The project for improvement was adopted in 1884. It provides for the excavation of a channel 200 feet wide and 10 feet deep at mean low water, from a point near and east of the White Rocks, to deep water opposite Little Nahant, a distance of 3,610 feet; this is called the outer improved channel, and is merely a rectification and deepening of the main ship-channel. The combined main ship and Black Rock channels are sufficient for the purposes of commerce for the next 2,500 feet. Then commences the inner improved channel, which is projected 6,450 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 10 feet deep at mean low water. It extends from deep water, opposite Sand Point, to the harbor commissioners' line, and follows very closely in direction the extension of the united main ship and Black Rock channels. On September 24, 1888, this project was modified. It was then proposed to extend the main ship-channel 400 feet within the harbor line and to excavate at its inner end a basin 500 by 300 feet in area, 10 feet deep at mean low water. It is supposed that the inner channel will need to be dredged occasionally to maintain its width and depth; but a training wall, about 6,000 feet long, has been proposed to aid in keeping the outer channel open, if experience shall show it to be necessary. This wall is to start from the shore at "Little Nahant" and is to cross the Black Rock Channel. Its outer position is to be parallel to the outer improved channel. The cost of the original project was estimated to be $145,000. This estimate was revised in 1885, and then made $157,000, to provide for an increased amount of dredging, found to be necessary during the progress of the work, to round off the junctions of the natural channel with the dredged channel, to provide flatter slopes to the sides of the cuts than was originally designed, and also to provide funds for necessary surveys during the progress of the work. The modifications proposed September 24, 1888, were estimated to cost $25,000, which would make the total cost of the improvement $182,000. The total appropriations for this harbor to date have been $91,000. The amount expended to June 30, 1890, was $75,415.32. On June 30, 1890, the outer channel had been completed as proposed, 3,610 feet long, 200 feet wide, 10 feet deep at mean low water; the inner channel was 6,450 feet long, 10 feet deep at mean low water, 150 feet wide, or 50 feet less than is proposed. The basin was 125 feet wide, 500 feet long, 10 feet deep at mean low water, connected with the main shipchannel at the harbor line by a cut 100 feet wide, 400 feet long, 10 feet deep at mean low water. The river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, appropriated $15,000 for this improvement. The project for the expenditure of this sum was submitted October 1, and approved October 6, 1890. It was to complete the interior basin. An advertisement inviting bids for the proposed work was issued under date of October 15, 1890. An abstract of the proposals received will be found in the annexed table. On December 15, 1890, a contract was entered into with the New England Dredging Company to excavate 40,000 cubic yards, at 18 cents per yard. This contract expires December 31, 1891. No operations were in progress under this contract during the fiscal year. At the date of this report the condition of the improvement remains essentially the same as on June 30, 1890. To complete the improvement will require an appropriation of $91,000, and of this amount $50,000 could be expended to advantage during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893. Lynn is a port of entry in the collection district of Marblehead, Mass. The nearest light-house is Egg Rock (Nahant) Light, 3 miles distant. The accompanying commercial statistics for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, have been furnished by the collector of customs at Marblehead, Mass.: Money statement. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended 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.. $584.68 15,000.00 15, 584.68 197.04 15, 387.64 7, 200.00 8, 187.64 91,000.00 50,000. 00 Abstract of proposals for dredging in Lynn Harbor, Massachusetts, opened November 21, 1890, by Lieut. Col. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers. Contract awarded to the New England Dredging Company with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Amount of revenue collected, 1890, $3,509.60; 1891, $4,855.96. Total number of vessels visiting the port, 471; average draft, 13 feet. 1890. 1891. Tons, Tons. 16, 496 12.380 22.786 B 10. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT WINTHROP, MASSACHUSETTS. This harbor is situated in the northeastern part of Boston Harbor, immediately westward of Winthrop Head. A chart of the harbor was published in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for the year 1888, part I, page 470. The harbor contains, approximately, 350 acres, all of which is dry at low tide, except a short, narrow, crooked slough east of Snake Island. To the town wharf no low-water channel exists. The mean range of tides is 9.4 feet. The nearest deep-water channel of Boston Harbor is known as the "Back" Channel, and it extends from Point Shirley to East Boston. It has from 9 to 16 feet depth at low tide. The town wharf is distant from this "Back" Channel 3,900 feet. The original project for the improvement of this harbor was submitted November 28, 1887; it was based on the survey provided for in the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886. The project proposes to excavate a straight channel 3,900 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 6 feet deep at mean low water, from the "Back" Channel to "Rice's" Wharf, at an estimated cost of $17,600. For this improvement the following amounts have been appropri ated: By the act of August 11, 1888. By the act of September, 19, 1890 Total....... $1,000 5,000 6.000 No part of this sum had been expended on June 30, 1890, and the original condition remained unaltered. On October 1, 1890, it was recommanded that the funds available be expended in dredging a channel 35 feet wide and 3 feet deep at mean low water from deep water to "Rice's" wharf. This was approved