tion more than the other, is to be rebuilt by the end of this year with large draw-openings, and it is probable that the important navigation interests of Pawtucket will soon demand an amelioration of the draw of the other-the railroad bridge. The project submitted January 8, 1884, with the report on the recent survey of the river, and which was printed as Senate Ex. Doc. No. 46, Forty-eighth Congress, first session, contemplates excavating a channel from the deep water at Red Bridge to the rock cutting at Pawtucket, 100 feet in width and 12 feet deep at mean low water, and thence to Pawtucket Bridge, a channel through the rock 40 feet in width and of the same depth as the channel below. The estimated cost of this project is $382,478. No work has been done on the river during the last fiscal year other than the survey just mentioned. The rebuilding of Washington Bridge with good and sufficient drawopenings having been commenced, it is proposed, with the appropriation made by the act of July 5, 1884, to commence the excavation of the projected channel and to carry it as far as the funds will admit. July 1, 1883, amount available.... July 1, 1884, amount available...... $529 58 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884... Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885................ 529 58 50,000 00 50,529 58 332,478 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix C 6.) 75,000 00 7. Providence River and Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.-Before the improvement of the river was commenced, in 1853, at one point in the channel, a place called "The Crook," at the junction of Providence River with the Pawtucket, the available low-water depth was but 4 feet, and Bulkhead Rock with but 7 to 8 feet of water upon it at low water, with deep water around it, was a dangerous obstruction between Pawtuxet Shoal and Field's Point. There was expended between 1852 and the 30th of June, 1882, $290,459.34, in deepening the channel, first to 9 feet, then to 12 feet, then to 14 feet, and again to 23 feet, as the increasing sizes of vessels and the growing commerce of Providence demanded. Bulkhead Rock was also removed during this period to a depth of 20 feet below mean low water. The approved project of 1882, under which we are now working, provides for a channel 25 feet deep and 300 feet wide, suitable for large ocean vessels, extending from Fox Point, in the city of Providence, to the deep water of Narragansett Bay, and for an anchorage basin between Fox and Field's points, of the following dimensions in cross-section, viz, 300 feet wide at a depth of 25 feet, 600 feet wide at a depth of 20 feet, 725 feet wide at a depth of 18 feet, 940 feet wide at a depth of 12 feet, and 1,060 feet wide at a depth of 6 feet. The estimated cost of this project was $445,000. To this, in the judgment of the officer in charge, should be added the estimated cost-$115,000-of enlarging the channel below Field's Point, so that from this point to Sabine's Point Light there will not be less than 500 feet of width at a depth of 18 feet at mean low water, and 700 feet of width at a depth of 14 feet, and also the cost of removing Green Jacket Shoal, which occupies a very valuable portion of the harbor immediately in front of the city. It may not be thought necessary in the first instance to excavate this shoal deeper than 20 feet at mean low water, but within a short time the commerce of Providence will doubtless demand its removal to a depth of not less than 25 feet at mean low water. The cost of this work cannot be estimated before the survey required to determine the quantity, and the borings to discover the character of the material to be removed, which are now in progress, are finished. The 25-foot channel just mentioned has been laid out in straight reaches (with enlargements at the angles) with a view to lighting them by range or leading lights, such as are in use in similar cases in Chesapeake Bay, Delaware River, and other localities, if it should be found necessary. The amount expended on the present project up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, including liabilities outstanding at that date, was $85,274.26, with the following results: In the straight reaches, into which the 25-foot channel had been divided, the following widths had been made: Fox Point Reach, 180 feet; Sassafras Point Reach, 230 feet; Field's Point Reach, 200 feet; in the Pomham Reach no work was done; Pawtuxet Reach, 120 feet; and Gaspee Reach, 200 feet. The amount expended during the last fiscal year, including liabilities outstanding June 30, 1884, was $40,572.43. The 25-foot channel in the Fox Point, the Sassafras Point, and the Field's Point reaches was carried to its full width of 300 feet; Pawtuxet Reach was widened to 200 feet, and work on the Pomham Reach was commenced. In addition to the above, that part of the anchorage basin with a depth of 20 feet lying to the eastward of the 25-foot channel in the Field's Point Reach was carried as far as was contemplated in the approved project, viz, 300 feet from the axis of the 25-foot channel. It was found necessary, however, to leave a little of the point of Long Bed projecting into the 20-foot channel from the eastward, the material being found too hard for dredg ing with a clam-shell dredging machine; and also a small amount of what was supposed to be ledge rock (a part of Long Bed), in the 25-foot channel, but this lies so deep and so close to the eastern side of this channel that it will probably not interfere with the use of its entire width. It is proposed with the available remainder of the appropriation of August 2, 1882, and the amount appropriated by the act of July 5, 1884, to carry the 25-foot channel, 300 feet wide, to the deep water of Narragansett Bay, if the funds permit, and, if any money remains, to excavate a portion of the anchorage basin above Field's Point, and of the beating channel for coasters and local traffic below Field's Point. It is also proposed to remove the bowlders which obstruct Providence River at the mouth of Pawtuxet River, as is provided for in the act of July 5, 1884. July 1, 1883, amount available.... $43, 190 23 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 $40,569 53 July 1, 1884, outstanding liabilities.. 