Abstract of proposals for dredging in the harbors of Black Rock, Connecticut, opened at New York City February 10, 1891, by Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers. In addition to above, 2,500 vessels anchored in Black Rock Harbor for refuge during 1890. The above figures show an increase in tonnage of freight over that reported for 1889 of 4,703 tons. No new lines of transportation have been established since July 1, 1890. D 13. IMPROVEMENT OF NORWALK HARBOR, CONNECTICUT. Norwalk Harbor or River is a tidal estuary, with a narrow channel extending about 3 miles north from Long Island Sound to the town of Norwalk. Above Norwalk the river is a small fresh-water stream. South Norwalk is on the west bank of the river, 14 miles below Norwalk. At this point the river is crossed by two drawbridges, the lower one a highway bridge, and the other (450 feet above) the bridge of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. In 1867 a company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Connecticut for the improvement of the river. Little work was done, and when improvement was begun by the United States the low-water depth to South Norwalk was 5 feet, and to Norwalk but 1 foot. PROJECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT. By act of March 2, 1829, Congress appropriated $80 "for making a survey of the harbor of Norwalk, Conn., with a view to its improvement." The survey was made by Capt. Hartman Bache, U. S. Engineers, who, in his report on the same dated May 10, 1830, recommended excavating the channel, proposing to build a steam dredge for the purpose. The cost was estimated as follows: For a channel 12 feet deep at ordinary high water $15, 668.95 12, 286. 45 No money was appropriated for carrying out this plan, and in 1871 another survey was ordered by Congress, which was made in the same year. In his report upon the latter survey, dated December 16, 1871, and printed in Senate Executive Document, No. 23, Forty-second Congress, second session, also in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1872, page 900, General Warren, U. S. Engineers, submitted a project for dredging a channel 6 feet deep and 100 feet wide from Long Island Sound up to Norwalk, at an estimated cost of $34,000. In 1880, the terms of the river and harbor act provided that "so much of said appropriation ($5,000) as shall be necessary therefor shall be so expended as to have a channel 6 feet deep at low water between the steamboat landing in said Norwalk and Long Island Sound." As a channel of the projected width (100 feet) and depth of 6 feet at mean low water already existed, this was interpreted as requiring a depth of 6 feet at extreme low water (see Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1881, Part I, page 609), which would be 8 feet at mean low water, and the project was accordingly modified to provide for obtaining that depth up to South Norwalk, where the steamboat landing was. The latest estimate, made to include the cost of this modification, and of a large amount of dredging already required to maintain the channel, places the total cost from the time of beginning work at $84,000. Up to July 1, 1890, the channel below South Norwalk had been dredged 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water; above South Norwalk the channel was from 60 to 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep. OPERATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1891. By act of Congress approved September 19, 1890, $4,000 were appropriated for this improvement. Due advertisement was made, proposals for dredging were received, and February 27, 1891, a contract was entered into with George B. Beardsley to do the required work at the rate of 14 cents per cubic yard; work has not yet been begun. This work was part of a contract for dredging in the harbors of Bridgeport, Black Rock, Five Mile River, and Norwalk, and the time of commencement specified was on or before August 1, 1891. PRESENT CONDITION OF IMPROVEMENT. The channel below South Norwalk, which has been made 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water, is in fair condition, but with the width somewhat decreased by reason of washing in of the banks. Above South Norwalk the channel is 6 feet deep and from 60 to 100 feet wide. PROPOSED OPERATIONS. Under the contract now in force the dredged channels will be restored where shoaling has taken place. It seems inexpedient at present to attempt to make and maintain a width of 100 feet above South Norwalk; with this exception the project is completed, except such work as may from time to time be required to maintain the channels. No appropriation is needed for the ensuing year. Appropriations for improving Norwalk Harbor have been made as follows: •Part of an appropriation of $28,000, of which $25,000 was required to be expended at Wilson Point. Norwalk is in the Fairfield collection district, and is 11 miles west of Bridgeport. the port of entry. Norwalk light-house is on Sheffield Island, at the harbor entrance. The nearest work of defense is Fort Schuyler, Throg's Neck, at the head of Long Island Sound, about 29 miles southwest. