pleted and special reports submitted in time to be laid before Congress at its next session. (See Appendixes L 5 and L 6.) 3. Surrey of the French Broad River, Tennessee, in compliance with act of July 11, 1870. This was completed and the report transmitted to Congress in February last. The officer in charge estimates that it would cost not less than $150,000 to make this river navigable for steamboats from Dandridge to its mouth. It appears from his report that the trade of this river is small. See Appendix L 7.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER. Officers in charge, Major G. Weitzel, Corps of Engineers, to May 24, 1871, since which time Major Walter McFarland, who has under his immediate orders Captain L. C. Overman and Lieutenants J. F. Gregory and Benjamin D. Greene, Corps of Engineers. The work done during the year at the various points at which contracts have been entered into is as follows: Ross's Tow Head.-Nothing. Tumbling Shoals.-Nothing. The Neck. About 4,000 cubic yards of material have been removed, which nearly completes the work at this point. The Pot. The improvement here is virtually completed so far as intended, and there are a few hundred yards of gravel still to be removed. Boatmen state that this has ceased to be an obstacle. Colbert Shoals. About 500 cubic yards of rock have been removed from Hoop-pole Reach, and nearly 10,000 cubic yards of rock formed into riprap dains between Tow Head No. 1 and the left bank, and at the foot of Colbert Shoals, leaving about 5,000 cubic yards yet to be added to them. Bee Tree Shoals.-About 2,000 cubic yards of stone have been formed into a riprap dam, which nearly completes it. Some 700 cubic yards of rock are still to be excavated from the bed of the channel. Until the effects of the improvements now being made in this part of the river are observed, it is not deemed necessary to ask for any further appropriation for them. An examination of the Tennessee River between Chattanooga and Kingston, with a view to its improvement, was made in the spring of this year, and a project for the application of the allotment of $35,000 to this part of the river presented and approved. (See Appendix M 1.) Since the close of the fiscal year, proposals were advertised for the work, but owing to the excessive bids received they were rejected and proposals again invited. As the cost of completing the improvement will exceed the amount now available, an additional appropriation of $25,000 is asked. Until the Muscle Shoals are opened, the amount of commerce benefited by the improvement of the river above that obstruction will not be, comparatively, very great. The opening of these shoals to navigation would, however, convert the commerce of the Upper Tennessee from its present character into one of national magnitude. EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS. The following, directed to be made by the act of March 3, 1871, are in charge of Major McFarland: 1. Tennessee River, from Brown's Ferry, Alabama, to Florence. 2. Examination and survey of the Coosa, Etowah, and Oostenaula Rivers. 3. Canal survey from the Tennessee to the Coosa. 4. Canal survey from the Etowah to the Ocmulgee. The first has been finished, and progress has been made in the others, excepting the last, but the officer in charge expects that all will be completed and reported upon by the end of the calendar year. Mr. H. C. Fillebrown, assistant civil engineer, in immediate charge of the survey of the Coosa River, was drowned on the 11th of August last, at the rapids of the Coosa, twenty miles below the crossing of the Selma Railroad, while making, in company with Major McFarland, an examination of that part of the river which he had surveyed last season. Mr. Fillebrown had been for many years past employed, at intervals, in surveys and explorations under this office. His intelligence, industry, and ability in the performance of his duties, deserves acknowledgment. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER-IMPROVEMENT OF BAYOU TECHE, LOUISIANA, AND OF GALVESTON HARBOR, TEXAS. Officers in charge, Captain C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers, who has under his immediate orders Lieutenants H. M. Adams and E. A. Woodruff, Corps of Engineers. The new dredging machinery devised by Captain Howell was attached to the dredge-boat "Essayons," and general repairs to the vessel completed before the 15th of October, 1870. The outbreak of yellow fever on board the dredge-boat greatly delayed further operations until November 19. Only four days of this time were made available for dredging on the bar at Southwest Pass, viz: October 31, November 1, 2, and 3, when 284 hours' work resulted in the excavation of about 22,400 cubic yards of the bar deposit and the formation of a channel across the bar 50 feet wide and 19 feet deep. Until February 4, 1871, this depth of 19 feet measured at mean low tide was maintained and the width of channel, which had been steadily increased, was 260 feet. The channel was perfectly straight, and to define its limits a line of spar-buoys was located on either side. February 4, the dredge-boat ran foul of a hidden wreck and sustained serious damage that required the work of a month to repair. Work at Southwest Pass was resumed March 10, with a channel but 15 feet deep. From that date until March 26, effective work was prevented by the manner in which vessels were taken across