ENGINEER DEPOT AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. A large coal-bin has been built, and a building for an officers' mess is well toward completion. Instruments have been purchased and repaired when required for use by officers of the Corps. The printing, bookbinding, draughting, photographing, lithographing, repair of buildings, and care of property have been done by Engineer soldiers. STATEMENT OF FUNDS. Congress appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. There will be needed for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 — For purchase of materials for instruction. For purchase and repair of instruments To replace the soldiers' laboratory destroyed by fire. For purchase and binding of professional works For a building to contain engineer models $16,000.00 15, 939.94 6,000.00 5,000.00 1,500.00 2,500.00 6,500.00 1,000.00 8,000.00 24,500.00 The funds with which the works for the improvement of rivers and harbors were prosecuted during the past fiscal year were derived from the appropriations of the act of August 5, 1886, together with such few balances as were on hand from previous appropriations. A brief statement, taken from the reports of the officers in charge of the several works, is given below, setting forth the condition of each improvement; the extent of work performed during the last fiscal year; the amount of money expended, and, in compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act of March 2, 1867, estimates of the amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, with the probable cost of completion. Although, as a general rule, regard is necessarily had in the preparation of these estimates to the more intimate acquaintance of the engineer officers in charge with the requirements of each locality, they have been revised and amended in this office, when deemed advisable, having regard to the most economical administration of the works, and keeping in view the average of the grants by Congress for each work during the past few years. The reports of the officers in charge of the various improvements will be found in the Appendix. To these reports special reference should be made whenever detailed information is desired concerning the progress and condition of each work. The examinations and surveys at localities required and provided for in section 7 of the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, having been distributed and assigned to officers in charge of the several river and harbor districts, such reports thereon as have been received will be found in the Appendix. Of those still in progress the results will be submitted from time to time during the ensuing session of Congress as far as received. The reports of the special Boards of Engineer Officers provided for in the same river and harbor act to ascertain the value and commercial importance of the works and property of the Green and Barren Navigation Company in Kentucky, and of the Monongahela Navigation Company in Pennsylvania; as also the value and importance and the desirability of the acquisition and improvement of the two water-ways across Keweenaw Point by the way of Portage River and Lake in Michigan; of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the construction of the proposed Hennepin Canal in Illinois, and of the Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan Canal in Wisconsin, were duly transmitted to Congress at its last session, and will also be found in the Appendix to this report under their respective heads. Examinations were made during the fiscal year of such plans and locations as were submitted by parties interested of bridges proposed to be built over navigable waters under authority of Congress, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War. A brief statement is given below of the action had in such cases. Examinations were also made, whenever requested by committees of Congress, of proposed bills authorizing the construction of bridges upon which the views of the War Department were desired. Of bills so examined during the last session of Congress twenty-four originated in the Senate and forty-three in the House of Representatives. A statement is also given of the work accomplished in the removal of wrecks obstructing or endangering navigation, general provision for which is made in the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880, enlarged by provisions of the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882. ATLANTIC COAST AND GULF OF MEXICO. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE STATES OF MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. Officer in charge, Maj. Jared A. Smith, Corps of Engineers. 1. Lubec Channel, Maine.-The original project of improvement adopted in December, 1878, consisted of widening and deepening the main channel by dredging where necessary between the head of the Narrows and the Western Bar beacon a distance of about 23 miles, so as to obtain a channel not less than 200 feet in width and a depth of 12 feet at mean low water, or 9 feet at low water of spring tides. This was completed in 1883. The present project contemplates increasing the width to 275 feet, with 300 feet width in the bends. The channel was originally obstructed by bars and shoals having but 5 feet mean low water. The amount expended on this improvement to June 30, 1886, was $139,000, and there has been expended upon this last project to June 30, 1887, $26,110.93 additional. The channel at the lower bend has been widened to 278 feet, and the lower end of channel has been widened. A stone jetty 259 feet long was completed to direct the tides at the upper end of the cut, and part of a ledge near Eastport has been removed. Under the appropriation of August 5, 1886, a contract has been made for continuing the widening of the channel by dredging. Work was commenced in the latter part of June, 1887, and the entire amount will be expended in July and August. The channel is part of an important thoroughfare, the only one in our waters by which many places on our eastern frontier can be reached, and is important in making a safe harbor of refuge of the Quoddy Roads. The appropriation asked for fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is to be applied to widening the channel in accordance with the project. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 .... $10.000.00 July 1, 1887, outstanding liabilities $342. 19 932.04 July 1, 1887, amount available...... 9,067.96 22,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1889. 12,500,00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix A 1.) 2. Moose-a-bec Bar, Maine.