Page images
PDF
EPUB

$15,080.00

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...
Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1893 15,080.00
Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and
harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(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...
Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893
Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and
harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix K 7.)

$10,000.00

519.04

9,480.96

8,000.00

1,480.96

8,677.08

25,000. 00

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

July 1, 1891, 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.

1. Chickahominy River, Virginia, from Holly Landing to Long Bridge.Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 217, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix K 10.)

2. Western Branch of Elizabeth River, Virginia.-Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 88, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix K 11.)

[ocr errors]

3. Water-way to connect Lynn Haven Bay with Eastern Branch of Eliza beth River, Virginia.-Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 48, Fifty-first Congress, second session. (See also Appendix K 12.)

4. Nottoway River, Virginia, from mouth of river to Courtland.-Report transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 87, Fiftyfirst Congress, second session. (See also Appendix K 13.)

5. North-West River, North Carolina, up to Moyock.-(See Appendix K 14.)

The required preliminary examination of West Neck River, Virginia, to and beyond Dozier's Bridge, was made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Fiebeger, and report 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 this locality is worthy of improvement to Owen Bridge. The report of the preliminary examination, containing sufficient information to indicate to Congress the probable cost of the work required, no further survey appears to be necessary at this time. The improvement proposed contemplates straightening and enlarging the channel up to Owen Bridge and forming a turning basin by dredging, and removing obstructions, at an estimated cost of $9,000. (See Appendix K 15.)

IMPROVEMENT OF STAUNTON RIVER, VIRGINIA, OF ROANOKE RIVERVIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OF CERTAIN RIVERS AND WATER, WAYS IN NORTH CAROLINA; AND OF BEAUFORT HARBOR, NORTH CAROLINA, AND GEORGETOWN HARBOR AND WINYAW BAY, SOUTH CAROLINA.

Officers in charge, Capt. W. H. Bixby, Corps of Engineers, to August 11, 1890, and since October 15, 1890, with Lieut. Mason M. Patrick, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders, and Lieut. Mason M. Patrick, Corps of Engineers, in temporary charge from August 11 to October 15, 1890; Division Engineer, Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers.

1. Staunton River, Virginia.-In charge of Lieut. Col. Peter C. Hains, Corps of Engineers, to November 14, 1890. When placed under governmental improvement in 1882 and 1879, the upper portion of this stream (from Pig River to the Virginia Midland Railroad) possessed an average slope of 4.3 feet per mile and a general channel depth of over 2 feet at ordinary stages of water, except at about 30 rock shoals where it was only .4 feet; and the lower portion (from Brook Neal to Randolph) possessed an average slope of 1.2 feet per mile, and a general channel depth of 4 to 5 feet at low water except at about 18 rock ledges or shoals, where it was only about 1 to 2 feet at low water.

The original projects of 1883 for the upper portion and of 1879 for the lower portion as modified to date propose to secure a bateaux channel-way of 14 feet breadth, 14 feet depth at low water for 23.5 miles from Pig River to the Virginia Midland Railroad, and of 35 feet

breadth, 2 feet depth at low water, and of not over 10 feet slope per mile for 31.5 miles from Brook Neal to Randolph. The total final cost of this work was estimated in 1888 at $102,700.

Up to 30th June, 1890, a total of $44,314.53, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent in all upon this improvement, securing the proposed navigation for 18 miles above the Virginia Midland Railroad, and for 29.5 miles of the middle portion of the distance between Brook Neal and Randolph. The improvement has not yet been completed far enough to produce any special increase of commerce. Such results can not be expected to any great extent until the work is completed. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $203.73, including outstanding liabilities, was spent on this improvement for office and minor work.

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.

July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities..

July 1, 1891, balance available

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project ...... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix L 1.)

$185.47 8,000.00

8, 185.47 203.73

7,981. 74

34.74

7,947.00

50,200.00

2. Roanoke River, Virginia and North Carolina.-When placed under governmental improvement in 1872, this stream possessed a 10-foot depth of channel from its mouth, 62 miles up to Hamilton; thence a 5foot depth, 67 miles further, to Weldon (about 8 months per year), this channel depth being reduced during the low-water season to 10 feet to Hamilton and 2 feet to Weldon. Over the whole 129 miles the river was more or less obstructed by snags, fallen trees, rocky bars, and by war obstructions.

The original projects of 1872, as so far approved, contemplated the removal of the war blockades, a few rocky bars, and all sunken logs, snags, floating and other obstructions, and the contraction of the channel-way by jetties so as to assure, during the entire year, an unob structed 10-foot navigation up to Hamilton, and 5-foot navigation up to Weldon. The total final cost of this work below Weldon was estimated in 1872 at $269,000 for a steamboat channel of 5 feet depth at low water.

Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $102,034.82, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent upon this improvement, giving a moderately well-cleared channel over the entire length of the river, allowing a 10foot navigation to Hamilton, and a fairly well cleared 5-foot navigation further to Weldon, all the year at ordinarily low water.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, an additional $17,005.55, including outstanding liabilities, was spent upon this improvement.

A channel 138 feet wide and 5 feet deep at dead low water was completed through Big Rocky Bar; the worst leaning trees and other obstructions have been removed from the banks, and the most dangerous rocks, snags, logs, etc., from the channel.

After the improvement is finished, its proper maintenance may cost. from $2,000 to $6,000 per year.

July 1, 1890, balance unexpended....
Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890

June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year......

$12, 536. 22 25,000.00

37,536. 22 17,552.23

[blocks in formation]

July 1, 1891, balance available...

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project

19,983.99

1,024.36

18,959.63

131,000.00

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 60,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and

harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix L 2.)

3. Pasquotank River, North Carolina.-When placed under governmental improvement in 1890 this stream possessed a fairly cleared 9-foot navigation upward 31 miles to the lower mouth of Turner Cut, thence a poorly cleared 5-foot navigation upward 5 miles to the upper end of Turner Cut, thence a badly obstructed 3 to 4 foot navigation for flats and narrow barges upward 6 miles to Lebanon Bridge.

The original project of 1889, as continued to date, assumed that 9 feet draft could be carried from Albemarle Sound to the lower end of Turner Cut, and proposed to secure a well-cleared 5-foot navigation 5 miles further, between the ends of Turner Cut, for the use of canal boats, and to thoroughly clean out the river to its full natural width and depth for the next 6 miles for the use of flats and barges. The total final cost of such work was estimated in 1889 to be $9,000.

Up to the 30th of June, 1890, no funds had been appropriated and no work done. No results can be expected before 1892.

During the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1891, $2,340.28, including outstanding liabilities, was spent on this improvement for suagging and bank trimming, surveys, and minor work.

As a result of the year's work canal barges and one line of steamers make regular trips from Elizabeth City (near mouth of river) to Norfolk at all stages of water.

After the improvement is finished its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $2,000 per 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, outstanding liabilities..

July 1, 1891, balance available.....

Amonnt (estimated) required for completion of existing project..
Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893
Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and
harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

$3,000.00

2,277.70

722.30

62.58

659.72

6,000,00

6,000.00

(See Appendix L 3.)

4. Mackey Creek, North Carolina.-When placed under governmental improvement in 1890 the lower half mile of this stream formed a fine harborage for boats of 12 feet depth and was utilized as a railroad terminus for the country between Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. The exit from the creek across its bar was crooked and only from 5 to 7 feet deep at low water, interfering greatly with steamboat service to and from the railroad.

The original project of 1889, as continued to date, proposed to secure a straight channel of 100 feet width and 9 feet depth at low water from

« PreviousContinue »