A 10. IMPROVEMENT OF COCHECO RIVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Cocheco River runs through the city of Dover, N. H., and 3 miles below the lowest bridge empties into the Piscataqua River, which separates the States of Maine and New Hampshire. The Piscataqua and Cocheco rivers are navigable in the lowest summer stages, with not less than 6 feet of water at mean low water, or about 13 feet at mean high water, from Portsmouth Harbor up to the foot of the Lower Narrows in Cocheco River, distant about 14 miles below the lowest bridge at Dover. At the Lower Narrows, and above, navigation has been much impeded by ledges, bowlders, and shoals, having from 6 inches to 2 feet only of water on them at mean low water; the mean rise and fall of the tides being 64 feet at the Packet Landing, the head of navigation. The first project for improvement, by deepening, widening, and removing bowlders, ledges, and shoals at certain points, had an immediate effect in increasing the commerce of the place, which in turn demanded increased facilities, so that later improvements have been carried on under new projects, which have in their turn aided in the further development of business. The appropriation of August 2, 1882, $28,000, was expended in making a cut-off across Alley's Point (thus avoiding an inconvenient bend), and in deepening and widening adjacent parts of the channel. This work was in progress at the beginning of the fiscal year, and was satisfactorily completed on the 15th of November, 1883; so satisfactorily, that with one insignificant exception all the work expected to be accomplished with the appropriation was completed. I mention this because when my last annual report was written it seemed doubtful, for reasons given, whether this could be done, and I asked for an additional $4,000. The materials removed during the fiscal year in completing the work referred to were 10,600 cubic yards of hard gravel and clay and 135 tons of bowlders. A communication from the Dover Board of Trade, giving information as to the business of Dover and setting forth the necessity of further improvement of the channel of the Cocheco, was received by me just at the close of the fiscal year 1883, and submitted and printed with my annual report for that year. An examination, drawing, and approximate estimate for the additional improvements desired in that communication were made in the month of October, 1883, and submitted to the Department in a special report, dated January 18, 1884. This report is here repeated, viz: UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, 66 GENERAL: With my annual report on the improvement of Cocheco River, New Hampshire, I gave a copy of a letter from the river and harbor committee of the Dover Board of Trade, towards the close of which they call my attention to several points," which "to them are of great importance." They ask for "the same depth of water beween Clement's Point and Clement's Wharf as between Alley's Point and Clement's Point; also that the sides of the 40-foot channel at the 'Gulf' may be trimmed off, being now ledge, and very sharp and dangerous for vessels passing through; also, the same at east end of 'Steam-mill Wharf,' and widening and straightening the channel at the west end of Steam-mill Wharf, where the channel is narrow and has a very short turn." I stated in my annual report that I was not then prepared to estimate the cost of these additional improvements, but would endeavor to make an examination later in the season and report the result. I now respectfully report that it was practicable without additional expense to examine these various localities in connection with the final survey of the contract work done during the season in a manner sufficiently accurate for provisional estimates of the cost of the additional improvements desired by the commercial interests of Dover, and I have the honor to mail to-day, on a separate roll, a drawing showing clearly the work already done in the upper part of the navigable channel of the Cocheco River and the additional work desired. It is hardly practicable at this time to arrive at a very accurate estimate of the cost of these new improvements on account of the variable and uncertain nature and extent of the different materials expected to be encountered, but as nearly as can now be ascertained the probable cost will be as follows: 4,911 cubic yards sand and logs, at 35 cents. 1,471 cubic yards hard pan, at $1.50... 2,997 cubic yards hard pan and ledge, at $7. 1,383 cubic yards hard sand and bowlders, at $1 Engineering and office expenses 15 per cent. Total...... $1,718 85 1,935 50 20,979 00 1,383 00 3,983 65 30,000 00 The localities of these different classes of work are shown on the drawing. With regard to the commerce of Dover, I respectfully submit the following papers: A communication marked A, from the river and harbor committee of the Dover Board of Trade, and signed by the principal manufacturers, merchants, and business men of Dover, and a communication marked B, signed by C. H. Trickey & Co., of Dover. