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expenses of the depot, an appropriation of $5,000 is requested; the labor will be performed by the engineer soldiers without cost.

Work upon the public buildings has been pushed forward as fast as the funds on hand have allowed. Three new barracks have been completed, almost entirely by the labor of the engineer soldiers, thus reducing the cost nearly to that of the material used. This work will be continued during the coming year. An appropriation of $5,000 for further repairs, and one of $5,000 for a suitable chapel, is requested.

During the past year this depot has been extended to include the instruments (astronomical, geodetic, reconnoitering, &c., &c.) in use by the officers of the Corps of Engineers, all of which are now stored and issued at Willet's Point. There are many on hand which require repairs, and delay in issuing them often arises from the fact that requisitions cannot be filled until these repairs can be made at the cost of the special appropriation for which the instruments are needed. This delay will be obviated by an appropriation for "repairs of instruments," and $10,000 is requested accordingly. It will be expended from time to time, as needed, to keep a proper supply on hand suitable for issue.

This post having been constituted, by order of the Secretary of War, the torpedo school of the Army, an elaborate course of experiments was begun in 1869 with a view to determine the best and most economical methods of employing this new auxiliary in harbor and land defense. The project was drawn up by the board of engineers for fortifications, after due deliberation, and has been actively carried on by the engineer troops at very small cost to the Government. It comprises a careful experimental investigation of the whole subject. The results already arrived at are entirely satisfactory.

Use has been made during the past year of the instruments and methods to settle certain questions arising in practical sub-aqueous blasting now in progress. An appropriation of $10,000 is requested to continue the investigations.

Engineer post and depot of Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, commanded by Captain P. C. Hains, Corps of Engineers.-In accordance with General Orders No. 122, series of 1870, from the War Department, Company E, stationed at this post, was reduced and reorganized, and left this post for West Point on the 1st, and arrived at its new station on the 3d of March, 1871. The engineer property at the post is still retained there under the care of a small detachment of engineer soldiers. By General Orders No. 41, series of 1871, from the War Department, dated April 24, 1871, this post, with all the lands appertaining thereto, was transferred to the Ordnance Department.

Engineer post and depot of Yerba Buena Island, California, commanded by Captain S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers.-In accordance with General Orders No. 122, series of 1870, from the War Department, Company D, battalion of engineers, stationed at this post, was reduced and the skeleton ordered temporarily to Willet's Point. In compliance with this order the reduced company left this post on the 11th, and arrived at Willet's Point on the 21st of March, 1871, leaving behind a small detachment of men to care for the engineer property still remaining on the island. In accordance with the orders of the honorable Secretary of War, as conveyed in letter of the Adjutant General of the Army to the commanding general Division of the Pacific, this post was on the 30th of June, 1871, turned over by the Engineer Department to the Quartermaster's Department, to be occupied for depot purposes or quar tering troops, as circumstances might require.

RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

The appropriations with which works for the improvement of rivers and barbors have been prosecuted during the past fiscal year have been derived from the act approved July 11, 1870, in connection with such balances of former appropriations as were available for the fulfillment of contracts and the liquidation of obligations made prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. The amounts appropriated by this act for works in course of construction were applied in the continuation of these works, in accordance with previously approved plans. In the case of new works of improvement provided for by the act, steps were at once taken to prepare projects, and on their being approved the officers in charge were directed to commence operations with as little delay as possible. For a general understanding of the condition of these improvements, and also of the progress made during the year, I beg leave to refer to the summary of operations at each locality, contained in my annual report dated October 25, 1870, and to the corresponding summary submitted herewith. These summaries, together with the detailed reports of the officers in charge of works will, it is believed, furnish full and complete information in regard to the progress and condition of each improvement at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. These detailed reports are transmitted herewith.

The examinations and surveys directed by Congress to be made at certain localities specified in section 2 of the act approved July 11, 1870, have, with a few exceptions, been completed. The reports on the greater portion of them were transmitted to Congress during the ses sions of 1870–271. Copies of these reports, together with those since received, are transmitted herewith.

