COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. CUSTOM HOUSE, NEWBURYPORT, Mass., SIR: In reply to your favor of May 19, 1882, as desired, would report upon the following points, viz: I. Amount of revenue collected at this port during the year ending December 31, 1881.. $3,874 54 1. Vessels built and admeasured during the year ending December 31, 1881.. 2. Tonnage of vessels built. 61 8 39 46 297 1 359 62 280 1 1 344 6 ..tons.. 4, 121. 41 V. A large amount of commerce and navigation would be largely increased and greatly benefited by improvements now in progress and further proposed upon the Merrimac River and in Newburyport Harbor. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, General GEO. THOM, Colonel of Engineers. A 17. DANIEL P. PIKE,, Special Deputy Collector. IMPROVEMENT OF MERRIMAC RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. The present project for the improvement of this river was adopted in 1870, and modified in 1874, the object being to afford a channel of navi gable width and a depth of not less than 9 feet at mean low-water (or about 16 feet at mean high-water) from its mouth, at the outlet of Newburyport Harbor, up to Deer Island Bridge, a distance of about 5 miles, and thence up to Haverhill Bridge (an additional distance of 123 miles), a depth of 12 feet at ordinary high-water, the rise and fall of tides varying from 73 to 4 feet; and thence up to the head of the Upper Falls" (an additional distance of 4 miles) a depth of not less than 44 feet in the ordinary stages of the river, with the mill-water at Lawrence running, the rise and fall of the tide varying from 4 feet at Haverhill to 0 at the foot of the "Upper Falls." The natural channel of this river was very narrow and crooked in several places and much obstructed by sunken ledges, bowlders, and shoals; and especially at "The Falls," portions of which were covered with bowlders and ledges, more or less bare, and impassable for any vessels or scows; whilst in Newburyport Harbor the channel was ob structed by numerous sunken ledges, crib-work piers, and wrecks, seriously endangering navigation. Previous to July 1, 1881, the work done for the improvement of this river consisted in opening the channel above Haverhill and through "The Falls" to the projected width and depth in places where absolutely necessary to make its navigation practicable; also, in dredging at Haverhill, between the bridges, and at Silsby's Island Shoals, as well as at Currier's Shoal (about 4 miles below Haverhill), and at Rocks Bridge (63 miles below Haverhill), including the removal of a large number of dangerous sunken rocks at and near Rocks Bridge and the head of Silsby's Island; also, in Newburyport Harbor in the removal of Gangway Rock and partial removal of North Rocks, and in the removal from the channel of several sunken wrecks and piers. For these improvements the following appropriations have been made by Congress, to wit: By acts from July 11, 1870, to June 18, 1878, inclusive.. By the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879 Total. $132,000 5,000 12,000 9,000 9,000 167,000 Of the above appropriations there was available on the 1st of July, 1881, the sum of $8,972.53, which has, in part, been applied to the improvement of this river, as follows, to wit: 1. Under a contract made June 17, 1881, with Mr. George W. Townsend, of Boston Mass. (the lowest of three bidders), for breaking up and removing 120 cubic yards, more or less, of South Gangway Rock to a depth of 9 feet at mean low-water, at $27.50 per cubic yard, measured in situ, work was commenced on the 30th of June, 1881, and completed on the 30th of September, 1881. 2. Under a contract made June 20, 1881, with Messrs. Trumbull & Cheney, of Boston, Mass. (the lowest of three bidders), for the breaking up and removal of South Badger Ledge to a depth of 10 feet below mean low-water (50 cubic yards), and North Rocks Spur (13 cubic yards), aggregating 63 cubic yards, at $44 per cubic yard, measured in situ, operations were commenced on the 21st of July, 1881, on the "North Rocks Spur," and the removal of the spur completed on the 13th of August; after which work was commenced on South Badger Ledge, and continued up to the 17th of November, when it was suspended for the winter. It was resumed on the 20th of May, 1882, and continued up to June 30, 1882, resulting in the breaking up and removal of 21 cubic yards, in partial completion of the contract. 3. By the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881, a survey of this river was called for from Lawrence, Mass., to Manchester, N. H. (a distance of about 50 miles), with a view to the improvement of its navigation. This survey was made in August and Sepember, and the drawings and report on the same were completed and submitted on the 16th of December, 1881. For the completion of all the work that remains to be done for the improvement of this river, as now projected, from the head of "The Falls" above Haverhill down to its mouth at Plum Island Point, the cost is estimated as follows, viz: $1,500 00 2,000 00 4,500 00 3. Completing the breaking up and removal of North Rocks, near the mouth 1. Removing sunken rocks and shoals in "The Falls" above Haverhill 2,403 79 Total 21,353 79 3,353 79 8,750 00 2,200 00 Amount available July 1, 1882 . 18,000 00 With the unexpended balance available July 1, 1882, together with the amount appropriated by the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882, it is proposed to complete all the work projected for the improvement of this river (as above) except the removal of "The Boilers." Merrimac River up as far as Haverhill lies in the collection district of Newburyport, Mass., of which Newburyport is the port of entry. The nearest light-house is on Plum Island, at the mouth of the river. Money statement. July 1, 1881, amount available. July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of out standing liabilities July 1, 1881 July 1, 1882, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1882, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act passed August 2, 1882.. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883.. $8,972 53 $5,561 54 57 20 5,618 74 3,353 79 9,000 00 12,353 79 9,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 9,000 00 A 18. IMPROVEMENT OF BOSTON HARBOR, MASSACHUSETTS. For the several works projected in 1866, and since, for the improvement of Boston Harbor, including those in Hingham Harbor, Mystic River, Charles River, and the channel leading to Nantasket Beach, the following sums have been appropriated by Congress, viz: By acts from March 2, 1867, to March 3, 1879..... By act approved June 14, 1880 ($30,000 to be expended in Boston Harbor; $22,500 at the mouth of Charles River in said harbor, and up to Watertown; $17,500 at the mouth of Mystic River in said harbor, and $5,000 from said harbor to Nantasket Beach)... By act approved March 3, 1881 ($40,000 to be expended in said harbor; $35,000 at the mouth of Charles River in said harbor, and up to Watertown; $20,000 in said harbor at mouth of Mystic River, and $5,000 from said harbor to Nautasket Beach)... By act passed August 2, 1882, for completing improvement.. Total.... The unexpended balance of the above appropriations available July 1, 1881, was... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1882, including outstanding liabilities.... Total amount available July 1, 1882.... $1,331, 0CO 75,000 100,000 96, 500 1,602, 500 130, 237 22 61,574 59 68,662 63 During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882, the following work has been done for the improvement of this harbor, to wit: I.—BOSTON HARBOR (PROPER). Under the appropriation of $30,000 made by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880, for the harbor proper, a contract was made August 27, 1880, with Messrs. Moore & Wright, of Portland, Me., the lowest of five bidders, for 65,000 cubic yards, more or less, of dredging at Anchorage Shoal, at 39 cents per cubic yard, measured in scous, under which contract 23,907 cubic yards of dredging was done up to include June 30, 1881. This contract was completed on the 22d of April, 1882, by an aggregate of 62,360 cubic yards of dredging. Under the appropriation of $40,000 made by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881, a contract was made January 31, 1882, with the Eastern Dredging Company of Portland, Me., the lowest of two bidders, for 70,000 cubic yards, more or less, of dredging at Anchorage Shoal, at 43 cents per cubic yard, measured in situ. Dredging was commenced under this contract on the 20th of April, and has been continued up to the 30th of June, 1882, resulting in about 25,000 cubic yards of dredging during that period. By the above work the channel has been opened to an additional width of about 350 feet and an aggregate average width of 1,000 feet. This contract is to be completed on or before the 30th of November, 1882, for which the amount now available is sufficient. This will complete all the work projected for the improvement of the harbor at this shoal. Repairs have also been made on several sea-walls, as follows, to wit: 1. North head of Long Island.-Four hundred and ninety-five and oneseventh tons of granite grout was delivered in August, 1881, at the western end of this sea-wall, a portion of which is to be placed along the shore in extension of the sea-wall, so as to form an apron for the protection and preservation of the shore. 2. Lovell's Island.-In September and October, 1881, the extension and repairs of the apron-work on the eastern end of this sea-wall were completed where then necessary; and the foundation of the sea-wall on the northern side of the island was repaired. 3. Deer Island.-In October and November, 1881, repairs were made where most necessary on the sea-walls on this island. All the above repairs were made by hired labor and with stone and other materials purchased in open market. The additional work that was projected for completing the improvement of this harbor (proper) for which estimates were submitted in the last Annual Report, was as follows, to wit: $4,500 1. Building, in part, the sea-wall on Rainsford Island (built in 1840).. 2. Repairs on sea-walls on Great Brewster, Lovell's, Gallop's, and Long islands. 6,500 3. Widening main ship-channel at Upper Middle, at its western end, 20,000 cubic yards of dredging at 50 cents per cubic yard.... Adding for engineering expenses and other contingencies, say. Total..... 10,000 3,000 24,000 It is proposed to complete this work under the appropriation made by the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882. The estimates submitted in the last Annual Report for the repairs of the several sea-walls were sufficient for all the work that then seemed necessary to be done. But owing to the unusual storms which have occurred during the past winter, great changes have been made in the shores of Lovell's Island at its eastern end (south of the eastern wall), and on the north shore of Gallop's Island east of the sea-wall. At Lovell's Island the shore has been abraded to such an extent as to necessitate its protection and preservation for a length of about 1,300 feet. This will require an apron about 30 feet in width, and jetties (of rubblestone), the estimated cost of which is (including contingencies) $16,000. At Gallop's Island the shore on the eastern tongue has been abraded, which should be stopped at once, as the existence of this tongue is essential to the safety of the main ship-channel. This will require an apron of rubble-stone 1,130 feet in length, with an average width of 30 feet, and four jetties, each 24 feet in length by a maximum width of 15 feet, the estimated cost of which, including contingencies, is $14,000. II. MYSTIC RIVER. Under the appropriation made for this river by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879, the channel near its mouth (in front of the navyyard) was dredged to a depth of 23 feet at mean low-water for a width of about 125 feet. This work was done by contract, and was completed in March, 1880. Under the appropriation of $17,500 made therefor by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1850, a contract was made August 27, 1880, with Messrs. Moore & Wright, of Portland, Me., the lowest of five bidders, for 50,000 cubic yards, more or less, of dredging, at 29 cents per cubic yard, measured in scows. Operations were commenced under this contract in November, 1880, and completed June 30, 1881, resulting in 48,343 cubic yards of dredging under said contract. By this dredging the channel was opened to a depth of 23 feet at mean low-water, for an average additional width of about 125 feet, making its total average width about 250 feet. Under the appropriation of $20,000 made by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881, for this river a contract was made June 14, 1881, with the Eastern Dredging Company of Portland, Me., the lowest of two bidders, for 80,000 cubic yards, more or less, of dredging, at 22 cents per cubic yard, measured in scows. This work was commenced on the 30th of December, 1881, and has been continued up to include the 30th of June, 1882, resulting in 48,530 cubic yards of dredging under said contract, whereby the channel has been opened to an additional width of 125 feet, making the total width of the channel 350 feet for a depth |