the bar or grounded on it. A thorough blockade of the pass was imminent and could only be avoided by subordinating all other interests to the work of dredging. On the 27th of March, Captain Howell placed an officer on duty at Southwest Pass with instructions to control its commercial use to such extent as to insure the work of dredging from further interruption. After some demur all parties submitted to this necessary assumption of authority, and on March 30 there was made available a channel 100 feet wide and 18 feet deep. It is very important at times in the prosecution of public works of improvement that the officer charged with them should have entire control of their use for commercial or other purposes. Occasions may sometimes favor the officer, as in the case just cited, in assuming control, but in general it would be better to provide for such cases by suitable legislative enactments, giving the officer authority to act, and prescribing certain penalties to aid in enforcing the authority. The subject is earnestly recommended to the attention of Congress. From March 27 to June 30, work was continued with repeated interruptions of from one to five days' duration, caused by stormy weather. During a greater part of this time a channel over 200 feet wide and 18 feet deep was maintained. On several occasions the effects of the work were nearly obliterated by.storms, and afterward the channel restored to the necessary width and depth by a few days' work. On the 30th of June the channel was 250 feet wide and 18 feet deep at mean low tide. A new dredge-boat has been contracted for, and will be ready for work about the 1st of January, 1872. It will only differ from the "Essayons" in depth of hold, (being calculated to draw 15 feet light, and to ballast so as to sink to 20 feet, and allow the excavating propeller to cut to 22 feet direct,) and in minor details of machinery. The cost, delivered, will be $218,300. During the summer, and perhaps until the 1st of November, 1871, it is proposed to suspend work on the bar and lay the "Essayons" up at. New Orleans. It is thought that during the low water in the river the channel now available will not materially shoal. When necessary, work will be recommenced. On June 30, 1871, there was available for the work for the present year.... An additional appropriation is asked to carry on the work until June 30, 1872, of.... Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873. (See Appendix N 1.) $307,278 80 30, 000 00 125,000 00 2. Improvement of Bayou Teche, Louisiana.-This work was commenced February 15, 1871, and all obstructions removed from the bayou as far up from its mouth as the town of New Iberia, before the close of the fiscal year. This work will be continued during the present year until completed. Of the appropriation made July 11, 1870, there yet remains unexpended $8,876 17, which amount will be more than sufficient to complete the work. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871....... Amount available July 1, 1871.. Which will complete the work. (See Appendix N 1.) $17,500 00 8, 623 83 8,876 17 3. Improvement of Galveston Harbor, Texas.-All efforts to have this. work done by contract having failed, and no dredge-boats or scows being available for hire, it became necessary to build all boats and machinery required for the work. These are now in course of construction, and will probably be available for work about the 15th of September, 1871. Amount appropriated by act of July 11, 1870.... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, Amount available July 1, 1871. Amount asked for current year, (1872). Amount required for fiscal year ending June 30, 1873.. (See Appendix N 1.) $25,000 00 20, 000 00 176 76 44, 823 24 4,000 00 16, 000 00 Ship canal from the Mississippi River, near Fort St. Philip, to a point near Breton Island, in the Gulf of Mexico.-In consequence of a communication from the Committee on Commerce of the Senate, referred to this office, inclosing a resolution of the Senate of the 14th of December last, instructing that committee to inquire into the expediency of constructing a canal in this locality, Captain Howell was instructed to make an examination of the project. After collecting all attainable information, he made an examination of Breton Island Pass, the proposed debouche of the canal, but found that a detailed survey of the whole route would be required before taking further action. The sum of $10,000 was allotted for this purpose from the appropriation for exami nations and surveys, and the survey is now in progress. (See Appendix N 2.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. Captain Howell was charged with and has completed the following, directed to be made by the act of July 11, 1870: 1. Cypress Bayou, Texas.-In January, 1871, Lieutenant E. A. Woodruff, Corps of Engineers, proceeded to Jefferson, Texas, for the purpose of commencing this survey. He was prevented from executing the work by high water in the bayou. The continuance of high water has made it necessary to delay further action until October or November of the present year. (See Appendix N.) 2. Route of a ship-canal "from the mouth of Bayou St. John, Louisiana, through Lake Pontchartrain and the Rigolets to Ship Island."