opinion that the channel near Hardys Point, below Pembroke, Me., is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, PETER C. HAINS, Lieutenant-Colonel, Corps of Engineers. Brig. Gen. THOMAS L. CASEY, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. A 23. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF SOUTH FORK OF BAGADUCE RIVER, MAINE. [Printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 17, Fifty-second Congress, second session.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, D. C., December 5, 1892. SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith a copy of report, dated August 17, 1892, by Lieut. Col. Peter C. Hains, Corps of Engineers, of the results of a preliminary examination of South Fork of Bagaduce River, Maine, made to comply with requirements of the river and harbor act approved July 13, 1892. Lieut. Col. Hains is of opinion that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the General Government and I concur in his views. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. S. B. ELKINS, THOS. LINCOLN CASEY, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers. Secretary of War. REPORT OF LIEUT. COL. PETER C. HAINS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: In compliance with requirements of Department letter dated July 14, 1892, I have made a preliminary examination of the South Fork of the Bagaduce River, Maine, and have the honor to submit the following report: The South Fork of the Bagaduce is navigable for vessels of a good draft up as far as Johnsons Narrows. The depth in the Narrows, however, is less than 4 feet at mean low tide, and the current, both on ebb and flood, flows with such velocity that it is not navigable at all for sailing vessels except for about half an hour on each slack of the flood tide, in other words, about one-half an hour of daylight. The tide here rises and falls about 9 feet, so that vessels drawing from 10 to 11 feet can pass through at the high water stage. At no other time, however, can they safely do so, because of the swiftness of the current and the dangerous projecting ledges on either hand. From Johnsons Narrows to the toll bridge, which is the head of navi gation, is a distance of about 1 miles. The channel over this distance is somewhat crooked, but the depth of water is greater than in the Narrows, and navigation over this portion is less difficult. The improvements desired are the widening of the Narrows, and the removal of some of the ledges above, so that sailing vessels may safely navigate this portion of the river. To make this stretch of the river easily navigable for sailing vessels of from 10 to 12 feet draft is an undertaking of some magnitude, involving considerable expense. I have not the data for making an accurate estimate of the cost of such improvement, but from personal examination I am satisfied it would be great. Some amelioration, however, could be effected at less cost. A steam tug to tow vessels up and down would be of vastly more service than the removal of rocks, and doubtless a tug would be used for the purpose if the number of vessels trading there were sufficient to warrant the employment of one. I am informed that about one schooner a week passes through Johnsons Narrows. There is a brickkiln of small capacity about halfway between the Narrows and the bridge, and a lumber mill where barrel staves are manufactured near it. Most of the latter are shipped to Boston and New York. There are no other manufacturing establishments on this part of the river in existence or in prospect. Some wood is brought down from above the bridge, but this is carried in lighters. The country adjacent to the stream is fertile and fairly well cultivated. It does not seem to me that the amount of commerce now on the river would be materially increased by the improvements referred to, and the amount at present would not, in my opinion, justify the Government in undertaking the work. Moreover, the existing project for the improvement of the Bagaduce River contemplates the expenditure of $1,875 for the removal of rocks in Johnsons Narrows after the work in Northern Bay, contemplated by the project, is completed. In view of the above I am of the opinion that the South Fork of the Bagaduce River is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. THOMAS L. CASEY, PETER C. HAINS, Lieutenant-Colonel, Corps of Engineers. Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. A 24. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF VINAL HAVEN, OR CARVER HARBOR, ME. [Printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 31, Fifty-second Congress, second session.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, SIR: I have the honor to submit the accompanying copy of report, dated October 26, 1892, by Lieut. Col. Peter C. Hains, Corps of Engineers, of preliminary examination of Vinal Haven, or Carver Harbor, Me., two names used to designate the same locality, made to comply with requirements of the river and harbor act approved July 13, 1892. It is the opinion of Lieut. Col. Hains that the locality is worthy of improvement by the General Government to a limited extent, and he submits an estimate of $800 as the cost of the survey necessary to the preparation of plan and project, with estimate of the improvement proposed. His views are concurred in by this office. Hon. S. B. ELKINS, Secretary of War. THOS. LINCOLN CASEY, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers. REPORT OF LIEUT. COL. PETER C. HAINS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Portland, Me., October 26, 1892. GENERAL: In compliance with requirements of Department letter of July 14, 1892, I have made a preliminary examination of Vinal Haven, or Carver Harbor, Maine, and have the honor to submit the following report: Vinal Haven and Carver Harbor are two names for one and the same place. Vinal Haven is the name of a large island at the mouth of Penobscot Bay. It is also the name of a town located on the island and at the head of Carver Harbor. The harbor is small in area, but it is easy of access. It is reported that some 5,000 vessels, large and small, arrive and depart from it annually, many of them seeking it as a harbor of refuge. The esti mated gross amount of shipments for 1891 is about 95,000 tons. Most of this was granite paving blocks and dimension stone. About 2,000 