HARBORS ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN. Officer in charge, Captain F. U. Farquhar, Corps of Engineers. 1. Aux Becs Scies Harbor, Michigan.-During the past fiscal year the wings on east ends of north and south piers were each extended 210 feet. One crib, 64 feet by 20 feet, was sunk on extension of north pier. Dredging was commenced May 15, 1871, and the channel is now dredged to a depth of 12 feet. During the present season two cribs, 64 feet by 20 feet, will be sunk. The north pier should be extended 264 feet, and the south pier 328 feet, which will require an additional appropriation of $56,000. This work should be done in one season. Amount on hand July 1, 1870... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. Less amount covered into the Treasury by act of July 12, 1870 .... 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 B 1.) 2. Manistee Harbor, Michigan.-With the exception of partly building one crib and repairing the old slab-work on north side of the channel nothing was done at this point, except to get ready the necessary materials for the season's work. During the present season each pier will be extended 158 feet, and the unexpended balance of money appropriated will be used in protecting the old slab-work on the north side of the channel. To finish this protection, together with the cutting off the angle on the south side, will require an additional appropriation of of $13,812 50. 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 B 2.) 3. Pere Marquette Harbor, Michigan.-The superstructure of the north pier was finished last season, and the piers thoroughly re-ballasted. Work was commenced on a pier-head for north pier, and the closing of the beach between the east end of south pier and the shore. The recommendation for the removal of the old slab-pier on the south side of the channel, so as to widen the channel, is renewed. Amount on hand July 1, 1870... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. Less amount covered into the Treasury by act of July 12, 1870 ... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 15871 ... Amount available July 1, 1871.. Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873.... (See Appendix B 3.) $5,844 11 10,000 00 10,000 00 25, 844 11 1,830 50 24, 013 61 $14,208 47 9, 805 14 35, 440 00 4. Pentwater Harbor, Michigan.-During the past year the superstructure of the north pier was finished, and the south pier was fully repaired. During the present season a pier-head will be built at end of the north pier, and the breach between the east end of south pier (through the old slab-pier) and the beach will be closed. Both the north and south sides of the channel should be protected with a new revetment, the old slab-revetment being in a very decayed condition. Amount on hand July 1, 1870..... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.. Less amount covered into the Treasury by act of July 12, 1870, from appropriation for repairs, &c... 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 B 4.) $335 98 10,000 00 10,000 00 20, 335 98 261 73 20, 074 25 9, 989 21 10, 085 04 54, 780 00 5. White River Harbor, Michigan.-During the year the north pier has been extended 256 feet, and the superstructure completed for the same distance; beyond this piles have been driven for a further distance of 64 feet. During the present season it is proposed to extend the south pier 192 feet, and the north pier 128 feet. This will give each pier a total length of 810 feet beyond the beach-line. To do the dredging still necessary and the proper ballasting of the piers will require an additional appropriation of $10,000, which can be profitably expended. Less amount covered into the Treasury under act of July 12, 1870... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1871 .. Available July 1, 1871... Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873............. (See Appendix B 5.) $5, 210 00 43,052 74 29, 127 00 13,925 74 10,000 00 6. Muskegon Harbor, Michigan. -The north pier was extended 64 feet, and on both piers extensive repairs were made during the past year. The north pier should be re-ballasted and the old slab-piers repaired, which will cost $32,000. Amount on hand July 1, 1870.. $3.543 80 Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. 10,000 00 15, 000 00 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 28,575 80 1871... 15,030 16 Amount available July 1, 1871 ..... 13, 513 64 18,500 00 Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 (See Appendix B 6.) 7. Grand Haven Harbor, Michigan.-During the past year about 200 feet of the old work of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad Company has been repaired. With the money already appropriated, it is proposed to finish the repairs (600 feet) to the work of 1869. There are additional repairs and re-ballasting necessary to crib-pier, for which $5,300 will be required, and repairs to pile revetment of July, 1867, for which $36,000 will be required. A pier-head should be built to present pier, which will cost $7,000. The necessity for a north pier to complete the improvement of this harbor has been fully set forth in previous reports. It should be 1,700 feet long, and would cost about $200,000. Of this sum $100,000 would be required for the first year. Amount on hand July 1, 1870.. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. $293 00 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 B 7.) 10,000 00 6,000 00 9,241 25 7,051 75 100,000 00 8. Black Lake Harbor, Michigan.