Forty schooners, four steamboats, and one tug-boat are now employed on the river and lake, and running between the pass and Galveston. The schooners measure from 20 to 80 tons; the steamboats, 60 tons; these vessels draw from 3 to 5 feet, loaded. Lumber is the principal export, and, in its preparation for market, gives steady employment to 15 steam saw-mills, 12 of which average a total of 120,000 feet per day, all of which goes to supply the demand from Texas. The greater part of this lumber has to be unloaded at the bar, rafted across, and then reloaded, an operation which involves much delay and expense. There are six ship-yards engaged in building small vessels suited to this trade. Recently a company has been organized to develop the sulphur mines a short distance west of Lake Charles. Should the enterprise succeed, Calcasieu Pass will be the outlet for the product of these mines. With this showing of the amount of commerce to be benefited, I think it proper to recommend a small appropriation for improving the bar at the head of the pass, so as to give a navigable crossing 5 feet deep at mean low tide. The excavation of about 30,000 cubic yards will give such a channel, SO feet wide and 14 miles long, in a direct line, and for this I have esti mated. It is the opinion of my civil assistant, who made the examination, that a channel excavated, with the excavated material deposited at the sides, will remain open for several years. The interests to be subserved are not great enough to warrant the expense of a more permanent work. Should work be done at the mouth of Sabine River and the mouth of Trinity River, Texas, as I have recommended, the dredge-boat employed at those places can also be employed to advantage on this Calcasieu Bar for a sufficient time, say thirty working days, to make the channel. In that case, I estimate the expense of the excavation at $15,000. If it should be necessary to provide a dredge-boat especially for this work, $25,000 must be added to the estimate. It is a matter of dispute among the captains of vessels engaged in navigating Calcasieu Pass as to the direction which should be given the channel, to be most favorable for its use. There will be time to consider this point after work is commenced. Whatever location is adopted will make no material difference in the cost of the work, as the length of excavation will not be greater than that on the line for which I have estimated. The incomplete manner in which the examination of the bar was made, obliges me to leave the location of a channel to be made when the work is commenced. The United States light-house nearest this work proposed, is that at the entrance to Sabine Pass. There is a light-house at the entrance to Calcasieu Pass, maintained by private enterprise. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. W. HOWELL, Captain of Engineers, U. S. A. Brigadier General A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. APPENDIX O 1. Annual report of improvement of harbor and bay of Mobile, Alabama, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. By act of Congress approved July 11, 1870, the sum of $50,000 was appropriated for the improvement of the harbor and bay of Mobile, Alabama, to be expended under the direction and superintendence of the Secretary of War, according to such plans as should be by him first. selected and approved. By letter from the Chief of Engineers, dated July 20, 1870, Major C. B. Reese, Corps of Engineers, then in charge of this office, was directed to submit, at as early a day as practicable, a project for carrying on this improvement, &c. This project, and an estimate of its costs, were submitted to the Chief of Engineers, in a letter dated August 5, 1870, from Major C. B. Reese, and was as follows: 1st. To dredge out Choctaw Pass, Dog River Bar, and the channel above and below Dog River Bar, so as to give a channel which shall be 300 feet wide and 13 feet deep at mean low tide; the location of said channel to conform in the main to the route for vessels, as laid down on the United States Coast Survey Chart of 1856. 2d. To remove the upper and lower lines of obstructions, consisting of rows of piles, driven close to each other, and of sunken hulks, filled with bricks or other heavy material, so as to make the openings where the channel will pass through the obstructions 600 feet at the upper and 1,200 feet at the lower line. 3d. To prosecute the survey of the harbor, especially in reference to determining more definitely what are the obstructions which will require removal, and their exact positions; and also to determine, by soundings, the present depth of water down the proposed channel, until 13 feet of water at mean low tide is reached. 4th. Leave in abeyance and for future study the question of the propriety of closing any of the outlets of Mobile River, above Choctaw Pass, or of confining the current of the river in any way, with a view to producing a useful effect from scouring. ESTIMATE. For dredging Choctaw Pass, to give 300 feet width of channel, and 11 feet of water at low tide: 110,000 cubic yards. For dredging Dog River Bar, to give 11 feet of water, and width of channel as above: 129,000 cubic yards. For dredging, to get 13 feet of water from the city to and across Dog River 516,000 cubic yards, (exclusive of previous amounts.) For dredging below Dog River Bar, to give 13 feet of water through to 887,000 cubic yards, (exclusive of previous amounts.) 