-The project for this improvement was adopted in 1881, the object being to give a direct channel over the bar having a width of 200 feet and a depth of 14 feet at mean low water. The old channel was indirect, crooked, and dangerous. The entire amount expended to June 30, 1887, upon the improvement has been $30,393.11. The dredged channel over the bar was completed in September, 1885, and there remains to complete the project only the removal of the small ledge known as "Steamboat Ledge." The amount available is suffi cient to complete the work as originally planned. It is impracticable to carry on work removing ledge in this location. in the late autumn months or in the winter, so that it was necessarily postponed until the spring of 1887. The work will be completed during the working season of 1887. The results thus far have been a benefit to the navigation of the coast. The necessity for a wider channel over the bar at the eastern extremity of the reach is urged by parties engaged in navigating the coast, who also urge the removal of ledges in the channel about half a mile west of the bar. July 1, 1-86, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886.... July 1, 1887, amount available... (See Appendix A 2.) $53.66 10,000.00 10,053, 66 446.77 9, 606. 89 3. Narraguagus River, Maine.-The obstructions consist of a bar extending from the anchorage near Pickett's Point to deep water outside, which gave but 4 feet of water at extreme low stages, causing much delay and inconvenience to steamers and sailing vessels. The project adopted for the improvement consists in dredging a channel 200 feet wide to give 11 feet at mean low water as far as the upper steamboat landing and 9 feet thence to the anchorage. The estimated cost is $50,000. There has been expended in preparatory work the sum of $257. It was not practicable to do any work before the working season of 1887. In April, 1887, a contract was made for dredging as far as available funds will permit. The dredging thus far will be completed before the close of the season of 1887, and will result in a great benefit to the navigation as far as the steamboat landing. To complete the improvement will require $40,000. The appropriation asked is to be applied to continuing the dredging of channel until it shall be completed as described. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886..... $10,000.00 July 1, 1887, amount expended during the fiscal year, exclusive of liabili ties outstanding July 1, 1886 257.00 July 1, 1887, amount available 9,743.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 40,000,00 10,000.00 (See Appendix A 3.) 4. Bangor Harbor and Penobscot River, Maine.-The present project for this improvement consists in widening the channel to 300 feet by dredging opposite Bangor to a depth of 11 feet at extreme low water, also to widen the channel and remove obstructions at Crosby's Narrows. The project was adopted in 1884, its estimated cost being $75,000. There has been expended upon the work to June 30, 1887, the sum of $20,403.97. The former channel at Bangor was too narrow to accommodate the shipping in connection with lumber rafts, which often occupy much space. Under the present project the channel of 11 feet depth has been widened to 300 feet for a distance somewhat more than half a mile, giving increased room for anchorage and moving about in the harbor of Bangor. A contract has been made for continuing the work, and it will be completed and funds expended during the season of 1887. The appropriation asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is to be applied to continuing the project indicated as far as may be done with the amount made available for the purpose. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1 1886...... July 1, 1887, amount available... $49.32 15,000.00 15,049.32 453.29 14,596.03 40,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.......... harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix A 4.) 5. Belfast Harbor, Maine.-The project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1876, the object being to enable vessels to reach the wharves at all stages of the tide. Up to June 30, 1887, there had been expended the sum of $22,193.20, leaving a balance of $2,806.80 unexpended. The west side of the harbor has been improved so that there is 10 feet at mean low water in the upper part and 11 to 12 feet in the lower part. Some work on the east side is desired, but no recommendations are made by the officer in charge. July 1, 1886, amount available.... (See Appendix A 5.) $2,806.80 2,806,80 6. Rockland Harbor, Maine.-The project for improving this harbor, adopted in 1881, consists in the construction of two breakwaters to protect the shipping in the harbor and to make it a harbor of refuge. The harbor was open to all easterly winds and seas, and the breakwaters, when completed, will afford still water and good anchorage. There has been expended on this improvement to June 30, 1887, the sum of $105,631.76. The result has been the extension of the breakwater from Jameson's Point practically to its full length of 1,900 feet and to a height of 5 feet above mean low water, as high as was originally designed. It has been found necessary to raise it to the high-water level and this increase has been commenced at the outer extremity. Under the appropriation of August 5, 1886, a contract has been made for putting about 32,000 tons of stone upon the breakwater. Ten thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine tons had been delivered June 30, 1887, and the remainder will be delivered before the end of the season. The breakwater even in its incomplete condition is of great benefit to the harbor, which forms a good aud convenient refuge for vessels upon Penobscot Bay and the adjacent coast. The appropriation asked is to be applied towards completing the Jameson's Point Breakwater to the level of high water. The amount estimated to complete this to the level of high water is $99,500. The increase of the cost of completion of the existing project, as given below, is due to the increase of the cost of stone since the original estimate was made. July 1, 1886, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 $2,921.99 22,500,00 25, 421.99 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886.. July 1, 1857, outstanding liabilities.. $7, 545, 14 8, 553.75 July 1, 1887, amount available............... 16, 868. 24 650,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... (See Appendix A 6.) 7. Portland Harbor, Maine.-At the end of the last fiscal year a contract was outstanding for completing the removal of shoals in the harbor. The work was completed July 14, giving 17 feet of water in all places where there had been less than 16 feet before and extending the area of 21 feet depth past, Galt Wharf to the southeast corner of Franklin Wharf. This has been of great advantage to heavily loaded vessels in reaching the wharves in the main harbor front. The work completed all projects which had been then adopted. The present project of improvement for this harbor consists in deepening the channel to give a depth of 29 feet at mean low water and a 8872 ENG 87-——2 |