and on October 15, 1890, an advertisement was issued calling for bids for the proposed work. An abstract of the proposals received will be found in the annexed table. On December 10, 1890, a contract was entered into with Messrs. Boynton Bros. to dredge 20,000 cubic yards, at 24 cents per yard. Operations under this contract were commenced in May, 1891, and were satisfactorily completed June 30, 1891, by the removal of 20,060 yards. The improved channel is now 3 feet deep at mean low water, 3,900 feet long, and 35 feet wide. Opposite "Rice's" wharf it is 50 feet wide. The beaches and headlands protecting this harbor on the east were seriously abraded by the storms of the winter 1888-'89, this abrasion has been conntinued and they will soon require protection, not only to secure this minor harbor, but to prevent injury to the main harbor of Boston. To complete the improvement will require an appropriation of $11,600, all of which could be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893. Winthrop Harbor, Massachusetts, is in the collection district of Boston, Mass., of which Boston is the port of entry; the nearest light-house is situated upon Deer Island Point, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. The existing commerce is nominal, and commercial statistics are included in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. 1 No increase in the tonnage of the harbor is apparent, and no new lines of water transportation have been established. Money statement. 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, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1891, balance available (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 proposal for dredging in Winthrop Harbor, Massachusetts, opened November 21, 1890, by Lieut. Col. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers. Contract awarded to Boynton Bros. with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. B II. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. Boston Harbor consists essentially of an inner and an outer harbor, united by a deep water way, and each accessible from the sea by a distinct channel, widening into a deep and spacious roadstead. 1. Inner harbor.-This harbor lies to the north and westward of Long Island, and has deep water and good anchorage in the President Roads, seaward of Lower Middle Bar, and also near the city westward of Upper Middle Bar. Four rivers discharge their waters into this basin-the Charles, Mystic, and Chelsea Rivers from the north, and the Neponset from the south. The direct entrance from the sea is by Broad Sound. 2. Outer harbor.-This harbor lies to the southward of Long Island, and has a fine anchorage in Nantasket Roads, as well as in Hingham Bay, a well-sheltered harbor southeast of Peddock Island. It connects with the inner harbor by the main ship channel through the "Narrows," and by secondary channels east and west of Long Island. It is reached from the sea by Nantasket Roads, which lie south of George and Great Brewster Islands, and is marked at the sea entrance by Boston Light. Weymouth and Weir Rivers empty into the outer harbor. Both the inner and outer harbors are subdivided into several minor harbors, and contain many islands, which shelter the anchorages from winds and storm waves. The range of tides at the navy-yard is 9.8 feet, and at the entrance to the outer harbor 9.4 feet. A sketch of the harbor was printed in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for the year 1888, page 454. The object of the improvement is, first, to preserve the harbor by protecting the islands and headlands; and, second, to improve it, by widening, deepening, and straightening the channels. The projects adopted for this purpose since 1866 have been mainly in accordance with the recommendations of the United States commissioners whose labors terminated during that year. The works of preservation consist of sea walls, aprons, jetties, etc., which protect the shores of the islands and headlands, prevent additional wash into the channels, control the tidal scour, and preserve the full height of anchorage shelter for vessels in the roadsteads. The works of improvement have been by dredging and blasting. The total expenditures to June 30, 1890, were $1,728,360.66. WORKS OF PRESERVATION. Point Allerton.-This headland at the southeasterly entrance of the harbor, is protected by a granite sea wall 1,202 feet in length, completed in 1873. Its concrete foundation for a distance of 1,005 feet is protected by an apron and eight short jetties of granite rubblestone. No work was done on it during the fiscal year. Its condition June 30, 1891, is as follows: The wall is generally in good order, although some of its joints should be repointed. The bluff protected by this wall is not fully covered from storm action, and the sea wall should be extended westward for a dis tance of at least 150 feet, and the foundation of the extension should be protected with riprap. This is estimated to cost $15,000. Great Brewster Island.—This island is on the north side of the main ship channel near the entrance. It is protected by a granite sea wall 2,840 feet loug, which was completed in 1869. On June 30, 1891, it was in fair order. Many of the joints require repointing, and some of the coping course should be reset. These necessary repairs are estimated to cost $10,000, and were commenced during the latter part of June, 1891. Georges Island.-Its northern and eastern shores are protected by a granite sea wall 2,150 feet long. West of this wall a riprap improvement extends for 450 feet, and south of it another 600 feet long. The sea wall and southern riprap were built about 1835. The western riprap was built in 1884-'85. No work was done on the wall or ripraps during the year, and they are in good order at the date of this report. The unprotected western shore line of the island in front of the Govern ment buildings was considerably abraded; the high-water line had been moved back in places nearly 25 feet. This shore line should be protected by a light sea wall, 1,400 feet long, at a cost of $35,000. Lovells Island. The western shore of this island is protected by a rubblestone apron, 975 feet long, built in 1873, and repaired and ex |