the second bridge, the estimated cost of completing this work being $37,000. The mean range of tides is 9.8 feet. Ten thousand dollars was appropriated for the improvement of Malden River in 1882, and expended, 1883-'84, in accordance with the project, making a channel 50 feet wide, 12 feet deep at mean high water, to the first bridge. The act of July 13, 1892, appropriated $10,000 for the improvement of Mystic and Malden rivers. Five thousand dollars of this amount is retained in the Treasury for the improvement of Malden River (when additional funds are available), and the balance will be expended in improving Mystic River as proposed. Bids were opened September 8, 1892, for the proposed work in Mystic River, but the lowest was rejected as excessive. No other operations were in progress during the fiscal year. At the date of this report the original condition of Mystic River is unchanged; and the improved channel of Malden River is at least 50 feet wide, 12 feet deep at mean high water, to the first bridge in Malden, a distance of 14 miles. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended ... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $10,000.00 41.55 9, 958. 45 50,000.00 50,000.00 13. Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.-The object of this improvement is, first, to preserve the harbor by protecting the islands and headlands; and, second, to improve it by widening, straightening, and deepening the channels. The projects adopted for this purpose since 1866 have been mainly in accordance with the recommendations of the United States commissioners whose labors terminated during that year. The works of preservation consist of sea-walls, aprons, jetties, etc., which protect the shores of the islands and headlands, prevent additional wash into the channels, control tidal scour, and preserve the full height of anchorage shelter for vessels in the roadsteads. Such have been built or repaired at Point Allerton, and the islands of Great Brewster, Lovells, Gallops, Long Deer, Rainsford, Georges, and Castle. The works of improvement have been by dredging and blasting, by which means many dangerous rocks and shoals have been removed and the main ship channel enlarged from 100 feet wide and 18 feet deep at mean low water, so that it is now at least 625 feet wide and 23 feet deep at mean low water. The following tributary channels have also been improved: a. Charles River.-The natural channel of this river has been widened, straightened, and deepened, so that from its mouth to Western Avenue Bridge, a distance of 43 miles, the channel has a width of 200 feet, and a depth of 7 feet at mean low water; thence to Arsenal Street Bridge, 24 miles, the channel has a least width of 80 feet and a least depth of 6 feet. b. Fort Point Channel.-This important branch of the main ship channel had a least depth of 12 feet at its entrance, and the channel was narrow and crooked. It has been widened to 175 feet, and deep. ened to 23 feet at mean low water from its mouth to Congress Street Bridge, a distance of 1,900 feet. c. Hingham Harbor.-See separate report. d. Nantasket Beach Channel. This channel was originally about 50 feet wide, 8 feet deep at mean low water. It is now 150 feet wide, 10 feet deep at mean low water. e. Channel between Nix's Mate and Long Island.-This channel had originally 4 feet depth at mean low water. A cut has been made through the bar 300 feet wide, 15 feet deep at mean low water. f. Broad Sound.--An obstruction called Barrel Rock was removed in 1869. The total expenditures to June 30, 1892, were $2,216,351.59. During the fiscal year the main ship channel was widened at the upper middle from 800 feet to 850 feet, and at Jeffreys Point from 275 feet wide to 350 feet wide. A revised project was adopted August 11, 1892, which proposes to make the main ship channel 27 feet deep and 1,000 feet wide through out. A contract was entered into under date of October 17, 1892, for dredging the main ship channel, and 5,666 cubic yards was removed under this contract during the fiscal year. A contract was entered into under date of September 30, 1892, for dredging in channel off Jeffreys Point, and 20,697 cubic yards was dredged during the fiscal year. A contract was entered into under date of September 22, 1892, for dredging in Nantasket Beach Channel, and 21,594 cubic yards was dredged during the fiscal year. All these contracts were in force at the close of the fiscal year. Repairs were made to the sea wall at Great Brewster Island, and the riprap at the west end of the Long Island sea wall was extended. At the date of this report the several works of preservation are in fair order; the main ship channel is 23 feet deep at mean low water, 1,100 feet wide west of the upper middle, 850 feet wide at the upper middle, 1,000 feet wide at the lower middle, and at least 625 feet wide at the Narrows. The subsidiary channels are in the same condition as at the date of the last report. July 1, 1893, outstanding liabilities $9,009.30 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.... 248, 540.08 257, 549.38 July 1, 1893, balance available...... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895.... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix B 13.) 81, 862.92 1,300, 000. 00 700,000.00 14. Weymouth River, Massachusetts.-Weymouth (Fore) River empties into the southwestern part of Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. For 4 miles it was navigable at low water for vessels drawing 18 feet, and to the head of navigation, an additional 3 miles, at least 3 feet depth was to be found, The original project for its improvement was submitted December 2, 1889. It proposed to improve the natural channel so that 6 feet at mean low water could be carried to the head of navigation in a channel 100 feet wide to near Weymouth Landing, thence to Braintree Bridge 80 feet wide, and above the bridge 50 feet wide; the total length of improved channel to be 7,000 feet, and to cost $40,000. The total appropriations to date have been $20,000. The expenditures to June 30, 1892, were $10,000. At that date the improved channel was 6 feet deep at mean low water, 40 feet wide to Braintree Bridge, and 25 feet wide thence to the head of navigation. On September 8, 1892, bids were received for the continuance of work under the approved project, but the lowest bid was rejected as excessive. No other operations were in progress during the fiscal year, and the condition of the improved channel remains unchanged since June 30, 1892. Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 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 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix B 14.) $10,000.00 38.64 9.961.36 20,000.00 20, 000. 