APPENDIX C. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS, IN RHODE ISLAND, AND IN EASTERN CONNECTICUT. REPORT OF CAPT. W. H. BIXBY, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1893, WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE WORKS. IMPROVEMENTS. 1. Harbor of refuge at Hyannis, Mass. 2. Harbor of refuge at Nantucket, Mass. 3. Marthas Vineyard, inner harbor at Edgartown, Mass. 4. Harbor at Vineyard Haven, Mass. 5. Wareham Harbor, Massachusetts. 6. New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts. 7. Westport Harbor, Massachusetts. 8. Canapitsit Channel, Massachusetts. 9. Taunton River, Massachusetts. 10. Pawtucket River, Rhode Island. 11. Providence River and Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. 12. Green Jacket Shoal, Providence River, Rhode Island. 13. Greenwich Bay, Rhode Island. 14. Cove and waterway near Coaster 15. Newport Harbor, Rhode Island. 17. Entrance to Point Judith Pond, 18. Harbor of refuge at Block Island, Rhode Island. 19. Pawcatuck River, Rhode Island and Connecticut. 20. Harbor of refuge at Stonington, Conn. 21. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit herewith annual reports on the river and harbor works under my charge at the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893. In the work of this year this office has been assisted by Lieut. W. W. Harts, Corps of Engineers, and by Assistant Engineers Edward Parrish and John H. Rostock. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. H. BIXBY, Captain, Corps of Engineers. C 1. HARBOR OF REFUGE AT HYANNIS, MASS. The harbor of Hyannis lies on the south shore of the peninsula of Cape Cod, about 15 miles to the westward of the heel of the cape, and is an important harbor of refuge. (For map, see p. 592, Annual Report of 1884.) The mean rise and fall of the tide is about 33 feet. Original condition.-Before improvement it was an open roadstead, exposed to southerly storms, with depths varying from 10 to 20 feet in the inner harbor. In the years 1827-1838 a break water of riprap granite, 1,170 feet long, was constructed, covering an anchorage of about 175 acres, the entrance to which had a depth of about 15 feet. In the years 1852-1882 extensive repairs were made in increasing the width of its base and the size of the stone forming its sides and top. About $124,000 was spent on this work, completed in 1882. At the adoption of the present project the 15.5 feet depth anchorage covered only about 47 acres, and the 34 additional acres to be dredged carried an average of about 12 feet depth of water at low water. Plan of improvement. The present approved project, that of 1884, provides for the dredging to 15.5 feet depth at low water of about 34 acres of shoal area north of the existing breakwater, so as to increase the deep-water harborage by that amount; all at a total cost estimated in 1884 at $45,743.20 (including $81.20 left over from a former project). A plan of the works may be found at p. 560, Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1885; and further information at p. 621 of 1885. Appropriations.-Upon the present project appropriations have been made as follows: On hand 1884, $81.20; 1886, $10,000; 1888, $10,000; 1890, $8,000; 1892, $6,000. Totals up to June 30, 1893, $34,081.20. Amount expended and results to June 30, 1892.-The total amount expended on the present project (including $5.60 of outstanding liabilities) up to June 30, 1892, was $28,081.20, by which 11 acres out of 34 had been dredged. Operations during the past fiscal year.-Value of United States plant, $7,500. Including $66.10 of outstanding liabilities, the expenses of the year were $528.03. During the year a project has been submitted and approved for work under the new appropriations, and contract for the dredging entered into with J. H. Fenner, of Jersey City, N. J., at 16.5 cents per cubic yard, under date of February 6, approved by Chief of Engineers February 25, 1893, work (together with that at New Bedford) to be commenced by May 1 and completed October 1, 1893. Nothing has as yet been done in the field. The contractor has been delayed in commencing work. This work was in the local charge of Mr. Edward Parrish as superintendent. Work required to complete the existing project.-The work required to complete the existing project is the completion of the dredging to a depth of 15 feet over 22 acres more in the area limited on the west by a line running due north from the western end of the breakwater, and on the north by a line running parallel to the breakwater, and distant 500 feet from it, leaving a berm of 100 feet along its northern side. Operations contemplated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894.—It is proposed to apply the balance on hand and the funds asked for to ! 1 the execution of the project above referred to-of deepening the anchorage area inside the breakwater. Hyannis Harbor is in the Barnstable collection district, and Barnstable is the nearest port of entry. The amount of revenue collected at Barnstable in the last calendar year was $1,026.31. The main value of the harbor is for a harbor of refuge. The nearest light-house is Hyannis Light; the nearest fortification is the fort at Clarks Point, New Bedford, Mass. July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts ............. July 1, 1893, balance available................ Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 3,666. 10 1,871.97 11, 662.00 11, 662.00 Abstract of proposals opened January 10, 1893, at Newport, R. I., by Capt. W. H. Bixby, Corps of Engineers, for dredging in the harbor at Hyannis, Mass. The commerce arriving and leaving Hyannis Harbor by water during the calendar year ending December 31, 1892, is estimated as follows, based mainly upon reports received from Mr. William Crocker, Hyannis, Mass.: Gain over last year, about 5,000 tons or $55,000. Transportation lines established during the year, none. |