fine sand, is continually shifting. It is thought that after the east breakwater is completed, and the channel dredged out, the water from the bay, emptying into the lake, will have sufficient velocity to maintain a proper depth. There is a fixed light, varied by flashes of the fourth order, at this place, and two beacon lights as ranges for the pier. Fort Ontario is the nearest work of defense.

It is not proposed to do any work at Big Sodus this season, the funds available not being sufficient. Proposals will be asked in the fall for timber for the east breakwater.

Amount available July 11, 1870..
Amount expended during the year

Amount available July 1, 1871.....

$5,957 82

4,733 64

1,224 18

Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 ...... 45,000 00 which will complete this harbor, dredging a channel 12 feet deep between the piers by removing about 120,000 cubic yards of earth, finish the east break water, and renew all decayed superstructure.

I have been unable to obtain the commercial statistics of this place for the fiscal year. The deputy collector has informed me that he has held the appointment for only a portion of the year, and that his predecessor left no records in the office.

Abstract of bids received and opened September 24 by Nicolas Bowen, major corps of engineers, for the delivery of stone for crib-filling at harbor of Big Sodus, New York.

REPORT OF OPERATIONS AT THE HARBOR OF LITTLE SODUs.

Operations were commenced at this locality on July 28, 1870, the survey of the harbor, which had been in progress up to that time, being completed. The work was carried on by hired labor and purchase of materials in the open market. Two hundred and fifty-six feet of the west pier was leveled up and filled with stone, and in August a breakwater, running west from the west pier to the beach, was commenced. This work is constructed after the Oswego model, modified-the crib. work being 30 feet by 10 feet. Two hundred and ten feet of crib-work was placed in position, and 100 feet of superstructure completed. The heavy gales in October caused considerable damage to the unfinished work, and the progress was delayed. Five cribs were constructed, but could not be sunk on account of the weather.

In September, 1870, proposals were invited for stone, but were all rejected, and the purchases made in open market. Operations for the season were suspended November 28, 1870.

In May, 1871, proposals were invited for repairing the pier, completing the breakwater, building a pier head for a light, and dredging the harbor. The work was awarded to Mr. E. H. French, of Fulton, New York.

During the present season it is proposed to finish the breakwater joining the pier with the west shore, to build a crib 30 feet square at the outer end of the pier for a light, to repair the pier for a distance of 350 feet by raising the east side to the proper level, and to dredge a channel at the entrance of the harbor 200 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water, by removing about 20,000 cubic yards of material.

In order to complete this harbor I think that there should be a short east pier and a breakwater connecting it with the east shore. These are required not only to define the channel, but also to so contract the flow of water passing into the lake as to give it a sufficient velocity to keep the channel always open, and to protect the harbor from the effect of northerly and easterly winds.

Were it probable that the commerce of Little Sodus would remain in its present insignificant state, I would hesitate to recommend further improvement; but as it is stated that the Southern Central Railroad will be completed to this point during the present year, it is presumed that it will add greatly to the commercial importance of the place.

I therefore respectfully recommend that an east pier about 500 feet long shall be constructed parallel to, and 250 feet from, the west pier, and that its inner end be connected with the east shore by a breakwater 1,800 feet long, the whole to be constructed of cribs 30 feet by 20 feet, built after the Oswego model, with such modifications as may be deemed necessary. The amount required for this would be:

For 500 feet of pier, at $45 per foot......

For 1,800 feet of breakwater, at $22 per foot

Total

$22, 500

39, 600

62, 100

Little Sodus is a port of entry in the collection district of Oswego. Fort Ontario, fifteen miles distant, is the nearest work of defense, and the lights of Oswego and Big Sodus are each fifteen miles distant. It is proposed during the coming year to place here a fixed white light of the fourth order.

Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1871..
On hand July 1, 1871....

Amount appropriated for fiscal year ending June 30, 1872..
Amount available July 1, 1871

Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 ...

$4, 775 93

288 48

15, 000 00

15, 288 48 22,500 00

The deputy collector of this port was unable to furnish the commercial statistics required. He informs me that he has held the appointment since the 19th of May, 1871, and during the time up to the close of the fiscal year there had been no imports and no revenue collected.

Abstract of bids received and opened September 26, 1870, by Nicolas Bowen, major of engineers, for the delivery of stones for crib-filling, at the harbor of Little Sodus, New York.

cribs.

Number.

Names of contractors.

Residence.

Abstract of contracts for improvement of Little Sodus Harbor, New York, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871.

REPORT OF OPERATIONS AT THE HARBOR OF OSWEGO, NEW YORK.

Operations were commenced upon the new pier running out from the light-house on the 23d of July, 1870. One crib not before leveled was built up to the low-water line, and during the season the superstructure was put upon the whole pier, 437 feet in length.

The opening of navigation found the old pier in a dilapidated condition, and extensive repairs were necessary. One hundred and twenty feet of superstructure next to the stone breakwater was renewed, and outside and deck planking put on. Several breaches were repaired, portions leveled and filled with stone, and work continued upon the structure until the fall, when the old pier was in apparently good condition. In November a crib was constructed for the new outer breakwater, but the severe weather prevented it from being placed in position. During the fall about 600 cords of stone were quarried, in anticipation of prosecuting the work in the spring of 1871.

Work was closed for the season in December, 1870, having been carried on entirely by hired labor. During the winter about 500,000 feet, board measure, of hemlock timber, and 350,000 feet, board measure, of pine, was ordered for the new breakwater.

After the disappearance of the ice in the spring of 1871, it was found that considerable damage had been done to the old pier, and proposals were invited for supplying labor and materials for its repair, and for building a short breakwater in the angle near the light-house, the shock of the waves at the latter place being so severe as to seriously affect the light. The work was awarded on May 29 to Mr. Thomas Keeler, who commenced operations on the 5th of June, and has pushed them forward with energy. The repairs are nearly completed, and the crib for the angle is prepared.

The lake front has been re-sheathed in many places, decayed timber removed from the superstructure and replaced by new, and several small cribs sunk in places where the former ones had been entirely destroyed. On May 3, 1871, proposals were invited for labor and materials for the new breakwater. The stone and labor were awarded to Mr. R. Nelson Gere, of Syracuse, the timber and iron to Mr. E. H. French, the lowest bidders for those classes. Mr. French declined the award, Mr. Gere accepted, and contracts were executed accordingly. Work was commenced on the 1st of July, 1871, and is being energetically forwarded.

During the present season it is proposed to complete the repairs of the old breakwater, to construct a short breakwater across the angle near the light-house, and to build about 600 feet of the new breakwater. The work will all be done by contract, except the purchase of timber and iron for the new breakwater, which will be made in the open market. Oswego is the most important harbor on the lake. The receipts at the custom-house bear favorable comparison with those of the larger harbors in the country. The very able and exhaustive report of my distin