Abstract of proposals for improvement of the Pawcatuck River, Rhode Island and Connecticut, received at the Engineer Office, United States Army, Newport, Rhode Island, Wednesday, June 7, 1871. Name and address of bidder. Emory R. Seward, Excavating, as per Commence. Complete. I certify that the above abstract is correct. Remarks. Guarantee not filled out, and no certificate that the guarantors are responsible parties. G. K. WARREN, Major of Engineers. T 6. ENGINEER OFFICE, UNITED STATES ARMY, Newport, Rhode Island, January 17, 1871. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report and accompanying map of a survey of Pawcatuck River, Connecticut and Rhode Island, below Westerly, authorized by section 2 of the act making appropriations for river and harbors, approved July 11, 1870. The improvement needed is to dredge out a channel so as to give a depth of five feet at mean low water from "certain draw-point" up to Westerly, a distance of 5,000 yards. This requires, for a channel 75 feet wide, the excavation of 69,418 cubic yards, which, at 30 cents per cubic yard, would cost $20,824; allowing 10 per cent. for superintendence, would make the total cost $22,906. There has been some little effort by residents to deepen this channel, but the Government has not thus far assisted them in it. At Stonington (which is at the mouth of the river) the United States in 1828, 1830, and 1834 appropriated $36,753 83 to build a pier or breakwater from the west side of the point on which the city is built. It has stood well, but it would now be more valuable if it had been built from some place further out on the point. The harbor formed is too contracted for the present wants of commerce. The survey of Pawcatuck River I intrusted to Mr. J. H. Dager, civil engineer, assisted by Mr. Geo. H. Mann. The report of Mr. Dager, with all its accompanying papers, except the detailed calculations of material to be excavated, I submit with my report. 100007 The map of the survey is on a scale of 1 to 5,000. I send also a copy of the map of Pawcatuck River, scale 1855, of the United States Coast Survey, made in 1838, which gives also a resurvey of the sand-spit southeast of Stonington, made in 1855. The hydrography of this map does not extend up the river but a short distance above the town of Lottery. Pawcatuck River is partly in the Stonington, Connecticut, collection district, and that city is the nearest port of entry. The revenue collected at Stonington in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1870, was $18,000 It is also partly in the Providence, R. I., collection district, at which place the revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1870, was $205,650 58. I recommend an appropriation of $23,000 for improving Pawcatuck River. Yours, respectfully, G. K. WARREN, Major Engineers, Brevet Major General. Brigadier General A. H. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Newport, Rhode Island, January 12, 1871. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report on a survey of Pawcatuck River, Rhode Island and Connecticut, made during the months of November and December, 1870, agreeably to instructions received from you, dated November 15, 1870. The authorization of this survey by Congress was obtained through the representations of the Hon. Nathan M. Dixon, M. C., on the strength of petitions of prominent citizens of Westerly and vicinity, and of other parties interested in navigation. The object had in view was to improve the navigability of the river by opening a channel at whatever points needed, to allow the passage of vessels trading at Lottery and Westerly to said places, instead of having to be lightered at Stonington and their cargoes transported by scows or rail. It is impossible for vessels drawing more than 23 feet to get above Lottery at mean low water. The mean rise and fall of the tides here is about 3 feet. The tide observations are appended to this report. From a preliminary examination and a conference with those interested in said improvement, it seemed that a channel of 100 feet in width, with a depth, at mean low water, of about 7 feet, would be necessary. Since completion of survey, however, it has been decided that a channel of 75 feet in width, with a depth of 5 feet at mean low water, will answer all requirements. The present channel was opened by citizens of Westerly about twelve years ago, who expended thereon $4,200. The material removed was deposited alongside the channel, and has been gradually filling it up again. Of the extent of this work I could get no positive information. The surveys made were a limited topographical and full hydrographical survey, extending from the bridge over Pawcatuck River, in Westerly, to Little Narraganset Bay, a distance of about six miles; and their progress was submitted to you weekly. The surveys have been plotted to a scale of 5000. Contours of planes of 2, 4, 6, and 12 feet below mean low water, are shown in black-dotted, green-dotted, full green, and red lines respectively. The lines of the proposed channel are shown by straight black lines. A profile of the center-line of the proposed channel is drawn to a scale of 000 horizontally and of vertically. In order to open the proposed channel, (75 