith, United States Agent, Major of Engineers, U.S. Army, Retired, to October 2, 1890. In its original condition Maurice River had a depth of 5 feet at mean low water over the bar at its mouth, and a channel of over 10 feet deep extending from its mouth for a distance of about 20 miles, or to within 4 miles of Millville. For the remaining distance of about 5 miles, to the head of navigation at Millville, there were shoal areas which reduced the low-water depth to about 2 feet. The original project of 1881 proposed the formation by dredging of a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water through the 4 miles of river below Millville Bridge, and from thence to the head of navigation a channel of the same width and 4 feet deep. In 1891 the project was modified by extending the 6-foot channel to the head of navigation. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, $28,816.83 had been expended in carrying the 6 foot channel from a point 4 miles below to about 1,000 feet above Millville Bridge. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $6,099.40 was expended in extending the previously dredged channel for a further distance of about 400 feet above the point reached at the close of the previous fiscal year. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended..... Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. $6, 183. 17 8,000.00 14, 183. 17 June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1891, balance unexpended..... July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. 6,099.40 8,083.77 4,750.00 3,333, 77 July 1, 1891, balance available... (See Appendix G 10.) 11. Removal of wrecks from Delaware Bay and River.-During the past fiscal year no wrecks have been removed under this appropriation. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended..... July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.. (See Appendix G 11.) $734.08 734.08 12. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation. During the past fiscal year the following wrecks were removed under the provisions of the act of June 14, 1880: The schooner Gen. W. T. Sherman, from Delaware Bay; the steamer Mediator, from Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey. (See Appendix G 12.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 1890. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Major Raymond, and reports thereon submitted through Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southeast Division. It is the opinion of Major Raymond, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are not worthy of improvement. The conclusions of these officers being concurred in by me, no further surveys of these localities were ordered. The reports were transmitted to Congress and printed as executive documents of the Fifty-first Congress, second session. 1. Shark River, New Jersey.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 25. (See also Appendix G 13.) 2. Sound between Barnegat Bay and Great Egg Harbor Bay, New Jersey.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 42. (See also Appendix G 14.) 3. Little Egg Harbor Bay and Inlet, including Great Bay, New Jersey, with reference to establishing a harbor of refuge.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 23. (See also Appendix G 15.) 4. Thoroughfare from Cape May to the Great Bay north of Atlantic City, New Jersey.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 50. (See also Appendix G 16.) 5. Cape May City, New Jersey, for breakwater.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 39. (See also Appendix G 17.) 6. Pensauken Creek, New Jersey.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 31. (See also Appendix G 18.) 7. The West Branch of the Susquehanna River in the State of Pennsylvania, in order to ascertain if the navigation of said river can be materially and permanently improved by the construction of embankments or otherwise; such survey also to be made with a view of ascertaining the best practicable method of confining the waters of said river in times of great flood, to the general course of its channel.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 136. (See also Appendix G 19.) The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Major Raymond, and reports thereon submitted through Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southeast Division. It is the opinion of Major Raymond, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, Major Raymond was charged with and has completed their survey and submitted reports thereon. 1. Toms River, New Jersey.-The improvement proposed contemplates dredging a channel 75 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water from the bridge at the village of Toms River to the 6-foot curve below, a distance of about 3,500 feet. The cost of the work is estimated at $10,000. (See Appendix G 20.) 2. Goshen Creek, New Jersey.-The improvement proposed contemplates dredging a channel below Goshen Landing to a low-water depth of 3 feet and width of 30 feet, dredging a channel 3 feet deep and about 50 feet wide through the bar at the mouth of the creek and out to the limit of the sand formation beyond the low-water shore line, and the protection of the dredged channel by a sheet pile jetty on the south side of the channel extending about 600 feet outside of the low water line of the bay. The cost of the work is estimated at $12,000. (See Appendix G 21.) EXAMINATION FOR SITE FOR HARBOR OF REFUGE FOR DEEP-DRAFT VESSELS NEAR MOUTH OF DELAWARE BAY, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 1890. In compliance with the provisions of the act a Board of Engineers, consisting of Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Major C. W. Raymond, and Capt. W. H. Bixby, Corps of Engineers, was constituted by the Secretary of War to examine "Delaware Bay, with a view of determining the best site near the mouth of the same for a national harbor of refuge suitable for deep-draft vessels" and submit "report thereon, with a project and estimate of cost of construction of such a harbor of refuge." The report of the Board will be submitted when received. A preliminary report, dated December 11, 1890, is submitted as Appendix G 22. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN DELAWARE AND ON EASTERN SH RE OF CHESAPEAKE BAY, MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA, AND OF INLAND WATER WAY FROM CHINCOTEAGUE BAY, VIRGINIA, TO DELAWARE BAY, DELAWARE. Engineer in charge, William F. Smith, United States Agent, Major of Engineers, U. S. Army, Retired; Division Engineer, Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. 1. Wilmington Harbor, Delaware.-Before 1836, when the first appropriation for the improvement of Christiana River was made, the depth of water at the entrance into the Delaware River was about 8 feet. The shoalest place inside the river below the Third Street Bridge was 8 feet. The depth in the channel was increased that year by dredging to 10 feet. Under a project commenced in 1871 and completed in 1881, a 12 foot channel was made from the mouth to above the city of Wilming ton. The project now in force was made in 1881, and is for a 15 foot low-water channel from the mouth to the Pulp Works, 150 feet wide from the mouth to the Rolling Mill Wharf, 100 feet wide to the Dela ware and Western Railroad Bridge, and 75 feet in width to the Pulp Works; also for a channel 50 feet wide and 12 feet deep above these works, as far as the Delaware Railroad Bridge, and for a jetty at the mouth of the river. The estimate, which was $175,551, was increased in 1883 to $191,384 by changing the width of the proposed channel to 150 feet as far as the Pulp Works. A further amendment of the project was made in 1884, when 4 feet was added to the height of the jetty and its length increased 322 feet. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, $170,914.44 had been expended under this proj ect. There was then a channel 15 feet deep and 150 feet wide extending from the mouth to near the outlet of Brandywine Creek. The channel above this point, which had previously been dredged to Third Street Bridge, had partly filled up again. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, the proposed channel: was extended from the mouth of the Brandywine Creek to a point 600 feet above the Third Street Bridge, a distance of 5,200 feet, and $17,143.39 was expended. The work was still in progress at the close. of the fiscal year, but will be completed in August next. In compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, a Commission, consisting of Col. D. Ù. Houston and Major C. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers, and Mr. L. Y. Schermerhorn, civil engineer, was constituted by the Secretary of War to make a survey of Wilmington Harbor and submit report thereon, with project for improvement. The report of the commission was submitted under date of June 18, 1891. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.......... Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. $2,835.55% 30,000.00 32,835, 56 June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year... 17, 143. 39 July 1, 1891, balance unexpended... 15, 692. 17 July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities... July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... $5,365.2% 10, 538. 07 5, 154. 10 July 1, 1891, balance available..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project........ (See Appendix H 1.) 87,634,00 87,634,00 2. Ice-harbor at New Castle, Delaware.-The ice-harbor at New Castle is one of the oldest in the Delaware River, its cons tection of shipping against floating ice having ruction for the procolonial times. Since the beginning of the een commenced during ment has been carried on by the Gener present century its improvevals, the total amount expended ar Government at various intering June 30, 1890, being to the close of the fiscal year endthe fiscal year ending Ju 537.50. The amount expended during The present project 0, 1891, is $255.65. gerous condition, of the harbor. To remove one of the piers, which is in a dan to build a new one on the north or up river end ans for the new pier have been prepared. |