-It appears from this examination that the route is unfavorable for a ship-canal, owing to the length of under water excavation required through an unstable material exposed to the action of the waves and currents, the bars at the head, and debouche of the Rigolets, and the shoals at the western extremity of Mississippi Sound. (See Appendix N 3.) 3. Survey of Pass Cavalle, the entrance to Indianola Harbor, Texas.-This was made by Lieutenant E. A. Woodruff, Corps of Engineers. The expenditure necessary to carry out any plan of improvement will be very great, and the success very questionable. (See Appendix N 4.) 4. Examination of Corpus Christi, Texas.-This examination was made by Lieutenant E. A. Woodruff, Corps of Engineers. No plan of improvement was submitted by him since. Aransas Pass, which is less unfavorably situated for improvement, will give entrance to the same port, (Corpus Christi,) and, besides, to the port of Rockport. (See Appendix N 4.) 5. Examination and survey of Aransas Pass, Texas, by Lieutenant E.A. Woodruff, Corps of Engineers.-A plan and estimate of cost was submitted for connecting Aransas Pass with Corpus Christi Bay, by a canal, and for protecting the head of Mustang Island from erosion. Estimated cost, $771,000. No estimate for deepening the bar was submitted, the plans suggested being of questionable utility and involving very large expenditures. (See Appendix N 4.) 6. Survey and examination at Buffalo Bayou, Texas, for "a channel of navigation through Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay to Bolivar Channel, near the outer bar in the Gulf of Mexico." This survey was made by Lieutenant H. M. Adams, Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix N 5.) 7. Examination to "ascertain the feasibility of opening a 12-foot channel to Dollar Point, on the west shore of Galveston Bay."-This examination was made by Lieutenant H. M. Adams, Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix N 5.) 8. Surrey at the mouth of Trinity River, Texas.-This was made in March and April, 1871, by Gustave Dyes, civil engineer, and a plan for improvement estimated to cost $40,000 was submitted by Captain Howell. The work would benefit a considerable interior trade. (See Appendix N 6.) 9. Surrey at the mouth of Sabine River, Texas.-This was made in February and March, 1871, by Gustave Dyes, civil engineer. A plan for improving the entrance to this river was submitted, the expense of which is estimated at $38,000. The work would benefit a considerable interior and coastwise trade. (See Appendix N 7.) 10. Examination and survey of the bar at the entrance to the harbor of Brazos St. Jago, Texas.-This survey was made in February, 1871, by Lieutenant H. M. Adams, Corps of Engineers. He estimates the cost of a jettee to effect radical improvement at $775,000, and this work must be extended into the Gulf from time to time. The amount of commerce to be benefited is reported to be small in comparison with the cost of improvement. (See Appendix N 8.) Captain Howell was also charged with the following examinations and surveys under the third section of the act of March 3, 1871: 1. At Galveston Harbor from the outer bar up to the Red-fish Bar, on or near to the west shore.-Captain Howell submits his views upon the currents at the entrance to Galveston Bay and Harbor, and, in accordance therewith, proposes a general plan for the permanent improvement of these channels to admit vessels drawing 18 feet. (See Appendix N 1.) 2. At Mississippi City, for a harbor on Mississippi Sound.-This was made by Lieutenant H. M. Adams, Corps of Engineers, and an estimate submitted of the cost of a ship channel or canal six miles long, 200 feet wide, and 20 feet deep, leading from Mississippi City to the extensive harbor of Ship Island. (See Appendix N 9.) 3. Examination and survey of Red River from the mouth to a point above the Raft, Louisiana.-This will be made during the coming winter. 4. Eramination and survey of the Tangipahoa and Tchifuncte Rivers, in the State of Louisiana.-This survey was made by Lieutenant E. A. Woodruff, Corps of Engineers. The Tangipahoa River rises in Southern Mississippi, runs through Eastern Louisiana, and empties into Lake Pontchartrain. It passes through a finely timbered pine country, nearly parallel to and but a few miles from the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad. It can be made navigable for steamers drawing but 4 or 5 feet to Wells's Ferry, sixteen miles from its mouth. The estimated cost of so improving it is $5,400. The obstructions consist of snags, fallen and overhanging trees. The commerce of the stream is now inconsiderable, bit would probably be greatly increased by the introduction of a line of small steamers, which would be rendered possible by the improvement. 5. The Tchifunete is a small stream, rising in Eastern Louisiana, and emptying into Lake Pontchartrain. It is now navigable for steamers drawing 5 feet to its junction, with the Bogue Falaya, eleven and a Lalf miles from its mouth; beyond this it is not navigable. Bogue Falaya is navigable from its mouth to the town of Covington, three and three fourths miles, but for three miles of this distance is badly obstructed by wrecks, and at one point by a bar. The estimated cost of removing te is $16,800. A considerable interior trade centering at Covington Would be benefited by this improvement. (See Appendix N 10.) 6. Surrey and examination of Atchafalaya Bay and Calcasieu Pass, Lisiana-Atchafalaya Bay. The survey was made by Gustave Dyes, ivil engineer. Private parties interested, in the steamship route |