attained from its mouth to the junction of Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers. During the last freshet a large raft of logs lodged near the junction of Moccasin Slough and Styx River, seriously obstructing navigation. In the month of June, 1876, this raft was removed, and at the close of this year the river is again in fair navigable condition. A considerable amount of work, however, remains to be done in straightening the channel through Moccasin Slough and Styx River, to prevent the lodging of rafts and logs in future in the short bends still existing. It is contemplated to continue the improvement of this river during next year by straightening its channel through Moccasin Slough and Styx River. The unexpended balance of former appropriations, with the amount asked for next fiscal year, are deemed sufficient to complete the work. Amount available July 1, 1875 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. $13, 225 61 4,670 11 8,550 50 10,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. (See Appendix I 4.) 5. Improvement of Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers, Georgia.-Work was commenced on the improvement of these rivers in the latter part of August, 1875, and continued till the 18th of January, 1876, at which time a rise compelled a cessation of operations. Work was resumed again in May, 1876, and is in progress at the present time. The work consisted in the removal of snags and overhanging trees on both rivers and at the Wolfox Bar, on the Chattahoochee River, the construction of a breakwater or stone protection on the Georgia side, 380 feet long, the extension of the jetty built last year 235 feet inshore, and the building of a new jetty below, 200 feet long. Both rivers are now in a tolerably navigable condition for the boats now running to Bainbridge, on the Flint, and Columbus, on the Chattahoochee. Repairs were also made during the year to the snag-boat, and two flat-boats were constructed for blasting on the rock-shoals. It is proposed to continue the work during the next fiscal year on the bars below Eufaula, on the Chattahoochee, and Bainbridge, on the Flint. Appropriation asked by the officer in charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878, $50,000. 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. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878.. 50,000 00 (See Appendix I 5.) 6. Improvement of the Black Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers, Alabama.— Operations for the improvement of these rivers were commenced at Tuscaloosa, Ala., in July, 1875, under the appropriation of $25,000 of March 3, 1875, and continued down the Black Warrior River until the 26th of November, when the usual high water from the winter rains compelled a suspension. Twenty-one bars were improved by the construction of 4,533 feet of jetties, 791 feet of shore-protection, 1,298 feet of dams, and the removal of 361 cubic yards of rock, 4,708 yards of gravel, and 417 snags. Future appropriations will be applied to a continuation of the work already commenced. Appropriation asked by the officer in charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878, $100,000. 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.. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. $25,000.00 19, 881 92 5, 113 08 15, 000 00 132, 603 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878.. 100, 000 00 (See Appendix I 6.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENTS. To comply with the provisions of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1875, Captain Damrell was charged with and completed an examination and survey of the Alabama River from Wetumpka to its mouth. his report thereon see Appendix I 7. For WATER-COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND ATLANTIC OCEAN ACROSS THE PENINSULA OF FLORIDA. The river and harbor act of March 3, 1875, appropriated $50,000 for examinations and surveys directed to be made at forty-six localities designated in the act. As this amount was insufficient to enable this office to comply with so much of the act as required "surveys and examinations to ascertain the practicability and cost of an inland watercommunication between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic along the Gulf of Mexico and across the peninsula of Florida," which from their extent would have necessarily consumed much of the appropriation, to the exclusion of a number of other localities requiring examination, to supply the omission a communication was submitted to the House of Representatives at its last session, containing copies of reports heretofore made to Congress upon results of surveys for a canal-route across Florida, in compliance with acts of March 3, 1826, and of August 30, 1852, together with copies of reports from Captains Howell and Damrell, Corps of Engineers, made in 1873, in reference to portions of the route in question. This communication was printed in H. R. Ex. Doc. No. 157. (See also Appendix I 8.