below, so that for mutual protection some restrictions are enforced. Even with these restrictions, however, considerable annoyance and some expense is caused, as all the sawdust and most of the bark (except hemlock) goes into the water.

To remove the refuse of the mills from the river without taking any measures to prevent the necessity for repeating the expense at some future day, is a proposition which can not be commended, and it seems equally improper that the interest of the general public should be allowed to suffer to save a few parties the expense of removing the refuse of their own work.

It is only too apparent that the State laws are entirely inadequate, and the subject is therefore recommended as worthy the attention of Congress.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brig. Gen. JAMES C. DUANE,

JARED A. SMITH,
Major of Engineers.

Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.

SURVEY OF ST. CROIX RIVER, MAINE, FROM FERRY POINT BRIDGE AT CALAIS TO BREAKWATER LEDGE.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,
Portland, Me., July 28, 1887.

GENERAL: My report upon a preliminary examination of the St. Croix River from Ferry Point Bridge at Calais, Me., to Breakwater Ledge, submitted November 22, 1886, set forth quite fully the reasons for considering the river worthy of improvement.

It was also fully set forth that the same causes which had reduced the depths in the channel are still in operation, though perhaps to a smaller extent than formerly.

The channel is reported to have previously had an ample depth of water, but it has been filled mainly with sawdust and other refuse from the mills, the removal of which is now desired without stopping the accumulation.

It will cost several times as much to remove a given quantity from the channel as to remove it from the mills in such way as that it shall not reach the channel.

My preliminary report discussed the subject so fully that no further explanations are here needed. I shall, however, repeat the following paragraph, which sums up the situation:

To remove the refuse of the mills from the river without taking any means to prevent the necessity for repeating the expense at some future day is a proposition which can not be commended, and it seems equally improper that the interests of the general public should be allowed to suffer to save a few parties the expense of removing the refuse of their own work.

In the Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1875, Part IF, page 382, Colonel Thom referred to the probable cost and result of such an improvement as follows:

On referring to my estimate it is seen that about 235,000 cubic yards of slabs, edgings, etc., would have to be excavated in order to obtain a channel 200 feet wide and 9 feet deep at mean low water (giving 29 feet at mean high water) up to Todd's Ledge, and 100 feet wide with same depth, thence up to the toll-bridge, the estimated cost of which is $200,000.

Now, as these deposits in the channel have been caused solely by the saw-mills at Calais, Saint Stephen, and above, and as there does not appear to be any law or au

the deeper water of the bay, and the effect is doubtless increased by the reaction from the islands on the north. At times the action of the sea in the harbor is so great that vessels can not safely ride at anchor, and landing at the wharves, which are somewhat protected by the point of land, is sometimes impracticable, and is often attended with great hazard.

In such storms, for a vessel to attempt to remain at the steam-boat wharf would be to invite almost certain destruction.

I have been furnished with the following statistics of the harbor, covering a period from October 25, 1885, to October 24, 1886, inclusive:

Steamer Sebenoa

Landings. 806

360

Sappho

(The above make freight and passenger connections with Maine Cen-
tral Railroad.)

In addition to the above there were the following arrrivals and departures:

Yachts

Fishing vessels
Coasters..

200

185

170

Five hundred and fifty-five sailing vessels, which makes the total of arrivals in the port 3,027.

A statement of the arrivals and departures of passengers by steamer shows that there were nearly 40,000 each way.

Bar Harbor bas in a comparatively short time increased in population and buildings to such an extent that the valuation of its real estate is, by a close approximation, $4,000,000, and is rapidly increasing.

There can be no doubt of the great necessity for protection of the harbor by a breakwater. The 3,027 arrivals of steamers and other vessels in the harbor in a single year represent interests so wide-spread that there are few, if any, places of its size where any improvement would produce benefits so widely diffused.

That the business and necessities of the place will rapidly increase in years to come there can hardly be a doubt, and I believe that the facts given amply justify the opinion that the harbor is worthy of improvement by the General Government.

For the purpose of devising a plan for a breakwater and estimating its cost, no survey will be necessary. The chart of the Coast Survey gives the situation and depths of water sufficiently in detail for any probable requirements.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JARED A. SMITH,

Major of Engineers.