1,642,000 cubic yards, at 40 cents.... $656,800 00 The estimate for removing obstructions is omitted, as that work is being done by Mobile County. This project was approved by letter from Chief of Engineers, dated August 18, 1870. An examination and survey were commenced in August, 1870, and, on the 6th of the same month, bids were invited for dredging the projected channel. Five bids were received, and upon their being opened September 7, 1870, that of Mr. John Grant, of Mobile, Alabama, being considered the most favorable, was accepted, the terms being 50 cents per cubic yard, excavation to be measured by soundings in the cut. September 20, 1870, Mr. John Grant commenced work with one of the Osgood dredges. On the 22d, Major C. B. Reese dying of yellow fever, the charge of operations devolved, temporarily, on Captain A. N. Dam rell, Corps of Engineers, who was relieved by Colonel J. H. Simpson, Corps of Engineers, December 12, 1870. On account of prevalence of yellow fever, the work was repeatedly interrupted, and up to December 1, 1870, only 5,839 cubic yards of material had been excavated. The contractor, aware of the impossibility of complying with the terms of his contract with one dredge, built another one upon a plan of his own, which, however, proved a failure. The contract expired March 15, 1871, but application having been made under date of February 22 for an extension, which was approved, forwarded, and granted the 3d of March, 1871, the time stipulated for completion of contract was extended to June 30, 1871, and, in accordance with recommendation from this office, was further extended to August 31, 1871, by authority contained in letter from Chief of Engineers, dated June 28, 1871. The following statement will show progress of the work under the contract: Amount excavated to December 1, 1870 .... Total amount excavated to June 30, 1871 ... Under date of December 26, 1870, a report was made by Colonel J. H. Simpson, Corps of Engineers, recommending a further appropriation of $200,000 for the continuation of the improvement. In this report Colonel J. H. Simpson agrees with Major C. B. Reese, with regard to the direction of the proposed cut, but proposes a cut of 200 feet wide through Choctaw Bar, and 250 feet through Dog River Bar, instead of 300 feet in each case, as recommended by Major C. B. Reese, and estimates as follows, for amount and cost of excavation from accurate surveys and soundings made during the year: 1st. For dredging a channel 200 feet wide and 11 feet deep, at mean low water, through Choctaw Pass Bar, a length of 2,700 feet, average depth of excavation 3 feet: 60,000 cubic yards. Through Dog River Bar, a length of 18,400 feet, average depth of excavation 24 feet: 306,666 cubic yards. 2d. For dredging a channel 200 feet wide and 13 feet deep, at mean low tide, through Choctaw Pass Bar, and 250 feet wide and 13 feet deep throngh Dog River Bar, as follows: Through Choctaw Pass Bar, a length of 3,200 feet, average depth of excavation 44 feet: 50,615 cubic yards, (exclusive of previous amounts.) Through Dog River Bar, a length of 38,290 feet, average depth of excavation 4 feet: 1,111, 482 cubic yards, (exclusive of previous amounts.) 1,528,763 cubic yards, the cost of which I estimate as follows: Balance of 1,438,763 cubic yards, at 45 cents, which it can doubtless be done for, if not for less 90,000 cubic yards, at 50 cents, agreeably to present contract, under appropriation of July 11, 1870. But in order to obtain a clear passage through the two lines of obstructions, 450 feet of the upper line, consisting of three rows of piles, would have to be removed, estimated cost $45,000.00 647, 443 35 10,000 00 Also 400 feet of the lower line, consisting of five rows of piles, and sunken vessels, &c., estimated at.... Add 5 per cent. for contingencies and engineering 35,000 00 36,872 17 Total estimated cost of making Choctaw Pass channel 200 feet wide, and Dog River Bar channel 250 feet wide, both to be 13 feet deep, and of removing obstructions.. Deduct present appropriation, which will be expended before the termination of present fiscal year, ending June 30, 1-71............. Balance yet required................... $774,315 52 50,000 00 724,315 52 From this total should be deducted $45,000 for removal of obstructions, which is being done by the board of harbor commissioners, with funds obtained by bonds issued by Mobile County, under an act of the State legislature, and also $50,000 appropriated by act of Congress approved March 3, 171, leaving actual balance required at the present time, $629,315 52. By act of Congress approved March 3, 1871, the sum of $50,000 was appropriated for this work. Under this act a contract has been awarded to Messrs. S. N. Kimball & Co., they being the lowest bidders, to excavate the Choctaw Pass channel to a depth of 13 feet below mean low tide. The stipulated price is 393 cents per cubic yard, measured by soundings in the cut. The necessary papers have been forwarded to this firm, executed, and