25 feet deep and 500 feet wide at ordinary low water from Lambert Point to Fort Norfolk by the construction of a dike and by dredging. (2) To ultimately widen this channel to within 75 feet of a straight line drawn from Fort Norfolk to the deep water opposite Lambert Point, 6,800 feet of which is the proposed port-warden line, making the channel at least 700 feet wide. From July 5, 1884, to June 30, 1890, there was expended on this improvement $167,184.34, which resulted in a channel 700 feet wide and 25 feet deep at ordinary low water, and a channel of the same depth and 600 feet wide from the deep water off Lambert Point to the portwarden line. During the year ending June 30, 1891, there was expended on this improvement $4,051.16, which was applied to office expenses, surveys, and care of property. The project of 1886 has been completed with the exception of the dike. The survey of 1889, and examinations made during the month of April, 1890, and May, 1891, indicate that the dike will not be necessary to the maintenance of the channel. No further appropriation will be required for this project at present. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.......... $4,912.73 4,051, 16 861.57 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project........ 108,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix K 2.) 3. Hampton Creek and Bar, Virginia.-An examination and survey of this river was made in 1875 in accordance with the river and harbor act of June 23, 1874. The channel in the river was at that time 60 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water. Over the bar the depth was only 6 feet. The plan of improvement adopted was to secure a channel 150 feet wide and 9 feet deep at low water in the creek and over the bar. This improvement was secured June 30, 1880, at a cost of $12,000. The river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, called for an examination and survey with a view to continuing the improvement. It was recommended that the channel dredged in 1879-'80 be widened to 200 feet in the creek and from 200 to 300 feet over the bar at a total cost of $10,000. This amount having been appropriated in the river and harbor act of 1890, a survey was made of the creek and a contract entered into for the necessary dredging. This work will be completed during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1×90. $10,000.00 July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... July 1, 1891, balance available.. (See Appendix K 3.) 117. 16 9, 882.84 8,500.00 1,382.84 4. Nansemond River, Virginia.-This river is one of the important tributaries of Hampton Roads, Virginia, and is navigable at high water for vessels drawing 11 feet as far as the city of Suffolk, 16 miles from its mouth. Five railroads, two of which terminate at this place, put this city in communication with the South and West, and two lines of steamers run between it and Norfolk and Baltimore. In 1872, before any improvement was undertaken, the navigable channel of the Nansemond River was 5 feet deep at low water and was much obstructed by wrecks, snags, etc. Between 1873 and 1878 the Government dredged a channel, wherever necessary, 8 feet deep at low water from Suffolk to Hampton Roads, at a cost of $37,000. This depth not being sufficient to meet the demands of its growing commerce, in obedience to the requirements of the river and harbor act of August, 1886, an examination and survey of the river was made to determine what other improvement was necessary. The plan of improvement then proposed and since adopted is to secure a channel not less than 100 feet wide at bottom, 12 feet deep at mean low water, from the head of navigation to the mouth of Western Branch, 5.37 miles, including a turning basin 200 feet square, 300 feet below Suffolk Bridge, by dredging and the construction of spurs and training walls; and a channel of like depth from mouth of Western Branch to deep water at Town Point, 200 feet wide at bottom at its upper end and gradually increasing to at least 400 feet at its lower end, etc., the total estimated cost being in round numbers $152,500. The amount expended up to close of fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, is $8,574.51. During the fiscal year there has been expended on this work $9.82. This amount was applied to office expenses. Contract has been made for work under appropriation of September 19, 1890, which will be completed during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended .... June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.... July 1, 1891, balance uuexpended ..... July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... July 1, 1891, balance available.... $1,425. 49 10,000.00 11, 425.49 9.82 11, 415, 67 9,700.00 1,715. 67 132,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project ... (See Appendix K 4.) 5. Chickahominy River, Virginia.-In charge of Lieut. Col. Peter C. Hains, Corps of Engineers, to October 30, 1890. This river is one of the principal tributaries of the James, and is navigable at high water for vessels drawing 10 feet to Windsor Shades, and for vessels drawing 12 feet to Binn Bar, 2 miles below Windsor Shades. The latter place, which is the head of navigation, is 25 miles from the mouth of the river. Before improvement the channel from Windsor Shades to Binn Bar was obstructed by several shoals, over which the depth was 4 to 5 feet at low water; the entrance to the river was also obstructed by a bar. The existing project of improvement is to dredge a channel from 100 to 150 feet wide and at least 8 feet deep at low water through the shoals near the head of navigation, and a channel 200 feet wide and 14 to 15 feet deep at low water through the bar at the mouth. The rise of the tide is about 3 feet. Up to June 30, 1890, $21,500 had been expended on this project. The channel through the bar had been completed and that through the shoals given a least depth of 63 feet and a least width of 40 feet. The improved portion of the river was surveyed in January, 1891, and the dredged channels found in good condition. A contract has been made for dredging under the appropriation of September 19, 1890; this will be completed during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended............... July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts .. July 1, 1891, balance available...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. (See Appendix K 5.) $2,500.00 90.98 6. Appomattox River, Virginia.-This is one of the principal tributaries of the James River, into which it empties at City Point, Va. It is navigable as far as the city of Petersburg, about 11 miles from its mouth. 