During the progress of the work on Corning Rock I was directed to complete the removal of the rock at the outlet of the channel around Glen Island to the depth of 8 feet specified in the contract with Emory R. Seward. On examination I found that solid rock projected over considerable areas above that plane and that drilling and blasting would be required to remove it. On reporting that fact and also that a channel 100 feet wide and 74 feet deep at mean low water could be made over the rock by simply picking up the loose stone left by the contractor, I was directed to take the latter course. The small scow was placed over the rock and 10.6 cubie yards of broken rock were removed by the divers, producing the desired result. This work cost $200.21. A large bowlderlying dangerously near the channel on the David's Island side, and having on it a depth of 6 feet at mean low water, was reduced by a surface blast and a few hours' work with divers to a depth of 8 feet. Cost, $93.87. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, General JOHN NEWTON, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. GEO. MCC. DERBY, Lieutenant of Engineers. F 8. IMPROVEMENT OF PORT CHESTER HARBOR, NEW YORK. The act approved March 3, 1871, directed the survey of this harbor, and the results, with a project of improvement and estimate of cost, were reported December 28, 1871. By letter of April 26, 1884, from the Chief of Engineers I was directed to submit a project for the application of the available funds to dredg ing the channel up to the wharves of the town of Port Chester, and after making a survey of the channel a project, with tracing of the locality, was submitted on June 14, 1884, and was approved by letter of June 19, 1884. By this project it is proposed to dredge a channel from 60 to 100 feet wide and 24 feet deep below mean low water from the vicinity of the bridge at Port Chester to a point at which that depth can now be carried. This work was advertised on June 30, 1884, and the proposals will be opened on July 26, 1884. 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 estimated amount required for the completion of the improvement of the harbor according to the adopted plan is $69,632. The following communications from Messrs. Abenroth Brothers will give an idea of the trade and commerce of Port Chester: [Office of Abenroth Brothers, Port Chester, Westchester County, New York.] MAY 28, 1884. DEAR SIR: In reply to your favor of yesterday's date, we inclose herewith a copy of our letter to General Newton of August 16, 1881. This is virtually just such a report as we should make you to-day. The tonnage of vessels has been increased some by selling a couple of schooners, and replacing them with first-class barges of larger capacity. The manufactories also have somewhat increased their capacity, but taking it altogether we don't see that we could make you a much fairer statement than the one inclosed. If there are any other items which would be of service to you, we will endeavor to give you any necessary information, if you will advise us. Respectfully yours, ABENROTH BROTHERS. We have in actual service belonging here and owned by our people fifteen vessels, with a carrying capacity of about 3,000 tons, and running steadily to this port, comprising a propeller, schooners, and sloops. In addition to this, a large number of transient vessels and barges, loaded with lumber and coal, come to this harbor. With the improvement in our harbor and river, which is very much needed, I can see no reason why this tonnage ought not to increase to double its present amount within a few years, for we now receive nearly if not fully as much freight by rail, a large amount of which would come by water if our facilities were better. Ours is a manufacturing town, as you will notice per this list of employers. S. S. Bent & Son, foundry, employ about 350 men and boys. A shirt factory employing 150 women and girls. Two carriage manufactories, employing 50 men and boys. Two planing and saw mills, employing 75 men and boys. We have also a farming district extending a circuit of from 5 to 10 miles south, west, and north. Collection district, New York. Nearest port of entry, New York. Nearest lighthouse, Great Captain's Island. Amount of revenue collected year ending June 30, 1884, $135,093,152.62. 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..... 69,632 00 30,000 00 F 9. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF GOWANUS CREEK AT BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. The line of the canal which now takes the place of the former creek does not follow its course, and the creek proper has been obliterated by fillings for city extension. The ground occupied by the canal, therefore, probably belongs to the city or to private owners. The canal property constitutes two parallel wharves with a slip about 100 feet wide between them, and although the tonnage of vessels and cargoes annually accommodated is very great, the same rule here applies against improvement at the hands of the General Government which has been enforced against the improvement of the slips between the piers along a wharf front. I cannot, in consequence, state that this place is worthy of improvement, and that it is a public necessity. Respectfully submitted. NEW YORK, December 18, 1882. JOHN NEWTON, F 10. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF MINISCEONGO CREEK, AT ITS OUTLET INTO THE HUDSON RIVER, NEW YORK. Minisceongo Creek, at its outlet into the Hudson River, empties into Stony Point Bay, a recess on the west side of the Hudson, between Grassy Point and Stony Point. The depth over the bar at its outlet is about 3 feet, and the depths thence to the channel of the river is at points varying from 4 to 6 feet at mean low water. The banks of the creek and the sites of Haverstraw and of North Haverstraw furnish extensive clay lands, from which large quantities of bricks are now annually manufactured. The freighting of brick to the markets of New York and of the East and South is much embarrassed by the want of depth in the channel. In the present state of information concerning this place it is impossible to be certain in my decision, but as the place is of some importance, it is but just to declare the harbor is worthy of improvement and the work is a public necessity. The sum of $80 was allotted for the preliminary examination, and owing to the existence of maps and other information this sum will be sufficient also for any survey required. Respectfully submitted. NEW YORK, December 18, 1882. JOHN NEWTON, Colonel of Engineers. PLAN AND ESTIMATES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF MINISCEONGO CREEK, AT ITS OUTLET INTO THE HUDSON RIVER, NEW YORK. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, New York, November 28, 1883. SIR: Pursuant with instructions contained in letter from the office of the Chief of Engineers of April 24, 1883, the following project, with estimates, for the improvement of Minisceongo Creek at its outlet into the Hudson River, New York, is presented. The creek empties into Stony Point Bay on the Hudson River. The whole extent of the bay is shoal, having about 4 feet at mean low water. The improvement desired by those interested is the removal of the bar and the making of a channel of about 10 feet at mean low water leading from the creek to the channel of the Hudson. Mr. Ira M. Hedges, banker, one of the principal citizens of Haverstraw, gives the following statistics of the brick trade: 1878. Bricks manufactured: On the whole river.. At Haverstraw 1882. Estimated amount: On the whole river.. At Haverstraw.. 352, 000, 000 324, 000, 000 600, 000, 000 400, 000, 000 He likewise states that 100,000,000 pass through Minisceongo Creek; that 10,000 cords of wood and 5,000 tons of coal-dust are required to burn this quantity, and that 2,000 tons of coal further are required for engines. The statement is also made that on account of the shoal approach to the creek only the smallest vessels employed in the brick trade can be loaded there, and larger vessels have the bricks lightered at an additional cost for handling and deterioration of $1 per thousand. The value of the bricks at the yards is stated at $6 per thousand. ESTIMATE. Dredging channel 3,800 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 8 feet deep at mean Total... 28,800 Dredging channel 3,800 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 10 feet deep at mean low water, 75.315 cubic yards in situ, at 30 cents. 22,594 50 Short dike 1,600 feet long at month of creek, at $9. 14,400 00 The estimate for dredging with short dike will give temporary relief only; that for diking to form a tidal basin looks to permanent relief. There are transmitted copies of Coast Survey chart* of Stony Point Bay on the same sheet with that of Peekskill Harbor, and of sketch showing the country around Minisceongo Creek. Minisceongo Creek is in the collection district of New York. Nearest port of entry is New York. Nearest light-house at Stony Point. Respectfully submitted. The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A. JOHN NEWTON, Colonel of Engineers. FII. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF SAUGERTIES HARBOR, ON HUDSON RIVER, NEW YORK. Saugerties Harbor, upon the Hudson, is the outlet of Esopus Creek. The creek is dammed at the village and furnishes a good water-power. The inhabitants have endeavored to improve the draught of water at * Omitted; printed in Senate Ex. Doc. No. 57, 48th Congress, first session. the entrance to the harbor, but have failed by a faulty disposition of the works. The draught over the bar is rather less than 4 feet at mean low water, and the business of the place in commerce and navigation languishes in consequence. In the present state of information concerning this place it is impossible to be certain in my decision, but as the place is of some importance, it is but just to declare the harbor is worthy of improvement and the work is a public necessity. The sum of $80 was allotted for the preliminary examination, and owing to the existence of maps and other information this sum will be sufficient, also, for any survey required. Respectfully submitted. NEW YORK, December 18, 1882. JOHN NEWTON, PLAN AND ESTIMATES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SAUGERTIES HARBOR, ON HUDSON RIVER, NEW YORK. UNITED STATES ENGINEER Office, New York, Norember 28, 1883. SIR: Pursuant with instructions contained in letter from the office of the Chief of Engineers of April 24, 1883, the following project, with estimates for the improvement of Saugerties Harbor, on the Hudson River, New York, is presented: The harbor of Saugerties is formed by Esopus Creek, at its outlet into the Hudson. The entrance into the creek presents but 3 feet in depth at mean low water. The shoal here is an interior bar measuring 1,100 feet between the 6-foot contours. The citizens, with much public spirit, attempted at their own expense to benefit navigation, but being badly advised the works constructed, the remains of which are exhibited in the chart, have not been of the slightest benefit. The ebb-current of the creek at the outlet was, in fact, directed somewhat against the ebbcurrent of the river. There are two plans of diking exhibited upon the chart* sent herewith, either one of which may answer the purpose. ESTIMATE. PLAN A. Dredging channel, 1,900 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 7 feet deep at meau low water, 20,628 cubic yards, at 35 cents North dike, 2,100 feet long, at $8. South dike, 2,800 feet long, at $8 Total. PLAN B. Dredging channel, 2,500 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 7 feet deep at mean low water, 55,654 cubic yards in situ, at 25 cents.. North dike, 2,600 feet, at $8 South dike, 800 feet, at $8. Total.... The two plans furnish two types of improvement, the choice between *Omitted; printed in Senate Ex. Doc. No. 57, 48th Congress, first session. |