After this improvement is completed 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, balance available........... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix L 18.) $359.20 15,000.00 15, 359. 20 5,288.28 10, 070.92 1, 171.35 8,899.57 173,000.00 60,000. 00 19. Cape Fear River, North Carolina, at and below Wilmington.-When placed under improvement, in 1829, the Cape Fear River below Wilmington had three bar entrances, with least depth as follows: About 9 feet at the Baldhead Channel, 9 feet at the Rip Channel, and 10 feet at New Inlet Channel, these bars being, respectively, 9, 6, and 2 miles below the point which was then the head of the river's delta. From the head of this delta, 20 miles up to Wilmington, there were several shoals with a least depth of 7.5 feet at low water. The original projects of 1827 to 1885 proposed to improve the upper 20 miles by dredging and by jetty contraction of the channel; to close the New Inlet Channel; to dike the river from New Inlet 3 miles downstream; and to improve the bar by the consequent increased scour of the river as well as by occasional dredging,-all to secure a 16-foot channel from Wilmington to the ocean. The total final cost of this work under the projects of 1827 to 1885 was in 1889 estimated to be $2,489,500.85. New projects of 1889 extended the work of the proposed improvement to obtain a depth of 20 feet at low water from Wilmington to the ocean at a total increased cost of $1,800,000. Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $2,453,386.72, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent in all upon the proposed improvements of 1827 to 1885 with great success, obtaining 16 feet least depth of water at the main bar entrance, and completing a channel of 16 feet depth and at least 233 feet width 28 miles farther, to Wilmington. This depth, combined with the average rise of tide-4.5 feet at the bar, and 2.5 at Wilmington-is such that at that time vessels loaded to 18 feet draft (10.5 feet more than in 1827) could readily go from Wilmington to the ocean in a single tide any day of the year. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, an additional $65,708.74, including outstanding liabilities, was spent in maintaining and deepening the new channel across the ocean bar, in widening the channels across the shoals in the upper river to the full width of 270 feet, and deepening some of them to 20 feet depth at low water. Vessels of 18 feet draft now reach Wilmington. Recent surveys show successful results everywhere, and 16 feet lowwater depth across the bar as well as in the river channels. After the improvement is finished, its proper maintenance may cost from $5,000 to $25,000 per year for a few years, but the improvement should be fairly permanent. July 1, 1890, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890.. June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year... $13, 476. 04 60.00 170,000.00 183, 536. 04 55, 423.42 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 L 19.) 1,655, 000, 00 300,000.00 20. Lockwood's Folly River, North Carolina.-When placed under governmental improvement, in 1890, it possessed a depth of about 3 feet at low water (8 feet at high water) upon its ocean bar; thence about 8 feet depth at low water for about 1.5 miles; thence only about 1 foot depth at low water for about 400 feet; thence from 3 to 6 feet at low water for 1.5 miles; and thence from 5 to 8 feet at low water for 22 miles up to Lockwood's Folly Bridge. Above the bridge the river is only suitable to pole-boats, which might carry merchandise 15 miles farther. The original project of 1887, as continued to date, proposed to dredge through the oyster rocks and mud flats so as to secure a 6-foot navigation at low water, from the ocean upward 25 miles to Lockwood's Folly town bridge. The total final cost of this work was estimated in 1887 at $40,000. Up to June 30, 1890, no appropriations had been made for this work, consequently no work had been done and no benefits received. No results can be expected before 1892. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, $19.81, including outstanding liabilities, was spent upon this improvement for office and minor work, and arranging for the dredging to be done by contract. This improvement, once thoroughly completed, should remain fairly permanent. Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890. July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.... $5,000.00 19.81 July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. July 1, 1891, balance available...... 4,980. 19 3,500.00 1,480. 19 35,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L 20.) 21. Yadkin River, North Carolina.-The middle third of this river, the portion extending from the railroad bridge near Salisbury, 641 miles upward, to the foot of Bean Shoal, is the only portion so far under improvement by the General Government. When placed under improvement, in 1880, this portion of the Yadkin River had its navigation completely obstructed by rock ledges, fish, and mill-dams, and numerous shoals, with a greatest depth of 1 foot at ordinary low water on some of its shoals and ledges. The original project of 1879 proposed to secure a 2.5 to 3 foot steamboat navigation during the entire year over the 643 miles above the Salisbury Railroad Bridge. Modified project of 1887 proposed to limit this improvement to obtaining this depth only during winter stages of water and only over the lower 33 miles of river, at a total cost of $107,000. Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $96,450.48, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent in all upon this improvement in securing a channel of 40 to 70 feet channel width, and from 2 to 2 feet channel depth during mean winter stages of water (8 months of the year) from the Salisbury Railroad Bridge 33 miles upward to Bailey Ferry. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, an additional $2,721.06, including outstanding liabilities, was spent in removing rock and sand from the channel, in building rock jetties, and in minor work. All work in the field was suspended during winter, on account of cold weather, high water, and the small amount of funds. The improvement, once thoroughly completed, should be comparatively permanent. 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, outstanding liabilities... July 1, 1891, balance available...... $722.52 200.00 5,000.00 5,922.52 2,462.32 3,460.20 431.74 3,028.46 5,000.00 5,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix L 21.) 