ANNUAL REPORTS, WAR DEPARTMENT FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1918 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS U. S. ARMY 1918 IN THREE PARTS PART 1 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1918 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS UNITED STATES ARMY 1918 811116 -- ENG '1918---1 1 WAR DEPARTMENT. Document No. 878. Office of the Chief of Engineers. REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNTED STATES ARMY. WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Washington, Sep tember 10, 1918. From: The Chief of Engineers. To: The Secretary of War. Subject: Annual Report. I present for your information the following report upon the duties and operations of the Engineer Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918. CORPS OF ENGINEERS. According to section 11 of the national defense act approved June 3, 1916, the Corps of Engineers of the Regular Army consists of one Chief of Engineers, 504 officers of other grades, and the following organizations of enlisted men: Band ----- 1 Regiments7------- ---------------------------------------------- Mounted battalions-------------------------------------------- 2 OFFICERS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. The number of officers holding commissions in the Corps of Engi- neers at the end of the fiscal year was 359, a net increase during the year of 82. Since July 1, 1917, the Corps of Engineers has lost by death four of its officers: Maj. Henry H. Robert, September 1, 1917; Capt. Myron Bertman, September 18, 1917; Col. William L. Guthrie, April 8, 1918; and Maj. Edwin R. Kimble, April 9, 1918. Forty-eight graduates of the Military Academy were commissioned as second lieutenants in the Corps of Engineers, 11 to date from August 30, 1917, and 37 to date from June 12, 1918. There were added to the Corps of Engineers during the fiscal year, by appointment, after competitive examination, under the provisions of section 5 of the river and harbor act approved February 27, 1911, 38 second lieutenants, of whom 1 was commissioned in July, 1917, 3 4 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 86 were commissioned in October, 1917, and 1 was commissioned in May, 1918. The effective commissioned strength of the Corps of Engineers available during the fiscal year has been seriously depleted by details or assignments. At the end of the fiscal year officers holding commis- sions in the Regular Corps of Engineers were serving under promo- tions or details as follows: Appointed as general officers of the line--- _- _ -___--_________18 Detailed to the General Staff Corps--- ------------------------------ 20 Detailed to Chemical Warfare Service-------------------------------- 8 Detailed to the Tank Corps ---------------- 1------- Military attachds or on special military missions__-______ _____-- - 2 Total----- ---------------------------------------- ------- 49 On the 30th of June, 1918, the disposition of officers of the Corps of Engineers, according to their duties, was as follows: Chief of Engineers, in command of the Engineer Department, etc_________ 1 Assistants to the Chief of Engineers, or on special duty in his office--- ___ 11 River and harbor work------------------------ -1 River and harbor and fortification work ___------- - 3 River and harbor and lighthouse work-------------------------- 1 River and harbor work and department engineer----------------------1 River and harbor, fortification, and lighthouse work--------------------- 2 River and harbor, fortification, and lighthouse work, and department enginer ---- --- ---------- 2--------------- Public buildings and grounds, District of Columbia --------------------- 1 With the government of the District of Columbia __----1 1______ Department engineer_______------- _--- 1 Department engineer and in charge of engineer depot 1------______ At engineer depots in the United States-- --------------------- 3 Instructors at officers' training camps________________________- - 7 Student at officers' training camp___ ---- ___- ____________ - - 1 On duty at the United States Military Academy----_________-__-_ 8 On duty with the General Staff Corps: . In the United States-------- ------------------------------------- 6 In Europe----------------------- 14 With troops in the United States---------------------------------- 109 With troops in Europe--------- 1---------------- 102 On other duty in Europe---------------- 86--------------- With engineer troops and on other military duty in the Philippine Islands- 2 On military duty or with engineer troops in the Hawaiian Islands--------- 2 On military duty or with engineer troops on the Isthmus of Panama-------- 2 On duty connected with the Panama Canal in the Canal Zone 1------------ Under observation and treatment in hospitals- Unassigned--------------------------------------------------- _ 37 3----------- Total -- ------------ -------------------------------- 359 The above table shows that out of a total of 318 officers (not in- cluding the Chief of Engineers, those unassigned and in hospital) only 19, or approximately 6 per cent, were on duty wholly under the control of the Chief of Engineers; 14, or 4 per cent, while performing some duty under the control of the Chief of Engineers were at the same time performing other duties under various other branches of the Government; while 285, or 90 per cent, were on duty detached from the control of the Chief of Engineers. With regard to the character of the duties performed, 301, or 95 per cent, were engaged on military duty exclusively; 7, or 2 per cent, were engaged on nonmilitary duty exclusively; and 10, or 3 per cent, were performing both military and nonmilitary duty. OFFICERS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. It may be noted that the number of officers of the regular service now engaged in construction work is very much smaller than has customarily been found necessary. This is, of course, due to the great demand for regular Engineer officers for strictly war work, but with the assistance of retired officers formerly of the Corps of Engineers, who have patriotically returned to duty, and by the aid of trained civilian assistants, it has been found possible to satis- factorily carry on during the war the reduced amount of construc- tion work in this country. The excellent results which have been obtained since the war began by officers of the Corps of Engineers in organization, supply and construction, both in the United States and France, must be at- tributed to the prior training such officers had received, and this training has been rendered possible to a very great extent by the action of Congress in placing under the charge of the Corps of En- gineers the river-and-harbor improvements and certain other civil work of the Nation. Through such work opportunity has been given for the development of officers of the Corps of Engineers in taking heavy responsibilities, in the habit of making weighty de- cisions, in meeting sudden emergencies, in the organization, opera- tion, and care of large bodies of men, and in working with men not familiar with or subject to the discipline and regulations of military life. In addition, these civil works have given to the officers of the Corps of Engineers the practice necessary for any professional man, practice which could not be obtained in their ordinary military duties in times of peace. Experience has shown that the adopted practice of having a young engineer officer on entering the service spend his first two or three years in strictly military work and thereafter have tours of duty alternately in civil construction and in military work, keeps the officer fresh and interested in his work; gives him a well- rounded mental and professional development; and produces an en- gineer officer fitted for any service the war may demand. RETIRED OFFICERS. The work of the Corps of Engineers in the present war has been: greatly assisted by the patriotic spirit of retired officers formerly of the Corps of Engineers who have returned to active duty. Six- teen such officers are now in active service, including two major gen- erals and four brigadier generals. TEMPORARY OFFICERS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. The acts of June 3, 1916, and May 18, 1917, provided that tem- porary vacancies created by the appointment of officers of the Regu- lar Army to higher grades in the National Guard, National Army, and other forces should be filled by temporary promotions, and that vacancies in the lower grades resulting from such temporary pro- motions which could not be filled by promotions might be filled by temporary appointments. During the fiscal year a large number of engineer officers were commissioned in advanced grades in the National Army. The pro- motions resulting left in the grades of first and second lieutenant a 6 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. number of vacancies which could not be filled by promotion, and advantage was therefore taken of the laws mentioned by the appoint- ment as temporary officers of deserving noncommissioned officers of the regular engineer service. A total of 71 such appointments were made. During the fiscal year a large numbe of these temporary officers liad been promoted to advanced grades in the National Army, but at the end of the fiscal year 19 first lieutenants and 7 second lieuten- ants were still serving under such temporary commissions. ENGINEER TROOPS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. There was no change during the fiscal year in the authorized num- ber of Regular Army Engineer units, namely: Band --------------------------------------------------------- 1 Engineer regiments (of 6 companies each)--------------------------- 7 Battalions qf mounted Engineers (of 3 companies each)----------------- 2 At the beginning of the fiscal year the Engineer regiments and mounted battalions were in process of reorganization. Prior to May 15, 1917, there had been only three Engineer regiments and one com- pany of mounted Engineers, but on the above-ientioned date instruc- tions were given to raise the Engineer enlisted force to the full legal strength of seven regiments and two mounted battalions. This reor- ganization was in progress at the beginning of the fiscal year and was completed shortly thereafter. At the beginning of the fiscal year the actual commissioned strength of the Corps of Engineers was only about half of the legally author- ized strength. Owing to this fact and to the great demand for officers of the Corps of Engineers for other than engineer work and to assist in the organization of Engineer units of the National Army, it was not possible to officer the Engineer units of the Regular Army entirely by officers of the Regular service. As far as possible, the senior offi- cers in such regiments are Regular officers. The vacancies remaining which could not be filled by the detail/of Regular officers have been filled by the appointment as temporary officers of deserving noncom- missioned officers and by the details to active service of officers in the Engineer Reserve Corps and by the assignment to duty in these regiments of Engineer officers of the National Army. Throughout the fiscal year the Third Engineers remained in our foreign possessions, distributed about equally between the Philippine Islands, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Panama Canal Zone. Of the other Regular Engineer organizations, the First, Second, Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh Regiments were sent to France during the fiscal year, and at the end of the fiscal year the Fifth Regiment was ready for such service and was awaiting orders. The two mounted bat- talions, known as the Eighth and Ninth Engineers, have been on duty at the Mexican border throughout the fiscal year. Of the Regular Engineer organizations which went abroad during the fiscal year, several have already taken part in active field opera- tions. The Sixth Regiment especially, which was serving with the British Army, received special commendation for its work in assist- ing to repulse the German drive during March. OFFICERS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 7 Although,' as stated, there has been no actual change during the fiscal year in the number of authorized Regular Army Engineer units, legislation was pending in Congress at the end of the fiscal year and was subsequently enacted into law which authorizes a band for each Engineer regiment instead of one band for the entire Engineer establishment, as has been the law previously. NATIONAL GUARD ENGINEERS. The acts of Congress approved June 3, 1916, and May 18, 1917, anthorized the drafting into Federal service of National Guard or- ganizations when necessary, and during the fiscal year 17 divisions of National Guard troops were organized, each containing ani Engi- neer regiment. The National Guard, when drafted into the service of the United States, was very deficient in Engineer troops, very few of the States having had previously a proper quota of Engineers, and such as were in existence had been organized .under preexisting laws. Not only was the National Guard deficient in Engineer troops, but such Engi- neer troops were most irregularly distributed, some of the divisions containing a slight excess of Engineer companies, while others con- tained but a single company instead of the six required. Based, however, upon the existing Engineer organizations, the re- quired 17 Engineer regiments were organized, the deficiencies, where they existed, being supplied by the transfer to the Engineer regi- ments of organizations originally formed in other branches of the line. All of these regiments are now in the service and are num- bered from 101 to 117, inclusive. Where the Engineer .regiment was composed entirely of troops from one State, as was the case in Massachusetts, New York, Penn- sylvania, Ohio, and Illinois, the colonel of the regiment was ap- pointed from the National Guard of that State. Where the regi- ment was made up of. troops taken from two or more States, as was the case in the other 12 regiments, officers selected from the Corps of Engineers, Regular Army, were assigned to the command of the regiment and were appointed colonels of Engineers in the National Army. The other officers of all the regiments were, as a rule, appointed from the National Guard. In the cases where an insufficient number of suitable National Guard officers were available, the remaining vacancies were filled by the assignment of officers of the Engineer Reserve Corps and of Engineer officers of the National Army, these officers, -as far as practicable, being selected from the same terri- torial areas from which the regiments were recruited. At the end of the fiscal year the commissioned strength of the Engineers of the National Guard in the service of the United States was as follows: Colonels -------------------- --------- 5 Lieutenant colonels--------------------------------------------- 11 Majors------------------------------------------------------------ 33 Captains 156 1------------------- First lieutenants ------------------------------------- 254 Second lieutenants_ - -------------------- 146 Total __----------------- ------ 605 8 REPORT OF' CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. RESERVE CORPS. ENGINEER OFFICERS' RESERVE CORPS. The national defense act approved June 3, 1916, authorized, in different branches of the Army, a reserve corps of officers who would from time to time during peace receive training in military matters, and who would be available for service in time of war or other emergency. Immediately after the passage.of this act steps were taken toward the organization of the Engineer branch of this Officers' Reserve Corps. Communications were had with the representatives of the national engineering societies, and a joint committee was appointed by such societies to consult with the Chief of Engineers. As a result of this consultation and with the officers of the War College having this matter under consideration, a draft of' regulations for the or- ganization of the Engineer Officers' Reserve Corps was prepared and published. From the very beginning the response from the engineers of this country was exceedingly gratifying, many of the most prominent engineers in different branches of the profession requesting commis- sions in the Reserve Corps, and shortly after the declaration of war the number of applications which began to pour in became so great that the clerical force of the department was for a while unable to keep up to date in handling these applications. By the end of the fiscal year 1917 more than 15,000 applications had been received. Each application was carefully examined in this office and was then referred to a local board, of which some 60 were established in dif- ferent parts of the country, for the physical and professional ex- amination of the candidate. The reports of these boards were for- warded to the Office of the Chief of Engineers and were there con- sidered by a central board before being sent to The Adjitant Gen- eral. Up to June 30, 1917, commissions had been issued to 2;875 offi- cers, of whom 757 were at that time in active service, as follows: Majors ------------------ ------------------------------------- 44 Captains ------------------------------------------------- 24 First lieutenants_---------------------------------------------- 262 Second lieutenants ------------------------------------------ 211 During the fiscal year the issuance of commissions in the Engineer Reserve Corps was continued, and up to June 30, 1918, a total of 7,391 such commissions had been issued. Except in the cases of men specially qualified for a particular duty, the commissions issued in the Reserve Corps during the fiscal year were restricted to men above 'the draft age and who had made application for commission prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. During the year there were a number of losses, due to deaths, resig- nations, promotions, etc., and especially to transfers, either to other branches of the service or to the Engineers, National Army. Since the highest legally authorized grade in the Engineer Reserve Corps is that of major, all appointments or promotions to the grades above that of major could not be made in the Reserve Corps, and were con- sequently made in the National Army. OFFICES, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. The number of officers still holding commissions in the Reserve Corps at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 1918, were as follows: Majors ------------------------------------ ----------------- 277 Captains --------------------------------------------------- 1,489 First lieutenants--------------------- _1, 864 Second lieutenants 040 1--------------------- Total---- ----------------------------------------- 4,670 Of these officers, all but 42 have been called into active service, those now still on the inactive list consisting principally of United States employees now employed on Federal work from which their services can not at this time be spared. The Engineer Reserve_ Corps as originally authorized was uinlim- ited in, size, the only restriction being that the number of officers of higher grades should not bear a greater proportion to the number in the lowest grade (second lieutenant) than the ratio existing between the legally authorized numbers in the same grades of the Corps of Engineers, Regular Army. During the autumn of 191 7 , however, the policy was adopted by the War Department of limiting the number of commissions out- standing' to the actual needs of the military service as foreseen at the time. This restriction on the number of commissions that could be issued did away with the essential purpose of the Reserve Corps, which is that this corps should be a reserve of officers who might be called upon when the conditions required it; consequently, there- after it became customary to commission more and more officers as engineers of the National Army and not in the Reserve Corps. As originallyplanned, the Engineer Reserve Corps was to consist of two classes of officers, known as class "A" and class " B," the former to be composed of officers who had had military training and were fitted for service with troops, and the latter to be composed of men with limited military training who would be available either for consultation or for important work in the rear of the Army. At the time of the organization of the Engineer Reserve Corps many promi- nent engineers of considerable age but great experience offered their services and were commissioned for so-called class "B" service, it never being contemplated that they would be called upon to do strenuous military duty, but that they would be available for consultation when important work was under consideration. When the restriction was placed on the number of outstanding commissions, it became neces- sary to utilize the full number authorized, and many prominent en- gineers whose advice on certain matters would be of value found themselves forced either to resign their commissions or to attempt active military duty, for which they were not physically fitted. Since the restriction was placed: upon the number of commissions that could be issued no persons have been commissioned except those in- tended for class "A" service--that is, active military duty. 10 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. The status of the Engineer Reserve Corps at the end of the fiscal year is shown in the following table: Engineer Officers' Reserve Corps. First Second June 30, 1918. Major. Captain. lieuten- lieuten- ant. ant. Original appointments.................................... 327 1, 952 2, 564 2, 050 Gains otherwise: Transfers from other branches of the service.......................... 2 8 5 Promotions..................... ................... 94 166 196 ......... Demptions............................ ................ .......... 1 8 18 Total gains............. ........................... 421 2,121 2,776 2,073. Losses: Deaths............................................... 2 11 13 9 Discharges................................ ..... ........ . 8 109 130 109 Resignations............................................... 35 137 94 71 Revocatons...... ........... ...................... 1 20 18 8 Declinations ........... ...... ......... 14 105 84 60 Promotions.... Demotions.................. ..... ........ ........................... ... ........... . ... 53 1 158 8 414 18 5691 ......... Transfers to other branches........................ ......... Transfers within engineers................................ 24 6 70 14 124 17 .6 179 Total losses................... .................... 144 632 912 1,033 Net..................................................... - 277 1,489 1,864 1, 040 In addition to the above, 128 persons had been examined and rec- ommended for commissions and were awaiting the actual issuance of the commissions from The Adjutant General's Office. ENGINEER ENLISTED RESERVE CORPS. In addition to the Officers' Reserve Corps, the national defense act, approved June 3, 1916, authorized, in certain branches of the Army, Enlisted Reserve Corps, composed of men specially fitted for service in the special branches who would enlist in this Reserve Corps. They were to receive from time to time military training and would thus be available for service in time of war or any other emergency. At the beginning of the war there had been enlisted in the engi- neer branch of the Enlisted Reserve Corps a number of men fitted for duty as engineer soldiers, and the railway regiments which had been organized during the preceding fiscal year had at first been formed from men who were so enlisted. Subsequently, however, the men in their special regiments were all transferred to the National Army. During the fiscal year a few enlistments in the Reserve Corps were made, but this was soon stopped. All men who had previously been enlisted in this Reserve Corps were called into active service and all enlistments thereafter were made in the National Army. The Engi- neer Enlisted Reserve Corps is now considered as dormant until the end of the war. SPECIAL ENLISTED RESERVE CORPS. During the autumn of 1917 the attention of the Secretary of War was called to the fact that owing to the effect of the draft the number of students taking engineering courses in the technical colleges and NATIONAL ARMY ENGINEERS. 11 universities was becoming very much reduced. As a general rule, engineering students did not complete their technical courses in the college until they were well within the draft age, and it was feared that if such students were called into the service the classes at the technical institutions would be seriously reduced in strength, with a resulting scarcity of trained engineers in the country. This matter was given consideration by the department, and as a result modifications were made in the selective-service regulations which would permit certain students at certain technical institu- tions to enlist in the Engineer Enlisted Reserve Corps with the understanding that when so enlisted they would be allowed to con- tinue and complete their courses at the universities. In order to restrict this privilege to deserving engineer students at first-class engineering institutions, this privilege was limited to students at institutions whose names were included in the list of approved technical schools, and only to such students at these schools as had obtained a certain standard of scholarship. The list of ap- proved technical schools was made up with the assistance of the Bureau of Education of the Interior Department. It is provided in the regulations covering the subject that, upon the completion of their courses or their separation from the institu- tions for other reasons, the men who have in this manner been en- listed must either be at once called into active service in some techni- cal branch of the Army or else become subject immediately to the draft. At the end of the fiscal year this Special Enlisted Reserve Corps consisted of about 2,000 men. Students of this character are considered good material for ap- pointment as Engineer officers, and those who choose to enter active service are usually sent at once to an officers' training camp. NATIONAL ARMY ENGINEERS. The term " National " Army is that applied to the organizations other than those of the Regular Army and National Guard which have been raised for the present emergency, partially by voluntary enlistment and partially by draft, under the terms of the act approved May 18, 1917. The Engineer portion of the National Army consists of: Officers commissioned as Engineer officers of the National Army, the divi- sional Engineer regiments, and special Engineer troops organized for special technical service. ENGINEER OFFICERS, NATIONAL ARMY. The first Engineer organizations which were formed in the Na- tional Army were officered either by details from the Corps of Engi- neers of the Regular Army, or from the Engineer Officers' Reserve Corps, except in the grades of colonel and lieutenant colonel. The officers assigned to duties in these last mentioned grades had to be commissioned as colonel and lieutenant colonel in the National Army since promotions could not be made in the Regular Army, on account of assignments in the National Army, and commissions in the Reserve Corps were by law restricted to the grades of major and lower grades. 12 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. In the early part of the fiscal year the policy of commissioning in the Reserve Corps all officers of the National Army units below the grade of lieutenant colonel was continued, but when in the autumn a restriction was placed upon the number of outstanding Engineer commissions, and it thereby became impossible to commis- sion officers in the Reserve Corps and give them some instruction prior to the time they were actually needed in the service, it became customary to commission the officers required for the National Army Engineer units or in the Engineers, National Army. Up to the end of the fiscal year a total of 4,386 such commissions had been issued. The following table shows the status of Engineer officers of the National Army during the fiscal year, showing those commissioned, recommissioned, the losses, and so forth: Engineer officers, National Army. Lieu- First Second June 30, 1918. Colonel. tenant Major. Captain, lieu- lieu- colonel. tenant. tenant. Original appointments.................... 73 29 4 15 112 1,185 Gains otherwise: Transfers from other branches................... 2 1 19 77 25 Transfers within the Engineers ....... 1...... 2 2 2 1 Promotions........................... 22 53 60 283 418 ..... Total gains................... 96 84 67 319 609 1,211 Losses: Deaths.............................. 1 ..... 1. Discharges..................... Resignations ................... Revocations...................... ..... .. .......... .......... 1 1 Declinations........................ Promotions......................... .18 3 3 12 63 Transfers to other branches........... 7 4 3 5 17 86 Transfers within the Engineers........ Total losses................... 9 27 6 11 32 154 Net............................... . 87 57 61 308 577 1,057 The above table shows that a total of 2,147 officers held commis- sions as Engineers, National Army, at the end of the fiscal year. This number includes 73 colonels and 9 lieutenant colonels appointed from the Corps of Engineers, Regular Army, but does not include 139 persons who have been examined and recommended for commis- sion and who are awaiting the actual issuance of the commissions from The Adjutant General's Office. NATIONAL ARMY ENGINEER TROOPS. DIVISIONAL ENGINEER OR SAPPER REGIMENTS. The Engineer quota of a division consists of one Engineer regiment and an Engineer train. Prior to the beginning of the fiscal year the term "Pioneer" had been applied to the regiment of Engineer com- batant troops pertaining to a division, but during the fiscal year this name was officially changed to "Sapper " to avoid confusing such Engineer troops with the newly formed " Pioneer" Infantry regiments. NATIONAL ARMY ENGINEERS. 13 Nineteen such divisional sapper regiments were formed during the fiscal year in the National Army, and in addition five sapper battalions were formed, one for each of the five Corps Engineer regiments. SPECIAL ENGINEER TROOPS. In addition to the regular divisional sapper regiments and the sapper battalions of the corps regiments, many Engineer units have been organized. At the beginning of the fiscal year, 10 such special Engineer regi- ments were in existence, as follows: One forestry regiment, five rail- way construction regiments, three railway operating regiments, and one railway shop regiment. At the beginning of the fiscal year practically all of these regiments were complete in organization, and about half of them in equipment. Their organization and equip- ment were rapidly completed and the nine railway regiments em- barked for France during July, 1917, and the forestry regiment dur- ing September, 1917. In addition to the above 10 regiments, special Engineer troops have been organized during the fiscal year as follows: Forestry regiment -------------- 1 Camouflage regiment (only 2 com- Auxiliary forestry battalions----- 3 panies organized as yet)------- 1 Railway construction regiments__ ' 2 General construction regiments___ 2 Railway operating regiments----- 2 Water supply regiment----------- 1 Railway operating battalions--__ 14 Mining regiment ---------------- 1 Railway shop regiment---------- 1 Quarry regiment--------------- 1 Railway maintenance of way bat- Electrical and mechanical regi- talions ---------------------- 5 ment ----------------------- 1 Railway maintenance of equip- Crane operating battalion (only 2 ment battalions --------------- 2 companies organized as yet)_ 1 Railway trasportation battalions_ 2 Surveying and printing battalion. 1 Railway trades and storekeepers Service battalions -------------- 46 battalion - 1 Motor transportation companies- 18 Light railway construction regi- Ponton trains----------- 5, ment ----------------------- 1 Army ponton park--------------- 1 Light railway operating and shop Inland waterway battalion (4 regiment-------------------- 1 companies) ------------------- 1 Railway transportation corps-__ 1 Searchlight regiment------------ 1 Supply and shop regiments -- __-- 2 Gas and flame regiment---------- 1 Highway regiment -------------- 1 All the organizations listed are intended for service abroad, and the larger part of them are already there or are en route thereto. For service at home, the following troops have been organized: One military mapping service, a Gas Defense Service, 44 Engineer depot detachments, and, in addition, 10 Engineer training and replacement regiments, the individual members of which are sent to foreign service as fast as they are sufficiently trained and equipped. The above-mentioned Engineer units of the National Army were officered partly by details from the Regular Army, partly by the assignment of Reserve Corps officers, and partly by the appointment as Engineer officers in the National Army of especially qualified persons. In general, during the organization period such units were placed under the command of, or at least under the supervision of, Regular officers; but the number of Regular officers available has been too small to permit such Regular officers to remain permanently with 14 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. all organizations, and consequently many such organizations when actually called into service had no Regular officers serving with them. The battalion and regimental strengths of the organizations men- tioned above as measured in companies varies greatly, and in some cases there are no battalion organizations between the regimental headquarters and the companies, and in others the companies have been formed practically as independent units without either battalion or regimental headquarters. In most cases the battalions consist of 3 companies, though frequently of 4, and sometimes of more. A regi- ment usually consists of 2 battalions, though many of them have more than 2 battalions, one regiment containing as many as 10 battalions. Of the special Engineer troops named above a few may be con- sidered as noncombatant but all must be considered as combatant troops whose duties are such as to call them into or near the front line, for all such troops are liable at any time to be called upon to take part in actual battle and have been trained accordingly. This is true not only of the sapper troops but also of the gas and flame. railway, highway, mining, camouflage, ponton, searchlight, and sound and sight ranging troops, and occasionally even of others. In many cases special Engineer .troops have been actually called into action, and the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Fourteenth Regiments espe- cially have received commendation from our allies for the parts they have taken in battle. THE GAS DEFENSE SERVICE. During the fiscal year there was organized in the Sanitary Corps of the Army a Gas Defense Service, consisting of officers and en- listed men who were trained to give instruction to the Army at large the use of gas masks and other measures for defense against gas. In March, 1918, it was decided that such work did not belong prop- erly to the Sanitary Corps, and the service was accordingly trans- ferred to and became a portion of the Engineer service of the Na- tional Army, the officers, being recommissioned as Engineers and the enlisted men being transferred to the Engineer service. At the end of the fiscal year, 86 officers and about 200 enlisted men were engaged in this work. TANK SERVICE. Early in January, 1918, the Chief of Engineers received instruc- tions to begin the organization of a tank service and at once pro- ceeded to do so, the organization being designated as the " Sixty-fifth Engineers." This regiment was to consist of a light tank service and a heavy tank service. An officer of the Corps of Engineers was detailed to take charge of this organization and made visits to several of the divisional camps to select officers and enlisted men for service with these tanks. By March 15, 1918, a total of 115 officers had been assigned to the tank regiment, some being selected from those already commis- sioned and some being especially commissioned for this tank service. One thousand and fifty enlisted men had by that date been assigned to this regimens. NATIONAL ARMY ENGINEERS. 15 In March instructions were issued from the War Department or- ganizing the tank service as a separate organization, independent of the Engineers, and 97 officers and all the enlisted men were, on March 18, 1918, transferred to this new tank organization. The remaining 18 officers preferred to retain their Engineer commissions and were transferred to other Engineer duties. In addition to the officers formally transferred, a great many others had been selected for commission in the Engineers for duty with the Sixty-fifth Engineers, but the commissions had not been issued at the time of the transfer, and when issued, the commissioned were all in the tank service, and such officers therefore never became part of the Engineer service. RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION CORPS, NATIONAL ARMY. The first Engineer regiments to go overseas were nine railway units originally intended for service with our British and French allies. Some of these regiments were actually sent to serve with the British and French Armies, but the majority of them, with cer- tain other unattached Engineer officers, were utilized with the Ameri- can Expeditionary Force. In October, instructions were given to organize in France a railway-transportation service based upon the railway regiments referred to and Engineer officers who had had rail- way experience. Subsequently, this organization was much enlarged and in France became an organization independent of the other Engineer organiza- tions. The officers serving with railway units are commissioned as Engineers of the National Army, but the 238 officers for the head- quarters and general offices are commissioned in the Railway Trans- portation Corps, National Army. The personnel for this transpor- tation corps is raised and organized under the charge of the Chief of Engineers, and technical supplies and equipment are purchased by the Engineer Department. The following table shows the status on June 30, 1918, of the offi- cers of this Railway Transportation Corps: Railway TransportationCorps, June 30, 1918. Lieu- First Second Colonel. tenant Major. Captain. lieutan- lieuten- colonel, ant. ant. Original appointments .............. 1 1 15 41 57 80 Gains otherwise: Transfers from other branches of the service.......................... ............................ 1 3 3 Transfers within the Engineers....... ......... 4 4 12 14 5 Promotions................... 5 3 4 1 ....... ......... Total.......... ........... 6 8 23 55 74 88 Losses: Discharges...................... Resignations................... Revocations ..................... ................ .. ......... 1 1.. Declinations........................ Promotions..................... S ..................... 3 ..--... 1 1 1........... 2......... ........ Transfers to other branches.......... Transfers within Egnineers........ Total............................... 1 3 1 3 5 3 Net............... ................. 5 5 22 52 69 85 16 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. In addition to the above, 16 persons had been examined and recom- mended for commission and were awaiting the actual issuance of the commission from The Adjutant General's office. SUMMARY OF ENGINEER PERSONNEL. Including the officers of the Corps of Engineers, Regular Army; temporary Engineer officers of the Regular Army; the National Guard Engineer officers; the Engineer Officers' Reserve Corps; the Engineer officers, National Army; and the Railway Transportation Corps; and making proper deductions for those persons holding com- missions in both the Regular Army and in the National Army, there were on June 30, 1918, a total of 7,963 Engineer officers. During the fiscal year 521 other Engineer officers were transferred to and ac- cepted commissions in other branches of the service. At the end of the fiscal year the approximate total enlisted strength of Engineer units was 214,274, of whom approximately 130,000 had already embarked for foreign service. The following table shows the individual Engineer organizations, their date of authorization, enlisted strength, place where mobilized, and date of departure for foreign service: ___ Author- ized max- Name of organization. Kind of troops. Date authorized in Regu- imum Approximate strength Where mobilized. When sailed. lar Service at- strength (enlisted men). I I---I i i----- First Engineers........ Sapper and train...... June 30, 1917............. 1,695 1,695.................. Washington Barracksj D. C............ Aug. 7, 1917, and Feb. 7, 1918. Second Engineers..... ... do............... .....do................... 1,695 1,695................... El Paso, Tex......................... Sept. 10, 1917. w Third Engineers.............do................. ..... do.................... 1, 204 1,204 .................... Canal Zone, Panama; Manila, P. I.; and Honolulu, Hawaii. 0 Fourth Engineers...... ..... do............. do................... ..... 1, 695 1,695 ............. ... Vancouver Barracks, Wash., and Camp Sapper, Apr. 30, 1918; Greene, Charlotte, N. C. train, Aug. 7, 1917. Fifth Engineers.............do ................. ..... do................ 1,695 1,695.......... .... Camp Skurry, Corpus Christi, Tex..... fc Sixth Engineers........ .... do................. ..... do................... 1,695 1,695.................. Washington Barracks, D. C............ Dec. 4, 1917. Seventh Engineers......... do .............. ..... 1, 695 do..................... 1,695 .................. Fort Leavenworth, Kans...... .... Mar. 6, 1918, and Mar. O 16, 1918. Eighth Engineers...... Mounted battalion.... ..... do.................. 440 440................. El1Paso, Tex.... ............... - Ninth Engineers ..... .... do............ 440 440......... ........... do............................... Tenth Engineers ....... Forestry ............. May 17, 1917.............. 1,587 1,587................ American University, Washington, Sept. 10, 1917. D. C. Eleventh Engineers.... Railway construction. May 3, 1917 ............. 1,587 1,587................. Fort Totten, N. Y........... ..... July 9, 1917, and Mar. , 6,1918. Twelfth Engineers..... Railway operating. .. ..... do................ 1,587 1,587- ......... ......... St. Louis, Mo........................ July 28, 1917, and Feb. 27, 1918. Thirteenth Engineers .... do............ do .................. 1,587 .... 1,587..... ........ Chicago, Ill.......................... July 22, 1917. Fourteenth Engineers. .,do............ _ .....do.................... 1,587 1,587 .... ........ Boston, Mass....................... July 27, 1917. Fifteenth Engineers.... Railway construction. .....do ................. 1,587 1,587 ................. Pittsburgh, Pa........................ July 29, 1917. Sixteenth Engineers...._..... ..... do.... do................. .......... 1,587 1,587................ Detroit, Mich ....................... Aug. 1, 1917. M Seventeenth Engineers. .....do ............ ..... do..... .......... 1,587 1,587... ............... Atlanta, Ga............................ July 28, 1917. Eighteenth Engineers.. .... ..... do................. do..... .......... 1,587 1,587................ Seattle, Wash., and San Francisco, Cal. Aug. 9, 1917. m Nineteenth Engineers.. Railway shop......... May 3, 1917, Aug. 15, 1917, 3,909 3,619 abroad, 290 in Philadelphia, Pa.................... Aug. 9, 1917.M and Jan. 13, 1918. United States. Twentieth Engineers... Forestry ............. Aug. 15, 1917, and June 4, 8,029 8,029.................... American University, Washington, Nov. 12, 1917. 1918. D.C. Twenty-first Engineers. Light railway opera- Aug. 15, 1917............. 3,135 1,600..----- .. .. Camp Grant Rockford, Ill:, and Fort Dec. 26, 1917. tion and shop. Benjamin Harrison, Ind. Twenty-second Engi- Light railway con- - . . ............... neers. struction. 3,909 500 abroad...............Camp Sheridan, Montgomery, Ala., and June 30, 1918. 1,000in United States. I Fort Benj. Harrison, Ind. Twenty - third Engi- Highway.............. ... do.... ........... 4, 655 4,655......... .. Camp Meade, Annapolis Junction, Md. Jan. 23, 1918. neers. Twenty - fourth Engi- Supply and shop..... .....do................... 1, 587 1,587 .................. Camp Dix, Wrightstown, N. J......... Feb. 18, 1918. neers. Twenty-fifth Engineers General construction.. ..... do.................. 1,539 1,539.................... Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass............ Oct. 31, 1917, and Jan. 4, 1918. Twenty- sixth Engi- Water supply......... .....do................... neers. Eg Mn . .. 1,539 uite aUin 6907 d. .t..... Camp Dix, Wrightstown, N. J....... Oct. 31, 1917. Twenty-seventh Engi- 781 a ioa..... ..... Camp Meade, Annapolis Junction, Md., Feb. 27, 1918. neers. Mining-.-......... .... do................... 1,539 19 in Unted States..... and Camp Leach, D. C. 1. ... .. ... ... .. ... F- -- 1 _ __ Author- ized max- Kind of troops. Date authorized in Regu- imum Approximate strength Where mobilized. When sailed. Name of organization. lar Service at- strength (enlisted men). (enlisted men). I-. I 1I Twenty-eighth Engi- uarry............... Aug. 15,1917........... 1024 abroad........ 1,587 (16 in United Sttes.... }Camp Humphreys, Va................ Feb. 9, 1918. neers. 0 Transferred in May to Twenty -ninth Engi- 1,250 476,................. Camp De vens, Ayer Mass.; Washing- Corps Regiments and 0 Surveying and print- ... do.................... ton Barracks, D. .; and Fort Myer, strengths carried in neers. 774 524........ ............ Va. record of latter Oct. 0 ro 31, 1917. Dec. 26, 1917. Thirtieth Engineers.... Gas and flame..............do...... ........ 1,587 1,587............... Fort Myer, Va...................... Feb. 27, 1918. June 28, 1918. Thirty-first Engineers.. Railway operating ..... do.... ................. do 1,587 1,587...... .... Fort Leavenworth, Kans.............. June 7, 1918. Thirty - second Engi- Railway construction.! Aug. 15; 1917, and Dec. 7, 1, 587 1,587.................. Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill...... ... June 15, 1918. 0 neers. I 1917. Thirty-third Engineers. General construction.. Aug. 15, 1917........... 1,539 5750 abroad.......... 789 in United States.... }Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass............ ay 10, 1918. ... Thirty - fourth Engi- Supply and shop...... .....do................... 3,135 2,722............ First, Second, and Fourth Battalions, neers. Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind. Third Battalion at Camp Dix, Wrights- O O Thirty-fifth Engineers.. Railway shop......... Sept. 5, 1917, and Jan. 13, 1918. (4,021 town, N. J. 4,361 340 in United States..... Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill.............. Dec. 12, 1917.- abroad............. Thirty-sixth Engineers. Railway transporta- Dec. 7, 1917 ............. 834 834 ..................... Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill............ June 7, 1918. tion battalion. ao Thirty-seventh Engi- Electrical and me- neers. chanical. }Dec. 7 and 22, 1917........ 1, 587 774 abroad .......... {813 in United States..... }Fort Myer, Va........................ May 8, 1918. Thirty-eighth Engi- Crane operator........ Nov. 28 and Dec. 7, 1917... 500 500 ..................... .... do....................... Feb. 27, 1918. neers. ci Thirty-ninth Engineers Railway operating bat. Aug. 15, 1917... .......... 774 774................... Camp Upton, Long Island, N. Y...... June 7, 1918. talion. Fortieth Engineers.... Camouflage ........... Dec. 4, 1917............ 524 abroad......... American University, Washington, Jan. 4, 1918. Forty-first Engineers... Auxiliary forestry bat- Dec. 7, 1917............... 574 1,024 50 in United States..... 1,024.............. D. C. do .................. I. .............. ..... ...... Mar. 1, 1918. talion. Forty-second Engineers ..... do. . ............ ..... do............... 1,024 1,024................. ..... do............... ............. May 10, 1918. Forty-third Engineers.... do... .......... ..... .....do................... do...; ..... ".- ..... 1,024 1,024.................. .... do................................ May 22, 1918. Forty-fourth Engineers Railway maintenance 774 624................... Fort Benj. Harrison, Ind.......... of way battalion. ..... do.................... Forty-fifth Engineers... ... do............... 774 624 ................ Camp Humphreys Va ... Forty-sixth Engineers ..... do. ... -......... ..... do................ 774 Camp Sheridan, Montgomery, Ala... 774................... Forty-seventh Engi- .do........do.. ..... do............... 774 624 ................ --.... do............................. neers. Forty-eighth Engineers ..... do... ....... .---. do.............. 774 624 .... ............. FortBeni. Harrison, Ind............ Forty-ninth Engineers. Railway maintenance Aug. 15, 1917.......... 774 Fort Myer, Va...................... 774...................... of equipment bat- talion. Fiftieth Engineers.... ...- do................ Dec. 7, 1917............ 774 Camp Laurel, Md.................... 774 -.......---......-....... Fifty-first Engineers... Railway miscellane- .!...do...........--.--.-- 774 Camp Humphreys, Va................. June 30, 1918. 774 ....-................ ous trades and store- keepers. Fifty-second Engineers. Railway operating Aug. 15, 1917............. 774 774 ................. Camp Upton, Long Island, N. Y....... June 7, 1918. battalion. Fifty-third Engineers.. do.............. -....Dec. 7, 1917........... 774 774 .................... .Campo.Dix, Wrightstown, N. J....... June 10, 1918. Fifty-fourth Engineers. .... do.. ............. ..... do................ 774 774..................... .... Fifty-fifth Engineers... Railway construction. Aug. 15 and Dec. 7, 1917... 1, 587 1,587.................. Camp Custer Battle Creek Mich....... Fifty-sixth Engineers.. Searchlight......... Dec. 13, 1917, and Feb. 18, 2,500 1,500............... Washington Barracks, D. 6C............ Transferred in Febru- 1918. ary and April to corps regiments and strengths carried in record of latter. Fifty-seventh E ng i- }Inland waterways..... Mar. 8, 1918............. 1,000 500 abroad .......... 250 in United States..... }Camp Laurel, Md.................. June 30, 1918. neers. Fifty-eighth Engineers. Railway operat ing Feb. 13, 1918.............. 774 774.... ............ Organized in France .................. Organized overseas. battalion. Fifty-ninth Engineers.. ..... do............... ..... do................... 774 774.................... ..... do...... ....................... Do. Sixtieth Engineers..... ..... do ............... ..... do.................... 774 774 .................. Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind.......... Sixty-first Engineers... ..... do................ .... do................... 774 774 ...................... Sixty-second Engineers .... do . . ........ ...... ..... do.................... 774 774..................... do...................................... .. :..do............................... .. Sixty-third Engineers. ..... d................ . d...do................... 774 522................ O Sixty-fourth Engineers. ....do............... May 3, 1918 ............ 774 774..................... Organized in France................. Organized overseas.. Sixty-fifth Engineers Tank troops......... Jan. 16, 1918.......... 3,644 1,050 on Mar. 16......... Camp Meade Annapolis Junction Md., Transferred to special (original). and Camp Upton, Long Island, N. Y. tank service Mar. 18, 1918. Sixty-fifth Engineers Railway o p e r a t i n g May 3, 1918 ............... 774 774 ..................... France..... ................... Organized overseas. 1 (new). battalion. Sixty-sixth Engineers.. Railway operation .... Aug. 15, 1917 .......... 1,587 1,587................... Camp Laurel, Md.................... June 30, 1918. Sixty-seventh E n g i- Railway transporta- May 3, 1918 ........... 834 834...................... Organized in France.............. Organized overseas. neers. tion. Sixty-eighth Engineers. Railway op er at ing ..... do.................... 774 To be organized at Camp Leach, D. C.. battalion. 1,695.................... .. Sixty-ninth Engineers. ..... do............... ..... do................. 774 ..... do........................... One hundred and first Sapper and train...... June 3, 1916, and May 18, 1, 695 1,695................... Camp Greene, Charlotte, N. C., and Sept. 27,r1917. Engineers. 1917. 1,695.................... Boston, Mass. One hundred and sec- do.............. -.......... do............... 1,695 Camp Wadsworth, Spartansburg, S. C. May 17, 1918. ond Engineers. One hundred and third do.................. 1,695 .... Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga......... May 18, 1918. Engineers. ..... do ........ ....... 1,695 ................... One hundred and .... do ................... 1,695 Camp McClellan, Anniston, Ala........ June 19 1918. fourth Engineers. 1,695.................. One hundred and fifth ..... do.................. ..... do................ 1,695 Camp Sevier, Greenville, S. C.......... May 26, 1918. Engineers. One hundred and sixth ..... do............... ..... do................. 1, 695 1,695................... Camp Wheeler, Macon, Ga........... Engineers. One hundred and .....do............... .....do.... ........... 1,695 1,695.................... Camp MacArthur, Waco,Tex .......... Jan. 30, 1918. seventh Engineers. Author- ized max Date authorized in Regu- imum Approximate strength Name of organization. Kind of troops. lar Service at- strength (enlisted men). Where mobilized. When sailed. 0to (enlistpd men). t 0 One hundred and Sapper and train...... June 3, 1916, and May 18, 1,695 1,695................. Camp Logan, Houston, Tex.......... May 8, 1918. eighth Engineers. 1917. H One hundred and do.............. ..... .... do....... 1,695 1,695.................... Camp Cody, Deming, N. Mex.......... 0 ninth Engineers. One hundred and .do ................. do.................. 1,695 1,695 Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill, Okla....... May 3, 1918. tenth Engineers. 0 One hundred and ..... do.....................do................ 1,695 1,695................ Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Tex..... eleventh Engineers. o One hundred and do........... .... 1,695 1,695 ............... ..do....do................. Camp Sheridan, Montgomery Ala., June 22, 1918. twelfth Engineers. and Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va. One hundred and ..... do ... ... do................. .... 1,695 1,695 ..................... Camp Shelby at Hattiesburg, Miss.... thirteenth Engineers. 0 One hundred and do................do................. ..... 1,695 1,695................... Camp Beauregard at Alexandria, La... fourteenth Engineers. One hundred and ..... ......... do................ do.... ........... 1,695 1,695 ................... Camp Kearny at Linda Vista, Cal..... fifteenth Engineers. One hundred and do .................. do...-............ ..... 1,695 1,695.................... Camp Mills, Garden City, L. I......... Nov. 26, 1917. sixteenth Engineers. One hundred and ..... do-.....................do............... 1,695 1,695 ................. ..... do......................... Oct. 18, 1917, and Jan. seventeenth Engi- 18, 1918. neers. Three hundred and do........... May 18, 1917.............. ..... 1,695 1,695.......... ........ Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass.......... first Engineers. Three hundred and w HH do............... ..... ..... do... ............ 1,695 1,695.................... Camp Upton, Long Island, N. Y...... Mar. 29, 1918. second Engineers. Three hundred and .....do............... ..... do.................. 1,695 1,695.................. Camp Dix, Wrightstown, N. J......... May 27, 1918. third Engineers. Three hundred and ..... do............. ..... do............... 1,695 1,695............... Camp Meade, Annapolis Junction, Md. fourth Engineers. Three hundred and .....do............... .....do............... 1,695 1,695................. Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va.......... May 26, 1918. fifth Engineers. Three hundred and ... do......... .......... do.............. 1,695 1,695 ............... Camp Jackson, Columbia, S. C....... sixth Engineers. Three hundred and .....do............... ..... do.............. ... 1,695 1,695 ................... Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Ga.......... May 19, 1918. seventh Engineers. Ca Three hundred and ...do.............. 1,695 1,695 ............... Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio ...... June 4, 1918. d0 eighth Engineers. do................ ..... Three hundred and .....do............... 1,695 1,695.................... Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ky., and ninth Engineers. ..... do................. Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio. Three hundred and .....do..... .......... 1,695 1,695................. Camp Custer at Battle Creek, Mich.... tenth Engineers. Three hundred and ..... do...... ........... do....... ....... 1, 695 1,695. ............. Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill............ eleventh Engineers. Three hundred and ..... do...................... do............... 1,695 1,695............... Camp Pike, Little Rock, Ark., and twelfth Engineers. Camp Dix, Wrightstown, N. J. Three hundred and do................ ..... ..... 1,695 do.................... 1,695................ Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa....... thirteenth Engineers. Three hundred and .....do................. ..... do............... 1, 695 1,695................... Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kans..... June 12, 1918. fourteenth Engineers. Three hundred and ..... do............ ..... do.................. 1,695 1,695............... Camp Travis at Fort Sam Houston, June 13, 1918. fifteenth Engineers. Tex. Three hundred and ..... do................. ..... do............... 1,695 1,695................ Camp Lewis at American Lake, Wash.. sixteenth Engineers. Three hundred and .....do................ do ...... ..... ......... 1,695 1,695 .................. Camp Sherman at Chillicothe, Ohio.... June 10, 1918. seventeenth Engi- neers. Three hundred and eighteenth Engineers. ..... do................ ..... do.............. 1,695 1,695.................. Vancouver Barracks, Wash............ May 8, 1918. X Three hundred and ..... do................. ..... do................. 1,695 1,695.................... Camp Fremont at Palo Alto, Cal....... nineteenth Engineers. Four hundred and first Ponton park.......... August 15, 1917.. ... 181 Camp Forrest, Ga................ 0 Engineers. 40....................... Four hundred and Depot detachments... Sept. 20, 1917.............. 42 San Antonio, Tex ................ second Engineers. 37...................... Four hundred and third Engineers. do.............. ..... do................... 40 ..... 31...................... Vancouver Barracks, Wash........... z Four hundred and ..... do................. .....do.................... 40 31..........--.....---.. Fort Leavenworth, Kans........... fourth Engineers. 0 Four hundred and fifth .... do............ ..... do.................... 27 24 ....................... Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass.......... 4 Engineers. t- Four hundred and sixth Engineers. ..... do............. do................ ..... 16 10..................... Camp Upton, Long Island, N. Y..... zC Four hundred and do........:........ ..... .....do.................... 25 7....................... Camp Dix, Wrightstown, N. J ........ seventh Engineers. Four hundred and ..... do.............. .....do.................... 25 24........ ..... Camp Meade, Annapolis Junction, Md.. eighth Engineers. Four hundred and .....do............. ..... do.............. 29 Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va............ 32.................... ninth Engineers. Four hundred and . do.............. ..... do.................... 16 8....................... Camp Jackson at Columbia, S. C.... tenth Engineers. Four hundred and ..... do................do..... .......... ..... 26 Camp Gordon at Atlanta, Ga........... 13....................... eleventh Engineers. Four hundred and .....do................ ..... do.............. 16 Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio..... twelfth Engineers. Four hundred and thir- .... do................ .....do.................... 16 18....................... 18.--... .. ----......--- Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ky........... teenth Engineers. 2513..................... Four hundred and four- ....do................ ..... do.................... 25 Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich....... teenth Engineers. Four hundred and fif- ..... do............ .....do.................... 16 10................. Camp Crant, Rockford, Ill......... teenth Engineers. Four hundred and six- ....do................. .....do.................... 16 8........... ........ Camp Pike, Little Rock, Ark........ teenth Engineers. to Name of organization. Where mobilized. When sailed. Four hundred and sev- Depot detachments... Sept. 20, 1917.......... 4.............. ......... Camp Dodge, Iowa.............. enteenth Engineers. Four hundred and ..... do............ .... do..................... 16 16................. Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kans...... 0 eighteenth Engineers. Fourhundredand nine- .... do........... Dec. 14, 1917.............. 100 100................... France........................ Organized overseas. teenth Engineers. 0 Four hundred and .....do............... Sept. 20, 1917.......... 26 24....................... Camp Lewis, American Lake, Wash... twentieth Engineers. Four hundred and .... do.............. ..... do.............. 16 14 ................... ... Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C. twenty-first Engi- neers. Four hundred and ..... do............... ..... do............... 16 15....................... Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga......... twenty-second Engi- 0 neers. Four hundred and twenty-third Engi- do............... ..... ..... do............... 16 14....................... Camp McClellan, Anniston, Ala...... t W neers. b Four hundred and do............. ..... ..... do............... 25 21 .................... Camp Sevier, Greenville, S. C.......... twenty-fourth Engi- neers. Four hundred and .....do................ do.................. ....26 Camp Wheeler, Macon, Ga......... 23...................... w twenty-fifth Engi- neers. Four hundred and do................ ..... .... do..... ........... 26 23 ...................... Camp MacArthur, Waco, Tex.......... twenty-sixth Engi- neers. Four hundred and do................ ..... do............... .... 16 17.................. Camp Logan, Houston, Tex........ twenty-seventh En- gineers. C Four hundred and .do............ .... do................... .do................. 16 Camp Cody, Deming, N. Mex......... 12....................... twenty-eighth Engi- neers. Four hundred and do............. ..... .....do.................... 26 23.................. Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill, Okla...... twenty-ninth Engi- neers. Four hundred and thir- ..... do................. ..... do................. 16 16.............. Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Tex...... ......... tieth Engineers. Four hundred and thir- do......................do......................do......... ..... 9 ........................ 16 Camp Sheridan, Montgomery, Ala.... ty-first Engineers. Four hundred and thir- ..... do...................do............... 26 22...................... Camp Shelby, Hattiesbuirg, Miss....... ty-second Engineers. Four hundred and thir- ..... do................do............... 16 11...................... Camp Beauregard, Alexandria, La .... ty-third Engineers. Four hundred and do............ ..... do............... ..... 26 18...................... Camp Kearny, Linda Vista, Cal....... thirty-fourth Engi- neers. Four hundred and ..... do............ ..... do............... 26 26...................... Camp Greene, Charlotte, N. C.... thirty-fifth E ngi- neers. Four hundred and do................ ..... .....do................... 20 Not known here-....... Corozal, Canal Zone .................... thirty-sixth E n g i - neers. Four hundred and ..... do. ............. ..... do................. 695 517................... Washington, D. C............... thirty-seventh Engi- neers. Four hundred and do.............. ..... ..... do................... 200 148..................... New York, N. Y ..... ............ thirty-eighth Engi- neers. Four hundred and ..... do............... ..... do................... Port of embarkation, Norfolk, Va..... 75 14...................... thirty-ninth Engi- neers. Philadelphia, Pa.................... 0 Four hundred and for- tieth Engineers. ..... do................ ..... do................... 20 18..................... z Fourhundred and forty- ..... do.... ........ do........ ........... .... Baltimore, Md ....................... 12 11...................... first Engineers. Fa Four hundred and Truck company....... Dec. 7, 1917........... 53 53 ...................... Fort Myer, Va ............ ........... Mar. 6, 1918. OO forty-second Engi- neers. Four hundred and ..... do............... ..... do............... 53 53............. Camp Humphreys, Va ............ ......... forty-third Engineers. Four hundred and do.................. .....do..............-- 53 53 ............--........ Fort Myer, Va ........................ Mar. 29, 1918. forty-fourth Engi- neers. Four hundred and forty-fifth Engineers. .....do............... ..... do................... 53 53....................... ..... do.... ..................... z12 Four hundred and Depot detachment.... Dec. 14, 1917............. France.................................. 150 150..................... Organized overseas. forty-sixth Engineers. Four hundred and ..... do............. ..... do................... 150 150................... .....do............................... Do. forty-seventh Engi- neers. Four hundred and Truck company....... Dec. 7, 1917............. 53 53.................... Fort Myer, Va ..................... Mar. 6, 1918. forty-eighth Engi- neers. Four hundred and .... do............ ..... do................... 53 53....................... Camp Humphreys, Va............ forty-ninth E n g i - neers. do............... ..... Four hundred and fifti- .... do............ 53 53.......... ..... Fort Myer, Va.................... eth Engineers. .... do.................... Four hundred and fifty- .... do............ 53 53 ..... ................. ... do........................ first Engineers. Four hundred and fifty- ..... do............ .....do................ 53 53...................... ..... do.......................... ...... Mar. 29, 1918. second Engineers. Fourhundred and fifty- .... do....................do......... 53 53....................... do.... ................. ...... third Engineers. Name of organization. Where mobilized. When sailed. 0 Four hundred and fif- Depot detachment.... Sept. 20,1917.......... 25 Unknown here.......... Manila, P. I................... ty-fourth Engineers. Four hundred and fif- ..... do................ ..... do............ ... 20 ..... do............. -... Honolulu, Hawaii................ O ty-fifth Engineers. Four hundred and fif- Truck company....... Dec. 7, 1917 .............. 63 53.................--- 53 .................... Camp Humphreys, Va .............. ty-sixth Engineers. Four hundred and fif- .....do................ ..... do..... ........... 53 Fort Myer, Va......................... 53...................... May 10, 1918. ty-seventhEngineers. Four hundred and fif- do....................53 do .............. ..... ..... ..... do....................... ty-eighth Engineers. 53---------------------. Four hundred and fif- Limousine company... .....do................... 53 53.................-- ..... do......................... Mar. 6, 1918. ty-ninth Engineers. 0 Four hundred and six- All-weather-car com- ..... do.................. 53 53..................... do............................ ..... Mar. 29, 1918. tieth Engineers. pany. 53...................... M t J Four hundred and six- Touring-car company. .....do................... 53 ..... do................................. Mar. 6, 1918. ty-first Engineers. Four hundred and Motorcycle company.. do................. .... 38 38.................... .....do....... .................. z sixty-second Engi- neers. Four hundred and .... do.......................do.................... . 37 37 ........................... do............ ... .......... Mar. 29, 1918. z sixty-third E n g i - neers. Four hundred and Ponton train........ Dec. 13, 1917............. 170 170...................... Washington Barracks, D. C............. sixty-fourth Engi- neers. Four hundred and ..... ....do................. do................ 170 170........................ do......................... IQ sixty-fifth Engineers. Four hundred and ..... do ................... do .............. 170 60..........................do............... sixty-sixth E n g i - neers. Four hundred and ..... do........... ........... do....................170 Not organized........... Camp Forrest, Ga. ... .......... sixty-seventh Engi- neers. Four hundred and ..... 170 ..... do......................do............do............... ........... do...................l.....do .............. sixty-eighth E n g i - o neers. Four hundred and Railway transporta- Feb. 2, 1918........... 971 726 abroad; 74 in United Fort Slocum, N. Y ..................... I Various dates. sixty-ninth E n g i - tion corps. States. neers. Four hundred and sev- Depot detachment.... Sept. 20, 1917.......... 20 19 ..................... Camp Fremont, Palo Alto, Cal... entieth Engineers. Four hundred and sev- .....do................ .....do................... 43 No report ............... Camp Humphreys, Va............ enty-first Engineers. Four hundred and sev- Military mapping ser- May 2, 1918 ............. 856 Fort Sam Houston, Tex.; Washington, 192..,............... enty-second Engi- vice. D. C.; Charleston, S. C.; Chicago Ill.; neers. Camp Humphreys, Va.; San Fran- cisco, Cal. Four hundred and sev- Gas training service... Apr. 18, 1918.............. Washington, D. C., and various camps.. 420 200...................... enty-third Engineers. Fourhundred and sev- Depot detachments... Sept. 20, 1917............. 16 ... .................... Camp Forrest, Ga................. enty-fourth Engi- neers. Four hundred and sev- .....do .............. ..... do.................... 14 Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind....... enty-fifth Engineers. Unorganized Engineers ..... do.............. ..... do..................... 85 Five hundred and first Service battalion Aug. 15, 1917............... 1,006 1,006..... .......... Tenafly, N. J.................... Nov. 26, 1917. Engineers. (white). Five hundred and sec- ..... do................ ..... do................ 1,006 Tenafly, N. J.......................... Nov. 12, 1917. ond Engineers. 1,006............... z Five hundred and .....do................ ..... do................... 1,006 .....do............................ Nov. 26, 1917. ................. 1,006 third Engineers. Five hundred and ........ ....do........ ..... do.................... 1,006 .....do.................................. Do. 0 fourth Engineers. 1,006.................. Five hundred and fifth Service battalion (col- ..... do..................... 1,006 1,006 ............... Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va............ Dec. 12, 1917. Engineers. Five hundred and ored). .....do................ ..... do..................... 1,006 1,006................ .....do......................... Jan. 4, 1918. z sixth Engineers. Five hundred and sev- ..... do.............. ..... 1,006 1,006............... do........................ Camp Travis, Fort Sam Houston, Tex. Feb. 18, 1918. enth Engineers. Five hundred and .....do................ ..... 1,006 do.................... 1,006................ Camp Pike, Little Rock, Ark .......... Jan. 23, 1918. a eighth Engineers. Five hundred and do................... ..... do................. 1,006 1,006................. Camp Travis, Fort Sam Houston, Tex. Feb. 18, 1918. ninth Engineers. Five hundred and .... do............ ..... do.............. 1,006 1,006................... Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va.............. Mar. 22, 1918. x tenth Engineers. Five hundred and elev- ..... do.............. 1, 006 1,006............... ..... do ................................ Do. enth Engineers. Five hundred and ..... do................ ..... 1,006 do..................... Camp Pike, Little Rock, Ark_.......... 1,006..................... Apr. 7, 1918. twelfth Engineers. Five hundred and thir- .....do............... .... do................. 1,006 1,006 Camp TraviS, Fort Sam Houston, Tex. Apr. 29, 1918. .................... teenth Engineers. Five hundred and four- ..... do............... ..... 1,006 1,006.................. do.................... Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Ga............. Do. teenth Engineers. Five hundred and fif- ..... do.............. ..... do..... .......... 1,006 1,006................... Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ky........... May 8, 1918. teenth Engineers. Five hundred and six- .... do............. ..... do.................... 1,006 1,006.............. Camp Humphreys, Va................. teenth Engineers. Five hundred and sev- ..... do................ ..... do............... 1,006 1,006................... Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Ga......... enteenth Engineers. Five hundred and do .... ..... do.....do.............. 1,006 73................... ..... do........................... eighteenth Engineers. Five hundred and nine- ..... do..................do......... ...... 1,006 915...... .......... Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass......... teenth Engineers. Five hundred and ..-.. do................... do...... ......... 1,006 453......... Camp Humphreys, Va................ ........... 01 twentieth Engineers. Author- ized max- Name of organization. Kind of troops. authorized Date lar in Regu- Service at- imum strength Approximate strength (enlisted men). Where mobilized. When sailed. (enlisted men). Five hundred and Service battalion (col- Aug. 15, 1917.............. 1,006 779..................... Camp Humphreys,Va. ................ 0 twenty-first Engi- ored). )d neers. o Five hundred and .....do................. .....do............... 1,006 686..................... .... do ................................. 0 twenty-second Engi- neers. Five hundred and ..... do............... ...... do.............. ....do 1,006 1,006...................... .... do........ ................. twenty-third Engi- neers. N Five hundred and .....do ............... :.....do............... 1,006 1,006.................... ..... do............. ............ 0 twenty-fourth Engi- neers. 0t-4 Five hundred and .....do.............. ..... do...... ........ 1,006 1,006.......:............. Camp Pike, Little Rock, Ark....... twenty-fifth engi- neers. M Five hundred and do............... .... do............... ..... 1,006 1,006................. ..... do........... ........... .. twenty-sixth engi- 0 neers. Five hundred and do.............. ..... ..... do.............. 1,006 1,006 ................. Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa....... June 22, 1918. twenty-seventh En- N gineers. N Five hundred and ..... do............. ..... do................ 1,006 1,006................... do ...... .................... w twenty-eighth Engi- neers. Five hundred and ..... do......... .... .... do.............. 1,006 1,006................... Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kans....... twenty-ninth Engi- neers. Five hundred and .....do.............. ..... do............... 1,006 767..................... do............................ ..... td o thirtieth Engineers. Five hundred and ..... do.............. .... do ............... 1,006 1,006................... Camp Travis, Fort Sam Houston, Tex.. N thirty-first Engineers. Five hundred and ..... do................ .... do.....do............. 1,006 112.................. Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ky.......... thirty-second Engi- neers. Five hundred and ....do.............. .... do................. 1,006 104................. Camp Pike, Little Rock, Ark......... '-S thirty-third Engi- neers. Five hundred and do............... ..... .do....................... 1,006 51....................... Camp Jackson, Columbia, S.C......... thirty-fourth Engi- neers. Five hundred and .... do............ .... do.................... 1,006 1,327................... Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va............ thirty-fifth Engineers. Five hundred and ..... do................ do............... 1,006 380 .................. ... Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich...... thirty-sixth Engi- neers. Five hundred and ..... do............. ..... do..... .......... 1, 006 1,006................ Camp Travis, Fort Sam Houston, Tex.. thirty-seventh Engi- neers. Five hundred and ..... do..................do............... 1, 006 Not organized........... Camp Meade, Annapolis Junction, Md.. thirty-eighth Engi- neers. Five hundred and ..... do...................do.............. 1,006 46........................ Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Ga.......... thirty-ninth Engi- neers. Five hundred and ..... do............... ..... do............... 1,006 Not organized........... Camp Humphreys, Va............ fortieth Engineers. Five hundred and do................ ..... do............... ..... 1,006 ....do................ do............................ ..... forty-first Engineers. Five hundred and do............... .... ..... do................... 1,006 .... do................. z forty-second Engi- neers. Five hundred and ..... do...................do.... ........... 1,006 ..... do.................... .. do........................ forty-third Engineers. Five hundred and do .................... .... do... ........... 1,006....do................................. forty-fourth Engi- neers. Five hundred and ..... do ............... ..... do.............. 1,006 ..... do.............. ..... do................... ............. forty-fifth Engineers. Five hundred and do............... ..... .....do.... .......... 1,006 ..... do....... ...... do.............................. .... forty-sixth Engineers. Six hundred and first Corps regiments....... Feb. 18, 1918.......... 1,613 1,613............... Camp Laurel, Md., and abroad......... June 30, 1918. Engineers. Six hundred and sec- do............... -.... ..... do............... 1,613 1,571.................... Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass., and abroad. ond Engineers. Six hundred and third ..... do............... ..... do............... 1,613 1,476.............. Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind........ Engineers. My Six hundred and fourth .....do............ ..... do.................... 1,613 737..................... American University, Washington,D.C. 0 Engineers. Six hundred and fifth .....do............... ..... do............... 1,613 648....................... Camp Forrest, Ga............... Engineers. First-Tenth training Replacements......... First-Third (Jan. 5, 1918); 7,850 ................... Camp Humphreys, Va., and Washing- 3,925 and replacement reg- Fourth-Tenth (Apr. 27, ton Barracks, D. C. iments. 1918). Replacements unas- Sf4,360 abroad............ signed. .... do............. {10,640 United States.... Various camps....................... -....... Various dates. Total........... .................................................... 230,945 214,274 i 28 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. ENGINEER OFFICERS' TRAINING CAMPS. Shortly after war was declared it was decided by the department to organize officers' training camps in various sections of the country in order to train officers for duty with the forces to be raised for the war. Sixteen such camps were established in May, 1917, at 13 dif- ferent localities, and at each training camp the Engineer Corps was authorized to have one company of 150 men. .The men selected for these engineer companies at the training camps were restricted to those who had been commissioned as officers of the Engineer Officers' Reserve Corps or had passed a preliminary examination before one of the local engineer examining boards. Work at these camps began during the second week in May, 1917, and after about a month at the general camps the engineer sections were collected at three engineer training camps for special engineering instruction, one.at Vancouver Barracks, Wash., one at Fort Leaven- worth, Kans., and one in,the vicinity of this city. The course at these camps was in progress at the end of the fiscal year, the number of student officers being about 2,155, of whom about 490 were officers of the Reserve Corps on active duty, about 255 were officers of the Reserve Corps who had but recently accepted their commissions and whose assignment to duty as officers had not yet been issued, and about 1,410 were candidates for commissions whose commissions had not yet been issued. The camps closed in August when the successful graduates were given a short leave and then assigned to regiments or other engineer duty. The unsuccessful candidates were honorably discharged from the service. Those students who had already been granted commissions but who were not recommended for active those who had attended the first camps and were still on inactive duty in order that their services might be available should some sudden emergency develop. After the second series of camps had progressed sufficiently to provide a reservoir of properly qualified officers, all those who had attended the first camps and were still on inactive duty were honorably discharged from the service, this having become nec- essary due to the restrictions which had been placed upon the num- ber of outstanding engineer commissions. A second series of training camps was held at the same three loca- tions during September, October, and November, 1917. About 1,500 students attended, all of whom had been commissioned prior to the opening of the camps. At the close of the camps all who were not recommended for active assignments were immediately discharged. A third camp was held at Camp Lee, Va., during January-April, 1918, which was attended by about 750 reserve officers and 750 en- listed men selected from engineer organizations and in a few cases from other branches of the service. Practically all officers holding commissions who had not yet been ordered to active duty were ordered to this camp. A fourth camp was in session at the close of the fiscal year at Camp Lee, Va. To it had been sent several hundred officers commissioned as a result of the review of applications filed since June 20, 1917, about 900 enlisted men selected from the Army at large, and about 200 honor graduates of various technical schools. From the very beginning an attempt had been made to adopt the policy of requiring all officers to obtain preliminary instruction at NATIONAL ARMY ENGINEERS. 29 training camps before being assigned to active service. This had not been possible with the officers assigned to the National Army regi- ments which had been formed during the preceding year, but it had been expected to do so thereafter. ,Owing, however, to the speeding up of the Army program and to a considerable extent to the restrictions placed during the fiscal year on the issuance of reserve commissions, it became necessary during the year to assign many officers to active service without any pre- liminary military training and to draw several hundred officers away from the training camps before the completion of their courses and many after the courses had hardly been begun. In doing this it be- came necessary to commission, before the completion of their courses, about 600 enlisted men who had been sent for instruction to the offi- cers' training camps. During the latter part of the fiscal year it became necessary to make plans for a much larger over-seas force than had previously been authorized. To train the necessary officers for these forces, authority was obtained to induct civilians within certain ages as enlisted men into engineer training regiments for observation, with a view to transferring them to officers' training camps should they prove themselves fitted. INSTRUCTION AT ENGINEER OFFICERS, TRAINING CAMPS. The courses of instruction at the Engineer officers' training camps were designed to fit the student officers and candidates for their military duties which it was expected they would be called upon to perform, and especially for their duties as organizers and instructors of units to be composed of enlisted men. No attempt was made at these training camps to teach civil or other branches of engineering as such, since all officers and candidates had to be trained and quali- fied engineers before they could be commissioned or admitted to the camps. The first requisite in the training of modern armies is thorough- ness and precision in fundamentals and in details. The prescribed courses are designed to teach, as thoroughly as possible, in the short time available, the duties of an officer, as- (a) Instructor, by subjecting our future officers to the same drills and individual training that they in turn must give to their future commands, with the rigid discipline and attention to detail that they must exact when they become officers of an organization that is to be trained. (b) Manager, by subjecting them to the same mode of life that will obtain with respect to their future commands, supplementing the same with instruction in the proper method of supplying, mess- ing, administering, and disciplining organizations, and caring for health, welfare, comfort, and sanitation. (c) Leader, by illustrating the tactical employment of troops and by giving each an opportunity for practice in tactical leadership. The course of instruction at the Engineer Officers' Training Camp, therefore, includes the following: (a) The fundamental training of an Infantry soldier, including Infantry drill, guard duty, calisthenics, bayonet exercise, target practice, signaling, grenade warfare, gas defense training, etc. 30 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. (b) Practical experience in command, including duties of cor- poral, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. (c) Instruction in company administration, supply, and army paper work generally. (d) Applications of the principles of civil engineering to military conditions, especially practical instruction in reconnaissance, bridge- work, trench layout, and construction, demolitions,. etc. (e) Tactics, battle exercises, map problems, terrain exercises, and problems in troop leading. RECRUITING OF ENGINEER ENLISTED PERSONNEL. Before the outbreak of the present war the enlisted men for the Engineer organizations of the Regular Army, the only Engineer organizations in existence, were received from the regular recruit- ing stations conducted under the supervision of The Adjutant Gen- eral, and, except at stations garrisoned in part at least by Engineer troops, no special advertising was conducted by the Chief of Engi- neers for the purpose of securing recruits especially qualified for Engineer service. The national defense act of June 3, 1916, authorized the estab- lishment of an Engineer Enlisted Reserve Corps, and with a view to obtaining through this Engineer Enlisted Reserve Corps a supply of good material for Ehgineer soldiers in time of war the Chief of Engineers, through the agency of the different district Engineer offices, opened a recruiting campaign for men of vocational expe- rience suited to the various classes of Engineer service in time of war. After the United States had entered into the war, and especially after the passage of the act of May 18, 1917, it became increasingly apparent that every effort must be made to stimulate voluntary enlist- ment in the Engineers of men peculiarly suited for that service, to the end that such men should' not all be drafted and assigned to other arms of the service, and thus be lost to the Engineers. There- fore, in addition to the efforts which were being made by district Engineer officers and Engineer officers serving with troops, there were prepared and circulated under the direction of the Chief of Engineers pamphlets and posters describing and illustrating the work of the Engineer troops in war, stating the qualifications desired of Engineer enlisted men, and urgently calling upon all men possessing suitable qualifications to enlist in the appropriate Engineer units: Considerable free advertising of the same character was patrioti- cally offered by the managers of and advertisers in certain technical periodicals. Due to these efforts, many voluntary enlistments were obtained. A temporary effect of the draft was to greatly stimulate voluntary enlistment, men being desirous of securing service in an arm of their own choosing. Later, however, restrictions were -placed upon the voluntary enlistment of men of draft age, but it was still pos- sible under certain conditions to secure their services through the process of induction. Quite a number of men were received in this mariner until restrictions were placed upon inductions, since which time practically all men have been received from the draft. In the early stages.of the draft very little effort was made at the various cantonments to classify the drafted men according to their NATIONAL AIMY ENGINEERS. 31 individual capabilities, and no adequate provisions were made for distributing such men according to the branch of the service for which they were especially fitted. The result was that the Engineer service at that time failed to secure many men specially fitted for engineer work. Shortly thereafter, when it became necessary to organize rapidly for foreign service Specialized Engineer organiza- tions, and since the efforts which had been made had failed to secure a sufficient number of suitable men by voluntary enlistment or induc- tion, it became necessary to request the transfer to the Engineers of men who had already been assigned to other branches of the service. These men were usually very desirable in the organizatibns to which they had been attached, many of them having already been appointed noncommissioned officers. Consequently, considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining in this manner suitable men for these special Engineer units, since the commanding officers of these men naturally desired to retain them. TRAINING OF ENGINEER ENLISTED MEN. At the outbreak of the war the sudden expansion of the military establishment was so great as to preclude the possibility of much centralized control over engineer training. The Engineer Training Manual had been issued and had been prescribed as a general guide for such engineer training, and since the commanding officers of all the original organizations were selected from the Corps of Engineers of the Regular Army, the training of the units under their com- mand had to be left largely to such officers. Subsequently, however, attempts were resumed at centralized control of such engineer training, and experienced officers of the Corps of Engineers and officers of the Inspector General's Department were sent on tours of inspection to make thorough inspections of all Engineer units and of the training that they had received. Although the reports of these inspections showed considerable lack of uniformity of methods and results, yet they showed also that, considering the difficulties involved, excellent results had, as a rule, been obtained. As a result of these inspections, however, it was decided toward the close of the fiscal year to institute a more centralized control over such training by the Chief of Engineers, so as to make the maximum use of a limited number of trained instructors remaining in this country. The general plan, was to standardize the methods of training, and at the same time to concentrate the raising of Engineer units in a few well-fitted localities instead of raising them, as had heretofore been done, in many scattered sections of the country. At the end of the fiscal year, however, it had not been possible to more than start this scheme of training. It had been originally thought that by voluntary enlistments and as the result of the draft a sufficient number of skilled mechanics would be obtained for the Engineer service, but it soon became ap- parent that a sufficient number of such skilled mechanics could not be obtained, and it was therefore decided by the Chief of Engineers to train in this country the skilled specialists necessary. Accordingly plans were prepared and estimates were made for the installation'of an extensive system of trade schools for the training 32 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. of especially selected Engineer enlisted men. By the end of the fiscal year about 1,000 men were receiving vocational instruction in trade schools in the following occupations: Standard-gauge railroad operation. Standard-gauge railroad construction. Light railway operation and construction. Ponton-bridge work. Carpentry. Masonry. Motor transportation. Animal transportation: Highway construction and maintenance. Surveying. Lithography. Map reproduction. Photography. Sound and flash ranging. Forestry. Mining. Electrical trades. Searchlight operation. Oxyacetylene welding. REPLACEMENT OF CASUALTIES. The project for the organization of the American Expeditionary Forces contemplates an arrangement for the automatic supply of re- placement troops, according to a fixed schedule based upon the ex- perience of our allies and supplemented, of course, when necessary, by additional replacements. The original plans required the Chief of Engineers to provide re- placements for the units of the Regular Army and for special serv- ices only. Divisional replacements were to be furnished by the divi- sional depots themselves. In order to raise and equip these Engineer replacement troops the Chief of Engineers in October, 1917, requested authority for the con- struction of an Engineer replacement camp to hold 16,000 men. This authority was not obtained until late in December and the work of construction was not begun until January, and at the end of the fiscal year had been only partially completed. In the meantime the Chief of Engineers, early in the calendar year 1918, had been charged with replacements for the divisional regiments as well as for the spe- cial units, and request was therefore made to increase to a capacity of 40,000 the Engineer replacement camp which had been estab- lished near Accotink, Va., and had been named Camp Humphreys in honor of a former Chief of Engineers. Authority was granted for a capacity of 30,000 men, and at the end of the fiscal year the additional land had been acquired and work was in progress on the construction of the addition to this camp. Pending the completion of Camp Humphreys and in addition thereto use as a replacement depot was made of Washington Bar- racks, the site of the Engineer School, and prior to the war the sta- tion of an Engineer regiment. Engineer replacement recruits began to be received at the un- finished camp and at Washington Barracks in March and the first quota of automatic replacement troops was in the month of May shipped overseas from both places. NATIONAL ARMY ENGINEERS. 38 The authority already granted provides for the organization of 10 replacement Engineer regiments, but at the end of the fiscal year the organization of but 5 of these regiments had been completed, and a sixth had been started. CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES. "I desire to make special mention of the valuable services which have been rendered during the fiscal year by the civilian employees, not only in the Office of the Chief of Engineers but in the various offices of the Engineer Department at large. Many such employees have been exceedingly anxious .for active service abroad and in the field in this country, and some of them have been offered commissions elsewhere. In spite of such desires and opportunities they have patriotically continued to perform the important engineer work in this country from which their services could not be spared. Special commendation is due the more experienced Engineer em- ployees who performed their arduous and responsible tasks with un- tiring zeal. In connection with or as the result of the war many such employees have had thrust upon them duties and responsibilities fully equal to those ordinarily performed by commissioned officers. They have cheerfully assumed such responsibilities and, due to their long familiarity with War Department methods, have performed all this work in an excellent manner. It is regretted that it has been impossible to more adequately compensate these employees for their efficient service, and it is hoped that some steps to this end may be taken during the coming session of Congress. THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS. The regulations for the government of the Corps of Engineers pro- vide for a board of engineers, consisting of not less than three officers, designated by the Chief of Engineers, with the sanction of the Secre- tary of War. This board acts in an advisory capacity to the Chief of Engineers upon important questions of engineering, particularly in the preparation of designs for the various structures and devices required in the military engineer service. During the fiscal year the following changes have taken place in the personnel of the board: Relieved: Maj. Thomas M. Robins, Corps of Engineers, July 20, 1917; Brig. Gen. Frederic V. Abbot, Engineers, October 22, 1917; Maj. Edward M. Adams, United States Army, retired, January 10, 1918. Detailed: Maj. Edward M. Adams, United States Army, retired, July 20, 1917; Brig. Gen. Theodore A. Bingham, United States Army, retired, October 22, 1917; Col. Solomon W. Roessler, United States Army, retired, January 10, 1918. As constituted at the close of the fiscal year, The Board of Engi- neers was composed of: Brig. Gen. Theodore A. Bingham, United States Army, retired. Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, United States Army, retired. Brig. Gen. Harry Taylor, United States Army. 81116--ENG 1918--3 84 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Col. Solomon W. Roessler, United States Army, retired, recorder and disbursing officer. In addition, division engineers in whose divisions there are fortifi- cations are, ex officio, members of The Board of Engineers, when matters pertaining to defensive works in their respective divisions are under consideration by the board. During the fiscal year the board has reported upon various subjects connected with the engineer duties of the Army. FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. Based upon the report of the Endicott Board, submitted in 1886, and of the Taft Board, submitted in 1895, the War Department Board of Review, which was organized in February, 1915, has, since the last-mentioned date: revised the projects for the seacoast defenses of the United States. The projects prepared by these various boards have been the bases upon which fortification construction work has been carried on in the United States, and, in accordance with these projects, permanent seacoast defenses have been installed in the following localities within the United States: 1. Kennebec River, Me. 15. Charleston, S. C. 2. Portland, Me. 16. Poi-t Royal, S. C. 3. Portsmouth, N. H. 17. Savannah, Ga. 4. Boston, Mass. 18. Key West, Fla. 5. New Bedford, Mass. 19. Tampa Bay, Fla. 6. Narragansett Bay, R. I. 20. Pensacola, Fla. 7. Eastern Entrance to Long Island 21. Mobile, Ala. Sound. 22. New Orleans. La. S. New York, N. Y. 23. Galveston, Tex. 9. Delaware River. 24. San Diego, Cal. 10. Baltimore, Md. 25. Los Angeles, Cal. 11. Washington, D. C. 26. San Francisco, Cal. 12. Entrance to Chesapeake Bay. 27. Columbia River, Oregon and Wash- 13. Hampton Roads, Va. ington. 14, Cape Fear River, N. C, 28. Puget Sound, Wash. The fortifications recommended by the Endicott Board were suffi- cient to meet the requirements of our seacoast, as far as they could be foreseen at that time, and practically all of our existing seacoast batteries were included in the projects prepared by that board. In fact, of the existing gun emplacements fully 90 per cent were com- pleted or were in process of construction at the end of the Spanish War. When designed and constructed our seacoast emplacements were thoroughly up to date and were fully adequate for the purpose for which they were intended, but the art of seacoast fortification is a progressive one and must continually grow in order to keep up with the naval development and with the progress of scientific discoveries and inventions. However much care is given to the planning of seacoast emplacements, they will always pertain to the date of their construction and will be more or less out of date in so far as relates to discoveries, developments, or inventions made after the battery was built. Seacoast defenses are designed primarily to contend with naval vessels, to deny to our enemy's ships the use of harbors, and to keep such vessels away from locations from which their guns could injure FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. 35 industries and stores of value to the United States. In locating and. designing batteries the range and power of the naval guns with which they are to contend must be given careful consideration, and unless the fortifications are to be allowed to become obsolete, changes in the development of naval offense must be met by corresponding changes in seacoast defense. In general, our seacoast emplacements were planned so as to provide a fair margin of safety against an increase in the naval power of guns; that is, in so far as magazine and gun platform protection is concerned, and may be modified so as to adapt them to improvements in ammunition storage and serv- ice, but their positions are fixed. They were necessarily so located and designed as to obtain the maximum effect of the guns proposed to be mounted therein. Had they been intended for guns of greater power and longer range, the locations of many of the batteries, in all probability, would have been different; and, consequently, to modify older emplacements so as to mount longer-range and more powerful guns will mean that in many cases a proportion of the usefulness of this increased power and range will be lost. As has been stated, a very large percentage of our seacoast batter- ies are now at least 20 years old, and the rapid developments which have taken place since that time have rendered a proportion of them obsolete, either wholly or at least in some respects. Much work has, of course, been done from time to time in the way of modernizing these older emplacements, but the recent rapid advance in range and power of guns has left a number of them obsolete in so far as loca- tion and armament are concerned, and, consequently, in a number of our harbors the construction of new defenses is an imperative need. Since the report of the Endicott Board was submitted and until recently it has been the general policy of the United States to base, the seacoast work upon the report of this board-that is, to estimate the number of guns still to be emplaced and the cost of the same by subtracting the number of guns already emplaced and their cost from the estimates of the Endicott Board. It is believed this policy is wrong and that the future policy of the United States, as regards fortification, should be based upon the principle of replacing each year a certain percentage of each element of the defense and to do the work progressively and at a fairly uniform annual rate, so that in general all of our seacoast fortification will be fairly well up to date and batteries and other elements of the defense will be replaced before they become entirely obsolete. Apparently it is too early to state definitely what lessons con- nected with seacoast defense are to be learned from the present war. It can be stated, however, that, in general, nothing has happened in Europe to make any change in the fundamental principles upon which our seacoast defenses have been planned or to throw any doubt upon the truth of the principle that properly constructed seacoast defenses when properly manned and operated may be relied upon to successfully resist a naval attack. Although so far comparatively little change seems to have been indicated by this war in the art of seacoast defense, the war has been productive of great changes in connection with field artillery, espe- cially in the development of extremely large-sized mobile guns, in providing a greatly increased rapidity 'of fire and, consequently, in 36 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. requiring an enormous expenditure of ammunition; in the necessity of relying more upon indirect fire and of concealing as far as prac- ticable the location of guns not only from horizontal but also from aerial observation; and in the method of handling the fire of groups of guns so as to introduce certain particular types of fire, such as bar- rage fire, drum fire, etc., many of which are aimed not at special targets, but are intended merely to deny certain areas or lines to the enemy. It is believed that certain of these new elements should be given careful study in connection with our future plans for seacoast de- fenses. Overhead cover must be strengthened to guard against the plunging shots of very long-range fire and against aircraft bombing attacks; the increase in the rapidity of fire should be met by changes .such as may be possible in our ammunition service, so as to increase the rapidity of fire of the seacoast guns; the increase in the expendi- ture of ammunition should be provided for by increasing our maga- zine space and by firing our guns only with such charges as will increase the accuracy life of the gun; the development of portable mounts for large guns should be followed in seacoast defenses by ;installing some of our seacoast guns upon portable mounts moving ,on railroad tracks, and certain of the new types of fire should be adopted in the handling of seacoast guns. Perhaps one of the most striking developments is that of the so- called "barrage" fire, to prevent the enemy from passing certain lines or to prohibit him from remaining in certain areas. Such a system of fire tactics may have an important function in seacoast defenses. Many of the channels of approach to our harbors lie at a considerable distance from the shores and may not be completely closed by mines because of naval and commercial needs. Such chan- nels in many cases are so fully covered by the fire of guns, and especially of our older mortar batteries, as to make it certain that no enemy would attempt to make use of them, except under cover of night, fogs, or thick weather. Such conditions will necessarily arise from time to time, and it is believed that the safest defense under such conditions will probably be a barrage fire from our older mortar batteries. These older mortars are of comparatively limited range, and the batteries are so situated as to make the best use of this range. The emplacements were so planned as to be suited to such older mor- tars only and, even if properly located, which is usually not the case, except at prohibitive expense, they could not be so modified as to adapt them to more modern and longer-range mortars. The accuracy life of these mortars is so great that they may be fired many times before they are worn out. Consequently, in so far as location, length of life, and other important features are concerned, these older mortar batteries are well suited for such barrage fire, and since neither the mortars themselves nor the location of the batteries are of value for other uses, it is believed that wisdom points to the advisability of retaining these older batteries and keeping them in commission for this use. As was stated, one of the most striking developments of this war has been in the mounting of comparatively large-sized guns so that they may be moved from place to place by rail and be quickly pre- pared to fire in such new locations. This development naturally' FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. 37 points to the increaising usein seacoast defense of guns so mounted, and there are many locations in which this may be done to advantage. Fixed emplacements will yet remain necessary. Our principal seaports with their large accumulations of stores, their factories and shops, their lines of communication with the interior, and above all their securely sheltered harbors are primary strategic objectives which must be forbidden to an enemy. No matter what the threat elsewhere, their entrances and approaches must be kept closed. A properly installed fixed armament is the best for this purpose. When the terrain permits (which is true only for some localities) arrange- ments can be made to reduce this to a minimum number of guns with provisions for reinforcing their fire by that of mobile artillery. The lessons of the present war have but emphasized the fact that a fleet can not contend successfully with an adequately and properly planned system of fixed seacoast defenses. It should be noted in addition that our fixed emplacements are so planned as to provide rapid ammunition service and rapidity of fire not obtainable in mobile mounts. Again, the control of fire of seacoast guns differs essentially from the methods of control possible for land guns fired at a fixed land target. The fire, in the latter case, may be easily assisted and corrected by actual observation from aircraft or otherwise. Seacoast guns, on the other hand, are ordi- narily fired at vessels or other rapidly moving targets, and such ves- sels may, if they desire, rapidly get out of range when they find they are being fired upon. Consequently, the system of fire control used with seacoast guns, must be so designed as to accurately and rapidly locate the desired target and the ammunition service must be such as to permit the fire against such target to be rapid and effective. The assistance which can be rendered such fire by aerial observation is much less than in the case of land guns. ' Consequently, guns- mounted on fixed emplacements will have great advantages over movable guns in the rapidity of fire, in the stability of foundation, and in assistance of a permanent fire control system; and though such guns may not be moved from place to place, yet they will re- main at the place where they are needed and can not, by accident or otherwise, be left in the wrong place at the wrong time. One of the lessons of the present war has been in the use of artillery fire at very long ranges. In applying this lesson, however, the character of the target must not be overlooked. The unavoidable inaccuracies of fire increase as the range increases. In other words, with the same gun pointed at the same azimuth and elevation, the area over which successive shells will fall increases with the range. Land positions usually afford extensive targets fixed in position. If a shell falls anywhere near the target some damage will be done, a railroad may be wrecked, a highway may be rendered temporarily impossible, or an accumulation of stores may be destroyed. The target afforded by a fleet is quite different. The units are small and are in constant movement. Shells not hitting a unit have no effect beyond the psychological. Consequently it is found that though artillery has been employed on land with ranges as high as 60,000 yards, at sea the limiting range used has been little beyond 20,000 yards. Unless a sea target can be observed, it is not fired upon. Furthermore, it is the custom to fire these extremely long-range 38 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. land guns with great care and deliberation, and since the target is fixed and can not move, and the principal effect of the fire is psycho- logical, such slow and deliberate fire is practically as effective as more rapid fire. Seacoast guns, on the other hand, are fired at rapidly moving targets which may quickly get out of range and, therefore, it is permissible to employ for seacoast use, only such guns as can be fired with considerable rapidity. When necessity requires the capture or reduction of adequate sea- coast defenses, the only method as yet found fairly successful is by attack from the land. Suitable means must be provided for protec- tion against this. It must be made possible to cover portions of the coast at which an expeditionary force could be landed by artillery fire from mobile mounts; strong points must be prepared along lines of a possible advance; important isolated batteries or utilities must be made secure against raiding parties; and arrangements must be made for a rapid concentration of troops at any threatened landing point. Such provisions are included' in the term "land defenses." They must be considered as necessary auxiliaries of the seacoast defenses and adequate provision must be made for them. As yet this work has been only partly done. For such land defenses mobile artillery of all classes must be provided, from machine guns which should accompany the patrols, field and siege guns to be held at 'outpost points, to the heavier guns and howitzers mounted for transit on highways and railways, and of power sufficient to overmaster any artillery the enemy may hastily land and to compel the enemy's ves- sels to keep out of range. Armored trains, with or without heavy ordnance must be provided to patrol the shores where the shores are bordered by railway lines. Equally important is the antiaircraft defense, not only of the sea- "coast batteries themselves but, more important still, of the cities, factories, dockyards, and other utilities protected. Such antiaircraft defenses must consist not only of antiaircraft guns in large numbers and of antiaircraft searchlights and sound listeners, but, perhaps, as most important of all, of defending aircraft in large numbers. In connection with the designs for emplacing in the future such of the seacoast guns as are to be mounted in permanent emplace- ments, and not on portable mounts, a number of questions have arisen in connection with criticisms which have been made of em- placements recently built as being too elaborate and costly. It has been proposed that it would be better and more economical to emplace seacoast guns in a much more simple way than has been the custom; to mount them in barbette, in the open, without protect- ing parapets; to remove the magazines some distance from the guns in order to protect them from fire directed at the guns, and, on ac- count of this decreased liability of being hit, to make corresponding r'eductions in the thickness of their walls and ceilings; incidentally, to minimize the ammunition-handling apparatus within these maga- zines and to simplify the emplacements generally by doing away with the provisions customarily inserted for the care and comfort of the detachment. It has been argued that such a policy would be in the interests of economy. The cost of the gun carriage and of the emplacement are but two factors in the total cost connected with the gun, and by no means FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. 39 the largest factors. For every gun that is emplaced there must be the personnel to man it, consisting of officers, noncommissioned offi- cers, and privates, all of whom must be paid, rationed, and main- tained. For the maintenance of this personnel, barracks, quarters, hospitals, storehouses, administration buildings, etc., must be built, military posts must be purchased and built and maintained, includ- ing their water supply, sewerage, lighting, and other incidentals. Such detachments are required for the gun and for the gun alone, and consequently all items relating to the pay, subsistence, and main- tenance of the gun detachment are just as much charges connected with the gun as are the cost of the carriage and emplacement. Certain of these costs, such as the purchase of sites, the manufac- ture of the gun and carriage, the construction of emplacements, bar- racks, quarters, hospitals, and other buildings and the installation costs of water supply and sewerage are expenses which are made once for all. Other expenses, such as pay, salaries, subsistence, heat, light, fuel, water, and the maintenance of guns, emplacements, bar- racks and quarters, roads, etc., are continuing expenses and go on from day to day and year to year. In attempting to make a com- parison or summation which include items of first cost as well as those of continuing costs, we must reduce the two to a common basis, either by capitalizing the running expenses or by converting first cost into running expenses by taking into account interest on the original investment and the probable serviceable life of the utility. Making the comparison by means of the second method, we have for each enlisted man his pay, varying with length of service and grade, his subsistence, clothing allowance, his pro rata share of the first cost and upkeep of the barracks, quarters, hospitals, posts, roads, sewers, etc. Calculations made about a year or so ago in connection with army reorganization before Congress, indicated that the annual cost of a private figured in this way, was probably about $900 to $1,000 a year, and that this annual cost mounted rapidly through the various grades of noncommissioned officers and officers until a total of from six to eight times this figure Was reached in the case of field officers. Basing calculations on the 14-inch guns, it is found that the per- sonnel consisted of about 70 officers and enlisted men, whose total annual cost amounts to about $90,000. The first cost of a disappear- ing emplacement for a 14-inch gun was estimated recently as about $200,000, depending, of course, upon location. Assuming 25 years as the utility life of the emplacement, figuring the interest on the original cost at 3 per cent, we will get what might be called an annual running cost at 7 per cent of the first cost. Seven per cent of the first cost of the emplacement is $14,000; and adding to this $3,000, the cost of annual maintenance, we get as the annual cost pertaining to the emplacement about $17,000, equivalent to the upkeep of 16 or 18 enlisted men, or about one-fourth of the size of the required gun crew. Similar figures would make the annual cost pertaining to the gun carriage to be about equivalent to the upkeep of 7 or 8 enlisted men, or one-ninth of the crew. In addition to the personnel, emplacement, and gun carriage fac- tors, there are many other items of expense, such as the cost of the gun itself, of the power plant, etc.; dividing these costs by the esti- 40 REPORT OF CHIEF OF EN1GINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. mated life of each item, adding interest and maintenance and sum- ming up, it is found that the amount is in all something over $130,000 per 14-inch gun per annum. So that the annual charges against a 14-inch emplacement are for fixed constructions $17,000, armament and its control $23,000, and personnel $90,000. Of these items of annual cost that relating to the personnel is by far the largest, amounting to fully two-thirds of the whole, while the items relating to the gun carriage and to the elements ordinarily included in the emplacement are respectively only about one-tenth and one-fifth of the personnel cost. Consequently, an increase or decrease of a certain percentage of the cost of the emplacement or carriage will have a much smaller influence on the total cost than a change of the same percentage in the personnel cost. The cost of a gun carriage for a particular gun depends upon the type and largely whether it would be disappearing or barbette; whether it would be all-round fire or limited fire; but it is understood that in the case of large guns, the difference between the cost of car- riages of different types does not vary greatly, and as a rule is less than one-fourth of the actual cost of the carriage. Since the annual cost of the carriage itself is shown to be only about 5 or 6 per cent of the total annual cost connected with the gun, a change of one-fourth or one-fifth in this one item would mean a change of but little more than 1 per cent of the whole, and, consequently, any modification in the type of a carriage which would decrease by two men the size of the detachment, necessary for the service of the gun, would pay for itself. The object of the parapet in front of the gun is to protect the gun and its detachment from the enemy's fire and incidentally for the psychological purpose of giving the members of the gun detach- ment a sense of security in action, and thus increasing the rapidity and accuracy of the fire. Whether or not the parapet is needed; that is, whether the detachment should stand behind the parapet or in the open, or whether the gun should disappear behind the parapet or remain always in 'the open, is still a disputed question, but conclusive experiments made some two years ago indicated clearly and conclusively that a parapet in front of a disappearing gun is a real protection to both the gun and personnel and that a fair proportion of projectiles which, in the absence of a parapet, would have struck and detonated in the immediate vicinity of the gun emplacement and would have done serious damage to the gun and personnel, were caught by the parapet and either deflected or were detonated under such conditions as to do no damage to 'the gun emplacement or the silhouettes representing the detach- ment; and that, furthermore, this parapet caught a large number of fragments from projectiles detonated a short distance to the front of the gun which, in the absence of the parapet, would have passed among the personnel with considerable probability of causing casualties. Calculations show that the cost of the parapet in front of a gun is less than one-seventh the cost of an emplacement, and the annual cost pertaining to the emplacement does not exceed one- seventh of the total annual cost connected with the gun. Conse- quently, the part of the annual cost connected with the parapet is but 2 per cent of the whole annual cost, and if this parapet gives FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. 41 sufficient protection to enable a gun to fire 2 per cent more shots at the enemy before the gun is knocked out than would be the case if the parapet Wvere not there it would appear that neglecting the items of protection given to the men the parapet will have paid for itself, and that it will do many times more than this is clearly shown by the experiments mentioned. Furthermore, where there are such parapets to give protection, the probable casualties among the gun detachments will probably be much smaller, and the num- ber of additional men which should be kept immediately on hand to replace .losses in time of action, would be much. less than were there no parapet. The portion of the annual cost pertaining to the parapet is equivalent to no more than the cost of two or three privates. If, therefore, the parapet will permit the number of reserves available to replace casualties to be reduced by two or three, the parapet will have paid for itself by reduction in the personnel item of cost without considering its effect upon the pro- tection of the gun and carriage. Wherever placed, magazines and shell rooms must have sufficient protection to prevent their destruction by hostile projectiles, for the result of the explosion of the magazine of a large gun would probably be so disastrous, not only in the destruction of life and property, but in the demoralization of the garrison, that such an occurrence must be prevented, if possible. Such magazines must, therefore, be given thorough protection against aircraft bombs and against direct hits of the enemy's projectiles. If 'built in plain sight and so close to the gun as to be struck by projectiles aimed at the gun there is the danger, of course, of repeated hits in the same place and slightly greater protection is necessary, but the cost of this additional protection is so small compared with the total cost of protecting the magazine as to make but a small percentage in the total cost. The further the magazine is from the gun the greater the time necessarily required for the ammunition service and the greater amount of labor expended, and since the rate of fire against rapidly moving vessels must be as rapid as possible, the farther the maga- zine is from the gun the larger in general is the size of the detach- ment which must be kept on hand, and as a result the size of the personnel item of cost will in general increase much more rapidly than the cost of magazine construction can decrease by permissible reduction in protection. The same is true as to the simplification of ammunition service in the magazine. Any reduction in the in- stalling of appliances for the mechanical handling of projectiles must be accompanied by a corresponding increase in the size of the detachment, and since the total annual cost connected with mechani- cal appliances for handling ammunition and magazines is probably much less than the annual cost pertaining to a single private, a reduction in the cost of emplacement construction due to the omis- sion of these appliances would seem to be the very reverse of economy. In time of war, when a hostile fleet is known to be in the vicinity,. it must be expected to attack at any. time, and the officers and men niust remain habitually in the immediate vicinity, and anything that adds to the comfort and mental composure of the detachment or that decreases the time taken for necessary absences, increases the 42 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS J,U.S ARMY, 1918. efficiency of the detachment in time of action, and incidentally de- creases the number of men whose maintenance is necessary for the service of the gun. A seacoast gun is designed to combat naval vessels, and can be so used only when the vessels come within range and observation, and only as long as the vessels so remain. The destructive power of such guns is known to the enemy, and he will, therefore, naturally attempt to escape damage by remaining within the fire of the guns for the shortest possible time. This means that the ammunition service of such guns should be designed to be as rapid as possible, and to go to the cost of building guns and carriages, of emplacing them, and of making provision annually for the personnel and then to attempt to make a saving in any of the small items, so as to unfavorably affect the rapidity of service, is not only uneconomical but is positively wasteful. In suggesting greater simplicity of emplacements the critics have, it is believed, entirely overlooked the fact that of the total items of cost connected with seacoast guns, the personnel items are by far the largest, and that the items of the first cost of emplacement con- struction, etc., though comparatively large, really make up but a very small proportion of the total. Careful study has been given to this matter, and the calculations which have been made, clearly and con- clusively show that the additional amounts which must be expended in providing rapid ammunition service and in protection of the gun and personnel, much more than pay for themselves, in the increased •rapidity and accuracy of fire, in the increased protection of the gun carriage and personnel and in a permissible reduction in the strength of the gun detachment. The men whose services are dispensed with are thus made available for use in the field. Appropriations for construction of gun and mortar batteries have been made as follows: Act of-- Act of-- Aug. 18, 1890---.. $1, 221, 000. 00 May 25, 1900_____- $2, 000. 000. 00 Feb. 24, 1891____ 750, 000. 00 Mar. 1, 1901______ 1, 615, 000. 00 .Tuly 23, 1892 _____ 500, 000. 00 June 6, 1902 ___. 2, 000, 000, 00 Feb. 18, 1893--____ 50, 000. 00 Mar. 3, 1.903-. 2, 236, 425. 00 Aug. 1, 1894_.. ___ 500, 000. 00 Apr. 21, 1904 __ 700, 000. 00 Mar. 2, 1895 _____ 500, 000. 00 May 27, 1908____.-- 300, 000. 00 June 6, 1896------ 2, 400, 000.00 Mar. 3, 1909 5, 064. 00 Mar. 3, 1.897 ------ 3, 841, 333. 00 Feb. 13, 191.3_____ 100, 000. 00 Allotments f r o m June 27, 1914_..... 250, 000. 00 the appropriation Mar. 3, 1915____ 585, 000. 00 for "national de- July 6, 1916_____ 2, 300, 000. 00 fense," act of Feb. 14, 1917---- 2, 500, 000. 00 Mar. 9, 1898 __ 3, 827, 842. 80 June 15, 1917_____ 2, 500, 000. 00 May 7, 1898______ 3, 000, 000. 00 July 7, 1898_______ 2, 562, 000. 00 Total___----_ 37, 243, 664. 80 Mar. 3, 1899------ 1, 000, 000, 00 For continuing battery-construction work under way or projected, an estimate of $730,000 is submitted. Modernizing older emplacements.--Work has been in progress for some time in connection with the modification of projectile hoists to accommodate new model projectiles, and is now practically com- pleted. Considerable additional work remains to be done to place the older batteries in condition for most efficient operation, and the necessity of the modernizing of such older batteries, which involves FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. * 43 the widening of loading platforms, the installation of modern light- ing system on loading platforms, etc., is most clearly apparent. For continuing the most urgently needed work under this head an esti- mate of $37,250 is submitted for the fiscal year 1920. Appropriations for modernizing older emplacements have been made as follows: Act of- Mar. 3, 1905------------------------- -------------- ------ $450, 000. 00 June 25, 1906-------------------------------------------- 150, 000. 00 Mar. 2, 1907------------------------------- ------- 100, 000. 00 May 27, 1908 (new application of funds appropriated for pneumatic-dynamite batteries)_-------------------------- 165, 261. 36 Mar. 3, 1909--------------------------------------------- 100, 000. 00 Feb. 13, 1913------------------------- --------------------- 25, 000. 00 June 27, 1914 (new application of funds appropriated for re- pair and protection of defenses of Pensacola, Fla.)_-------- 100, 000. 00 Mar. 3, 1915---------------------------------------------- 100, 000. 00 July 6, 1916---------------------------------------------- 78, 500, 00 Feb. 14, 1917--------------------------------------------- 102, 000. 00 Total------------------- 1, 370, 761. 36 Fire control at fortiflcations.-Such progress has been made during the fiscal year as funds assigned to the Engineer Department have permitted. Work is in progress on the construction of stations at San Diego and Los Angeles, and the protection of fire control and post telephone switchboards is being accomplished. In addition, minor installations have been completed at several localities. This appropriation is distributed by the Secretary of War among the Engineer and Ordnance Departments and the Signal Corps. Prior to 1905 appropriations for this work, so far as performed by the Engineer Department, were made under the title " Installation of range and position finders," as follows: Act of- July 7, 1898------------------------------------ $150, 000 May 25, 1900------------------------------------------------150, 000 Mar. 1, 1901-------------------------------------------------150, 000 June 6, 1902-------------------------------------------------325, 000 Mar. 3, 1903 ------------------------- 223, 500 Apr. 21, 1904------------------------------------------------ 225, 000 Total i------------------- 223, 500 Later appropriations have been made under the title " Fire control at fortifications," applicable to the work of the Engineer and Ord- nance Departments and the Signal Corps. The amounts appropri- ated and the portions thereof assigned to the Engineer Department are as follows: Assigned to Assigned to of- Act of-prated. Act Appro- Engineer Depart Appro- Engineer Act of- prted. Depart ment. ment. Mar. 3, 1905 ............. $1,000,000.00 $590,000.00 June 23, 1910........... $200000.00 June 25, 1906............ 700,000.00 217 631.37 Mar. 4, 1911............ 100 000.00 Mar. 2, 1907............. May 27, 1908.............. 900, 000.00 270, 256.00 432 784.81 129 456.00 June 6, 1912............ Mar. 3, 1915............ 100 000.00 130,000.00 392,027.64 Mar. 3, 1909............. 247, 055.00 197 972.00 July 6 1916............ 600, 000.00 Feb. 14, 1917........... 608,796.00 June 15, 1917.............. 3,147225.00 924,175 Total............. 8,003,332.00 ............ 44 R EPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Electrical installations.-Funds for this purpose have been pro- vided by Congress, as follows: Act of- May 27, 1908------------------- ----------------------- $348,888 Mar. 3, 1909------------------------------------------- 100,000 Mar. 4, 1911------------ ---------- 50, 000 Feb. 13, 1913 50, 000 June 27, 1914 ------------------------------------------- . 50, 000 Mar. 3, 1915--------------------------------------------50, 000 Feb. 14, 1917 ------------------------------------------- 110, 000 June 15, 1917 ------------------------------------- 1,700, 000 Total---- ___---------------------------------- 2,458, 888 In view of the present hostilities it is contemplated that the additional generating equipment required to place the existing de- fenses on an efficient basis, electrically, will be installed, and orders for the necessary equipment have been placed. The installation of this equipment will be accomplished with available funds. 'Searchlights.-The procurement and installation of such addi- tional searchlights as are required to complete existing projects for seacoast and antiaircraft defenses has been in progress during the past fiscal year and will be continued with available funds. Appropriations for searchlights have been made as follows: Act of- Act of- Mar. 1, 1901 (New June 6, 1912 (reappro- York Harbor)------ $150, 000 priated from balances June 6, 1902---------- 150,000 of other funds) ------ $25, 000 Mar. 3, 1903-------- 150, 000 Feb. 13, 1913-------_ 100, 000 Apr. 21, 1904---------- 150, 000 June 27, 1914--------- 100, 000 Mar. 3, 1905----------200, 000 Mar. 3, 1915-------- 150, 000 June 25, 1906--------- 125, 000 July 6, 1916----------- 226, 700 Mar. 2, 1907--------- 210, 000 Feb. 14, 1917250, 000 Mar. 27, 1908--------- 210, 000 June 15, 1917 5, 900,000 Mar. 3, 1909 ---------- 210, 000 June 23, 1910 ---------- 50, 000 Total ----------- 8, 406, 700 Mar. 4, 1911 ----------- 50, 000 Sites for fortifications.-Funds have been provided by Congress for the acquisition of sites required in connection with the construc- tion of fortifications as follows: Act of- Act of-- Aug. '=18, 1890_----__- $500, 000 June 6, 1902----------$200, 000 Feb. '24, 1891-.------ 500, 000 Mar. 3, 1903---------- 200, 000 July 23, 1892_ 500, 000 Apr. 21, 1904--------- 100, 000 Feb. 18, 1893_ 175, 000 May 27, 1908--------- 121, 048 Aug. 1, 1894--------- 150, 000 Mar. 3, 1909---------- 250, 000 June 6, 1896-------- 500, 000 Feb. 13, 1913----- ---- 100, 000 Mar. 3, 1897_ 300, 000 June 23, 1914--------- 31, 000 May 7, 1898_ 300, 000 July 6, 1916---------1,400,000 Mar. 3, 1899_ 300, 000 Feb.' 14, 1917----------100, 000 May 25, 1900 ......... 200,000 Mar. 1, 1901 200, 000 Total------------- 6,127, 048 The acquisition of practically all of the land to be purchased with the funds provided in recent appropriations has been accomplished, and negotiations for the purchase of the remaining land are now in progress and nearing completion. For the acquisition of an addi- tional site for the extension of an existing reservation an estimate of $15,000 is submitted. Preservation and repair of fortiflcations.-The modern defenses now existing represent an expenditure of approximately $30,000,000 FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. 45 for battery construction alone. These extensive works contain much costly machinery and ordnance material and must be kept properly painted and repaired to be effective when needed. In addition, there are a number of old-type fortifications along our frontiers, some of which date from the sixteenth century. Some of these are not fit for defensive purposes, but some have to-day a distinct military use. Almost all are picturesque and are valuable historically. Each year numbers of our citizens show their interest in these works by visits of inspection. In order to enable the department to preserve these old works an additional $25,000 was included in the fortification act of July 6, 1916, the total amount appropriated in that act under this head being $250,000. Appropriations for preservation and repair of fortifications have been made as follows: Act of- Act of- Sept. 22, 1888 $100, 000 Mar. 2, 1907_ $200, 000 Mar. 2, 1889__ ___.. 100, 000 May 27, 1908- 225, 000 Aug. 18, 1890 _____ 80, 000 Mar. 3, 1909_ 225, 000 Feb. 24, 1891_ 80, 000 June 23, 1910 ___.... 300, 000 July 23, 1892 ____. 60, 000 Mar. 4, 1911- 300, 000 Feb. 18, 1893. 45, 000 June 16, 1912 (including Aug. 1, 1894_________ 45, 000 $125,000 reappropri- Mar. 2, 1895___------- 45, 000 ated from balance of June 6, 1896________ 50. 000 other funds) ....... 300, 000 Mar. 3, 1897_ 100, 000 Feb. 13, 1913_ 200, 000 May 7, 1898___-_____ 100, 000 June 27, 1914 (reappro- Mar. 3, 1899_ 100, 000 priated from balance May 25, 1900_ 100, 000 of another appropria- Mar. 1, 1901 100, 000 tion) 165, 000 ..... Feb. 14, 1902___ 3, 000 Mar. 3, 1915_ ...... 200, 000 June 6, 1902_ 300, 000 July 6, 1916_ 250, 000 Mar. 3, 1903_ 300, 000 Feb. 14, 1917_ 250, 000 Apr. 21, 1904__________ 300, 000 Mar. 3, 1905___________ 300, 000 Total. 5, 123, 000 June 25, 1906_ 200. 000 Appropriations for preservation and repair of torpedo structures have been made as follows: Act of- Act of- June 25, 1906----------$10, 000 June 6, 1912___--- $20, 000 Mar. 2, 1907 ----------- 10, 000 Feb. 13, 1913- ----- __-20,000 May 27, 1908-----------15,000 June 27, 1914---------- 20,000 Mar. 3, 1909- 20,___0-0,000 June 23, 1910--- 20, 000 Total_---__.--- - 155, 000 SMar. 4, 1911--------, 20,'000 The needs of the modern defenses for annual maintenance funds are increasing. In addition, the appropriations of the last four years have been made applicable to torpedo structures as well as other fortifications, but with no corresponding increase in the amount appropriated. Consequently the funds were practically exhausted before the close of the last fiscal year and much desirable and needed work had to be postponed. An estimate of $300,000 for the preservation and repair of fortifi- cations, including torpedo structures, is submitted, and it is strongly recommended, in the interest of economy and efficient service, that this amount be appropriated. Plans for fortifications and other works of defense.-Funds are required under this head for the periodical preparation and revision 46 . REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. of projects and plans of works for the permanent fortifications of the United States and for the preparation of plans in connection with land defenses. The following is a list of appropriations made to date under this head: Act of-- Act of- Mar. 2, 1889--------- $5, 000 Mar. 3, 1905---- ___-- $5, 000 Aug. 18, 1890 --------- 5, 000 June 25, 1906_______1 5, 000 Feb. 24, 1891______ 5, 000 Mar. 2, 1907___________ 5, 000 July 23, 1892...--.. 5, 000 May 27, 1908------------ 5, 000 Feb. 18, 1893--------- 5, 000 .Mar. 3, 1909 ---------- 5, 000 Aug. 1, 1894 , ........... 5, 000 June 23, 1910--_--t_--- 5, 000 Mar. 2, 1895--------- 5, 000 Mar. 4, 1911 --- 5,000 June 6, 1896 ------------ 5,000 June 6, 1912------------5, 000 Mar. 3, 1897_-------- 5, 000 Mar. 3, 1913__---------- 5, 000 May 7, 1898________-- 5, 000 June 27, 1914 _______- 5, 000 Mar. 3, 1899--------- 5, 000 Mar. 3, 1915-----------10, 000 May 25, 1900_ 5, 000 June 6, 1916----- 25, 000 Mar. 1, 1901 5, 000 Feb. 14, 1917_ 25,000 June 6, 1902_ 5, 000 Mar. 3, 1903_ 5, 000 Total--------------- 190, 000 Apr. 21, 1904--------- 5, 000 For this purpose an estimate of $25,000 is submitted for the fiscal :ear 1920. Supplies for seacoast defenses.-This appropriation is designed for the maintenance and repair of searchlights and electric licght and power equipment for seacoast fortifications, and for tools, electrical and other supplies, and for appliances to be used in their operation. The additional demands upon the electrical equipmert of seacoast fortifications during the last fiscal year, and the resulting need for additional parts and accessories, necessitated the submisson of a deficiency estimate for the fiscal year 1918 and a total of $100,000 was appropriated for that year. The fortification appropriation act, approved July 8, 1918, provided $40,000 for this purpose during the fiscal year 1919. This amount will probably prove insufficient. For the fiscal year 1920 an estimate of $100,000 has been submitted under this head. Appropriations for supplies for seacoast defenses have been made as follows: Act of- Act of- May 25, 1900 _________ $25,000 Mar. 4, 1911 $45,000 Mar. 1, 1901 _ 25, 000 June 6, 1912 45, 000 June 6, 1902___________ 25, 000 Feb. 13, 1913------------ 40,000 Mar. 3, 1903____________ 35,000 June 27, 1914___________ 40, 000 Apr. 21, 1904 __________ 35, 000 Mar. 3, 1915_________ 40, 000 Mar. 3, 1905 ___________ 40, 000 July 6, 1916____________ 40, 000 June 25, 1906 __________ 30, 000 Feb. 14, 1917___________ 40, 000 Mar. 2, 1907_-------- 40, 000 Mar. 28, 1918___________ 60, 000 May 27, 1908----------- 44, 500 Mar. 3, 1909, _ 40, 000 ---- Total______ ____ 734, 500 June 23, 1910________ 45, 000 For the fiscal year 1920 an estimate of $100,000 has been submitted under this head. Sea walls and embanlments.-The large number of seacoast reser- vations renders necessary a considerable expenditure of funds to prevent the washing away of valuable land by ordinary wave action and to repair damages done by occasional violent storms. FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. 47 Appropriations for sea walls and embankments, exclusive of those for particular localities, have been made as follows: Act of- Act of- Sept. 22, 1888---------- $117, 000 Mar. 2, 1907- -______ $25, 000 June 6, 1896---------_ 17, 975 May 27, 1908---------- 50, 000 Mar. 3, 1897 __________ 33,000 Mar. 3, 1909__________ 50, 000 May 7, 1898----------- 55, 000 June 6, 1912 (reappro- Mar. 3, 1899 ----------- 2, 500 priated from balances May 25, 1900 50, 000 of other funds) 25, 000 Mar. 1, 1901-----------100,000 June 27, 1914--------- 25, 000 June 6, 1902_-.... ____ 100, 000 Mar. 3, 1915 27, 000 Mar. 3, 1903_---------- 89, 575 Feb. 14, 1917---------- 93, 000 Apr. 21, 1904___________ 99, 000 Mar. 3, 1905 ----------- 19, 400 Total- -___________1, 028, 450 June 25, 1906________-- 50, 000 Protection of Sandy Hook Reservation, N. J.-This reservation is the site of the post of Fort Hancock and of the Sandy Hook Prov- ing Ground. The narrow neck of land connecting the reservation with the mainland is traversed by a railroad pertaining to the Ord- nance Department and by a roadway maintained by the Quarter- master Corps. The ocean shore of the Sandy Hook peninsula has in historic times moved back and forth, depending upon temporary changes in con- ditions of equilibrium. The littoral current and the general motion of the sand on this shore is from south to north, and the recent work done by the State of New Jersey and others in the way of building groins and other work to catch the sand and thus protect the shore line of the beach has reduced the flow of sand along the Government reservation, and unless such sand as passes by is caught by artificial groins the gradual erosion of the shore line must occur. During the severe storms of the winter of 1914-5 the beach in front of the heavy riprap sea wall, which was built for the protection of this strip, was cut away and the sea wall was lowered for a part of its length. This permitted the storm waves to wash over the wall, and the water then escaped across the neck and into the Shrewsbury River, washing away the wagon road, seriously threatening and in- juring the railroad, and lowering the level of the entire neck. The preservation of this neck of land is very important for the maintenance of communication between the reservation and the main- land and also for the protection of navigation in the river. For the purpose of repairing the worst breaks in the sea wall and restoring the fill and railroad communication thereon funds were provided as follows: From the appropriation for " Sea wall, Sandy Hook, N. J.," act of June 6, 1902_________________-------------------_ $13, 509. 86 From the appropriation for Shrewsbury River, N. J., by removing material washed in by the storm and depositing it along in the railrod embankment ----------------------- 8, 000. 00 From the appropriation for " Protecting Sandy Hook, N. J., 1916" (this appropriation having been made in the sundry civil appro- priation act approved Mar. 3, 1915), for building the railroad trestle ------------------------------------------------- 24, 632. 67 Total----------------------------------------------- 46, 142. 53 The funds thus provided were, however, insufficient to restore this neck of land and give it adequate protection. An additional sum 48 REPORT OF CHIEF OF, ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. of $60,000 was appropriated by the general deficiency act of Septem- ber 8, 1916. These funds are being applied to the purpose for which appropriated. The work mentioned in the preceding paragraphs was to repair damages done prior to the end of the fiscal year 1916. During the fiscal year 1917, the attack of the ocean upon the shore continued, the principal attack now being slightly farther northward on the beach, indicating clearly that additional work must be done at an early date to prevent serious damage at this new locality. In the spring of current calendar year, severe easterly storms caused considerable damage at the neck near the southern boundary of the reservation. The sea broke across the neck at one point and destroyed portions of the road and railroad. A board of officers which consid- ered the situation recommended that the existing seawall be repaired and enlarged, that the building of groins be completed to the south end of the reservation, that the area between the seawall and the rail- road embankment be filled and protected by a riprap apron, and that an emergency fund of $150,000 be provided to repair any damages that might occur. The sum of $60,000 was allotted from available funds to cover the most urgent repairs required at the time and an estimate was submitted to Congress with a view to securing funds for the accomplishment of the work recommended by the board, but the funds called for by the estimate submitted were not appropriated. A study of the situation is being made and estimates to cover the cost of the work remaining to be done will probably be submitted later. Sea walls, defenses of Galveston, Tex.