Now the flood and ebb tidal currents set directly upon Hatcher's Rock, and a vessel in passing it takes whichever side of it the wind compels it to do. If it passes on the south side into the south channel, (that is, south of Dry Ledge,) it is exposed to a detached sunken ledge, making out from near the right (south) shore, upon which vessels have several times struck. This ledge is about 20 feet long by 15 feet wide, and has about 1 foot of water upon it at ordinary low water; and it should be removed so as to obtain a depth of 6 feet upon it at ordinary low water, or 14 feet at high water. Hatcher's Rock should also be removed to the same depth, thereby making navigation unobstructed to that depth through both the north and south channels in the fall. 3. The Bridge piers, about one mile above the falls, are eleven in num ber, and are composed of grout thrown into the bed of the river, (the channel being 18 feet deep at mean low water,) with dimension-granite built upon the grout. They are from 75 to 110 feet apart in the clear, and are about 25 feet long by 15 feet wide on top, the grout foundations having a slope of about 45° down to a depth (in the channel) of about 18 feet at ordinary low water, thus leaving narrow and rapid channels between them. They were built about eighteen years ago for a bridge, but were carried away by the violent current, (which is very strong at this place, especially at half-ebb tide,) and by floating ice, before the superstructure was placed upon them. The tops of what re mains of them are now bare at low water only; so that they are a very serious and dangerous obstruction to navigation, and are no longer of any public use or value. In order to give a channel through them, which shall have sufficient width (say 350 feet) and depth, it will be necessary to remove three of these piers to a depth of 10 feet below ordinary low water. The estimated cost of the foregoing improvements is as follows, viz: 1. Iron beacons on Half-tide Ledge and Low-water Rock, at $12 50 each.... 2. Removal of Hatcher's Rock 500 tons, at $50 Add for contingencies, say.. Total... ..... $2,500 00 25, 000 00 6,250 00 1,000 00 34, 750 00 3,250 00 38, 000 00 This amount, it is believed, would be sufficient for the entire and perma nent completion of the improvements herein recommended to be made, all which could be profitably expended upon the work during the next fiscal year. The following additional information is furnished in compliance with the requirements of the law provided for the examination and survey of this river and falls: Sullivan River and Falls are in the collection district of Frenchman's Bay, and the port of entry is at Sullivan. The nearest light-houses are at Goldsborough, called Prospect Harbor light and Winter Harbor light, both about fifteen miles distant from the mouth of Sullivan River. The amount of revenue collected at the port of Sullivan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1870, (as furnished by the United States deputy collector of customs at that port,) was $602 12. But this fact conveys very little idea of the large amount of business that is done upon this river and through the falls, or of the very great benefit that commerce would derive from the improvements so important and necessary to be made, as probably nine-tenths of the vessels that coast on this river belong elsewhere, and consequently do their business at other custom-houses. The nature and extent of the commerce of this river (as given by the deputy collector) for the last fiscal year, is as follows, viz: Shipped from the town of Franklin, at the head of navigation on this river, 10,000,000 feet of sawed lumber, equal to about one hundred cargoes; and spars, piling, railroad ties, wood, staves, heading, &c., seventy-five cargoes. Shipped from Sullivan, (above the falls,) of granite, about 80,000 feet, equal to fifty cargoes; all of which are obliged to pass through the falls, and oftentimes ten or fifteen sail of these vessels arrive at the falls at the same time, making it very difficult for all to pass through without some one of the number getting on to the rocks. It should also be added that, so dangerous are these rocks, vessels sometimes have to lie above the falls for days, and even weeks, to wait for a favorable wind and tide for avoiding these rocks in descending the falls. In view of all the facts herein presented, the necessity for improving the navigation of the river and falls, as recommended, is very evident. The dangers of navigation are such, that in a very few years the losses sustained in commerce would far exceed the amount required for the removal of those difficulties, and they are all of such a character that their improvement would be permanent, and not require further appropriations to be made for them when once completed. V 6. IMPROVEMENT OF UNION RIVER, MAINE. Under the appropriation of $15,000 made by the act of Congress of July 11, 1870, a contract was made on the 10th of September, 1870, with Messrs. Morris & Cumings, of New York City, for opening a channel 150 feet in width through the slabs, edgings, and sawdust, down to the natural bed of the river, between the wharves at Ellsworth and the head of the narrows, a distance of about half a mile, for the sum of $12,000. Work was commenced under this contract on the 19th of September, and continued up to the middle of December, when it was suspended on account of the ice. It was resumed about the 20th of April, as soon as practicable after the opening of the river, and is still continued, with the probability that the channel will be completed about the 1st of October, under an extension of time for its completion up the 30th of November, 1871. Up to the 30th of June, about 40,000 cubic yards of slabs, edg ings, &c., had been removed, making a channel about 100 feet in width. Twenty-four boulders (each weighing from 3 to 45 tons) were removed during the year from the channel of the river between Fullerton's Point and Ellsworth, all which were serious obstacles to its navigation; and about 150 tons of ledge have been removed from the eastern channel at its mouth. This channel has been heretofore but little used, on account of the numerous ledges and boulders which obstruct