7. Harbor at New Rochelle, New York.-The original condition of the channel in this harbor was narrow and interspersed with sunken reef of rocks, which made it dangerous for navigation, and in the channel proposed to be excavated by dredging the depth varied from 0 to 8 feet at mean low water. The originally adopted project was to remove rocky obstructions and dredge an inner channel between Hunter's and Flat islands. The estimated cost was $40,825, and this project has not been modified. The expenditures to June 30, 1883, were $10,075, and a channel had been dug around Glen Island 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water. The expenditures during the year ending June 30, 1884, were $6,871.36, and the result was the removal of Corning Rock to a depth of 12 feet at mean low water. The estimated amount required for the entire and permanent compietion of the work of improvement in accordance with the approved and adopted project is $5,825. July 1, 1883, amount available.... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883...... July 1, 1884, amount available..... $16, 185 45 6,871 36 9,314 09 5,825 00 Amounted (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix F 7.) 6,000 00 8. Port Chester Harbor, New York.-The original condition of the channel was obstructed by "Sunken" and "Salt" rocks, the former with a depth over it of 5.7 feet at mean low water, the latter projecting above the level of mean low water. The originally adopted project for the improvement was the removal of these rocks and the construction of a breakwater. The amount expended at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, was $10,075, and the condition of the improvement was the removal of "Salt" Rock to a depth of 9 feet at mean low water. The amount expended during the year ending June 30, 1884, was $599.20, and was for additional surveys. The amount that can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is $30,000, and will be applied to further dredging the channel leading to the town and removing "Sunken" Rock. The estimated amount required for the completion of the improvement of the harbor according to the adopted plan is $69,632. July 1, 1883, amount available $16,925 00 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883... 599 20 July 1, 1884, amount available 16,325 80 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....... (See Appendix F 8.) 69,632 00 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 2, 1882. 1. Gowanus Creek, at Brooklyn, New York.-A line of canal having taken the place of this creek, it was deemed neither worthy of improvement nor the work a public necessity. (See Appendix F 9.) Upon a favorable report from the preliminary examination made by him, as required by the above act, Colonel Newton was charged with and completed the following, the results of which were transmitted to Congress and printed as Senate Ex. Doc. No. 57, Forty-eighth Congress, first session: 1. Minisceongo Creek at its outlet into Hudson River, New York. (See Appendix F 10.) 2. Saugerties Harbor, on Hudson River, New York. (See Appendix F 11.) 3. Peekskill Harbor, on Hudson River, New York. (See Appendix F 12.) IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS ON WESTERN LONG ISLAND, IN THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY, AND IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY. Officer in charge, Maj. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. 1. Flushing Bay, New York.-The original condition of the navigable channel was a depth at the shoalest part along the line leading to Flushing of 3.9 feet at mean low water, and it was not, therefore, available for commerce. The originally adopted project of 1879 for the improvement was the formation of a tidal basin by means of dikes, which, by its filling and emptying through one channel, will keep up a depth of 6 feet at mean low water, and even more after once having been dredged. No modification has been made in the project. The amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, was $49,991.37. At that time 3,075 feet of timber diking, forming part of the eastern side of the proposed tidal basin, had been built, and an improved channel, with two branches, had been opened, 7,500 feet long, 80 to 100 feet wide, and 6 feet deep, mean low water. There being no money available for continuing the improvement, no work was done during the year. Six hundred vessels, drawing from 6 to 12 feet of water, use the harbor; and the commerce benefited by the improvement is estimated at $5,000,000 annually. The act of July 5, 1884, appropriated $10,000 for continuing the improvement. It will be applied in widening and deepening the improved channel and in building a short length of dike on the west side. The appropriation ($35,000) asked for is to complete the eastern side of the projected tidal basin by the construction of 2,400 feet, more or less, of diking, and to maintain a channel from the bay to the inner harbor. An increased depth in the channel leading to Flushing will add proportionately to the tonnage shipped both ways through the bay, and will greatly relieve the tributary towns from excessive rates by railroads. The tonnage through the improved channel during the year was 600,000 tons. $8 63 July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.. 8 63 Amount appropriated by act approved July 30, 1884. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 10,000 00 113,500 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 35,000 00 (See Appendix G 1.) 2. Newtown Creek, New York.-The original condition of the channel gave a depth of 12 feet, mean low water at the entrance, which was insufficient for the large class of vessels frequenting the stream. The average width was 240 feet. The originally adopted project of 1880 for the improvement was to dredge a channel about 200 feet wide and from 18 to 21 feet in depth, and no change has been made in the project. The amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, was $24,053.13. At that date the improved channel had a width, from Vernon Avenue Bridge 1,100 feet westward, of 75 feet, gradually increasing to 150 feet at the entrance, with an average depth of 18 feet, mean low water. Owing to tidal action at the mouth of the river, deposits are made unceasingly there, which the sluggish currents are incompetent to re move. To keep the channel open, therefore, annual dredging must be resorted to. The amount available July 1, 1883, for continuing the improvement was $946.87. No work was done. In January, 1884, a report was made on the survey of the creek from the mouth to the head of navigation, 4 miles inland, and an estimate submitted for the improvement of the entire stream at a total cost of $230,000. By act of July 5, 1884, the sum of $20,000 was appropriated to commence the improvement, with part of the money applicable to the mouth of the stream. The appropriation asked for is to extend the improvement towards the head of navigation, and to keep open the channel at the entrance for vessels drawing not less than 18 feet. One hundred and fifty thousand vessels passed through the draw of the Vernon Avenue Bridge during the year, with a tonnage of 16,000,000 tons, approximately. The money value of the interests to be fostered is estimated at $20,000,000 to $25,000,000. The benefits to be expected are those accompanying the maintenance of a deep-water channel for large vessels engaged in an extensive commerce belonging to a wealthy and prosperous city, and the extension of this commerce by the increase in the value and extent of new industries. The commerce of this stream is now so great and important that it may be properly classed with that of New York City and Brooklyn. July 1, 1883, amount available...... July 1, 1884, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix G 2.) $946 87 946 87 20,000 00 20,946 87 210,569 00 70,000 00 3. East Chester Creek, New York.