Removal of State and Palmyra Rocks.-By a survey made in 1873, under the direction of the engineer officer now in charge, it was ascertained that these dangerous rocks, the position and character of which had previously been but little known, consisted of bowlders and ledges, lying on the southern spurs of the "Lower Middle," which ocean-steam ers and other large vessels had occasionally struck. Under a contract made August 31, 1874, for the removal of these sunken rocks, work was commenced upon them in September, 1874, and on the 15th of June, 1875, their removal was completed. Removal of wreck of schooner Delos.-This vessel was sunk in 1872 in Nantasket Roads, about 100 yards from Fort Warren wharf, in about 22 feet of water at mean low-water, and was broken up and removed in May and June, 1873. Improvement of Hingham Harbor, Massachusetts.-In the appropriation for Boston Harbor, made by act of March 3, 1875, provision was made for the improvement of Hingham Harbor, Massachusetts, to an extent not exceeding in cost $10,000. The project for its improvement consisted in widening and deepening the main channel so as to have a width of not less than 100 feet and a depth of 8 feet at mean low-water (or about 6 feet at low-water in spring tides) up to the wharves of Hingham, requiring 25,160 cubic yards of dredging and 80 cubic yards of ledge excavation. This work has been completed. From the report of the engineer officer in charge, it is seen that nearly all the works hitherto projected for the improvement of Boston Harbor have been completed, and the following remain to be completed, viz: 1. The removal of about 275 cubic yards of sunken ledges, discovered in 1875, 276, and '77, in the vicinity of Kelly's Rock, and about 30 cubic yards of ledge at the Upper Middle. 2. Completing the removal of Nash's Rock (Shoal), arrangements having been made for doing it the present season. 3. The removal of Man-of-War Shoal, in the upper harbor, requiring about 65,000 cubic yards of dredging, for which funds are available under the appropriation made therefor by the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878. 4. Raising and repairing the southeastern sea-wall on Lovell's Island, for which funds are now available under the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878. 5. Widening and deepening the channel through Anchorage Shoal as now projected, which, it is estimated, will require 135,000 cubic yards of dredging. 6. Widening the channel at the Lower Middle as now projected, which, it is estimated, will require 5,000 cubic yards of dredging. 7. One hundred and twenty-five thousand cubic yards of dredging for improving the upper harbor, near the mouth of Mystic River. For the work described in the last three items (5, 6, and 7) no appropriations have as yet been made by Congress, but for which the sum of $165,000 will be required. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... (See Appendix A 11.) 165, 000 00 12. Improvement of Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts.-The several appropriations heretofore made for this harbor have been applied to the construction of bulkheads, jetties, and groins for the preservation and strengthening of Long Beach, upon which the harbor depends for its existence; also to the partial opening of a channel leading from the Middle Ground up to the wharves of Plymouth. This channel is projected to have a width of 100 to 125 feet for a depth of 6 to 8 feet at mean low-water, or 16 to 18 feet at mean high-water. In 1870 it was opened to a width of about 50 feet up to Long wharf, and to a depth of 6 feet at mean low-water. For completing this channel as now estimated by the engineer officer in charge, and for the annual repairs of the works built for the preservation and protection of Long Beach, an additional appropriation of $25,000 will be required. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 25, 000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. 25, 000 00 (See Appendix A 12.) 13. Improvement of Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts.-The several appropriations heretofore made for the preservation and improvement of this harbor have been applied to the construction of the following works, viz: Bulkheads and jetties of various descriptions have been built from time to time along Beach Point, for its preservation and protection, both by the United States Government and by the local authorities. A dike was built in 1868 and 1869 by the State of Massachusetts across the outlet of East Harbor Creek. A dike was built in 1868 and 1869 by the United States Government across East Harbor Creek, at the Wading Place, near High Head, about 2 miles above the outlet of the creek. Wooden bulkheads and jetties have been built at different times for the protection and preservation of the beach on Long Point and Beach Point. A stone bulkhead, about 1,000 feet in length, has been completed for the protection and preservation of the outer end of Long Point, the light-house, and three-gun battery. A dike (272 feet in length) was built in 1871-72 across the head of Lancey's Harbor, near Abel Hill. Beach-grass planted on Beach Point, Long Point, Abel Hill, Cove Section, and Oblique Section, and at the last two places brush has also been laid for their further protection. The projected extension of the several jetties on Beach Point and State Dike has been completed. A bulkhead and 6 jetties built for the preservation and protection of the beach at Cove Section, near High Head, were encroached upon by the extraordinary gales of November, 1873, and January, 1874. This bulkhead is 607 feet in length, and the jetties have an aggregate length of 126 feet. They consist of a frame-work filled with brush and ballasted with stone, and were completed in December, 1874. Accurate resurveys were made in 1871, 72, 73, 74, and '75 of Cove Section, Oblique Section, Beach Point, and Long Point, together with elaborate soundings and current observations in the inner harbor. All the works projected for the preservation and improvement of this harbor are now completed. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878, has been applied to extending the stone bulkhead on Long Point; to repairing the bulkheads and jetties at Beach Point and Cove Section, and the dikes at High Head and Abel Hill; and to planting beach-grass at Cove Section and High Head Dike. The sum of $1,000 appropriated by act of June 18, 1878, is to be applied to the repairs of the works where necessary, including some additional work for strengthening the stone bulkhead on Long Point. These works and all the others built for the preservation and protection of this harbor will require continuous watching and repairs, for which the additional sum of $1,000 is asked for the next fiscal year. July 1, 1877, amount available.... Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878 July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1878, amount available...... $3, 170 67 $4,170 67 3,063 38 1,107 29 1,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. 