-During the past year a crib 32 feet square, built up to water-surface, has been placed at end of north pier; 100 feet of crib-work connecting inner end of south pier with shore-line has also been built. During the present season 640 feet of revetment and superstructure of end of north pier will be built. It will be necessary to finish the revetment of the channel-way, which will cost $12,500. Amount on hand July 1, 1870... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. Amonat 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 B 8.) $494 47 10,000 00 10, 000 00 12,308 19 8,186 28 12,500 00 9. Saugatuck Harbor, Michigan.-During the past year the revetting of the left bank of the river was completed on the plans proposed. The work is substantial, and experience has proved the plan of improvement to be correct. During the present season the work of protecting the south slab-pier will be completed. The recommendation for a north pier, to cost $59,300 98, is renewed. Amount on hand July 1, 1870.......... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871..... Amount available July 1, 1871 (See Appendix B 9.) $17,436 74 10,000 00 10, 000 00 22,700 42 14,736 32 10. South Haven Harbor, Michigan.-During the last season a crib 30 feet square was built and placed at the head of the north pier, and this pier was leveled up. During the present season one crib 50 feet by 32 feet has been placed in extension of the south pier. Before the end of the season three cribs 50 feet by 32 feet will be placed, one on the south pier and two on the north. This work, and the expense of reballasting the north pier, will entirely exhaust the unexpended balance of the appropriation. No further extension of the piers is at present recommended. The old slab and brush piers on north side interior to the work constructed by the Government should be removed, and pile revetments constructed to protect the bank. In addition to this, the channel should be deepened to 12 feet of water. The dredging will cost $32,000, and the revetment $12,138 33. Amount available July 1, 1870 ... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, Amount available July 1, 1871 Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 (See Appendix B 10.) $188 12 10,000 00 15,000 00 8. 712 12 16,476 00 44, 000 00 11. St. Joseph's Harbor, Michigan.-During the past year the work of extending the south pier has been completed, and 315 piles have been driven. A further extension of 45 yards can be built with funds now available, which will be finished during the present season. Both north and south piers will need some reballasting next spring, for which purpose, and for repairs, $3,000 will be necessary. Amount on hand July 1, 1870.... Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. 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 B 11.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENTS. $383 26 15,000 00 10, 000 00 5, 451 99 19,931 27 3,000 00 1. Alpena Harbor, Michigan.-This harbor is at the mouth of Thunder Bay River, which empties into Thunder Bay, west shore of Lake Huron. This bay forms an excellent harbor of refuge, and is much used as such by passing vessels during easterly storms. There is no necessity for any improvement here as far as the general commerce of the lakes is concerned. In 1865 the legislature of Michigan chartered the Alpena Harbor Improvement Company. This company took possession of the mouth of Thunder Bay River, and expended $40,000 in building piers and dredging. At present the harbor facilities are reported to be ample, but all vessels drawing over 4 feet of water are required by them to pay toll and harbor charges. (See Appendix B.) 2. By instructions from this office Captain Farquhar also made an examination at Mackinac City, Straits of Mackinac, with the view of a harbor of refuge in that vicinity. For his report, see Appendix B. IMPROVEMENT OF SAINT MARY'S FALLS CANAL AND SAINT MARY'S RIVER-HARBORS ON LAKE HURON. Officer in charge, Major O. M. Poe, Corps of Engineers. 1. Saint Mary's Falls Canal and Saint Mary's River.-Under the appropriation of $150,000, approved July 11, 1870, a contract was awarded for the removal of boulders endangering the navigation of the river. The contract was completed in the prescribed time, accomplishing much more work than was contemplated. The remainder of this appropriation, together with that of $100,000 made by the act of Congress approved February 2 1871, will be expend ed under contract in enlarging the prism of the canal to an indicated width and depth, and to the construction of a revetment-wall and new guard-gates. Operations during the year have been confined to the excavation of the canal, resulting in the removal of the following materials: Of rock, cub. yards... Of gravel, cub. yards.. 30,383.17 4,307.19 A survey of the site of the canal and vicinity was made during the year. The further sum of $250,000 was appropriated by Congress March 3, 1871. It was designed to apply this to the construction of new locks alongside those now in use, and plans for these are now in course of preparation, but no definite action having been taken by the State of Michigan for the condemnation of lands required in the enlargement of the canal, a part of the last appropriation will be expended in enlarging the prism of the canal. The authority of Congress is needed for the payment, out of the appropriation for the canal, for so much land as may be needed for the new locks. |