CONSTRUCTION OF PIER AT LEWES, DEL.-HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS ON DELAWARE RIVER AND BAY-IMPROVEMENT OF THE NAVIGATION OF DELAWARE AND SCHUYLKILL RIVERS; OF BROADKILN RIVER, DELAWARE; AND OF SHREWSBURY RIVER AND COHANSEY CREEK, NEW JERSEY-DELAWARE BREAKWATER HARBOR. Officer in charge, Lieut. Col. J. D. Kurtz, Corps, of Engineers, with Capt. M. R. Brown, Corps of Engineers, under his orders to October 28, 1875. 1. Construction of pier near Lewes, Delaware.-During the fiscal year work on the pier has been advanced as follows: The delivery of the 35 pile-shafts, and their corresponding screws, caps, braces, and other parts manufactured under the contract of April 24, 1875, was commenced early in July, and the last shipment was made in October. Thirty piles have been inserted, the first row of 5 piles, 1,428 feet, and the last 1,533 feet from the abutment zero, increasing the length of the substructure 126 feet, and the depth of water from 19 to 21 feet at low-water. The superstructure was lengthened from 1,302 feet to 1,428 feet, or 126 feet. The near exhaustion of the appropriation in October required a suspension of operations, leaving on hand iron material for 2 more bays, or 42 linear feet of substructure. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1877, it is proposed, should an appropriation be made for the purpose, to place in position the material on hand, to contract for other material for 4 bays, and to place it in the work. Amount available July 1, 1875.... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. Amount appropriated by act approved August 14, 1876..... $39,293 90 39,218 47 75 43 30,000 00 70,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. 70,000 00 (See Appendix E 1.) 2. Ice-harbor at New Castle, Delaware.-A new stone ice-pier has been completed during the year, and the outer end of the coal-wharf, below the harbor, has been removed for a distance of 108 feet from the head. The present fiscal year it is proposed to complete the removal of this wharf to the line established by the town commissioners. Next year it is proposed to construct another ice-pier at this harbor, and to dredge out the accumulated sediment, for which purpose an appropriation of $28,500 is asked. Amount available July 1, 1875 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876 $34,043 70 30,949 30 Amount available July 1,1876..... 3,094 40 Amount appropriated by act approved August 14, 1876.... 12,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 28,500 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. 23,500 00 (See Appendix E 2.) 3. Wilmington Harbor, Delaware.-During the past year work has been in progress along the channel of the river near the entrance, just above and below 3rd street, and above Market street. The result has been to increase the width of the channel at the locality near the mouth to 300 feet, and above 3rd and Market streets to 150 feet, and in each case to afford 12 feet depth of water at low tide. At the rock excavation the depth has been made 13 feet. It is proposed the present season to remove by dredging, between the mouth of the Brandywine and just above Market street, about 21,000 cubic yards of mud, and just below 3rd street 210 cubic yards of rock, which will complete the improvement at that point. Next season it is proposed to remove, by dredging, between the mouth of the river and the mouth of the Brandywine, about 70,000 cubic yards of mud. This will require an appropriation of $20,000. Amount available July 1, 1875 .... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. Amount available July 1, 1876. Amount appropriated by act approved August 14, 1876.... $10, 129 34 10, 009 05 120 29 16,000 00 20,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878.. 20, 000 00 (See Appendix E 3.) 4. Marcus Hook Harbor, Pennsylvania.-During the year important repairs have been made to the lower outer ice-pier. The damage sustained by the pier from collision of an iron-steamship was more serious than was apparent upon the first examination, and the cost for repairs in excess of the original estimate, which was $1,650, the cost being finally $2,509. It is proposed to examine the river-bottom around the bases of the four piers with a view of protecting them with a riprap wall, should their condition require it. Amount available July 1, 1875 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. Amount available July 1, 1876 (See Appendix E 4.) $9,497 53 2,795 62 6,701 91 5. Ice Harbor at Chester, Pennsylvania.-Since the year 1873, when the connecting bridges to the upper line of piers were renewed, no work has been done at this harbor. A portion of the upper timber-work, at upper and lower piers and wharves, and the bridge to the lower pier, require renewing; also, minor repairs are needed to the connecting bridges to upper piers, and to the earth and stone causeway leading from lower pier back to the fast land. Should an appropriation be made available, it is proposed to execute the repairs required at this harbor during the present season. Amount appropriated by act approved August 14, 1876............. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878.... 3,400 (See Appendix E 5.) $2,600 3,400 6. Improvement of Schuylkill River, Pennsylvania.-During the past rear, dredging has been done at the mouth; near Girard Point; above Penrose Ferry bridge, and near Gibson's Point. In all cases the depth of water attained is 20 feet at low tide. Except for a short strip just above Penrose, an uninterrupted channel now exists from the mouth to Gibson's, with not less than 150 feet in width and 20 feet depth at low water. It is proposed during the present season to remove a small amount of deposit from the mouth of the river; 3,000 cubic yards of gravel from the chanuel above Penrose Ferry bridge to complete the work there; 18,000 cubic yards of coarse material and 150 cubic yards of rock from the channel near Gibson's, and 8,000 cubic yards of material from the channel above Gibson's Point. It is recommended to increase the width and depth of the channel at the mouth of the river, the former to 300 feet and the latter to 24 feet at an estimated cost of $75,000, in order to accommodate the great grain trade now conducted at the Girard Point elevator. Next year it is proposed to remove about 140,000 cubic yards of mud between the mouth and Girard Point, to obtain ultimately 24 feet depth at low water, and 150 cubic yards of rock from the channel above Gib son's. Amount available July 1, 1875 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876 Amount available July 1, 1876 Amount appropriated by act approved August 14, 1876.. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix E 6.) $19,759 34 19,659 49 99 25 20,000 00 209,700 00 60,000 00 7. Improvement of Delaware River at Fort Mifflin Bar.-During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, 125,016 cubic yards of material have been removed, affording 22 feet depth.of water at low tide. Operations have been in progress under two contracts, and under appropriations made by acts dated respectively June 23, 1874, and March 3, 1875. The work ceased April 5, 1876, under the latter appropriation, and was then continued under the appropriation for improving the Delaware River between Petty's Island and its mouth. Amount available July 1, 1875 ... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. (See Appendix E 7.) $39,959 89 39,959 89 8. Improvement of Delaware River between Petty's Island and its mouth.— During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, operations have been applied under this appropriation to improvements at Fort Mifflin Bar, Bulkhead shoals, and the channel below Reedy Island. At Fort Mifflin Bar, 96,221 cubic yards of material were removed, the extent of the excavation being about 2,500 feet in length and 200 feet in width, the new channel being now about 1,200 feet wide, with about 22 feet depth at ordinary low tide. At Bulkhead Shoals about 98,000 cubic yards of material were removed from a shoal at the "Bend." A cut 2,800 feet in length and 250 feet in width was made, with a depth of water of 21 feet at low tide. Below Reedy Island a sunken wreck has been removed from the main ship-channel. It is proposed during the present season to remove accumulations of mud that have taken place in Fort Mifflin Bar cut and at its southern outlet, to continue the improvement at Bulkhead Shoals, and remove existing shoal points on the northern and western side of the channel. Next year it is proposed to continue the removal of shoal points along the easterly side of Bulkhead Channel, lower down the river. Amount available July 1, 1875.. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. $49,075 55 49,075 55 40,000 00 235,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. 100, 000 00 (See Appendix E 8.) 9. Improvement of Delaware River between Trenton and White Hill, New Jersey. The appropriation of $10,000, made by act of March 3, 1875, was expended in improving the channel around Periwig Island. A channel with a width of 125 feet and a depth of 6 feet at low-water was the result of the operations. If a further appropriation be made, it will be applied at the same locality, to remedy obstructions caused by freshets, and to widen the channel. $10,000 10,000 30,000 Amount available July 1, 1875. Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.... 10. Improvement of Broadkiln River, Delaware.-The appropriation for this work was exhausted in 1874, since when no further appropriation has been made. Amount (estimated) required for the completion of existing project., $60, 447 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878.... 10,000 (See Appendix E 10.) 11. Improvement of the north and south branches of Shrewsbury River, New Jersey.