of 450 feet of the light dike by driving an additiona line of sheet piling. In all other respects the dike was built as provided by the specifications. Under contract with Elijah Brainard, jr., dated March 21, 1882, dredging operations were commenced May 15 on the projected channel across the bar at the entrance to the river, and are still in progress. Up to the close of the fiscal year 14,955 cubic yards of sand were removed; two cuts, having a combined width of 50 feet and a depth of 6 feet at low-water, had advanced to within 300 yards of the deep water of Sandy Hook Bay. The price paid for dredging under this contract is 413 cents per cubic yard. GENERAL REMARKS. With the light afforded by the latest surveys, and the results of actual work, it is estimated that to widen and deepen the existing channels to the full dimensions contemplated by existing project, there will be required the removal, by dredging, of about 175,000 cubic yards of material. The prices paid under the present contracts are 44 cents and 41 cents per cubic yard. Assuming 43 cents as the cost of future dredging (the original estimate was 25 cents), there will be required for dredging $75,250 to complete present project and its modifications. The neces sity for constructing the dike across "Polly's Gut," in North Branch, referred to in previous reports, has not yet been demonstrated, and the question can not well be definitely decided until after the completion of the channel now in process of excavation into Pleasure Bay. It is thought, however, that the short dike extending from the north end of Sedge Island, to which reference is made in the report of the Board of Engineers for Fortifications and River and Harbor Improvements (page 704, Report Chief of Engineers, 1880), to whom was referred the project of the local engineer, changing the channel from the west to the east side of Marsh Island, and not included in any previous estimate, will be found necessary. It is estimated that the cost of this dike will be $3,500, making total amount required to complete the improvement of the river and its two branches, $78,750. Should it be found necessary to build the dike across "Polly's Gut," about $2,500 additional will be required. The commerce of the Shrewsbury is rapidly increasing. One line of steamboats is now making four trips daily between New York and Red Bank, and another line two trips daily between New York, Seabright, and Branchport. Numerous sailing vessels of the lighter class of sloops and schooners are also engaged on the river in transporting freights of a general character both ways. The lands adjacent to the river are rapidly increasing in value, and hotels, villas, and cottages are multiplying yearly. The extension of the water facilities contemplated by the project of improvement now in course of execution will give additional impetus to this growth, and will result in a great increase to the commerce of the river. Shrewsbury River is in the collection district of Perth Amboy, N. J. Nearest port of entry, New York. The nearest light-house is Navesink light, and fort at Sandy Hook is the nearest fort. Amount of revenue collected at Perth Amboy during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882 Amounts appropriated from August 30, 1852, to March 3, 1881, both inclu sive..... Amount expended. $164,500.00 142,245 79 Money statement. July 1, 1881, amount available... July 1, 1882, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1881. July 1, 1882, outstanding liabilities.. Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1883.... $97,413 77 $75,159 56 77,906 76 19,507 01 30,000 00 49,507 01 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... 17, 000 00 17,000 00 Abstract of proposals for dredging in Shrewsbury River, New Jersey, opened by Lieut. Col. N. Michler, Corps of Engineers. Contract awarded to Elijah Brainard, jr., the lowest responsible bidder, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. Abstract of proposals for the construction of about 3,800 linear feet of pile dike at the mouth of Shrewsbury River, New Jersey, opened June 21, 1881, by Lieut. Col. N. Michler, Corps of Engineers. Chief of Engineers. Linear feet. Third section. Fourth section. Total amount. 1,300 1,300 $12 00 $15, 600 100 $15 00 $1,500 $41, 100 10, 647 100 11 57 1,157 27, 572 1,300 14 49 13, 637 11, 505 30, 210 Contract awarded to the lowest bidder, William H. Wood, with the approval of the Abstract of proposals for dredging in the south branch of Shrewsbury River, New Jersey, opened July 14, 1881, by Lieut. Col. N. Michler, Corps of Engineers. Contract awarded to the lowest bidder, William H. Wood, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. Abstract of proposals for dredging in the main stem or north branch of the Shrewsbury River, New Jersey, opened March 10, 1882, by Maj. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. Contract awarded to Elijah Brainard, jr., the lowest responsible bidder, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. Commercial statistics of exports and imports from June 30, 1881, to June 30, 1882. |