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended .... July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. 4,767.21 2,920.00 July 1, 1891, balance available 1,847.21 Norwalk, Can Abstract of proposals for dredging in the harbors of necticut, opened at New York City, February 10, 1891, by Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers. Abstract of contract for improving Norwalk Harbor, Connecticut, in force during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891. Part of a contract for dredging in the harbors of Bridgeport, Black Rock, Five Mile River, and Norwalk; time of commencement specified on or before August 1, 1891. This estimate does not cover a considerable fleet of oyster steamers belonging on the river. No statistics were received for 1889. The above figures show a decrease in tonnage of cargoes of 126,100 tons since 1886, the last previous figures received. No new lines of transportation were established during the past fiscal year. D 14. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT WILSON POINT, CONNECTICUT. Wilson Point Harbor is a bay on the north shore of Long Island Sound about 1 miles west from the mouth of Norwalk River or Harbor. The lower half of the harbor is about half a mile wide, with depth decreasing from 16 feet gradually to 6 feet at Wilson Point; the upper half is from 1,000 to 500 feet wide, with depth of 3 feet or less at low tide. The harbor is sheltered by the mainland and by Sheffield Island (the most westerly of the Norwalk Islands) from all quarters except the southwest; it is partly sheltered from the southwest by "Bell Island," an island separated from the mainland by a marsh and narrow creek. Wilson Point Harbor has been used to some extent for many years as a harbor of refuge and place to lie up for the night by fishing boats and oyster steamers, and occasionally by barges caught out in storms. There is no settlement upon the shores of the harbor except a collection of summer cottages on Bell Island. A few years ago the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad Company now a branch of the Housatonic Railroad Company) made Wilson Point their terminus, and subsequently the New England Terminal Company was formed to construct docks, ear yards, and coal sheds, and to oper ate in the interest of the Housatonic Railroad and its connections. A large dock was built, with transfer bridges, by which freight cars were taken on board steamers and freight carried to New York City without unloading and reloading. PROJECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT. March 3, 1888, a letter was sent by the Hon. William P. Frye, U. 8. Senator, to the Secretary of War, asking that a special examination of Norwalk Harbor be made with reference to a developing business which urgently required further improvements; this letter was referred to me for report. Upon inquiry it was learned that the business referred to was that of the railroad terminus at Wilson Point, and that it was desired that the United States undertake dredging a channel 15 feet deep and 300 feet wide up the harbor to the vicinity of the railroad wharves. There was no money available for a detailed examination of the locality, but estimates for dredging, based upon recent U. S. Coast Survey charts, were made as follows: 230.000 cubic yards, at 20 cents... Contingencies, 15 per cent..... Total........ $46,000 6,900 52,900 The river and harbor act of 1888 made appropriations for Norwalk Harbor, Connecticut, of $28,000, with provision as follows: Twenty-five thousand dollars of which shall be expended in dredging and deepening the channel in the lower harbor up to Wilson Point. Previous to beginning work under this appropriation a large amount of dredging had been done by the railroad company; owing to this and to the low rate at which the Government contract was let, it was possible with the available funds to complete the project, and up to July 1, 1890, the channel had been made 400 feet wide and 15 feet deep at mean low water up to the docks, except a small area adjoining the docks, where dredging was done by the railroad company and the depth made was but 12 feet. OPERATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1890. The act of Congress approved September 19, 1890, appropriated $30,000 for improving the harbor at Wilson Point. After due adver tisement proposals were received and a contract for dredging about 125,000 cubic yards of material was entered into under date of January 24, 1891, with A. J. Beardsley & Son, of Bridgeport, Conn., at the rate of 84 cents per cubic yard. Work was begun February 27, and the contract was completed June 5, 1891, 124,974 cubic yards of mud and sand having been dredged, widening the channel on the east side by 200 feet for a length of 750 feet near the railroad docks, and widening the entire channel on the west side up to the docks, about 80 feet, the depth made being 15 feet at mean low water. |