[First indorsement.] OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. U. S. ARMY, January 28, 1891. The Harbor Line Board for Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, constituted by Special Orders No. 38, Headquarters Corps of Engineers, August 13, 1888, submits for the approval of the Secretary of War harbor lines along the north side of the Reserved Channel, the north side of South Boston Flats, and around Castle Island, as delineated on the accompanying chart. It is recommended that the lines selected be approved, and that the Secretary place his approval both upon the report and upon the accompanying map. THOS. LINCOLN CASEY, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers. [Second indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, January 29, 1891., Respectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers. The harbor lines indicated herein and delineated on the accompany ing tracing are approved. L. A. GRANT, Assistant Secretary of War. APPENDIX C. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS ON SOUTHERN COAST OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND IN RHODE ISLAND; AND OF STONINGTON HARBOR, CONNECTICUT. REPORT OF MAJOR W. R. LIVERMORE, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1891, WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE WORKS. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit herewith annual reports for the year ending June 30, 1891, for river and harbor works in my charge. This office has been assisted by Assistant Engineers Edward Parrish, John H. Rostock, and Walter C. Simmons. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. THOMAS L. CASEY, Chief Engineers, U. S. A. W. R. LIVERMORE, Major of Engineers. C 1. HARBOR OF REFUGE AT HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS. The harbor of Hyannis lies on the south shore of the peninsula of Cape Cod, about 15 miles to the westward of the heel of the cape, and is an important harbor of refuge. The mean rise and fall of the tide is about 33 feet. ORIGINAL CONDITION. Before improvement it was an open roadstead, exposed to southerly storms. PLANS OF IMPROVEMENT. In the years 1827-1838 a breakwater of riprap granite, 1,170 feet long. was constructed, covering an anchorage of about 175 acres, the entrance to which had a depth of about 153 feet. In the years 1852-1882 extensive repairs were made in increasing the width of its base and the size of the stone forming its sides and top. The depth of water immediately inside the breakwater being insufficient for many vessels that seek the harbor of refuge, the present project for the improvement of the harbor published in the Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1885, volume 1, pages 560 and 619-621, contemplates dredging the area protected by the breakwater to a depth of 15 feet at mean low water. AMOUNT EXPENDED AND RESULTS TO JUNE 30, 1890. was The amount expended on this work up to June 30, 1890, $141,441.58. The breakwater had been completed according to the original project and the subsequent plans for strengthening it, and the 15-foot anchorage area had been increased by about 7 acres. OPERATIONS DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR. At the beginning of the last fiscal year work was in progress with plant consisting of the dredge Texas, tug General Warren, and two scows, all belonging to the United States, and was continued till July 11. By act of September 19, 1890, Congress appropriated $8,000 for continuing the improvement, and a project for the expenditure of this sum was prepared and was approved by the Chief of Engineers. In accordance with this project dredging was resumed in the 15-foot anchorage area back of the breakwater May 19, 1891, with the same plant, except that the tug Sargon was substituted for the General Warren. On June 1, 1891, the Sargon was needed on the stone works and was replaced by a hired tug. Twenty-two thousand one hundred cubic yards were excavated during the year, which added about 4 acres to the 15-foot anchorage area protected by the breakwater. Mr. C. O. Abell was the local superintendent of the work. WORK REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE EXISTING PROJECT. The work required to complete the existing project is the completion of the dredging to a depth of 15 feet in the area limited on the west by a line running due north from the western end of the leakwater, and on the north by a line running parallel to the breakwater, and distant 1,500 feet from it, leaving a berm of 100 feet along its northern side. OPERATIONS CONTEMPLATED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1892. It is proposed to apply the balance on hand and the funds asked for ($17,662) to the execution of the project above referred to, of deepening the anchorage area inside the breakwater. Hyannis Harbor is in the Barnstable collection district, and Barnstable is the nearest port of entry. The amount of revenue collected at Barnstable in the last fiscal year was $2,757.48. The main value of the harbor is for a harbor of refuge. The nearest light-house is Hyannis Light; the nearest fortification is the fort at Clark's Point, New Bedford, Massachusetts. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 11, 521.95 6, 269.92 5, 252.03 3, 237.03 2,015.00 17, 662.00 17,662.00 |