2.70 40,572 23 July, 1, 1884, amount available.... 2,618 00 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884. 85,000 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 ............. 87,618 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... 235,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix C 7.) 100,000 CO 8. Newport Harbor, Rhode Island. This harbor is on the main entrance to Narragansett Bay. It is one of the important harbors on the coast, providing a safe roadstead and anchorage. Before improvement the capacity of the inner harbor was limited byshoals, and it was not adequate to the number and size of vessels seeking it for refuge. The southern (the main) entrance was obstructed by a bar which stretched across it from Goat Island to Lime Rock, and the general business wharves of the city could not be reached at low tide by vessels drawing more than 8 feet. The original project for the improvement and its modification of December 14, 1880, under which work is now being carried on, provided for a channel of 15 feet deep at mean low water through the bar which stretches across the southern entrance, from Lime Rock to Goat Island; a channel of 300 feet wide and 13 feet deep at mean low water from the 13-foot curve to Commercial Wharf; thence outside of and along the harbor line, south, a channel 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water; a channel north from Commercial Wharf, outside of and along the harbor line, to a point opposite Bull's Wharf of the same dimensions, and thence to Long Wharf, a channel 100 feet wide and 7 feet deep at mean low water. It also provided for cutting off the point of the spit at the south end of Goat Island and the construction of a jetty on the southwest shore of that island to arrest the drift of the littoral sand and gravel into the entrance. It was also intended to deepen the following areas to 13 feet at mean low water where the material of the bottom was not hard, and to lesser depths when hard pan and rock might be encountered; the area included between the 13-foot curve, Commercial Wharf on the north, the harbor line on the east and a line drawn from Perry Mill Wharf to Lime Rock; and the area included between the 13-foot curve and a line drawn from the northwest corner of Commercial Wharf to the southwest corner of Long Wharf; also to deepen to 10 feet at mean low water the area northwest of a line drawn from Lime Rock to the Spindle in the southeast part of the harbor, and the area between the harbor line and a line drawn from the northwest corner of Commercial Wharf to the southwest corner of Long Wharf. The amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, including liabilities outstanding at that date, was $73,141.23, with the following results: A jetty on the southwest shore of Goat Island 150 feet long has been constructed, and the northern angle between it and the shore quickly filled with sand and gravel, showing its utility; a considerable portion of the spit south of Goat Island has been excavated, first to 12 feet and then to 13 feet at mean low water; the channel from the 13-foot curve to the harbor line at Commercial Wharf, and the channels outside of and along the harbor lines have been excavated as contemplated, but varying somewhat from the originally projected dimensions, and with the addition of a channel 50 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water along the northern side of the harbor out to deep water; many large bowlders have been removed from the bed of the harbor; its anchorage areas of from 11 to 13 feet depth at mean low water have been increased by about 26 acres, and the distance between the 13-foot curves at the southern entrance has been widened about 250 feet. For want of funds no operations have been in progress during the last fiscal year, except a survey to determine the amount, and borings to discover the character of the material of the bed of the harbor yet to be excavated, for use in the preparation of specifications for future contracts for carrying on the work. With the appropriation made by the act of July 5, 1884, it is proposed to excavate to not less than 15 feet depth at mean low water, and to such width as may be necessary at the southern entrance to the harbor, and to 13 feet depth within the harbor; to remove the bowlders recently discovered on the bed of the harbor; to repair the jetty on the southeast shore of Goat Island, and to construct a new jetty further north on the same shore. The estimated cost of the present project was $132,000. Of this amount there has been appropriated the sum of $65,000. July 1, 1883, amount available.... $358 77 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883.... 