At a late examination of the new cut across the point below the causeway, it was found that some shoaling had taken place, and that not over 6 feet could be carried across at low-water. This shoaling appears to be due to the large amount of scour at the draw. When this scouring ceases, it is probable that the cut below will remain permanently open. The passage through the narrows is now used by sailing-vessels, but rarely by steamers. It is believed that when the route is better known its use by steamers will be adopted. The original estimate for this work was $23,000. Twenty-eight thousand dollars was appropriated in all up to June 30, 1878, of which amount $3,000 remains unexpended. This balance will be sufficient to nearly carry out the original project, which will have cost more than the original estimate by reason of long and unavoidable delays. 2. Improvement of the harbor at Baltimore, Maryland.-The object of this work has been to secure, by dredging, a channel sufficient to accommodate vessels drawing 22 or 23 feet. The requisite depth for this purpose was secured in 1874, but the desired width has not yet been obtained. The appropriations since that time have been only slightly in excess of the amount required for annual reparations, but the excess has been constantly, applied to securing additional width. During the past fiscal year, dredging has been carried on at the lower end of the Brewerton Channel to restore the depth of channel as far up as opposite North Point, and at the angle formed by the intersection of the Brewerton and Craighill Channels to facilitate the passage of vessels from one channel to the other. This dredging was done by contract, and although much delayed, owing to the insufficiency of the contractors' machinery, was carried through to completion in June, thus restoring a depth in the Brewerton Channel of 25 feet at mean low-water over the entire width of channel, from its lower end to a point opposite North Point, and taking off a large triangular piece at the angle formed by the intersection of the Brewerton and Craighill Channels, which area was also dredged to a depth of 25 feet at mean low-water. On the completion of this work an entirely new cut was commenced on the west side of the Brewerton Channel, and carried as far as available funds would permit. The total amount of material removed during the year under the contract was 300,145 cubic yards. A careful examination of the dredged area was made in June after the close of the dredging. Extensive repairs to the tug Leslie were made during the winter months. A new boiler was put in, the machinery thoroughly overhauled, a new pilot-house built, and a new propeller put on. An appropriation of $75,000 has been made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1879, leaving $110,000 yet needed to complete the existing project. To this sum add $50,000 for estimated amount required for reparations, and there remains as the amount that can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, $160,000. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. (See Appendix F 2.) 76, 410 50 160,000 00 160,000 00 3. Improvement of Wicomico River, near Salisbury, Maryland.-The original project for this work was, as stated in the last annual report, so modified on account of limited means as to contemplate the dredging of a channel only 50 feet in width and 5 feet in depth at ordinary lowwater. This was completed in January, 1876, except that the channel for a distance of 300 feet was left but 28 feet wide. With the appropriation of $5,000 made for this work by act of August 14, 1876, the channel throughout its entire length, a distance of 7,000 feet, has been widened to 70 feet, with a depth of 5 feet at ordinary low-water, and the turning-basin near the town excavated to the same depth, with as large an area as the safety of the wharves on either side would permit. At the close of operations a careful examination of the entire channel and turning-basin was made; the examination showed that the dredg ing had been well executed. The longitudinal dikes below the town became somewhat damaged during the past year. These dikes have been repaired as thoroughly as the limited state of available funds would permit. The deposition of sawdust from the mills above has now been altogether abandoned, thus removing the principal cause of the rapid filling of the turning-basin. The appropriations for this work have been June 10, 1872; March 3, 1873; June 23, 1874; March 3, 1875; August 14, 1876; and June 18, 1878. Total, $30,000. Should the original plan be carried out, an appropriation of $10,000 will still be required. 10,000 CO Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880.. 10, 000 00 (See Appendix F 3.) 4. Improvement of James River, Virginia.-The operations of the year have been conducted in furtherance of the existing project for the improvement of this river, and have consisted principally in the removal of the rock by blasting, dredging, and the construction of wing-dams. On the 1st of July, 1877, the amount available for this work being but $17,000 (the balance of the appropriation of August 14, 1876), the period of active operations extended only from July 1 to October 31. Since the latter date no work (exclusive of surveys) has been done by the United States. During the above-mentioned period 166 cubic yards of rock were removed from Rockett's Reef; 10,920 cubic yards of material were dredged from Richmond Bar and Randolph's Flats, and 3,350 linear feet of wingdams were constructed between Richmond Bar and Warwick Bar. The city of Richmond has continued to co-operate with the United States in improving the channel. The operations of the city have been mostly confined to dredging at Drury's Island Cut, Richmond Bar, Randolph's Flats, and Warwick Bar. That portion of the machinery used for blasting and removing rock belongs to the United States. The remaining portion of the machinery, used for dredging, pile-driving, &c., belongs to the city of Richmond, and was hired by the United States, the latter paying as rental the actual cost of repairs while in its service. While the operations of the year have been but limited, the results have, on the whole, been satisfactory. With the exception of two short distances, 16 feet can now be found, at ordinary high-water, from Rockett's Reef to the sea. At the excepted points but 15 feet are to be found; but it is believed that by a judicious contraction of the river at these points the desired 16 feet may be obtained and maintained without further dredging. The number and size of vessels trading to this port are constantly increasing, and a greater width and depth of channel is requisite for the wants of commerce. The aim of this improvement is to secure a channel 180 feet in width and 18 feet in depth. There was left of estimate to be provided for at date of last annual report.. $258,024 20 Appropriated by act approved June 18, 1878.. Leaving yet to be provided for.. 70,00 00 188,024 00 188,024 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. 