practicable for this purpose from the appropriation for examinations and surveys made by the act. The officer in charge, in a communication to this office dated March 7, 1888, recommended a specific appropriation of $5,000 for the purpose of making proper survey and examination of this locality, and his communication was transmitted to Congress from the War Department March 15, 1888, and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 226, Fiftieth Congress, first session. The appropriation asked for was not granted, and the resurvey was therefore completed as thoroughly as practicable with the small allotment available, and the results submitted in report of Captain Price, successor to Captain Hoxie, in charge of the work, dated February 8, 1889. (See Appendix Q 14.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF August 11, 1888. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Price, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement, with facts and reasons for such opinion. The Chief of Engineers, concurring in the conclusions reached in these instances, bas given no instructions to make further survey with the view to their improvement: 1. St. Andrew's Bay, Florida.-(See Appendix Q 15.) 2. Chipola River, Florida, from its mouth to Marianna.-(See Appendix Q 16.) At the following localities reported by the local engineer as worthy of improvement, and this conclusion being concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, the result of the preliminary examination containing information sufficient to indicate to Congress the probable cost of the work required, no further report or survey appeared to be necessary: 1. Chipola River, Florida, from its mouth to Wewahitchka and the "ČutOff" and "Lee's Slough," running from the Apalachicola River to the Chipola River.-The improvement proposed contemplates the removal of overhanging trees, logs, and snags and the widening of the channel in some places in "Lee's Slough." Estimated cost $7,500. (See Ap. pendix Q 16.) 2. Flint River, Georgia; Rock reefs at Albany and above.-The ob structions consist of nine reefs or shoals situated between Albany and Warwick, but until the effect upon the river above of the removal of the shoals below Albany is determined, it is not considered wise to do any work upon the shoals above further than the removal of loose rock from the channel. (See Appendix Q 17.) 3. Choctawhatchee River, Alabama, for low-water navigation.-As the existing project for the improvement of this river provides for a low water channel from its mouth to Geneva, the present examination extended only from Geneva to Newton, and contemplates a low-water channel 3 feet deep and 60 feet wide between those points at an esti mated cost of $57,125. No improvement of the river above the Hollis Bridge should, however, be undertaken until that structure is provided with a suitable draw. (See Appenaix Q 18.) It appearing from the report of the preliminary examination made by the local engineer for the location of a channel in and along the Coosa River, Alabama, from the rapids at Wetumka to connect with the improvements already completed on said river, above the Ten Islands, etc., that the locality is worthy of improvement, and the public necessity therefor being apparent from the facts and reasons reported, which are concurred in by the Chief of Engineers, Captain Price was charged with its survey, the results of which will be submitted when received. IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBOR OF MOBILE, OF WARRIOR, TOMBIGBEE, AND BLACK WARRIOR RIVERS, ALABAMA, AND OF CERTAIN RIVERS IN MISSISSIPPI-IMPROVEMENT OF CHANNEL TO BILOXI BAY. Officer in charge, Maj. A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers. Division Engineer since December 3, 1888, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engi neers. 1. Mobile Harbor, Alabama.-The present project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in August, 1888, the object being to afford a channel of entrance from the Gulf of Mexico to the city of Mobile of 280 feet width on top of cut, with a central depth of 23 feet at meau low water. The channel had originally a minimum depth of 5 feet through Choctaw Pass and 8 feet on Dog River Bar. This was deepened by dredging, under appropriations from 1826 to 1852 of $228, 30.68, to 10 feet through both. In 1860 the channel in Choctaw Pass had shoaled to 74 feet. From 1870 to 1878 the channel was deepened by dredging to 13 feet, under appropriations amounting to $401,000. From 1881 to 1888 the channel was deepened by dredging to 17 feet, under appropriations amounting to $740,000, but this project was not completed when the new project was adopted. Considerable shoaling took place in a portion of this cut and deepening in another portion. Although 14 feet was found as the minimum. actual depth, the available depth has never been less than 16 feet, as shown by the constant passage of vessels of that draught up to the present time. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $119,331.73, and resulted in obtaining a minimum depth of 19 feet for a distance of 12.9 miles, or about half of the entire length of the projected channel. The minimum depth in any portion of the channel is now 15.5 feet; last year it was 14 feet. The estimated cost of the present project is as follows: Completion of 17-foot channel (including removal of material filled in the cut) upon which the estimate for the 23-foot cut was based Dredging channel 280 feet wide on top of cut, and central depth of 23 feet. 1,500,000 Removing material that will fill in during progress of work on 23-foot channel (three years). $282,000 198,000 1,980,000 The amount available and appropriation asked for is to be applied to continuing the improvement in accordance with the modified project. July 1, 1888, amount available. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project......$1,730,000.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891..... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix R 1.) 500,000.00 2. Black Warrior River, Alabama, from Tuscaloosa to Daniel's Creek.The present project for the improvement of this section of the river was adopted in 1886, the object being to afford a water-way for the transportation of coal in barges from the Warrior coal-fields to the Gulf of Mexico. The present channel is only navigable during very high water, and is even then extremely dangerous. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was $11,645.35. This was used in necessary surveys; preparation of plans and estimates; acquisition of land for site for Lock No. 1; erection of lock tender's house, and buildings required for quarters, kitchen, store-rooms, tool-rooms, cement warehouses, blacksmith shop and shed, and construction of two boats; partial clearing of lock-site; partial excavation of foundation pit for bank wall; partial stripping of quarry; partial grading of track from lock to quarry, and partial construction of coffer-dam. