A project for the application of this appropriation is under consideration by a Board of Engineer Officers. $50,000 00 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 100, 000 00 (See Appendix L 2.) 3. Archer's Hope River, Virginia.-Prior to commencement of this work there existed a shallow natural channel in the river which could not be reached on account of the bar near its mouth where it enters the James River. The project adopted in 1881 contemplated the dredging of a channel 6 feet deep and not less than 50 feet wide from the mouth of the river to Williamsburg, 5 miles above. The amount expended to June 30, 1883, is $9,805.79, which resulted in securing only a channel of ample width and depth through the sandbar at the entrance, but as no dredging was done in the river proper, no material benefit has resulted to navigation. The amount expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, is $69, which, of course, did not materially benefit the work. The amount asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, will be applied to dredging in the river, although it is doubtful whether the river can be permanently improved except by an expensive system of dikes near the entrance. 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 $194 21 69 00 125 21 9,400 70 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 5,000 00 4. Blackwater River, Virginia.-This river originally had a channel with a minimum depth of 8 feet scant, much obstructed by logs and leaning trees, sunken wrecks, shoals, and projecting points, which rendered navgation exceedingly difficult. The original project, adopted in 1878, was to dredge bars and points, remove logs, and trim the banks of overhanging timber. There was expended up to June 30, 1883, $12,395.57, which resulted in securing a channel 9 feet deep, and of ample width except at projecting points. There was expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, $1,604.43, which was applied to taking out additional logs and trimming the banks of leaning trees. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, the sum of $1,000 can be profitably expended. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding Amount (estimated( required for completion of existing project 5. Nottoway River, Virginia.-Prior to improvement, this river could not be said to have any channel except on the lower 19 miles of its course. In this portion there was from 9 to 25 feet of water, much obstructed by wrecks, snags, and leaning trees. The remaining 31 miles was so much blocked by snags, &c., that it was with difficulty that flatboats of 12 inches draught could pass over it. The original project was adopted in 1881, and proposed the removal of all obstructions, both natural and artificial, to Peters's Bridge, 50 miles from its mouth, to obtain a good depth in the lower portion and a channel of 2 feet depth through the upper portion of the river. The amount expended to June 30, 1882, was $6,420.30, which, by removing wrecks, &c., secured a good channel not less than 9 feet in depth in the lower portion of the river. The upper portion was also cleared and the channel improved, but the careless manner in which timber has been rafted since has caused it to fill up again with logs, &c., and consequently navigation has not been permanently benefited. No further appropriation is asked for this river. July 1, 1883, amount available.... July 1, 1884, amount available... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix L 5.) $579 70 579 70 2,000 00 6. North Landing River, Virginia and North Carolina.-This river, prior to improvement, was much obstructed by logs, snags, &c., and also by shoals and abrupt bends. The original project, adopted in 1879, contemplates the dredging of the shoals, cutting off projecting points at abrupt bends, and removing logs, snags, &c. The amount expended to June 30, 1883, was $46,249.08, which secured a channel not less than 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep throughout its entire length, 17 miles. There was expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, $3,528.26, which was applied to the removal of logs, snags, &c. There can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, $15,000, which will be applied to redredging some of the shoals and taking out such logs, snags, &c., as may be encountered. As this work is not susceptible of entire and permanent completion, no estimate can be made for that purpose. Small periodical expendi tures will be required to maintain it. July 1, 1883, amount available. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $9,250 92 $3,495 76 3,528 26 5,722 66 July 1, 1884, amount available.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 15,000 00 (See Appendix L 6.) 7. Meherrin River, North Carolina.-Previous to the commencement of operations on this improvement the channel was so much obstructed by logs and leaning trees as to make navigation difficult and dangerous; there were also some shoals having a ruling depth of less than 8 feet. The original project for the improvement, adopted in 1883, confined operations to the removal of logs, &c., the appropriation not being sufficient to undertake dredging in addition. The amount expended up to June 30, 1883, was $163.19, the work being but just commenced. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, there was expended $3,970.71, which, by clearing the river of logs and leaning trees, resulted in making navigation free and uninterrupted for the steamers at present engaged on the river. The amount that can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is $7,500, with which it is proposed to dredge the shoals as originally estimated for and to remove any logs that may be encountered: It is expected to complete the improvement as estimated, securing a channel of ample width and 9 feet in depth at low water. Small periodical appropriations will be necessary to maintain the work, as it is not susceptible of permanent completion. July 1, 1883, amount available.. $4,836 81 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883... 3,970 71 July 1, 1884, amount available.. 866 10 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix L 7.) 7,500 00 8. Currituck Sound, Coanjok Bay, and North River Bar, North Carolina.-Prior to commencing this improvement there was no channel proper in Currituck Sound. Dredging had been done in certain portions and a cut made through Coanjok Bay by a private company. The original project, adopted in 1878, which has only been modified so far as relates to Coanjok Bay, contemplated dredging a channel 80 feet wide at bottom and 9 feet deep at low water. Up to June 30, 1883, the amount expended was $112,953.49, which resulted in securing a channel 9 feet deep and 50 feet wide the entire length of the upper sound, 10.5 miles, the partial widening and deepening of the channel through Coanjok Bay, and the construction of a shell dike 9,600 feet long on the west side of this channel, for its protection. There was expended in the year ending June 30, 1884, $4,046.01, which secured a channel from 40 to 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep through Coanjok Bay. There can be profitably expended in the year ending June 30, 1886, $15,000. This sum it is proposed to expend in furtherance of the original project, as modified. 