2,409.02 2,000.00 409.02 5,000.00 5,000.00 Before improvement this river had a tortuous channel obstructed by shoals, over which there was about 6 feet of water at high tide. The plan of improvement adopted in 1870 was to secure a channel 12 feet deep at high tide, with as much width as the river would bear. The amount expended by United States up to June 30, 1890, was $393,309.87, which resulted in maintaining a channel 10 to 12 feet deep in this river since 1874, and permanently securing this depth over most of the shoals. The method of improvement consists in constructing regulating works, revetments, jetties, dikes, etc., resorting to the dredge to remove occasional shoals formed by freshets. As this river is subject to annual freshets which bring down and deposit larger quantities of sand than the current in the navigable portion can carry off, a small annual expenditure for dredging and repair work will be necessary after the regulating works have all been completed. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended.......... Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.......... During the fiscal year there was expended $4,033.07, which was devoted to repairs and dredging shoals to maintain the channel depth of A contract has been made and work begun on dikes, jetties, etc., to be constructed under the appropriation of September 19, 1890. Of this work 18 jetties, aggregating in length about 2,200 feet, were nearly finished on June 30. The entire work will be completed during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended ..... July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. July 1, 1891 balance available..... $453.08 15,000,00 15,453. 03 4,033. 07 11, 420. 01 4,221.45 7,198.56 $15,080.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix K 6.) 7. Inland water route from Norfolk Harbor, Virginia, to Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, through Currituck Sound.-This is one of the most important links in the chain of inland water communication along the Atlantic Coast. It connects Chesapeake Bay with Albemarle Sound and is composed of the following bodies of water: Elizabeth River, North Landing River, Currituck Sound, Coanjok Bay, North River, and the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. With the exception of the canal, which was constructed and is maintained by private enterprise, all are natural waterways. Before any improvement was undertaken by the Government there was over this route an indifferent channel 5 to 7 feet deep at low water, the navigation of which was obstructed by snags, overhanging growth, and sharp bends in all the rivers. The project adopted was to secure a channel 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep at low water over the entire route, about 58 miles, by dredging, removing obstructions, and constructing a dike. Steady progress has been made toward securing this result and at present the regular steamboat lines running between North Carolina. ports and Norfolk and Baltimore employ vessels whose maximum dimensions are: length, 190 feet; width, 25.2 feet; draft, 8 feet, and tonnage, 421. In the river and harbor acts before that of September 19, 1890, three separate items were inserted for this improvement; in that of September 19, 1890, one item was made to cover the entire route. The total expenditure up to June 30, 1890, was $234,570.85. During the fiscal year $519.04 was expended for surveys, estimates, removal of obstructions, and contingencies. A contract has been entered into to do such dredging as is possible under the appropriation of September 19, 1890; this contract will be completed during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. The revised estimate of the work still to be done on this route is based on surveys made during the fiscal year. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890 June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended ..... July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... July 1, 1891, balance available (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project................ $10,000.00 519.04 9,480.96 8,000.00 1,480.96 8,677.08 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 25,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix K 7.) 8. North Landing River, Virginia and North Carolina.-This river forms part of the "inland water route from Norfolk to Albemarle Sound" described above. Before improvement the navigation of this river was obstructed by shoals, over which the depth was 6 feet at low water, by snags, and by sharp bends. The plan of improvement adopted in 1879 was to secure a channel 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep at low water by dredging shoals and removing bends and obstructions. This project was completed June 30, 1884, at a cost of $49,777.34, and the desired channel obtained for a distance of 17 miles. Since that time $3,057.35 has been expended on this river in removing sunken logs which have become detached from passing rafts. There is still a small balance on hand for the continuation of this work and no further appropriation is necessary. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended (See Appendix K 8.) $2,665. 31 2,665.31 9. Currituck Sound, Coanjok Bay, and North River Bar, North Carolina.-These waters form part of the "inland water route from Norfolk to Albemarle Sound" described above. Previous to the commencement of this improvement there was an indifferent natural channel with a depth of from 5 to 7 feet at low water, which had been partially dredged in the sound and bay by the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal Company. The project of improvement adopted in 1878 was to secure by dredging a channel 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep at low water the entire length of the sound, 10 miles. In 1880 there was added the plan to secure a similar channel through the bay, 2 miles long, by dredging and constructing a dike. In 1885 this was further extended by a project to secure a channel 150 feet wide and 9.4 feet deep over North River Bar. The amount expended to June 30, 1890, was $141,656.16, and resulted in the completion of the project for the sound and the dredging of a channel through the bay and through the bar 40 feet wide and 9 feet deep. The channels thus dredged were found in good condition when last examined in 1889-'90 and 1891. There was expended on this improvement during the fiscal year $843.84, which was applied to examinations, surveys, care of property, and office expenses. No further appropriation is desired for this work, as it is included under the "inland water route," and the project has been merged into the plan of improvement proposed for that route. July 1, 1890, Dalance unexpended.... June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year... (See Appendix K 9.) $843.84 843.84 EXAMINATIONS 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, Captain Fiebeger, and reports thereon submitted through Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southeast Division. It is the opinion of Captain Fiebeger, 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 were ordered. |