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $122,475.68 and was used in the completion of the work mentioned above as partially performed; laying track from the lock to the quarry, 12 miles; making two inclines from the bank into the lock chamber; framing and setting up of 19 derricks; construction of boat for derrick and two barges; quarrying of 7,811 cubic yards of stone; cutting of 2,364 cubic yards of stone; laying of 1,434 cubic yards of masonry; excavation of 816 cubic yards of rock and 1,500 cubic yards of earth in foundation. All the stone for completing Lock No. 1 is now ready, except about one half of that needed for coping and miter wall. The estimated cost of the project is $741,670. The appropriation asked for and the amount available is to be applied to the completion of Lock No. 1 and construction of the others in order. July 1, 1888, amount available.. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 ... $94,604.65 100,000.00 July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888.. 194, 604. 65 $122, 475.68 9, 8-4.01 132,359, 69 July 1, 1889, balance available..... 62, 244.96 535, 420.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.......... (See Appendix R 2.) 3. Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers, Alabama and Mississippi-(a) Warrior River, Alabama.-The present project for the improvement of this river was adopted in 1875, the object being to obtain a channel 4 feet deep and 80 feet wide at ordinary low water from its junction with the Tombigbee River up to Tuscaloosa. The channel at that time was not navigable at low water and was much obstructed at a medium stage. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was about $116,085 (exact figures can not be given, as for the years 1875-1882, inclusive, the appropriation was made for the Warrior and Tombigbee rivers jointly without any special allotment for each, and therefore no separate account was kept), and resulted in obtaining a channel safely and easily navigable at a stage of water fully 3 feet lower than was formerly practicable, enabling boats of 3 feet draught to run when the water is 1 foot above ordinary low water. The amount of $624.33 was expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, in preparing maps, plans and estimates, and care of property. July 1, 1888, amount available... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 July 1, 1889, balance available $302.96 18,000. GO 18, 302.96 624.33 17,678.63 Amount (estimated) required for preservation of improvement 8,000.00 8,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix R 3.) (b) Tombigbee River, Alabama, from Walker's Bridge to Fulton.—The present project for the improvement of this section of the river is to open a channel for high-water navigation by the removal of snags and cutting overhanging timber: The channel was originally only navigable for small rafts and very troublesome for them. The amount expended to June 30, 1889 (the work having been commenced in the fiscal year), is $2,676.72, and has resulted in improving about one-third of the entire distance according to the project. The amount available and the appropriation asked for are to be applied to continuing the improvement according to the approved project. Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.... $4,000.00 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 2,676.72 July 1, 1889, balance available. 1,323.28 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891.. 7,000.00 7,000. CO Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix R 3.) (c) Tombigbee River from Fulton to Vienna.-The project for the improvement of the river between Columbus and Fulton was adopted in 1873, the object being to give a good high-water navigation throughout by the removal of snags and overhanging trees. The channel before improvement was not navigable at all from Fulton down to Cotton Gin Port. From Cotton Gin Port down to Aberdeen. about 35 miles, it was navigable for small barges carrying about 125 bales of cotton. From Aberdeen to Columbus, about 65 miles, naviga tion was difficult when the river was 12 feet above ordinary low water. The project for the improvement of the portion of the river between Columbus and Vienna was adopted in 1879, the object being to afford a channel of navigable width 3 feet deep during ordinary low water. Before the improvement was commenced the channel was much obstructed by snags and overhanging trees, and there was only 1 foot of water on some of the bars during ordinary low water. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was about $78,651.38 (exact figures can not be given for reasons stated in Warrior River report), and resulted in the completion of the proposed improvement (during the year 1886, in preservation of improvement already obtained) of that section of the river from Fulton down to Columbus and in giving such a channel from Columbus down to Vienna that navigation was possible on a 2-foot rise for boats drawing 3 feet, and the accomplishment of over one half of the work. The amount of $863.03 was expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, in preparation of maps, plans, and estimates and preservation of property. The amount available and the appropriation asked for are to be expended in preservation of the improvement. July 1, 188, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 July 1, 1889, balance available... $898.67 6,500.00 7,398.67 863.03 6,535, 64 8,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for preservation of improvement. (See Appendix R 3.) 8,000,00 (d) Tombigbee River, below Vienna.-The project for the improvement of this portion of the river was adopted in 1879, the object being to afford a channel of navigable width and 4 feet deep at ordinary low water from the mouth up to Demopolis and 3 feet deep from Demopolis up to Vienna. Before the improvement was commenced the river was navigable from the mouth up to Bladon Springs, 143 miles above Mobile, during the entire year, but was obstructed by snags from Bladon Springs up to Demopolis; 243 miles above Mobile navigation was suspended about two months yearly during low water. From Demopolis up to Vienna the channel was much obstructed by suags and overhanging trees, and water was so shoal on the bars that navigation was only attempted on a considerable rise. A railroad bridge at Jones' Bluff also gave considerable trouble. The amount expended to June 30, 1888, was about $106,459.31 (exact figures can not be given for reasons stated in Warrior River report), and resulted in obtaining an unobstructed channel with 3 feet depth of water from the mouth up to Tompkins' Bluff, 197 miles above Mobile, with 2 feet depth up to Kirkpatrick's, 260 miles above Mobile, and 1 foot depth (at ordinary low water) up to Vienna. A considerable portion of the sum has been used in preservation of the improvement previously made. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is $1,521:64, in preparation of maps, plans, and estimates and care of property. The amount available and appropriation asked for are to be expended in preservation of the improvement. |