War, in his discretion, to purchase the land adjoining the Government reservation at Sandy Hook, N. J., now belonging to the grantees of the Highland Beach Association of New Jersey, together with the right of way from said land to the main line of the Central Railroad Company of New Jersey, together with the rails, ties, switches, and all the railroad equipment on said lands." The purchase has been made at a cost of $25,000; the area acquired is represented as being nearly 28 acres. Proceedings were continued looking to the acquisition of 90.6 acres at Sheridans Point below Washington, D. C., on the Potomac River. The commissioners first appointed to appraise this tract assessed it at $140 per acre. This figure being considered excessive, new proceedings were instituted. The commissioners under the new proceedings appraised the land at about $150 per acre. The United States district attorney was of the opinion that no lower appraisement could be hoped for, and hence the last was accepted and the report of the commissioners was confirmed June 10, 1893. The award of $13,576.87 was paid in July, 1893, in conformity to the orders of the United States circuit court for the eastern district of Virginia. A tract of 54.05 acres at Point Lobos, Cal., was condemned, and December 29, 1892, the award therefor of $75,000 and incidental expenses so far reported, amounting to $406.10, have been paid This tract is to be used as a site for part of the defenses of San Francisco. At Cushings Island, Portland Harbor, Me., a detailed survey has been made to determine the minimum area needed on that island as a site for batteries for the defense of the harbor. The Secretary of War has requested the Department of Justice to institute proceedings for the condemnation of about 33.4 acres. After payment is made for the tracts at Sheridans Point, Va., and Cushings Island, Me., the balance of available funds will probably not exceed $75,000. It is estimated that nearly 1,700 acres should be acquired at different localities on the coast; much of this land continues to increase in value from year to year, and it is to the interest of the Government that it should be acquired at an early date. Therefore, an estimate of $500,000 is submitted for the purchase of sites for seacoast defenses. PROTECTION OF THE SITE OF FORT NIAGARA, NEW YORK. Officer in charge, Capt. Dan C. Kingman, Corps of Engineers; Division Engineer, Col. Henry L. Abbot, Corps of Engineers. Protection of site.-Operations have been in progress for the protec tion of the site of Fort Niagara under allotments made from the appro priations for "sea walls and embankments" and preservation and repair of fortifications. The project provides for the repair of the sea wall along the lake front, the construction of dikes of fascines, iron pickets, and stone along the river and a portion of the lake front, and the filling in behind these dikes along the river front to a height of 6 feet above low water, leaving a flat slope down to the water. Above this slope is a level place wide enough for a roadway, then a steeper slope up to the general level of the site, the lower slope to be protected by a growth of willows and the upper one by sod. The total amount expended under this project to June 30, 1893, is $29,717.13, which has resulted in the repair of the sea wall, the construction of 1,711 linear feet of dike work, 941 feet of which is along the river, the construction of a concrete breakwater in front of the north west angle to protect the wall, and in grading the bank along the river front according to the project for a distance of 941 feet. The grading was completed late in the season, and, as it was impossible to induce a growth of willows on this slope that would be any protection to it during the winter and spring freshets, it was therefore covered with a rough pavement of stone. This answers the purpose so well that there seems to be no occasion to plant the willow. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended..... June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $550.62 267.75 282.87 26, 105.30 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895. 13,000.00 (See Appendix No. 4.) SEA WALL AND EMBANKMENT AT DAVIDS ISLAND, NEW YORK HARBOR Officers of the Corps of Engineers in charge: Col. D. C. Houston, until May 18, 1893; Lieut. Col. H. M. Robert, since June 12, 1893, and First Lieut. T. H. Rees has been under the immediate orders of Col. Houston and Lieut. Col. Robert since April 5, 1893, except from May 18 to June 12, during which period he was temporarily in charge of work. Davids Island, 21 miles distant by water from the Battery, New York City, is one of the principal recruiting stations of the Army. On the east side of the island was a bay into which garbage and refuse matter frequently drifted, becoming a source of annoyance and possible disease to the troops stationed there. Separated from the bay by a low sand beach was a fresh water pond, formerly used as a water sup ply during drought, and still used as an ice pond. To protect the pond from salt water, as well as for sanitary reasons, the construction of a sea wall in front of this beach was recommended in 1883 and 1884. In 1886 $47,000 was