-No appropriation was made for the last fiscal year. A survey has been made at several places, and an estimate of $18,000 submitted for the improvement of the river at Upper and Lower Rocky Points. Should it be the intention of Congress to continue this improvement, the sum of $13,000 will be required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. (See Appendix E 11.) 12. Improvement of Cohansey Creek, New Jersey.-No appropriation was made for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1875 and 1876, for continuing this improvement. An appropriation is asked for widening and deepening the channel in accordance with the original project for the work. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878.... (See Appendix E 12.) $20,000 10,000 13. Delaware Breakwater Harbor.-Nothing has been done by the United States during the year to the works forming this harbor. By permission of the War Department the Western Union Telegraph Company have occupied the old light-house building on the Breakwater as a telegraph station, and have erected a line of poles and wires along the structure, the connection with the shore-line being made by means of a cable laid across the channel to the beach opposite. (See Appendix E 13.) 14. Port Wardens' Line, Philadelphia, Pa.-This question remains as last reported, nothing on the subject having been heard from the municipal authorities of Philadelphia. EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT. To comply with provisions of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1875, Lieutenant Colonel Kurtz was charged with and has completed the following: 1. Examination of the piers at Marcus Hook, Pa. 2. Examination of the lower pier at Chester, Pa. The results of these examinations were submitted with my last annual report. 3. Survey of the north and south branches of Shrewsbury River, New Jersey. (See Appendix E 14.) IMPROVEMENT OF HARBORS AND RIVERS OF CHESAPEAKE BAY, MARYLAND; OF JAMES AND APPOMATTOX RIVERS, VIRGINIA, AND OF THE CAPE FEAR RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA. Officer in charge, Maj. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, who has had under his immediate orders Capt. C. B. Phillips, during the fiscal year, and Lieut. Edward Maguire, Corps of Engineers, until May 5, 1876. 1. Improvement of Susquehanna River, near Havre de Grace, Maryland.— No appropriation was made for this work during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, and no work of any kind has been done. No examination of it could be made, and its condition is therefore not known. (See Appendix F 1.) 2. Improvement of Northeast River, Maryland.-No funds have been available for this locality during the fiscal year. No examination of it could be made, and its present condition is therefore not known. (See Appendix F 2.) 3. Improvement of Elk River, Maryland.-After some difficulty and delay in finding a contractor for this Jocality, at a suitable price to attain any useful result with the available appropriation, $5,000, made March 3, 1875, a contractor commenced dredging September 30, 1875, and completed his engagement February 12, 1876. The number of cubic yards taken out was 15,565 at 25 cents per yard, including redeposit. The work done was the excavation of a channel 40 feet wide at bottom with proper slopes, to a depth of 6 feet at mean low-water from the iron bridge at Elkton, to a point about a half mile below, and making a basin near the wharves of the town for turning steamboats. The original estimate for this improvement, including Little Elk, was $36,000, and excluding it $30,000. The appropriations have been $5,000, June 23, 1874, $5,000 March 3, 1875, total, $10,000. If it be decided by Congress to complete this improvement as originally proposed, the remainder of the estimate should be appropriated in one sum. Amount available July 1, 1875 ... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876... $4,680 55 4,680 55 20,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. 20,000 00 (See Appendix F 3.) 4. Improvement of Worton Harbor, Maryland.-No funds have been available for this locality during the fiscal year. No examination of it could be made, and its present condition is therefore not known. (See Appendix F 4.) 5. Improvement of Queenstown Harbor, Maryland.-No funds have been available for this locality during the fiscal year. No examination of it could be made, and its present condition is therefore not known. (See Appendix F 5.) 6. Improvement of Chester River at Kent Island Narrows, Maryland.The appropriations for this work have been, March 3, 1873, $15,000; June 23, 1874, $5,000; August 14, 1876, $5,000; but owing to causes of delay explained in previous reports, nothing was done in carrying out the project until May, 1875. Operations ceased July 7, 1876, the available funds being exhausted. The portion of the work on the Easton Bay side was completed to a width of 80 feet in September, 1875. |