it; but it is contemplated to remove all the ledges and boulders from it, (as well as from the bar at the mouth of the river,) and thereby render the channel available for safe navigation at all times, with 44 feet of water at mean low water, or 16 feet at ordinary high water. It is also contemplated to erect iron beacons at the mouth of the river on Fullerton's Point and Hall's Point, and to remove all the rocks, wrecks, and other obstructions to navigation up to the wharves of Ellsworth. It is believed that these improvements will be completed before the close of navigation this season. The appropriations made for this work are as follows, viz: 1. By act of Congress July 11, 1870 $15,000 00 15, 000 00 Total Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, not including outstanding liabilities on contract, &c. 30, 000 00 3, 813 98 26, 186 02 Total available July 1, 1871 This amount is deemed to be sufficient for completing all the contemplated improvements, and it is therefore recommended that no further appropriation be asked for. Abstract of proposals received for the improvement of Union River, Maine. erence. Nature of work. Names of bidders. Price. 1 2 Dredging channel 80 feet wide Dredging channel 100 feet wide; additional Geo. P. Wescott, Portland, Me.. width, same ratio. $40,000 Meliatiah K. Chase.. Every additional 10 feet in width.. 14.000 .do 3 Dredging channel 100 feet wide 1.300 Every additional 10 feet in width. 4 Perform the work, furnishing everything, including all labor. ..do ..do 900 $300 per day. Abstract of contracts made for the improvement of Union River, Maine. IMPROVEMENT OF PENOBSCOT RIVER AT BANGOR AND BELOW, MAINE. The navigation of this river, one of the most important in the New England States, is very much obstructed by several bars and ledges at Bangor and below, more especially between Bangor and Crosby's Narrows, about three and a half miles below. These bars are, for the most part, composed of slabs, edgings, and sawdust, which have been thrown into the river from the saw-mills above, and for the last fifty years and more have accumulated to an average depth of about 10 feet, and in some places to a depth of more than 18 feet, causing serious obstacles to its navigation. It is also obstructed by several large sunken ledges and boulders, known as Independence Rock, Steamboat Ledge, Gulliver's Rock, and others. To excavate these deposits down to the original bed of the river, would require the removal of more than 5,000,000 cubic yards; but for opening a channel 200 feet in width with a depth of 12 feet below low water in the lowest stages of the river would require 1. The excavation of about 100,000 cubic yards, edgings, &c., which, at $1 per cubic yard, would cost. 2. The excavation of Independence Rock to its base, say 800 cubic yards, at $25 per cubic yard $100, 000 00 20, 000 00 3. The excavation of ledge near Steamboat Ledge, say 600 cubic yards, at $25 per cubic yard..... 15,000 00 4. Removing Gulliver's Rock, 40 cubic yards, at $25 per cubic yard... 5. Excavating ledge near Green's Pier, 85 cubic yards, at $25 per cubic yard Add for contingencies, say. Total amount required for the work........... Amount appropriated for this river by act of Congress of And by act of Congress of March 3, 1871. 1,000 00 2,125 00 16, 875 00 155, 000 00 $15,000 00 50,000 00 65, 000 00 $90,000 00 Amount required for completing the contemplated improve- Amount expended during the year ending June 30, 1871, 7,559 37 57,440 63 The work done in the year 1870 under the appropriation of July 11, 1870, was confined to the excavation of portions of Independence Rock and Steamboat Ledge, until suspended by the closing of the river by ice in the month of November. In April, 1871, after the second apprópriation was made, proposals were invited for opening a channel through the obstructions in three localities, where most necessary, to a width of about 200 feet and depth of 12 feet, requiring, in all, about 33,000 cubic yards of excavation. The lowest bids for this work were those of Mr. A. Boschké, of Boston, Massachusetts, and on the 27th of May a contract was made with him therefor, at prices as follows, viz: 1. For upper bar, extending down to Low's Ledge, at Bangor 2. For middle bar, (lying between Crosby's ship-yard and Edmond's steam saw-mill) .. 3. For lower bar, near steam-mill Total $18,320 00 7,400 00 3,375 00 29, 095 00 Operations were commenced by Mr. Boschké, under his contract, on the 19th of June, at the upper bar; and on the 30th of June the chan nel at that place was about one-eighth finished. Operations were also resumed on the ledge near steamboat wharf, on the 3d of June, (which was the earliest date practicable after the freshets,) and 360 tons were removed during the month, making about 400 tons removed from that ledge during the year; 80 tons were also removed from Independence Rock during the year. Names of bidders. Abstract of proposals received for the improvement of Penobscot River, Maine. 183 W. R. Stockbridge, Boston, Mass.. 2 John B. Curtis, Portland, Me. A. Boschké, Boston, Mass. Name of contractor. Abstract of contracts made for the improvement of Penobscot River, Maine. 1 A. Boschké, Boston, Mass.. V S. IMPROVEMENT OF KENNEBEC RIVER, MAINE. The plan now in progress for the improvement of this river consists in straightening and deepening its channel by dredging through the several shoals, and the removal of the boulders and ledges which obstruct its navigation between Richmond and Augusta, Maine. The following appropriations have been made for this work, viz: 1. By act of Congress approved June 23, 1866.. 2. By act of Congress approved March 2, 1867 $20,000 00 30,000 00 3. Allotted under act of Congress approved April 10, 1869.. 15,000 00 4. By act of Congress approved July 11, 1870 15,000 00 15, 000 00 95,000 00 A contract was made May 23, 1867, with Mr. Augustus R. Wright, of Geneva, New York, for dredging a channel through Shephard's Point Shoal and Hallowell Shoal; on the 29th of September, 1868, the channel was completed through both shoals to the required width of 75 feet and a depth of 7 feet at low water in the lowest stages of the river. Another contract, dated January 29, 1868, was made with Mr. Wright |