fiscal year Mr. A. A. Dodge was engaged in dredging a channel through Lower Mud, under his contract dated May 17, 1873. Operations were suspended August 12, after completing two cuts. A channel about 50 feet wide and 5 feet deep at mean low water through the entire width of Lower Mud was the result of the season's work. A re-examination of the excavated channel was made in June, 1874, demonstrating the fact that very little filling had taken place during the time which had elapsed since the cessation of work. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix U 12.) $5,000 00 1,870 2 5, 000 00 2,019 29 6,109 9 8,000 00 13. Improvement of the Rappahannock River below Fredericksburgh, Virginia. In the latter part of the summer and in the autumn of 1873, some dredging was done on the Fredericksburgh Bar, the extent of the work being the removal of about 17,500 cubic yards. A portion of this matter was placed behind the dikes near Fredericksburgh, and a portion dumped down the river in places where there was little probability of its returning into the channel. The same contractor took out some logs and snags below Spottswood Bar. The object of these operations was to repair the damage done to the channel by the freshets of the spring and early summer, and to give again the depth of 8 feet at low water. A survey made in November and December, 1873, showed that the river was in a better condition for navigation than it had been for many years before. The object of the operations since 1870 had been fully attained, viz, to give 8 feet at low water as high up as Fredericksburgh, whereas previously (since the war) only 4 were found at more than one place. This depth seems as much as the existing commerce of the river requires. To maintain it an annual appropriation of $7,500 should be made. The officer in charge presents an estimate for giving a 10-foot channel to the town of Fredericksburgh. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873 Deduct amount expended in fiscal year 1872–73 Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874.. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix U 13.) $15,000 00 1,913 92 7,000 00 7, 107 19 12,978 89 44,000 00 14. Improvement of Aquia Creek, Virginia.-A survey of this creek was made in 1871 under the personal supervision of Capt. C. B. Phillips, Corps of Engineers. A report was submitted in January, 1872, in which an estimate was embodied of $18,000 for giving a channel from the 6foot water near the mouth of the creek to the "narrows" above, about 40 feet in width at bottom and 6 feet deep at mean low water. An appropriation of $1,500 was made June 10, 1872, and proposals were at once invited for its expenditure in giving a channel of reduced dimensions, 20 feet in width and 4 feet in depth. The proposals received were entirely unsatisfactory, and it was decided to defer operations until an additional appropriation should be made. Congress gave $2,000 more in the bill of March 3, 1873. The work was re-advertised, but the bids received were such that they could not be accepted. No appreciable result of any value can be attained at that place by the expenditure of $3,500, at the lowest price at which any one has yet offered to go there. The work should not be commenced unless the whole amount of the original estimate is available for uninterrupted operations. Balance in Treasury of United States, July 1, 1873. $2,900 00 Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check. 466 45 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. 157 39 3,229 06 Amount available July 1, 1874 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix U 14.) 14,500 00 15. Improvement of Nomini Creek, Virginia.-On the 30th of June, 1873, Mr. G. H. Ferris was engaged in excavating a channel through the bar at the mouth of the creek. After completing two cuts connecting deep water in Nomini Creek with that of the bay, operations were suspended September 17. The examination made immediately after the close of the work showed a channel about 50 feet wide at bottom, with a ruling depth of 7 feet at mean low water. A re-examination of the artificial channel, made in June, 1874, disclosed the fact that the channel maintained quite well its former dimensions, although some filling has taken place. Cost of improving creek, as per original estimate, $20,000. Appropriated March 3, 1873, $10,000, and June 23, 1874, $6,000; total, $16,000. To complete the estimate rigorously, $4,000 are needed, but this is a case where the whole appropriation should have been made at once. Interruption of the work has caused it to be more expensive; hence $6,000 are asked for year ending June 30, 1876. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1878.. Deduct amount expended in fiscal year 1872-73.. Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874... Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amonut required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix U 15.) $7,500 00 850 46 6,000 00 5,619 94 7,029 60 6,000 00 16. Improvement of the James River, Virginia.