-The defensive works at Gal- veston are unavoidably in most exposed positions, and the level of the lands surrounding the batteries was greatly lowered by the storm of September 8, 1900. The Galveston defenses were rebuilt and re- paired under an appropriation of $992,000 contained in the fortifica- tion act approved March 1, 1901. With the funds so provided, and in accordance with the plans before Congress when that appropriation was made, each individual battery was made secure against any simi- lar storms likely to occur. For building a sea wall and filling up the reservation at Fort Crockett to a height above storm tides the sums of $591,046.25 and $158,953.75, respectively, were appropriated in the sundry civil acts of April 28, 1904, and June 30, 1906, aggregating $750,000. For a sea wall and fill at Fort Travis the sum of $440,000 was pro- vided in the fortificationi appropriation act approved March 3, 1909. This work has been completed, leaving a balance of $65,000, which by the fortification act of, June 6, 1912, was made available for other purposes. The cyclone of August; 1915, seriously damaged the fortifications of the defenses of Galveston, flooding the batteries, removing the riprap protection from the sea walls at Forts Travis and Crockett, and washing away much of the fill at Fort Crockett. For the repair and protection of the defenses of Galveston the sum of $303,500 was appropriated in the fortification appropriation act of July 6, 1916. Work is now in progress. Sea-wall protection is also required for Fort San Jacinto. With funds appropriated in the river and harbor act approved July 27, 1916, work is in progress in connection with the extension of the FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. 49 existing Galveston city sea wall to a point at the southerly bound- ary of the Fort San Jacinto reservation, the conditions of the act requiring the donation of certain land to the United States and the quieting of all claims to the .Fort San Jacinto reservation having now been complied with. After examination of the project by the board of review it was decided that the Fort San Jacinto reservation is not of sufficient value to warrant the expenditure of the large sum that would be required to completely protect the reservation by the construction of a sea wall around it, but that the protection should be limited to the pres- ervation of the most important structures on the reservation. An estimate to cover the accomplishment of this work will be sub- mitted later. Submarine mines.-T--he act of June 6, 1902, assigned to the Artil- lery the purchase of torpedo material proper, leaving to the Engineer Department the construction of casemates, storehouses, loading rooms, and other structures required for the torpedo defenses. Appropriations for work under the Engineer Department, begin- ning with the act of June 6, 1902, have been as follows: Act of- Act of- June 6, 1902 $33, 000 Mar. 4, 1911 $50, 000 Mar. 3, 1903 --- 50,000 Mar. 3, 191531, 000 Apr. 21, 1904_ . ___,_ 87, 000 July 6, 1916 200, 000 'Mar. 3, 1905---------- 400, 000 Feb. 14, 1917 150, 000 June 25, 1906 ---------- 175, 000 June 15, 1917 500, 000 Mar. 2, 1907__--- 175, 000 May 27, 1908 -------- 175, 000 Total ----- 2, 126, 000 Mar. 3, 1909---------- 100,000 Work under these appropriations is now in progress. The following money statements show the condition on June 30, 1918, of all general appropriations under which operations were in progress in the United States at the close of the fiscal year: Land defense.-Projects for land defense include extensive systems of field intrenchments covered and reinforced by military obstacles. When war is imminent this work must be carried out in a minimum of time for each threatened main enemy objective. Plans for this important duty include schedules of labor required; of transporta- tion, and of tools and materials, including the immediate procure- ment of such tools and materials as are locally available. In addition large quantities of reserve supplies of nonperishable articles must be available in storage for the prompt protection of certain outlying defenses which are particularly exposed. The urgent deficiency act of June 15, 1917, provided $2,000,000 for this purpose. On account of market conditions the procurement of tools and materials for defense lines was temporarily suspended, although orders were placed for fencing material and deliveries secured. Estimates to cover the erection of this fencing material will be submitted for the fiscal year 1920. Roads, trails, etc.-The act of February 14, 1917, appropriated $40,000 for the construction of roads, trails, water and sewer systems at fortifications. Work in this connection is now practically com- pleted. Contingent expenses-Seacoast fortiflcations.-This appropria- tion is assigned to various bureaus for work upon the recommenda- 81116--ENG 1918-4 50 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. tion of the Chief of Coa5st Artillery. Such progress has been made upon work assigned to the Engineer Department as the funds avail- able and other conditions have permitted. The principal items of work completed or practically completed by the Engineer Depart- ment under this appropriation during the fiscal year have been as follows: Acquisition of Great Brewster Island, Boston Harbor, Mass. Rental of site for temporary emplacements at Sachuest Point. Acquisition of site for two 6-inch guns at North Hill, Fishers Island. Repairs to riprap sea wall at Sandy Hook. Construction of platforms for and installation of three 4.7-inch guns at San Juan, P. R. Construction of barracks and quarters at Forts Sumter and Moultrie, Charles- ton Harbor. Mounting howitzers and constructing wire fences on the Canal Zone. Mounting armament at Battery Newton, Fort Grant, Canal Zone. Construction of platforms for antiaircraft guns, Canal Zone. Modification of pedestals for range finders, Canal Zone. Cutting gate in defense wall at Fort Sherman, Canal Zone. Installation of four guns on the Panama Canal. Construction of pedestals for azimuth instruments, Battery Hasbrouck, Hawaii. 2. At the close of the fiscal year certain work was also in progress in connection with submarine mine defense of Manila Bay. 3. Funds were also assigned to the Chief of Engineers during the fiscal year for the construction of a wharf at Outer Brewster Island, Boston Harbor, Mass., and for the purchase of sites at Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay. Work under the former allotment has been sus- pended on account of the high cost of material, etc. Work under the latter has not yet been started. GUN AND MORTAR BATTERIES. For battery construction: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted ----------------------- $4, 985, 933.26 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year------------ 1,897, 951. 05 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted- ------------------- 2, 759, 482.21 July 1, 1918, amount pledged--------------------------- 2, 759, 482. 21 Modernizing older emplacements: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted -------------- --- 114, 589. 54 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year------------- 86, 707. 82 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted----------------- ---------- 27, 881. 72 July 1, 1918, amount pledged---------------------------- 27, 881. 72 FIRE CONTROL AT FORTIFICATIONS. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted----- ---------------- ------- 101, 349. 60 June 30, 1918, net assignments to Chief of Engineers during the fiscal year---_-_ ___----------------------- 924,175. 00 1, 025, 524. 60 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year --------------- 364,109. 04 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted---------------------------- 661, 415. 56 July 1, 1918, amount pledged-------------------------------- 661, 415. 56 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AT SEACOAST FORTIFICATIONS. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted---------------------------- 1,800,417.86 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year----- -------- 1, 091, 913. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted -------------------- 708, 504. 86 July 1, 1918, amount pledged - ------------------ ,---- 708, 504. 86 FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. 51 SEARCHLIGHTS FOR HARBOR DEFENSE. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted-- $151, 265. 73 $--_______----------- June 30, 1918, repayments to the appropriations during the fiscal year --------- ---------------------------- 19, 540. 37 170, 806. 10 June 30, 1918, allotments during fiscal year------------------- 18,948. 50 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted---------------------------- 151, 857. 60 July 1, 1918, amount pledged ----------- 151, 857. 60 SEARCHLIGHTS FOR DEFENSIVE PURPOSES. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted _________------ --------- 5, 900, 000.00 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year______________ 3, 155, 232. 46 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted -------------------------- 2, 744, 767. 54 -___ July 1, 1918, amount pledged ________________-___- 2, 744, 767.54 SITES FOR FORTIFICATIONS AND SEACOAST.DEFENS1E:. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted------___________------------------- 212, 569. 84 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year_______ -____- 113, 388.40 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted---------- - _____ -____- - 99, 181.44 July 1, 1918, amount pledged_____- __ __-___ __- 99,181.44 PRESERVATION AND REPAIR OF FORTIFICATIONS. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted ___________________________ 112, 235. 76 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year ---------------- 73, 099. 57 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted _____--__________________ 39, 136. 19 PLANS FOR FORTIFICATIONS. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted _______- _____ - -__________ 22, 505. 00 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year----------------- 18, 695. 47 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted ________________________ 3, 809. 53 SUPPLIES FOR SEACOAST DEFENSES. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted------ ______ _____--27, 723. 00 June 30, 1918, appropriated during fiscal year .__........... . 60, 000. 00 87, 723. 00 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year_ _______--__- 64,961.24 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted - ------------------------ 22,761. 76 SEA WALLS AND EMBANKMENTS. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted__----- ... ____ ____----- 35, 909.04 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year---- 16,061.04 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted-- .......... ------------- _ 19,848.00 July 1, 1918, amount pledged----------------------------- 13,938.96 July 1, 1918, amount available- ---- -------------------- 5,909.04 CASEMATES, GALLERIES, ETC., FOR SUBMARINE MINES. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted---------------------------- 724,520.11 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year--------------- 289, 850.71 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted------,--- ------------ 434, 669.40 52 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. LAND DEFENSES IN THE UNITED STATES. July 1, 1917, balance unallotted -------------------------- $1, 998, 500. 00 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year---------------- 2, 971. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted---------------------------- 1, 995, 529. 00 July 1, 1918, amount pledged- ----------------------------- 1, 995, 529. 00 CONTINGENT EXPENSES, SEACOAST FORTIFICATIONS. June 30, 1918, net assignments, Engineer Department---------- 363, 633. 60 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year ---------------- 361, 385. 08 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted------------------------------- 2, 248. 52 ESTIMATES OF APPROPRIATIONS REQUIRED FOR 1920 FOR FORTIFICATION IN THE UNITED STATES. Gun and mortar batteries: Battery construction---------------------------------- 730, 000. 00 Modernizing ------------ ------------------------- 37, 250. 00 Preservation and repair of fortifications---------------------- 300, 000. 00 Plans for fortifications------------------------------------ 25, 000. 00 Supplies for seacoast defenses 00, 000. 00 1------------------------------ Sites for seacoast defenses ----------------------- 15, 000. 00 Land defenses, United States--------------------- ---- 60,000. 00 Shore protection, Fort Screven, Ga--------------------------160, 000. 00 Total----------------------------------------- 1, 427, 250. 00 FORTIFICATIONS IN INSULAR POSSESSIONS. Batteries.-The first appropriation for this purpose was contained in the fortification act approved April 21, 1904, and the aggregate amount appropriated has been $10,005,200 (including $250,000, the expenditure of which was assigned to the Chief of Ordnance). With these appropriations batteries have been constructed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Subic Bay, P. I., and construction work is still in progress at Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Manila Bay, .I. Appropriations for this work have been made as follows: Act Act of- of-applicable. Generally Hawaiian Islands. Philippine Islands. Apr. 21, 1904....................................................... $700,000........... ........ Mar. 3, 1905....................................... .............. .. . 7 00000.. June 25,1906 .............. .. ..................................... $260,000 .. Mar. 2 1907................................. ....................... 200,000 $500,000 May 2, 1908.... ......... ............................ .......... 400,000 954,000 Mar. 3, 1909........ ....... ..... 337,200 11,000,000 3............................... June 23, 1910 .................................................................. 800,000 Mar. 4, 1911...............................................................150,000 1,169,000 Fune 1, 1913......... ................. ........ .................. .... ..... 170,000 800,000 June 27, 1914. ......... .... ............................................ 300,000 Feb. 14, 1917.....................................................720,000 .... Mar.28, 1918............. . .................. ..... .................... 75,000 Total .............................................. 1,400,000 2,307,200 6,298,000 1 Including $250,000, the expenditure of which was assigned to the Chief of Ordnance. Work is now in progress in the Hawaiian and Philippine Islands. Electrical installation.- Work under appropriations heretofore made for this purpose is practically completed. FORTIFICATIONS IN INSULAR POSSESSIONS. 53 Appropriations for this work have been made as follows: Act of- Hawaiian Philippine Act of-- Islands. Islands. $20,000 $115, 000 May 27, 1908......................................................................................... Mar. 3, 1909 ........................................... ................14,469 88,823 June 23, 1910 .................. .......................... ................... 45,000 Mar. 4, 1911................. .... .. .......................................... 171,962 ...................................... Feb. 13,1913............... 34,469........... 68,938 420,785 Total ............................................................................. An estimate of $20,000 is submitted under this head for work in the Hawaiian Islands. Searchlights.-Appropriations for this work have been made as follows : Act of- Generally applicable. Hawaiian Islands. Pippidine Islands. Mar.2, 1907........ ..................................... $30,000 ... ........ May 27, 1908.. ................................................. ........ ............ 47,500 $180,000 Mar.3, 1909...........o . ....... ...... ..... ...................... ... ......... 66,000 ............ June 23, 1910........ .................. ............ ........... 139,000 Mar. 4, 1911 ........................................... ............ 40,100 ......... Feb. 13,1913........................................... ............. 10,800 20,600 Total ........... ................................... 30, 000 164, 400 339, 600 To provide for the modernizing of existing searchlights in the Philippine Islands an estimate of $33,000 is submitted. Procurement of sites.-Appropriations for this purpose have been made, as follows: Act of - Hawaiian Philippine Islands. Islands. Apr. 21, 1904.... ....... ................. ................................... $200,000. June 25,1906.......................... ................ 150000............ May 27, 1908........ ............................ . . ............ ........................ 85,000 Mar.3, 1909......................... ...... ...................................... 12........0 Total........ ................ ................. ...... ......................350,000 17,000 The acquisition of all sites for which funds have been appropri- ated has been completed. Preservation and repair of fortifications.-An annually increasing number of fortification units are being completed and turned over to the troops in the Hawaiian and Philippine Islands, where climatic conditions tend toward rapid deterioration unless ample provision is made for the prevention thereof. Until recently provision for the preservation and repair of mine-defense structures has been made under separate heads from that for other fortifications, but in the fortification act of July 6, 1916, the two classes of work have been combined in a single appropriation for each locality. 54 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Appropriations heretofore made for this work are as follows: Hawaiian Islands. Philippine Islands. Act of- Mine- Other for-ine Other for- Total. defense tifications.or- Total. defensetifications Total structures., structures. June 3, 910........................... 1, 000 $7, 000 $8, 000 Mar. 4, 1911----........... June 6, 1912 ............... - .... .... . . - .....---. $500 ...--$500 -- ---- - 1,000 500 7,000 8,000 8, 000 8, 500 $500 500 1,000 750 8, 000 8, 750 June 27, 1914.................. 2,000 1,000 3,000 1,000 ----------- 1,000 Mar. 3, 1915................. 1,000 2,000 3,000 1,000 3,000 4, 000 July 6, 1916 .... .. - ..- .......--... .... ....... 5, 000 10,000 Feb. 14,1917.. ....... ............................. 7,500 ........................ .15,000 For this work in the Hawaiian Islands an estimate of $15,000 is submitted, and for the Philippine Islands, $55,000. Land defenses.-For the construction of works of defense against .landing parties in the Philippine Islands the sum of $180,000 was appropriated by the fortificatin- appropriation act approved March 4, 1911, and the sum of $17,;:'(0uwas appropriated by the fortifica- tion act of July 6, 1916. Work under these appropriations is in progress. For similar work in the Hawaiian Islands the following appro- priations have been made: June 27, 1914--------------------- ------------------------------ $457, 000 Mar. 3, 1915 __------------------------------- 150, 000 July 6, 1916-------------------------- ---------------------------- 169, 000 These funds are being applied to the work as rapidly as practicable. For the continuation of work in the Philippine,Islands an estimate of $350,000 is submitted. Reserve equipment.-For the procurement of an adequate reserve for spare parts, etc., for the fortifications and their appliances in the insular possessions the sums of $50,000 and $100,000, respectively, -for the Hawaiian and Philippine Islands were appropriated by the act of June 27, 1914. These amounts are being applied to the pur- pose for which appropriated. Secetrical ad other supplies.-Under Appropriations heretofore made by Congress, a number of electric plants and searchlights have been installed in*the Hawaiian and Philippine Islads. - For work of this character in the Hawaiian and Philippine Islands $5,000 and $10,000, respectively, were appropriated for the fiscal year 1919. An estimate of $5,000 for the Hawaiian Islands is submitted this year. In view of the fact that large electrical installations have been com- pleted in the Philippine Islands during the past fiscal year which will require maintenance from this time on, it is essential that addi- tional funds for this purpose be available, and an estimate of $15,00" is accordingly submitted for the Philippine Islands. FORTIFICATIONS IN INSULAR POSSESSIONS. 55 Appropriations for this work have been made as follows: Act of-Hawaiian ActIslands. Philippine Islands. ............................................................. June 23, 1910................... $2,500 Mar. 4, 1911... .......... ............................ 1000 ,00 June 6, 1912..... 750 7 2................ 500........................... 2,500 Feb. 13 1913........... .............................................. 750 3,000 June 27,1914... .................................................... 1,000 3,000 Mar. 3,1915 ....... 1.......................... 1,500 3,000 July 6,11916.......................... ................................. 2,500 3,500 Feb.14,1917.............. ........................................... 2,500 5,000 Total............ .............................. .................. 10,000 25,000 Sea 'oalls.-To permit the protection of the shore of one of the defensive sites in the Hawaiian Islands, appropriations of $21,000 and $10,500, respectively, were made by the acts of March 3, 1915, and February 14, 1917. Work under these appropriations is in progress. Mine-defense structures.-Work upon the mine-defense structures in the Hawaiian Islands under the existing proje t is practically completed. For additional work of this character, required in the Philippine Islands, an estimate of $159,000 is submitted. Appropriations for this work have been made as follows: Act of- Generally Philippine Hawaiian Act ofapplicable.Islands. Islands. June 8, 1898, for Manila Harbor-...... .......... ...... .... -.......... $150,000 .......... Mar. 2, 1907........... ..................................... $200,000 ..... May 27, 1908............ .................................................... $129,000 Feb. 13,1913........ ........ ..................................... 50, 000.......... Mar.3,1915........................ .............................. 17,000. July 6,1916.--..........0 ... ........................... 000................... 10,000 Mar.28,1918-.......... ................................ ..................... ... ............ 40,000 Total.................... ............. .......... 200,000 217,000 179,000 Fire control.-No funds for this purpose were provided by the last fortification act. Appropriations for this work and assignments therefrom to the Engineer Department has been made as follows: Assigned to Act of- Appro- Engineer priated. Depart- ment. Mar. 2,1907.................................................................................. $100000 May 27, 1908.............................. .......................... 243,000 Mar.3, 1909............................................ .......... 250,000 June 23, 1910........... ... ........................................... $448,087 200,000 June 27, 1914.......................................................... 55,000 Mar. 3,1915..... ............................. ..................... 15,678 July 6,1916......................................................................100,000 Total............................................................... 963,678 448,087 Work under these appropriations is now practically completed. 56 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMIY, 1918. The following money statements show the conditions on June 30, 1918, of all general appropriations under which operations were in progress in the insular possessions at the close of the fiscal year: FORTIFICATIONS IN INSULAR POSSESSIONS. For construction of seacoast batteries: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted -------____--___ $747, 393. 85 June 30, 1918, appropriated during fiscal year -___ ___-_ 75, 000.00 822, 393. 85 June 30, 1918, net allotment during fiscal year ____________ _ 384, 364. 36 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted--------------------------438, 029.49 July 1, 1918, amount pledged_- 438, 029. 49 For electrical installations: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted------- -------------- _5, 6-- 324.50 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year ______________ 3, 625. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted-- -- ___- -_______- 61, 699. 50 July 1, 1918, amount pledged -------------------- 61, 699. 50 For searchlights: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted --------------------------- 60, 507. 45 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year--- --------- _ 7, 550. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted -------------------- 52,957. 45 July 1, 1918, amount pledged ----------------------------- 52, 957. 45 For toryedo structures: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted ----------------------------- 97. 45 June 30, 1918, appropriated during fiscal year_ __-____-___ 40, 000. 00 40, 097.45 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted and available ________-__ 40, 097. 45 For sites, Philippine Islandss: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted------- --------------- 2, 450. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted and available--------___--- 2, 450. 00 For electrical and other supplies: June 30, 1918, net repayments to appropriations during fiscal year -------------------------------------------------- 10.00 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year -------------- 10. 00 For maintenance of fortifications: June 30, 1918, net repayments to appropriations during fiscal year ------------------------------------------------- . 721.35 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year..__.._____. 721. 35 For reserve equipment: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted__------------- - 38, 522. 62 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year - 425. 00 2,,------------ July 1, 1918, balance unallotted and available- ------- - 36, 097. 62 For land defenses, Hawaiian Islands: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted ____-------------------------- 47,251.40 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year ----------- 13, 859. 02 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted-------------------- ---- .33, 392. 38 July 1, 1918, amount pledged 33, 392. 38 FORTIFICATIONS IN INSULAR POSSESSIONS. 57 For land defenses, Philippine Islands: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted___-_---------------__-_____ $89, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year---------------14, 294. 20 July 1, 1918, balance unallottel_----------------------------- 74, 705. 801 July 1, 1918, amount pledged ---------- - -- ------- 74, 705. 801 FIRE CONTROL IN INSULAR POSSESSIONS. June 30, 1918, net assignments to Engineer Department during fiscal year--------------------------------------------------- 1,200.00 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year_______________- 1,200. 00, ESTIMATES OF APPROPRIATIONS REQUIRED FOR 1919 FOR FORTIFICATIONS IN THE INSULAR POSSESSIONS. Fortifications in insular possessions: For maintenance of fortifications- Hawaiian Islands---------------------------------------- $15, 000 Philippine Islands ______ -- -- _______________________ 55, 000, For land defenses, Philippine Islands________ __________-__--350, 000 For electrical and other supplies- Hawaiian Islands--_,_________- -- _--_ - -5, 000, Philippine Philppie Islands Isand-------------------------------------500 15, 000 Electrical installations-- Hawaiian Islands _____________--____________ _ 20, 000 Torpedo structures- Philippine Islands --------------------------------------- 159, 000 Searchlights- Philippine Islands ---------------------------------------- 33, 000 Total ------------------------------------------------ 652, 000 ROADS. Where, as on an island, there is a long extent of coast on which landings of a mobile expeditionary force can be made, it is evident that it is impracticable to cover the entire coast either by gunfire from fixed emplacements or by a sufficiently large mobile force at all possible landing places. The forces of the defense occupy an interior station with respect to the attacking force, and the distances from such an interior point to points on the coast are necessarily shorter than the distances to be traversed by attacking parties moving in circumferential lines around the coast. Hence it is possible to defend such a possession by a comparatively small force if it can be moved rapidly to and concentrated at the point of attack. To do this, a system of roads is required, planned to meet the military needs. In- cidentally such a system meets commercial needs as well. Recent events in Europe illustrate the value of interior lines of well-con- structed roads. Such a system is required in all of our outlying defeises in Oahu, on the Isthmus of Panama, and inLuzon particu- larly. Estimates have been submitted with a view of making sur- veys to determine location; character, and cost of such military roads in Oahu and on the Isthmus of Panama, and, for Oahu, for starting construction of some of the lines for which the conditions are known. Some of these roads must be suitable for the transportation of heavy mobile artillery; some need to be only trails fitted for infantry and pack trains. The fortification appropriation act of February 14, 1917, provided the sum of $10,000 to cover the cost of surveys for roads on the' 58 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. island of Oahu. This survey is now in progress, and it is expected that data to serve as the basis of estimates for road construction will shortly be available. FORTIFICATIONS, PANAMA CANAL. The construction of the fortifications for the Panama Canal has heretofore been under the supervision of the governor of the Panama Canal, though the plans have been prepared in all cases by the Chief of Engineers. In view of the practical completion of the canal and the consequent reduction in the construction forces, it has been deemed expedient for the Chief of Engineers to assume direct charge of the construction and maintenance of these fortifications to the same extent as such work is done by hiin at other localities. This work has' accordingly been assumed by the Chief of Engineers, effective July 1, 1916, and is now being performed under the direct supervision of a district engineer of the Engineer Department, the actual work being done temporarily by the canal force pending the organization of an adequate force by the district engineer, The accomplishment of the organization of an Engineer construc- tion force at the canal has to date been impracticable, due to. the lack of Government-owned quarters and the unsuitability of privately owned quarters at both Panama and Colon. Estimates covering the construction of quarters for Engineer employees were submitted for the fiscal year 1919, but funds were not appropriated. The following money statements show the conditions on June 30, 1917, of all general appropriations for fortifications under which operations were in progress at the Panama Canal at the close of the fiscal year: Preservation and repair of fortifications: June 30, 1918, appropriations during fiscal year--------------$9, 400. 00 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year__________-___ 9, 400. 00 Seacoast batteries: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted-------------------------496, 314. 03 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year ________ 285, 540. 40 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted __-- -_______-_ __-- __ 210, 773. 63 July 1, 1918, amount pledged ------------------ 210, 773,63 Searchlights: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted--------------------------- 78, 774. 00 June 30, 1918, net allotments during fiscal year- _____- -- ____ 56, 510. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unallotted_---- ------ __ 22, 264. 00 -______ July 1, 1918, amount pledged _________-- - ___ -_______ 22, 264. 00 Submarine-mine structures: July 1, 1917, balance unallotted---__- ______ ___ _______ 47, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, amount pledged ______________ _________47, 000. 00 For work of construction and maintenance the following esti- mates are submitted: Maintenance of clearings and trails___ . __-- ---------- ... $50, 000. 00 Preservation and repair of fortifications-----------------------50, 000. 00 Electrical and other supplies---- 25, 000. 00 Electric light and power plants--- _-_---------------- 20, 000. 00 145, 000. 00 FORTIFICATIONS, PANAMA CANAL. 59 The following is a list of appropriations to July 1, 1918, for work ordinarily performed by the Enginer Department for the fortifica- tions of the Panama Canal: Maintenance of clearings and trails: Aug. 1, 1914 (sundry civil act)----------- $21, 000. 00 Mar. 3, 1915 (same act)--------------------- 45, 000.00 July 1, 1916 (same act) --------------------- 30, 000.00 June,12, 1917 (same act) -------------------- 20,000.00 $116, 900. 00 Preservation and repair of fortifications: Mar. 3, 1915 (sundry civil act)------------ 15,000.00 July 1, 1916 (same act)___----------------- 15,000. 00 June 12, 1917 (same act) ---------------- 10,000. 00 Mar. 28, 1918 (deficiency) ----------------- 9,400.00 49, 400. 00 Maintenance of searchlights and electric light and power equipment: Mar. 3, 1915 (sundry civil act) _____________ 7, 500. 00 July 1, 1.916 (same act) June 12, 1917 (same act) --- 7, 500. 00 22, 500. 00 Seacoast batteries: Mar. 4, 1911 (sundry civil act) 2, 000, 000.00 Aug. 24, 1912 (same act) 1, 000, 000. 00 June 23, 1913 (same act) 2, 365, 000.00 July 1, 1916 (same act) ------------------ 400,000. 00 June 12, 1917 (same act) 332, 000. 00 June 15, 1917 (urgent deficiency act)- 5, 000. 00 I 6, 102, 000. 00 Electric light and power plants: June 23, 1913 (sundry civil act)- 173, 000. 00 Aug. 1, 1914 (same act)- 33, 550. 00 Mar. 3, 1915 (same act) 3, 081. 00 June 15, 1917 (urgent deficiency act)_ 55, 000. 00 .264,631. 00 Searchlights: June 23, 1913 (sundry civil act)-------------285, 000. 00 Mar. 3, 1915 (same act) --------------------- 79, 666.00 June 15, 1917 (urgent deficiency act)_________ 78, 774.00 443,440. 00 Submarine-mine structures: Aug. 24, 1912 (sundry civil act)- 220, 200.00 Apr. 6, 1914 (urgent deficiency act)- 55, 000.00 July 1, 1916 (sundry civil act) ___ 47, 000. 00 322,200.00 Land defenses: June 15, 1917 (urgent deficiency act)------ 29,500.00 Fire-control- installations - (Engineer Department, Ordnance Department, and Signal Corps): June. 23, 1913. (sundry . civil act) -------- _ 200,000.00 Aug. 1, 1914 (same act) --------------------- 50,000.00 Mar. 3, 1915 (same act) -------------------- 383, 301.30 633, 301.30 Surveys for military purposes: Aug. 24, 1912 (sundry civil act)-------------- 50,000.00 June 23, 1913 (same act) ------------------ 12, 000.00 62, 000.00 Causeway or bridge connecting fortifications: Aug. 24, 1912 (sundry civil act)------------------------- 150, 000.00 Field, fortifications and camps: Aug. 24, 1912 (sundry civil act) ---------- - 200,000,00 Apr. 6, 1914 (urgent deficiency act)_-------- - 194. 350.00 394, 350.00 Land for military purposes: June 23, 1913 (sundry civil act) _ _ ____ 50,000.00 60 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S.: ARMY, 1918. Sanitary clearing, fill, etc.: June'23, 1913 (sundry civil act) ------------------------- $210, 000. 00 Resetve equipment: Mar. 3, 1915 (sundry civil act) --------------------------- 50, 000. 00 Grand total---------------------------------------------, 900, 222. 30 MAPS, WAR DEPARTMENT. The greater part of the $10,000 appropriated for this purpose for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918, was applied to the reproduction of the military map of Luzon, the printing of harbor charts, and for the purchase of a stock of printing paper. For the continuation of this work the sum of $10,000 has been appropriated for the fiscal year 1919. An estimate of the same amount is submitted for the fiscal year 1920, but is included in the estimate for military surveys and maps. Amount appropriated by the sundry civil act, June 12, 1917-------- $10, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, 10. 72 6-------------- July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ------------ ---- 389. 28 MILITARY SURVEYS AND MAPS. By paragraph 9, General Orders No. 58, War Department, 1916, the administrative supervision of military mapping was transferred from the War College Division, General Staff, to the Chief of Engineers. Under the general supervision of the Chief of Staff, the Chief of Engineers is charged with the preparation of projects for military map work in the United States, including cooperation with other pub- lic and private mapping agencies and with the preparation for carry- ing out such map work as may be necessary in connection with pros- pective military operations. The Chief of Engineers is also charged with the supervision of the technical details of surveys made under War Department projects or orders for military map work; with the reproduction of military maps by tracing, blue print, lithography, or other methods, except confidential maps of foreign countries or other special maps required to be made for the General Staff in connection with its studies; with the custody of tracings and negatives of military maps required for reproduction, except confidential maps of foreign countries and the special maps mentioned above. The permanent military map system of the United States consists of two major divisions: 1. The progressive military map, which is intended to furnish a complete strategic map of the entire area of the United States and its possessions. The work on this system proceeds progressively, be- ginning in areas of greatest strategical importance. The base maps of this system are similar in every respect to the standard United States Geological Survey topographic atlas sheets. These sheets are made of military value bj going over the ground and tabulating and recording all information of military value. 2. The system of largescale maps of areas immediately surround- ing important seacoast defenses and commercial centers. These maps are very accurate surveys in great detail and correspond closely with the ".Plans Directeurs " now in use on the western front. y MILITARY SURVEYS A D .MAPS. 61 This work in the past had been performed by Engineer troops, but being required for other purposes, their employment on map work has ceased since the United States entered the war. Arrangements have been made to secure the assistance of the forces of other map- ping agencies of the Government, but the operation of the selective- service act, and the necessity of sending these trained forces overseas has seriously depleted the personnel of these mapping agencies. In order to meet this condition and to secure the necessary draftsmen, the topographers and surveyors, to accomplish the absolutely essen- tial map work and to furnish a reserve of topographers for service abroad, an Engineer regiment (Four hundred and seventy-second Engineers) has been organized and trained, and the personnel dis- tributed by detachments in field and office where urgent work is in progress. For the purpose of carrying out the work on the plans outlined above, Congress made an inital appropriation of $35,000 in the sundry civil act of July 1, 1916, under the heading "Topographic maps, War Department, 1917." The principal part of the work done under this appropriation was accomplished by the Geological Survey in Virginia and Maryland. Since 1916 the appropriation for " Mili- tary Surveys and Maps" has been available and has been applied to the accomplishment of this purpose. For the continuation of this work during the fiscal year 1918, the sum of $200,000 was appropriated by the Army act of May 12, 1917, under the heading " Military surveys and maps, 1917-December 31, 1918," and an additional appropriation of $500,000 was made by the Army act of October 6, 1917, under the hbading "Military surveys and maps, 1918." Work under these appropriations has been in progress during the fiscal year, and the services of the Geological Survey and the Coast and Geodetic Survey have been utilized to the fullest extent. An estimate of $1,000,000 for mapping important areas in the coastal plain of the United States from Virginia to Texas and other important areas for which no maps are available was submitted for the fiscal year 1919, and the sum of $850,000 was appropriated for that year. The military necessities of the present national emergency have developed the need of very accurate maps in great detail for the training of troops. The maps evolved from the present style of war- fare are the battle and maneuver maps and the trench warfare maps (commonly known as " Plans Directeurs"). For the purpose of training our troops in this country, it became necessary to prepare and print battle and maneuver maps of the training areas, especially the artillery ranges. These maps were made in the United States along the same lines as the maps used by the American Expeditionary Forces in order that our troops might be accustomed to the use of maps similar in every respect to those which they will ultimately use. A series of aerial navigation route maps has been prepared for the use and training of pilots of the various flying schools. Military mapping by the Geological Survey during the fiscal year amounted to 22,579 square miles in the States of Maine, New Hamp- shire, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro- 62 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ERNGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. lina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Nebraska, California, Oregon, and Washington. With the exception of certain work in Alaska, practically all the geodetic work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey has been done in connection with military mapping, including primary triangulation and precise levels in the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. This field work, as well as the office work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, is prac- tically all for the purpose of furnishing control for future topo- graphic work on military maps. For the reproduction of military maps, the central map repro- duction plant has been established at Washington Barracks, under the supervision of the commandant of the Engineer School. The necessary lithographic and drafting equipment has been installed to make it a modern plant of its kind. To meet the demands upon this plant, the personnel has been quadrupled. At the end of the fiscal year the plant had commenced work on 80 quadrangles of the progressive military map and had printed 425,000 lithographic prints of maps, posters, and sketches for military purposes, as well as mis- cellaneous orders for War Department bureaus. In accordance with the provisions of General Orders, No. 58, the Chief of Engineers prepared a project for military mapping for the fiscal year 1919, based upon recommendations from department com- manders and various bureaus of the War Department. This project was approved. The instructions for military mapping have been further standardized in order that a uniform product may be ob- tained which will fully nleet the requirements. During the year work on the progressive military map was more actively prosecuted by the assignment of additional personnel at department Engineer offices and by a more active supervision in the office of the Chief of Engineers. The cost of operations, however, exceeded the amount of the appropriations, and to prevent a deficit Congress authorized the sum of $150,000 from the appropriation con- tained in the Army act of July 9, 1918, to be applied to expenses incurred during the fiscal year 1918. Military surveys and maps, 1917--December 31, 1918. Amount appropriated in Army act of May 12, 1917-- 000. 00 $-----------200, June 30, 1917, amount expended during the fiscal year 1917---- - 51, 175. 92 July 1, 1917, unencumbered balance-- _148, .....---------.... 824. 08 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year 1918 ---------- 148, 824. 08 Military surveys and maps, 1918. Amount appropriated in Army act of October 6, 1917----------- 500, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year 1918-------- 500, 000. 00 Estimate submitted for fiscal year 1920 ____ _____-_____ 1, 010, 000. 00 CONTINGENCIES, ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. In the prosecution of work of great importance in the Philippine Islands in remote and almost inaccessible localities the operations of the Engineer Department require funds of wide applicability and ENGINEER DEPOTS. 63 limited restrictions as to expenditures. Owing to the circumstances under which the work must be performed, an appropriation of this character has been found essential to its satisfactory prosecution. The appropriations for the last five years for this purpose have been as follows: 1914 -------------- ------------------------------------- $5, 000 1915 ------------------------------------------------------- 5, 000 1916 __------------------------------------------------------- 4, 000 1917 ------------------------------------------------------- 4, 000 1918 --------------------------------- ---------------------- 4, 000 1919 ------------------------------------------------------- 2, 500 An estimate of $3,000 is also submitted for the fiscal year 1920. Contingencies, Engineer' Department, Philippine Islands, 1918. Amount appropriated in Army act of May 12, 1917- - ____----$4, 000.00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year----________ _ 42. 26 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------- ----------------- 3, 957. 74 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_ - -_____---_____ ____ _ 3, 505. 43 July 1, 1918, unencumbered balance____ __________-____________ 452. 31 Estimate submitted for 1920-------------_____________ 3, 000. 00 CIVILIAN ASSISTANTS TO ENGINEER OFFICERS. This appropriation is used for payment of salaries of civilian clerks, draftsmen, etc., employed by the department engineers. The Army appropriation act of May 12, 1917, appropriated the sum of $75,000 for this purpose for the fiscal year 1918. Civilian assistants to Engineer officers, 1918. Amount appropriated in Army act of May 12, 1917 ----___ _ __ $75, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year--------7----- 70, 187. 43 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ------------------------- 4, 812. 57 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ------------------------ 1, 344. 23 July 1, 1918, unencumbered balance---------------- --------- 3, 468. 34 Estimate submitted for 1920 ---- ___- __ _______-100, 000.00 ENGINEER DEPOTS. GENERAL ENGINEER DEPOT, WASHINGTON, D. C. ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS OF GENERAL ENGINEER DEPOT. This depot was formerly designated as the Engineer Depot, Wash- ington Barracks, D. C. Just preceding the declaration of war the purchasing organization for the purchase of military supplies for the engineer equipment of all branches of the service consisted of 1 officer and 26 civilian em- ployees, and for the fiscal year 1916 this organization had handled purchases aggregating about $550,000 only. Following the outbreak of the war an immediate expansion of this purchasing force was necessary, and a complete reorganization of all 64 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. of its duties and functions, to enable it to take care of the enormously increased work that it was called on to perform. A force had to be built up and organized to handle the purchase of the Engineer material, equipment, and supplies required for engineer operations in the field, the engineer equipment and supplies issued to troops, and the supplies for seacoast defenses. At the outbreak of the war the force engaged on the work of pur- chasing Engineer material, equipment, and supplies was housed in seven small rooms that had been partitioned off in one end of a store- house building at Washington Barracks, with a total area of office space of about 3,500 square feet. Before any material expansion and reorganization of force could take place it was necessary to acquire and move into more commodious office space. By September its per- sonnel had been increased to 2 regular officers, 26 reserve officers, and 93 civilian employees, and at the end of the fiscal year the personnel consisted of 1 regular officer and 126 reserve officers, attached directly to the General Engineer Depot; 2 regular officers and 23 reserve offi- cers, attached directly to the Director General of Military Railways; and of 2 regular officers and 25 reserve officers, on duty at the various port depots. The civilian employees had increased in the General Engineer Depot to 602 and in the office of the Director General of Military Railways to 33. At the port depots the civilian force num- bered 2,557. The enlisted personnel for the General Engineer Depot and for the Director General of Military Railways had increased to 517 and the enlisted personnel at the port depots numbered 191. The enlisted men above mentioned are employed as clerks, bookkeepers, accountants, mechanics, etc., and were especially selected for these duties before being inducted into the service. In addition to the increase and reorganization of the purchasing department, it was necessary, after the outbreak of the war, to ac- quire sites for the Engineer depots, and to build up, organize, and train depot organizations for receiving, classifying, and storing all of the material purchased, issuing it to troops and shipping it abroad to our expeditionary forces and accounting for it from the time it is purchased until it is issued to troops or sent abroad. This depot organization work, as part of the broad problem of Engineer supply, has been handled as part of the work of the general Engineer Depot, together with the purchasing work already discussed. It involved the investigation of possible depot sites in various cities; the selection of sites to be actually developed; the leasing of land, storehouses, piers, railway tracks, and other facilities; the prep- aration of plans for and the construction of such facilities where they could not be rented or leased; the purchase of locomotive cranes, storage-battery trucks, and other appliances for handling materials; the organization of a competent personnel from new and untrained men; and the development of systems for receiving, storing, shipping, and accounting for property that would be uniform in all depots and would accomplish the desired ends with the utmost of simplicity and with the least trouble to officers serving with troops at home and abroad. Up to the present time extensive construction and leases for the development of Engineer depots have been catrried out at Wash- ington, D. C.. and the embarkation ports of New York and Norfolk. ENGINEER DEPOTS. 65 WASHINGTON, D. C. At Washington, D. C., a depot has been developed for handling certain special articles of equipment, such as searchlights and their accessories, and for receiving, making up, and issuing the various articles that compose the Engineer unit accountability equipment to organizations at posts, cantonments, etc. At the Washington depot about 10 acres of ground have been leased and developed for depot use by the construction of storehouses, railroad tracks, etc., and the installation of mechanical-handling equipment, at a total cost of about $100,000. The present operating force, which has been almost entirely built up since the declaration of war, consists of 1 Engineer reserve officer, 107 enlisted men, and 241 civilian em- ployees. All of the standard Engineer equipment for troops now in Francq and in the various cantonments has been received and is- sued through this depot since the declaration of war. PORT OF NEW YORK. The following facilities for handling Engineer supplies through the New York port of embarkation have been developed and ac- quired: There has been leased for depot use at Kearny, N. J., about 73 acres of land, with a frontage of 1,800 feet on the Passaic River.. Upon this land there have been developed facilities for receiving Engineer material by rail or motor truck for storage and for deliv- ering material by lighter to ship side for over-seas shipment. The maximum capacity of the plant is about 150 cars in and out per day, with 300,000 square feet of covered storage and 30 acres of net open storage. The layout includes an administration building, barracks, garage, machine shop, four warehouses, one storage shed, 15 miles of railroad track with a classification yard of 250 cars' capacity, 1,400 feet of bulkhead wharf, and four open piers 150 feet long. The freight-handling equipment consists of 10 locomotives, 59 flat cars, 24 locomotive cranes, one 65-ton derrick, two 25-ton derricks, two 10-ton derricks, and 14 storage-battery warehouse trucks, with 20 trailers. For receiving free lighterage deliveries of freight from railroads entering New York City east of the Hudson River and for a col- lecting and distributing station for lighters loaded with Engineer material en route to ship side, two piers at West Fifty-sixth Street, Manhattan, were leased from the city of New York and operated until December 31, 1917, when they were taken over by the Army transport service. Pier B at Jersey City was then leased from the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. and is now being operated for the pur- pose named above in connection with the Kearny depot. For the delivery of material to ship side on lighters there have been purchased 3 tugboats, 2 steam lighters, one 2 0-ton derrick scow, and 2 deck scows. There are under long-term charter at the present time 2 tugboats and 120 deck scows. For the transportation of ma- terial purchased from dealers in New York City and vicinity to the depot warehouses and piers, 8 motor trucks have been acquired and are being operated. Trucks at the depot awaiting transportation overseas have also been used for this purpose. 81116--ENG 1918----5 66 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. The cost of these improvements and equipment to the end of the fiscal year has been approximately $3,366,000. Material en route to France has been handled through this depot since the 1st of September and an operating force has been built up which now consists of 1 regular officer, 10 reserve officers, 148 enlisted men, and 1,447 civilian employees. A total of 320,302 tons has been received at these ports and 217,736 tons has been shipped 'to the American Expeditionary Forces up to June 30, 1918. PORT OF NORFOLK. The following facilities for hanidling engineer supplies through the Norfolk port of embarkation have been developed and acquired: A lease was entered into July 3, 1917, with the Norfolk & Western Railway Co. for their two new warehouse piers at Lamberts Point, then nearing completion, together with approximately 66 acres of land adjacent and the yards and tracks serving the piers. A project was prepared for increasing the storage and shipping facilities. This project included the construction of five storage ware- houses with 310,000 square feet of floor area at Lamberts Point; the construction of an open pier 950 by 90 feet for loading materials on lighters and for loading steel directly from cars to ships, together with the necessary yards for serving this pier; the construction of an open storage yard on the line of the Norfolk & Western at Port- lock so that cars could be classified before reaching Lamberts Point (total acreage of classification and storage yard 177 acres) ; the pro- curement of locomotive cranes and equipment for unloading freight; the procurement of electric storage battery trucks for movement of freight from warehouses to piers. This development is all completed except that at the Portlock open storage, where 30 acres of open storage are now available and 31 acres can be quickly developed to take care of future expansion. The cost of these improvements to the end of the fiscal year was approximately $2,125,000. Material en route to France has been handled through this depot since the early part of September. A total of 332,018 tons has been received and a total of 278,059 tons has been shipped to the American Expedi- tionary Forces up to June 30, 1918. An operating force has been built up which consists of 1 regular officer, 11 reserve officers, 14 en- listed men, and 952 civilian employees. OTHER SHIPPING POINTS. In addition to the depots described above small organizations consisting of from 1 to 3 reserve officers and from 3 to 12 en- listed and civilian assistants, have been established at Philadelphia, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Mobile, and New Orleans, to handle direct shipments of supplies destined for France through these ports. There have been 197,667 tons received at, and 150,238 tons ship- ped to, the American Expeditionary Forces through these ports. In addition to these ports special shipments have been made through the ports of Brunswick, Gulfport, Moss Point, and Port Arthur in the case of bulky materials, such as lumber and railroad ties, where saving of time and cost could be made by eliminating long railway hauls to ports where engineer depots existed. ENGINEER DEPOTS. 67 ENGINEER SUBDEPOTS. Subdepots for the receipt, storage, and issue of engineer equipment and supplies to troops in the United States have been established at all Army camps. Each is operated by a force of 1 officer and about 20 enlisted men. MECHANICAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DIVISION.-The mechanical and civil engineering division of the General Engineer Depot was developed early in May, 1917. The permanent policy of this divi- sion has been to investigate, with a view to improvement, all stand- ard commercial equipment so as to meet the severe military require- ments, and to design all manner of new purely military engineering equipment. Examples of prominence are the portable shop train, consisting of a machine shop, a carpenter shop, a tin and blacksmith shop, and a supply truck, all being separately mounted and capable of independent operation anywhere at the front; the improvement of innumerable small internal-combustion engines, covering particu- larly points of lubrication, inclosure, method of ignition, air strain- ing, and operation on low-grade fuels; portable derricks of large capacity, easy mobility, and high efficiency; self-propelling power shovels of high efficiency and wide range; portable pile drivers, espe- cially adapted for military purposes; an open type 60-inch search- light weighing but one-tenth as much as the closed type; portable acetylene lights which are more suitable than commercial types in that the price is reduced 20 per cent, the packing space 50 per cent, the weight 60 per cent, and at the same time the efficiency is increased; and various hand tools covering a wide range of uses. METHODS OF MAKING PURCHASES AND GENERAL DATA ON PURCHASES.- The engineer requirements of the Army have been anticipated to the extent that there has been no shortage of essential articles of engineer equipment. However, it should be remembered that the problem of supplying engineer material for troops and for engineer operations in the field differs considerably from the problems of other supply bureaus whose needs can in large part be predicated upon the num- ber of men in our military forces, and who can conclude that certain definite quantities of each article of equipment will be required as soon as a given plan of organization for the Army has been adopted. While this is true of the unit accountability equipment for Engineer troops, this class accounts for but a very small percentage of the En- gineer Department purchases. The great bulk of the Engineer De- partment needs are not known until the Army is in the field and a survey of engineer conditions made. The requirements for our Army in France in the way of wharves, storehouses, buildings, and special equipment and materials for railways, forestry operations, road mak- ing, water supply, quarrying, and general construction work could only be developed after the declaration of war, when Engineer offi- cers actually in the field and in consultation with the field organi- zations of our allies could survey the whole situation, develop projects, prepare plans, estimates, and bills of materials, and recom- mend equipment for the special engineer troops that had to be organized to do this work. However, a plan is now being perfected whereby a complete stock of engineer equipment and supplies will be kept on hand at the port depots, and as these articles are shipped 68 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. to the American Expeditionary Forces they will at once be restocked at these port depots so as to insure there always being on hand a full supply of engineer equipment and supplies to be shipped abroad as requisitioned. There has been comparatively little difficulty and practically no delay in the prompt placement of orders, and excellent deliveries at manufacturers' plants have generally been secured. Since the declaration of war and up to June 30, 1918, 18,033 orders have been placed with about 2,000 different firms. The use of the formal advertisement in procuring competition has been practically abandoned, under the provisions of the Secretary of War's letter of April 12, 1917, on account of the delay involved. Ordinarily about 60 days are required from date of advertisement to date of signing contract, while only 12 to 14 days are usually required from date of circular proposal to date of placing order. Manufacturers are encouraged to offer discounts for payments in less than 10 days from date of invoice, and $307,625.22 have been saved since November 1, 1917, by prompt payments of bills carrying discounts. DELIVERIE.-Shipments are made from points of production on quartermaster bills of lading; 31,058 bills of lading, each covering a separate shipment, having been issued since the first one on August 13, 1917. In general, manufacturers have kept very close to promised sched- ules of deliveries. No great delays are apparent anywhere on depot orders, and many manufacturers are anticipating promised deliveries. During the fiscal year the General Engineer Depot placed 16,214 orders for materials costing $282,931,937.10 and weighing 1,971,673 tons. Up to June 30, 1918, there had been shipped overseas or loaded into vessels for overseas shipment 646,033 tons having a cubical content of 29,899,957 cubic feet. There remained at port for shipment overseas 203,954 tons having a cubical content of 9,582,853 cubic feet. EQUIPMENT OF TROOPS AT HOME AND ABROAD.-The day after war was declared against Germany the General Engineer Depot issued advertisements for the procurement of the equipment for 70 infantry divisions. Within 350 hours after war had been declared, that office had made awards for a total of some 8,700,000 articles covering the requirements of 1,000,000 men. With few exceptions all engineer or- ganizations that have left this country for France have had their Engineer equipment issued to them before leaving. On August 24 this office received instructions to ship the engineer equipment to the various National Guard and National Army organi- zations at cantonments throughout the country., On September 7, two weeks later, all of the equipment in the then authorized issues that was essential to the training of engineer troops was en route to its proper destinations. These shipments comprised a total of some 48,000,000 pounds, and a total of some 64,000 separate cases and pack- ages. Later instructions from the War Department practically doubled the equipment for engineer troops. Shipments of the additional sup- plies required by the revised orders were at once made of most of the most essential articles. Effective June 1, 1918, the General Engineer Depot was consoli- dated with the office of the Director General of Military Railways, in ENGINEER DEPOTS. 69 accordance with General Orders No. 1 of the Office of the Chief of Engineers, dated May 28, 1918. FORT LEAVENWORTH. This depot is the repository for part of the military bridge equi- page of the Army, as well as other tools, stores, and miscellaneous sup- plies. The general work of the office and storehouse comprised the care of property on hand, the purchase of supplies, receiving and issuing Engineer supplies, and the keeping of the depot accountq and records. Engineer depot shops have been in operation since September, 1917. In these shops a detail from 13 to 105 enlisted men were employed and instructed in blacksmithing, carpentry, and preparation of ma- terials for constructing bombproofs, mines, and trenches, and in general repairs to bridge equipage. Electric motor power has been installed by troops and has been in operation since October, 1917. VANCOUVER BARRACKS. This depot is the repository for part of the military bridge equi- page of the Army, as well as tools, stores, and miscellaneous supplies. In general the work of this depot has consisted of the construction of ponton boats and other material for ponton equipage, the care of ponton equipage and divisional reserve intrenching tools, purchase and repair of Engineer equipment for Engineer troops and the pur- chase of reconnaissance and drafting supplies for military mapping and issuing of Engineer unit equipment as far as stock on hand would allow. Ponton equipage was shipped from this depot to Camp Lewis and Camp Fremont during the past year. ENGINEER DEPOTS, SOUTHERN DEPARTMENT. During the fiscal year the Engineer depot at El Paso was closed. This closes out all of the Engineer depots which were established when military operations in Mexico appeared probable, with the ex- ception of the main and permanent depot at Fort Sam Houston. This depot acts as a purchasing and disbursing agency for all En- gineer operations in the Southern Department carried on by the de- partment engineer, as well as for the work of the Engineer depot proper. The work of the depot during the fiscal year has consisted mainly in the receipt and distribution of Engineer equipment and supplies received from the General Engineer Depot, and the purchase locally of supplies for issue to troops in the Southern Department. The fol- lowing organizations were either fully or partially equipped with Engineer property during the fiscal year: 22 regiments of Cavalry. 20 regiments of Infantry. 16 regiments of Field Artillery. 13 regiments of Engineers. 4 Engineer trains. In addition to furnishing standard Engineer equipment to these organizations there was purchased and shipped to the five National 70 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Guard divisions, one National Army division, and one Regular Army division in the Southern.Department material for instruction in En- gineer field operations. Material was purchased and shipped to Fort Sill, Okla., for use in Engineer instruction at the Infantry School of Arms and Field Artillery School of Fire at that place. During the fiscal year 1 ponton shed, 1 motor shed, and 1 ware- house were constructed for the use of this depot. COROZAL, CANAL ZONE. The Engineer depot at Corozal, Canal Zone, serves as a depot for storage of Engineer property on the Isthmus of Panama, and in addition, forms a base of supplies for materials used by field parties on mapping work. The Engineer depot detachment at this depot, with the assistance from time to time of hired laborers and details from the Engineer battalion, performs the work incident to the re- ceiving, storage, care, repair, and issue of the property pertaining to the Mobile Army and the Coast Artillery stationed on the Canal Zone and to the military mapping on the Isthmus of Panama. The carpenter shop, an electrically operated plant, has greatly facilitated the repair work of the depot. Repair work that can not be handled at the depot is performed by the mechanical division of the Panama Canal. In order to provide adequate storage facilities for this depot, two permanent storehouses were completed during the fiscal year. HONOLULU, HAWAII. This depot assembles and issuses property and material for the military operations in the Hawaiian Islands, cares for property in storage, makes such minor repairs to instruments as can be made locally, and obtains and issues such Engineer supplies as are required by the Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery troops stationed in the vicin- ity of Honolulu. Operations during the year have been confined to these activities. An Engineer depot detachment has been organized to carry on the work at this depot. MANILA, P. I. This depot is the repository for ponton equipage and for mis- cellaneous tools, property, and supplies required for issue and for reserve equipment in the Philippine Department. The work of the depot during the fiscal year has consisted mainly in the fabrica- tion of reconnaissance packing boxes, sketching boards, tripods, and accessories; the manufacture of balk, chess, adjusting pins, drift bolts, stadia rods, stock cases, cabinet and packing cases; repairing and painting of ponton material, repairs to surveying and recon- naissance instruments, repair and maintenance of Engineer equip- ment; and manufacture of Engineer equipment sufficient to equip a battalion of Engineers, with the exception of certain delicate instru- ments. An Engineer depot detachment has been authorized to carry on the work of this depot. During the fiscal year construction work was started on four new concrete buildings to house the Engineer depot and office. ENGINEER DEPOTS. 71 ENGINEER DEPOTS, 1918. Amount appropriated in Army act of May 12, 1917 -------------- $35, 000.00 Received by reimbursement, sales of property, collections, etc. 3. 50 * 35, 003. 50 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year-------------- 26, 449. 57 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended________---------------- ------ 8, 553, 93 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities________-------------------- 7, 635. 24 July 1, 1918, unencumbered balance----------------------------- 918. 69 Estimate submitted for 1920-------------------------------- 75, 000. 00 ENGINEER EQUIPMENT OF TROOPS. This appropriation is used in general for the purchase of standard articles of equipment and supplies issued to the mobile army. Among these articles are blacksmith, carpenter, surveying, drafting, demoli- tion, map reproduction, pioneer, reconnaissance and photographic equipment, and fire-control equipment for Artillery. Ponton equi- page, portable searchlights, Engineer limber and caisson tool wagons, and spring tool wagons, are also purchased from this appropriation. In addition, equipment for special Engineer organizations, such as forestry, road, railroad construction and operation, supply, and shop. water supply, mining and quarrying, surveying and printing, sound ranging, and electrical and mechanical, are provided from this ap- propriation. Materials, plant, and machinery for these organizations are purchased from the appropriation for "Engineer Operations in the Field." Practically all of the above-named equipment and supplies are purchased by the General Engineer Depot, Washington, D. C., and information as to the purchases which have been made is contained in the report under that depot. The appropriations which have been made for Engineer equipment of troops for the fiscal year 1918 are shown in the money statement given below: ENGINEER EQUIPMENT OF TROOPS, 1917-18. Amount appropriated in Army act, May 12, 1917--- -____-- _$1, 174, 000. 00 Received by reimbursement, sales, collections, etc-________---- 40, 515. 79 1, 214, 515. 79 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year 1917 --------------------------------------- $158, 691. 28 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year 1918 ----------------------------------- 1, 040, 931. 86 1,199, 623. 14 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_ ______________-____ 14, 892. 65 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ____________-______14, 627. 51 July 1, 1918, unencumbered balance --------------------------- 265. 14 ENGINEER EQUIPMENT OF TROOPS, 1917-18, ACT JUNE 15, 1917. Amount appropriated in urgent deficiency act, June 15. 1917__ $35, 876, 000. 00 Received by reimbursement, sales, collections, etc___ _______7, 578. 37 35, 883, 578. 37 72 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year------ $29, 894, 181. 88 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-___------------- 5, 989, 396. 49 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities----------------------- 5, 984,393. 46 July 1, 1918, unencumbered balance_------------------------ 5, 003. 03 ENGINEER EQUIPMENT OF TROOPS, 1918. Amount appropriated in urgent deficiency act, Oct. 6, 1917 ___- 12, 100, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year ------------- 000. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ---------------- - 12, 100, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities --- __-_____-----12, 100, 000. 00 Estimate submitted for fiscal year 1920____------------- 80, 000, 000. 00 ENGINEER OPERATIONS IN THE FIELD. The duties of the Corps of Engineers comprise many and various operations in connection with field service. In the present war the most important functions of the Engineer service in the field are: The layming out and construction of field fortifications; surveying and mapping; provision and operation of field anti antiaircraft searchlights; construction and maintenance of barracks, quarters, hospitals, storage and port facilities, and shelter in general; the con- struction, operation, and maintenance of standard-gauge railroads; the construction and operation of light railways; highway construction and maintenance; maintenance and navigation of canals and other small waterways; mining, quarrying; water-supply installation and sewage disposal; electrical and mechanical installation and mainte- nance; the provision of all Engineer stores, tools, and supplies needed by the Engineer service, including the construction and administra- tion of depots, storehouses, and dumps; the provision and operation of shops for the fabrication and repair of these materials and forestry operations for the procurement of the necessary lumber; the provision of materials for and the supervision of the camouflage service. The plant, tools, machinery, and materials for all these Engineer operations; the rolling stock, shop, and other equipment for the op- eration of port terminals, standard-gauge railroads, and inland water- ways; and materials for the training of troops in Engineer field operations are provided from this appropriation. The major portion of these materials was purchased in the United States by the Director General of Military Railways and the General Engineer Depot officer. Detailed information relative to these pur- chases is contained in the reports under the head of the General En- gineer Depot and military railways. During the past fiscal year, funds amounting to $350,800,000 were appropriated for these purchases. In order to save time and tonnage, such Engineer materials as could be were purchased in England, France, Switzerland, and Spain. During the fiscal year, materials costing approximately $75,000,000 and weighing 607,000 tns were purchased in those countries. Engineer Operations in the Field, 1918, act of May 12, 1917. Amount appropriated in Army act May 12, 1917--_----- $300, 000. 00 Received by reimbursement, sale of property, collections, etc------ 3, 039.03 303, 039. 03 ENGINEER DEPOTS. 73 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year-.. _______ $267, 609. 96 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _---___--_--------_ ------- 35, 429. 07 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities _--__ _-__-------------- 25, 410. 09 July 1, 1918, unencumbered balance_ _______ _-------------- 10, 018. 98 Engineer operations in the field, 1917 and 1918, act of June 15, 1917. Amount appropriated in urgent deficiency act of June 15, 1917__ $94, 500, 000. 00 Received by reimbursement, sale of property, collections, etc___ 220, 569. 29 94, 720, 569. 29 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year 1918 ------- 89, 791, 538. 87 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_---- 4, 929. 030. 42 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------- ----- 1, 466, 042. 89 July 1, 1918, unencumbered balance------------------ 3, 462, 987. 53 Engineer Operations in the Field, 1918, act of October 6, 1917. Amount appropriated in urgent deficiency act, October 6, 1917_ $186, 000, 000. 00 Received by reimbursement, sale of property, collections, etc_ 25, 475. 50 186, 025, 475. 50 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year-_______ 121, 545, 640. 69 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_ -- ______--___-_-_ 64, 479, 834. 81 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities 64, 479, 834. 81 Engineer Operations in the Field, 1918, act of March 28, 1918. Amount appropriated in urgent deficiency act March 28, 1918__ $70, 000, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year ______ -__-- 000. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_-- --------- __ ___70, 000, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ________----____ __ 55, 291, 659. 20 July 1, 1918, unencumbered balance_ --------------------- 14, 708, 340. 80 Estimate submitted for fiscal year 1920_..-..-.-.-- - -- 800, 000, 000. 00 OPERATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF MILITARY RAILWAYS. Large demands for -railway materials, equipment, and personnel were received from France before the close of the last fiscal year. The Chief of Engineers therefore recommended the appointment of Mr. S. M. Felton, president Chicago Great Western Railway, as Director General of Military Railways, and the appointment was made by the Secretary of War July 15, 1917. Mr. Felton was charged with the duty, under the Chief of Engineers, of negotiating all orders and contracts for railway materials and equipment and of securing the required skilled railway personnel for railway troops. The office of the Director General of Military Railways was immediately opened in Washington, D. C., the original personnel consisting of one regu- lar officer and one reserve officer of engineers and three civilian em- ployees. At the end of the fiscal year the office force consisted of 25 Engineer officers, 46 enlisted men, and 32 civilian employees. During the fiscal year the office of the Director General of Military Railways has negotiated all important purchases of railway ma- terials and equipment and of port equipment supplied by the Engi- neer Department to the Expeditionary Forces. It has also negoti- 74 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. ated purchases of locomotives, cars, locomotive cranes, and track materials for home use on requisition of Engineer embarkation depots and training camps and of other Government departments. The office of the Director General of Military Railways has not been a disbursing office, all formal orders and contracts being placed by the General Engineer Depot officer who has disbursed all funds. The two offices have worked in the closest harmony. All supplies purchased for the Expeditionary Forces have been exported through the Engineer embarkation depots or through other ports at which a representative of the General Engineer Depot has been stationed. The more important purchases negotiated were as follows: One thousand two hundred and thirty standard gauge locomotives consisting of 980 consolidation type, 200-decapod type, 30 saddle-tank switching type, and twenty 150-horsepower gasoline. Six hundred and one 60-centimeter gauge locomotives consisting of one hundred and ninety-six 50-horsepower gasoline locomotives, one hundred and thirty 35-horsepower gasoline locomotives, and 275 steam locomotives. Forty-six 36-inch gauge locomotives consisting of 6 saddle-tank type and forty 6-wheel switching type locomotives. Twenty thousand and ninety-five standard gauge cars consisting of 5,509 plain box cars, 3,350 box cars with cabs, 750 tank cars, 1,900 flat cars, 950 refrigerator cars, 3,929 low-side gondola cars, 2,850 high-side gondola cars, and 857 ballast cars. Three thousand three hundred and eighty-two 60-centimeter gauge cars con- sisting of 666 box cars, 166 tank cars, 508 flat cars, 1,693 low-side gondola cars, 349 dump cars. Four hundred 36-inch gauge logging cars. One hundred and twenty-seven locomotive cranes ranging in capacity from 7j tons to 120 tons. Sixty gantry cranes, including substructures and superstructures. Complete outfits for more than 100 water stations. Entire equipment for a general repair shop, a car-erection shop, also engine houses and hand tools, and machinery for locomotive and car repairmen in French shops. One hundred and eighty-one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine tons of 80-pound rail, which is sufficient rail to lay 1,450 miles of single track. The purchases negotiated during the fiscal year have aggregated $165,362,707, covering a total tonnage of 1,162,162 tons, of which 946,897 tons have been for export use. Of this latter tonnage there has been shipped from the mills 665,378 tons and received at the ports 627,876 tons and shipped overseas 451,721 tons, leaving at ports awaiting shipment overseas 176,145 tong. During the entire fiscal year there has been at all times railway materials and equipment at the ports awaiting shipment in quanti- ties largely in excess of the ocean tonnage available for its move- ment overseas. During the winter of 1917-18 production on cars and locomotives on this account had to be slowed down. Complete records of shipments overseas, both by articles and by tonnage, have been kept. The Director General of Military Railways has secured from American railways the material for officers of railway troops and has passed on the qualifications of each for commission. He has also recommended the proportion of skilled men of the various trades to make up the enlisted personnel of each new unit. The securing of skilled railway men, both for commissions and as enlisted men, has become more difficult as the demands for such men have increased. The home roads, fearing a transportation breakdown at home, have tried to hold officer material and the ENGINEER DEPOTS. 75 supply of skilled workers, especially shopmen, is limited. Present and future requirements of trained workmen will be difficult if not impossible to fill. Efforts to train locomotive engineers and firemen on American railways have been made, but so far with limited success. ENGINEER SCHOOL, WASHINGTON BARRACKS, D. C. The courses of instruction for the commissioned personnel for the Corps of Engineers were discontinued shortly before the close of the last fiscal year. The trade schools for the training of the enlisted personnel of the regular Engineer troops were also suspended shortly before the close of the fiscal year 1917. During January, 1918, these latter schools were reorganized in connection with the training of the men of the First Replacement Regiment of Engineers, stationed at Washington Barracks. The other activities of this school were continued throughout the year. They are reported on in the annual report of the commandant of the school submitted to The Adjutant General. The Central Map Reproduction Plant, operated under, the super- vision of the commandant of this school, is reported on under " Mili- tary Surveys and Maps." The sum of $30,000 was appropriated in the Army appropriation act, approved May 12, 1917, for expenses incident to the operation of the school during the fiscal year 1918. The same amount was appropriated in the Army appropriation act of July 9, 1918, for the fiscal year 1919. An estimate of the same amount is submitted for the fiscal year 1920. Engineer School, Washington, D. C., 1918. Amount appropriated in Army act, May 12, 1917 ------ $30, 000. 00 Total amount received by reimbursements, etc___ 7, 690. 77 37, 690. 77 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year ____________ _ 31, 285. 94 July, 1, 1918, balance unexpended______________________________ 6, 404. 83 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities _______-----------_--6_____ _ , 387. 95 July 1, 1918, unencumbered balance --- ___--------___ __ __ -- -___ 16. 88 Estimate submitted for fiscal year 1920___________________________ 30, 000. 00 BUILDINGS, ENGINEER POST AND SCHOOL, WASHINGTON BARRACKS, D. C. The creation of the Engineer Post and School at Washington Bar- racks was authorized by act of Congress approved June 30, 1902, and the work has been carried on in accordance with the general plan approved by the Secretary of War December 22, 1904, drawings of which were published in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1906. A detailed history of the work is given in Annual Reports of the Chief of Engineers from 1902 to 1906. The Army appropriation act approved August 29, 1916, provided $9,000 for material for a trade school building to be constructed by 76 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY 1918. Engineer troops. The Army appropriation act of May 12, 1917, provided $202,500 for the following buildings: Completing administration building-__- _____--------------- $125, 000 Completing Washington Barracks------------------------- 55, 000 New stable---------------- ----------- --------------- 20, 000 Fuel shed-------------------------------------------------- 2, 500 Total ------------------------------- --------------- 202,500 Due to the high cost of labor and material, no steps have been taken toward the actual construction of these buildings. The appropria- tions are available until expended. For the completion of the post and school in accordance with the approved plans, the following remain to be provided: Bachelor officers' quarters. Six double sets of noncommissioned officers' quarters. Barracks for Quartermaster Corps detachment. Roads, walks, sidewalks, sewers, water and gas supply, electrical dis- tribution, etc. Due to the need of confining estimates to the requirements of the war no estimate is submitted for the fiscal year 1920 for any of the above items. Appropriations: June 30, 1902 (sundry civil act)------------------------- $500, 000 Mar. 2, 1903 (sundry civil act)--------- ------------- 86. 360, 000 Mar. 2, 1905 (Army act,) ---------------------------------- 50, 000. Mar. 2, 1907 (Army act) ----------------------------------- 32, 500 July 25, 1912 (river and harbor act) ------------------------ 100, 000 Aug. 29, 1916 (Army act) --------------------------------- 9, 000 May 12, 1917 (Army act) -------- ----------------------- 202, 500 Total ------------------- --------------------------- 1, 354, 000 July 1, 1918, expended to date---------------------------- 1, 142, 500 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- ------------------ _-_ 211, 500 RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. Appropriations.-The funds with which the works for the im- provement of rivers and harbors were prosecuted during the past fiscal year were derived from the appropriations made by the river and harbor acts approved March 4, 1915, July 27, 1916, and August 8, 1917, and the sundry civil acts approved July 1, 1916, and June 12, 1917, from such appropriations as have been provided by other gen- eral acts and by special acts of Congress, and from the available bal- ances of former appropriations. The following works are provided for by permanent appropria- tions: Removing sunken vessels; operating snag and dredge boats on upper Mississippi River and tributaries; removing obstructions in Mississippi River; gaging waters of the Mississippi River and its tributaries; examinations and surveys at South Pass, Mississippi River; maintenance of South Pass Channel, Mississippi River; oper- ating snag boats on Ohio River; operating and care of canals, etc.; support and maintenance of the Permanent International Association of the Congresses of Navigation. RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. 71 Total appropriations for rivers and harbors taken from report for 1917 ----------------------------------------- $936, 287, 376. 28 Deficiency act Apr. 17, 1917 -------------------------- 363. 70 Permanent annual appropriations-------------------------- 297, 600. 00 Sundry civil act July 1, 1918- ----- ------------ ----- 7, 750, 000. 00 Deficiency act July 8, 1918 ______------------ --------- 1, 023. 86 River and harbor act July 18, 1918 --------------------- 23, 771, 900. 00 968, 108, 263. 84 INDEFINITE APPROPRIATIONS. Operating and care of canals, etc----------- $2, 816, 934.66 Removing sunken vessels; etc---------------- 63, 438. 75 Increase of compensation, rivers and harbors (warrants issued during fiscal year 1918)___ 43, 519. 24 2, 923, 892. 65 RELATED WORKS. Expenses of California Debris Commission__.. 15, 000. 00 Prevention of deposits, New York Harbor (sun- dry civil act July 1, 1918) ------------ 95, 760. 00 110, 760. 00 Total --------------------------------- -------- 971, 142, 916. 49 Expenditures.-The total amount actually expended under the direction of the Chief of Engineers in connection with the improve- ment of rivers and harbors during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918, is as follows: Improvement of rivers and harbors (general) -------------- $20,360,454.21 Improvement of Mississippi River under Mississippi River Com- mission ------------------------------------------- 5,754, 124. 27 26, 114, 578. 48 Examinations, surveys, and contingencies of rivers and harbors_ 241, 250. 82 Emergencies in river and harbor works----------------------- 12,158. 96 Removing sunken vessels-__-- _____--_------ -------- 46, 865. 74 Operating and care of canals----- __------------------ 2, 800, 785. 12 Operating snag and dredge boats on upper Mississippi River and tributaries ----------------------------------------- 27, 703. 43 Removing obstructions in Mississippi, Atchafalaya, and Old Rivers ----------------------------------------------- 100, 984. 66 Gaging waters of the Mississippi River and its tributaries... 8, 373. 85 Maintenance of South Pass Channel, Mississippi River -------- 93, 527. 10 Examinations and surveys at South Pass, Mississippi River__ 10, 401. 02 Operating snag boats on the Ohio River ----------- _____-- 44, 745. 26 Permanent International Association of Congresses of Navi- gation----------- -------------------------------------- 1, 000. 00 Prevention of deposits in New York Harbor- __________ __ 90, 379. 81 California Debris Commission (expenses) -------------------- 14, 750. 56 Claims for damages by collision, river and harbor works ...- 141. 47 Total expenditures from Government funds ______--- 29, 607, 646. 28 Expenditures have also been made from funds contributed by States, municipalities, and private parties for improvements as fol- lows: Weymouth Fore River, Mass -----------__--__-______ ____- $828. 34 Niagara River, N. Y- ------------- ---- __--------- 2, 156. 45 Galveston Channel, Tex__--------------------------------- 18, 762. 73 Survey St. Johns River, Fla -------- ____-_____--____ 1, 599. 03 Missouri River at Cambridge Bend ------ ------ - 500. 00 Waterway, Mississippi River to Sabine River, La ----- - - 8, 281. 67 78 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Tillamook Bay and Bar, Oreg------ ------------------------ $40, 427.16 Nehalem Bay, Oreg------------------ ------- 24, 525. 86 Siuslaw River, Oreg _------____ --------- _-_-- - 5, 019. 13 Sacramento and Feather Rivers, Cal-------------------- 15, 069. 13 Flood control, Sacramento River, Cal..------ --------- __ .- 191,342. 78 Big Timber Creek, N. J..--------- ------------------------- 20. 00 308, 532.28 Under Mississippi River Commission: Mississippi River-Upper St. Francis district----- $78, 919. 31 Mississippi River-Norfolk, Miss-.-.....------ 50, 000. 00 Flood control-Mississippi River -- _-_---- - 278,264.67 407, 183. 98 Grand total of contributed funds-- ---- _____---____ 715, 716. 26 The river and harbor act approved March 4, 1915, contained the following provisions: That the sum of $25,000,000 be, and the same hereby is, appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be immediately available and to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of War and the supervision of the Chief of Engineers, for the preservation and maintenance of existing river and harbor works, and for the prosecution of such projects heretofore authorized as may be most desirable in the interests of commerce and navigation and most economical and advantageous in the execution of the work: Provided, That allotments from the amount hereby appropriated shall be made by the Secretary of War upon the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers. * * * And provided further, That at the beginning of the next session of Congress a special report shall be made to Congress by the Secretary of War showing the amount allotted under this appropriation to each work of improve- ment. The Secretary of War may, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Engi- neers, traisfer funds heretofore appropriated or authorized for any river or harbor imlrovement and which will probably not be required for that improve- ment prior to June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and sixteen, to any other river or harbor improvement for which funds may be needed prior to June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and sixteen: Provided, That the funds so transferred shall be subject to the same limitation as that imposed upon the original $25,000,000, namely, to be expended only for the preservation and maintenance of existing river and harbor works and for the prosecution of such projects heretofore authorized as may be most desirable in the interests of commerce and navigation and most economical and advantageous in the execution of the work: And pro- vided further, That the funds so transferred shall, as far as practicable, be limited to projects in the same or adjacent districts and shall be limited to an aggregate of $5,000,000. Under the authority conferred by the foregoing provisions of law, the following-named sums have been allotted to the localities indi- cated, in addition to allotments shown in prior annual reports: Amount previously reported as allotted---------- $24, 126,116. 37 Twin City Lock and Dam, St. Paul, Minn, -- . $48, 700. 00 Blackwater River, Fla ----------------------- 5, 000.00 Delaware River, Philadelphia to the sea----------- 218. 74 Southern Branch, Elizabeth River, Va -------- 7, 585. 22 Vidal Shoals, St. Marys River, Mich- - __- -__- -27, 000. 00 Port Chester Harbor, N. Y------------------------ 500. 00 Port Townsend-Oak Bay Canal _____________-_- 2, 400. 00 Columbia River, Brigeport to Kettle Falls ________ 1, 000. 00 Monongahela River, Lock and Dam No. 6------ ----- 565. 80 Sacramento River, Cal-----___________-- ___ 30, 000. 00 Columbia River between Wenatchee and Kettle Falls, Wash_----- -- - 2, 500. 00 125, 469. 76 24, 251, 586. 13 THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS. 79 Amounts reimbursed: From Big Sandy River-.-.- --------- - 2, 809.70 From Sturgeon Bay Canal___ -------- 4, 218. 79. 7, 028. 49 24, 242, 057. 64 Amount reserved for contingencies --------------------------- 757, 942. 36 25, 000, 000. 00 A tabular statement giving the details of transfers under the above- mentioned authorization of law is printed in the annual report for 1915, pages 39-42. Estimates.