297 97 67,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 50,000 00 (See Appendix C 8.) 9. Harbor of Refuge at Block Island, Rhode Island.-This island is 14 miles east of Montauk Point, the eastern end of Long Island, and its nearest point is about 10 miles south of the mainland. Besides the wants of the mackerel-fishing fleet and the general coast navigation, the island is an important point on our shores for ocean navigation. It has a signal station connected by submarine telegraph with the mainland. Vessels are passing the islands at all times and on all sides of it, and its position renders it of national importance. Before the construction of the present harbor of refuge, Block Island had no harbor which afforded protection for decked vessels. The only ones used were open boats which, on the approach of storms, were hauled up on the beach. The largest of these boats were of about 10 tons burden. The original project and its subsequent modification provided for a harbor of refuge on the eastern side of the island, consisting of an inner harbor for the protection of small vessels, and an exterior harbor for large ones. The former was to be about 250 by 300 feet in area, and inclosed, with the exception of an opening 80 feet wide on the sea side, by timber crib-work filled with stones, and resting on a riprap foundation. The exterior harbor was to be formed by a riprap breakwater designed to intercept the waves from the eastward, and the beds of both harbors were to be cleared of bowlders. The next project was to build a masonry wall on the east side of the inner harbor in lieu of the old crib-work on that side, which was in danger of breaking down in storms, and to protect the cliff which lies to the eastward of the harbor, the material of which was carried by the current into the harbor, decreasing its depth. The last project for this work provides for renewing the Government wharf within the inner harbor, and for building masonry walls on the north and west sides of the harbor, to replace the timber crib-work on those sides, which is decaying. The inner harbor, and a breakwater about 1,400 feet long, built in prolongation of the eastern side of the inner harbor, were constructed in the years 1870 to 1879, inclusive. About 300 feet from the sea end of the breakwater, which is in about 24 feet of water, an opening 200 feet wide, with a draught of water through it of 18 feet, was left for the passage of vessels. The utility of the work at once became apparent. In stormy weather the inner harbor, especially, was often filled with coasters and fishermen, and it soon became necessary to increase its depth from 7 feet, to which it had been dredged in the first instance, to 9 feet at mean low water. The jetty at the foot of the cliff and the masonry seawall on the eastern side of the inner harbor were in progress on the 30th of June, 1883, and the total expenditure from the beginning of the construction of the harbor of refuge, up to that date, including liabilities outstanding, had been $295,896.33. The amount expended during the last fiscal year including liabilities outstanding June 30, 1884, was $10,963.65, and the result was the completion of the jetty at the foot of the cliffs and the sea-wall on the eastern side of the inner harbor. Both were strongly built. The former is about 140 feet, and the latter about 290 feet long. The landing wharf within the inner harbor was repaired sufficiently to serve until a permanent wharf can be constructed. It is proposed with the available remainder of the appropriation or August 2, 1882, and the amount appropriated by the act of July 5, 1884, to replace the Government wharf within the inner harbor by a substantial structure. To this wharf, which is in a decayed condition, all the freight carried to and from the island is brought, and at it are landed the United States mails and all the supplies for the four light-houses on the island and the steam fog signal. It is also proposed to construct as much of the harbor walls on the west and north sides of the inner harbor as the remaining funds will admit. The estimated cost of the present project was $30,000. Of this amount there has been appropriated the sum of $15,000. 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............. $14,103 67 $10,952 48 10,963 65 3,140 02 15,000 00 18, 140 02 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 15,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 15, 000 00 (See Appendix C 9.) 10. Little Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island and Connecticut.-Little Narragansett Bay lies on the north side of the eastern entrance from the ocean into Long Island Sound. Pawcatuck River, upon which is situated the flourishing commercial and manufacturing town of Westerly, R. I., empties into the eastern side of the bay, and the navigable draught through the bay before its improvement-about 4 feet at mean low water-limited the navigation of the river. The project of 1878 for the improvement of the bay provided for a channel 200 feet wide and 73 feet deep at mean low water, extending from the entrance to the bay to the mouth of the Pawcatuck, and the removal of the bowlders which then obstructed navigation and any others which the excavation of the channel might develop. Subsequently it was determined to clear away some large bowlders which interfered with steamboat navigation between this channel and Watch Hill, an important place of summer resort. The estimated cost of the improvement was $51,000. |