of South River; and for the building of a sea-wall and breakwater for the protection and preservation of Long Point. Under the appropriation of March 3, 1873, this channel was opened for a width of about 160 feet, and under that of June 23, 1874, it has been completed to the projected width of 300 feet. To complete the sea-wall and breakwater, which are comparatively unimportant works, will require an additional appropriation of $23,000. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $23,000 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878.... 23,000 (See Appendix A 12.) 13. Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.-The following is a statement of the present condition of the several works completed, projected, and in progress for the improvement of this harbor, and the progress made upon them during the fiscal year, viz: A. Sea-wall on Point Allerton.-This wall was completed in May, 1874, together with a riprap apron-work for the protection of its foundation. Its total length is 1,202 feet. It is now in excellent condition in every respect, and fully answers the purpose intended. B. Sea-wall on Great Brewster Island.-This wall is 2,840 feet in length, and was built for the protection of the north and south heads of that island, having been completed in 1870. It is in good condition, and requires but few repairs. C. Sea-walls on Lovell's Island.-The two sea-walls on this island were built by the United States Government, one in 1843, for the protection of its north head, and the other in 1867-68, for the protection of its southeast bluff, for a length of about 800 feet. For the protection of the shore-line next south of the north head wall, and next south of the southeastern wall, apron-work and jetties of rubble-stone were added, in 1873. The wall on the southeast bluff has been much damaged by recent storms, and it is recommended that its height be increased 4 feet by adding two more courses, and that it be otherwise repaired, at a probable cost of $15,000. The other wall and apron-work are now in good condition, requiring no repairs, and fully answer the purpose intended. D. Sea-wall on Gallop's Island.-This wall was commenced in 1868, and completed in September, 1871. It is 1,785 feet in length, and has its foundation protected for nearly its whole extent by a riprap apronwork and stone jetties, which were added in 1873-74. This work is in good condition, and fully answers in every respect the purpose for which it was intended. E. Sea-wall on the north head of Long Island.-This wall was commenced in 1870, and completed in the latter part of July, 1874, to a total length of 2,0813 feet. For the protection of its concrete foundation, a riprap apron, with jetties, has been built on those parts where most exposed to injury by storms and currents, having been completed early in August, 1874. This work is in good condition, requiring no repairs, and fully answers the purpose intended. F. Sea-walls on Deer Island.-The three sea-walls on this island were built about 35 years ago, for the protection and preservation of the north, middle, and south heads, and were respectively 1,740, 840, and 380 feet in length. The injury which these walls had sustained from the violence of the storms was such as to necessitate the rebuilding of them to a great extent. This was commenced in 1865, and completed in 1869. The violent storms of the past winter and spring have, to some extent, injured this wall at the north head, which will have to be repaired. G. Straightening, widening, and deepening the main ship-channel at the west end of Great Brewster Spit.-This work consists in the removal, by dredging, of the southern portion of this spit, so as to give to the channel a width of 600 feet for a depth of 23 feet at mean low-water. Under a contract made in September, 1874, the dredging, which was commenced in October, 1874, was completed in August, 1875. During these operations a ledge was laid bare, of which 112 cubic yards will have to be broken up and removed for obtaining the required depth of 23 feet at mean low-water. Some progress has been made in the removal of this ledge under the contract of September, 1874, with a probability of its completion in September next, (1876.) H. Straightening, widening, and deepening the main ship-channel at the southeast and southwest points of Lovell's Island.-This improvement consists in widening the channel so as to have a width of 600 feet for a depth of 23 feet at mean low-water. Under the appropriation of June 23, 1874, a contract was made in September, 1874, for the dredging at the southeast point of this island. Work under this contract was commenced in October, 1874, and was completed in September, 1875. For completing the improvement at the southwest point of this island an additional appropriation will be required. I. Straightening, widening, and deepening the main ship channel at the Upper Middle Bar.-The improvement projected for this bar consists in excavating a channel to a width of 600 feet and for a depth of 23 feet at mean low-water, the mean rise and fall of the tide being 10 feet. Dredging operations were commenced on the bar in 1870, and have been continued, with intervals of suspension, for want of funds, up to the present time. During the past fiscal year work has been carried on under three separate contracts, (one made March 5, 1874, one September 1, 1874, and the other May 19, 1875,) by which, with the dredging previously done, a channel has been opened, to the required depth, for an average width of 450 feet. For completing the work on this bar and the continuous shoals below it to the projected width and depth, will require about 90,000 cubic yards more of dredging (65,000 of which are already contracted for) and the breaking up and removal of some recently discovered ledges. J. Removal of Nash's Rock, (Shoal.)