D 37. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF SAG HARBOR, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK, FOR BREAKWATER. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, New York, December 29, 1890. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report on preliminary examination of Sag Harbor, Suffolk County, N. Y., made in pursuance of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890. It is understood that an examination or survey of this harbor was directed in consequence of a petition to Congress, of which the following is a copy, without signatures: To the honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled. SAG HARBOR, N. Y., 1889. The undersigned petitioners, citizens of the port of Sag Harbor, in the county of Suffolk, State of New York, and its vicinity, including those having business interests commercially or otherwise thereat, respectfully represent that the exposed condition of the harbor of this port renders the question of its protection one of very great interest to your petitioners. The entrance to said harbor from Gardiner Bay, being from a northeasterly direction, exposes vessels and wharf property to the hazard of loss and damage during the frequent northeasterly storms and gales experienced from that quarter at certain seasons of the year. So great is this hazard to vessels, steamers, etc., that it is generally deemed unsafe to allow them to lie on the easterly side of the wharves, or ride at anchor there, on the approach of an easterly storm, owing to the force of the waves which naturally sweep in from that direction; while the damage to wharf property itself, consequent upon storms and gales from that direction is oftentimes very great, rendering it expensive to the owners thereof, and resulting finally in a consequent loss or tax upon the maritime interests of the place. The undersigned beg leave to suggest that a breakwater, properly placed within said harbor, would very materially prevent the disaster and damage now so frequent; and that, owing to the natural formation of the harbor, its general water depths, together with the course of its main channel, a structure of this kind is rendered not only entirely feasible, but that it could be constructed at a comparatively moderate expense. Your petitioners therefore, hereby respectfully, but earnestly invoke the early and favorable action of your honorable body in behalf of the object herein sought. The village of Sag Harbor has a population of about 2,700; it is located about 24 miles west of Montauk Point, and is the terminus of the Montauk Division of the Long Island Railroad. The U. S. Coast Pilot states that: The harbor is south of Shelter Island and about 3 miles southwest from Cedar Island light-house. The deepest draft of vessels entering the harbor is 13 feet; the usual draft is 9 to 10 feet; 8 to 12 can be taken alongside the wharf. Formerly Sag Harbor had large whaling interests, but these have entirely ceased. The present commerce of this port is shown by the following statement furnished by the village trustees of Sag Harbor: COMMERCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE FIRST 9 MONTHS OF THE CURRENT YEAR-JANUARY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1890. The amount of freight received by water was: The number of vessels which entered the harbor during the above 9 months was (counting each trip of boats entering often), steamers, 306; sail vessels, 75. Tonnage of above boats, 4 to 648 tons; draft, 3 to 12 feet. The number of vessels which make regular or frequent trips to and from Sag Harbor is 80. The population of the village of Sag Harbor is about 2,700. The harbor is used as a water outlet by a surrounding country of about 217 square miles, including a total population of 8,193. Number of passengers carried on steamers to or from Sag Harbor during above 9 months, 25,080. I made a personal examination of this harbor on October 15, 1890, and subsequently had soundings taken for the purpose of ascertaining, approximately, the cost of such improvement as is desired. The water front, where the wharves are located, is exposed to storms from the northeast. A riprap breakwater extending northerly from Conklin Point (about 1,500 feet east of the steamboat wharf) about 3,000 feet, following the line of a shoal on which the depth varies from 2 to 7 feet at mean low water, would afford all the protection needed, and the cost would not exceed $66,000. Great benefit could, however, be given by a smaller expenditure. In order to properly locate the breakwater and make an estimate of cost a survey is necessary, the cost of which is estimated at $150. It is apparent that the security of navigation demands protection, which can be given at comparatively small expense, and I am of the opinion that, in view of the present and prospective demands of commerce, the harbor is worthy of improvement. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel of Engineers. SURVEY OF SAG HARBOR, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK, FOR BREAK WATER. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, New York, September 15, 1891. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report on survey of Sag Harbor, Suffolk County, N. Y., directed by your letter of December 30, 1890, in pursuance of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890. My report on preliminary examination, dated December 29, 1890, contains information as to the commercial importance of this harbor and such commercial statistics as I have been able to procure. An approximate estimate was submitted for a breakwater to protect the water front, where the wharves are located, from northeast storms. The object of the survey was to properly locate the breakwater and to make an estimate of cost. The accompanying tracing* shows the proposed location and the water front, with soundings. A breakwater so located would effectually protect the water front, and would also shelter an anchorage area of 16 acres having 9 feet depth at mean low water, and about double that area with 6 feet depth. The estimate of cost is as follows: For a riprap breakwater, extending from Conklin Point in a north-by-west Total estimated cost Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. THOMAS L. CASEY, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. D. C. HOUSTON, Colonel, Corps of Engineers. APPENDIX E. IMPROVEMENT OF HUDSON RIVER; OF HARBORS AT SAUGERTIES AND RONDOUT, AND WAPPINGER CREEK; OF NEW YORK HARBOR AND RIVERS AND HARBORS IN ITS VICINITY, NEW YORK; AND OF RARITAN BAY, NEW JERSEY. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL G. L. GILLESPIE, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1891, WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE WORKS. 19. Establishment of harbor lines in New York Harbor and its adjacent waters. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, New York, N. Y., July 9, 1891. GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith annual reports, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, upon the works of river and harbor improvements under my charge. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. L. GILLESPIE, Lieut. Col. of Engineers. |