The river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, appropriated $25,000 for this improvement. On October 1, 1890, a project for the expenditure of this amount was submitted, and approved October 6, 1890. It proposed to continue the full section of the north jetty. An advertisement under date of October 15, 1890, was issued, inviting bids for the proposed work. An abstract of the proposals received will be found in the annexed table. On December 3, 1890, a contract was entered into with Mr. Joseph H. White to deposit in the north jetty 1,000 tons, more or less, of rubblestone, which it is estimated will extend the full section of the north jetty 300 feet. Operations under this contract were commenced early in May, 1891, and during the fiscal year 4,279 tons had been deposited in the north jetty, essentially completing it for an additional distance of 100 feet, or 2,300 feet in all. During the latter part of May, 1891, a survey of the bar was made. It shows, first, that the channel crossing the bar has moved slightly to the southward and has deepened so that the least depth of water on the bar is 12.1 feet at mean low water in a straight channel at least 300 feet wide. The distance across the bars between 18-foot contours is 1,800 feet. On the outside of the bar no essential change is apparent in the position of the deep-water contours. Inside of the bar the 18-foot curve has advanced eastward 800 feet. Inside of the jetties, although extensive changes have taken place in the high-water line, the low-water line is essentially as in 1890, and the deep-water contours show no change of importance. In a word, the improvement shows a decided change for the better. At the date of this report the condition of the south jetty and the dike is the same as on June 30, 1890. From notes furnished by Mr. Hiram F. Mills, engineer of the Essex Company, at Lawrence, Mass., it is known that the spring freshet in the Merrimac River was of more than the average in duration and extent. To complete the improvement an appropriation of $117,500 will be required, all of which could be expended to advantage during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, in the extension of both jetties to their full projected lengths. The advantages to be derived from the completion of the project are the deepening and widening of the channel across the bar, thereby af fording a harbor of refuge on the inside of Salisbury Beach, and giving easy access at high tide to the wharves at Newburyport for vessels drawing 17 feet, approximately. This work is located in the collection district of Newburyport, Mass., of which Newburyport is the port of entry. The nearest light-house is on Plum Island, at The entrance of the harbor. The accompanying commercial statistics for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, have been furnished by the collector of customs for Newuryport, Mass. Money statement. nly 1, 1890, balance unexpended.. $1,398. 75 25, 000. 00 26, 398.75 3,611.50 22, 787.25 11, 941. 93 10, 845.32 $117,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Abstract of proposals for rubble stone for the extension of north jetty, at entrance to Newburyport Harbor, Massachusetts, opened November 21, 1890, by Lieut. Col. S. M. Manafield, Corps of Engineers. No. 123456 Rockport Granite Co., and Pigeon Hill Granite Co., Rockport, Mass. 1.95 1.53 Jeremiah Cushman, Newburyport, Mass 1.69 Contract awarded to Joseph H. White, with the approval of the Chief of Engi Average draft of vessels entering the harbor is 114 feet; maximum draft, 5 feet. The building of the jetties has already deepened the water several feet, and now vessels of 10 feet draft can easily come in at low water. B 2. IMPROVEMENT OF MERRIMAC RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. The mouth of Merrimac River is 15 miles northwest from Cape Ann, Mass. Tide-water extends up it a distance of 19 miles, or to the foot of the "Upper Falls," 14 miles above Haverhill, Mass. Seven incorporated cities and the largest mills in New England are directly interested in its improvement. Before improvement the channel was narrow and crooked and much obstructed by ledges, bowlders, and shoals. At mean low water vessels drawing not to exceed 7 feet could enter the river and proceed to South Amesbury, 9 miles from the mouth. The sea bar at the mouth of the river has been improved under specific appropriations for improvement of Newburyport Harbor, while many sunken rocks and wrecks of piers and vessels lying inside the bar have been removed by general appropriations for the improvement of the river. The object of the Merrimac River improvement is to straighten, widen, and deepen the natural channel from the bar to the head of tide water at the upper falls of a group known as "Mitchell's Falls." The rise or fall of the tide at the mouth is 7.7 feet; at Haverhill Bridge, 4 feet. No plan of the river above Newburyport has been published in the Reports of the Chief of Engineers. The project originally adopted in 1870 proposed to remove obstructions from the Upper and Lower Mitchell's Falls, and to remove the gangway rock and the "Boilers" in Newburyport Harbor. The cost was estimated to be $69,025. This project was modified in 1874 so as to include the removal of rocks in and near the draw of the bridge at Deer Island, 2 miles above Newburyport, and Rock's Bridge, and at Little Currier's Shoal, East Haverhill, so that the channel should have the following depths at ordinary high-water stages of the river: From the mouth of Deer Island Bridge, 5 miles, 163 feet; from Deer Island Bridge to Haverhill Bridge, 123 miles, 12 feet; thence to the foot of Mitchell's Falls, Hazeltine Rapids, 13 miles, 10 feet; through Mitchell's Falls to the head of the Upper Falls, 23 miles, not less than 4 feet, when the mill-water at Lawrence is running. This revised project was estimated to cost $147,000. The total appropriations to date have been $185,500. The total expenditures to June 30, 1890, were $175,500. The excess of expenditures over the estimate is due to the removal of rocks and other obstructions that were unknown