their return is daily expected. After the completion of the improvement, of the Choctaw Pass channel, the balance of the appropriation will be applied to the excavation of the channel through Dog River Bar, the contract of Messrs. S. N. Kimball & Co. embracing this portion of the work also. An act of the legislature of the State of Alabama, approved in 1869, created a com· mission for the improvement of the harbor and bay of Mobile, and directed the county commissioners to issue county bonds to be applied to that purpose. The commission during the year has been duly organized, and demand has been made upon the county commissioners for bonds to the extent of $200,000. This board has co-operated, and have removed the upper line of obstructions, making a clear passage-way of 600 feet wide. They have also contracted for the removal of the lower lines of obstructions, and the work is now in course of execution, which has left the entire appropriation made by Congress available for payment of the cost of dredging. A clear description of the nature of the improvement, and arguments in favor of the expediency of liberal appropriations and rapid prosecution of the work, is contained in the report of Colonel J. H. Simpson, of the 26th of December, 1870, to the Chief of Engineers, and it is, therefore, not considered necessary to reiterate. An appropriation of $100,000 is asked for. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. Expended during 3d quarter, 1870, under the late Major C. B. Reese. Amount available. $50,000 00 597 30 4,481 74 $15, 635 72 20,714 76 29,285 24 50,000 00 79, 285 24 100,000 00 J. H. SIMPSON, Colonel of Engineers, U. S. A. O 2. Annual report of examination and surveys under the charge of Colonel J. H. Simpson, Corps of Engineers, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. 1. COOSA RIVER, ALABAMA. By act of Congress approved July 11, 1870, the Secretary of War was directed to cause an examination or survey, or both, to be made at Coosa River, Alabama. By letter from office of the Chief of Engineers, dated Washington, D. C., July 23, 1870, General C. B. Reese, major of engineers, at that time in charge of this office, was charged with this work, and was directed to inform himself of the nature and extent of the examination that might be required, and submit at an early day a project and estimate therefor, having regard to the strictest economy. Project and estimate were submitted in letter of Major C. B. Reese, dated the 8th of August, 1870, to the Chief of Engineers. This project and estimate being approved, about the middle of August preparations were immediately begun to inaugurate the work, by ordering instruments and searching for an assistant to take charge of it. Henry C. Fillebrown was appointed to conduct the survey by Major C. B. Reese, on the 6th of August, and complete instructions for his work were given him at Mobile, Alabama, on the 24th of same month. Preparations were completed, and the survey and examination commenced at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, September 13, 1870. On the 18th of September, Major C. B. Reese was attacked by yellow fever, and died at Shorts, Eastern Shore, Mobile Bay, Alabama, on the 22d of the same mouth. The charge of operations was then temporarily assumed by Captain A. N. Damrell, Corps of Engineers, under instructions from Chief of Engineers. On the 12th of December, 1870, Colonel J. H. Simpson, Corps of Engineers, relieved Captain A, N. Damrell. The survey was pushed forward with all possible dispatch, until December 29, 1870, when the work was closed up for the season at the railroad bridge of the Selma, Rome and Dalton Company, near Wilsonville, Alabama. The stoppage of the field-work at this point was rendered necessary by the high stage of water in the river, the winter rains having set in. Under instructions from Colonel J. H. Simpson, Mr. Fillebrown discharged his party and repaired to Mobile, Alabama, and made out his preliminary report, which was finished and forwarded to the Chief of Engineers January 31, 1871. Since that date a map and tracing of the line of survey has been made, and the final report would have been finished and forwarded but for the fact that the difficulty experienced in obtaining competent assistants compelled the assignment of Mr. Henry C. Fillebrown to other duties during the greater portion of the time that has elapsed since he reported at this office. Under instructions from the Chief of Engineers, the charge of the Coosa River survey was transferred to Major Walter McFarland, Corps of Engineers, June 5, 1870. Amount allotted from appropriation for the survey:..... $4,800 00 Expended under Major C. B. Reese, during third quarter, 1870.... Expended under Captain A. M. Damrell, during part of fourth quarter, 1870...... 678 98 Expended by Colonel J. H. Simpson, during part of 4th quarter, 1870, and 1st and 2d quarters, 1871... Transferred to Major W. McFarland June 5, 1871.. 1,442 62 1,914 57 703 83 4,800 00 0 3. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Mobile, Alabama, February 2, 1871. GENERAL: Although the survey of the Coosa River, authorized by the act of Congress approved July 11, and directed by you July 30, 1870, |