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cember 27, 1886. It provides for dredging a channel 1,000 feet wide and 30 feet deep at mean low water, from deep water below the Narrows through the Main Ship Channel and Gedney Channel to deep water outside the bar; maintaining this channel, should it be necessary, either by periodical dredging or by contracting the entrance by the construction of a dike running across the shoals from the Coney Island side, with suitable protection for the head of Sandy Hook to prevent its being scoured away by the increased current.

The estimated cost of obtaining the dredged channel is $1,490,000 for dredging 4,300,000 cubic yards. and the entire cost of the improvement should the contraction works prove to be necessary is estimated at between $5,000,000 and $6,000,000.

Under this project an extended survey of the lower bay has been made, on which the method of improvement was based.

The total amount expended to June 30, 1890, inclusive of outstanding liabilities, was $1,135,696.80.

At that time Gedney Channel and Bayside Channel (east and west) were practically completed, having a depth of 30 feet, mean low water, for the full projected width of 1,000 feet. The Main Ship Channel, west of Flynn Knoll and south of Buoy 12, had a depth of 30 feet, mean low water, for a width varying from 500 to 800 feet, and a depth of 28 feet for a width of 800 feet throughout.

The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, inclusive of outstanding liabilities, was $309,705.74.

The contracts with the Joseph Edwards Dredging Company dated March 18, 1890, for the removal of 425, 000 cubic yards, and August 13, 1890, for the removal of 530,000 cubic yards, were completed. The contract with the Joseph Edwards Dredging Company, dated February 16, 1891, for the removal of 500,000 cubic yards has progressed satisfactorily, and at the close of the fiscal year 284,497 cubic yards had been removed. The aggregate number of yards removed by the contractors during the year was 1,008,097 cubic yards all from the Main Ship Channel, extending from Buoy No. 10, Lower Bay, northward to deep water below the Narrows. As a result of this work a survey, made in December, 1890, showed that the Main Ship Channel from Buoy No. 10 north to Buoy No. 12 had then a depth of 30 feet, mean low water, for a width varying from 500 to 800 feet, and a depth of 28 feet for a width of 1,000 feet throughout. From Buoy No. 12 northward to deep water below the Narrows there was then a 30-foot channel not previously improved, 400 feet wide, and a 28-foot channel 1,000 feet wide. The 30-foot channel had a least width of 400 feet from deep water below Buoy No. 10, Lower Bay, to deep water below the Narrows, a distance of 22,000 feet, and there was a 28-foot channel, 1,000 feet wide, throughout the entire length of this reach. Detailed surveys of the entire channel from the Narrows to the sea are in progress. The results which have been plotted for Gedney Channel only show that the minimum depth of 30 feet in a channel width of 1,000 feet which existed there at the last survey, January, 1890, has not changed.

The riprap sea wall authorized by the Chief of Engineers February 20, 1890, for the protection of the north shore of Sandy Hook was built from jetty No. 4 to jetty No. 10, a distance of 1,800 feet, by November 1, 1890, 5,784 tons of large stone were put in place. This wall has served to give the desired protection.

A contract was made March 26, 1891, for 5,000 tons of large stone for additional revetment, and to provide for settlement along the wall. At the close of the year 2,511 tons had been delivered and placed in

position and the sea wall had been extended 375 feet eastward from jetty No. 4 to jetty No. 1, and 200 feet westward from jetty No. 10 towards jetty No. 11.

July 1, 1890, balance unexpended

Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890

$233, 516.85 160,000.00

393, 516.85 273, 400, 28

June 30, 1891, amount expended during fiscal year

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended

120, 116.57

July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities..

$36, 305. 46

July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.....

52, 924.70

89, 230. 16

July 1, 1891, balance available ....

30,886. 41

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 250,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867.

(See Appendix E 10.)

11. Raritan Bay, New Jersey.-Raritan Bay forms the western part of the large triangular bay inclosed between Sandy Hook, the New Jersey shore, and Staten Island.

The channel undergoing improvement lies to the southeast of Seguine Point, on the south shore of Staten Island. At the time of the original survey, August, 1880, the least depth on the shoal lying between the 21-foot curve at Seguine Point and the 21-foot curve at the head of the bay was 14 feet, mean low water. The project of improvement, based upon the survey, provided for a channel across the shoal 300 feet wide and 21 feet deep, mean low water, at an estimated cost of $126,500.

