Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing proj eet $8,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of new project. 16, 200. 00 $24,200,00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 10,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix M 2.) 3. Contentnia Creek, North Carolina.-When placed under improvement in 1881 this stream had a depth of about 3 feet, during nine months of the year, from its mouth in the Neuse upward about 63 miles to Stan. tonsburgh, its practical limit of navigation; but its channel was com pletely blocked at all stages of water by sunken logs and stumps, and by floating obstructions. The original project of 1881, as continued to date, proposed to secure a safe and unobstructed 3-foot navigation over this distance during the high-water season of about nine months. The final total cost of this work was estimated in 1888 at $77,500, Up to June 30, 1888, a total of $39,548.68 had been spent in securing a moderately well-cleared 3-foot navigation over the 31 miles from its mouth up to Snow Hill, and a roughly-cleared 3-foot navigation over 32 miles further to Stantonsburgh, during the high-water season. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, an additional $3,829,34 was spent in removing the worst remaining obstructions in the river (mainly above Snow Hill), opening a passable channel to Stantonsburgh during nine months of the year for 3-feet draught boats. Work in the field was stopped in January, 1889, because the available funds were no longer sufficient for advantageous use. After the improvement is finished its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. The aggregate amounts appropriated for these projects up to June 30, 1889, is $45,000. July 1, 1888, amount available $151.32 Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888 5,000.00 5,451.32 July 1. 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888 July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. $3,746. 84 3,829.34 July 1, 1889, balance available .......... 1,621.98 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 32,500.00 10,000.00 (See Appendix M 3.) 4. Trent River, North Carolina.-When placed under improvement in 1879, this river had a 6-foot to 8-foot roughly-cleared navigation from its mouth, at New Berne, up 21 miles to Pollocksville, and a lightdranght navigation 9 miles further to Quaker Bridge. Above Pollocksville the bars, snags, and trees prevented all navigation, except occasionally by small flat-boats during high freshets. The original projects of 1879 to 1880, as continued to date, assumed that 6 to 8 feet of water could be carried at all stages from its mouth 21 miles to Pollocksville, and proposed to secure a thoroughly cleared foot navigation, with at least 50 feet channel width at all stages of water, from Pollocksville 22 miles up to Trenton, the practical limit of steam-boat navigation, using the balance of the funds to improve the channel from its mouth, 30 miles upwards to Pollocksville and Quaker Bridge. The final total cost of this work was estimated in 1888 at $59,000. Up to June 30, 1888, a total of $42,704.98 had been spent in all upon this improvement, in securing a moderately well-cleared 6-foot to 8-foot navigation at all stages (8 to 9 feet at ordinary stages) from New Berne 30 miles up to Quaker Bridge; and thence a thoroughly-cleared 3-foot navigation at least 50 feet wide at all stages 13 miles further to Trenton and an excellent turning-basin at Trenton. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, an additional $6,867.40, including outstanding liabilities, was spent in dredging and blasting a channel-way, 100 feet width, 8 feet depth at low water, through Foy's Flats, thus practically adding 3 feet to the draught available to steamers and schooners going to Pollocksville. Work was stopped during a portion of the year for want of funds. Such money as now remains on hand will be expended before new appropriations can become avail able. After the improvement is finished its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $2,000 per year. The aggregate amount appropriated for these projects up to June 30, 1889, is $50,500. 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, outstanding liabilities... July 1, 1889, balance available ..... $6,795.23 6, 267.40 927.62 8,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix M 4.) 8,500.00 5. Neuse River, North Carolina.