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..... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885.... $7,046 51 4,046 01 3,000 50 5,000 00 8,000 50 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 15,200 00 (See Appendix L 8.) 9. Scuppernong River, North Carolina.-Before work was commenced on this river there was a bar at the mouth of it with about 5 feet of water thereon. The upper portion of the stream was obstructed by logs, snags, overhanging trees, &c., and by projecting points at abrupt bends, permitting navigation for small vessels only with difficulty. The project adopted originally in 1880 for its improvement was to dredge the bar and make cut-offs at projecting points to a depth of 9 feet, and also to remove the various obstructions. The amount expended up to June 30, 1883, is $6,000, and resulted in dredging the bar and two cut-offs at projecting points, and also the removal of the obstructions so far as practicable, thus materially assisting navigation. There have been no expenditures since. The act of July 5, 1884, appropriated $2,000 for this work, which it is proposed to expend in dredging other cut offs and the removal of any obstructions that may be encountered, thereby completing the work, as far as can be foreseen now. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. (See Appendix L 9.) $2,000 00 10. Edenton Bay, North Carolina.-The navigable channel through this bay was originally obstructed by an extensive sand-shoal, with a depth thereon of 6 feet. The project originally adopted in 1878, and modified in 1879, was to dredge a channel 9 feet deep, and as wide as funds would permit, from the 9-foot curve in the bay to the wharves at the town of Edenton, and also to dredge a turning-basin of the same depth near the wharves. The amount expended thereon up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, is $5,000, and resulted in dredging a channel 100 feet wide and 9 feet in depth, as projected, and also the partial construction of the turning basin, allowing free access to vessels at all times, thus materially aiding navigation. There have been no operations since, no funds being available, except to make the survey directed by the act of August 2, 1882. The act of July 5, 1884, appropriated $10,000 for this work, which will be applied to further improving the channel and turning-basin by dredging. The sum of $8,000 can be profitably expended on this work during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, which will complete it in accordance with the plan and estimate given in the report on the survey, for which see Appendix L 37 of this Report. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 $10,000 00 8,000 00 8,000 00 11. Pamplico and Tar rivers, North Carolina.-The Pamplico River was originally obstructed by rows of piles, placed during the late war near Hill Point, and also by stumps and shoals just below Washington. The Tar River was likewise obstructed by piles so placed near Washington, and also by shoals, snags, &c., further up, which made navigation diffi. cult and uncertain. The original projects for the improvement of these rivers contemplated removing these obstructions, and also widening, deepening, and straightening the channel of the Pamplico River below Washington by dredging. Previous to the act of June 14, 1880, the appropriations for them were distinct and separate. Since then they have been consolidated in one appropriation. The amount expended thereon to June 30, 1883, is $39,863.47, and resulted in securing a channel 9 feet deep at low water, and from 108 to 175 feet in width up the Pamplico River to Washington. Nothing further is desired except to widen the channel. The results on the Tar River were an increase in depth and width of channel, making it more available for and better adapted to the purposes of navigation and commerce. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, is $5,802.86. This was all expended on the Tar River, and resulted in a further slight improvement of the channel. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, is $5,000. It is proposed to apply this to continuing the improvement by removing shoals, snags, overhanging trees, &c. The work on these rivers has exceeded the amount originally estimated. The Tar River is not susceptible of entire and permanent completion, as the jetties require repairs, new shoals form, and logs, snags, &c., are constantly appearing. An annual appropriation of $5,000 is therefore required to maintain the work. July 1, 1883, amount available.... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities... July 1, 1884, amount available... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 $8,136 53 $5,771 86 5,802 86 2,333 67 5,000 00 7,333 67 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix L 11.) 5,000 00 12. Neuse River, North Carolina.-Before this improvement was commenced, navigation was practically impossible except at high water. At low stages, not to exceed 1 foot could be carried over the shoals. In addition the lower portion of the river, both above and below New Berne, was very seriously obstructed by works of various character placed dur ing the late war. The original project of 1878 contemplated the clearing out of all these works, as well as snags, logs, &c., and the contraction of the water-way by means of jetties up to the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Bridge. This was afterwards modified by extending the clearing out up to Smith. field, 62 miles above the railroad bridge, or 175 miles above New Berne. The amount expended to June 30, 1883, was $172,218.51, which has resulted in clearing out all the war obstructions, logs, snags, &c., and in constructing some jetties, thereby securing a channel in no place less than 50 feet wide, and not less than 4 feet deep where jetties exist. The amount expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $11,918.52, and was applied to the construction of jetties for channel improvement. When the improvement was commenced, one small steamer sufficed for the traffic. Now steamers run the entire year to Kinston, except at very low water. In the busy season from six to eight are engaged. There can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, the sum of $10,000. As this work is not susceptible of permanent improvement, no estimate can be made for its entire and permanent completion. An annual expenditure of, say, $5,000, will always be required to maintain it. July 1, 1883, amount available.... July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities... Amount" applied to the improvement of the line of inland navigaton from New Berne to Beaufort Harbor" by act of August 2, 1882 $22,781 49 $11,903 52 15 00 July 1, 1884, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884.... Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885...... 5,000 00 16,918 52 5,862 97 20,000 00 25,862 97 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 10,000 00 (See Appendix L 12.) 13. Harbor at Beaufort, North Carolina.-The original condition of the harbor, previous to the commencement of work, was as follows: The bar afforded a depth of 15 feet at mean low tide. This was deepened sufficiently to give a channel of good width and nowhere less than 25 feet in depth to Morehead City, the railroad terminus. The tidal range is from 3 to 4 feet. |