The project was modified in 1885, extending the improvement by providing for a channel of equal width and depth over the shoals in the vicinity of Ward Point, Staten Island, where the original depth was 18 feet, mean low water, so as to give a navigable channel 21 feet deep, mean low water, up to Perth Amboy, and for a channel 300 feet wide and 15 feet deep, mean low water, from Great Beds Light to South Amboy, where the original depth was 12 feet, mean low water, at an estimated cost of $240,500 for the entire work from the beginning, which estimate was again increased in 1888 to $246,500, to provide for the removal of deposits which had taken place in the interval of 3 years.

The channel from deep water at the head of Raritan Bay past Seguine Point to Perth Amboy exceeds 5 miles in length, is crooked, and is subject to constant shoalings. As the amount appropriated any one year for the execution of the project has been much less than the estimated cost of the improvement and as the channel excavated under each appropriation has been impaired by shoaling in a greater or less degree before work would be resumed under the succeeding appropriations, the original estimates for this improvement have little value and can not be used for determining the amount required for completing the project at this date. The estimated cost for completing the project, if all the required money could be made available at this time, is $175,375.

The amount expended upon the modified project of 1885 up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, inclusive of outstanding liabilities, was $180,560.28. At that date the channel was 300 feet wide and 21 feet deep, mean low water, from Perth Amboy to the bend at Great Beds Light, and 300 feet wide and 20 feet deep, mean low water,

across the crest of the shoal in the channel leading from the bend towards Seguine Point. The channel eastward of Seguine Point had a width of 100 feet and a depth of 21 feet, mean low water, while the channel from Great Beds Light to South Amboy was from 70 to 80 feet wide and 15 feet deep, mean low water.

The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, inclusive of outstanding liabilities, was $17,119.74, and was applied in removing 82,035 cubic yards of material from the channel leading from Great Beds Light to South Amboy, resulting in a channel 170 feet wide and 15 feet deep, mean low water. Work will begin on the Seguine Point channel about July 15.

July 1, 1890, balance unexpended

Amount appropriated by act approved September 19, 1890..

$1,939.72 40,000.00

41, 939. 72 9, 889.48

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

July 1, 1891, balance unexpended.
July 1, 1891, outstanding liabilities..

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July 1, 1891, amount covered by uncompleted contracts

18, 160. 11

25, 390, 37

6,659.87

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 E 11.)

135, 375.00 50,000.00

12. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation. The schooner Salamander was removed from Raritan Bay, New Jersey, January 21, 1891, under contract with John F. Baxter, at a cost of $495.

The schooner Francis E. Hallock was removed from the outer shoal of the southern entrance of the harbor of New York, near the eastern entrance to East Channel, April 23, 1891, under contract with the Merritt Coast Wrecking Company, at a cost of $1,500.

(See Appendix E 12.)

EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS 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, Lieutenant-Colonel Gillespie, and reports thereon submitted. It is his opinion, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are not worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, no further surveys were ordered. The reports were transmitted to Congress and printed as executive documents of the Fifty-first Congress, second session.

1. Buttermilk channel and Gowanus Bay channels in New York Harbor, New York, with a view of straightening the same by removing the shoals opposite the southeast side of Governor's Island, protecting the channels by a sea wall on Governor's Island, and to provide for the full width thereof a uniform depth of 26 feet at mean low water throughout these channels along the wharves of Brooklyn from a point opposite Wall street ferry to the foot of Bryant street, Brooklyn.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 26. (See also Appendix E 13.)

2. Bay Ridge Channel, New York, with a view of removing the shoal and providing a uniform depth of 23 feet at mean low water, opposite the Bay Ridge shore, to the 23-foot curve in the New York Harbor.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 60. (See also Appendix E 14.)

3. Champlin's Creek, in town of Islip, New York.-Printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 66. (See also Appendix E 15.)

The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Lieutenant-Colonel Gillespie, and reports thereon submitted. It is his opinion, based upon the facts and reasons given, that these localities are worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, Lieutenant-Colonel Gillespie was charged with and has completed their survey and submitted reports thereon:

1. Hudson River at Cornwall from the Moodna River, otherwise known as Murderer's Creek, to the channel or deep water of the Hudson River, New York.-Lieutenant-Colonel Gillespie stated in his report on the preliminary examination that this locality was worthy of improvement in view of the probable construction of a draw-opening in the railroad bridge. Since the survey was ordered, however, the action brought against the railroad company for obstructing navigation by the bridge was decided in favor of the defendant, the effect of the verdict being that Muderer Creek is not a navigable water-way of the United States. In view of these facts Lieutenant-Colonel Gillespie does not recommend that appropriation be made of the amount, $10,000, estimated as the cost of forming a channel 60 feet wide and 9 feet deep at mean low water from the bridge to the deep water of Hudson River. (See Appendix E 16.) 2. Bronx River, New York.-The improvement proposed contemplates widening and deepening the existing channel so as to afford a navigable channel 4 feet deep at mean low water, and 100 feet wide from the head of the estuary at Strain place to Barlow street, 60 feet wide to Dongan street, and 50 feet wide to West Farms below the Bronx Company's Dye Works, at a total estimated cost of $85,985. (See Appendix E 17.)