feet wide and 5 feet deep at mean low water, and giving the sides a slope of 45°,) there will have to be removed 69,413 cubic yards; which, at a cost of 30 cents per yard, would amount to $20,824, and allowing 10 per cent. for superintendence, &c., would make a sum total of $22,906. The material to be removed consists of fine gravel and sand in about equal quantities, and a small proportion of soft mud; and can be deposited in the coves, or on any of the flats on either side of the river, at any time excepting at low water. The dam at Westerly is about 110 feet long in the clear, being flanked on each end by a large mill. The water used by these mills for power is drawn directly from the dam. The silt brought down by the stream from above passes through the waste-ways of these mills, and is deposited gradually down stream, but is small in quantity, as the stream is generally clear water. On consideration of facts attending, the channel proposed will keep itself open, or at least will need no attention for the next twenty years. Westerly is the depot, both by water and rail, for nearly all the supplies consumed in living and manufactures by the residents of a large extent of country, through the valley of which flows the Pawcatuck River and tributaries, on which are a great number of mills engaged in the manufacture of cotton, woolen, and other goods. It was impossible for me to get the percentage of articles of export and import by water, excepting coal and lumber. Nearly all of these articles are shipped by vessels to Stonington, and thence, by scows, to Westerly; this reshipment at Stonington makes an increase in the cost of coal per ton of 70 cents, and, on an average, yearly total increase in the cost of both coal and lumber of $13,000. Thus it will be seen that the increased cost of two articles alone, for two years, would pay for the proposed improvements. In addition to this, I beg leave to submit the papers which contain the calculations for sectional excavations and total amount, prepared by Mr. George H. Mann, civil engineer. I also submit a small printed description of Westerly and its manufactures; also, a paper containing information derived from Mr. Segar, relative to the vessels, class, value, tonnage, and draught owned by citizens of Westerly; also, a paper written by Mr. George Hubbard, collector of customs at Stonington, Connecticut, without reference to any data he may have had, and which I do not deem of much value. Also, a paper containing an estimate of imports and exports during one current year, with statistics of all vessels and shipping on Pawcatuck River. This information was obtained from the following named persons: W. A. Burdick, agent for granite works; Batterson & Ledward, granite works; Samuel B. Segar, coal dealer; Thomas Segar, coal dealer; Samuel Cross, Rhode Island legislature; Captain Joshua Thompson, merchant; Charles Maxon & Co.; Moss & Babcock, cotton and woolen manufacturers; Cottrell & Babcock, printing-press, &c., manufacturers; Stillman Bros.; Stillman & Clark; Dudley R. Wheeler, and others engaged in the manufacturing business. I was assisted in the survey by Mr. George H. Mann, civil engineer. I also had the services of General H. A. Frink, civil engineer. In conclusion, I think the business interests of Westerly and vicinity would call for a favorable consideration of the proposed improvements of Pawcatuck River, Rhode Island and Connecticut, by our next Congress. I am, sir, respectfully yours, Major General G. K. WARREN, Major of Engineers, U. S. A. JOHN H. DAGER, Civil Engineer. Extracts taken from Webb's Northeastern Railway and Manufacturers' Statistical Gazeteer for 1870. Westerly, eighteen miles from New London, forty-four from Providence, one hundred and forty-four from New York, eighty-eight from Boston, and six from the Atlantic Ocean, at the head of navigation on the Pawcatuck River. The Indian name for this village and town is Misquamicut, located on the Stonington and Providence Railroad. The river is navigable for vessels, to the village, of 40 and 50 tons. A small steamer plies, during the summer months, between this place and Watch Hill, a famous summer resort, where are located several first-class hotels, which are liberally patronized by the citizens of our largest cities. Westerly is a very wealthy, enterprising, and rapidly growing place, of about 5,000 inhabitants, containing four or five churches, four banks, two weekly newspapers, and one of the most substantially built, elegantly furnished hotels in the United States, erected by Babcock & Moss, a manufacturing firm of this place, and opened to the public in 1868. It is dedicated to the memory of the Dixon family, and called the "Dixon House." MANUFACTURES. Cottrell & Babcock, established in 1855, manufacturers of machinery in general, principally woolen machinery and printing-presses. Their machine-shop, 70 by 80, three stories; foundery, 75 by 50, one story; and blacksmith-shop, 30 by 85, one story; pattern-house, 30 by 40 feet, two stories, and store-house, 30 by 50, two stories; employ 150 men; consume 500 tons cast iron, 100 tons wrought iron, and 200,000 feet of lumber annually. This firm produced last year about $150,000 worth of goods, which were shipped