tons of it were fish, in barrels, boxes, and bundles. The receipts were estimated to amount to about 15,000 tons for the same year, being for the most part granite, lumber, and coal. The total value of receipts and shipments for that year was perhaps $500,000. The last year the receipts and shipments were much less, owing to the strike among the granite cutters. There are several granite quarries at Vinal Haven, and a fine grade of stone is quarried there. The vessels that carry it generally load to about 14 feet, but as there is for the most part less than 8 feet in the harbor at low tide, they can depart only at or near high tide. This, it is said, sometimes causes vexatious delays, as advantage can not be taken of a fair wind to put to sea, unless the tide is favorable at the same time. With sufficient depth of water there need be no delays on account of low tides, which would be a great convenience. The fishermen who come in with fish, or for a harbor, draw less water, but even they sometimes find their vessels aground when the wind is favorable for their departure. The harbor has, it is said, filled up to the extent of 2 to 3 feet in the last twenty years. I am not able to verify this statement, and it does not seem probable, but if it be true it is easily seen that great inconvenience to navigation may result therefrom. The improvement desired is the deepening of the harbor to about 8 feet or more at mean low tide. It is probable that this depth would answer for a large part of the existing anchorage, but a greater depth may be necessary for a part of it. In view of the above I am of the opinion that Vinal Haven, or Carver Harbor, is worthy of improvement to a limited extent. To determine the nature and extent of the improvement, a survey is necessary, and is recommended, the estimated cost of which is $800. Very respectively, your obedient servant, PETER C. HAINS, Lieut. Col., Corps of Engineers. A 25. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF LINCOLNVILLE (DUCK TRAP) HARBOR, MAINE. [Printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 100, Fifty-second Congress, second session.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, D. C., December 5, 1892. SIR: I have the honor to submit the accompanying copy of report, dated October 17, 1892, by Lieut. Col. Peter C. Hains, Corps of Engineers, of the results of a preliminary examination of Lincolnville Harbor, Maine, locally known as Duck Trap Harbor, made to comply with provisions of the river and harbor act approved July 13, 1892. Lieut. Col. Hains is of opinion that Lincolnville Harbor is not worthy of improvement by the General Government, and I concur in his views. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. LINCOLN CASEY, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers. Hon. S. B. ELKINS, REPORT OF LIEUT. COL. PETER C. HAINS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Portland, Me., October 17, 1892. GENERAL: In compliance with requirements of Department letter of July 14, 1892, I have made a preliminary examination of Lincolnville Harbor, Maine, and have the honor to submit the following report: Lincolnville Harbor is locally known as Duck Trap Harbor. It is located on the west shore of Penobscot Bay, about 9 miles south of Belfast and about 1 mile north of the town of Lincolnville. The harbor is in two parts-an outer and an inner harbor. The latter is of small area and almost entirely landlocked. The depth, however, is only 3 feet at low tide in places, and for the most part at the bottom is bare at that stage. The tide rises and falls about 93 feet. An insignificant stream called Duck Trap River empties into the inner harbor. At the head of this harbor is a bridge, and a short distance farther on a dam which supplies power for a sawmill. Besides the mill there are two cooper shops, one limekiln, and a wharf. I was informed that 40,000 barrels are manufactured at this place and shipped to Rockland annually, where they are used for packing lime. These barrels have a value of about $4,000 to $5,000. It is said that from 8,000 to 10,000 barrels of lime are also shipped. The back country is not well cultivated, being rough and rocky, but there is plenty of good limestone, and the lime shipped from here is made from it. A survey was made of this harbor in 1878, under the direction of Col. George Thom, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., and a plan for deepening the harbor to 3 feet at mean low tide suggested. Such an improvement would, in my opinion, be of little value. Vessels would ground at low or even half tide, just as they do now. If any improvement be made at all, it should be one giving more than 3 feet, as all the freighting is done on vessels that draw about 8 to 9 feet. The number of such vessels, however, is small-too small to justify the Government in expending the amount of money that would be necessary to make a satis factory improvement. Besides, a dredged channel through the outer harbor, unless protected in some way, would be likely to fill up in southerly gales. * * * In view of the above facts I am of the opinion that Lincolnville Harbor, Maine, is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. THOMAS L. CASEY, PETER C. HAINS, Lieut. Col., Corps of Engineers. Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. A 26. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF FRENCHS BEACH HARBOR, MAINE. [Printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 25, Fifty-seond Congress, second session.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, SIR: I have the honor to submit the accompanying copy of report, dated October 17, 1892, by Lieut. Col. Peter C. Hains, Corps of Engineers, of the results of a preliminary examination of Frenchs Beach Harbor, Maine, made to comply with provisions of the river and harbor act approved July 13, 1892. It is the opinion of Lieut. Col. Hains, concurred in by this office, that the harbor is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. THOS. LINCOLN CASEY, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers. REPORT OF LIEUT. COL. PETER C. HAINS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: In compliance with requirements of Department letter of July 14, 1892, I have made a preliminary examination of Frenchs Beach Harbor, Maine, and have the honor to submit the following report: |