the creek across the bar to Albemarle Sound. The total final cost of such work was estimated in 1889 to be $15,000. Up to 30th June, 1890, no funds had been appropriated and no work done. No results can be expected before 1892. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $359.48, including outstanding liabilities, was spent on this improvement for surveys and minor work and arranging for dredging to be done by contract. The channel once thoroughly opened should remain tolerably permanent. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890... July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. July 1, 1891, balance available (See Appendix L 4.) $15,000.00 349.48 14, 650, 52 $10.00 14,000.00 14, 010. 00 640.52 5. Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina.-When placed under governmental improvement in 1890, it had a good bar entrance from the ocean carrying from 12 to 15 feet depth, and two bar entrances to Pamlico Sound carrying from 4 to 6 feet depth. The commerce was limited to occasional 6 feet draft steamers, and to occasional schooners and small ships, the latter stopping just within the inlet at its small towns, Portsmouth and Ocracoke. The original project of 1889 as continued to date proposed to improve the southern bar passage (called Portsmouth straight-way) into the Sound by dredging a channel of 300 feet width and from 10 to 15 feet depth across this bar, so as to make the passage from the inlet harborage into Pamlico Sound as good as the passage from the harborage out into the ocean. The total final cost of such work was estimated in 1889 to be $600,000. Up to the 30th of June, 1890, no funds had been appropriated and no work was done. No results can be expected before 1892. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $1,747.71, including outstanding liabilities, was spent on this improvement for surveys and minor work. The channel, once thoroughly opened and diked, should remain fairly permanent. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1891, balance available $90,000.00 1,725. 71 88, 274. 29 22.00 88, 252.29 510,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix L 5.) 6. Fishing Creek, North Carolina.-When placed under governmental improvement in 1890 this stream was badly obstructed over its entire length by very numerous snags and fallen trees in its channel and by leaning and overhanging trees on its banks, entirely obstructing any regular navigation. The original project of 1889, as continued to date, proposed to clear out all the natural obstructions in the river up to Bellamy Mill, such as snags, fallen trees, leaning trees, overhanging trees, etc. The total final cost of this work was estimated in 1889 at $25,000. 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, no funds were spent upon this improvement, waiting until the obstructing bridges have all been withdrawn, removed, or provided with draws. After the river is once thoroughly cleared its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $2,000 per year. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix L 6.) $10,000.00 10, 000. 00 15,000.00 10,000.00 7. Pamlico and Tar rivers, North Carolina.-The Pamlico and Tar rivers are different portions of a single stream, the upper portion being called the Tar. When placed under improvement in 1876, the Pamlico River had an available depth of only 3 feet at low water in its upper portion, near Washington. The Tar River had, during 8 months of the year, an available depth of from 2 to 3 feet for 48 miles up to Tarboro, its practical limit of navigation. The channel of the combined stream was almost completely obstructed by two war blockades, and by floating and sunken stumps and logs, and by overhanging trees. The original project of 1876 (for the Pamlico) and of 1879 (for the Tar), as since slightly modified and continued to date, proposed to se-. cure a clear channel 9 feet deep at low water up to Washington; thence a channel 60 feet wide and 3 feet deep at low water, 22 miles farther, to Greenville; and thence a channel 60 feet wide and 20 inches deep, 58 miles farther, to Tarboro and Rocky Mount Little Falls. The final total cost of this work was estimated in 1889 at $92,200. Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $66,227.90, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent upon this improvement in securing a good channel at least 9 feet deep at low water, and at least 108 feet wide from Pamlico Sound up to Washington; thence a fair channel 60 feet wide and 3 feet deep all the year, to Greenville; and thence a similar channel for 8 months of the year, to Tarboro. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, an additional $2,565.23, including outstanding liabilities, was spent on this improvement in minor field work, and in surveys to be used in locating future work. After the improvement is finished its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.. $1,873.55 10,000.00 11,873.55 2,617.34 July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1891, balance available..... 9, 256. 21 49.34 9, 206.87 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... $14,200.00 45,000.00 59, 200.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1893 30,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L 7.) 8. Contentnia Creek, North Carolina.-When placed under improvement in 1881 this stream had a depth of about 3 feet during 9 months of the year, from its mouth in the Neuse upwards about 63 miles to Stantonsburg, its practical limit of navigation; but its channel was completely blocked at all stages of water by sunken logs and stumps, and by floating obstructions. The original project of 1881, as continued to date, proposed to secure a safe and unobstructed 3-foot navigation over this distance during the high-water season of about 9 months. The final total cost of this work was estimated in 1888 at $77,500. Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $43,928.52, including outstanding liabil ities, had been spent in securing a moderately well-cleared 3-foot navigation over the 31 miles from its mouth up to Snow Hill, and a roughly cleared 3-foot navigation over 32 miles farther to Stantonsburg, during the high-water season. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, an additional $4,772.98, including outstanding liabilities, was spent upon this improvement for minor field work, surveys, and office work. After the improvement is finished its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. 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 $1, 124.98 7,000.00 8, 124.98 4, 536. 08 3,588.90 290.40 3,298.50 25,500,00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1893 25,500.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L 8.) 9. Trent River, North Carolina.