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of refuge. I have designedly omitted speaking of the military advantages of such a harbor, which are very great, but the benefits to be derived by the thousands of schooners and steamers passing through the Sound is ample to more than justify the building of the proposed breakwater.

Very truly yours,

F. M. GREEN,

Commander U. S. N., Navigation Officer.

CHARLES H. TOWNSEND, Esq.,

New Haven, Conn.

LETTER OF COMMANDER C. M. CHESTER, U. S. N.

UNITED STATES STEAMER GALENA, Navy-Yard, New York, November 30, 1888.

MY DEAR SIR: During the past three years as commander of this vessel it has been my pleasure to visit New Haven several times.

I have, while deprecating the distance at which a ship of the size of the Galena hal to anchor from the city, been struck by the excellent possibilities of the harbor. These impressions have only confirmed me in the views formed from a careful study of the great water sheet extending from Block Island, between Long Island and Connecticut, when, while in charge of the hydrographic branch of the United States Coast Survey, I had a plan for the resurvey of the Sound.

It is indispensable that in the near future Long Island Sound will become a most important entrance for the commerce to the great port of New York. Even at this date the traffic through Hell Gate is immense. New Haven occupies a central position between New York City and the "Race," with no harbor for 50 or 60 miles on either side of it. That a safe harbor at this point is a necessity is apparent to all seafaring men.

The breakwater already built has fortunately provided a refuge for vessels during a southeasterly gale; but for those, stronger as a rule, from the southwest no provision has been made. A short time ago the press was filled with an account of a terrible catastrophe which had happened to a United States revenue vessel just outside of the breakwater; it was reported she had been overwhelmed by the sea and all hands lost, but happily the rumor was ill founded, and she escaped after a fearful wrestling with the waves, being much damaged in the encounter.

Last summer I experienced one of those southwest gales, and, although provided with a steam-launch, was compelled to give up an attempt to reach the ship at anchor in the outer harbor and remain on shore, anxious lest she should follow most of the other vessels present and drift ashore. The breakwater, in the construction of which many of your citizens are interested, would not only prevent such accidents, but would make this one of the finest harbors on the coast.

As a naval officer, I would like to add that when the subject of our coast defenses, now fast growing in importance, shall be properly considered, New Haven, with a harbor such as the breakwater would make it, with accommodations for our largest iron-clads, will become of vast strategic value to the country; for where, may I ask, have we another single port in the vicinity of the metropolis which will allow the entrance of a vessel drawing 30 feet of water at all stages of the tide, save, perhaps, the exposed one of Gardiner's Bay? One can imagine what England would give for a place of like natural advantages. How long would she be in building up a grand harbor; and wonder why the money from our own great resources is not immediately forthcoming to carry out the suggestions of the harbor commissioners of New Haven, supported by petitions to Congress from important citizens, representing the whole Atlantic seaboard?

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DEAR BROTHER: I must call your attention to the large fleet of vessels that sought refuge in New Haven Harbor during one of the very heavy gales last autumn. One afternoon, before the "gale broke," I counted one hundred and seventeen (117) sail

of vessels of all classes at anchor from Long Wharf, in the channel, to the breakwater. The vessels under the lee of the breakwater seemed to have little protection when the wind shifted to the southwest, and when it veered more westerly, and at low tide, they lay across the channel, blockading the whole approach to the wharf.

Upon inquiry, I find it is the opinion of vesselmen, owners of vessels, as well as those who sail them, that the same protection, or ample protection, should be made for vessels exposed to the southwest gale as is now being furnished against southeast gales on the east side of the harbor, and that the Government should at once appropriate liberal and sufficient sums for the west break water, which, in the opinion of all who know the necessity of it, should be hurried to completion.

Sincerely, yours,

Capt. CHAS, HARVEY TOWNSEND,

JAS. M. TOWNSEND.

New Haven, Conn.

LETTER OF MR. JOHN C. BYXBEE, COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS AT NEW HAVEN.

CUSTOM-HOUse, Collector's Office,
New Haven, Conn., January 7, 1889.

DEAR SIR: Inclosed please find commercial statistics for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888; also custom receipts at this port for the past thirty-three years, from June 30, 1855, to June 30, 1888, inclusive.

The last showing that upwards of $9,000,000 have been paid into the Treasury of the United States during this brief period would seem to warrant the Government in granting liberal appropriations for the general benefit of foreign and domestic commerce, by indorsing the plans of the U. S. Engineers in the scheme for locating a place of refuge off the entrance of this port.

This measure has received the approval of commercial men from Maine to Georgis who are interested in establishing these important works on the east approach to the port of New York, and securing such an important position for a spacious harbor of refuge for vessels of the larger class, making a rendezvous and base of operations for our naval vessels in time of war engaged in defending the coasts of Long Island Sound from the approach of hostile fleets.

Yours, truly,

Capt. C. H. TOWNSEND,

JOHN C. BYXBEE,
Collector of Customs.

New Haven.

COMMERCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1888.

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STATISTICS OF CUSTOM-HOUSE AT NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, THE LAST THIRTYTHREE YEARS, FROM JUNE 30, 1855, TO JUNE 30, 1887, INCLUSIVE.

The following table will show the collections as follows:

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This harbor is on the north shore of Long Island Sound, about 9 miles southwest of New Haven, Conn. It consists of a broad, open bay, from the head of which the Wepauwog River, a small tidal stream, extends three quarters of a mile north to the Milford Wharves, and the Indian River, another small inlet, extends northeasterly. The mouth of the latter stream is partly closed by a dam formerly used to create power for a tide-mill.

The original depth on the bar just outside the mouth of the rivers was less than 2 feet at mean low water, and in some places between there and the upper wharves low tide left the channel nearly bare. The mean rise of the tide is 6.2 feet.

PROJECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT.

A survey of breakwater at Milford, Conn., was ordered by Congress in the river and harbor act of 1872. There being no breakwater, a survey of the harbor was made for a breakwater, and in his report, dated December 24, 1874, (printed as part of Ex. Doc. No. 107, Forty-second Congress, third session, and also on page 1041 of the Annual Report of

the Chief of Engineers for 1873), General Warren, U. S. Engineers, submitted the following plan of improvement:

1. A riprap breakwater from Welch's Point, on the east side of the mouth of the harbor

4. A jetty on the east side of the channel, to prevent the dredged area from filling and to confine the action of the tide.

Superintendence

3. Dredging 4 feet deep and 100 feet wide across the bar at the mouth of the river

2. Protecting the bluffs on the east shore from erosion by means of small stone jetties.

$67,000

5,500

6,250

5,000

1,250

Total

85,000

In 1874 $5,000 was appropriated for this harbor, and work under the above project was begun, building the small jetties, to protect the east shore. Twelve such jetties were built 100 to 130 feet long, and rising to 9 feet above mean low water line. The appropriation of 1875 ($13,000) was applied to the repair of these jetties, to construction of a jetty from the east shore, at the mouth of Indian River (Long Jetty), and to dredging across the bar.

In the Annual Report for 1876 (see Annual Report of the Chief of Eugineers for 1876, Part I, page 225) Colonel Barlow, U. S. Engineers, recommended that the dredged channel be carried up to the Town Wharf, about a half mile further, at an additional estimated cost of $9,000.

This recommendation was renewed in 1877, and was included in the project for expenditure of the appropriation of $10,000 made in 1878. In that and the following year the 4-foot channel across the bar was completed to 180 feet width as originally projected, and was extended to Town Wharf with width from 60 to 75 feet, and Long Jetty was repaired; also under the same appropriation, in 1879 and 1880, an additional jetty, authorized by Department letter of October 16, 1889, was built on the west side of the channel extending southward from Burns's Point. This appropriation completed the original project except the breakwater; sufficient money for beginning that had not been appropriated.

June 14, 1880, $5,000 was appropriated, and in accordance with a project for its expenditure submitted and approved, the 4-foot harbor channel was extended from Town Wharf to the Straw Works Wharf, at the upper end of the harbor, with a width of 40 feet. This was completed before the appropriation was exhausted, and "at the earnest solicitation of those most interested in the works of improvement there, an experimental channel 25 feet wide and 8 feet deep was cut through the bar at the entrance lying within and on the west side of the 4foot channel already made. This is now of great use to the steam-vessels employed in the fish oil works at that place, and it is claimed that the increase of shipping in the harbor, particularly in the oyster business, for which those waters seem very well adapted, will soon require an 8-foot channel of fully 100 feet width. Such a channel would involve the removal of about 45,000 cubic yards more of material, principally sand and gravel, which, at ruling prices, would cost, including superintendence and incidental expenses, about $11,000. (Extract from Colonel Barlow's Annual Report of 1881. See Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1881, Part I, page 598 and 599.)

Under the appropriation of $5,000 made August 2, 1882, the project above suggested was adopted and the 8-foot channel was widened to 65 feet from the bay up to Merwin's Wharf, with 100 feet width around the bend at Burn's Point.

By act of Congress approved March 3, 1871, a survey for a break

The

water and harbor of refuge at Milford Harbor was authorized. survey was made, and a report, with estimates, was submitted January 20, 1882. This report is printed in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1882, Part I, page 632.

OPERATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1889.

By act of Congress of August 11, 1888, $5,000 were appropriated "to complete improvement." The project for expenditure of this appropri ation, as approved, contemplated dredging to make the 8-foot channel 100 feet wide, and, if practicable, making some repairs to Long Jetty. Proposals for dredging were received under date of February 4, 1889, and a contract was entered into with the Hartford Dredging Company, of Hartford, Conn., to do the required work at the rate of 18 cents per cubic yard. Work under this contract was begun May 2, and completed June 21; 18,000 cubic yards being removed and the 8-foot channel being made 100 feet wide or over across the bar at the mouth of the river.

After the contract for dredging was awarded, it appeared that a part of the appropriation could be applied to repair of Long Jetty; authority was granted for doing this by purchase in open market, and 265 tons of new stone were purchased and delivered at cost of $2.50 per ton, and 395 tons of stone were removed from the outer end of the jetty and placed to reinforce the side slopes at cost, for labor of removal and replacing, of $1.25 per ton.

The jetty was shortened by about 60 feet; this was rendered necessary by the widening of the 8-foot channel.

PRESENT CONDITION OF IMPROVEMENT.

The channel, dredged 4 feet deep, with width of 60 feet for about twothirds distance from the mouth of the river to the straw-works wharf, and width of 40 feet the rest of the distance, is understood to be in good condition, having filled but little.

The channel across the bar is now 8 feet deep and over 100 feet wide.

Long Jetty, on the east bank at the mouth of Indian River, needs further repairs; the other jetties need slight repairs.

PROPOSED OPERATIONS.

Future appropriations should be applied to repairing the jetties and to maintaining the channels already dredged. A recent estimate places the cost of properly repairing the jetties at about $2,500. Nothing will be needed for maintaining the channel during the ensuing year. Appropriations for Milford Harbor have been made as follows, viz:

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June 14, 1880

Dredging above Town Wharf and 8 feet below Merwin's Wharf on bar

5,000

Mar. 3, 1881

Survey for breakwater..

100

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Milford Harbor is in the collection district of New Haven; it is about 9 miles west from Fort Hale, New Haven Harbor. The nearest light-house is on Stratford Point, 4 miles to the westward.

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