-The following estimates are submitted by the Chief of Engineers for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920: For general works, including examinations, surveys, and contin- gencies, to be appropriated in the river and harbor act--_____--_$10, 870, 500 For the preservation and maintenance of existing river and harbor works, and for the prosecution of such projects heretofore au- thorized as may be most desirable in the interests of commerce and navigation for which the funds specifically estimated for and appropriated may not be adequate, a lump-sum estimate of_- 5, 000, 000 is submitted, the allotment of this amount, if appropriated, to be made by the Secretary of War upon the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers. For works under continuing contracts, to be appropriated in the sundry civil act: For flood-control work ------------------------------------ 4,000, 000 Total ---------------- -19, 870, 500 Expenses of California Dbris Commission------------------------ 18, 000 These estimates are based on war conditions and have been very much-reduced on that account. THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS. Section 3 of the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902, provided for the organization in the office of the Chief of Engineers, by detail from time to time from the Corps of Engineers, of a board of five Engineer officers (later increased to seven) whose duties shall be fixed by the Chief of Engineers, and to whom shall be referred for consideration and recommendation, in addition to any other duties assigned, so far as in the opinion of the Chief of Engineers may be necessary, all reports upon examinations and surveys provided for by Congress, and all projects or changes in projects for works of river and harbor improvements theretofore or thereafter provided for. And in the consideration of such works and projects the board shall have in view the amount and character of commerce existing or reasonably pros- pective which will be benefited by the improvement, and the relation of the ultimate cost of such work, both as to cost of construction and maintenance, to the public commercial interests involved, and the public necessity for the work and propriety of its construction, con- tinuance, or maintenance at the expense of the United States. It is further the duty of the board, upon request to the Chief of Engineers by the Committee on Commerce of the Senate or the Committee on Rivers and Harbors of the House of Representatives, in the same manner to examine and report through the Chief of Engineers upon any projects heretofore adopted by the Government or upon which 80 REPORT- OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. appropriations have been made and to report upon the desirability of continuing the same or upon any modifications thereof which may be deemed desirable. This provision of the law was extended by act of March 3, 1905, to require the board upon request of the com- mittees of Congress specified above, to examine and review surveys as well as projects provided for by acts or resolutions prior to the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902, and it was further modified by the act of March 2, 1907, to include consideration of any exami- nation or survey made pursuant to any act or resolution of Congress. Section 13 of the act of March 3, 1909, increased the scope of pre- liminary examinations and surveys by providing that every report therein ordered shall contain such data as it may be practicable to secure regarding (first) the establishment of terminal and transfer facilities, (second) the development and utilization of water power for industrial and commercial purposes, and (third) such other subjects as may be properly connected with such project. It further provided that the investigation and study of these questions may, upon review by the board, " when called for as now provided by law, be extended to any work of improvement now under way and to any locality the examination and survey of which has heretofore been, or may hereafter be, authorized by Congress." Section 6 of the same act requires the board to pass upon all modifications in plan and location involved in the reconstruction of any lock, canal, canalized river, or other work for the use and benefit of navigation, for which expenditures are authorized by that section. The provisions relating to terminal and transfer facilities, water power, etc., were renewed in the act of June 25, 1910, and extended to apply to all examination and survey reports hereafter provided for. The required investigation of these questions was considerably amplified by the act of July 25, 1912. The same act provided that the board shall consist of seven members, a majority of whom shall be of rank not less than lieutenant colonel. At the end of the fiscal year the board was composed of the follow- ing members: Maj. Gen. Peter C. Hains, United States Army, re- tired; Brig. Gen. Wm. T. Rossell, United States Army, retired; Brig. Gen. Frederic V. Abbot, National Army; Brig. Gen. E. Eveleth Winslow, National Army; Col. Solomon W. Roessler, United States Army, retired; Col. W. L. Fisk, United States Army, retired; and Col. H. C. Newcomer, Corps of Engineers. The changes of membership during the year were: November 9, 1917, Col. Shunk relieved; Maj. Gen. Hains detailed. January 10, 1918, Brig. Gen. Flagler relieved; Col. Roessler de- tailed. All reports of preliminary examinations and surveys submitted during the year in compliance with the provisions of sundry river and harbor acts have been referred to the board for consideration and recommendation. In addition, a number of subjects have been pre- sented to it for report in accordance with resolutions of the Com- mittee on Rivers and Harbors of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce of the Senate. The reports rendered by the board from time to time in response to legislative action have been duly presented to Congress. During the year the board also gave consideration to a number of other matters referred to it by the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, for its views and recom- RIVERS AND HARBORS-PORTLAND ME., DISTRICT. 81 mendations. Reference was made in last year's report to the in- quiries being made concerning the economic value of waterways of small depth and width, and to the experiments undertaken in the naval model basin to ascertain the resistance to movement of barges in channels of restricted dimensions. The report of these tests, to- gether with discussions based thereon, has been published in War Department Document No. 781, Office of the Chief of Engineers, and attention is invited to that document for a statement of the conclu- sions resulting from this study. The work accomplished by the board during the year and the status of its operations from its organization up to the close of the fiscal year are shown by the following table: Total Number Number number completed Number Authority for investigation. of investi- completed during remaining investigation Authority for gations at close of year end- to be con- ordered. preceding ing June pleted. fiscal year. 30, 1918. Act of- June 13,1902 ...................................... 170 170 ................... ............. Mar. 3, 1905................................ 176 176 ..... .. .......... June 28, 1966............... .................. 2 2...... Mar. 2, 1907.... .......... ...... 200 200 ............ May28, 1908...... .... ..................... ..... 1 1................... Mar. 3, 1909.......................... ........... 274 274 .. .......... June 25, 1910..................................... 187 187................... Feb. 27, 1911................. .......... .90 90 90............ 90 July 25, 1912.............................. 226 220 3 3 Mar.4,1913..... .. . ........ .... ........ 122 116 3 3 Mar.4, 1915... .............. ... .. ................... 219 186 17 16 July 27, 1916................................. 128 67 35 26 Aug.8,1917....84....................... ......4 ... 35 49 Resolutions ofcongressional committees............... .155 142 4 9 Concurrent resolutions ofCongress..................... 1 1.. Miscellaneous cases referred by the Chief ofEngineers, United States Army...... ............... 60 58 2.. Senate resolutions.......................................................... Total...................................... 2,096 1,890 100 106 Number of hearings given at the office of the board during the year ------------------------------------- 16 Expenses of the board during the year---------------------- $17, 386. 06 Estimated cost of projects recommended by the board from its organization to June 30, 1918------------------------ $368, 884, 763. 59 Estimated cost of projects adopted by Congress------------ $276, 831, 949. 51 Details of the operations of the board during the fiscal year will be found in the report of the board, on page 2001. Status of works.-Statements derived from the reports of the offi- cers in charge of the various works and given herewith set forth the condition of each improvement and the extent of the work per- formed during the past fiscal year. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. This district includes the States of Maine and New Hampshire. District engineers: Maj. F. A. Pope, Corps of Engineers, to August 22, 1917; Col. Charles L. Potter, Corps of Engineers, from August 23 to September 14, 1917; and Mr. H. W. Hobbs since that date. Division engineers: Col. F. V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, to Octo- ber 11, 1917, and Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, United States Army, retired, since that date. 81116--ENGa 1918--8 82 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. B. ARMY 1918. IMPROVEMENTS. Page. Page. 1. St. Croix River, Me............ 82 7. Kennebec River, Me......... 93 .2. Bar Harbor, Me............... 84 8. Portland Harbor, Me........ 96 3, Bass Harbor Bar, Me........... 86 9. Saco River, Me.............. 99 4. Penobscot River, Me.......... 87 10. Pepperells Cove, Me........... 101 5. Rockland Harbor Me . ....... 89 6. Georges River (Thomaston Har- bor), Me .................. 91 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR SEE PAGES 2005 TO 2015. 1. ST. CROIX RIVER, ME. Location and description.-This river has its source in a series of lakes in eastern Maine, flows in a southeasterly direction for about 100 miles, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The drainage area is about 1,630 square miles. The mean discharge at Sprague Falls, about 5 miles above Calais, as measured in 1903 was 3,131 second-feet, The stream is tidal to Calais, about 14 miles above the mouth. The width ranges from 900 feet at Calais to about 1 mile at the mouth. The stream forms a part of the international boundary. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 101. Original condition.-The river was and is used for logging and power above Calais, which is at the head of general navigation. At Calais the depth at mean low tide was little more than 3 feet, with width varying from 180 to 500 feet. Previous projects.-The first project for improvement was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1867. Work was authorized also by river and harbor acts of March 3, 1881, and September 19, 1890. The total amount expended was $5,000, of which $1,000 was for new work and $4,000 for maintenance. The existing project began in 1910. For further details of previous projects see page 1731 of Annual Report of 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel beginning at the 12-foot contour at Hills Point, about 3.5 miles below the head of navigation at Calais, and extending upstream 12 feet deep and 200 feet wide to the lower steamboat wharf at Calais, thence 9 feet deep and 150 feet wide to the public landing at St. Stephens, New Bruns- wick, and thence 9 feet deep and 100 feet wide to the upper steam- boat wharf at Calais, and for three piers at the ledge 3.5 miles below Calais. The project depths refer to mean low water. The tidal range is from 17.6 to 23 feet; the mean range is 20 feet. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $234,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1910) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 3, 1881, provided for the repair of the piers previously built by the Lighthouse Establishment (H. Ex. Doc. No. 27, 46th Cong., 3d sess.); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for the channel (H. Doc. No. 748, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map see Annual Report for 1914, page 1570. RIVERS AND HARBORS--PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 88 Operations and results during fiscal year.-There was no work during the year. The expenditures, amounting to $507.30, were for administration, and are charged to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is completed. In 1856 three piers were built to prevent vessels being thrown on a ledge about 3.5 miles below Calais. These fell into disrepair and were rebuilt in 1881. Dredging at and below Calais was completed in 1916, at which time the controlling depths were 12 feet at mean low tide up to the lower steamboat wharf at Calais, and 9 feet thence to the upper steamboat wharf. The total expenditures under the ex- isting project have been $199,441.46 for new work, and $507.30 for maintenance, a total of $199,948.76. Local cooperation.-There has been no local cooperation. The river and harbor act of June 25, 1910, required that negotiations be conducted by the Secretary of State with a view to cooperation by the Government of Great Britain. As a result of negotiations the Canadian Government agreed to pay 10 per cent of the cost of the work upon completion, and during the fiscal year 1917 refunded the sum of $19,891.65. At the time the existing project was adopted assurances were required that the practice of dumping sawmill waste into the river would be stopped. These have been fulfilled. Terminal facilities.-There are 46 wharves on the commercially developed portion of the river, 44 of which are within 1 mile of the head of navigation. Twenty-six of these are on the American side of the river, and 18 on the Canadian side. They are, with two ex- ceptions, timber cribs ballasted with stone, and only 4 extend beyond low-water line. Twenty-seven of the wharves are open to public use on equal terms, and two on the Canadian side are publicly owned. Nineteen wharves have physical connection with railroads. The fa- cilities are adequate for existing commerce, though they would not be suited to modern transportation methods by large carriers. Effect of improvement.-The work done has given 9 feet at mean low tide where before there was 3 feet or less. The small steamers have been helped, but there has been hardly time, particularly in view of the abnormal conditions, to arrive at a definite statement of the effect of the improvement, which was completed about the last of October, 1916, upon general commerce. Proposed operations.-It is expected that the available funds will provide for necessary maintenance to June 30, 1920, and no estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.--None.. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The dredging has given 12 feet at mean low tide up as far as the lower steamboat wharf at Calais. From thence to the head of navigation there is 9 feet, but as the nean range in tide is about 20 feet there is greater depth for most of the time. About 75 per cent of the commerce is in lumber and coal. One local steamer was discontinued, and a tow boat company went out of business. Shippers report that traffic has decreased, giving as a reason that vessels could not be had. 84 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. COmparativestatement. Calendar year. Short tons. Estimated Passengers. value. 1913......................... .................. .................. 185, 835 136,066 $3, 838,365 2,506,529... .. 1914 ................................................................ 1915 ................................................................. 146,754 8496 1, 872,889 ... . 1916 ................................................................ 83,540 , 292,465 13,496 1917................. ............ ........... 61,896 1,380,137 13,950 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work----------- ------------------------------ $200, 441. 46 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 4, 507. 30 Net total expended___------------ ____ __---204, 948. 76 Total appropriations to date of this report ___ --___-- --- 205, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... 49,657.56 $40,144.45 $22,028.78 $36,959.35 .......... Expended for maintenance.... .. ..... .. . ............ . ........... .. 507.3 Appropriated or allotted.................. .... .. ...... ..... ....... .... i......... ....... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------ _- $558. 54 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance. , 507. 30 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------------------------- 51. 24 2. BAR HARBOR, ME. Location and description.-This harbor is situated on the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island, on the coast of Maine, about 150 miles by water northeast of Portland, Me., and about 50 miles east from the entrance to Penobscot Bay. The anchorage, which is about 4,000 feet by about 5,000 feet, depends for protection upon Porcupine Island, supplemented by the breakwater. See U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey chart No. 1106. Original condition.-The anchorage and wharves at Bar Harbor were exposed to the seas from the south. The main portion of the breakwater was built in water approximating 50 feet in depth, and the greater part of the area to be protected had natural depths rang- ing from 20 to 80 feet at mean low tide. Previous projects.-None., Existing project.-This provides for a riprap breakwater from Porcupine Island to Dry Ledge, and thence in a direct line to within about 600 feet of the low-water line on Mount Desert Island, the top of the breakwater to be at level of mean high tide, and 20 feet wide. The breakwater is to be about 2,500 feet in length, and is for pro- tection of the anchorage and landings. The mean tidal range is 10.5 feet and the extreme 12 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1893, is $420,200. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. RIVERS AND HARBORS--PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 85 The existing project was adopted by the river and, harbor act of August 11, 1888. (Annual Report for 1887, p. 481.) The latest pub- lished map is in the Annual Report for 1891, page 576. Operatwons and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the year. Coal shortage, labor trouble, and need for the contractor's plant in connection with fortification construction were contributing causes. The expenditures amounted to $2,038.32 for office expenses, and are charged to new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The breakwater has been extended to its full projected length, but is not to full section throughout. Probably 10,000 tons of stone will be needed to complete it. Practi- cally the full measure of protection has now been secured. The total expenditures have been $387,286.93, all for new work. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.=-There are six principal wharves and a num- ber of landings for small boats. The wharves in general are wooden platforms on wooden piles. Four of the principal wharves are avail- able for public use. Facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. There is no railroad at Bar Harbor. Effect of improvement.-The benefit of the improvement consists in protecting the wharves at Bar Harbor and the anchorage area, which is extensively used by costly pleasure craft. Now that the breakwater is to full length the protection is proving of decided benefit. Proposed operations.-Available funds will be applied to comple- tion of the breakwater. They are sufficient for that purpose, and no estimate for additional funds is submitted. Two or three months, under favorable conditions, should be sufficient for completion of the work. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The protected area ranges in depth from about 60 feet at mean low tide, near the breakwater, to about 10 feet at the wharves. The commerce consists in fuel and the miscellaneous merchandise constituting the supply of a fashionable summer resort. The following is a comparative statement of the commerce of the locality for the past five years: Comparative statement. calendar year. Short tons. Estimated value. Ps Calendar year. Short tons. Estimated value. Passengers. 9161--------.......... 35,989 $1,555,289 219,228 1916.......... 33,239 $1,684,463 92,199 T61............ 37,037 2,291,754 119,615 1917.......... 27, 723 2,570,203 75, 657 8161-.......... 39, 455 1,440,965 92, 715 Financial 8sumary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------- -------------------------------- $387, 286. 93 Maintenance Total appropriations to date of this report------------------- 426,591. 12 86 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work......... .... $38, 558.87 $36, 338.93 $27, 526.78 $7, 873.39 $2, 038.32 Expended for maintenance................................ ............. ..... Appropriated or allotted.. ....................................... ... ...... ......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------- $41, 342. 51 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work__ 2, 038. 32 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--_-------- ------- 39, 304.19 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities- ____-___--- --. $10, 456. 10 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 2, 500. 00 12, 956. 10 July 1, 1918, balance available----------- --- ____________- 26, 348. 09 3. BASS HARBOR BAR, ME. Location and description.--Bass Harbor Bar is a shoal extending from the southerly extremity of Mount Desert Island for a distance of about 1 mile to Great Gotts Island. It obstructs the eastern en- trance to Blue Hill Bay. The locality is about 20 miles by water from Bar Harbor. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 1106. Original condition.-The bar, which is composed of ledge, bowl- ders, and sand, was about 250 feet wide between the 15-foot contours at its narrowest part. The best crossing had about 14 feet at mean low tide, but it was obstructed by numerous bowlders, making the crossing dangerous in rough weather-a frequent condition. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel across the bar, 14 feet deep at mean low tide and 250 feet wide. The mean tidal range is 10 feet; the extreme, 11.6 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1912, is $10,000. It is expected that work of maintenance will be unnecessary. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913 (H. Doec. No. 1128, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No work was done. The expenditures, amounting to $225.13 for maintenance, were for office expenses. The improvement was under supervision. Condition at end of fiscal year.--The existing project was com- pleted in 1913. The controlling depth is 14 feet. The expenditures have been $4,076.13 for new work, and $2,041.72 for maintenance, a total of $6,117.85. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-None. Effect of improvement.-The work promotes safety and regularity of traffic at an obstructive point in a much-used route. No effect on freight rates. Proposed operations.-No new funds needed. If an examination indicates that more work is necessary, the amount available will, it is believed, be sufficient. Recommended mnodifications of project.--None. RIVERS AND HIARBORS---PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 87 References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-No statistics as to tonnage are available. The improvement is in general use, but there is no practicable way of ascertaining the number of vessels. The lighthouse inspector states that the passage appears to be increasingly used by small vessels. The water is too shoal for very large vessels except at high tide. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------- $4, 076. 13 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 2, 041. 72 Net total expended----------------------------------- 6, 117. 85 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------, 10, 000.00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.... .. 3,895.93 ........................ Expended for maintenance ..... ............... ..... 778.33 8408.39 $629.87 $225.13 Appropriated or allotted.................. . .......... . .................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended---------------------------- $4, 107.28 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance-- 225. 13 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-----------------------------3, 882.15 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------------ 95. 83 July 1, 1918, balance available------------------------------- 3,786. 32 4. PENOBSCOT RIVER, ME. Location and description.-PenobscotRiver drains a large number of lakes and small streams in north central and eastern Maine, and after assuming definite character as a stream, flows about 100 miles in a southerly direction through the middle of the State, discharging into Penobscot Bay. The drainage area above Bangor, the head of general navigation and about 27 miles above the head of the bay, is about 7,700 square miles. The entire basin comprises about 25 per cent of the State. The river is tidal up to Bangor, where the maxi- mum discharge has been reported as 80,000 to 115,000 second-feet. The width between banks is about 700 feet at Bangor. Both width and depth increase generally from thence to the bay. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1106. Original condition.-The head of general navigation was aid is Bangor, about 27 miles above the mouth. Practically the entire river above Bangor was and is used in lumbering and there was and is considerable power development. Prior to improvement a section of about 31/2 miles at and below Bangor was obstructed by ledge, bowlders, and mill-waste deposits, so that the available depth was' only about 6 feet at extreme low tide. Extensive deposits of mill waste had also reduced the depth farther downstream. 88 - REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 11, 1870. Subsequent modifications and ad- ditions were authorized by the river and harbor acts of July 5, 1884, August 11, 1888, July 13, 1892, and March 3, 1899. The amount expended on original and modified projects prior to the adoption of the existing project in 1907 was $367,800, for new work. For further details of previous projects see page 1782 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging to a depth of 22 feet between Winterport and Bucksport, about 16 miles below Bangor; for straightening, widening, and deepening to 15 feet the channel near Sterns Mill and near Crosbys Narrows, from 3 to 4.5 miles below Bangor; for deepening the basin of the Kenduskeag stream at its junction with the Penobscot to 5 feet; and for deepen- ing the harbor at Bangor to 14 feet and widening it along the Bangor front, giving an additional width of from 100 to 300 feet for a length of about 2,000 feet. The project depths refer to mean low water, which is 3 feet above extreme low tide. The mean range of tide at Bangor is 131 feet, and the extreme about 15 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1906, is $130,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1906) approved esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of July 5, 1884, provided for widening the chan- nel at Bangor and at Crossbys Narrows (S. Ex. Doc. No. 44, 48th Cong., 1st sess.) ; the act of August 11, 1888, provided for the dredg- ing between Winterport and Bucksport (H. Ex. Doc. No. 133, 50th Cong., 1st sess.); the act of July 13, 1892, provided for a further widening of the channel at Bangor (H. Ex. Doc. No. 37, 52d Cong., 1st sess.); the act of March 3, 1899, provided for dredging the Ken- duskeag stream (H. Doc. No. 49, 55th Cong., 1st sess.) ; the act of March 2, 1907, provided for the further widening of the harbor at Bangor (H. Doc. No. 739, 59th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest pub- lished map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results dumring fiscal year.-There was no work, but expenditures amounted to $919.94 for maintenance, and were for office expenses, etc. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1913. The controlling depth to the head of navigation at Bangor is 14 feet. The total expenditures since adoption of the existing project have been $133,220.53 for new work and $5,030.04 for maintenance, a total of $138,250.57. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The river front of Bangor Harbor has 37 wharves. They are of the timber crib stone ballasted type, and be- cause of heavy currents and floating ice they are as a rule built along the banks instead of projecting into the stream. In Kenduskeag stream there are 42 berths for small vessels. In general the wharves are not modern and are in only fair condition. Eighteen of the wharves are fitted with mechanical appliances for handling bulk freight. Aside from these the general efficiency is low. Nineteen wharves have physical connection with railroad. There are two wharves and a ferry location publicly owned. These are open to public use free of charge. A number of the private wharves are open RIVERS AND HARBORS--PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 89 to the public at moderate charges. The terminal facilities are be- lieved to be adequate for existing needs. Effect of improvement.-An enlarged and deepened channel and anchorage have permitted the use of larger vessels, reflecting lower rates, particularly on bulk commodities. Bangor secures the lower railroad rates accorded localities having good water facilities. Proposed operations.No additional work proposed, except for maintenance, if found necessary, for which purpose the funds now available are believed to be sufficient for the year ending June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The bottom at Bangor is rocky, and with a mean low tide depth of 14 feet vessels drawing much over 12 feet can not be safely moved at low tide. With a mean range of tide of about 13 feet, however, the available depth increases rapidly after the tide changes. The chief items of commerce are coal, oil, fer- tilizer, and salt. Coal, which constitutes the principal item of freight, is for the most part carried in barges drawing about 12 feet loaded, though occasionally there are heavier vessels. Comparative statement. Calendar Short Estimated Passngers Calendar Short Estimated Pass year. tons. value. ear. yssengers. tons. value. Pengers. 1913.......... 551,789 34,975,600 ............. 1916........... 396,028 7,857,096 50,295 1914.......... - 571,721 4,634, 597 62, 000 1917.... 340,198 8, 229, 880 26, 381 1915 .......... 432,436 4,984,022 51,850 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work__-- ----------------------------------------- $501, 020. 53 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 5, 030. 04 Net total expended ----- --------------------------- 506, 050. 57 Total appropriations to date of this report- 506, 300. 00 $---------------- Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................ $22,356.01 ......... ...........,. Expended for maintenance......... .............. 1,569.61 $1,053.83 1, 486.66 919.94 Appropriated or allotted..................... .................. . ..........-. .. .. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended____- _____----- $1, 169. 37 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance _ 919. 94 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ..--------------------------- 249. 43 5. ROCKLAND HARBOR, ME. Location and description.--This harbor is on the westerly side of Penobscot Bay, near its mouth, and about 80 miles northeast of Port- 90 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. land, by water. It is a natural indentation of the coast line, about 10,000 feet in one direction and about 7,000 feet in the other. Protec- tion from the east is afforded by a breakwater extending from the northerly shore about halfway across the entrance. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No., 1106.) Original condition.-The depth at the entrance was and is about 50 feet at mean low tide. Within the harbor, much of which is shoal, the depth ranges from 6 to 30 feet. Before improvement the wharf front, on the westerly side of the harbor, was exposed to heavy seas during easterly gales; there were two groups of dangerous ledges in the anchorage; and the greater part of the wharf front was bare at'low tide. The entrance had a width of about 9,000 feet. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a riprap breakwater extend- ing about 4,346 feet southerly from Jameson Point, on the north side of the entrance; dredging the inner harbor in the vicinity of the wharves to depths ranging from 4 to 13 feet at mean low tide; and removing two groups of ledges, one to 22 feet and the other to 14 feet at mean low tide. The 'mean tidal range is 9.7 feet; the ex- treme 11 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1897, is $1,036,000. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 14, 1880, provided for the breakwater (Annual Reports for 1881, p. 466, and for 1890, p. 439); the act of June 3, 1896, provided for the dredging in the vicinity of the wharves and for removal of the ledges (H. Doc. No. 85, 54th Cong.,-lst sess.). The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There was no work, the expenditures, amounting to $477.97, being for office expenses and charged to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1904. The dredging and ledge excavation were completed' in the calendar year 1901, and the breakwater in 1904. The latter is in good condition. Vessels drawing not more than 13 feet can reach the steamboat wharf at low tide. At the other wharves there is only about 6 feet. The depth gradually increases from about 14 feet near the steamboat wharf to about 50 feet near the outer end of the breakwater. The expenditures have been $915,862.73 for new work, and $6,461.53 for maintenance, a total of $922,324.26. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 35 wharves, of which one is pub- licly owned, and 19 are open to public use. Thirteen .wharves have railroad connection. Sixteen are bare at low tide, 11 have 6 feet or less, and 8 have from 9 to 14 feet. The types of construction are timber cribs filled with stone or earth, or solid fills faced with granite walls. Some have wooden pile additions. Granite and, to some ex- tent, coal are handled by mechanical equipment. About 15,000 feet of water front have been developed. As a whole the terminal facilities are of low efficiency but are regarded as sufficient for the needs of existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The principal benefits have been the pro- tection of the wharf front and the establishment of a commodious RIVERS AND HARBORS--PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 91 and convenient harbor of refuge. The effect on rates .has been such as would accrue through the use of larger vessels, made possible by the dredging. Proposed operations.---No additional work proposed, except for maintenance if found necessary, for which purpose the funds now available are believed to be sufficient for the year ending June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The chief items are coal, granite, lumber and cooperage, lime and fertilizer. The average loaded draft of ves- sels trading to Rockland is 14 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar Short Estimated Passengers. Calendar Short Estimated Passenge year. tons. value. year. tons. value. 1913.......... 668, 018 $14, 334,860 117, 642 1916.......... 600,144 $20, 551,505 117,'555 1914.......... .476,149 13, 087, 837 120,675 1917.......... 320,358 18, 321,073 77, 834 1915.......... 552,132 13,842,067 112,740 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $7.77: New work ----------------------------------------- $915, 862. 73 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 6, 461. 53 Net total expendd___________________________________ 922, 324. 26 Total appropriations to date of this report________________ ___ 925, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ........................ .... .......................... ....... Expended for maintenance . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 1 $20.00 $82.24 $395.83 $486.61 $477.97 Appropriated or allotted.... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended---------------------------- $3, 646. 46 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 -------- -7. 25 3,653. 71 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 477. 97 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_ -___-___-- - - -____- 3, 175. 74 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_._______________ -- ___ -161. 46 July 1, 1918, balance available-______--------------------- 3, 014. 28 6. GEORGES RIVER (THOMASTON HARBOR), ME. Location and description.-This river is about 80 miles northeast of Portland and about 4 miles west of Rockland, Me. It rises in the westerly part of Waldo County and flows about 35 miles in a south- erly direction, emptying into the Atlantic. The section included in I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 92 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the project is at and immediately below Thomaston, sometimes called Thomaston Harbor, about 12 miles above the mouth of the river. The river is tidal for about 6 miles above Thomaston, but is nar- row and shoal. The drainage area is about 228 square miles. At Thomaston the width is about 600 feet between banks, but immedi- wtely below it broadens greatly, though the channel remains narrow for about 4 miles. No discharge data are available. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1106. Original condition.-The depth was 21 feet or more up to a point about 1 mile below Thomaston. From thence the channel was nar- row, with a sharp bend at one point, and shoaled opposite Thomaston to about 11 feet at mean low tide. The head of practicable naviga- tion was and is at Thomaston, although small vessels can go about 6 miles farther. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel extending about 1 mile downstream from Thomaston, the depth to be 16 feet at mean low tide, the width varying from 90 to 220 feet. The lower end of the section included in the project is about 11 miles above the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is 9.3 feet, the extreme 10.6 feet The estimated cost for new work, made in 1895, is $30,000. The latest (1914) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The existing project was authorized by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896 (H. Ex. Doc. No. 236, 53d Cong., 3d sess., reprinted in Annual Report for 1895, p. 590). For latest published map see House Executive Document No. 1458, Sixty-third Congress, third session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There was no work, but expenditures amounted. to $65.63 for maintenance, and were for office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1903. An examination made in October, 1916, indicated that the depth of 16 feet at mean low tide had been maintained, but that the width had materially decreased, particularly at the bend. The total expenditures amounted to $25,787.91 for new work and $793.16 for maintenance, a total of $26,581.07. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 7 private wharves along about 2,000 feet of the river front at Thoimaston. There are no publicly owned wharves, but the private are open to all on uniform and rea- sonable terms. None of the wharves have railroad connections. Though limited the terminal facilities apparently meet existing needs. Effect of improvement.-The increased depth permitted the use of larger vessels and such saving as was due to their use for bulk freight. Proposed operatons.-The shoaling at the bend has made naviga- tion at that point difficult and dangerous, and the reduced width elsewhere has given rise to congested conditions. To restore the channel to its project dimensions will probably require the excava- tion of not less than 20,000 cubic yards of material. The available RIVERS AND HARBORS---PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 93 funds will be applied to this work, which it is expected will be com- pleted by June 30, 1919. Further appropriation is not regarded as necessary at this time. Recomrmended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items are coal, lime, and ship timbers. The average draft of loaded vessels during the fiscal year was 15 feet. Two vessels were built, and six more and a tug are under construction. Comparative statement. Calendar year. SShort tons. Estimated Passengers. value. . Calendar year. Short tons. Estimated Passeners value. g 1913.......... 22,500 $275,000 ............ 1916.......... 22,850 $414,150 7,500 1914.......... .22, 500 275,000 9,100 1917.......... 1, 025 440,950 7,500 1915........... 13,188 250,000 6,000 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work___ $25, 787. 91 Maintenance-------------------------------------------- Maintenance - 793.16 793. 16 Net total expended ---------------------------------- 26, 581. 07 Total appropriations to date of this report--------- 36, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work .. .. .......... ................. ................ .......... Expended for maintenance.......... .......... .... ........... ........... 8515.44 $65.63 Appropriated or allotted .................. . ...... ................... 10,000.00 .......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended---------------------------- $9, 484, 56 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 65. 63 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended____________________________ 9, 418. 93 7. KENNEBEC RIVER, ME. Location and description.-Kennebec River drains a large number of lakes and minor streams, and flows from Moosehead Lake about 150 miles in a southerly direction and discharges into the Atlantic about 25 miles east of Portland. The drainage area above Augusta is 5,580 square miles, and the average run-off is about 10,000 second- feet. The river is tidal to the dam at Augusta, where the width between banks is from 500 to 700 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1106. Original condition.-From Augusta to Gardiner, about 61 miles, the navigable depth was about 3 feet in low summer tides. There was a shoal at South Gardiner with about 8 feet at mean low tide. At Swan Island there were dangerous ledges and a shoal with only 10 feet at mean low tide. The channel west of Swan Island was ob- 94 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. structed by Hatchs Rock Shoal, over which there was T7 feet. Au- gusta, 44 miles from the mouth, was and is at the head of general navigation. Formerly there was a lock in the Augusta dam, but the river above abounds in rocky shoals, and was negligible for naviga- tion purposes. It was and is used for water-power and lumbering operations. Previous projects.-The first project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1827. Modifications and additions were au- thorized by river and harbor acts of August 30, 1852, June 23, 1866, July 11, 1870, March 3, 1871, March 3, 1873, March 3, 1881, August 11, 1888, and June 13, 1902. The amount expended on projects prior to the existing one on which work was commenced in 1906, was $509,411.03, all for new work. For further details of previous proj- ects see page 1735 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel below Gardiner not less than 150 feet wide, with a depth of 17 feet at Beef Rock Shoal, at the foot of Swan Island, 18 feet deep through rock at Love- joy Narrows near the head of Swan Island, decreasing to 16 feet deep at Gardiner; a channel west of Swan Island, 100 feet wide, 12 feet deep except at the upper shoal where the depth was to be 15 feet; and a channel 125 feet wide and 11 feet deep from Gardiner upstream to Augusta, at the head of navigation. The section of river included in the project is about 21.5 miles in length. The work included driedging, rock excavation, and two rip rap training walls. The project depths refer to mean low water. The mean tidal range is 8.3 feet at the mouth of the river, 6.5 feet at Bath, 5.5 feet at the foot of Swan Island, 5 feet at Gardiner, and 4.1 feet at Augusta. The spring tides are about 1 foot greater at the mouth, and about 0.5 foot greater at Augusta. The estimate of cost for new work, re- vised in 1912, is $386,500, exclusive of amounts expended under pre- vious projects. The latest (1912) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $4,500. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 13, 1902, provided for the channel be- tween Augusta and Gardiner (H. Doc. No. 262, 56th Cong., 1st sess.) ; the act of March 2, 1907, provided for the channel below Gardiner (H. Doc. No. 321, 59th Cong., 2d sess.) ; and the act of March 4, 1913, provided for the channel west of Swan Island (H. Doc. No. 746, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published maps see above documents and Annual Report for 1915, page 2022. Operationsand results during fiscal year.-There was no work and no expenditure. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existirig project was com- pleted in 1914. The controlling depth is 16 feet to Gardiner, and 11 feet thence to Augusta. The total expenditures under the exist- ing project amounted to $386,438.38 for new work, and $61.62 for maintenance, a total of $386,500. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The terminal facilities served by the improve- ment are for the most part located at Bath, Richmond, Dresden, Gardiner, Farmingdale, Hallowell and Augusta. As a rule the wharves are built parallel to the bank and project but little into the RIVERS AND IHARBORS--PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 95 stream. Generally they are ballasted timber cribs, though there are a few wooden pile structures. Bath has 27 wharves, 3 of which are physically connected with the railroad. The wharves at this place serve the shipyards, railroad ferry, coal business, etc., and a number of them are well equipped with mechanical appliances. There are 38 other wharves located at the points named, and which are for the most part used for lumber, coal, and passenger traffic. Those used for coal and lumber have mechanical appliances which, while not highly efficient, are as well developed as their business will justify. There are in addition 13 wharves devoted solely to handling ice, with special appliances, which are considered efficient. At Bath, Rich- mond, Gardiner, Hallowell, and Augusta there are public landings but they are adapted for use by small boats 'only. There are wharves at each locality the use of which may be had by the public on reasonable terms. .The special terminals are efficient, the others to a smaller de- gree, but the facilities on the whole are believed to be adequate for the limited amount of business transacted. The only wharves having direct railroad connection are those at Bath. Effect of improvement.-The benefit consists in permitting the use of larger vessels in handling bulk freight, such as coal, ice, etc., which demand cheap transportation. The improvement of the chan- nel west of Swan Island is expected to permit regular steamboat facilities to the landings above Bath, which had been threatened with discontinuance of such service. Proposed operations.-No additional work is proposed. The proj- ect is completed. Recommended modifications of project.-It is recommended (see H. Doc. No. 2107, 64th Cong., 2d sess.) that the improvement and main- tenance of the channel west of Swan Island, near the town of Rich- mond, be abandoned. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The chief items are lumber and coal. The average draft of vessels is 15 feet. Nine steel and 10 wooden vessels were built during the year. Comparative statement. Calendar Short tons. Estimated Passengers. Calendar Short ton. Estimated Passengers. year. value. year. value. 1913.......... 419,810 $3, 484,750 136,159 1916.......... 277, 700 $6, 600, 550 410,096 1914.......... 271,905 2.934, 964 357, 818 1917........ 123, 855 4, 927, 000 370, 182 1915.... ...... 275,950 3, 515, 500 559,375 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $5.05: New work----------------------------------- ------ $895, 849.41 Maintenance ---------------------------- --------- 61. 62 Net total expended-------------------------------- 895, 911. 03 Total appropriations to date of this report----------- -- ___ 895, 911. 03 96 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year enfding June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new.work 1 -........... $127.75 33,694.01 ........ ....... ... . Expended for maintenance I.............. .................. 63.42................... Appropriated or allotted................. . ..... ... ............ ... ....... 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 8. PORTLAND HARBOR, ME. Location and description.-This harbor is on the southwestern coast of Maine, about 100, miles northeast of Boston, Mass. The outer harbor is behind islands in Casco Bay and the inner harbor in Fore River. Northwest of the city is a large bay known as Back Cove, the greater part of which consists of flats exposed at low tide. The main channel from the ocean leads through Casco Bay between the mainland and Cushing Island. It is about 8 miles to the head of nhavigation at Stroudwater on Fore River, and about 6 miles to the head of Back Cove. To the anchorage ground opposite the eastern end of the city the distance is about 3.5 miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1106. Originai condition.-The inner harbor in Fore River was and is about 9,000 feet long and about 2,500 feet wide. It had a channel depth of about 25 feet at mean low tide, except at the mouth, where it shoaled to 16 feet. Thence to the sea the least depth was about 42 feet, except for two isolated ledges over which the least depths were 29 and 30 feet. The wharf front was exposed to swell from the main entrance. In Back Cove the channel depth was about 1 foot at mean low tide. Previous projects.