estimated as the cost of a masonry wall about 980 feet long, with embankment behind, the wall to be placed near low-water line and to rise to 12 feet above mean low-water level. Under the appropriation of September 22, 1888, $47,000 was allotted for this sea wall and embankment. Recent stringent regulations prevent the deposit of garbage in this vicinity; therefore a riprap wall with dimension stone capping was substituted for the masonry wall originally designed, the cost being less and the wall equally effective. The sea wall was completed in April, 1890. The wall and embankment are in good condition. Slight repair to the embankment is needed where heavy storms have washed away part of the earth. A survey of the shores of the island made in June, 1891, to prepare estimates of cost of other needed sea walls upon this island showed that protection is needed at the west shore, north of the coal dock. A suitable sea wall with embankment at this place is estimated to cost $30,000. Estimates for other sea walls were also presented, but they are not deemed of as pressing importance as this one. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.................. Amount transferred to allotment for sea wall at Governors Island, New York July 1, 1893, balance unexpended Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1895.. (See Appendix 5 A.) $5,000.00 4,000.00 1,000.00 55,000.00 30, 000.00 SEA WALLS AT GOVERNORS ISLAND, NEW YORK HARBOR. Officers of the Corps of Engineers in charge: Col. D. C. Houston, until May 18, 1893; Lieut. Col. H. M. Robert, since June 12, 1893, and First Lieut. T. H. Rees has been under the immediate orders of Col. Houston and Lieut. Col. Robert since April 5, 1893, except from May 18 to June 12, during which period he was temporarily in charge of work. The project adopted in 1865 provided for inclosing the entire island by a sea wall. Under an allotment made in 1865 and other subsequent allotments and appropriations walls were built on the south, southeast, east, northwest, and west sides of the island, the latter being completed in March, 1892. During the past fiscal year 397.35 linear feet of wall was built on the east side of the island to connect the previously built wall with the stone wharf. This completes the inclosure of the entire island. Rip. rap has also been purchased to protect the foundations of the sea walls, the masonry joints have been pointed, and a part of the embankment back of the north wall has been graded and sodded. With the available funds additional riprap will be placed about the foundations, the pointing will be completed and the embankment close to the walls will be put in order. This will complete the project for sea walls at this place and no further appropriations will be required at present. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended............ Transferred from allotment for sea wall at Davids Island, New York June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.. $13, 854. 14 4,000.00 17,854. 14 11, 222. 15 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended 6, 631.99 July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities $1,789.00 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... 3, 434.00 5, 223.00 1, 408.99 July 1, 1893, balance available (See Appendix 5 B.) WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM AT FORT MONROE, VIRGINIA. Officer in charge, Maj. Charles E. L. B. Davis, Corps of Engineers, with Lieut. George A. Zinn, Corps of Engineers, under his immediate orders; Division Engineer, Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers. Water supply. The supply of water is dependent upon rain water stored in cisterns and water of inferior quality brought across Mill Creek in iron pipes. The importance of an adequate supply of wholesome water within the limits of the fortification can hardly be overestimated. Six thousand dollars was appropriated by the act of February 24, 1891, but this amount was not deemed sufficient to sink a well to the depth which it is already shown must be exceeded to secure a supply of good water. A brief account of previous attempts at sinking artesian wells at this post and a résumé of information collected during the fiscal year are given in the report of the local officer, who recommends that an additional appropriation of $14,000 be made. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. $6,000.00 6,000.00 20,000.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 20,000.00 (See Appendix 6 A.) Sewerage system. Twenty-five thousand dollars was appropriated by the act of March 2, 1889, for a complete system of sewerage inside and outside of the fort. Bids received for this work showed that the appropriation was insufficient for the purpose. October 29, 1891, the Secretary of War decided that two separate systems must be constructed, one by the United States and the other by the hotel proprie tors and others enjoying the privilege of residence on the reservation. Estimates in accordance with this decision of the Secretary of War were submitted March 12, 1892, amounting to $45,000, and it was recommended that an appropriation of that sum be made for the sewerage system in lieu of the amount appropriated by the act of March 2, 1889. The numerous reports of the local officer in charge and of the commanding officers and post surgeons show the great and urgent need of this improvement. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, the subject of the sewerage of Fort Monroe, on account of the apprehended danger of a cholera epidemic, came up prominently, and a very voluminous official correspondence resulted therefrom, a résumé of which will be found in the report of the local officer. September 28, 1892, the Secretary of War directed that a plan for the entire sewerage of the reservation, including military and nonmilitary residents, be submitted as soon as practicable, with estimates of cost of construction and schedules of distribution of cost and expense of running and maintenance. October 26, 1892, a plan was submitted for a joint system of sewerage for the entire reservation, at a total estimated cost of $75,000, with suggested regulations for the use of the system, estimated cost of maintenance and the draft of a bill for the preservation, repair, and maintenance of the system, with a project for apportioning the cost based upon the number of occupants of the various buildings. Owing to the failure of Congress to appropriate any additional money or to authorize by legislation the Secretary of War to assess the nonmilitary residents for their share of the cost of constructing a system, no work has been done, nor can any be attempted. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended. $24, 902. 10 24, 902. 10 75,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895. 75,000.00 (See Appendix 6 B.) ESTIMATES OF APPROPRIATIONS REQUIRED FOR 1894-'95. For construction of gun and mortar batteries.. $1,629, 126 For purchase of land for fortifications... 264,000 For protection, preservation, and repair of fortifications. 500,000 For preparation of plans for fortifications 85,000 For protection of site of Fort Niagara, N. Y. 5,000 For sea walls and embankments.. 10,000 For artesian well at Fort Monroe, Va 34,300 For construction of sewerage system at Fort Monroe, Va 14,000 For purchase of submarine mines and necessary appliances to operate 50,000 51,550 50,000 2,692, 976 THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS. The Board, as at present constituted, consists of the following officers of the Corps of Engineers: Col. Henry L. Abbot, Col C. B. Comstock, Lient. Col. Henry M. Robert, and Lieut. Col. G. L. Gillespie. The late Col. D. C. Houston served as a member of the Board to the date of his decease, May 18, 1893. He was replaced by Lieut Col. Robert. Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, is also a member of the Board when it is acting upon matters pertaining to defensive works on the Pacific coast; and Col. W. P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, is a member of the Board while it is considering a project for the defense of Baltimore, Md. The Board has considered the various subjects referred to it during the past year by the Chief of Engineers, and the following is a brief summary of the reports rendered thereon: 1892, July 25. On angles of elevation and azimuth for 8, 10, and 12inch casemate carriages. July 27. On the defense of Tybee Roads and the entrance of Savannah River. August 5. On questions bearing on the improvement of the Harlem River inclosed by the Committee on Commerce, U. S. Senate, to the Secretary of War, June 30, 1892. August 21. On design of Oliver W. Johnson for a turtle-back fort. August 30. On estimate of Lieut. Col. P. C. Hains, Corps of Engi neers, dated August 22, 1892, for the construction of a battery at Portland Head, Me. August 30. On project of Maj. W. A. Jones, Corps of Engineers, dated August 8, 1892, for a navigable pass through Sand Lake Dam. September 13. On plans of Lieut. Col. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers, for the construction of two counterscarp galleries for ditch defense of mortar battery at Sandy Hook, N. J. September 24. On working drawings of Capt. W. H. Bixby, Corps of Engineers, for casemate and cable galleries for defense of Dutch Island Harbor, Rhode Island. October 13. On plan of Lieut. J. G. Warren, Corps of Engineers, for construction of turntables to facilitate the handling of ammunition at Sandy Hook, N. J. October 13. Recommending three sites at which available balances should be applied for mining casemates and their galleries. October 18. Investigation and report on the subject of the storage of explosives in barges in New York Harbor. October 19. On plans of the East River Bridge Company for construction of two bridges over the East River, New York. October 20. Submitting working drawings of a platform for 12-inch mortars suited to receive the new spring-return carriage. October 28. On the defense of Narragansett Bay. November 5. On the application of the East River Bridge Company for the construction of two bridges across East River, New York. November 12. On working drawings of Lieut. Col. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers, for constructing emplacement for battery at Long Island Head, Boston, Mass. November 26. On retention of United States land in San Juan County, Washington, for military purposes. |