1,000 00 (See Appendix A 13.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. To comply with provisions of the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, Lieutenant-Colonel Thom has been charged with and is now engaged upon surveys and examinations at the following localities, the results of which will be duly submitted when received: 1. Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire. 2. Scituate Harbor, Massachusetts, with a view to its adaptability as a harbor of refuge. 3. Charles River, Massachusetts, to the head of tide-water. 4. Lincolnville Harbor, Maine. 5. Lubec Channel, Maine. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBORS AND RIVERS ON THE SOUTHERN COAST OF MASSACHUSETTS AND IN RHODE ISLAND-IMPROVEMENT OF CONNECTICUT RIVER. Officer in charge, Maj. G. K. Warren, Corps of Engineers, with Capt. D. P. Heap, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders. 1. Improvement of Hyannis Harbor, Massachusetts.-Nothing has been done at this place during the past fiscal year. The money available will be expended in strengthening the breakwater at its base with riprap granite. To complete the projected improvement an additional appropriation of $7,000 will be required, which it is desirable should be made available as soon as practicable, in order that the work may be preserved from injury. 7,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. 7, 000 00 (See Appendix B 1.) 2. Improvement of Wareham Harbor, Massachusetts.-The improvement of this harbor, which consisted in making a channel 9 feet deep at mean low-water, was completed in 1876. The mean rise of tide is 4 feet, so that vessels drawing 13 feet are enabled to reach the wharves. The low price at which the work was done left about $2,000 after the completion of the improvement, with which sum a "sand-catcher" is being built on Long Beach to arrest the sand carried over it into the harbor. No further appropriation is required unless a greater depth of channel is desired. July 1, 1877, amount available.. July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year... July 1, 1878, amount available... (See Appendix B 2.) $2,057 74 1, 153 38 904 36 3. Improvement of New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts.-The improvement of this harbor was completed during the fiscal year. The original project contemplated a channel of 200 feet in width, and 15 feet deep at mean low-water, from the deep water at Fair Haven to the wharves at New Bedford, at an estimated cost of $24,000. Owing, however, to the prevailing low prices of labor, &c., a channel 300 feet wide, and extending further along the harbor lines than was originally designed, has been completed at a cost of $20,000. No further appropriation is required. July 1, 1877, amount available July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1878, amount available ... (See Appendix B3.) $9.654 60 8.82 78 201 22 4. Improvement of Fall River Harbor, Massachusetts.-The removal during the fiscal year of 12,857 cubic yards of material, including bowlders of various sizes, completed the projected improvement at this harbor. The channel is now 160 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean lowwater, with an additional width of 100 feet for a depth of 11 feet at the same stage of tide. The estimated cost of this improvement was $45,000; but owing to the low price at which labor, &c., was obtained, it was completed for the sum of $30,000. July 1, 1-77, amount available... July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year (See Appendix B 4.) $10, 256 47 10, 256 47 5. Improvement of Taunton River, Massachusetts.-There being no funds available for the improvement of this river nothing was done during the fiscal year. A channel of 60 feet in width and 9 feet in depth at mean high-water practically exists as far as Weir, through the portion of the river for which improvement was projected. It is proposed to expend the appropriation of $2,000 made by the act of June 18, 1878, in removing bowlders from the sides and bottom of this channel. To complete the improvement previously estimated for will require an additional appropriation of $3,000. July 1, 1877, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878 July 1, 1873, amount expended during fiscal year. $100 93 2,000 00 $2,100 93 100 93 2,000 00 3,000 00 3, 000 00 July 1, 1878, amount available. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 1-80 (See Appendix B 5.) 6. Improvement of Pawtucket or Seekonk River, Rhode Island.-No work has been done during the fiscal year, and none will be done this season unless the shoals become troublesome or the channel is accidentally obstructed. July 1, 1877, amount available..... July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year July 1, 1878, amount available... (See Appendix B 6.) $1,511 28 127 75 1, 3-3 53 7. Improvement of Providence River and Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. The project for this improvement consists in making a wide channel, with a central depth of 23 feet at mean low-water, from Providence to the sea, at an estimated cost of about $500,000. (See special report in Appendix B 7.) The present ruling depth is about 14 feet, the mean rise of the tide being about 4.7 feet. It is proposed to expend the appropriation of $50,000 made by the act of June 18, 1878, in dredging a channel 23 feet deep at mean low-water to such width as the means at hand will allow-not exceeding, however, 200 feet. The appropriation of $5,000 contained in the same act for the removal of Bulkhead Rock in this river is insufficient for its removal to the required depth (23 feet), and it is proposed to reserve it until a further appropriation is made for continuing the improvement of the river, when its removal may be undertaken. The amount required for continuing the improvement during the next fiscal year is $100,000. Improving Providence River and Narragansett Bay: Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878. July 1, 1878, amount available..... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880 $50,000 00 50,000.00 450,000 00 100, 000 00 Improving Providence River, Rhode Island. Removing Bulkhead Rock: July 1, 1877, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878 July 1, 1878, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1878, amount available.... $74 98 5,000 00 $5,074 98 74 98 5,000 00 (See Appendix B 7.) 8. Improvement of Newport Harbor, Rhode Island.-Nothing has been done here during the past fiscal year and no work is contemplated during the next. July 1, 1877, amount available... July 1, 1878, Amount expended during fiscal year. (See Appendix B8.) $30 14 30 14 9. Improvement of Block Island Harbor, Rhode Island.-During the fiscal year there have been 25,227 tons of riprap granite put into the breakwater and 517 tons of bowlders removed from the anchorage sheltered by it. The breakwater now extends out 1,425 feet from the shore. A detached piece 300 feet in length has been built from a point 200 feet from the head or outer end of the main work. |