There is no such stream as Stony Creek River, Connectieut, indicated on the charts of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey or, to my knowledge, on any other published maps. It is understood, however, that it refers to a small tidal creek about half a mile east of Stony Creek village; the creek is narrow, and extends about three-fourths of a mile inland through a salt marsh, having very little fresh-water flow. The mean low-water depth at the mouth is 1 foot; above the mouth, the bed is practically bare at low tide. The mean range of tides is 5.3 feet. About 1,000 feet above its mouth the creek is crossed by a small dike or embankment, built to protect the upper marsh lands from overflow, and about 2,000 feet farther up by the Shore Line Division of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. It is asked by interested parties that this stream be improved, so as to give a depth of 6 feet at mean low water up to the railroad crossing, as shown on the attached tracing.* This tracing is copied from a United States Coast Survey chart (No. 3,612, entitled Harbors of Branford, Sachem Head, and The Thimbles, Connecticut scale, 1-10,000, issued November, 1887), which was filed with the Committee on Rivers and Harbors, and on which was written the following: NOTE. The straight red lines represent canal already dredged 60 feet wide, 2,190 feet long, depth of water 6 feet low tide. Propose to have this widened to 100 feet whole length. The dotted black and red lines running north to railroad track, 2,400 feet long, are proposed extension of canal 100 feet wide to depth of 6 feet low water, all to be diked both sides, 4,590 feet in length. To obtain the desired channel would require dredging about 150,000 cubic yards in the creek and 40,000 cubic yards from the mouth of the creek to a depth of 6 feet at mean low water in Long Island Sound, a total length of about 5,000 feet of dredged channel and some diking, or protection, or periodical dredging for maintenance would be required, increasing the cost. It is not improbable that some rock would need to be removed in the marsh, but the amount, if any, and cost of this can not be even roughly estimated without borings. It would also be necessary to cut through the dike or embankment above referred to. The interests to be benefited are: (1) The Branford Granite Company, located west of the mouth of the creek. This company has built a wharf at the mouth of the creek and connected it with the quarries by a railway about one-fourth of a mile long, and has dredged a channel 60 feet wide and 6 feet deep at low tide, extending 2,190 feet from its wharf southward to deep water. (2) The Stony Creek Red Granite Company, located about half a mile inland (northwest) from the railroad crossing. (3) The Norcross Granite Company, located near the Stony Creek red granite quarry. The Stony Creek Red Granite Company proposes, in case the improvement asked for is made, to construct a railway from their quarry, passing under the trestle of the Shore Line Railroad to some convenient point on the channel, in order to ship their stone by water. It does not seem to me that the improvements asked for are of a public character; they consist mainly in making an artificial channel up a tidal creek, practically bare at low water, to connect with a projected railway, the construction of which is understood to be contingent upon the making of the improvement. Such improvements, in my judgment, are matters of private enterprise. *Not reprinted. Stony Creek is a small village on the shore of Long Island Sound, and, with the Thimble Islands, south of the village and near the shore, it is a summer resort of considerable and increasing popularity. In the summer season excursion steamers run there daily from New Haven, and less frequently from other points. There is but little business done at Stony Creek, except that required for a small population and the additional supplies required for the summer visitors; none of this would be affected by the improvement of Stony Creek River; it is all transacted at the Thimble Islands and in the harbor west of the village. There are several other granite quarries in this vicinity, at Branford, Stony Creek, Leete Island, Sachem Head, etc., but the only parties interested in the desired improvement, as far as I can ascertain, are the three quarry companies mentioned above. I am, therefore, of the opinion that Stony Creek River, so called, is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. THOMAS L. CASEY, Chief of Engineers, U. ́S. A. D. C. HOUSTON, D 30. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF SHAW COVE, NEW LONDON HARBOR, CONNECTICUT. [Printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 73, Fifty-first Congress, second session.] ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, New York, December 4, 1890. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report on preliminary examination of Shaw Cove, New London Harbor, Connecticut, made in pursuance of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890. Shaw Cove is that part of New London Harbor known on the Coast Survey charts as Coit Cove. It is occupied by wharves, but is crossed by the trestle of the Shore Line Division of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, in which there is at present an insufficient drawbridge. This cove is the only part of New London Harbor which can be reached from land without crossing railroad tracks close to the water front, as shown on the accompanying printed map* of New London. The importance of improving this part of the harbor is fully shown in the accompanying communication from the New London Board of Trade. The improvement asked for is a channel 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water, extending from the drawbridge along the north and west sides of the cove a total length of above 2,000 feet, and an anchorage basin in the bend of the channel, of the same depth and about 400 by 800 feet. The present depth in these parts of the cove is from 21 to 8 feet at mean low water, averaging about 4 feet. * Omitted. ENG 91-53 The estimated cost of such improvement, made from the Coast Survey charts and a recent examination, is as follows: Dredging a channel, to be about 2,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 12 feet deep; 90,000 cubic yards, at 18 cents.. Dredging an anchorage basin 800 by 400 feet and 12 feet deep; 140,000 cubic yards, at 18 cents Contingencies, etc Total... A less amount than this could be expended to advantage. $16, 200 25, 200 6,600 48,000 I am of the opinion that this locality is worthy of improvement. No appropriations have been made for this important harbor, except for removal of part of a shoal lying east of the New London Northern Railroad wharf, in the upper part of the harbor. The amount expended there was $19,800, and that work was substantially completed in 1886. I would respectfully suggest that if appropriations are made for this purpose they be under the title "Improving New London Harbor, Connecticut." SIR: Replying to your letter of October 20, the board of trade wish to report the following facts, opinions, and statement of present and prospective commerce as reasons why the dredging asked for to be done in Shaw Cove by the United States Government is a worthy improvement. The board asks that a channel of 12 feet depth at low water and 100 feet wide be dredged from that depth off Chappel's Coal Dock to the drawbridge on line of New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad and beyond it through the waters of Shaw Cove to reach the docks on north, west, and south of said cove and approximately as indicated by red dotted lines on a map of New London which is filed herewith.* Also that an anchorage basin be dredged suitable in the judgment of the Corps of Engineers to accommodate the present and prospective commerce as shown hereafter for the purpose of laying up vessels during the winter or dull season. We make the above request for the following reasons: The waters of Shaw Cove are navigable waters of the United States. The present water frontage available for purposes of commerce practically begins at the drawbridge of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad and terminates at the drawbridge of the New London Northern Railroad, a distance of about 4,200 feet. The docks within these limits, now fully occupied, are traversed by railroad tracks either located directly on the bulkheads or close to approaches to the docks. Over these railroads 79 regular trains pass daily, and switching engines pass frequently in addition. All approaches to these docks are thereby rendered unsafe and the commerce of the port is subjected to great delay, detention, and obstruction in consequence. The surrounding country, supplied through the port of New London with facilities for landing or discharging cargo or reaching docks for coal, lumber, and other supplies, are particularly timid about crossing tracks to the docks. The improvement asked for would add about 3,000 feet available water frontage and provide relief from the present overcrowded and inaccessible docks, and by reference to the map it will be seen the waters of Shaw Cove may be reached on north, west, and south sides without crossing any railroad tracks. In this connection it may be stated that the population of New London has in *Omitted. creased more than 30 per cent. in the last 10 years. The commerce of the port has increased more than 400 per cent. No increase of dockage is possible without this work, and the entrance into the city of the tracks of the New York, Providence and Boston Railroad, and the reduction of anchorage area in the basin known as Winthrop Cove by these tracks, whereby the vessels accustomed to lay up therein can not now get in, have served to seriously curtail the former conveniences. The double tracking of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad now going on will still further reduce the use of the water front. A numerous fleet of coastwise, fishing, and other vessels, both steam and sail, owned not only here but along both shores up the Connecticut River and on Long Island, formerly sought and now desire to use this port by reason of its safety, accessibility, and open water to lay up. These vessels are now unable to get accommodations. It is desired in these improvements to secure a larger drawbridge at the entrance to Shaw Cove, and another communication has been sent you on this subject. The amount of the present commerce of the port of New London is difficult to ascertain and perhaps not necessary to present, since it is well known this port is, after New York or Boston, one of the most important in entries, tonnage, and value of cargoes on the seaboard; all of which will be more or less directly benefited by the improvement. The present commerce of Shaw Cove is limited of necessity by the present insufficient depth of water. The statements of business now done therein by Charles A. Bishop, lumber dealer (673,000 feet of lumber), value.. are annexed hereto. $15,000 20,000 10, 000 In addition the Pequot Foundry and Machine Works, whose dock at the south side of Shaw Cove can now be reached by vessels of only the lightest draft, receive 1,000 tons of pig-iron, value 800 tons of coal, value... 