to different parts of our country; also to Canada and South America. Their machinery is driven by a 45 horse-power engine. Stillman, Bros. & Co., succeeded J. P. Stillman & Co. in 1858, who commenced in 1842. They manufacture wood-working machinery, planes, and brass roller shives. They employ 25 persons, and occupy a room 40 by 48, and another 20 by 24. Power furnished by Stillman's turbine water-wheel. Babcock & Moss occupy two mills at Stillmanville, one-quarter mile north of the depot for the manufacture of cassimers and cottonades; one being of three stories, the other two and a half, running eight sets on cassimeres and eight on cottonades. Employing 350 persons; making 20,000 yards of cottonades and 6,000 yards of cassimeres per week; using 7,500 pounds of wool per week for cassimeres. The machinery is driven by three of Stillman's turbine wheels, and a 90-horse Corliss engine, patent and make, using five tubular boilers, made by Hicks, of Providence. This company also run another mill in the south part of the village, near the river, formerly occupied by Campbell & Co. It contains nine sets for cassimeres, run by a 90-horse Corliss engine and make, with six tubular boilers, making about 600 yards per week. O. M. Stillman occupies a four-story brick mill 100 by 48, built in 1848, for the manufacture of cassimeres; employing 100 persons, running six sets of woolen machinery, and thirty-six looms, turning out 6,000 yards per week; using up 5,000 pounds of clean wool per week. The power is furnished by Stillman's turbine wheel, and a 25 horsepower engine, built by the Putnam Machine Company, of Fitchburgh, Massachusetts. The pay-roll amounts to $3,500 per month. The average wages per month for males and females, $35. This manufactory is located about one-quarter of a mile north of the depot, on the Pawcatuck River. There are also, in connection with this manufactory, two wooden buildings, two stories, each 150 by 30 and 40 by 70 feet, used for dye-house, wool-sorting, and fulling-out. The details of this concern are under the charge of J. R. Scott, superintendent. E. &. H. Babcock commenced the manufacturing business in 1844. They now occupy two mills at Potter's Hill, built in 1847, four miles north of Westerly, one of them three stories, built of stone, 54 by 108 feet; the other three stories, built of wood, about 40 by 80 feet. They employ 110 persons manufacturing flannels, using eight sets of machinery, 100 looms, and turning out about 15,000 yards per week. The mills are run by water-power, using a United States iron water-wheel. The selling agents are Sutton, Smith & Co., No. 85 Worth street, New York. This company run a small mill at Slocumville. White Rock Manufacturing Company.-This company occupies a mill built in 1849, at White Rock Village, one mile north of the depot, for the manufacture of roll jaconets and fine shirtings; four stories, brick, 180 by 50; employ 150 persons, running 10,000 spindles, 224 looms, using 15 bales of cotton per week, the average production being 2,700 yards per week. The motive power is furnished by a French turbine waterwheel and one United States wheel, the fall being about 8 feet. The mill is located on the Pawcatuck River, with walks tastefully laid out in front of the building; a fine grove on the grounds adds a pleasant aspect to the surroundings. A village of sixteen houses is located directly opposite. This company have taken great pride in making this place the pleasantest and neatest manufacturing village in New England, and we say that they have done so; a striking contrast with some other villages owned by less enterprising proprietors in New England. The rules of the mill are so arranged as to insure neatness and order unexcelled, and we venture to say that the finest-dressed persons can visit this manufactory and not fear of soiling their garments, as the mill is kept in perfect order in every detail. This company also run two woolen-mills in the center of the village of Westerly, one built of stone, 60 by 40 feet, three stories and attic, the other of brick, 60 by 25, five stories. They employ 45 persons in these two mills manufacturing lindseys, the weekly production being 1,680 yards. There are six sets of cassimere machinery now standing, three of them running for 44 linsey-looms. A new mill is now in course of erection, to be three stories high, and about 100 by 48, with a dye-house 24 by 48. This new mill is situated adjoining the other, and is designed for six sets of machinery, including 30 cassimere looms that are not now in operation. The new mill will probably be in full operation in the fall of 1869. Babcock & Moss are agents for the company. Vessels trading on Pawcatuck River, Connecticut. Average draught, loaded, 74 feet. obliged to be lightered. 15,000 Forty-four transient vessels, 250 tons each; twenty-one transient vessels, 200 tons each. All were 1,500 30 Quantity of car- Tons per Estimate of freight exported from Westerly, Rhode Island, during one current year. Estimate of freight received at Westerly, Rhode Island, during one current year. About 12,000 tons of coal annually on road and river. About 10,000 tons of coal annually on river. Increase of cost per ton owing to lighterage, 70 cents per ton. |