3. Westchester Creek, Westchester and New York Counties, New York.The improvement proposed contemplates dredging a channel 8 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide across the estuary, thence 80 feet wide to a point about 1,000 feet above Scriven's dock, and thence 60 feet wide to the head of navigation, at a total estimated cost of $27,500. (See Appendix E 18.)

The required preliminary examination from Main Channel from Jamaica Bay easterly to Long Beach Inlet, New York, for canal, was made by the local engineer in charge, Lieutenant-Colonel Gillespie, and report thereon submitted. It is his opinion, based upon the facts and reasons given, that this locality is worthy of improvement. This opinion being concurred in by me, Lieutenant-Colonel Gillespie was charged with its survey, the report on which will be submitted when received.

IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS ON SOUTHWESTERN SHORE OF LONG ISLAND AND NEAR STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK, AND IN NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY.

Officer in charge, Capt. Thos. L. Casey, Corps of Engineers; Divi-* sion Engineer, Col. Henry L. Abbot, Corps of Engineers.

1. Sumpawanus Inlet, New York. The channel depth at the time of the adoption of the project varied from 5 feet in the bay at mean low water to 2 feet at the wharf at the mouth of the creek, a distance`of a little over half a mile.

The project for the improvement of this inlet, known locally as Sumpawanus Creek, adopted in 1880, provided for dredging a channel about 4,500 feet long and from 100 to 150 feet wide and 5 feet deep at mean low water, beginning at the 5-foot curve in the Great South Bay and extending up to the town of Babylon, Long Island.

The amount expended under this project to June 30, 1890, was $7,000. With this amount a channel 75 feet wide and 5 feet deep from the steamboat wharf to a point 750 feet below it was dredged, besides dredging two cuts, each 25 feet wide, alongside the wharf.

Outside of the cuts so made and extending to the 5-foot curve in the bay a shoal was left, on which the depth was only 43 feet.

An examination made in 1886 showed that since the last dredging was done, in 1883, both the cut and the flat outside had shoaled from 6 inches to 1 foot, the depth in the cut being about 5 feet, while on the flat it was from 4 to 4 feet. This was to have been anticipated, as appears by the preliminary report made by General Newton. The 5-foot curve in the bay was about 1,500 feet from the steamboat wharf, but inside this curve, for about 750 feet towards the wharf, lay the flat.

The commerce of Sumpawanus Creek is essentially that of Babylon, a small town of from 3,000 to 5,000 inhabitants, 1 mile above the mouth of the creek, depending almost entirely upon the summer trade of the hotels and cottages along the north shore of Great South Bay and on Fire Island Beach.

The commerce of Babylon by water has been decreasing, apparently because the Long Island Railroad has taken away the seagoing busi

Babylon itself has improved, and has become a fashionable summer resort. At present its commerce by sea is carried on by 3 passenger steamboats, drawing from 4 to 5 feet, and running in summer to Fire Island Beach; 3 schooners drawing from 5 to 5 feet, carrying brick, lime, lumber, and other heavy freight to Babylon the year round; 100 sloops and pleasure boats, drawing from 1 to 2 feet of water, taking out sailing and fishing parties during the summer, of which 7 or 8 remain in use during the winter fishing and taking oysters and clams to Patchogue, Sayville, and New York.

There were no expenditures on account of this work during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, there being no funds available.

Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..

$16, 115.00

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1893 10, 000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1366 and 1867.

(See Appendix F 1.)

2. Canarsie Bay, New York.-The original condition of the channel leading to Canarsie answered to a depth of 43 feet mean low water. The original project, adopted in 1879, provides for obtaining a navigable channel 6 feet deep at mean low water from Canarsie Landing to the deep water in Jamaica Bay, by means of diking and the formation of a tidal basin. In the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, 1880, Part 1, page 574, General Newton expressed a doubt as to adequate appropriations being made for carrying out the authorized project, and suggested that dredging be tried as an expedient.

The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, was $42,485.99.

With this amount two pile dikes have been built, one on the north side of the outer end of the channel, the other on the south side, their lengths being 1,058 feet and 820 feet, respectively; the channel dredged to a depth of 6 feet mean low water, and width of from 50 to 125 feet from

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