In conclusion, I desire to renew the expression of my sincere appre ciation of the faithful and efficient manner in which Mr. George H. Brown, the skillful and accomplished landscape gardener, and Mr. E. F. Concklin, overseer, have performed the various and important duties committed to their charge. Acknowledgment is also due Mr. John I. King, foreman, for the ability and energy displayed in the often diffi cult and vitally important work which was under his immediate supervision. I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, THEO. A. BINGHAM, Colonel, United States Army, Major, Corps of Engineers. Brig. Gen. JOHN M. WILSON, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. APPENDIX D D D. NORTHERN AND NORTHWESTERN LAKES-CORRECTING AND ISSUING CHARTS-SURVEYS-WATER LEVELS. REPORT OF LIEUT. COL. G. J. LYDECKER, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, for THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1899. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Detroit, Mich., July 29, 1899. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report on survey of the Northern and Northwestern Lakes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1899. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. J. LYDECKER, Brig. Gen. JOHN M. WILSON, Lieut. Col., Corps of Engineers. Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. DDDI. NORTHERN AND NORTHWESTERN LAKES-CORRECTING AND ISSUING CHARTS-SURVEYS-WATER LEVELS. The project of operations under the limited appropriations made for this work in recent years has provided (1) for preparing and issuing charts for the use of navigators; (2) for correcting old charts and projecting new ones, including local surveys or examinations required for such corrections or additions. This project was somewhat extended during the last year to include some measurements of discharge and slope of the lake connecting rivers as an initial step in the investigation of lake levels, the ultimate object of which is to ascertain the best method of regulating these levels and maintaining the depths of improved commercial channels in these waters. 3851 Operations during the year ending June 30, 1899, as related to these several objects were as follows: Charts. The following statement shows the number of charts received and disposed of at this office: The sum of $947.42, received from sale of charts, was turned into the United States Treasury. The total number of charts disposed of to date has been 224,010. Corrections and additions were made in this office to charts named below, after which they were sent to the office of the Chief of Engineers, where the engraved plates were correspondingly amended, viz: Lake Erie. Coast Chart No. 6, Lake Erie. Coast Chart No. 7, Lake Erie. Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie. Lake St. Clair. St. Clair River. Lake Huron. Straits of Mackinac. North end of Lake Michigan. South end of Green Bay. St. Marys River, No. 1 (old series). Lake Superior (1899). NOTE.-Lake Superior (1899) revised, corrected, and printed in colors conforming to the new system as adopted for the new chart of Lake Michigan. In addition to the foregoing, changes were made by hand in this office to a great number of charts lithographed in color. All correc tions were predicated on special surveys made under the direction of this office and information from engineer officers in charge of lakeharbor improvements or from other reliable official sources. New charts.-In addition to correcting old charts, two new ones of the upper and middle sections of the St. Marys River were completed and published during the last fiscal year. These charts are known as (new) Charts Nos. 2 and 3, St. Marys River, and are printed in colors so distributed that the water areas which may be safely navigated, as well as all lights, buoys, and other aids to navigation, are conspicuously indicated. Chart No. 1, of St. Marys River, covering the lower section of the river and adjoining shores of Lake Huron, is nearing its completion. The new chart of Lake Michigan, projected to scale of 1 : 400,000 and published to scale of 1: 500,000, representing the entire lake on a single sheet, was also completed, photolithographed, and printed in colors. |