00 15. Hingham Harbor, Massachusetts.-The object of this improvement is to widen and deepen the natural channel, which was 30 feet wide and 4 feet deep, so that it will be 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep at mean low water. The project was originally proposed in 1874, and was modified in 1885. The original project was estimated to cost $11,000. The project of 1885 was to cost an additional sum of $18,750. The total appropriations to date have been $29,000, and the expendi tures to June 30, 1892, were $25,088.35. On June 30, 1892, the improved channel had been completed as proposed, excepting the removal of a mid-channel ledge, near Chandlers Island. During the fiscal year a contract was entered into for the removal of the mid-channel ledge near Chandlers Island. Operations under this contract were commenced in October, 1892, and were satisfactorily completed in May, 1893. At the date of this report the project for the improvement of the harbor had been completed, and the improved channel is in good order. The prospective benefits to commerce are increased facilities and safety to navigation. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended....... Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892. June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended............. (See Appendix B 15.) $911.65 3,000.00 3, 911. 65 3, 897.41 14.24 16. Scituate Harbor, Massachusetts.-This harbor is on the west shore of Massachusetts Bay, about 14 miles south of Boston Light. The object of the improvement is to create a harbor of refuge for vessels bound to Boston from the eastward which are too far south of their true course to clear the dangerous ledges near Minots Ledge Light. Originally the harbor had a low-water area of about 57 acres, more than 6 acres of which had a depth of at least 3 feet at mean low water. It was entirely open to the force of easterly gales, and its entrance was obstructed by sunken bowlders. The project, adopted in 1880, is to build two breakwaters, one from Cedar Point, on the north side of the entrance, and the other from the First Cliff, on the south side, and to dredge the area inclosed and in front of the entrance. The estimated cost of the improvement is $290,000. The total amount appropriated to date is $73,680. The amount expended to June 30, 1892, was $63,530. At that date the north breakwater was essentially completed. Nothing had been done on the south breakwater. The anchorage basin was 350 by 450 feet in area, 7 feet deep at mean low water. The entrance channel was 1,600 feet long, 100 feet wide, 5 feet deep at mean low water. The channel connecting the basin with the town wharves was 2,100 feet long, 100 feet wide, 3 feet deep at mean low water. On September 17, 1892, a contract was entered into for the deposit of 3,643 tons of rubblestone in the south breakwater. Operations under this contract were commenced in September, 1892, and during the fiscal year 2,745 tons of rubblestone was placed in the south breakwater. At the date of this report the south breakwater is essentially completed for 250 feet in length. The north breakwater, anchorage basin, and improved channels remain unchanged since June 30, 1892. The prospective benefits to commerce by the completion of this improvement are the creation of an additional harbor of refuge on this much-frequented dangerous coast. July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.... $1, 189.43 3, 396. 25 323.91 July 1, 1893, balance available................ Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.......... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix B 16.) 217,000.00 40,000.00 17. Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts.-Plymouth Harbor is 30 miles south of Boston. The object of its improvement is to perpetuate the harbor by the preservation of Long Beach, which forms it, and to deepen and widen the channels of approach to an enlarged anchorage basin in front of the town wharves. The various devices employed for the preservation of Long Beach are described in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for the year 1877. The original project for improvement was adopted in 1875 and modified in 1877 and 1884. The modified project proposed an improved ENG 93 -4 channel 2,286 feet long, 150 feet wide, and 9 feet deep at mean low water, leading to an anchorage basin 866 feet long, 150 feet wide, and 9 feet deep. The total appropriations to date have been $179,766.90. The expenditures to June 30, 1892, were: For beach protection.. Total...... $122, 553.77 45, 719.83 168, 273. 60 On June 30, 1892, the improved channel was 2,286 feet long, 130 feet wide; the basin was 866 feet long, 150 feet wide; both were 9 feet deep at mean low water. Long Beach was in fair condition, but additional bulkheads were needed at its southern end. On September 16, 1892, a contract was entered into to widen the improved channel to 150 feet. Operations under this contract were commenced in December, 1892, and were satisfactorily completed in April, 1893. No other operations were in progress during the fiscal year. At the date of this report the proposed improvement by dredging is completed. Some repairs and extensions of the works protecting Long Beach are necessary. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended.... Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892 June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year.......... July 1, 1893, balance unexpended.... Amount (estimated) required for repairs Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1805 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix B 17.) $2,292.65 9,500.00 11, 792. 65 5, 094. 41 6, 698. 24 1,500.00 1,500.00 18. Kingston Harbor, Massachusetts.-Kingston Harbor is one of the three divisions which together form Plymouth inner harbor. The wharf at which supplies are landed for the town of Kingston is about 2 miles south from the center of the town, and is known as the Plymouth Cordage Company's Wharf. No low-water channel of navigable dimensions existed to this wharf. The project for the improvement was submitted May 25, 1891. It proposed to dredge a channel 100 feet wide, 6 feet deep at mean low water from deep water to the Cordage Company's Wharf, at an estimated cost of $10,000. The total appropriations to date have been $10,000. On September 16, 1892, a contract was entered into for the completion of the project. Operations under this contract were commenced in April, 1893, and satisfactorily completed in June, 1893. At the date of this report the improved channel is completed in accordance with the project. |