22. Harbor at Georgetown, South Carolina.-When placed under improvement, in 1880, this harbor had an excellent and well-protected anchorage of at least 1 mile in length, 150 feet width, and 15 feet depth. A bar of about 2,850 feet in length and with only 9 feet depth of water was the only obstacle to an otherwise good 13-foot navigation from Georgetown 13 miles to the ocean. The original project of 1881, as continued to date, proposed to secure a dredged channel of 200 feet bottom width and 12 feet low-water depth entirely through the bar. The total final cost of this work was estimated in 1889 at $44,500. Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $23,877.57, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent, in all, upon this improvement, giving a through cut entirely across the bar, with 12 feet low-water depth, and with a variable width of from 80 to 100 feet. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, an additional $58.16, including outstanding liabilities, was spent on this improvement in office and minor work. The channel once thoroughly opened will probably be permanent. 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, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... July 1, 1891, balance available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... $622.43 8,000.00 8, 622.43 58.16 8,564.27 7,000.00 1,564.27 12,000.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1893 12,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix L 22.) 23. Winyaw Bay, South Carolina.-When placed under improvement in 1886 this bay had only 9 feet least depth upon its bar entrance, with a 12-foot channel the rest of the way to Georgetown. The original project of 1885 proposed to secure a permanent bar entrance from 15 to 20 feet depth of water. The total final cost of this work was estimated in 1885 at $2,500,000 for a bar depth of from 15 to 20 feet (the first $800,000 to secure a depth of about 12 feet) at low water. Up to June 30, 1890, a total of $20,027.45, including outstanding liabilities, had been spent upon this improvement in making necessary preparations for beginning work, and in building the shore end of the jetty. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, an additional $12,809.43, including outstanding liabilities, was spent on this work in building the shore end of the proposed jetty. The channel, once thoroughly opened, will probably retain its depth permanently. 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. $5,845.69 $190, 320.57 100,000.00 200, 320.57 8, 561. 76 191, 758. 81 July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts..... 172,041.79 177,887.48 July 1, 1891, balance available ..... 13,871.33 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... 2,281, 250.00 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 L 23.) 300,000.00 24. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering naviga tion. The wreck of an old schooner opposite Swan Point, Pamlico River, North Carolina, was reported in March, 1891, as obstructing and endangering navigation. Authority was given for its removal by hired labor, by the Government snagging plant on its next passage over the river, at an expense not exceeding $150. No work was actually done, however, prior to 30th June, 1891. (See Appendix L 24.) EXAMINATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITII 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 Bixby, and reports thereon submitted through Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southeast Division. It is the opinion of Captain Bixby, 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. Water-way from Pungo River to the town of Sladesville, North Carolina.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 160. (See also Appendix L 25.) 2. Water-way between Pamlico River and Bay River, North Carolina.Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 162. (See also Appendix L 26.) 3. Drum Inlet, North Carolina.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 164. (See also Appendix L 27.) The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Bixby, and reports thereon submitted through Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Southeast Division. It is the opinion of Captain Bixby, and of the Division Engineer, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are worthy of improvement. The reports of the preliminary examinations containing sufficient information to indicate to Congress the probable cost of the work required, no further surveys appear to be necessary at this time. The reports were transmitted to Congress and printed as executive documents of the Fiftyfirst Congress, second session. 1. Harbor of Washington, Pamlico River, North Carolina.-The proposed improvement contemplates dredging a channel 200 feet wide and 9 feet deep at ordinary low water, at an estimated cost of $45,000. Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 289. (See also Appendix L 28.) -- 2. White Oak River, North Carolina, from Roberts' Landing to Collins Crossing. The work proposed consists in providing for steamboat navigation from Robert's Landing to Sabiston's Bridge, 4 miles, and for flat-boat navigation from Sabiston's Bridge to Collins Crossing, 21 miles, at an estimated cost of $4,550. Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 97. (See also Appendix L 29.) 3. Black River, South Carolina, from Kingstree to its mouth.-The proposed improvement contemplates the removal of such obstructions as snags and fallen and overhanging trees, from its mouth upward 118 miles to the railroad bridge at Kingstree, at an estimated cost of $25,000. Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 286. (See also Appendix L 30.) IMPROVEMENT OF LUMBER AND WACCAMAW RIVERS, NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA, AND OF CERTAIN RIVERS AND HARBORS IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Officer in charge, Capt. Frederic V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, with Lieut. E. J. Spencer, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders to August 12, 1890; Division Engineer, Col. Wm. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. 1. Waccamaw River to Waccamaw Lake, North Carolina and South Carolina.-In 1880 this river was navigable for 12-foot draft boats at all stages of water from Georgetown, 23 miles to Bull Creek, and at high |