-The operations of the year have been of the same character as of the previous year, and may be described in general by the language used in the last annual report, viz: "Removing rocks from the channel near the city of Richmond, especially at the Rockett's Reef, dredging on the bars, and depositing the material behind dikes constructed partly for that purpose and partly to rectify the banks and contract the water-way in some places where needed." The work has been exceedingly unfortunate in the loss of Mr. N. B. Randolph, clerk and general assistant, and of Mr. W. G. Turpin, who was assistant engineer on the part of the United States and the engi neer of the city in the joint operations for the improvement of the river. Both died from the effects of typhoid fever, the former in February, 1874, and the latter in June, 1874. The channel through the reef at Rockett's has been greatly improved, being 125 feet in width and 15 feet deep at high water. Much dredging has been done on the worst bars, and a considerable length of dikes built. For details, reference is requested to the report of the officer in charge, as also for a revised estimate for giving channels respectively of 15 and 18 feet at high water, each 180 feet in width. The less depth is considered sufficient for the present wants of the trade of the river, and the operations of the year ending June 30, 1875, will be directed to the attainment of that depth, and to as great a width as the funds will allow. A careful survey of the river was necessary, and has been made from the ship-lock at the city as far down as Trent's Reach, including the Dutch Gap cut-off. This was necessary in order a proper determination of the changes made in the river by nature and by art in the past four years. It should be observed that the river is subject to annual freshets, sometimes violent in their effect. An annual sum of $15,000 is deemed necessary to repair the damages caused by these freshets. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873. $115,000 00 8,358 23 50,000 00 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874.. Amount available July 1, 1874.. 93,596 46 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.... 63,045 31 (See Appendix U 16.) 87,000 00 17. Improvement of the Appomattox River, Virginia.-On the 30th of June, 1873, the cut through the south channel was reported completed, with a width at the bottom of about 60 feet, and a depth of about 10 feet at mean low water. The dredging of a similar channel through the Puddledock Marsh in prolongation of the south channel was in progress. A deflector 250 feet in length had been nearly completed of timber, with the object of turning a portion of the water from the old into the new channel. At the end of June, 1874, this deflector had been securely finished; the cut through Puddledock had been completed, and the dredged channel had been brought within 3,500 yards of the city line, operations having, however, closed May 16, 1874, from want of funds. The new appropriation of $30,000, of June 23, 1874, will enable the work to be resumed at an early day, and the minimum channel brought to the city line. This channel of 60 feet in width is insufficient; but in its incomplete condition its use is greatly preferred by navigators to that of the old intricate and circuitous one. The officer in charge presents an estimate for increasing the width to 80 feet and giving a character of permanence by protecting the banks. This estimate amounts to $153,000. He calls attention also to the fact that in every stream like this, subject to copious sediment-bearing freshets, repairs will be always necessary for an artificial channel. It is estimated that $20,000 per annum will be needed for the Appomattox for such repairs. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873. Amount in hands of officer and subject to his check, (including $286.44 percentage due on contracts not yet completed) Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amount available July 1, 1874. $30,000 00 8,993 33 20,000 00 38,347 12 30, 646 21 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876...... (See Appendix U 17.) 123, 000 00 Improvement of the south branch of the Elizabeth River, Virginia.-The improvement proposed was the excavation of a channel, 60 feet wide at bottom and 73 feet deep at mean low water, through the numerous bars and shoals between the lock of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal and Deep Creek, three and a half miles below; also the cutting off of one or two points where the bends in the river were very abrupt. Such a channel has been excavated nearly continuously for 5,400 yards from the lock down, and below that distance at intervals through the shoals, as far as the funds would allow. There are still two shoals, known as Nicaragua Bar and the Deep Creek Bar, through which dredging is required before the work already done will be available to the full extent. The work has been done under two contracts. The first was with Mr. G. H. Ferris, of Brooklyn, who removed 29,500 cubic yards of material from the river between October 13 and December 24, 1873. The second was with Mr. Marshall Parks, who, between March 4 and June 18, 1874, removed 11,855 cubic yards, of which 7,118 cubic yards were deposited on the banks of the river at various points, and 4,737 yards were thrown off lighters in coves where there was little danger of its return into the channel. The matter removed by Mr. Ferris was also dumped in coves. The canal which is the continuation of this river is somewhat peculiar in character, having but a single lock, one of the finest in the country; and having no towing-path, steam is the only artificial motor used upon it. The communication, of which the Elizabeth River and this canal are parts, is a highly important one. This improvement was estimated to cost $25,000. The appropriations by Congress have been $15,000, March 3, 1873, and $10,000, June 23, 1874; total, $25,000. Some of the work by contract has cost considera bly more than was expected, owing to the unusual difficulties found in disposing of the material removed by the dredges, and the inability to procure and control reliable labor in that section of country, amounting at times nearly to a suspension of work. What has been stated, and the non-continuity of operations which always adds to expense, make it necessary to ask for $5,000 for the year ending June 30, 1876. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873.. Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874 Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix U 18.) $15,000 00 20 00 10,000 00 14,281 73 10,698 27 5,000 00 19. Improvement of Nansemond River, Virginia.-During the month of July, 1873, the snags and sunken trees in the bed of the river and overhanging trees and branches on its banks, which were obstructing navigation, were removed. The construction of the proposed regulating and retaining dike was commenced August 6, and suspended January 13, 1874, when 2,156 lineal feet of it had been completed. During the months of October and November all the artificial obstructions in the channel-way of the river were removed by blasting, hoisting, and dredging. They consisted of the wrecks of a schooner and a sloop, and 41 piles near Western Branch Bar, and 19 piles in Lower Blockade, about four miles from the mouth of the river. An examination of the bar at the Western Branch and its vicinity was made in April, 1874, and it was found that (owing to the contraction of the river-bed by the dike) the river had commenced cutting deeper the channel at the upstream end of the bar. Proposals for dredging were invited, and a contract made with Messrs. Morris and Cumings June 1, 1874. The contractors commenced operations June 5, and it is expected that they will finish their contract about July 15. A channel about 75 feet wide at bottom and 7 feet deep at mean low water will then be available. The estimate for the improvement of this river was $30,000. There have been appropriated by Congress $15,000 March 3, 1873, and $10,000 June 23, 1874; total, $25,000, leaving $5,000 to be appropriated to fill the estimate and complete the work. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873.. $12,500 00 2,087 30 Amount appropriated by act approved June 23, 1874.. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix U 19.) $10,000.00 9, 175 99 15, 411 31 5,000 00 20. Improvement of the Roanoke River, below Weldon, North Carolina.-A second snag-boat of greater capacity has been worked, in conjunction with the smaller one, over the river from Weldon to its mouth, about one hundred and thirty miles, removing snags, rafts, overhanging trees; and trees have been cut down on banks which threatened to slide, thus diminishing the probability of slides of earth, and the consequent introduction into the river of the trees growing thereon. The great prevalence of freshets has made some delay. The cut-off known as Devil's Gut, which was lately passable by only a small boat, has been cleared, so that a steamer of moderate size can use it. The distance between Jamesville and Williamston is thus shortened six miles. In January, 1874, the snag-boats assisted in raising a tugboat, which was sunk in the river by accident, and otherwise would probably have been a total loss, as well as become a serious detriment to the regimen of the stream. There have also been removed or so broken up that the débris are no longer an obstruction to navigation several vessels, viz, a light-boat at Broad Creek, a steamboat near Jamesville, and a light-boat and three schooners at Willow Bend. These were the last of the wrecks that obstructed the navigation. Some progress has also been made in removing rocks near Weldon, but the contractor has been retarded by freshets. All his blasting is done, and he expects to complete his work in the summer of 1874. The results have been in general satisfactory, and of decided benefit to the navigation of the river, in which a large and fertile country is interested. Its products of cotton, lumber, and shingles are important. In the estimate contained in the annual report for 1872, it was stated that the sum of $270,000 was necessary for giving 5 feet at low water from Weldon down. The appropriations by Congress have been $20,000 March 3, 1871; $10,000 June 10, 1872; $10,000 March 3, 1873; $5,000 June 23, 1874; total, $45,000. On the 30th of June, 1874, the sum of $15,227.94 was available for this river. Up to this time operations have been confined to removing wrecks, snags, rafts, overhanging trees. sunken logs, and some rocks near Weldon, which, except the last, should be continued. Unless it is determined to enter systematically upon the improvement of the river in the attainment of a low-water depth of 5 feet, no appropriation is needed for year ending June 30, 1876. If that work is to be carried out, the sum of $100,000 should be provided for the first year. Balance in Treasury of United States July 1, 1873 Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876 (See Appendix U 20.) $20,000 (0 4,073 41 5,000 00 13, 832 22 15, 227 94 100,000 00 21. Improving Cape Fear River, below Wilmington, North Carolina.-The sand has continued to accumulate around the closing work between Smith's and Zeke's Islands in a very encouraging manner. The deflecting jetty from Federal Point has been extended to a length of 500 feet. The Point has grown by the accumulation of sand along the jetty, and Zeke's Island has been also enlarged in the same way. The channel has deep |