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. H. G. WRIGHT, Chief of Engineeers, U. S. A. C. E. BLUNT, Colonel of Engineers. An appropriation of $28,000 for completing the improvement of this river was made in the act passed July 5, 1884. It was undoubtedly based upon the special report just quoted. But whether the additional work desired by the mercantile community of Dover and described in that report can be executed for that sum is a point which cannot be decided until after a careful examination, with borings, can be made. These were impracticable last year for want of funds. They must now be made, as a necessary preliminary to specifications for a contract. Even when made there will be uncertain elements in the case, due to the peculiar variability in the character of the strata, which will make bidding to a certain extent guess-work. Under the circumstances, I can at present say nothing as to additional appropriations for this river. The total amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $111,430.81. Money statement. July 1, 1883, amount available $17,243 16 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 17,228 92 IMPROVEMENT OF LAMPREY RIVER, BELOW NEW MARKET, NEW HAMP SHIRE. This river empties into Great Bay at a point about 10 miles distant by water from Portsmouth, N. H. From a survey made in 1874, and again in 1881, it was found that this river was navigable at high water from its mouth up to New Market wharves, at the head of tide water, a distance of about 2 miles, the mean rise and fall of the tides being about 7 feet at its mouth and about 63 feet at New Market. From its mouth up to the head of the Lower Narrows (a distance of 12 miles) the channel had a navigable depth of 12 feet at mean high water, but was obstructed in several places by a large number of sunken bowlders, which made navigation difficult and dangerous; and above the Lower Narrows it had a navigable depth of not more than 93 feet at mean high water in its shoalest places, and was obstructed in several places by numerous bowlders, ledges, and shoals, whilst in front of the wharves at New Market there was a shoal on which the depth varied from 4 to 10 feet at mean high water. The project proposed for the improvement of this river consisted in making a safe and unobstructed channel, not less than 40 feet in width, and to have a depth of not less than 11 feet at mean high water up to the lower wharf in New Market, and thence a depth of 11 feet up to the upper wharves of that place. Two appropriations have been made for this improvement, viz: By act of March 3, 1881 By act of August 2, 1882 $10,000 10,000 The original detailed estimate for this improvement included an item of dredging at "Point of Flats," near the junction in Great Bay, of the channels of Lamprey and Exeter rivers, at a cost, including contingencies, of $2,400. No work has been done at this point, and I am disposed to think that there is no pressing necessity for any. Everything else required for this improvement having been completed no further appropriation is asked at this time. No statistical information in addition to that given in previous years has been obtained. Lamprey River lies within the collection district of Portsmouth, N. H., of which Portsmouth is the port of entry, and the nearest light-houses and forts are at and near the entrance of that harbor. Total amount expended on the improvement of this river, $20,028.58 Money statement. 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.... A 12. $308 42 289 00 19 42 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER BELOW BRUNS WICK, MAINE. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Portland, Me., October 7, 1882. GENERAL: In compliance with instructions contained in Department letter of the 27th of September, I have the honor to state in further response to Department circular of August 11, in relation to the proposed survey of Androscoggin River below Brunswick, Me., whether, in my opinion, this river is "worthy of improvement and that the work is a public necessity." By the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881, a survey of this river was provided for; and it was made, under my instructions, by Lieut. W. T. Rossell, Corps of Engineers, in June and July of that year, and his report thereon accompanies my special report to the Department dated December 13, 1881. (See, also, Senate Ex. Doc. No. 45, Forty-seventh Congress, first session.) At the time of making my report I was unable to obtain any information from interested parties as to the necessity for this improvement, or the benefit that it would be to the business of that section of the country. In my report the following facts and opinions were stated, based upon the report of Lieutenant Rossell, viz: The head of tide-water and navigation of this river is at "the Falls" in the village of Brunswick, Me., from which place to its mouth in Merrymeeting Bay is a distance of about 6 miles; and thence to the channel of Kennebec River (near "the Chops") is an additional distance of about 4 miles. At Brunswick the mean rise and fall of the tides is about 24 feet, and in Merrymeeting Bay it is about 54 feet. In the channel through Merry meeting Bay the depth of water that can be carried by vessels over the shoalest part is about 4 feet at mean low water, or 