By an act approved March 3, 1871, Congress made additional appropriations for the repair, preservation, and completion of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and in the fourth section of the act it was provided "That any part of the appropriations made by this act may, at the discretion of the Secretary of War, be applied during the current fiscal year." In accordance therewith the officers were instructed that in all cases of necessity, and wherever it was manifestly to the public interest, the amounts appropriated were made available at once, and applicable to the works of construction and improvement therein specified.

The execution of the examinations and surveys directed to be made at the localities named in the third section of the act were at once distributed among the officers of the corps, and on their submitting projects for surveys or examinations, with estimate of probable cost of each, certain portions of the appropriation for examinations and surveys, and for contingencies of rivers and harbors, were allotted, and suitable instructions issued. Many of these surveys and examinations have been made, and the reports have already been received, some of which are herewith transmitted. It is believed that the field-work of all will be completed during the present working season, and the reported results will be received in time to be submitted to Congress during the next session.

HARBORS ON LAKE SUPERIOR, AND ON THE WEST AND SOUTH SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN.

Officer in charge, Major D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders Captain J. W. Cuyler and Lieutenant A. M. Miller, Corps of Engineers.

1. Du Luth Harbor, Lake Superior, Minnesota.-The appropriation for the harbor ($60,000) is being applied to the extension of the breakwater built by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. This work was 400 feet long, and, with the addition of 500 feet to be completed this season, will be 900 feet in length. The total length proposed for it is 3,000 feet.

The city of Du Luth is now cutting a canal through Minnesota Point, from the lake to the bay of Superior, in order to form an interior harbor or basin, having its entrance protected by the breakwater. The opening of such a water-way through Minnesota Point would divert some of the volume of discharge of the St. Louis River from the natural entrance of the bay of Superior, and also a part of the inflow and outflow of the reservoir volume of Superior Bay and St. Louis Bay, derived from the incessant variations in the level of the west end of Lake Superior. The depth of the entrance channel is closely dependent upon the volume of its discharge. Measures, therefore, have been taken to secure such a construction of the inner harbor of Du Luth and its canal as will prevent injury to the natural entrance, the improvement of which by the construction of parallel piers extending into the deep water of Lake Superior is in process of execution.

Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871.

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

(See Appendix A 1.)

$60, 000 00 100,000 00

2. Superior City Harbor, Lake Superior, Wisconsin.-The work during the year has consisted in the extension of the Minnesota pier 768 feet, and of the Wisconsin pier, 96 feet. At the close of the fiscal year the Minnesota pier was 1,888 feet, and the Wisconsin pier 736 feet in length. The work is now rapidly progressing on both piers, and it is anticipated that by the end of the season they will be extended (up to the water surface) over the bar to a depth of 12 feet water in the lake.

Amount on hand July 1, 1870

Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.
Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871

Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30,

1871 ...

Amount available July 1, 1871..

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

(See Appendix A 2.)

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3. Ontonagon Harbor, Lake Superior, Michigan.-A contract was made in September, 1870, for the extension of the west pier. This work will be completed the present season, making an extension of 224 feet, and exhausting the available funds. No appropriation was made for this harbor at the last session of Congress. The completion of the improvement in accordance with original plans involves the extension of the east pier 1,220 feet, and the west pier 1,896 feet. This harbor is well situated for a harbor of refuge, and in view of the increasing commerce of Lake Superior, it is recommended that the work be continued. Amount on hand July 1, 1870....

Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870..

84,409 88

Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871...

10,000 00

349 92

Amount available July 1, 1871.....

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

(See Appendix A 3.)

$14,059 96

25, 000 00

4. Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior, Michigan.-No work has been done at this harbor during the year. A contract was made in December, 1870, to remove a portion of the rock now obstructing the entrance to the harbor: work to commence on the 1st of May, 1871. The contractor has failed to carry out his contract, and the work has been suspended. It has been deemed advisable to await the results of the operations for removing rock obstructions in Hell Gate, East River, New York, before deciding upon a plan for prosecuting this work.

Amount on hand July 1, 1870.....

Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871....

Amount available July 1, 1871..

(See Appendix A 4.)

$23,706 97

150 40

23, 556 57

5. Marquette Harbor, Lake Superior, Michigan.-During the year there has been added to the breakwater 200 feet, built to water-surface, and 200 of the 300 feet reported in the last annual report as without superstructure has been completed. It is proposed during the ensuing season to have the superstructure of the remaining 100 feet completed, and to extend the breakwater 650 feet sub and superstructure, giving, by June 30, 1873, a complete breakwater 1,850 feet in length, extending to 30 feet of water. The effect of this structure on the harbor is now marked, and the beneficial influence of each addition is experienced at once. The original estimate for this breakwater was $385,129 58, and the length designed, 2,050 feet; $190,000 has been appropriated, which will complete 1,850 feet, leaving only 200 feet to complete the work as intended. Owing to the increasing importance of Marquette Harbor and the necessity of its better protection, it is recommended that the work be continued to the amount of the original estimate.

Amount on hand July 1, 1870..

Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.
Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871..

Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30,
1871...

Amount available July 1, 1871..

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

(See Appendix A 5.)

$29,477 60
25, 000 00
60,000 00

29, 459 63

85,017 91 100,000 00

6. Menomonee Harbor, Michigan.-An appropriation for the improvement of this harbor was made by the act of March 3, 1871, and an examination of the locality at once undertaken to ascertain what changes, if any, had taken place since the summer of 1867. A project for improvement, consisting of a pile pier extending in a northeasterly direction to a depth of 15 feet water, in Green Bay, commencing at a point south of the center of the sand-point forming the north shore of the mouth of the river; this pier to constitute the permanent work of the improvement for the harbor, and to be extended inward, or connected with the south bank of the river, as experience or the rights of property-owners may hereafter determine.

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A contract was entered into in June for the construction of the pier, and it is expected that at least 1,000 feet of it will be completed by the close of the present working season.

Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871.

Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30,

1871 ....

Amount available July 1, 1871.

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

(See Appendix A 6.)

$25,000 00

227 50 24.772 50

25,000 00

7. Green Bay Harbor, Wisconsin.-The work at this harbor during the year has consisted in continuing the dredging south of Grassy Island so as to give a width of 200 feet, and straightening and deepening the area heretofore dredged; in revetting the channel through Grassy Island on the west side; cutting a channel 2,000 feet in length north of that island; extending the revetment on the east side 85 feet, and rip-rapping 450 feet on the east and 280 feet on the west side of the island, to a height of 18 inches above the water surface. It is proposed to dredge a channel 200 feet wide and 14 feet deep south of Grassy Island as far as the mouth of Fox River, and to widen the cut already made on the west side of the island.

The plan of improvement adopted has proved successful, and has secured a safe and commodious harbor at this point, which is of great benefit to the general commerce of the lakes. An examination of the work shows very little change in the dredged channel. Amount on hand July 1, 1870...

Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870

Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871

Amount available July 1, 1871.

Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871.....

Which will complete the work of improvement. (See Appendix A 7.)

$12,420 68

17,500 00

17,500 00

28,103 89

19,316 79

8. Ahnepee Harbor, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin.-A survey of this harbor was made during the season of 1870, in pursuance of the second section of the act of July 11, 1870, and a plan for its improvement, with estimate of cost, submitted to Congress in January last. An appropriation was made for the improvement by the act of March 3, 1871, and the work contracted for as soon as the necessary arrangements could be perfected. Work under the contract is now progressing favorably. The officer in charge is of the opinion that 600 feet of pier will be completed by the close of the present working season. Amount appropriated by act of March 3, 1871.. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871....

Amount available July 1, 1871 ....

$25,000 00

169 40

24.830 60

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

(See Appendixes A 8 and A 23.)

50,000 00

9. Two Rivers, Wisconsin.-A survey was made of this locality, as directed by the second section of the act of July 11, 1870, and a plan for its improvement, with estimate of cost, was submitted to Congress in January last. By the act of March 3, 1871, the improvement was

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