400 tons of molding sand, value.. $20,000 4,000 1,000 The laying-up dock at Daytons and boat-building float at Captain Burdick's require more depth of channel to prosecute the business now done at them. The business done in Shaw Cove would be increased many times its present volume after the improvement is made. There are at this writing twenty-two vessels discharging cargo or lying at docks and at anchor for the winter, and following named vessels have either laid up in Shaw Cove or sought accommodation there, or would lay up there if they could get sufficient water, viz: Steamers.-Sunshine, Margaret, Osprey, Gypsey, Water Witch, D. K. Phillips, Luce Bros., Arizona, Quickstep, Clara Ellen, Emily Foote, S. S. Brown, G. S. Allyn, Amagansett, Acheesnet, E. F. Price, Geo. Hudson, J. A. Morgan, Nat Strong, Peconic, Polland. Steam yachts. Surprise, Fidget, Nereid, Shennecosset, Wanda, Estelle, Venture, Narwhal, Starling. Schooners.-M. M. Brainerd, Frank Butler, Madgie, Chrystal, Maria, White Cloud, Hattie Ellen, E. A. Baker, John Comstock, Ann Elizabeth, Conquest, Hattie Douglass, C. M. Harris, Empire State, Mary and Carrie, Laurel, Joseph Wolley, Nymph, George Temple, Coral, Multnomah, Olive Leaf. Sloops.-Hepsibah, Sweepstakes, Juliette, Lizzie Morse, George B., Sophia, Wild Pigeon, Diamond, Ferguson. Schooner yachts.-Lancer, Ruth, Crusader. Smacks.-E. C. Barry, C. F. Lawrence, Chapel Bros., Isabel, Admiral, Martha, S. R. Packer, Thorn, F. D. Nelson, J. T. Freeman, Kate Church, Gipsy Girl, Belle of the Bay. Of these only a few more than now in the cove can be accommodated. In addition to those named, please find the statement hereto annexed of M. Wilson Dart, deputy collector of the port of New London, showing the vessels and tonnage of vessels registered at New London 177, Hartford 84, and Stonington 113, from which number there would be many to make use of an anchorage basin. We therefore desire to ask your courteous consideration of the foregoing statements and indulge the hope of your favorable finding, and have the pleasure to be, Very truly, yours, Col. D. C. HOUSTON, Corps of Engineers, U. S. 4. WILLIAM A. HOLT, President Board of Trade. JOHN HOPSON, JR., Chairman of Special Committee. LETTER OF MR. F. E. FENGAR. NEW LONDON, CONN., November 5, 1890. DEAR SIR: I have to submit the following statements regarding the amount of commerce carried on on Shaw Cove for a period of 1 year, ending November 1, 1890, viz: Statement of Charles A. Bishop, lumber dealer, 673 M feet of lumber, valued at $15,000. Statement of John Bishop, jr., lumber dealer, 600 M feet of lumber, valued at $20,000. Statement of Fengar & Higgins, coal dealers, 2,000 tons of coal, valued at $10,000. The present draft of water at the drawbridge and into the cove, say 150 yards, is 10 feet at high tide. This draft is insufficient for the carrying on of commerce to any considerable extent. Mr. John Bishop, jr., is obliged to unload 50 per cent. of the vessels consigned to him in New London Harbor and to raft the lumber to his wharf. This extra handling of the lumber entails considerable expense, to say nothing of the depreciation in value of the lumber that comes in contact with the salt water. The present draft of water acts as an embarrassment and hindrance to merchants engaged in business in the cove, as their commodities delivered at their respective places of business cost them more on account of extra expense incurred on account of the draft of water than is paid by merchants engaged in similar enterprises whose yards are located on the river front. In my opinion the draft of water should be increased to 15 feet at high tide, and a channel 100 feet in width of said depth of 15 feet should extend the length of the cove. I should have transmitted this memorandum to you before, but was obliged to wait for the statement of Mr. Bishop, jr. Respectfully, yours, Mr. JOHN HOPSON, Jr. F. E. FENGAR. LETTER OF THE COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS. CUSTOM-HOUSE, NEW LONDON, CONN., COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, DEAR SIR: As requested will give you the tonnage and number of vessels hailing from the ports named: New London has 177 vessels, the tonnage of which is 38,906.29 gross, 34,031.40 net. Hartford has 84 vessels, the tonnage of which is 12,629.35 gross, 10,913.60 net. Stonington has 113 vessels; 5,170.28 gross and 4,614.19 net tons. If I can be of any further use to you in any way or if any assistance I can render would be of any avail I am at your service. Respectfully, yours, Mr. JOHN HOPSON, Jr. M. WILSON DART. D 31. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF CONNECTICUT RIVER, FROM LONG IS- [Printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 86, Fifty-first Congress, second session.] GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report on preliminary examination of the Connecticut River, Connecticut, from Long Island Sound to Hartford, with a view to such improvements as will keep the channel from shifting its course at certain places, and Connecticut River below Hartford, made in pursuance of the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890. |