94 feet at mean high water, whilst in the channel of the river itself not more than 3 feet of water at mean low water, or 54 feet at mean high water, can be carried up to Brunswick. The obstructions in the river consist of several shoals, which lie between "the Falls" and the head of Foster's Island, about 2 miles below. The shoals are composed chiefly of sand, saw-dust, and slabs. The river below Foster's Islaud is unobstructed and navigable for a depth of not less than 4 feet at mean low water, or about 9 feet at mean high water, nearly the same as in Merry meeting Bay. It would not, therefore, be advisable to give a greater high-water depth to the channel through the shoals above Foster's Island, and this would require it to have a depth of 63 feet at mean low water. To open a channel to this depth for a width of 150 feet would require the excavation, by dredging, of, say, 100,000 cubic yards, measured in situ, the estimated cost of which, at 25 cents per cubic yard, is $25,000; adding for engineering expenses and other contingencies $3,000; total, $28,000. Owing to the shifting character of the shoals, it is not probable that a channel dredged through them would have any permanency unless aided by a system of wing-dams, the cost of which it is believed would not be warranted by the limited commerce, present and prospective, of this river. Moreover, this channel would be liable to alteration, owing to the changes that are constantly occurring in the banks of the river, caused by freshets and ice, to prevent which would necessitate their protection by dikes, as well as the closing of the channel (now nearly dry at low water) on the north of Cow Island; the estimated cost of which is $6,000, making the total estimated cost of this work $34,000. I am unable to report on the necessity of this improvement, or the benefit that it would be to the business of this section of the country, as no responses have been received to the inquiries made by me in regard to this matter. For the reasons thus stated, this river, in my opinion, is not worthy of improvement, nor is the work a public necessity. Respectfully submitted. GEO. THOM, Colonel of Engineers, Bvt. Brig. Gen., U. S. A. Brig. Gen. H. G. WRIGHT, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. A 13. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION FOR EXTENSION AND COMPLETION OF THE BREAKWATER NEAR THE THIRD BRIDGE IN PORTSMOUTH HARBOR, NEW HAMPSHIRE, CONNECTING GOAT ISLAND AND NEW CASTLE. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Portland, Me., October 7, 1882. GENERAL: In compliance with instructions contained in Department letter of the 27th of September, I have the honor to state, in further response to Department circular of August 11, in relation to the pro posed survey for the extension and completion of the breakwater near the third bridge in Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire, connecting Goat Island and New Castle, whether in my opinion this breakwater is "worthy of improvement, and that the work is a public necessity." An accurate survey of this locality was made under my direction in 1878, and the projected breakwater was completed in 1880 to the extent deemed necessary for the purpose for which it was built, viz, closing the side channel at that place so as to prevent vessels on coming up the harbor on flood-tide from being thrown upon Goat Island Ledge. For the above reasons the proposed extension of the breakwater is not, in my opinion, worthy of improvement, and is not a public necessity in the interests of navigation. Respectfully submitted. GEO. THOM, Colonel of Engineers, Bvt. Brig. Gen., U. S. A. Brig. Gen. H. G. WRIGHT, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. A 14. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF PENOBSCOT RIVER AND BANGOR HARBOR, MAINE. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Portland, Me., October 7, 1882. GENERAL: In compliance with instructions contained in Department letter of the 27th of September, I have the honor to state, in further response to Department circular of August 11, in relation to the proposed survey of Penobscot River and Bangor Harbor, Maine, whether in my opinion this river and harbor are "worthy of improvement and the work is a public necessity." A very accurate survey was made of this river and harbor under my direction in 1872, and great improvements have since then been made, based upon said surveys. It is now represented that, owing to freshets and tidal currents, some important changes have since occurred by which the channel of the river in the harbor of Bangor has been materially changed and obstructed by new shoals and sunken rocks, and that for this reason a survey has been applied for, with a view to the removal of those obstructions. Owing to the large amount of shipping in this harbor and the great interests that are involved in keeping this harbor free from sunken rocks and shoals and other dangerous obstructions, it is, in my opinion, worthy of further improvement (wherever it may be found necessary) and the work is a public necessity. Respectfully submitted. GEO. THOM, Colonel of Engineers, Bot. Brig. Gen., U. S. A. Brig. Gen. H. G. WRIGHT, |