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER-IMPROVEMENT OF ENTRANCE TO GALVESTON HARBOR, OF RED-FISH BAR, AND OF CHANNELS IN GALVESTON BAY, AND OF SABINE PASS, TEXAS. Officer in charge, Capt. C. W. Howell, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders Lieut. C. E. L. B. Davis, Corps of Engineers, and also Lieut. J. B. Quinn, Corps of Engineers, to May 20, 1876. 1. Improvement of the mouth of the Mississippi at Southwest Pass.-The work of dredging at Southwest Pass was continued during the year, resulting in a more uniform depth and width of channel over the bar than has been reported for any previous year, notwithstanding the increased volume of discharge and greater velocity of current through this pass, and therefore increased amount of deposit on its bar. During the year there has been an absence of the disastrous blockades on the bar, so common heretofore, which, together with the more uniform channel, may be attributed to the general observance of the regulations established by the Secretary of War for the use of the channels dredged. The dredge-boat Essayons was thoroughly repaired, and is considered by the officer in charge as good as new. After some comparatively slight repairs to the dredge-boat McAlester, the two vessels will be in excellent condition for work during the pres ent fiscal year. The United States end-dock has been of great service to the work, netting, as reported to this office, up to the end of the year, a saving to the work of $39,431. The coal-barge employed as a tender to the dredge engaged on the bar is becoming unserviceable, and it may be necessary to purchase a new vessel to replace the old one during the present fiscal year. Surveys at the various passes were continued at intervals during the greater portion of the year. 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 that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. 150,000 00 (See Appendix J 1.) 2. Improvement of Galveston Harbor, Texas.-The work designed for improvement of the channel across the inner bar, which obstructs the entrance to the harbor, was pushed forward with energy until the 14th of September. At this date a very severe storm set in and destroyed property belonging to the work estimated in value at about $50,000. There were saved from the material and appliances provided for the work and the manufacturing grounds, only one tug-boat, an unfinished steam-launch, two scows, the machinery of the sand-dredge, some small boats, a number of finished gabions, and a small amount of lumber, &c. The gabions saved were found filled with sand, from the waves that dashed over them during the storm, and although but slightly injured, may be considered a loss, inasmuch as it will cost nearly their value to remove them from the sand in which they are embedded, wash out the sand filling them, and move them to a point where they can be utilized. As soon after the storm as practicable an examination of the work previously put in position was made, and it was found to have suffered no material injury. Such great changes, however, had been made in the general features of the east end of Galveston Island, and in the channels and shoals about the entrance to the harbor, that it was thought advisable to make a resurvey of the localities affected, and afterward recommit the questions touching this work of improvement to the Board of Engineers first convened to consider it, for opinion before recommencing the work of construction. Pending this, authority was given to prepare for resumption of work. The Board of Engineers was reconvened in New York City December 20, 1875, and, after careful consideration of the facts presented, adhered to its original recommendations, and made suggestions as to changes in details of construction. (For the report of the Board see Appendix J 3.) Authority was then given to secure grounds on Bolivar Peninsula, to collect outfit and material, and to recommence manufacture and construction in accordance with the approved views of the Board. This labor steadily progressed, and at the close of the year everything was in readiness to proceed with construction, which, however, has been delayed because of smallness of balance of appropriation, which it was found advisable to hold to provide for care of property on hand and to complete a survey in progress. As the months of May, June, July, and August, are the most favorable for construction, the delay is to be regretted. The work already constructed has produced a navigable channel across the inner bar 163 feet in depth at mean low-tide, equal to nearly 18 feet at average flood-tide, where, before the commencement of the work, there was but scant 12 feet. To secure a 20-foot channel at average flood-tide there remains to be removed a little over 2 feet from a bar only 450 feet in width, separating the harbor from Bolivar Channel. The Cylinder Channel across the outer bar was deepened foot by the storm of September, considerably widened, and has since retained its increased dimensions, while other channels were impaired by the storm. The appropriation made for the present year can be applied at once, and, with a small amount deducted for expense of management and surveys, will be applied to manufacture and construction. The work for the inner-bar improvement will be completed, and that for improvement of the outer bar pushed as far as the amount appropri ated will permit. The importance of the work has been as fully stated as possible in previous reports. It is thought that the inner bar work is susceptible of permanent completion, while that projected for the outer bar may require, after construction, occasional extension to maintain its efficiency. 