-When placed under improvement in 1879 this river had a 6-foot to 8-foot roughly cleared navigation from its mouth at New Berne, up 18 miles to Pollocksville, and a light-draft navigation 7 miles farther to Quaker Bridge. Above Pollocksville the bars, snags, and trees prevented all navigation, except occasionally by small flatboats during high freshets. The original projects of 1879 to 1889, as continued to date, assumed that 6 to 8 feet of water could be carried at all stages from its mouth 18 miles to Pollocksville, and proposed to secure a thoroughly cleared 3-foot navigation, with at least 50 feet channel width at all stages of water from Pollocksville, 20 miles up, to Trenton, and at least 30 feet channel width and over 3 feet depth during winter stages of water from Trenton, 30 miles up, to the Narrows above Free Bridge, and a good channel for pole-boats 13 miles farther to Upper Quaker Bridge. The total final cost of this work was estimated in 1889 at $72,000. Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $50,379.41, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent in all upon this improvement in securing a well-cleared channel 10 to 12 feet deep at all stages (12 to 14 feet at ordinary stages) from New Berne to Pollocksville; thence a well-cleared channel 6 to 8 feet deep at all stages (8 to 9 feet deep at ordinary stages) to Quaker Bridge; thence a well-cleared channel 50 feet wide and 3 feet deep at all stages to Trenton, and a good turning basin at Trenton. In consequence of this improvement steamboat navigation has been permanently established over the entire river to Trenton. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, an additional $3,517.66, including outstanding liabilities, was spent on this improvement for minor field work, surveys, and office work, extending the improvement 7 miles above Trenton. After the improvement is finished its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $2,000 per year. 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 (See Appendix L 9.) $175. 12 5,000.00 5, 175. 12 3,534.56 1,640.56 37 63 1,602.93 16,500 00 10,000.00 10. Neuse River, North Carolina.-When placed under improvement in 1878, this river had during 9 months of the year a 9-foot depth of channel from its mouth 40 miles up to New Berne, thence a 4-foot depth 50 miles farther to Kinston, thence a 3-foot depth 45 miles farther to Goldsboro, and thence a 2-foot depth 55 miles farther to Smithfield, this channel depth being reduced during the low-water season to 8 feet at New Berne, 2 feet at Kinston, and I foot at Smithfield. Over the whole 190 miles the river was so blocked by war and other obstructions that navigation was impracticable. The original projects of 1871 for below Goldsboro, and of 1879 for above Goldsboro, contemplated the removal of the war blockades and natural obstructions and the excavation of a few cut-offs, so as to get 4.5 feet at low water all the year to Goldsboro, and 3 feet during 9 months to Smithfield. The projects of 1878, 1880, and 1883, as continued to date, propose to remove all sunken logs, snags, floating and other obstructions, and to contract the channel-way by jetties, so as to assure during the entire year an unobstructed 8-foot navigation 40 miles. up to New Berne, and a similar 4-foot navigation 50 miles farther to Kinston, and during 9 months of the year a 3-foot navigation 100 miles farther to Smithfield. The final total cost of this work was estimated in 1888 at $374,000. Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $245,498.43, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent in all upon this improvement, giving a moderately well-cleared channel over the entire length of the river, allowing an 8-foot navigation to New Berne and a 3-foot navigation to Kinston all the year; also a fair 3-foot navigation to Goldsboro during 9 months per year, and to Smithfield occasionally. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, an additional $8,578.33, including outstanding liabilities, was spent in contracting by jetties a portion of the river below Kinston; in removing the worst obstructions from the banks and from the channel over the 95 miles of the river below the railroad bridge at Goldsboro. After the improvement is finished its proper maintenance may cost from $2,000 to $6,000 per year. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended Proceeds of sale.... Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended July 1, 1891, balance available .......... $4,076.81 175.90 20,000.00 24, 252.71 9, 378. 26 14, 874. 45 1,275.31 13, 599. 14 106,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project......... (See Appendix L 10.) 11. Inland water-way between New Berne and Beaufort, North Carolina. The inland line of navigation from New Berne to Beaufort Harbor, via Clubfoot, Harlowe, and Newport rivers, was established by the State of North Carolina about 1826, and was used thereafter by small craft until about 1856, when its locks broke down and the route was abandoned. This line, about 39 miles in total length, extends from New Berne about 21 miles down the Neuse River, 5 miles up Clubfoot River, 3 miles through the Clubfoot and Harlowe Canal, 4 miles down Harlowe River, and 6 miles through Newport River to Beaufort Harbor. About 1880 the line was reopened by the New Berne and Beaufort Canal Company. When placed under improvement in 1885 this route allowed the passage of small boats of 15 feet width and 3 feet draft, but the commerce was practically nothing. The original project of 1883 reported this route as worthy of improvement, providing that Congress desired to extend the already existing lines of navigation from the Chesapeake southward, and estimated the cost of a channel 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep at $883,580, increased by the cost of a tide-lock and the canal company's franchise. A modified project of 1884 for the expenditure of the funds then available, as continued to date, proposed to widen and deepen Harlowe Creek so as to secure a through channel of 5 feet depth at mean low water and of 30 feet bottom width from the mouth of Harlowe Creek upwards 4 miles to its head, and to use the remaining funds upon similar works upon Clubfoot River. The total final cost of this latter project (including also the continuation of the same work through the canal) was estimated in 1886 at $92,000. Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $26,603.12, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent in all upon this improvement, on necessary surveys, in removing the worst logs and stumps from the existing channel, in dredging an excellent channel 13,000 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 5 feet deep at low water through the worst portions of Harlowe Creek, thus securing a far better navigation through this creek than exists through the New Berne and Beaufort Canal, to which it leads. |