and removal not contemplated when the estimate was made, and by the expense of necessary surveys and examinations not provided for in the estimate. The condition of the improvement, June 30, 1890, was as follows: The modified project of 1874 was completed with the exception of the removal of the "Boilers," upon which no work had been done. During the year ending June 30, 1891, no active operations have been in progress. The project, as modified in 1874, has been completed with the exception of the removal of the "Boilers," but from 1883-1886 additional improvements were recommended as follows: For that part of the river below Mitchell's Falls (1) To remove sunken rocks and shoals from Mitchell's Falls.. (2) To remove the "Boilers" to a depth of 5 feet at mean low water, 350 cubic yards, at $25. Contingencies. Total. $1,500 8,750 1, 250 11, 500 To extend the improvement so that the same depth of water as is now obtained through Mitchell's Falls can be carried to Lawrence (a distance of 5 miles from the head of the falls) was in 1882 estimated to cost for dredging through Gage's Shoal and Andover Bar, and removing bowlders and ledges, $11,000. The improved channel is in good order. This work is located in the collection district of Newburyport, Mass., of which Newburyport is the nearest port of entry. The nearest light-houses are the Plum Island Lights and the Newburyport Upper Harbor Lights. Commercial statistics are included in statement for Newburyport Harbor. No increase in the tonnage of the river is apparent since the improvement was commenced, and no new lines of water transportation have been established. Money statement. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project............. B, 3. IMPROVEMENT OF POWOW RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. Powow River is a tributary of the Merrimac River, which it enters from the north about 3 miles above Newburyport. The tide enters the river a distance of about 9,600 feet, following the channel, or to a dam just above the town of Amesbury, Mass. The present channel is narrow, exceedingly crooked, and is not navigable at low water. The mean range of the tide at the mouth of the river is 6.7 feet. The general project of the improvement of the river was proposed January 24, 1885. It was based on the survey provided for in the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884. This project proposed to make a channel 9,600 feet long, 60 feet wide on the bottom, and 12 feet deep at mean high water, at an estimated cost of $77,000. Two appropriations have been made for this improvement, viz, by the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, which appropriated $3,000 for dredging: Provided, That this sum shall not be expended until the towns of Amesbury and Salisbury, or either of them, shall have caused such a draw to be placed in the present bridge over said river as may be approved by the Secretary of War. And by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, $5,000, with a similar proviso. On April 10, 1889, the Secretary of War approved the plan of the proposed bridge. No action has as yet been taken by the authorities which will warrant the expenditure of the available funds. To complete the improvement will require an appropriation of $69,000. Of this amount $30,000 could be expended to advantage during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, if the bridge at the mouth of the river shall have been rebuilt in accordance with the approved plans. This work is located in the collection district of Newburyport, Mass., of which Newburyport is the nearest port of entry. The nearest light-houses are the Newburyport Upper Harbor Lights. Commercial statistics are included in statement for Newburyport Harbor. No increase in the tonnage of the river is apparent and no new lines of water transportation have been established. Money statement. June 1, 1890, balance unexpended 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 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. B 4. IMPROVEMENT OF IPSWICH RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. $3,000.00 5,000.00 8,000.00 69,000.00 30,000.00 Ipswich River empties into Plum Island Sound, 9 miles south of Newburyport, Mass., and at the same distance west of Cape Ann. The head of navigation is 3 miles above the mouth. The entrance of Plum Island Sound is 2 miles east of the mouth of the river. Six feet depth at mean low water can be carried over the bar at the entrance to the sound, and between the bar and the mouth of the river there is a good anchorage, with from 3 to 5 fathoms of water. Before improvement the channel of the river from its mouth to "Barras Turn," a distance of 2 miles, was at least 60 feet wide and 4 feet deep at mean low water. From "Barras Turn" to the town wharves, a distance of 1 mile, the channel was narrow and crooked, and had at some places but 14 feet depth at mean low water. The mean rise or fall of the tide is 8.4 feet. The original project for improvement was submitted December 6, 1875. It proposed a channel 60 feet wide and 4 feet deep, mean low water, from "Barras Turn" to the town wharves, at an estimated cost of $25,000. On November 5, 1883, the original project was divided into three partial projects: 1. The removal of the ledges at Heards Point and opposite Nabbys Point to a depth of 2 feet at mean low water, to open a navigable channel of that depth, at a cost of $15,900. 2. To dredge the shoal at "Labor in Vain" and "The Shoals," so as to open a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water and 60 feet wide, at a cost of $2,200. 3. To straighten the channel by making a cut across "Barras Turn," and to build a jetty to close the old channel, at a cost of $6,900. In the Annual Report of 1887 it was recommended that the general project be modified by limiting the present improvement to opening a channel 60 feet wide and 4 feet deep through "The Shoals" and "Labor in Vain," and extending it to the "Deep Hole," opposite the town. wharves. A chart showing this limited project was published in the report of the Chief of Engineers for 1887. |