-When placed under improvement in 1878, this river had during nine months of the year a 9-foot depth of channel from its mouth 40 miles up to New Berne, thence a 4-foot depth 50 miles further to Kinston, thence a 3-foot depth 46 miles further to Goldsborough, and thence a 2-foot depth 62 miles further to Smithfield, this channel depth being reduced during the low-water season to 8 feet at New Berne, 2 feet at Kinston, and 1 foot at Smithfield. Over the whole 198 miles the river was so blocked by war and other obstructions that navigation was impracticable. The original projects of 1871 for below Goldsborough, and of 1879 for above Goldsborough, contemplated the removal of the war blockades and natural obstructions and the excavation of a few cut-offs, so as to get 4.5 feet at low water all the year to Goldsborough, and 3 feet during nine months to Smithfield. The projects of 1878, 1880, and 1883, as continued to date, propose to remove all sunken logs, snags, floating, and other obstructions, and to contract the channel-way by jetties, so as to assure during the entire year an unobstructed 8 foot navigation 40 miles up to New Berne, and a similar 4-foot navigation 50 miles further to Kinston, and during nine months of the year a 3-foot navi gation 108 miles further to Smithfield. The final total cost of this work was estimated in 1888 at $374,000. Up to June 30, 1888, a total of $226,017.60 had been spent in all upon this improvement, giving a moderately well-cleared channel over the entire length of the river, allowing an 8-foot navigation 40 miles to New Berne, and a 3-foot navigation 50 miles further to Kinston all the year; also a fair 3-foot navigation 46 miles further to Goldsborough during nine months per year, and still 62 miles further to Smithfield six months per year. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, an additional $7,250.17, including outstanding liabilities, was spent in contracting by jetties about 2 miles of the river between Kinston and New Berne, and in removing dangerous obstructions from 1 mile of specially bad river above Kinston, thereby much improving the navigation at these points. Other work was left to await the low-water season of the present year, during which all the present available funds will be expended. After the improvement is finished, its proper maintenance may cost from $2,000 to $6,000 per year. The aggregate amount appropriated for these projects up to June 30, 1889, is $247,500. July 1, 1888, amount available, including amounts covered by existing contracts.... 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, outstanding liabilities..... July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts... July 1, 1889, balance available..... $6,482.40 15,000.00 21, 482. 40 $6, 117.09 1, 133. 08 7,965.72 13,516,68 126,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project........ (See Appendix M 5.) 30, 000. 00 6. Inland water-way between New Berne and Beaufort, North Carolina.— The inland line of navigation from New Berne to Beaufort Harbor, via Clubfoot, Harlowe, and Newport rivers, was established by the State of North Carolina about 1826, and was used thereafter by small craft until about 1856, when its locks broke down and the route was abandoned. This line, about 42 miles in total length, extends from New Berne about 23 miles down the Neuse River, 6 miles up Clubfoot River, 3.21 miles through the Clubfoot and Harlowe Canal, 3.5 miles down Harlowe River, and 6 miles through Newport River to Beaufort Harbor. About 1880 the line was re-opened by the New Berne and Beaufort Canal Company. When placed under improvement in 1885, this route allowed the pas sage of small boats of 15 feet width and 3 feet draught, but the commerce was practically nothing. The original project of 1883 reported this route as worthy of improve meut, providing that Congress desired to extend the already existing lines of navigation from the Chesapeake southward, and estimated the cost of a channel 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep at $883,580, increased by the cost of a tide-lock and the canal company's franchise. A modified project of 1884 for the expenditure of the funds then available, as continued to date, proposed to widen and deepen Harlowe Creek so as to secure a through canal of 5 feet depth at mean low water, and of 30 feet bottom width from the mouth of Harlowe Creek upwards 3.25 miles to its head, and to use the remaining funds upon similar works upon Clubfoot River. The total final cost of this latter project (including also the continuation of the same work through the canal) was estimated in 1886 at $92,000. Up to June 30, 1888, a total of $6,812.45 had been spent in all upon this improvement, on necessary surveys, in the removal of the worst logs and stumps in the existing channel, and in dredging the creek to 30 feet width and 5 feet depth at low water over a length of 873 feet, and to a width and depth through the entire creek sufficient to allow the passage of small sail-boats. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, an additional $17,430, including outstanding liabilities, was spent in opening a channel of 30 feet width and 5 feet depth at low water through 13,000 feet Jength of the worst portions of Harlowe Creek, securing a far better navigation through Harlowe Creek than exists through the New Berne and Beaufort Canal, to which it leads. Further work is postponed to await action on the part of the owners of the canal as to its cession or sale. After the proposed channel is opened its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. The aggregate amount appropiated for these projects up to June 30, 1889, is $35,000. July 1, 1888, amount available, including amounts covered by existing contracts 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, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts.. July 1, 1889, balance available..... $13, 187.55 15, 000, 00 28, 187.55 $15, 365.84 2,064.16 1,244.63 18, 674.63 9,512.92 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix M 6.) 57,000.00 7. Harbor at Beaufort, North Carolina.-This harbor, at the eastern terminus of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad, is the only harbor of any importance between Chesapeake Bay and Wilmington, N. C., a distance of over 300 miles. When placed under improvement in 1880 it possessed a bar entrance of 15.3 feet least depth at mean low water, with an average rise and fall of tide of 8 feet. At this time, however, the northern entrance was rapidly deteriorating; its width, measured from Fort Macou Point to Shackleford Point, having increased 500 feet between the years 1864 and 1880, and 900 feet more between the years 1880 and 1881, and its bar having rapidly and proportionally shoaled. From the bar the harbor possessed a channel of 25 feet depth upwards for 3.7 miles to the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad Wharf at Morehead City, and a branch channel of 9 feet depth for six-tenths of a mile up to Bulkhead Channel, and of 2 feet minimum depth for six-tenths of a mile further to the wharves of Beaufort City, where coasting vessels had a good wharfage of 7 feet depth and 1,800 feet length. The project of 1881, 1882, and 1884, as continued to date, proposed to secure this harbor by stopping further erosion of the sand-banks at Shackleford Point and Fort Macon Point, and thus stopping further deterioration of the bar entrance, and proposed to open a 5-foot channel 100 feet wide to Beaufort City. The total final cost of this work was estimated in 1887 at $163,000. Up to June 30, 1888, a total of $88,869.48 had been spent in all upon this improvement, in successfully stopping the erosion of Shackleford Point and Fort Macon Point, in probably arresting the shoaling upon this bar, and in making surveys of the condition of the harbor entrance preparatory to the definite location of work. No special improvement of commerce nor depth of water was thereby expected or obtained, but the retrograde movement has been in general arrested, the old shorelines have commenced to reform as desired, and the former good condition of the harbor is being rapidly re-established. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, an additional $13,103.14, including outstanding liabilities, was spent in strengthening existing jetties, and building catch-sand fences at Shackleford Point, and in cutting a channel of from 30 to 50 feet width and 5 feet depth at low water through the shoal in front of Beaufort City and allowing boats of 8 feet draught to reach the city wharves. Work was stopped during a part of the year for want of funds. Such money as is now on hand will be used up before new appropriations can become available. This improvement, once thoroughly finished, should be comparatively permanent. The aggregate amount appropriated for these projects up to June 30, 1889, is $125,000. July 1, 1889, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1888. July 1, 1889, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1889, amount covered by existing contracts... $1,130.52 35,000.00 36,130.52 $9,388.51 3,714.63 11, 910. 68 25,013. 82 11, 116.70 July 1, 1889, balance available................. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... (See Appendix M 7.) 38,000.00 38,000. 00 8. Inland water-way between Beaufort Harbor and New River, North Carolina. When placed under improvement in 1886 there was a chan nel 18 inches deep at low water from Beaufort to the town of Swansborough, on White Oak River; thence a 3-foot depth at mid-tide 6 miles further to Bear Inlet and Creek; thence a 6-inch depth at low water 11 miles further to New River, whence boats of 5 feet draught could proeeed 14 miles further to the town of Jacksonville. The original project of 1885, as continued to date, recommended the establishment of a channel of at least 3 feet depth at low water from Beaufort to Swansborough. The total final cost of this work was estimated in 1887 at $50,000. Up to June 30, 1888, a total of $6,676.51 had been spent upon this |