are largely indirect and intangible rather than in the form of actual large monetary savings. Most, if not all, of the passenger and freight ships which will use the new slip could be berthed therein under existing conditions, albeit with considerable difficulty, delay and danger. Strictly speaking, the monetary saving afforded by the improvement in such case would therefore be only that realized through the minimizing of delays and accidents, and it is doubtful whether that could be sufficient to warrant the cost of the improvement on a strictly accounting basis. Furthermore, any or all of these large passenger and freight vessels could be docked at Port Everglades, 23 miles away, instead of at Miami, and the monetary benefits would then be measured by the differential between delivery of passengers and freight from the Port Everglades docks to destination instead of from the Miami docks. Here again the actual monetary consideration would be comparatively minor.

44. On the other hand, the United States has undertaken the improvement of Miami Harbor to a depth of 30 feet, at an estimated cost of $3,311,000; with completion of the current contract, some $2,000,000 of that amount will actually have been spent. The city of Miami is preparing to spend an estimated $840,000 on additions and improvements to its terminal facilities, to enable it to meet more nearly the demands of the prospective commerce. The full fruition of all this expenditure will be hampered, perhaps seriously, unless the additional expenditure of $300,000 considered herein be made. 45. As a port, Miami occupies a somewhat unusual position. Its commerce does not originate in, or depend upon, the existence of nearby large populations or large supplies of raw materials, the proximity of extensive manufactures, or its position as a transfer point at the crossroads of traffic lanes. On the other hand, its commerce depends almost exclusively upon its position as the principal winter recreation center for the entire eastern half, at least, of the United States. Its population and its port facilities and activities have been created as a result of its climatic and recreational advantages, and its continued activity and growth depend upon those same factors. The justification for past or future harbor improvements cannot well be measured, therefore, with the yardstick of ordinary commercial traffic, but must be gaged on the basis of the added health and physical and mental rest and relaxation which the city brings to many citizens of the entire country. From this point of view, the port has a large national importance and interest which cannot, however, be definitely converted into monetary terms.

CONCLUSIONS

46. In view of the aforementioned facts, the district engineer concludes that the provision of the improvement requested and considered herein is advisable in order to round out the present project for a 30-foot harbor, and to realize more completely the benefits to be expected from the large expenditures of Federal and city funds already made, or to be made on the 30-foot project.

RECOMMENDATION

47. The district engineer recommends that the United States extend the existing 30 feet of depth in the turning basin of Miami Harbor, Fla., southward to a line in prolongation eastward of the southerly edge of the new slip to be provided by the city of Miami along the south side of pier 3, all as shown on the map accompanying this report, at an estimated cost of $300,000. EARL NORTH,

Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers,
District Engineer.

O

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS ON REVIEW OF REPORTS HERETOFORE SUBMITTED ON STEINHATCHEE RIVER, FLA., WITH ILLUSTRATION

Hon. J. J. MANSFIELD,

WAR DEPARTMENT,

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
Washington, February 18, 1936.

Chairman, Committee on Rivers and Harbors,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. MANSFIELD: 1. The Committee on Rivers and Harbors of the House of Representatives, by a resolution adopted April 13, 1934, requested the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors to review the reports on Steinhatchee River, Fla., submitted April 25, 1932, with a view to determining if the improvement of this river is advisable at this time. I enclose herewith the report of the Board, in response thereto.

2. Steinhatchee River is a small stream flowing westward into the Gulf of Mexico through Deadmans Bay, a shallow indentation of the Florida coast 32 miles north of the mouth of the Suwannee River. Entrance from the Gulf is obstructed by a wide shoal through which a narrow, winding channel affords a least depth of 21⁄2 feet. A depth of 4 feet is available over rock shoals at the river mouth, and upstream therefrom the river affords good natural depths for small craft to the wharves at the small settlement of Steinhatchee, a distance of 11⁄2 miles. The mean range of tide is 2.4 feet. Local interests request the provision of a channel 9 feet deep from the Gulf of Mexico to the settlement of Steinhatchee, to provide a convenient base of operations for the sponge fishing fleet and to facilitate the commercial development of the surrounding area.

50061-36-1