150,000 00 (See Appendix F 4.) 5. Improving Appomattox River, below Petersburg, Virginia.-The balance ($15,000) of the appropriation of August 14, 1876, has been expended during the past year between the city of Petersburg and the upper end of Puddledock Cut. This portion of the river has necessarily been somewhat neglected of late years, the greater portions of the appropriations having been absolutely required for dredging Puddledock Cut, and the construction of deflectors and embankments in connection with it. The work of the year has consisted principally of the removal by blasting of 421 cubic yards of rock from the channel, at the bend opposite Stein's upper cut; the construction of 812 linear feet of longitudinal dikes, extending down stream on the south shore from Lieutenant's Run; and the construction of thirteen wing-dams, composed partly of sheetpiling and partly of stakes and brush wattling, located for the most part at the long straight reach occupied by Page's Bar. These jetties contract the river to a general width of 140 feet, but more contraction will be needed probably when the remaining jetties come to be extended. An appropriation of $30,000 was made by the act of June 18, 1878, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1879; $83,000 were required to complete the project which was in existence on June 30, 1875; $53,000 yet remain to be provided for. 53,000 00 July 1, 1878, amount available.... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 30, 000 00 6. Improvement of Great Kanawha River, West Virginia.-The sites for a new lock and dam, to be designated as No. 3 of the Kanawha series, were acquired during the autumn of 1877. The lock is to be located on the right bank, at the foot of Paint Creek Shoal. Work at Lock No. 3 was commenced in February last, and is being carried on by hired labor and the purchase of material in open market. Work at Lock No. 4, near Cabin Creek Shoal, has been carried on under contract. Progress has been slower than was anticipated, owing to the financial difficulties of the contractor. The contractors at Dam No. 4 have failed to carry out their contract for the construction of a dam, abutment, pier, and floor of a navigation pass adjoining Lock No. 4. They abandoned their work in December, 1877, and the contract was annulled on the 31st of January, 1878. The work at this locality has since been carried on by hired labor and purchase of material in open market. A contract has been made for the iron-work of the pass and wier of Dam No. 4. Work at Lock No. 5, near Brownstown, has been carried on under contract. The work has been delayed somewhat by occasional strikes of the laborers. A contract has been made for the construction of iron gates for Lock No. 5. Work at Dam No. 5 has been carried on under contract for the construction of dam, abutment, pier, and floor of a navigation pass adjoining Lock No. 5. The masonry of the abutment and pier has all been laid, and the placing and embanking of coffer-dam for pass is in progress. The iron-work of the pass and weir has all been delivered at the site. In continuation of the plan of temporarily improving portions of the river not affected by the permanent works, a small sum has been expended in removing bowlders from that portion of the river between Knob Shoal and Emory's Dam, a distance of about 6 miles, and in repairing a break in "Two-mile Dam," caused by a freshet in November, 1877. Surveys have been made below Charleston, with a view to establishing the proper locations of locks at the lower portion of the river. The state of the river has been much more favorable for successful operations during the fiscal year just ended than during the year previous. The working season of 1877 was, until October, unusually favorable. During the month of June last labor troubles seriously interfered with operations at all the works upon the river. These troubles were caused by strikes among the contractors' laborers. The appropriations have been: March 3, 1873, $25,000; June 23, 1874, $25,000 (expended in temporary improvement); March 3, 1875, $300,000; August 14, 1876, $270,000; June 18, 1878, $222,000. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... .3,600, 000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. 500, 000 00 (See Appendix F 6.) 7. Improvement of the Cape Fear River, North Carolina.-The work of the year has consisted principally in the continued deposit of stone upon the closing work at the New Inlet. The contract for the delivery of 45,000 cubic yards of stone, which was being executed at the date of the last annual report, was completed on the 5th of January, 1878. Forty-nine thousand one hundred and twenty-nine cubic yards were delivered under this contract, 28,725 yards of which since July 1, 1877. Another contract was entered into November 24, 1877, for the delivery of about 12,000 cubic yards of stone, the delivery to be completed by April 30, 1878. On the 6th of April 11,715 cubic yards had been delivered, when the contract was closed and work suspended on account of the near exhaustion of available funds. Total amount of stone deposited upon the dike during the past fiscal year, 40,440 cubic yards. The stone was distributed quite uniformly over the entire length of the work until it was all brought up gradually to low-water mark. After this the work was filled to high-water in the shape of a ridge, to distances of 850 and 650 feet from Federal and Zeke's Points respectively. The full required width has not yet been given to the structure. Extensive hydrographic surveys have been made during the year, including New Inlet outside the closing work, Snow's Marsh Channel, and both the eastern and western channels at the old entrance to the river. Simultaneous tidal observations have also been made from time to time at various points on the river. The only remarkable change which has taken place in the shore-lines near New Inlet has been at Zeke's Point, where the low-water line has advanced fully 300 feet on the inlet side. The Snow's Marsh Channel and the channel at the "Logs" have remained in about the same condition as at last report. The latter channel should be increased to 250 feet in width; it is now but 130 feet wide. The "rip" at the western channel at old entrance to river has improved in depth during the year. The Bald Head Channel has shoaled somewhat, though the distance across the bar has been steadily diminishing. The suction-dredge, formerly in use at this bar, has remained laid up for want of funds. It is in need of extensive repairs. This or some suitable dredge should be put at work upon this bar at as early a day as possible. An appropriation of $160,000 for this work was made by act approved June 18, 1878, which fills the estimate of June 30, 1876, for the completion of existing project. The unexpected settling of the closing work at the inlet will require the deposition of nearly 50,000 cubic yards of |