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. $141,951 49 123,201 51 18,749 98 142,000.00 209,700 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 187. 209,700 00 (See Appendixes J 2 and J 3.) 3. Improvement of Red Fish Bar in Galveston Bay, Texas.-This work, as also the work for "improving the ship-channel between the mouth of San Jacinto River and Bolivar Channel," was done by contract. It forms a portion of the ship-channel through Galveston Bay, and with it has made a continuous channel through the bar, and above and below it, in Galveston Bay. Amount available July 1, 1875.... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.. (See Appendix J 4.) $9,760 22 9,760 22 4. Improvement of the ship-channel between the mouth of San Jacinto River and Bolivar Channel, in Galveston Bay, Texas.-This work was performed under contract, and completed as far as the appropriation would permit February 7, 1876. The channel dredged is 6,100 feet in length and has a minimum depth of 144 feet at mean low-tide. It connects depths of 9 feet and 83 feet in the upper and lower bays, and with the private work of improvement at Morgan's Point, permits the passage of vessels of 9 feet draught to within a few miles of Houston, Texas, with which it is designed to connect it by a short railroad. The officer in charge recommends that any appropriation that may be made for the present year be applied in making a 12-foot channel in extension of the channel reported, and that the upper terminus of the channel be made at the cut through Morgan's Point instead of at the mouth of the San Jacinto River. This recommendation is concurred in. The officer in charge also submits the following reduced estimates for completion of the work: For completion of 9-foot cut through bar, 34,000 cubic yards excavation, at 30 cents.... $10,200 00 For a 12-foot channel from Bolivar Channel to Morgan's Point, 2,171,874 cubic yards excavated, at 30 cents.... 651,562 20 For a 15-foot channel from Bolivar Channel to Morgan's Point, 4,200,207 cubic yards excavated at 30 cents.... 1,260,062 10 Amount available July 1, 1875...... 25.000 00 Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876. 25,000 00 72,000 00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... 554,560 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1876 (See Appendix J 5.) 250,000 00 5. Improvement of Sabine Pass, Texas.-By the contract for dredging the bar at the mouth of this pass, work was to be commenced on October 1, 1875, but owing to alleged difficulty in procuring boats the contractors did not do so until the latter part of February, 1876. The delay, however, was not of much consequence, as it covered a portion of the most difficult season of the year for work at Sabine Pass. Since commencing the work great delay has been occasioned by storms and breakage of machinery; 23,294 cubic yards of material is reported as having been excavated up to June 30, 1876. 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 that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1-78. (See Appendix J 6.) IMPROVEMENT OF OUACHITA AND YAZOO RIVERS-REMOVAL OF RED RIVER RAFT-IMPROVEMENT OF TONES BAYOU AND CYPRESS BAYOU, RED RIVER, AND CONSTRUCTION OF DAM AT FOOT OF SODO LAKE— WATER-GAUGES ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND ITS PRINCIPAL TRIBUTARIES. Officer in charge, Capt. W. H. H. Benyaurd, Corps of Engineers. 1. Improvement of Ouachita River in Louisiana and Arkansas.-Operations during the year were continued with the snag-boat in clearing the river of its most dangerous obstructions in the way of snags and wrecks. Some work was also attempted in Bayou Bartholomew, the most important tributary of the Ouachita, but the stage of water would only permit little work to be done. During the coming season it is proposed to operate with the suagboat as heretofore. Amount available July 1, 1875.... Amount expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, Louisiana, $15,728.08; Arkansas, $2,399.38.. Amount available July 1, 1876.... Amount appropriated by act approved August 14, 1876.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. (See Appendix K 1.) $18,485 49 18, 127 46 358 03 12,000.00 30,000 00 2. Improvement of Yazoo River, Mississippi.-The appropriation for this stream being insufficient to provide a new outfit and to do the work absolutely necessary, operations were carried on with the snag-boat, at |