—This shoal lies in the entrance to Boston Harbor, about one-third of the way over from Brewster Spit to Point Allerton. By a survey made in 1873, under the direction of the engineer officer now in charge, it was ascertained that this shoal (previously known as Nash's Rock) is covered with bowlders, shingle, gravel, &c., and has an area of about 640 superficial yards with less than 21 feet of water over it at mean low-water, and an area of about 9 acres with less than 23 feet of water over it. The improvement here projected consists in its removal to a depth of 21 feet at mean low-water, for which a contract was made May 19, 1875, the work to be completed on or before the 30th of September, 1876. K. Removal of Kelly's Rock.-This rock lies in the main ship-channel, distant about 700 yards in a direction southeast by south from Bug Light, (at "the Narrows,") and in the line of the entrance-buoy No. 1 and Bug Light, and has always been a very dangerous obstruction to navigation. In 1869 work was commenced upon the removal of this ledge to the depth of 23 feet at mean low-water, and was continued up to the end of 1870, leaving, as shown by surveys since made, a large area not having the required depth. Under the appropriation of March 3, 1875, a contract was made May 14, 1875, for completing the removal of this rock. Work was commenced under this contract in the latter part of May, and was satisfactorily completed in September, 1875. During these operations of 1875, new ledges were discovered in the vicinity of Kelly's Rock, above and below it, having on the shoalest parts a depth of 20 to 21 feet at mean low-water. To reduce them to the projected depth of 23 feet at mean low-water, will require 189 cubic yards of excavation, at an estimated cost of $11,340, for which an additional appropriation will be required. L. Removal of Tower Rock.-This rock was situated in the main shipchannel at the Narrows, about 100 yards to the southwest of Great Brewster Spit Light. It was blasted out and removed in 1867 to the projected depth of 23 feet at mean low-water. M. Removal of Corwin Rock.-This rock was situated in the main shipchannel at the Narrows, about 200 yards to the southwest of Great Brewster Spit Light. It was blasted out and removed in the years 1868 and 1869 to the projected depth of 23 feet at mean low-water. N. Removal of sunken ledge between George's Island and Great Brewster Spit. This ledge was discovered in September, 1872, in a resurvey of "the Narrows" made under the direction of the engineer officer now in charge. It was situated near the middle of the main ship-channel, distant about 317 yards in a direction west by south from Bug Light. It had but 18.9 feet of water over it at mean low-water, and was consequently a dangerous obstruction to navigation for the European steamers and other large vessels. Under a contract made August 31, 1874, the removal of this ledge was completed in September, 1874, to the projected depth of 23 feet at mean low-water. O. Removal of Barrel Rock in Broad Sound.-This was a bowlder lying about 1 mile a little north of west from Green Island, and near the sailing line of the Portland and other Maine steamers. It had only 4 feet of water over it at low tide, and in thick weather was a dangerous obstacle to navigation. It was removed in 1869. P. Removal of State and Palmyra Rocks.-By a survey made in 1873, under the direction of the engineer officer now in charge of this work, it was ascertained that these dangerous rocks, the position and character of which had previously been but little known, consisted of bowlders and ledges lying on the southern spurs of the "Lower Middle," which ocean steamers and other large vessels had occasionally struck. Under a contract made August 31, 1874, for the removal of these sunken rocks, work was commenced upon them in September, 1874, and on the 15th of June, 1875, their removal was completed. Q. Removal of wreck of Schooner Delos.-This vessel was sunk in 1872 in Nantasket Roads, about 100 yards from Fort Warren wharf, in about 22 feet of water at mean low-water, and was broken up and removed in May and June, 1873. R. Improvement of Hingham Harbor, Massachusetts.-In the appropri ation for Boston Harbor, made by act of March 3, 1875, provision was made for the improvement of Hingham Harbor, Massachusetts, to an extent not exceeding in cost $10,000. The project for its improvement consisted in widening and deepening the main channel so as to have a width of not less than 100 feet and a depth of 8 feet at mean low-water (or about 6 feet at low-water in spring tides) up to the wharves of Hingham, requiring 25,160 cubic yards of dredging and 80 cubic yards of ledge excavation. This work has been completed at a cost of $9,116.58. From the report of the engineer officer in charge it is seen that nearly all the works hitherto projected for the improvement of Boston Harbor have been completed, and that the following only remain to be completed, viz: a. The removal of a recently-discovered ledge near the southwestern extremity of Great Brewster Spit. Work has been commenced upon this ledge by contract, and it is probable that it will be completed in September, 1876. b. About 40,000 cubic yards of dredging at the southwest point of Lovell's Island, in order to obtain the contemplated width and depth of channel, for which no funds are now available. c. About 90,000 cubic yards of dredging at the Upper Middle Bar, for obtaining a channel to the projected width of 600 feet and a depth of 23 feet at mean low-water. A contract has been made for 65,000 cubic yards of this dredging, to be completed this season, leaving only 25,000 cubic yards to be provided for by future appropriations. d. Removal of Nash's Rock, (Shoal.)