-The original condition of navigation was, between Town Dock and Lockwood's, a draught of less than 7 feet at high water, through an intricate, crooked, and narrow channel; a draught in the channel south of Goose Island rather more than 7 feet at high water, and a dangerous reef of bowlders, &c., in close proximity to the course of vessels in passing the draw at Pelham Bridge. The originally adopted project (1872) was for making a channel of 9 or 10 feet draught at high water from Town Dock to a point 3,000 feet above Lockwood's, which included the construction, not yet undertaken, of a tidal basin above Lockwood's. To this have been since added the dredging of the channel west of Goose Island and the removal of the reef of bowlders, gravel, &c., just below Pelham Bridge. The amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, was $46,918.20. At that date the improved channel had an approximate depth of 9 feet at mean low water from the entrance to Lockwood's, with one shoal below Town Dock. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $7,000.30. During the year a channel 2,000 feet long and, approximately, 50 feet wide has been excavated through this shoal by the removal of 18,236 cubic yards of material. The local engineer recommends that for the present the improvement stop at Lockwood's, and that future appropriations be applied to the construction of works below that point, designed for the maintenance of the channel which has been improved. An appropriation of $30,000 is asked to widen the lately improved 'channel between Pell Point and Town Dock, and to build 2,500 feet of diking between Town Dock and Goose Island. Amount necessary to be appropriated for the entire completion of original project, $82,500. The special benefits to be derived from the improvement are the better maintenance of the improved channel, greater facilities afforded to vessels for reaching the upper wharves of the river adjacent to East Chester, Mount Vernon, and other towns, whereby supplies may be brought and products shipped at less cost to the inhabitants of the valley. July 1, 1883, amount available.. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 183..... $7,081 80 July 1, 1884, amount available.. 7,000 30 81 50 82,500 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix G 3.) 30,000 00 4. Canarsie Bay, New York.-The object of this improvement is to connect Canarsie Landing with the deep water of Jamaica Bay by a channel having a depth of 6 feet at mean low water, the original depth being only 4 feet across the flats. The original project, adopted in 1879, contemplated the construction of an interior tidal basin by means of timber dikes, and no important amendments, alterations, or additions thereto have been made. The amount expended to close of fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, was $18,000. The condition of the uncompleted improvement at that time was the excavation of a channel 50 feet wide, with 6 feet depth at mean low water, through Jamaica Bay, extending up to Canarsie Landing, and the construction of a timber dike on the north side 1,000 feet long. No work was done during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. By act of July 5, 1884, 85,000 was appropriated for continuing improvement. It will be applied in repairing and extending north dike and in deepening inner channel by dredging. The appropriation of $25,000 asked for will be applied in building the timber dike projected for the south side and in extending the dredged channel a short distance beyond the west end of the north dike. The benefit to be expected is the better maintenance of the improved channel, and an increased encouragement to the shipping and fishing industries of the harbor, which are now estimated at $1,500,000 annually. Four or five hundred vessels of all classes are engaged in the fishing trade alone. $5,000 00 65,000 00 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 5. Sheepshead Bay, New York.-The original condition of the navigable channel was, for the entrance, a depth of little over 2 feet at mean low water, and for the interior channel not less than 4 feet, except at two narrow bulkheads across said channel. The originally adopted project (1879), with a proviso, however, not to be commenced should the movement of Rockaway Inlet be likely to interfere, was to deepen the entrance by means of converging jetties, and to improve the interior channel by longitudinal dikes, so placed as in some instances to form tidal reservoirs for the scour of the channel. The project was revised in 1881, and provides for excavating a channel at the outlet to connect the bay with Dead Horse Inlet and to dredge the interior channel. The amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, was $715.90, and the amount available at that date for continuing the improvement was $10,284.10; $10,260.35 of which were expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. During the year a cut, 1,600 feet long and 40 feet wide, affording 4 feet depth at mean low water, was excavated between the bay and Dead Horse Inlet, and since the close of the work the channel has been well maintained. This is the first work of improvement under the project. The amount of material removed under contract was 20,000 cubic yards. By act of July 5, 1884, $5,000 was appropriated for continuing the improvement. It will be applied in widening the channel at the en trance. The local engineer recommends $20,000 for still further widening and deepening the entrance channel and in removal of shoals from the inner harbor, so that vessels may enter with facility from the sea. This is a small sheltered harbor, used principally by fishing vessels of light draught, and with 6 feet depth at the entrance may be made an important distributing point for supplies of coal, lumber, building materials, &c., to the inhabitants on the east shore of Long Island, near Jamaica and Sheepshead Bay. The community is a growing and prosperous one, and the commerce is estimated at $1,000,000 annually. The benefit to be expected from the appropriation is greater facilities for vessels entering the harbor, better maintenance of the improved channel, and greater encouragement to a commerce just developing, and which promises to be large and lucrative. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 $10, 284 10 10, 260 35 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885... 23 75 5,000 00 5,023 75 |