RIVERS AND HARBORS, ETC.

APPENDIX A.

IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN MAINE AND NEW HAMP

SHIRE.

REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JARED A. SMITH, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1891, WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE WORKS.

30. Establishment of harbor lines at Lu- 31. Establishment of harbor lines in Ken

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,

Portland, Me., July 9, 1891. GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith annual reports for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, for river and harbor works in my charge.

In carrying on these works I have had the very faithful and able assistance of Mr. A. C. Both and Mr. F. S. Burrowes, assistant engineers.

In compliance with requirements of the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, an examination and survey of the St. Croix River was made in 1888 and 1889, and a report, with plan of improvement and estimate of cost, was submitted by the engineer officer in charge. (See Report Chief of Engineers, 1889, p. 463.)

By act of September 19, 1890, Congress appropriated $35,000 for the improvement, "upon the condition that the government of the Dominion of Canada shall expend a like sum in the improvement of the said river."

As it is not yet known what action the Dominion government is disposed to take in this matter, no steps have been taken towards the expenditure of the appropriation.

A regular line of steamers plies on the river and St. Andrews Bay, running in connection with the International Line of steamers which run between Boston, Mass., and St. John, New Brunswick.

The freights in sailing vessels are very large (principally of lumber), but it has not been practicable thus far to obtain exact statistics. Much the greater portion of the freights are shipped and received on the west side of the river (i. e., in the State of Maine).

Money statement.

Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890
July 1, 1891, balance unexpended

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 50,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and

harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

A 2.

IMPROVEMENT OF LUBEC CHANNEL, MAINE.

This channel lies between the eastern extremity of the State of Maine and Campobello Island, of the province of New Brunswick.

Previous to 1879 the mean low-water depth in the channel did not exceed 5 feet, and at low water of spring tides the depth was but 2 feet. Persons fréquently waded from one side to the other at low water.

Dredging was first commenced in the channel October 8, 1879. The work has been carried on at intervals, as appropriations became available, until August 12, 1890, when the last dredging was completed.

At the date of last annual report dredging was in progress, under a contract with Augustus R. Wright, of Portland, Me., at a price of 35. cents per cubic yard, measured in scows. In July and August the amount of material dredged was 29,172 cubic yards, making a total of 49,458 cubic yards removed under the contract.

Previous to the appropriation of August 11, 1888, the estimated cost of completing the work as planned was $22,500. The amount appropriated was but $20,000. It was, however, thought that the amount would be sufficient, because prices had averaged somewhat less than were estimated.

In all works of dredging the measurements in scows, upon which payments are made, differ considerably from the measurements in situ, which form the basis of the estimated cost. Under the last contract the scow measurements exceeded the situ amount by nearly one-third. The excess is due to various causes, but is principally owing to the fact that situ measurements are above a definite plane and between equally definite bounds; practically the dredge removes much material below and beyond these limits; the material in scows is less compact than before being dredged, and the difference varies with location and material.

Had the entire amount estimated for completion been appropriated, the project would have been so nearly completed as to leave nothing of practical importance. The project contemplated a channel of 12 feet depth at mean low water, 275 feet wide in the reach, and 300 feet in the bends; as now completed, it has its full dimensions over most of the length, but near the upper bend the width is reduced to 220 feet. The entire amount expended upon the improvement is $168,929.42.

The resulting improvement to navigation is very great, and many sailing vessels, as well as steamers, now use the channel.

The level of mean high water above plane of mean low water is about 17 feet, and the resulting tidal currents are very strong; the channel has two bends and the current sweeps obliquely across most of its length; it is therefore difficult for vessels to navigate at low stages.

The river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, required an examination or survey of Lubec Channel. A report of the examination, accompanied by a map and estimate of cost of widening and straightening the channel, was submitted to the Chief of Engineers December 30, 1890. The report was printed in Ex. Doc. No. 158, H. R., Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See Appendix A 28.)

As the estimate submitted to Congress in report mentioned covers all that is now considered necessary, no estimate for completing the small balance of former project is here submitted.

It has not been found practicable to obtain exact statistics of vessels passing this thoroughfare. It is not local, and the statistics of Eastport and Lubec would afford a small portion only.

The channel adds greatly to the safety of Quoddy Roads as a harbor of refuge.

During the last year a new light-house has been completed on the west side of the channel and near the anchorage; it is known as Lubec Channel Light.

There is a light-house on Campobello Island at the narrows, opposite Lubec. Lubec is in the collection district of Passamaquoddy.

This bar is at the eastern extremity of Mooseabec Reach, near the town of Jonesport.

The Reach is a thoroughfare well protected from the sea by the adjacent islands, and it is traversed by thousands of vessels annually. The Reach also forms an admirable harbor of refuge, and is used as such by many vessels, especially in winter.

Before the improvement the bar at the east end of the Reach gave but about 6 feet depth at mean low water, and the thoroughfare was of little use save at high water.

The project of improvement consists in dredging a channel 300 feet wide and 14 feet deep at mean low water; to remove ledges in and near the channel to a depth of 16 feet, and to construct a breakwater and beacon to prevent cross currents and to mark the edge of dredged channel.

The total expenditures previous to June 30, 1890, were $53,417.68. The expenditures in last fiscal year were $2,293.99.

Total expenditures to June 30, 1891, $55,711.67.

The cut through the bar was completed to full width of 300 feet in November, 1889.

Under the appropriation of September 19, 1890, specifications for beacon and breakwater were prepared, and in January, 1891, proposals were invited by public advertisement.

Bids were opened February 10, 1891, and a contract for the work was awarded to John F. Hamilton and Isaac H. Webber.

The first load of stone delivered under the contract was placed in the breakwater June 5, 1891. Amount of stone delivered to June 30, 1891, 1,652 tons.

It is expected that the breakwater and beacon will be completed before the close of the summer season.

It is proposed to spend the balance of appropriation remaining after completing the breakwater and beacon, and the amount which may be appropriated for the ensuing fiscal year, in removing the ledges according to the project adopted.

The improvement of this bar is in no way local in its benefits. Large numbers of coasting vessels constantly go through the Reach, as well

as many steamers; most of the vessels do not stop at all unless it be to use the anchorage as a refuge in storms.

Local statistics of freights are unimportant and do not bear upon the importance of the improvement; they are therefore not included in this report.

The improvement is in the collection district of Machias, Me. The nearest lighthouse is Moose Peak.

Nearest port of entry is Machias, Me.

NOTE. It is not practicable to obtain tonnage statistics of this thoroughfare. The number of vessels passing annually has been estimated to be as great as 25,000. The average tonnage will hardly be less than 300, which would give the estimated tonnage 7,500,000.

July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts...

3,497.56

5, 320.94

July 1, 1891, balance available....

10, 790.77

(Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project
Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893
Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and
harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

Abstract of proposals for construction of breakwater and beacon at Mooseabec Bar, Maine, opened February 10, 1891.

IMPROVEMENT OF PLEASANT RIVER, MAINE.

In compliance with requirements of the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, an examination of this river was made by the engineer officer in charge in November, 1888, and a survey was made in August, 1889.

Owing to the small amount of funds which could be allotted for the purpose, the survey of the river from Columbia Falls to Addison Point was little more than a reconnoissance, and below that point the survey