—This work has not yet been commenced; but a contract has been made requiring it to be completed on or before the 30th of September next. e. The removal of about 189 cubic yards of sunken ledges, discovered in 1875, in the vicinity of Kelly's Rock, for which no funds are now available. In addition to the above, the southeastern sea-wall on Lovell's Island will require raising and repairing; and some few repairs are needed by the sea-walls on Great Brewster Island and Deer Island, for which no funds are now available. Amount available July 1, 1875 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876... $191,930 78 111, 475 49 80,455 29 50,000 00 25,000 00 25,000 00 14. Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts.-The several appropriations heretofore made for this harbor have been applied to the construction of bulkheads, jetties, and groins for the preservation and strengthening of Long Beach, upon which the harbor depends for its existence. During the past year these works have been repaired and strengthened where most necessary, being now in a very good and effective condition. Repairs will, however, be required hereafter upon these works from year to year as heretofore, for which Congress will continue to be called upon for suitable appropriations. By act of March 3, 1875, the sum of $10,000 was appropriated for this harbor, to be applied in part to improving the harbor itself. The project adopted consists in opening by dredging a channel leading from the middle ground up to the wharves of Plymouth, to a depth of 6 feet at mean low-water, or 16 feet at mean high-water, and for a towing width of 100 feet. Under a contract made May 13, 1875, dredging operations were commenced in April and finished in June, 1876, resulting in 34,985 cubic yards in completion of the contract, by which the projected channel has been opened for a width of 50 feet and to the depth required. For completing this channel as now recommended by the engineer in charge, and for the annual repairs of the works built. for the preservation and protection of Long Beach, an additional appropriation of $30,000 will be required. Amount available July 1, 1875.. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. Amount available July 1, 1876.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. $11,075 67 10,748 25 327 42 30,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. 30,000 00 (See Appendix A 14.) 15. Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts.-The several appropriations heretofore made for the preservation and improvement of this harbor have been applied to the construction of the following works, viz: A. Bulkheads and jetties of various descriptions have been built from time to time along Beach Point, for its preservation and protection, both by the United States Government and by the local authorities. B. A dike was built in 1868 and 1869 by the State of Massachusetts across the outlet of East Harbor Creek. C. A dike was built in 1868 and 1869 by the United States Government across East Harbor Creek, at the Wading Place, near High Head, about 2 miles above the outlet of the creek. D. Wooden bulkheads and jetties have been built at different times for the protection and preservation of the beach on Long Point. E. A stone bulkhead has been nearly completed for the protection and preservation of the outer end of Long Point, the light-house, and three-gun battery. F. A substantial dike (272 feet in length) was built in 1871-'72 across the head of Lancey's Harbor, near Abel Hill. G. Beach-grass planted on Beach Point, Long Point, Abel Hill, Cove Section, and Oblique Section, and at the last two places brush has also been laid for their further protection. H. The projected extension of the several jetties on Beach Point and State Dike has been completed. I. A bulkhead and 6 jetties built for the preservation and protection of the beach at Cove Section, near High Head, were encroached upon by the extraordinary gales of November, 1873, and January, 1874. This bulkhead is 607 feet in length, and the jetties have an aggregate length of 126 feet. They consist of a frame-work filled with brush and ballasted with stone, and were completed in December, 1874. J. Accurate resurveys made in 1871-72-73 and '74 of Cove Section, Oblique Section, Beach Point, and Long Point, together with elaborate soundings and current observations in the inner harbor. On the 1st of July, 1875, there was available for the further improvement of this harbor the sum of $3,326.07; amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, $2,830. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, has been applied to the completion of the sluice-way and other repairs of High Head Dike; to strengthening and extending the bulkhead and jetties at Cove Section, repairing bulkhead and jetties on Beach Point, extending the stone bulkhead on Long Point, and planting beach-grass at Cove Section, Olique Section, Beach Point, Long Point, and on the sand-hills between Beach Point and Cove Section. These works and all the others built for the preservation and protection of this harbor require continuous watching and repairs, for which and for an extension of the stone bulkhead on Long Point the additional sum of $5,000 will be required for the next fiscal year. Amount available July 1, 1875.... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. Amount available July 1, 1876.... Amount appropriated by act approved August 14, 1876.. $3,326 07 2,830 00 496 07 4,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 1,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. 1,000 00 (See Appendix A 15.) |