July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.. $6, 183. 17 8,000.00 14, 183. 17 11. Removal of wrecks from Delaware Bay and River.-During the past fiscal year no wrecks have been removed under this appropriation. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended... July 1, 1891, balance unexpended... (See Appendix G 11.) $734.08 734.08 12. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation.-During the past fiscal year the following wrecks were removed under the provisions of the act of June 14, 1880: The schooner Gen. W. T. Sherman, from Delaware Bay; the steamer Mediator, from Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey. (See Appendix G 12.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 1890. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Major Raymond, and reports thereon submitted through Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southeast Division. It is the opinion of Major Raymond, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are not worthy of improvement. The conclusions of these officers being concurred in by me, no further surveys of these localities were ordered. The reports were transmitted to Congress and printed as executive documents of the Fifty-first Congress, second session. 1. Shark River, New Jersey.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 25. (See also Appendix G 13.) 2. Sound between Barnegat Bay and Great Egg Harbor Bay, New Jer sey.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 42. (See also Appendix G 14.) 3. Little Egg Harbor Bay and Inlet, including Great Bay, New Jersey, with reference to establishing a harbor of refuge.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 23. (See also Appendix G 15.) 4. Thoroughfare from Cape May to the Great Bay north of Atlantic City, New Jersey.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 50. (See also Appendix G 16.) 5. Cape May City, New Jersey, for breakwater.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 39. (See also Appendix G 17.) 6. Pensauken Creek, New Jersey.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 31. (See also Appendix G 18.) 7. The West Branch of the Susquehanna River in the State of Pennsylvania, in order to ascertain if the navigation of said river can be materially and permanently improved by the construction of embankments or otherwise; such survey also to be made with a view of ascertaining the best practicable method of confining the waters of said river in times of great flood, to the general course of its channel.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 136. (See also Appendix G 19.) The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Major Raymond, and reports thereon submitted through Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southeast Division. It is the opinion of Major Raymond, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, Major Raymond was charged with and has completed their survey and submitted reports thereon. 1. Toms River, New Jersey.-The improvement proposed contemplates dredging a channel 75 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water from the bridge at the village of Toms River to the 6-foot curve below, a distance of about 3,500 feet. The cost of the work is estimated at $10,000. (See Appendix G 20.) 2. Goshen Creek, New Jersey.-The improvement proposed contemplates dredging a channel below Goshen Landing to a low-water depth of 3 feet and width of 30 feet, dredging a channel 3 feet deep and about 50 feet wide through the bar at the mouth of the creek and out to the limit of the sand formation beyond the low-water shore line, and the protection of the dredged channel by a sheet pile jetty on the south side of the channel extending about 600 feet outside of the low water line of the bay. The cost of the work 18 estimated at $12,000. (See Appendix G 21.) EXAMINATION FOR SITE FOR HARBOR OF REFUGE FOR DEEP-DRAFT VESSELS NEAR MOUTH OF DELAWARE BAY, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 1890. In compliance with the provisions of the act a Board of Engineers, consisting of Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Major C. W. Raymond, and Capt. W. H. Bixby, Corps of Engineers, was constituted by the Secretary of War to examine "Delaware Bay, with a view of determining the best site near the mouth of the same for a national harbor of refuge suitable for deep-draft vessels" and submit "report thereon, with a project and estimate of cost of construction of such a harbor of refuge." The report of the Board will be submitted when received. A preliminary report, dated December 11, 1890, is submitted as Appendix G 22. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN DELAWARE AND ON EASTERN SHORE OF CHESAPEAKE BAY, MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA, AND OF INLAND WATER WAY FROM CHINCOTEAGUE BAY, VIRGINIA, TO DELAWARE BAY, DELAWARE. Engineer in charge, William F. Smith, United States Agent, Major of Engineers, U. S. Army, Retired; Division Engineer, Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. 1. Wilmington Harbor, Delaware.-Before 1836, when the first appropriation for the improvement of Christiana River was made, the depth of water at the entrance into the Delaware River was about 8 feet. The shoalest place inside the river below the Third Street Bridge was 8 feet. The depth in the channel was increased that year by dredging to 10 feet. Under a project commenced in 1871 and completed in 1881, a 12 foot channel was made from the mouth to above the city of Wilming ton. The project now in force was made in 1881, and is for a 15 foot low-water channel from the mouth to the Pulp Works, 150 feet wide from the mouth to the Rolling Mill Wharf, 100 feet wide to the Delaware and Western Railroad Bridge, and 75 feet in width to the Pulp Works; also for a channel 50 feet wide and 12 feet deep above these works, as far as the Delaware Railroad Bridge, and for a jetty at the mouth of the river. The estimate, which was $175,551, was increased in 1883 to $191,384 by changing the width of the proposed channel to 150 feet as far as the Pulp Works. A further amendment of the proj ect was made in 1884, when 4 feet was added to the height of the jetty and its length increased 322 feet. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, $170,914.44 had been expended under this proj. ect. There was then a channel 15 feet deep and 150 feet wide extending from the mouth to near the outlet of Brandywine Creek. The channel above this point, which had previously been dredged to Third Street Bridge, had partly filled up again. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, the proposed channel was extended from the mouth of the Brandywine Creek to a point 600 feet above the Third Street Bridge, a distance of 5,200 feet, and $17,143.39 was expended. The work was still in progress at the close of the fiscal year, but will be completed in August next. In compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890, a Commission, consisting of Col. D. C. Houston and Major C. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers, and Mr. L. Y. Schermerhorn, civil engineer, was constituted by the Secretary of War to make a survey of Wilmington Harbor and submit report thereon, with project for improvement. The report of the commission was submitted under date of June 18, 1891. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended....... June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.... July 1, 1891, balance unexpended. July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. $5,365.27 July 1, 1891, balance available..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix H 1.) $2,835,56 30,000.00 32, 835.56 17, 143.39 15, 692. 17 10, 538.07 5, 154. 10 87,634.00 87,634.00 2. Ice-harbor at New Castle, Delaware.-The ice-harbor at New Castle is one of the oldest in the Delaware River, its construction for the protection of shipping against floating ice having been commenced during colonial times. Since the beginning of the present century its improvement has been carried on by the General Government at various intervals, the total amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, being $223,337.50. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, is $255.65. The present project is to remove one of the piers, which is in a dangerous condition, and to build a new one on the north or up river end of the harbor. Plans for the new pier have been prepared. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890 June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended (See Appendix H 2.) $7,346.44 8, 100.00 15, 446. 44 255.65 15, 190.79 3. Appoquinnimink River, Delaware.-This stream is a tidal tributary of Delaware Bay, flowing mainly through New Castle County, Del. It is navigable for vessels of light draft from the mouth to the town of Odessa, a distance of 9 miles. A bar, having only 13 feet of water over it at low tide, obstructs the mouth of the river. The average rise and fall of the tide is 6 feet at the bar and 3.2 feet at Odessa. The project for improvement proposed in a report on a survey made in 1889 and adopted under an appropriation made by the act approved September 19, 1890, provides for dredging a channel 8 feet deep at mean low water, with a width of 100 feet from the mouth to New Bridge, near Townsend's Wharf, and thence 80 feet wide as far as the county bridge at Odessa, the estimated cost of the improvement being $39,963. During the past fiscal year a channel was dredged near Odessa, 1,975 feet long, 80 feet wide, and 8 feet deep at low water. The amount expended was $4,963.72. The increased depth and width made the channel at once available for deeper draft vessels and increased the harbor area. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended .... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix H 3.) $5,000.00 4, 963. 72 36.28 34, 963.00 10,000.00 4. Smyrna River, Delaware.-This river was formerly called Duck Creek, the name having been changed in 1889 by the State legislature. Before improvements began, in 1879, there was a minimum depth of 2 feet inside the creek and 4 feet over the bar at the mouth. Navigation was possible only at high tide, and was carried on by one steamer and seven small schooners. In 1878 a project was made for the improvement of the whole river, which included also a plan for deepening the channel across the bar at the mouth. By special direction of Congress the improvement of the bar was commenced first, and during the following four years three appropriations, aggregating $10,000, were made and expended in dredging a channel across the bar 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water. This channel soon filled up again. A new project was submitted in 1887 for a 7-foot low-water channel 60 feet wide inside the river and 100 feet wide across the bar at the moutb, the latter channel to be protected on each side with stone jetties. The estimated cost of the project was $90,698.40. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, the sum of $10,000 had been expended on this project. This money was applied by special direction of Congress to dredging inside the river. A channel had been dredged from Smyrna Landing to Brick Store Wharf for a distance of 3 miles, having a width of 40 feet and a depth of 6 feet at mean low water. The immediate result was that vessels of that draft could go 2 miles further up the river and the main shipping point was brought that much nearer the town of Smyrna. The appropriation of $5,000 made September, 19, 1890, is being ap plied in continuing improvement. The work is now in progress. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, the sum of $2,536.35, including outstanding liabilities, was expended and the channel between Smyrna Landing and Rothwell Landing had been deepened to 6 feet. The amount of material removed was 13,139 cubic yards. With increased dimensions in every direction, the channel is becoming more useful and is safer for navigation at low stages of the tide, and an increase in the size and tonnage of vessels is in contemplation. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.... $5,000.00 302.72 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 4,358.63 338.65 22,365.00 30, 1893 10,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix H 4.) 5. St. Jones River, Delaware.-The improvement of this river was reported as completed at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, and no further appropriation was recommended. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended...... June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year (See Appendix H 5.) $490.52 490.52 6. Mispillion Creek, Delaware.-The entrance to this creek has a mean low-water depth of only 13 feet. Within the stream the original depth was from 4 to 5 feet. The existing project is for a 6-foot low-water channel 40 feet wide from Milford, at the head of navigation, to the mouth. Seventeen thousand dollars has been expended, and with the excep tion of a shoal very near the mouth the projected channel has been completed. Nothing was done during the past fiscal year for want of funds. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project........ $2,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix H 6.) 7. Broadkiln River, Delaware.-In its original condition, the depth of water in the river was from 3 to 4 feet at the numerous shoals which impeded navigation. At the entrance the depth was, and still is, from 14 to 2 feet at mean low tide. A project for a 6-foot low-water navigation inside the river from the mouth to Milton, Del., and for a new entrance across Lewes Cape was adopted in 1871, and since that year the execution of the portion of the project relating to dredging inside has been in progress and was completed on October 30, 1890. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, the sum of $26,123.19 had been expended. The proposed channel was then com. |