The amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, including liabilities outstanding at that date, was $34,864.16, and the result was the completion of the project with the exception of the removal of bowlders from the bottom and sides of the main channel, and from the channel leading to Watch Hill. During the last fiscal year the amount expended, including liabilities outstanding on the 30th June, 1884, was $992.80, and the result was the removal of about one hundred bowlders from the main and Watch Hill channels and some ledge rock from the latter. The main channel was left quite free of bowlders, and the Watch Hill Channel was increased, by the removal of bowlders, from 90 feet to 165 feet in width. It is probable that no further expenditure upon it will be required. The completed channel will enable steamers and vessels drawing from 9 to 10 feet of water, bound for the Pawcatuck River and Westerly, and also to Watch Hill, to cross the bay. The total cost of the improvement was $35,856.96. No further appropriation is asked for this work. There are indications that the construction of the eastern breakwater in the outer harbor of Stonington is affecting Sandy Point on the southern side of the entrance into Little Narragansett Bay, and comparative surveys should be made annually at this point. Range marks should be erected on Pawcatuck Point on the prolongation of the axis of the new channel through the bay, and the remainder of the last appropriation now available should be reserved for these purposes. 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... (See Appendix C 10.) $1,135 84 $986 33 6 47 992 80 143 04 11. Harbor of Refuge at Stonington, Connecticut.-Stonington Harbor lies on the north side of the eastern entrance from the ocean into Long Island Sound. Originally it was an open bay, unprotected from southerly storms and obstructed by a shoal having at low water a depth of but 6 feet at the shoalest part. This shoal nearly filled the inner harbor and left but a narrow channel on either side, of a depth insufficient to permit vessels of 12 feet draught to reach the upper wharves at low water. A short breakwater was constructed in 1828-231, at a cost of $34,776.65, for the protection of the commerce of the town of Stonington. The original project of 1871, for the further improvement of this harbor and its subsequent modifications, under which the work is now carried on, embraced dredging in the upper harbor to secure an increased depth for the accommodation of the local shipping interests, and the construction of two breakwaters in the outer harbor, designed to inclose a large anchorage or harbor of refuge in southerly storms for general commerce, and also to protect the shipping in the upper harbor. One of these breakwaters, the western, was to be built out from Wamphassuck Point, the southwestern limit of the harbor, and extend out about 2,000 feet, and the other, the eastern, was to extend from the vicinity of Bartlett's Reef to the Middle Ground. The western breakwater was completed in 1880, at a cost of $103,190. The amount expended in dredging was about $45,000. The amount expended upon the eastern breakwater up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, including liabilities outstanding at that date, was $73,885.38, and its length at that date was 1,521 feet. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $6,058.28, and the results were an extension of 6 feet on the eastern end of the breakwater, completing it, and the extension of 118 feet on the western end. Its total length at the close of the year was 1,645 feet. With the appropriation of $10,000 made by the act of July 5, 1884, it is proposed to carry the eastern breakwater to the westward until the funds are exhausted. The position of its western end has not been determined, but it will probably be found necessary in order to afford all of the protection desired to extend the breakwater at least until it intersects a range from Stonington Light to the middle of the Wicopesset Island, although it may be found desirable to carry it still further, to the range from Stonington Light to the eastern end of Fisher's Island. In the former case the additional length required will be about 925 feet, and in the latter 1,625 feet. The cost to complete cannot be stated with accuracy on account of the uncertainty in regard to the prices at which future contracts may be let, but a liberal estimate would probably be $63,000 for the shorter line and $111,000 for the longer one. This does not include the cost of a foundation for a light-house and fog-signal, which will be necessary on the western end of the break water. Deducting the $10,000 appropriated by the act of July 5, 1884, there will therefore be required to be provided by future appropriation at least the sum of $53,000; and by reason of the great danger to navigation which the western end of the breakwater now is and will be until it is completed, and a light-house and fog-signal are erected upon it, it is very desirable that the whole amount required to finish the breakwater be granted at the next session of Congress. The completion of this work will afford a thoroughly protected anchorage for vessels drawing 18 feet of water and a harbor of refuge for the immense commerce which daily passes between Long Island Sound and the eastward. July 1, 1883, amount available $6,114 62 July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883 6,058 28 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.......... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. (See Appendix C 11.) 53,000 00 53,000 00 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF August 2, 1882. 1. Pawtucket River, Rhode Island.-Upon the favorable report of a preliminary examination made as provided for in the above act, LieutenantColonel Elliott was charged with and completed a survey of this river, the result of which was submitted January 8, 1884, and printed as Senate Ex. Doc. No. 46, Forty-eighth Congress, first session. (See Appendix C 12.) 2. Pawtuxet River, Rhode Island.-After a preliminary examination of this river no further survey was deemed advisable. (See Appendix C 13.) HARBORS AND RIVERS ON LONG ISLAND SOUND. Officer in charge, Lieut. Col. Walter McFarland, Corps of Engineers. 1. Thames River, Connecticut.-This river extends from the city of Norwich 15 miles south to Long Island Sound as a tidal stream. The only troublesome bars are within about 3 miles of Norwich, and on these the original depth was about 6 feet at mean low water in 1829. These bars have been repeatedly dredged to a depth of 14 feet at high water, equal to 11 feet at low water. The project for the improvement of this river, adopted in 1882, provides for the contraction of the channel by the construction of training. walls along the outer sides of five of its curves within 3 miles of Norwich, and for such dredging as may be needed to widen it to 200 feet and to deepen it to 14 feet at mean low water, the estimated cost being $208,080. To July 1, 1884, $55,000 of this amount had been appropriated, with which the two southerly training-walls have been built and some dredg ing has been done. The present available low-water depth to Norwich, secured under previous appropriations, is 12 feet. During the past fiscal year the training-wall below Fort Point was completed, its length being 2,988 feet; channels were dredged 14 feet deep opposite Trading Cave and between Bushnell's Reef and Perch Rock; that at the former place being 60 feet wide, at the latter 100 feet. The estimated amount required to complete the project is $128,080. One hundred thousand dollars could be advantageously expended during a single year in building the training-walls and in dredging. July 1, 1883, amount available.. July 1, 1884, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1883...... $40,421 66 32, 312 72 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1885... 8, 108 94 25,000 00 33, 108 94 128, 080 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 100,000 00 (See Appendix D 1.) 2. New London Harbor, Connecticut.-A large shoal, consisting of sand and bowlders, lies east of the New London Northern Railroad Wharf, upon which the depth in many places is less than 6 feet at mean low water. The project of improvement for this harbor, adopted in 1880, provides for the removal of the southern part of this shoal to a depth of 16 feet at low water. The total amount appropriated for this harbor prior to July 5, 1884, is $15,800, with which about two-thirds of the contemplated work has been done. During the past fiscal year no money was available and no work was done. It is estimated that $6,200, in addition to the $2,000 appropriated by act of July 5, 1884, will be required to complete the project, and this amount could profitably be expended in a single year. $83 88 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...... 83 88 2, 000 00 2,083 88 6,200 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix D 2.) 6,200 00 3. Connecticut River, above Hartford, Connecticut, and below Holyoke, Massachusetts.-From Hartford to Windsor Locks, at the foot of Enfield Falls, a distance of 103 miles, the river has a sedimentary bed and banks, and is naturally shoal at low water, having sometimes, where not improved, a depth of only 18 inches. Enfield Falls, a rocky rapid extending 5 miles, prevents all navigation at the present time; but vessels drawing 3 feet can pass around them by means of a canal, having locks 80 feet by 18 feet. This canal is owned by a corporation, which collects toll from boats passing through. It is mainly used to furnish water-power. From the head of the falls to Holyoke the navigation is good, having a low-water depth of not less than 5 feet. There is seldom any useful tide above Hartford. The total amount appropriated for improving the river above Hartford is $100,000, which has been expended, only partly, in building small wing-dams and in dredging. A project for permanently improving this section of the river, so as to pass vessels of 8 feet draught to Holyoke, was submitted in 1878, the most important feature of which was the construction of a canal to pass Enfield Rapids. Revised estimates for this canal, designed to bring it from the head of the rapids to deep water at Hartford, avoiding several troublesome shoals, were submitted in 1881. The estimated cost of this canal is $1,322,800. Nothing has yet been done towards this construction, the funds available not being sufficient to warrant its commencement. The funds remaining on hand from previous appropriations will be sufficient for any temporary improvement that may be required during the ensuing year. The construction of the canal should be completed within about three years from its commencement, and it ought not to be begun with less than one-third the full estimate, about $450,000. The benefit to be secured by a permanent improvement would be the reduction of the cost of transportation of bulky articles to a large manufacturing region now wholly dependent upon railroads. This region includes the city of Springfield, where is a United States armory, Holyoke, and other smaller places. July 1, 1883, amount available July 1, 1884, amount available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... $26, 285 38 26,285 38 1,322,804 00 Below Hartford, Connecticut.-This part of the river had formerly an available depth over the bars of about 5 feet at low water. The most troublesome bars, excepting the one at the mouth of the river, were within a distance of 10 miles of Hartford. The river distance from Hartford to Long Island Sound is about 51 miles. In 1880, a project was adopted looking to the permanent improvement of this part of the river, particularly the section between Hartford and Rocky Hill (9 miles long), which provided for the protection of the caving banks by the use of mattresses, and for building wing-dams, in order to contract the channel and to concentrate the force of the currents. The estimated cost of this work was $330,000. Previous to this, dredging had frequently been done to remove the worst shoals, which generally formed again; jetties had also been built for the permanent straightening and deepening of the channel across Saybrook Bar, at the mouth of the river. The total amount applied so far to this project of permanent improvement is $37,500, which has been enough to build the Glastonbury wingdam and the Hartford dike. The amounts previously appropriated for the Connecticut River below Hartford were applied to the construction of jetties at Saybrook Bar and in dredging. During the past fiscal year the Hartford dike was completed, its length being 3,698 feet; dredging to 9 feet at low water was done at Hartford Bar, at Press Barn Bar, at Glastonbury Bar, at Dividend Bar, and at Pistol Point Bar; also since the spring freshets dredging has been done at Pratt's Ferry Bar and at Hartford Bar, where work is now in progress. The contract for dredging in Salmon River was completed, the channel of 7 feet depth being widened and straightened by cutting off points of the bends. The estimated amount required to complete the permanent improvement is $257,500. The protection of the caving banks of this river is a work of great and immediate importance; for its rapid prosecution and for such temporary work of dredging as may be necessary, it is recommended that the sum of $100,000 be appropriated. 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...... $32,514 47 29,617 92 2,896 55 35,000 00 37,896 55 257,500 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. 100,000 00 (See Appendix D 3.) 4. Clinton Harbor, Connecticut.-The channel of this harbor runs for nearly a mile along the inside of a beach, through which a breach was made about forty years ago. Formerly there was 8 feet depth at the mouth of the harbor, which has gradually shoaled to 4 feet. In 1882 a project of improvement was adopted, providing for the closing of the breach by a riprap and for some future dredging should the channel not clear itself. The amount of the dredging that might be required being uncertain, no estimate of its cost could be made. The total amount appropriated for this harbor is $3,000, which was expended during the last fiscal year in closing the breach by building a dike of riprap 375 feet long. The effect of this dike in strengthening the current and scouring the shoals will be better shown in another year; it can be determined whether dredging must be resorted to and the amount, if any, that must be done. No appropriation is asked for at present. 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 (See Appendix D 4.) $3,000 00 2,660 96 339 04 5. New Haven Harbor, Connecticut.-The original available low-water depth in this channel was but 9 feet. Previous to 1878 a channel 13 |