-The original project for improvement was authorized by the river and harbor act of July 4, 1836. Subsequent modifications and additions were authorized by river and harbor act of June 23, 1866; joint resolution of June 5, 1868; and river and har- bor act of June 10, 1872. The amount expended prior to adoption of the existing project in 1896 was $692,435.25, all for new work. For further details of previous projects see page 1736 of annual re- port for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a commodious anchorage off the eastern end of the city with a minimum depth of 30 feet; for the dredging of the greater part of the inner harbor to a depth of 30 feet, except for the lower part of the main harbor and its channel of approach, where the depth is to be 35 feet; for a channel 30 feet deep and 300 feet wide in Fore River up to the upper Boston & Maine Railroad bridge; for a channel 30 feet deep and 300 feet wide from the anchorage to the Grand Trunk Bridge at the mouth of Back Cove; for rock excavation to give a depth of 14 feet between the Grand Trunk and Tukeys Bridges, and a channel 12 feet deep and 300 feet wide thence to the head of Back Cove; for the removal of two obstructing ledges in the main ship channel to a depth of 40 feet; and for a stone breakwater about 1,900 feet long on the south- erly side of the mouth of the inner harbor. The project depths refer to mean low water. The mean tidal range is 8.9 feet, extreme 10.2 feet, though variations as great as 16 feet have been observed under storm conditions. RIVERS AND HARBORS---PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 97 The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1917, is $1,590,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $3,000. The existing project was authorized by the following, acts: The river and harbor act of July 4, 1836, provided for the breakwater (H. Doc. No. 491, 23d Cong., 1st sess.); the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896, provided for 30 feet over the greater part of the inner harbor (S. Doc. No. 271, 54th Cong., 1st sess.) ; the sundry civil act of March 3, 1905, provided for extensions of the 30-foot depth up. Fore River and in ithe channel of approach to Back Cove; the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912, provided for the anchorage, for 14 feet at the entrance to Back Cove, for restoring the 12-foot depth in Back Cove and the 30-foot depth in the approach as well as in the lower part of the inner harbor (H. Doc. No. 489, 62d Cong., 2d sess.); and the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, provided for 35 feet at mean low tide in the lower part of the main harbor and the channel of approach, and for the removal of two obstructing ledges in the main channel (H. Doc. No. 71, 65th Cong., 1st sess.). For latest published map see last mentioned document. Operations and results during flcal year.-Operations during the year were confined to dredging. Jnder a contract made the last of August about 800,000 cubic yards of material were excavated opposite the lower wharves in the main harbor, giving 35 feet at mean low tide over an area about 5,000 feet long and about 680 feet wide. The contract price is 15.8 cents per cubic yard, measured in scows. In addition, about 43,500 cubic yards of material were dredged from Fore River at the entrance to channel leading to Mexican Petroleum Co.'s plant. An area about 600 feet by 120 feet was excavated to 22 feet at mean low tide. This work was done by hired plant. The total cost for hire of plant was $18,083.33.. All the above was new work. The expenditures amount to $132,153.56 for new work,,and $432.82 for maintenance, a total of $132,586.38. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is completed except for the rock excavation and about 58 per cent of the area opposite the lower wharves where the depth is to be made 35 feet at mean low tide, both of which items were authorized by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917. The work done under this authoriza- tion is described in the preceding paragraph. Total expenditures under e fisting project amount to $1,350,922.85 for new work and $8,238.13 for maintenance, a total of $1,359,160.98. Local cooperation.-The river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, requires that assurances shall be given that adequate berthing space for deep-draft vessels, affording a depth of not less than 35 feet at low water of spring tides, shall be provided by local interests within a reasonable time. These have been given, and received the approval of the Secretary of War August 27, 1917. Terminal facilities.-The harbor has a water front of about 8 miles, rather more than one-half of which has been developed. There are about 46 wharves, all but 9 of which are in the city of Portland.: Twelve wharves are used for transportation terminals, 11 for coal 81116--ENG 1918---7 98 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEEERS, U. S. AR1Y- .1918. and .lumber, 7 for manufacturing purposes, 3 for marine construc- tion, and the remainder for general business. None are publicly owned,. but there are numerous wharves at which the public may be accommodated. on reasonable terms. Many of the wharves are of solid fill within stone walls and with wooden pile extensions, while most of the larger ones are built entirely on piles. The transporta- tion terminals are efficient, but in some respects.have not been found to be of sufficient capacity to satisfactorily handle the class of vessels offering. The coal wharves are efficient, though somewhat crowded for room in one or two instances. Most of the remaining commercial wharves are of considerable size, but are of an old type with shallow docks, and are not considered efficient. Thirty-three wharves have physical railroad connection. While existing facilities accommodate the present commerce, the condition of which is abnormal, need for betternient has been evident. There is abundant space, but in order to increase terminal facilities it will be necessary to revise and rebuild at east a portion of the older wharfage system. Effect oef improvenet.-Imnprovements imade have permitted safe use of larger vessels and, so far as bulk freight is concerned, have influenced such reduction in: rates as is affected by larger cargoes. :It estimated that two-thirds of the present tonnage of the harbor wioul ntnt have been practicable except for the work done under exitiig previo:s projects;: In view of the increase in size and prand ,rafof.ships ,the tranms-Atlantic- business could not have been. con- tinued and edevfloped. Pr? osed operations.--The dredging of,the lower portion of the harbor, involving the excavation of about one and one-quarter mil- libns icubic yards of material, is due to be completed about September 1, 1918. Owing to uncertainties attending the present conditions it is impracticable to predict when the work will be completed but Ibe finished by the :close of the calendar year 1918. The it should remaining funds, probably about $100,000, will be applied to remov- ing the two ledges in the main ship channel, which will absorb the working season of 1919. No request is made for additional funds. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Comnvrrercial astaistics.-About one-half the tonnage is coal, chiefly bituminous. The Grand Trunk Railway uses Portland as a winter port and ships large quantities of grain and food products via trans- Atlantic steamers. The bituminous coal is brought in vessels draw- ing from 23 to 26 feet loaded. The trans-Atlantic steamers which handle about 800,000 tons, draw from 26 to 32 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar Estimated Passen- Calendar Sht Short tons. Estimated Passen- year. o tons. Short value. gers. year. value. gers. 1913.......... 3,339,538 $128, 506,579 1,480,422 1916.......... 3,738,074 217,325,014 1,231,721 1914..........2, 797 760 117,901,294 1,215,683 1917......... 2, 905,428 136,560,480 762,710 1915........2 990,076 145, 884,161 1, 11,502 RIVERS ANDIH4RBOR -PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 99 Financial summary. Amqunt expended on all projects, to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to'$9.44-' New work ------------------------------ $---------- 2, 043, 358. 10 Mainten Maintenancee ------------------------------------------- 823.1 8, 238. 13 Net total expended -------------------------------- 2, 051, 596. 2$ Total appropriations to date of. this report ------------- 2, 282, 727. 05 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 } 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1................. $115,272.99 $172, 401.05 $102,334.36 .... ..... $132,153.56 Expended for maintenance 1........................ ...................... 5,654.63 432. 82 Total expended 1......... ........ 115, 272.99. 172, 401.05 102,334.36 5,6541.63 132,586.38 Appropriated or allotted......................... . 210,000.00 .................... 300,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended- ----------------- $63. 717. 20 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved August 8, S1917-_-------------------------------------------------300,000. 00 $363, 717. 20 Juhe 30, 1918, amount expended (luring fiscal year: For new work ----------------------------- $132,153. 56 For maintenance --------------- 432. 82 132, 586. 38 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _ 231, 130. 82 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ---- - -- 39, 209. 02 July 1, 1918, amnount covered by uncompleted contracts- 78, 588. 19 117, 797. 21 July 1, 1918, balance available,----------- ------ , -- - 113, 333. 61 9. SACO RIVER, ME. Location and description.-Saco River rises in the White Moun- tain region of New Hampshire at an elevation about 1,900 feet above sea level, flows about 105 miles in a general southeasterly direction, and discharges into the Atlantic .about 16 miles southwest of Port: land Harbor, Me. The drainage area is 1,720 square miles and the mean discharge at the head of navigation has been estimated at about 1,500 second-feet. The river is tidal up to Saco and Bidde- ford, about 5 miles from the mouth. Its minimum width between banks below Saco and Biddeford is about 200 feet, though in places the width is as great as 1,000 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1106. Original condition.-Above the head of navigation the river has been used for lumbering and affords a large amount of water power. The navigable portion, from Saco and Biddeford to the sea, was generally shoal, had a winding course with numerous shoals and ledges, and discharged through a wide sandy beach, where the depth i Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 100 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARYl 1918. was only 2 feet at mean low tide. Outside the bar the water deep- ened to 30 feet. Previous projects.--Allusion is made to an appropriation made in 1824, but the first regular authority appears in the river and harbor act of March 2, 1827. Additional work was authorized by the river and harbor acts of June 23, 1866; July 5, 1884; and September 19, 1890. The amount expended prior to the existing project, which began in 1910, was $346,530.12 for new work, and $150 for mainte- nance, a total of $346,680.12. For further details of previous projects see page 1738 of annual report for 1915. Existing project.-'This provides for a channel depth of 7 feet at mean low tide from the sea to the head of navigation at the cities of Saco and Biddeford, a distance of about 6 miles, the width to be 140 feet across the bar, 200 feet in the lower section between the jetties, 140 feet in the middle section, and 100 feet in the upper sec- tion, to be secured by means of dredging, a small quantity of rock excavation, several small riprap jetties within the river, a riprap breakwater about 4,200 feet long, extending seaward from the north side of the mouth of the river, and a riprap jetty or training wall from the south side of the mouth of the river, practically parallel with the breakwater and about 4,800 feet long. The mean tidal range is 8.8 feet; the extreme about 1 foot greater. The estimate of cost for, new work--made'in :1910-is* $55,000,exclusive of :a tut expended under previous projects. The latest (1910) approved esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance is $3,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 23, 1866, provided for the breakwater on the north side of the mouth of the river; the act of September 19, 1890, provided for the jetty on the south side of the mouth (S. Ex. Doec. No. 44, 48th Cong., 1st sess.) ; and the act of June 25, 1910, pro- vided for the present channel dimensions and an extension of the jetty on the south'side of the mouth of the river (H. Doc. No. 752, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published maps are in the last- mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There was no work, but the expenditures amounted to $232.47 for office expenses and are charged to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1914 except for the depth across the bar, which has not yet been secured. Cuts across the bar were made in 1913, 1914, and 1916, but were only temporarily successful. The depth on the bar varies, but about 5 feet at mean low tide is available. The expendi- tures under the existing project have been $48.619.24 for new work, and $6,456.12 for maintenance, a total of $55,075.36. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is a small pier near the mouth of the river which has railroad connection and is used for summer pas- senger business. There are 8 wharves at Saco and Biddeford, 2 of which are unfit for use because of rocky berths. All are of solid fill construction. Of the 4 wharves which are in good condition 3 are used almost exclusively for private business and 1 is open to all on equal terms. The traffic is almost entirely coal, and while the efficiency of terminal facilities is low, the volume of business is not RIVERS AND HARBORS--PORTLAND, ME., DISTRICT. 101 great enough to warrant expensive appliances. None of the wharves at Saco and Biddeford have railroad connection. Effect of improvement.-It is expected to bring about some reduc- tion in freight rates through the enforced use of larger vessels and loading them to full instead of partial cargoes. The full measure of benefit will not be reached until the project depth across the bar has been secured. Proposed operation.-Fundsnow available will be used in efforts to deepen the channel across the bar. The material is shifting sand, and work and results are both uncertain. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.--The tonnage consists entirely in coal. Loaded vessels cross the bar at about high tide only, when they can carry not to exceed 13 feet. Comparative statement. endar year. Short tons. stimated value, Passengers. Calendar year. Short tons. timatedPassengers. value.; '113:......... 68,855 5385, 000 30,000 1916.......... 59, 602 378,354 .......... 1914......... . 64,251 325,000 ............ 1917.......... 53,216 516,386 14,000 1915.......... 65,708 325,000 12,000 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------ $395.149.36 Maintenance..------------------------------------------6,606. 12 / Net total expended--------------------------------- 401, 755. 48 Total appropriations to d(ate of this report------------------- 406, 771. 75 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.............. 88,594.89........... ............... Expended for maintenance ............ ........ $2216.02 $738.39 $2,197.69 $22.47 Appropriated or allotted. ......-............................. ........... July 1, 1917, balance' unexpended --------------------------- $5, 248. 74 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance-- 232. 47 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--------- ------------------- 5,016.27 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ----------------------------- 112. 80 July 1, 1918, balance available ------------------------------- 4, 903. 47 10. PEPPERELLS COVE, ME. Location and description.-This is a shallow cove of irregular shape, on the easterly side of Portsmouth Harbor, and about 1 mile within the entrance. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1106. Original condition.-The depth ranged from 1 to 11 feet at mean low tide. About midway of the entrance there was a ledge over 102 REi'ORT OF CHIEF' OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1i8. which there was about 5.5 feet. Portsmouth Harbor has a depth of about 42 feet at the mouth, with greater depth inside. Previous pro ects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for an anchorage area about 1,450 feet by 1,250 feet, to be secured by dredging and rock excavation,.the general depth to be 12 feet at mean low tide, with 12.5 feet over rock., The mean tidal range is 8.7 feet; the extreme about 1 foot greater. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $158.400. The latest (1908) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor' act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 1081, 60th Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map see Annual Report for 1914, page 1586. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There was no work.. The expenditures, amounting to $33.97, were for administration, and are charged to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.---The project was completed in 1916, and involved the removal of about 441,000 cubic yards of material,. of which 600 yards were rock. The imnprovemnt-..gives an area about 1,450 feet by 1,250 feet available as: :n anchorage for vessels of small draft. Thee controlling depth is 11 feet. The ex- penditures have been $158,262.28 for new work, and $96.45 fQr maintenance, a total of $158,358.73. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities. There are no terminal facilities worthy of the name in Pepperells Cove. It is an anchorage basin only. Effect of improvement.-No data are available as to the use of the anchorage since completion, but during the last two or three months while work was in progress a great many small vessels took advan- tage of it. " Proposed operations.- No additional work is proposed. The project is 'ompleted. Reconnended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previoslyreported.-~one. Commercial statistics.-Pepperells Cove has no local commerce. The following statement pertains to Portsmouth Harbor. Nearly all of the tonnage is coal. Cormparative statement. Calendar Short Estimated Calendar Short Estimated year. tons. value. Passengers. year. tons, value. Passengers. 1913.......... 441,875 $1,893,125 1,000,000 1916........... 190,185 $1,318,200 729,842 1914 .......... 534,015 2,379,302 ............ 1917........... 109,781 1, 094,122 725,221. 1915.......... 490, 447 2,475,675 714,001 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ----------------------------------------- $158, 262.28. Maintenance -------------------- --------------------. 45, Net total expended --------------------------------- 158, 358. 73 Total appropriations to date of this report ---------------- 158. 400. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS-BOSTON, MASS., DISTRI T. 103 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ............ $95.14 $652.96 $76,301.84 ................... Expended for maintenance.......... ....................... 62.48 33.97 Appropriated or allotted.................................,.............. ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------------------- .-------- $75.24 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance ... 33. 97 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------------------------41. 27 EXAMINATION MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED AUGUST 8, 1917. Report dated December 20, 1917, on preliminary examination of Corea Harbor, Me., required by the river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917, was duly submitted by the district engineer. It was reviewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, pur- suant to law, and was transmitted to Congress and printed in House DocUmet -No. 1003, Sixty-fifth Congrss, second session. The imn provement of this locality by the United States is not deemed ad- visable at the present time. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. This district includes eastern Massachusetts from the New Hamp- shire State line to Chatham at the southeast point of Cape Cod. District officer: Col. Chas. L. Potter, Corps of Engineers, to Oc- tober 31, 1917; and Col. Francis R. Shunk, Corps of Engineers, since that date. Division engineer: Col. Frederic V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, to October 11, 1917; and Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, U. S. Army, retired, since that date. IMPROVEMENTS. [The letters and figu'iiTn cal order in the group to 'htittrtrerthe titles indicate the group and the numeri- which the respective. impatenents belong for purposes Of appropriation,.] Page. Page. 1. Newburyport Harbor, Mass.... 103 10. Malden River, Mass. (A6)..... 133 2. Merrimack River, Mass........ 106 11. Dorchester Bay and Neponset 3. Harbor of Refuge at Sandy Bay, River, Mass. (A7)........... 135 Cape Ann, Mass... 109 12. Weymouth Fore River, Mass. 4.IBoston Harbor, Mass.... 111 (A8)........ ....... 138 5. Gloucester Harbor, Mass. (Al).. 120 13. Weymouth Back River, Mass. 6. Beverly Harbor, Mass. (A2). 123 (A9),................ . 142 7. Salem Harbor, Mass. (A3)...... 125 14. Plymouth Harbor, Mass. (A10). 144 8. Lynn Harbor, Mass. A4). ... 127 15. Provincetown Harbor, Mass. 9. Mystic River, Mass. (A)...... 130 (All)...................147 FOR. ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE PAGES 2017 TO 2048. 1. NEWBURYPORT HARBOR,, MASS. Location and description.-Newburyport is on the south bank of Merrimack River, about 21 miles above the mouth and about 58 104 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. miles by water north of Boston. The river at this point is about one- fourth of a mile wide. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 6. Original condition.-The outlet of the Merrimack River, which between Plum Island and Salisbury Point was 1,000 feet wide and 30 feet deep at mean low water, was obstructed by a sand bar nearly a mile outside, through which in 1880 a narrow channel about 7 feet deep at mean low water was maintained by the natural current of the river. The channel from the bar up to Newburyport was of navigable width and had a depth of 9 feet at mean low water. Previous projects.-None for Newburyport Harbor. (See Merri- mack River.) Existing project.-This provides for two rubblestone jetties, each 15 feet wide on top at elevation 12 feet above mean low water, with slopes of 1 on 2 on the seaward face and 1 on 1 on the shoreward face; one projecting from the north shore 4,118 feet, the other from the south shore 2,445 feet, converging until 1,000 feet apart, and then extending seaward parallel to the axis of the channel for a distance 0fl,000 feet; and for partialIy closingPlum IslandBasin bya timber dike about 800 feet long and 5J feet above mean low water; the object being to create at the outer bar a permanent channel 1,000 feet wide and at least 17 feet deep at mean low water, to enable vessels of such dr ts as can proceed at hightide to-thei wharves at Newburyport to enter the river at mean low water. The mean range of tide is 7.9 feet at the bar and 7.8 feet at Newburyport. The extreme range is about 11.7 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation interests. The estimate of cost for new work; revised in 1897, is $599,547.49. The latest (1917) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880; and dredging through the bar, if found advisable, was authorized by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910. The various features of the plan of improvement, and its modifications, are defined in Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, page 502; 1882, page 509; 1883, page 437; 1884, pages 494, 407.; 1886, page 558; 1897, page 825; 1899, page 63; 1910, page 60. The latest published maps will be found in House Document No. 339, Fifty-ninth Congress, second session, and in House Document No. 1813, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.---A: survey to determine the action of the jetties in causing increased depth over the bar was made during September and October, 1917, at a cost of $786.44; and 6,646 tons of stone were placed in the north jetty, and 1,753 tons in the south jetty under the contract for retopping the jetties; the expenditure being $17,489.49. The contract was completed November 13, 1917. A total of $18,275.93 was expended for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The jetties are about 97 per cent completed. The north jetty was completed in 1914. The south jetty was completed in the fiscal year 1905, except for a distance of 30 feet at its outer end. The jetty work has resulted in creating a navigable channel over the bar of a depth of 15 feet at mean low water, but the usual draft is 9 feet, and this draft can be carried to the wharves at Newburyport, alongside some of which there is a depth of 12 to 15 RIVERS AND HARBORS-BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 105 feet at low water. Plum Island Basin was closed in the fiscal year 1883 with a timber dike 817 feet long, 5 feet above mean low water, except near the middle, where a weir 150 feet long and 2 feet above mean low water was left temporarily, and two sand catchers, respec- tively 480 and 572 feet in length, were built in 1884-1886 in rear of the south jetty. The dike has been carried away in part, allowing the water to flow freely in and out of Plum Island Basin. North Rock was removed in July, 1901. To complete the project will require the 30-foot extension of the south jetty at the outer end, and possibly dredging, if the jetties should be found insufficient to create the required depth. The jetties are in serviceable condition but require retopping in places. The repair and completion of the dike, which is in poor condition, extension of the south jetty, and dredging are not necessary at present, but may become so in the future. The survey of 1917 shows improvement of the channel over the bar since the survey of 1916. The minimum distance between the 18-foot contours inside and outside the bar remained practically unchanged, but the maximum depth on the crest of the bar has increased from 14.5 to 15.8 feet. Inside the jetties improvement of the conditions has continued, marked by widening of the 18-foot channel through the shoal ground oh the Plum Island side, and a continued tendency of this channel to straighten. As ascertained in 1917, there is a maximum continuous depth of 15.8 feet at mean low water over the bar; but the controlling depth varies with the condi- tion of the sea on the bar. There was expended for new work $463,843.62, and for maintenance $30,165.92, a total of $494,009.54. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The terminal facilities consist chiefly of four- teen wharves extending along a frontage of about 3,500 feet of the south bank of the Merrimac River below the highway bridge, and are all old structures of piles, or of stone walls or wooden bulkheads, filled solid. On the north side of the river is one small pile pier used for receipt and local distribution of petroleum and products. None are publicly owned and none are open to general public use. The terminal facilities are considered adequate for existing com-. merce. Effect of improvemrent.-It is reported that the improvement made has reduced freight rates 25 cents per ton, and that if the projected depth of 17 feet at mean low water be obtained over the outer bar it would still further reduce the freight rates 15 to 25 cents per ton. Proposed operations.-No operations are anticipated.' The jetties require retopping, but the necessity for this work is not immediate, and on account of war conditions no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920 Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual drafts for loaded boats carrying coal, comprising about 93 per cent of the commerce for the current year, and valued at $371,250, are 9 to 15 feet; petroleum and products comprising about 7 per cent, valued at $117,599.79, 91 feet. About 37 per cent of the coal was reshipped to points on the Merrimack and Powow Rivers. 106 EPOR QT OF CIF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................... 177,064 $910,359.00 1916.................... 90,606 $756,504.58 1914 ................ .. 183, 428 967, 374.96 1917....... . ...... . 43.906 488, 849. 79 1915.......... ......... 174.887 1 962, 480.24 1 Incomplete. A marked decrease in receipts of coal and an increase in receipts of oil (petroleum and products) were apparent during the calendar year 1917, attributable to war conditions as affecting fuel production and transportation. Financial sum1unary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $795.31: New work 843. 62 $-------------------------------- Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 30,165. 92 Net total expended---------------------- --- --------- 494, 009.54 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------- 494, 100. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1......... $12,649.57 $20,263.55..... Expended for maintenance ......................... 15.44 $619:53 $1,660.65 $18,275.93' Total expended 1................. 12,649.57 20, 278.99 619.53 1,660.65 18, 275. 9 Appropriated or allotted. ... .......... . .... 60000 - 20,000.00 ......... . ..... 1.... 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-------------------------------- $18, 366. 39 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- nance_ ---------------------------- 18, 275.93 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended --------------------------- 90.46 July 1, 1918, balance available, only for maintenance -------------- 90. 46 2. MERRIMACK RIVER, MASS. Location and description.-The Merrimack River is formed by the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnepesaukee Rivers at Franklin, N. H. It flows southerly through New Hampshire and enters Massachusetts above Lowell, whence it flows in an easterly direction and discharges into the Atlantic Ocean below Newbury- port, Mass., about 55 miles by water north of Boston. Its total length is about 133 miles. The drainage area above the mouth is about 5,015 square miles, and about 4,664 square miles above Law- rence. From Franklin to Lawrence the slope is about 2.5 feet to the mile in a series of pools separated by rapids or falls, and full ad- vantage has been taken of these conditions to develop water power by datmsbuilt at many points down to Lawrence. The low-water discharge at Lawrence averages about 1,643 second- feet during about 29 days in aggregate length during the late summer RIVERS AND HIIBORS-BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 107 and fall, and the flood discharge averages about 19,170 second-feet during an average aggregate length of about 53 days during the late winter and spring. The tidal part of the river is about 22.7 miles long from the sea to the foot of Mitchells Lower Falls, about 2 miles above Haverhill. In this section the average width between banks is about 1,026 feet down to Newburyport, where the river widens out over flats into a broad basin at high water. The low-water slope of this part of the river is about 0.28 foot and the high-water slope about 0.06 foot per mile. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 6. Original condition.-The river had a practicable channel 7 feet deep at mean low water from its mouth up to South Amesbury, 9 miles. From there to Haverhill there was a very narrow and crooked channel, obstructed by shoals and bowlders. Above Haverhill there was practically no navigation, the river being obstructed by ledges,i bowlders, shoals, and rapids. Previous projects.-The original project, adopted by the act oof May 23, 1828, was for improving the bar at the mouth of the river. The project for improvement of the river above the mouth was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 11, 1870, and extended by the river and harbor acts of June 23, 1874, and June 3, 1896. The amount expended prior to the adoption of the existing project (ex- penditures on which began in 1899) was $254,466.72, for new work.: For further details of previous project, see page 1740 of Annual Re- port for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water, 150 feet wide, from Newburyport (about 21 miles above the mouth), 161 miles to the railroad bridge at Haverhill. The mean range of tide is 7.9 feet at the mouth of the river and 5.1 feet at Haverhill at low-water stages of the river. The extreme ranges are about 11.7 feet at the mouth and 8 feet at Haverhill. As a rule navi- gation is not materially affected by fluctuations due to wind, freshet conditions, or other causes. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1897, is $171,442.70, exclusive of amount expended under previous, projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1899 (H. Doc. No. 52, 55th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published maps will be found in House Documents Nos. 168, Fifty- fourth Congress, first session, and 1813, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. The expendi- ture of $1.75. chargeable to maintenance was for investigation in connection with the Central Bridge across Merrimack River at Lawrence, Mass. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com - :i pleted in 1907. The controlling depth to Haverhill is 7 feet at mean low water, as ascertained in 1914. About 9 feet draft can be carried at mean low water to Newburyport, and about 12 feet in the natural channel from Newburyport to Amesbury. The expenditures under the existing project were $115,424.77 for new work and $34,456.49 for maintenance, a total of $149,881.26. 108 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-On the reach of the river between Newbury- port and Haverhill, there are on the north bank at the mouth of the Powow River two coal wharves with a frontage of about 450 feet serving the town of Amesbury; at Merrimacport one coal wharf of about 55 feet frontage on the north bank; and at Groveland one coal wharf of about 60 feet frontage on the south bank. At Haverhill, below the Haverhill-Bradford bridge, there are five wharves on the north bank with aggregate frontage of about 1,250 feet; and on the south bank two wharves with aggregate frontage of about 875 feet. These wharves are generally wooden or stone bulkheads filled solid, and in some cases light pile structures; are privately owned, and are not open to the general public. Between the lower and upper bridges at Haverhill on the north bank there is about 2,500 feet of quay wall, of wooden or stone bulk- heads, filled. On this frontage the city of Haverhill owns several sites aggregating about 300 feet frontage. These sites are not de- veloped for commercial purposes. The remainder of the frontage is privately owned and is not open to the general public. The facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement of the channel is re- ported to enable the delivery of coal by water at rates 35 to 50 cents per ton less than by rail. Proposed operations.-The restoration of the channel to its full projected dimensions was completed in August, 1914. From past records it may be expected that maintenance dredging may soon be required. The amount reported as available will be sufficient to last until at least June 30, 1920, and will be retained until necessity for redredging shall arise. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft for loaded boats carrying coal, comprising about 84 per cent of the commerce for the current year, and valued at $142,588, is 13 feet to Amesbury. Coal consigned to points on the river above Amesbury, such as Merrimac, Groveland, and Haverhill, is transferred at Newburyport from barges to lighters drawing 6 to 8 feet. The usual draft for loaded boats carrying petroleum and products, comprising about 16 per cent of the com- merce of the current year, and valued at $115,242.84, is 91 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913....................... 108, 669 1 $513,000.00 1916.... . .. ..... .. 43,082 $408,231.52 1914............ ....... 88,559 501,285.50 1917..... ......... 18,031 257,830.84 1915................... 89,529 530,655.25 1 Over. A marked decrease in receipts of coal, and an increase in receipts of oil (petroleum and products), were apparent during the calendar year 1917; attributable to war conditions as affecting fuel production and transportation. RIVERS AND HARBORS---BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 109 Financial surmnary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2.08: New work---. ,------------------------------------$369, 891. 49 Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 34,456. 49 Net total expended-- ------------------------------ 404, 347.98 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 414, 466. 72 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 . 1918 Expended for new work........................ 1. . . . . . . . . . . . ... ................. ............ Expended for maintenance ... $4, 949.66 $6, 317.57 832.68 $46.83 $1.75 Appropriated or allotted................ ................... 10,000.00........... 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 'July 1, 1917. balance unexpended$------------- ---- $10, 120. 49 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 1.75 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ---------------------------- 10,118. 74 3. HARBOR OF REFUGEAT SANDY BAY, CAPE ANN, MASS. Location and description.-Sandy Bay, formed by a rectangular indentation of the coast line about 21 miles by 2 miles in area, is at the northeastern extremity of the promontory of Cape Ann, which forms the northern limit of Massachusetts Bay. By water it is about 9 miles northeast of the entrance to Gloucester Harbor, 23 miles north of Boston Harbor, and 24 miles south of Portsmouth Harbor. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 6. Original condition.-The bay had a good holding ground of sand mixed with mud, and a depth of 71 to 15 fathoms at mean low water, but was fully exposed to easterly, northeasterly, and northerly gales. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a breakwater extending from Averys Ledge, a little west of north 3,600 feet to Abners Ledge, thence 5,400 feet northwesterly in the direction of Andrews Point, covering an anchorage area within the limits of the 24-foot contour of about 1,377 acres. The original plans for the breakwater were modified in 1900 and again in 1909. As actually built, it consists of a mound of rubblestone rising to mean low water where it has a width of 81 feet. The seaward slope is one vertical on one horizontal from the bottom up to 25 feet below mean low water; and, thence, one on two up to mean low water. The rear slope is one on one throughout. The superstructure is 64 feet wide at mean low water and 20 feet wide on top at grade 22 feet above mean low water, with front and rear slopes of one on one; the rear slope being coincident with that of the substructure. The superstructure consists of a rubblestone core faced with dimension stone walls of 17 feet total rise, and laid to form a series of steps in the theoretical slopes. These walls are laid in five courses, four of about 3 feet and one of about 44 feet rise, and are 110 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. s. ARMY, 1918. surmounted with a course of cap stones 20 feet long and 5, feet rise. The seaward face of the superstructure is protected with an apron of heavy rubblestonerising from mean low water to mean high water. The cross sections adopted in 1900 and 1909 are shown as sections D and C, respectively, on sheet 2 of the drawings accompanying the report of the district engineer (Appendix B4, p. 1168, Annual Report for 1911). The mean range of tide is 8.8 feet. The extreme range is about 13 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation interests. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1900, is $6,904,952.25. The latest (1917) ap- proved estimate of annual cost of maintenance of such work as is completed is $1,500; and when the entire project is completed, $15,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884 (S. Ex. Doc. No. 74, 48th Cong.; 1st sess.)." A special board submitted a report February 13, 1900 (H. Doc. No. 453, 56th Cong., 1st sess.) proposing a new cross section. The changes in 1909 were made under authority of the' War Department, and were re- ported to Congress in the Annual Reports. The latest published maps will be found in House Document No. 411, Sixty-fourth Con- gress, first session; and Committee on Rivers and Harbors Document No. 3, Sixty-fifth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 26 per cent completed. The substructure of the southern arm has been completed to about mean low water, and the western, arm for about 2,500 feet. A total length of 922 feet of superstructure has been completed, of which 201.4 feet is on the western arm and 720.6 feet on the southern arm. The work remaining is to build 2,900 linear feet of substructure on the western arm and 8,078 linear feet of superstructure. The completed part of the breakwater is in good condition. The ex- penditures have been $1,925,552.80 for new work and $15,925.70 for maintenance, a total of $1,941,478. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-In Rockport Harbor on the south shore of the bay there are three small stone wharves, privately owned, two of which are open to. the public on even terms. On the west shore are two stone wharves owned and used exclusively by the Rockport Granite Co.; and in Pigeon Cove Harbor are two stone wharves and a quay wall privately owned but open to general public use. The terminals are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The breakwater has reduced to some ex- tent the violence of the sea in the bay during easterly storms. Under cover of the existing superstructure there exist, theoretically, fully sheltered anchorage areas of 2.92 acres with a northeast wind, 4.86 acres with an east wind, and none with a southeast wind; but it would be necessary for a vessel to lie so close in under the breakwater to benefit by these shelters while riding on cable of the length neces- sary in the depth of 60 feet of water in the vicinity that no practical benefit has been obtained. Proposed operations.--The small balance available will be held pending action on proposed abandonment of the project. Recommended modifications of project.-Recommendation was made to Congress (see H. Doc. No. 411, 64th Cong., 1st sess., and R. RIVERS AND HARBORS---BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT.: 111 and H. Com. Doc. No. 3, 65th Cong., 1st sess.), that the project be abandoned. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-As the breakwater in its present condition affords but little protection, this locality is not used as a harbori of refuge. Financialsnummay. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1: New work --------------------------------------- $1, 925, 552. 30 Maintenance ------------------------------------ __ 15,925. 70 Net total expended --------------------- , 941, 478. 00 1--------- Total appropriations to date of this report------------------ 1, 950, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1................. $43,920.46 $65,769.73 $48,688.96 ................ Expended for maintenance' ............... 1,484.47 5,294.64 8,657.81 $488.78 ........... Total expended 1............ ... 45,404.93 71,064.37 57,346.7' 488.78 ........ Approptgated orallotted ........... ................. ..................... ........ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-------------------------------$8, 522.00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended 522. 00 8--------------------------- 8, Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project -- ------------ 2 4, 945, 952. 25 4. BOSTON HARBOR, MASS. Location and description.-This harbor includes all the expanse of tidewater lying within a line from Point Allerton to Point Shir- ley,, and extending from that line westward to the mainland. This comprises an area of about 47 square miles, exclusive of the islands. The distance from the Point Allerton-Point Shirley line to the Charlestown Navy Yard (via the 35-foot channel) is about 7 miles. Tributary to the harbor and included in its improvement are: (1) Chelsea Creek, which begins in the town of Revere and flows in an easterly and southerly direction for about 4 miles, emptying into Boston Harbor at the Meridian Street Bridge. From its mouth to the head of navigation at Slade's Spice Mill dam it is a little less than 3 miles in length and is tidal. Above the dam the creek is a surface drainage brook, extending about 1i miles inland through a closely settled area. Records of discharge, etc., are not available. (2) Fort Point Channel, which is a tidal inlet connecting the tidal basin of South Bay, 250 acres in area, with Boston upper harbor. The channel is about 11 miles long, and its general direction of flow is northeasterly and southwesterly. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 6 and 109. Originalcondition.--The headlands and islands were without pro- tection against the sea, which was extensively eroding them. Rocks x Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 'Exclusive of available funds. 112 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. obstructed the entrance to the lower main ship channel, which was 23 feet deep at mean low water, with a least width of 150 feet. The upper main ship channel from President Roads to Boston had a least depth of 18 feet at mean low water, with a least width of 100 feet. The channel from President Roads through Broad Sound had a least depth of 29 feet at mean low water, with a least width of 200 feet. Chelsea Creek had a depth of about 8 feet at mean low water from its mouth to about three-fifths of a mile from the head of navigation, at Slade's Spice Mill dam in Revere, and of about 3 feet beyond. Fort Point Channel originally had a depth varying from a few feet at the head of the channel, at Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, to 23 feet at mean low water at the mouth. Previous projects.-The project for the 23-foot main ship channel was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1867. To this project were added from time to time, by provisos in the following - river and harbor acts, projects for improvement of minor channels, within or tributary to the harbor: Nantasket Beach Channel, acts of June 14, 1880, and September 19, 1890; Jeffries Point Channel, act of September 19, 1890; and Charles River, act of June 14, 1880. The total expenditures were $1,355,698.93 for new work, of which $19,064.51 was applied to the Nantasket Beach and Jeffries Point Channels and Charles River, and the balance, $1,216,634.42, to the 23-foot channel. For further details of previous projects see page 1743 of annual report for 1915. Existing project,--This provides for a channel 40 feet deep in general, but 45 feet deep through rock, from the sea to President Roads through Broad Sound, 1 miles, 900 feet wide except at the outer end where it is widened to 1,100 feet; a channel 35 feet deep from the sea through Broad Sound to the navy yard at Charlestown and the Chelsea Bridge and Charles River. Bridge, 1,500 feet wide from the sea to President Roads, 1l miles, and thence 1,200 feet wide for the remaining distance of 6 miles; a channel 27 feet deep and 1,000 feet wide from Nantasket Roads to President Roads, 3 miles; a channel 15 feet deep, 300 feet wide, and 550 feet long through the bar which extends from the north head of Long Island to Nixes Mate Shoal, known as Nixes Mate or Nubble Channel; a channel in Chelsea Creek 25 feet deep and 150 feet wide, from the Meridian Street Bridge, at the head of the 35-foot channel in Boston Harbor, to the old East Boston (Chelsea Street) Bridge, a distance of about seven- eighths of a mile, and a channel about 1 mile in length next below the head of navigation, 8.4 feet deep and 150 feet wide, the lower end of this channel being about 2 miles above the mouth of the river; the Fort Point Channel 23 feet deep and 175 feet wide from its entrance in Boston Harbor, about four-fifths of a mile to near Fed- eral Street Bridge; and sea walls of coursed stone and riprap pro- tecting the most exposed headlands and islands. All depths are referred to mean low water. The mean range of tide is 9 feet at Boston Light, and 9.6 feet in the upper harbor, in Chelsea Creek, and in Fort Point Channel. The extreme range is about 4 feet greater. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation interests. The estimate of cost for new work, exclusive of amount expended under previous projects and of sea walls for which no estimate was RIVERS AND HARBORS---BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 118 given, is $11,745,749.68 (see Annual Report for 1917, p. 79, for de- tails). The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of main- tenance is $79,400. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 2, 1825 provided for the preservation of the islands by sea walls; the act of August 5, 1886, provided for Fort Point Channel (H. Ex. Doc. No. 206, 48th Cong., 2d sess.); the act of July 13, 1892, provided for the 27-foot channel (see p. 766 of Annual Report for 1893); the act of June 3, 1896, provided for the channel in upper Chelsea Creek (H. Ex. Doc. No. 162, 53d Cong., 3d sess.) ; the act of June 13, 1902, provided for the 35-foot channel (H. Doec. No. 119, 56th Cong., 2d sess.), the estimate differing from any in that document, owing to the different widths of the channels adopted, and the omission from the project of the removal of Finns Ledge, at the outer entrance, was authorized by the Chief of Engi- neers March 11, 1913; the act of July 25, 1912, provided for the chan- nel in lower Chelsea Creek (H. Doc. No. 272, 62d Cong, 2d sess.) ; the act of August 8, 1917, provided for the 40-foot;hannel (H. Doc. No. 931, 63d Cong., 2d sess.). References to latest published maps: Sea walls and Nixes Mate Channel, page 1178 of Annual Report for 1911; 27, 30, 35, and 40 foot channels, House Document No. 931,: Sixty-third Congress, second session; upper Chelsea Creek, House Executive Document No. 162, Fifty-third Congress, second session; lower Chelsea Creak, House Document No. 272, Sixty-second Congress, second session; Fort Point Channel, location shown on map facing page :70 of the Annual Report for 1903. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No dredging was done in maintenance of the 35-foot channel and no repairs to sea walls made. The expenditure was $38,914.89, of which $165.09 was for survey, preparation of plans, and conference regarding desired ad- vancement of the harbor line in front of the Boston Navy Yard, and $38,749.80 for payment of office and engineering expenses and for operation and maintenance of floating plant; all chargeable to main- tebifihce. In Chlelea Creek no operation was in progress; the ex- penditure of $641.73 was for a proportionate part of the cost of repairs to Government floating plant, chargeable to new work. The ex- penditures during the year on all projects were $641.73 for new work and $38,914.89 for maintenance, a total of $39,556.62. (ondition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project has been completed with the exception of the 40-foot channel, on which no work has been done. Under the existing project sea walls of a total length of about 3.75 miles have been built and are being maintained on Great Brewster Island, Lovells Island, Gallups Island, Long Island Head, "Rainsford Island, Deer Island, and Georges Island, and on Point Allerton. The walls are in generally good condition. The expenditures on the sea walls amount to $1,302,801.91, of which $1,263,022.85 was for new work and $39,779.06 was for maintenance. The Nixes Mate or Nubble Channel was completed in 1892, the 30- foot channel in 1905. the 27-foot channel in 1907,pe ipper channel in Chelsea Creek in 1907, the Fort Point Channel in 1909, the 35-foot channel in 1915, and the lower channel in Chelsea Creek in 1916 no expenditure on 40-foot channel has been made; the total expenditures 81116--ENG 1918- ".14 REPORT FOP. CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. 8. ARMY, 1918. on these channels being $9,118,714.59 for new work (including $641.73 during the fiscal year for proportionate part of repairs to Gov- ernment floating plant, chargeable to lower Chelsea Creek), and +$710,606.90 for maintenance; or $9,829,321.49 in all. (For details see Annual Report for 1917, p. 81.) The condition of the 35-foot channel, as ascertained in 1917, is as .follows: From ,the sea through .Broad Sound to President Roads there is an available navigable depth of 35 feet at mean low water, but Finns Ledge, the removal of which has been omitted from the project, narrows the entrance to about 950 feet, the width of the natural channel. From President Roads to the navy yard the channel has a depth of 35 feet throughout. Above the navy yard, both at the mouth of the Charles River, Mystic River, and Chelsea Creek, the channel has shoaled in some places to the extent of several feet, but these parts of the channel are not used at present by vessels requir- ing any greater depth than now exists. The controlling depth of Fort Point Channel, as ascertained in 1917, is 22 feet at mean low water; of the 27-foot and 30-foot chan- nels in 1911, 27 and 30 feet, respectively; of upper Chelsea Creek in 1915, 8.4 feet; lower Chelsea Creek in 1916, 25 feet; and of Nixes Mate Channel in 1916, 15 feet. The total expe r under the existing project amount to $10,- 881,737.44 for new ~~f ;0,40569 br maintenance; a total of $11 132,143.138. Local cooperation.-No conditions have been imposed by law in connection with the main ship channels. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has voluntarily dredged an anchorage basin 30 feet deep at mean low water, about 1 mile long and 1,000 feet wide, off Bird Island Flats, immediately adjoining the 35-foot channel on the East Boston side; has lowered, under its appropriation of $75,000 in 1913 (see H. Doc. 272, 62d Cong., 2d sess.), the 24-inch water main of the Metropolitan water system, which crosses Chelsea Creek about 800 feet above the Meridian Street Bridge; has built on the flats owned by it at South Boston adjoining the 35-foot channel the Commonwealth pier, 1,200 feet long and 400 feet wide, with berths on either side 40 feet deep at mean low water, and provided with all the equipment necessary to make it a first-class terminal for the largest freight and passenger vessels; a pier for the fishing interests; three short pile piers with a frontage of 700 feet; and is constructing a dry dock large enough tp take In any vessel now built or proposed. At East Boston the Commonwealth has acquired a site for a steamship pier, the construction of which has not been commenced; and easterly of the present East Boston water front has under consideration a com- prehensive plan of development of the area extending to and includ- ing Governors Island and northerly therefrom to the Winthrop shore, including a system of large modern piers, extensive manufacturing and storage areas, and complete railroad connection. This develop- ment has been initiated by the filling of a small part of the area now in progress. The expenditures for the harbor by the Common- wealth, already made and provided for, total about $15,000,000. Terminal facilities.-The wharf development of Boston Harbor lies westerly of Governors and Castle Islands. Bordering on the 35-foot channel and below all bridges there is about 4 miles of water- front, fully developed, with wharves of various types devoted to RIVERS AND- HARBORS--BOStT T, MASS., DISTRICT. 115 tommercial purposes; and on the Charlestown shore is located the United States navy yard, with a frontage of about five-eighths of a mile. Along the wharf front of Boston proper, about 11 miles in extent, the wharves are practically all devoted to miscellaneous commerce of the coastwise traffic. The depth of water at them is limited to a maximum of about 25 feet at mean low water, and generally the b~rths are of too limited length to accommodate transatlantic vessels. These wharves are connected to The two principal railroad systems on the north and south side of the city by a belt line railroad passing through the streets. They consist generally of stone or wooden bulk- heads filled solid and faced with pile platforms; and are all privately owned and not open to the general public on equal terms, with the exception of a frontage of about 500 feet on Charles River, which is owned by the City of Boston and used for park and recreation purposes. In East Boston for about 1- miles below the Meridian-Street Bridge the wharf frontage lacks railroad connection, and the wharves are of a more or less temporary character, and generally with depths of water sufficient only to accommodate the smaller class of coastwise vessels. Further east along this frontage there are two large wharves with raikad'&connection, but lacking depths suflicient to dock large vessels. Immediately east of the last-described wharves the Commonwealth of Massachusetts owns a site at present undeveloped, but upon which it is the intention in the future to construct a large pier of latest advanced type for general public use. Again east, on a frontage of about 1,600 feet, are three large piers and one small pier belonging to the Boston & Albany Railroad. These are concrete piers of modern construction, capable of accommodating the largest type of trans- atlantic liner utilizing the port, and with berths of a maximum length of about 750 feet. These wharves, and the site of the Commonwealth pier, have direct railroad connection. Next east along this front is a railway ferry wharf, three small drydocks, and a few small wharves of temporary character for miscellaneous commercial pur- poses. All these wharves are privately owned and not open to general public use. Easterly of this wharf frontage the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has under consideration a comprehensive plan of development of the area extending to and including Governors Island and northerly therefrom to the Winthrop shore, including a system of large modern piers, extensive manufacturing and storage areas, and complete railroad connections. No material progress has been made on this development to date. On the Charlestown front west of the United States navy yard, for a frontage of about 1,400 feet, there are three large piers accom- modating transatlantic commerce, with depths of 30 to 35 feet, the :longest berth being about 600 feet in length. Easterly of the navy yard are two large piers with a frontage of about 1,400 feet on the channel. These private wharves consist of stone bulkheads filled solid and faced with pile platforms, and are fitted to handle trans- atlantic commerce. Into Charlestown on this front extends westerly for a distance of about five-eighths of a mile the south channel of the Mystic River, bordered on the north by a stone bulkhead, filled solid 116 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. B. ARMY, 1918. and faced with pile platform, of the Mystic Wharf of the Boston & Maine Railroad, having complete railroad connection and berths of generally about 18 feet depth, accommodating coastwise vessels, and one berth at its outer end of about 21 feet depth, accommodating the smaller class of transatlantic vessels. On the south side for about three-eighths of a mile below its upper end this channel is bordered by small wharves of more limited depth, accommodating a small class of coasting vessels. These wharves are generally of stone bulk- head, privately owned, and not open to general public use. At the head of the 35-foot channel on the Chelsea waterfront, in a length of about 2,000 feet, there are several small wharves of insig- nificant value, and one large coal wharf. On the South Boston front a large territory of flats is at present under development. In a distance of about one-half of a mile easterly from the mouth of Fort Point Channel there are three large. piers consisting of stone bulkheads filled solid, all capable of accommodat- ing transatlantic traffic and all having direct railroad Iconnection. These piers are privately owned and are not open to general 'public use. Next east is a large pier of modern construction with 2h-berths each 1,200 feet long, and a depth of 40 feet at mean low Water, owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, fitted with appliances fbr expeditious handling of cargo, and open to general public use. Next east lies a large pier devoted to the fishing interests of the -port, owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and leased to: fishing corporations; and still further east are five small piers of a tempor- •ary character. At the easterly end of the development, between the main ship channel and the reserved channel, there is under construc- tion by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts a drydock which, when completed will accommodate ships 1,200 feet long. On the south side of the reserved channel, on a frontage of about seven-eighths of a mile, extend wharves consisting of stone and wooden bulkheads filled solid, and pile structures; all privately owned and not open to general public use. They receive coal, lumber, etc., of the coastwise traffic. On the north side of this chann61, on 'a frontage of about 1 mile, extensive quartermaster stores and wharf are under construction. Bordering Fort Point Channel, a subsidiary channel of the upper harbor, within the scope of Federal improvement there is on its eastern side about 4,000 feet of wharf frontage devoted to commer- cial purposes. These wharves consist principally of stone bulkheads, with berths generally of depths sufficient to accommodate only coast- ing vessels, the only berth taking ocean vessels being that of the American Sugar Refining Co. On the westerly side of the channel there is commercial development only for a distance of about 1,000 feet of wharf frontage consisting of stone bulkheads. The remainder of this shore is bordered by an important highway of the city. Above the scope of the Federal improvement, along the west and south shores of South Bay, and bordering a channel 12 feet deep, dredged by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, there is a frontage of about 8,500 feet developed into small wharves, consisting of stone and wooden bulkheads, for shoal draft coastwise trade, principally of coal, lumber, and other building materials. The easterly shore of this bay is occupied entirely by railroad yards and is without wharf development for commercial purposes. All the wharves on Fort RIVERS AND HARBORS--BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 117 Point Channel and South Bay are privately owned and not openi to general public use. Bordering Chelsea Creek, a subsidiary channel of the upper harbor, within the scope of federal improvement and in the section improved to a depth of 25 feet at mean low water, there is on its northern side, about 4,500 feet of wharf frontage, consisting principally of stone and wooden bulkheads filled solid, and some small pile piers. On this front is located also a shipbuilding and repair yard with marine railways. These wharves accommodate only light-draft coastwise traffic. For 3,300 feet on the south side of the channel the frontage is occupied by wharves with shoal draft and not generally used for commercial purposes, but on this side for a distance of about 1,200 feet at the upper end of this 25-foot channel is located a large refin- ing and distributing plant of the Standard Transportation Co.; the wharf consisting of stone bulkhead filled solid. On the upper section of Chelsea Creek within the scope of the improvement to 8,4 feet depth at mean low water there are on the south bank three wharves; one consisting of stone bulkhead filled solid, and two of pile struc- tures, used for the receipt of coal and building materials and for city sanitary purposes. On the north bank, directly above the Boston & Albany Railroad bridge, a frontage of about 2,500 feet of wooden bulkhead filled solid, with pile piers in advance, is under development by: the Mexican Petroleum Corporation for receipt and distribution of its products.: All the wharves on Chelsea Creek are privately owned, and are not open to general public use. The terminal facilities of Boston Harbor are considered adequate for existing commerce, and ample provision exists for their exten- sion to meet future demands. Effect of improvement.-The channels as improved have effected no reduction in freight rates, but the completion of the 35-foot channel has resulted in establishing new transatlantic steamship lines. Between 1902 and 1914 the steamships using this port increased in carrying capacity from 4,500 to 6,000 tons deadweight to 8,000 to 12,000 tons deadweight, and drawing from, 29 to 33 feet fully loaded; the foreign commerce from $165,000,000 in round numbers to $235,000,000; and the tonnage of the shipping, foreign and coastwise, from 9,906,748 net tons to 15,285,992 net tons. The conditions of present commerce scarcely apply, being abnormal because of war requirements. Proposed operations.--It is estimated that the funds available will suffice for completing the repair of the sea walls and for maintaining the survey and inspection boats, engineering expenses, rent of wharf, etc., to June 30, 1919. The funds in hand for Chelsea Creek will be held for future maintenance. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, an estimate of $40,000 is submitted for any emergency maintenance of Boston Harbor channels that may become necessary, for repair of sea walls which are liable to damage by any extraordinarily violent storm, and for maintain- ing the survey and inspection boats, engineering expenses, rent of wharf, etc. Due to war conditions, the estimate of funds for the fiscal year 1920 is limited to the amount stated. The balances of appropriations heretofore made and authorized for the improvement of Boston Harbor, which can be made avail- able for the improvement of the 40-foot channel, as provided for 118 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARM Y, 1918. in act of August 8, 1917, will not be of sufficient amount to under- take work on the new improvement, and no operations are contem- plated until further funds are appropriated. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The'steamer Cretic of 13,518 gross tons and draft of 32 feet 100 inches, of the White Star Line; the steamer Caronia,of 19,687 tons and draft of 33 feet 31 inches, of the Cunard Line; and the United States steamer America, of 22,622 tons and draft of 33 feet 6 inches (formerly the Amerika of the Hamburg-American Line), are the largest of the transatlantic liners usually sailing from this port. Great modifications in all foreign shipping have neces- sarily been imposed by the war. The usual drafts for loaded boats using the tributary channels are as follows: Chelsea Creek (lower), sand, comprising over 6 per cent of the commerce for the current year and valued at $27,079.60, 121 to 17 feet; coal (over 4 per cent, valued at $148,016.90), 14 to 16 feet; petroleum and products (over 82 per cent, valued at $15,177,380.24), 11 to 23 feet. Chelsea Creek (upper), coal, comprising all of the commerce for the current year and valued at $30,893.40, 15 feet. Fort Point Channel, coal, comprising about 72 per cent of the commerce for the current year and valued at about $5,500,000, 15 feet; sugar (over 15 per cent, -valued at $18,585,800), 18 to 20 feet. Comparative statements. BOSTON HARBOR. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................... 12,36,032 $202,400,253 1916................ ... () $386, 769,333 1914. ...... ........ 2 2,079,499 234, 976,978 1917................... ) 438,69,975 1915................... (8) 289, 927,436 2 1Boston Boston Harbor only. and subports ("District of Massachusetts"). =Not ascertainable. The above figures are for the foreign commerce only. No detailed statistics of the tonnage or value of the domestic commerce are ob- tainable. The leading articles of foreign commerce are grain, sugar, and other foodstuffs, cotton, hides, wool, and manufactured articles; of domestic commerce, coal, oil, lumber, and other building materials. CHELSEA CREEK. Upper 1 mile of Meridian Street Bridge river. to Chelsea Street Total. Bridge. Calendar year. Short Value. Short Value. Short Value. tons. tons. tons, 1913............................ 14,351 $94 241.43 322,972 $6,330,209.90 337,323 $6, 424,451.33 1914................ ....... 12,846 63,391.86 334083 6,248,297.82 346,929 6, 311689.68 1915........................... 14,248 71,891.50 371,734 6,195, 749.18 385,982 6,267, 640.68 1916. 11175 48371.17 427686 10 700321. 68 438,861 1074 62.85 1917........................ 4,247 30,893.40 'N9t7as527,a n5le15,In5o5,p386. 57953 "15, 7386.71 5'532 200 '15, 6 280.11 ; "Not aseertalnable. ' Incomplete. RIVERS AND HARBORS---BOSTON, MASS., DISTRIOT. 119 FORT POINT CHANNEL. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.. .:............ 1 1,091 211 $15,357,l672.50 19161,303,115 $21,851,622.39 1914.................. 1,281674 16,022 297.13 1916................... 14,886 (s) 1915.................... 1,356 087 119,574,769.51 1917 ....... 1981,504 123,985,75.86 134,700 () 1Incomplete. 2 Not ascertainable. Financial summary. 27, 30, AND 35 FOOT CHANNELS, GENERAL IMPROVEMENT. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting re- ceipts from sales, etc., amounting to $736.22: New work ---------------------------- ----------- $11, 700, 442. 10 Maintenance----- ----- ------------------------------ 750,405.69 Net total expended------------------------------ 12, 450, 847. T9 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------12, 525, 827. 58 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 191.. 1917 1918 Expended for new workn.1............. $263, 849. 46 $395, 816. 14 813,.050.38 ......................... Expended for maintenance 1............... 91, 458. 69 31,635.89 212,857.93 $176,674.56 $38, 914.89 Total expended1........ .......... 355,308.15 427,452.03 225,908.31 176,674.56 38,914.89 Appropriated or allotted ............ ... 200,000.00 135,769.00 0,000.00. ...... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ -__ ___ Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918----- _____ ------------ _ -- $73, 876. 58 __---------- 18.10 73, 894. 68 June 30. 1918, amount expended during the year, for mainte- nance ------------------------------------------------ 38, 914. 89 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------------- _____- 34, 979. 79 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ....--- -------------- 2, 302. 03 July 1, 1918, balance available including $31,844.82 available only for maintenance -- _ - --. 32, 677. 76 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 -------------------------------------------------- 40, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 -- _--_.... 72, 677. 76 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance------------ --------------- 40, 000. 00 CHELSEA CREEK. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work----------------------------------- - $36-, 994. 27 Maintenance Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------85, 00. 00 . . 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. Includes $1.63 receipts from sales not included in 1917 report. SExclusive of available funds. 120 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work..................... ... 189.11 833,810.89 82,352. 54 641.73 Expended for maintenance.................. .......... ..... ............. ....... Appropriated or allotted........ .................................. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended___--- ___________ __ $48, 647. 46 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work_ 641. 73 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_____--------------- ------ 48, 005. 73 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMliARY FOR BOSTON HARBOR. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $736.22: New work 737, 436. 37 $--11,------------------ Maintenance ---------------- 750, 405.69 Net total expended--------------- 12, 487, 842. 06 Total appropriations to date of this report --------- ________ 12, 610, 827. 58 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916' 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1. ................. $263, 849.46 $396, 005.25 $46, 861.27 $2, 352.54 $641.73 Expended for maintenance 1......... l ..... 91,458.69 31, 635.89 212, 857.93 176, 674.56 38, 914.89 Total expenied. 1. ......... ...... 355,308.15 427,641.14 259,719.20 179,027.10 39,556.62 Appropriated or allotted............. " 200, 000.00 135, 769.00 100,000.00 ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended _______ _____________ $122, 524. 04 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918---------------- 18. 10 122, 542. 14 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year :1 For new work_..____ _- -______-- $641. 73 For maintenance--------------------------- 38, 914. 89 39,556. 62 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--_____ 985. 52 8__________________ 82, July.1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------ --------------- 2, 302.03 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $31,844.82 available only for maintenance _-----....-----------..-----_ 80, 683. 49 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918----------------------------------------------------------- 40, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919---------- 120, 683. 49 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance---------------------------- 40, 000. 00 GLOUCESTER, BEVERLY, SALEM, LYNN, PLYMOUTH, AND PROVINCE- TOWN HARBORS, MYSTIC, MALDEN, WEYMOUTH FORE, AND WEY- MOUTH BACK RIVERS, AND DORCHESTER BAY, AND NEPONSET RIVER, MASS. (GROUP A). 5. GLOUCESTER HARBOR, MASS. (Al). Location and description. -This harbor, an important center for the fishing fleet of New England, is formed by a natural indentation 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 'Includes $1.63 receipts from sales not included in 1917 report. SExclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--BOSTON, MASS., DISTBICT. 121 of the coast line, protected at the entrance by a breakwater. The harbor is situated at the southern extremity of Cape Ann, about 23. miles northeast by water from Boston Harbor. The width at the mouth is about 11 miles, and the length from that point to the head of the inner harbor is about 2g miles. The outer harbor has an area behind the breakwater of approximately 350 acres at the 18-foot contour and the inner harbor about 80 acres at the 12-foot contour. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 6. Original condition.--The inner harbor, which had a depth sufficient for the largest ships, contained several very dangerous submerged rocks, and the outer harbor was entirely without protection against the sea on the south. Previous projects.-House Document No. 1491, Sixty-third Con- gress, third session, page 457, lists an appropriation of $6,000, act of March 3, 1823, but no record of its expenditure is found. Proj-. ects for removal of rocks from the harbor were adopted by the river and harbor acts of June 10, 1872, August 5, 1886, and June 3, 1896. The amount expended on original projects prior to the adoption of the existing project (expenditures on which began in 1888.) was $21,000, all for new work. For further details of previous projects, see page 1740 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides: (a) For a rubblestone breakwater 2,250 feet long, surmounted. by a superstructure of dry walls of heavy split stone inclosing a core of rubblestone, from Eastern Point over Dog Bar to Cat Ledge. (b) For removal of three ledges in the inner harbor, one to 12 feet and two to 15 feet depth at mean low water, and five ledges in the outer harbor, 4 to 18 feet and 1 to 25 feet depth at mean low water, aggregating a total of 2,206 cubic yards, place measurement. These grades correspond to the general level available for naviga- tion in the vicinity. (c) For removal to depth of 15 feet below mean low water of ledges and bQwlders obstructing the approach to the wharves be- tween Harbor Cove and Pew's Wharf, near the head of the inner harbor; dredging to the same depth of the channel leading past the wharves and dredging of Harbor Cove to the depth of 10 feet at mean low water. The mean range of tide is 8.9 feet. The extreme range is 12.6 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation interests. The estimates of cost for new work, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects, are as follows: (a) for breakwater, $416,083.43, revised in 1902; (b) removal of eight ledges, $51,000, made in 1908; (c) for removal of ledges and bowlders and dredg- ing; $65,000, made in 1887. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance of the breakwater is $1,500. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: (a) the act of August 18, 1894, provided for the break- water from Eastern Point to Round Rock Shoal (H. Ex. Doc. No. 56, 48th Cong., 2d sess.); and the act of June 13, 1902, authorized the termination of the breakwater at Cat Ledge; (b) the act of June 25, 1910, provided for the removal of eight ledges (H. Doc. No. 1112, 60th Cong., 2d sess.); (c) the act of August 11, 1888, pro- vided for the removal of ledges and bowlders, and dredging (Annual 122 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Report for 1887, p. 503). References to latest published maps: Proj- ect of 1888 for removal of ledges and bowlders and dredging, An- nual Report for 1887, pages 504 and 506; project of 1894 for break- water, and pro'ect of 1910 for ledge removal (H. Doc. No. 1112, 60th Cong., 2d sess.). Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1916. The removal of all ledges and bowlders between Harbor Cove and Pews Wharf, and other obstructing rocks, was com- pleted in 1896, the dredging of a channel in front of the wharves and in Harbor Cove was completed in 1894, controlling depth, as ascertained in 1908, being 15 feet at mean low water, and the removal of a pinnacle rock in the outer harbor in 1896; all at a cost of $66,681.65. The breakwater, completed in 1905, has been built at an expenditure of $410,097.19 for new work and $16,004.16 for main- tenance; a total of $426,101.35. The removal of all ledges was com- pleted in 1916, at a cost of $24,400 for new work. The controlling depths over them, as ascertained in 1916, are from 12 to 25 feet, as stated in the paragraph Existing project (b). The total expendi- tures under the existing project have been $501,178.84 for new work and $16,004.16 for maintenance, a total of $517,183. Local cooperation.-No conditions have been imposed by law. The Commonwealth of Massachusettts has deepened Harbor Cove to 15 feet below mean low water over the entire area 50 feet outside the wharf lines, at a cost of $15,670.07, and has dredged Smiths Cove, in the inner harbor, to the depth of 5 feet, at a cost of $4,562.95. It has also dredged a channel along the water front about 1,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 12 feet deep at mean low water, north- easterly from the 12-foot contour opposite Five Pound Island, com- pleted in 1915, at a cost of $10,012.53. In 1916 it extended this chan- nel 150 feet, and removed bowlders and ledges from various parts of the inner harbor, at an expenditure of $9,057.23. During 1917 it dredged a channel parallel to the harbor line on the East Gloucester side of the harbor and southerly from Five Pound Island, about 800 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 12 feet deep at mean low water, at a cost of $10,026.32. Terminal facilities.-There are about 12 abandoned wharves, and 78 wharves in use, generally of pile structure, on a frontage of about 3 miles surrounding the inner harbor. Ten of these are coal wharves. All are privately owned and none are open to general public use. The terminal facilities are considered adequate for the commerce of the port. Effect of improvement.'-Freightrates are probably not affected, as the principal industry is fishing, but the work done has resulted in greatly increased facilities for navigation. Proposed operations.-Of the funds available, $3,300 is applicable to the. breakwater project and $600 for general maintenance work in the harbor when needed. No estimate of additional funds required is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.--None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual drafts for loaded boats in the fishing trade, comprising about 59 per cent of the commerce o the RIVERS AND- HARBORS-BOSTOIC, MASS., DISTRICT. 123 current year, at an estimated valuation of over $11,000,000, are 14 to 15 feet; coal (about 22 per cent, valued at $369,303.68), 17 feet. Comparative statement. Calnar Short tons. Value. Pen- Caledar Short tons. Value. Passen- year. gers. year. gers. 1913..... 164,421 $3,453846.86 1916........93 37161223165 4,70319.02 35,000 90, 4 40 37,165 1916..... 1,93 32 000 1914 150,384 3249, 942.3 29,165 1917 131,744 5,341,916.11 667 89,200 (1) 107,528 () 1915........ 175,47 3,340,334.58 31,352 100,210 (1) f 1 Not ascertainable. During the calendar year 1917 a marked decrease in receipts of coal was apparent, attributable to war conditions as affecting fuel production and transportation; and summer excursion traffic by steamboat between Gloucester and Boston was discontinued. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work .... .- $522,178. 84 Maintenance - 16, 004. 16 Net total expended..... 538, 183. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report ---- --- 542. 083. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................ 764.23 $2,837.87 $493.96 $16,504.76 ........ Expended for maintenance ............... .... ......... ..... ... .. ............ Appropriated orallotted........... .............. ......................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------- $3, 900. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended - ----- 3, 900. 00 6. BEVERLY HARBOR, MASS. (A2). Location and description.-This harbor is a small indentation at the western end of Salem Bay and immediately adjacent to Salem Harbor on the south, from which it is separated by Salem Neck. It ormed by the confluence of the three branches of a tidal inlet, North River, Essex Branch, and Beverly Creek, and is about t ~eighths of a mile wide opposite the wharves. See U. S. Coast and 4eodetic Survey chart No. 6. Original condition.--The harbor had a practicable channel 18 feet deep at mean low water extending from deep water at Monument Bar Beacon for about 1 mile to its head (about 600 feet below the highway bridge), sufficient for the commerce of the harbor and of its three tributary streams, but the channel was circuitous at the en- trance. Previous projects.--The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902. The amount expended on the orig- inal project prior to the adoption of the existing project (expendi- tures on which began in 1907) was $8,272.10 for new work. For 124 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1018. further details of previous project see page 1741 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 18 feet deep at mean low water, not less than 250 feet wide at the bend, for a dis- tance of about 3,200 feet from Bar Beacon to Lobster Rocks Beacon, including the removal of the middle ground, and not less than 200 feet wide for a distance of 2,000 feet from Lobster Rocks Beacon to the lower end of the draw pier at the highway bridge. The mean range of tide is 9 feet. The extreme range is 12.7 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1906 is $39,680.68, exclusive of amount expended under previous project. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 916, 59th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in House Document No. 220, Sixty-third Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. In connection with an examination completed the previous fiscal year of the shoaled outer reach of the 18-foot channel, an ex- penditure of $105.96 for outstanding liabilities was made, under al- lotment of $250 made May 16, 1917, from the appropriation for ex- aminations, surveys, and contingencies of rivers and harbors charge- able to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1914. The controlling depth as ascertained in 1917 is 18 feet at mean low water. The expenditures under the existing project were $40,210.25 for new work and $642.65 for maintenance, a total of $40,852.90. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-On the north shore of the harbor below the bridges, extending along a frontage of about 2,200 feet, are seven whates, of which one small landing is publicly owned and the others privately owned and not open to general public use. One of these wharves, a pile structure with a frontage of about 450 feet, is used for coal, and one of stone with a frontage of about 650 feet, is used for crude oil. These wharves have railroad connection. The other wharves are small, of stone walls or wooden bulkheads filled solid, or of piles, and are used for local commerce only. On the south side are two wharves, one privately and the other publicly owned; neither is open to general public use. Above the bridges and beyond the scope of the improvement are three small wharves on the north side of the harbor, and on the east side of Bass River are a large lumber wharf, a coal wharf, and a small landing in a stretch of about 11 miles of frontage. All of these are privately owned and none are open to public use. The terminal facilities are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.--The improvement to 18-foot depth is re- ported to have effected a reduction in freight rates of 25 cents per ton on bituminous coal. Proposed operations.-No funds are available; but as no work in maintenance of the improved channel is necessary, no estimate of additional funds required is submitted. RIVER S AND HARBORS-BoS-- TON, MAS., DISTRICT. 1 Recommended modifications of project.-A recommendation is now pending before Congress (see H. Doc. No. 220. 63d Cong., 1st sess.), for a channel 24 feet deep and 200 feet wide, at an estimated cost of $173,000, with certain provisos as to cooperation. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual drafts for loaded boats carry- ing coal, comprising about 72 per cent of the commerce for the cur- rent year and valued at $1,719,912.39, and petroleum and products (about 27 per cent, valued at $3,362,061.42) are 17 to 25 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 .................. 455, 521 $3, 321,757.38 1916............... 504,598 $4,625,056.85 1914................... 420, 957 3, 159, 242. 70 1917 . . 444,695 5,113, 377.12 1915 ................... 473,455 3,439,674.07 Financial summary. Amotint expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $122.24: New work ..--- ----- ---------- - $48, 482. 35 Maitennc-------------------------------------------- Maintenance ---- 642. 65 -- 642.65 Net total expended --------------------------------------- 49, 125. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report------_____ ___ ___ 49, 125. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expenled for new work I................. $12,387.49............................. Expenled for maintenance 1.......... 250.00 $125.00 $2.65 $144.04 105.96 Total expended 1.................... 12,637.49 125.00 2.65 144.04 105.96 Appropriated or allotted................... ................ ........... 250.00.......... t Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended--------------------------------- $105. 96 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance... 105. 96 7. SALEM HARBOR, MASS. (A3). Location and description.-Salem Harbor is at the western end of a deep indentation in the shores of Massachusetts Bay and about 12 miles by water to the northward of the entrance to Boston Harbor. The harbor inside the entrance at Naugus Head is 1i miles long and one-half mile wide. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 6. Original condition.-The harbor, from its entrance between Win- ter Island and Naugus Head, had a channel of ample width, 18 to 25 feet deep at mean low water, extending to within 2,500 feet of the entrance of South River at Derby Wharf Light, where for 1,500 feet the depth was 8 feet, and for the remaining 1,000 feet the ohanel was 6 feet in depth to Derby Wharf Light, narrowing to 25 feet in width. Thence in South River to the head of navigation, at La- fayette Street Bridge, a distance of about 8,000 feet, the low-water channel was less than 1 foot in depth. 126 REPORT OF QHIEF OF ENGINEEBS, U. . ARMY, 1918. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1873, and extended by the river and har- bor act of September 19, 1890. The amount expended on original and modified 'project prior to the adoption of the existing project (expenditures on which began in 1905) was $59,368.66 for new work. For further details of previous project see page 1741 of Annual Report. for 1915. i~stiny project.-This provides for dredging a channel about one-half a mile long, 10 feet deep at mean low water from that depth in the harbor to about opposite the outer end of Derby Wharf, 300 feet in width at the entrance, gradually narrowing to 200 feet. The mean range of tide is 9 feet. The extreme range is 12.7 feet. As a rule fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1905, is $12,000, exclu- sive of the amount expended under previous project. This estimate does not appear in the document, but was given in response to an informal request from the chairman of the River and Harbor Com- mittee calling for information in regard to this portion of the work considered in the survey report. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $850. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of Mi th'3, 1905. (H. Doc. No. 303, 58th Cong., 2d sess.) The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results dwuing fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1906. During the fiscal year 1915 the channel was redredged to the project dimensions, restoring a controlling depth of 10 feet at mean low water. The expenditures under the existing project were $11,500 for new work and $7,500 for maintenance, a total of $19,000. Local cooperation.-No conditions have been imposed by law. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, between 1909 and 1915, improved South River from about opposite Derby Wharf Light to the head of navigation, so that there is now a dredged channel 10 feet deep at mean low water from the Federal Channel near Derby Wharf :Light to above Central Wharf, and thence 8 feet deep to Salem 'Eletric Lighting Co's wharf, having expended for this work $13,222.13. Terminal faeilities.-On the west shore of the harbor, outside of th..scope of Federal improvement, there are six wharves, two only of which are of commercial value, both large coal docks with modern handling plant. Local commerce is accommodated by wharves bordering the chan- nel of South River, and having about 1 miles of wharf front. The wharves consist chiefly of masofiry walls filled solid. None are publicly owned and none are open to general public use. The terminal facilities are considered adequate for existing coim- merce. Effect of improvement.-It is not believed that the improvement has resulted in any reduction in freight rates, but greatly improved facilities for navigation have been provided. Proposed operations.-No funds are available, but no estimate of additional funds is subinitted, as the channel is in satisfactory condition. RIVERS AND HARBORS--BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 1f2 Recommended modifications; of projects.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual drafts for loaded boats carrying coal, comprising all of the commerce for the current year and valued at $370,310.92, are 111 to 17 feet. Comparative statement. SOUTH RIVER. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913. .................. 91,617 1$400,000.00 1916.................. . 55,639 1$346,000.00 1914.................... 77,685 317,685.80 1917.................. 58,158 370,310.92 1,915.................. 297,378 2281,030.10 I Over. s Incomplete; no statistics obtainable from one firm which in 1909 and 1913 received 93,000 and 54,000 tons, respectively. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------ -------- -------------------------- $63, 868. 06 Maintenance..------------------------------------------7, 500. 00 Net total expended ----------------------------------- 71,368. 66 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 71, 368. 66 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work...................................... ................ Expended for maintenance................ ............ $7,500.00 ............ ............ .... Appropriated orallotted.................. 7,500.00................. ............. ... 8. LYNN HARBOR, MASS. (A4.) Location and description.-Lynn Harbor, formed by a natural indentation of the coast line, is distant about 14 miles by water in a northeasterly direction from Boston. It is about 3 miles in extent from north to south and has an average width east and west of about 1I miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 6. Originalcondition.-Three narrow and crooked channels, in which the depth was but 6 feet at mean low water, extended from the sea to the wharves, through flats, the greater part of which were bare at low water. Previous projects.-The original project for Lynn Harbor was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882, and modified in 1884 and 1888. The western (Saugus River) channel project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, and the project for the main ship channel by the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902. The amount expended prior to the adoption of the exist- ing project (expenditures on which began in 1910) was $286,437, all for new work. For further details of previous projects, see page 1742 of annual report for 1915. Eisting project.-This provides for widening to 300 feet the existing channel from the sea to the wharves, 13,500 feet long, and increasing the turning basin to 500 feet square, all to the depth of 15 feet at mean low water. The mean range of tide is 9.2 feet. The 128 IEPOdRT OF OeIEF OF F NOINELS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. extreme range is 13.3 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1908, is $179,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved esti. mate for annual cost of maintenance is $6,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 948, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map (1900) is in House Document No. 78, Fifty-sixth Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. The expendi- ture of $320.87 was for a proportionate part of the cost of repairs Sto Government floating plant, chargeable to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year. The existing project was com- pleted in 1913. The inner channel and basin were redredged to the project dimensions in 1916, and a controlling depth of 16 feet at mean low water was restored. The western (Saugus River) channel in Lynn Harbor was dredged under a previous project to a depth of 8 feet at mean low water and 150 feet wide, but, this improvement :has, been superseded, except for about 2,800 feet at the outer end, by ::the 12-foot channel dredged by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Broad Sound and Saugus River. The expenditures under the *existing project were $125,792.14 for new work and $58,356.23 for maintenance; a total of $184,148.37. Local cooperation.-No conditions have been imposed by law. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has dredged immediately east of the Government channel an anchorage basin to the depth of 6 feet at mean low water, at a cost to December 1, 1916, of $62,700.45; and completed, on August 10, 1917, at a cost of $117,571.12, a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water, 150 feet wide, from Broad Sound up Saugus River to the Lynn works of the General Electric Co., opposite which it is 18 feet deep at mean low water, thence con- tinuing 6 feet deep at mean low water to Fox Hill Bridge. A large portion of the material was pumped ashore to make land on the northerly side of the channel easterly of Lynn Boulevard. Terminal facilities.-The terminal facilities lie around the basin at the head of the main ship channel, and consist of 7,500 feet of wharf frontage, mainly of stone or wooden bulkhead filled solid, and partly of pile structures. On the west shore of the harbor is a large private coal and supply wharf of about 1,500 feet frontage. This wharf is approached by a branch channel from the main ship channel, dredged by the owner. No wharves exist on the Saugus River channel within the scope of its improvement by the Federal Government. Immediately above the Boston & Maine Railroad bridge, about 1I miles above the mouth of the river, the General Electric Co. has a wharf with about 650 feet frontage on the north bank of the river. This wharf con- sists of a stone and concrete bulkhead filled solid. At a point about 1,500 feet further up the river, immediately below the Salem-Lynn turnpike bridge on the north bank, is a pile wharf with about 175 feet frontage; and about three-fourths of a mile above this bridge on the north bank in the town of Saugus is a large wharf consisting of wooden bulkhead and earth dike filled solid, and having a frontage of about 500 feet. RIVERS AND HARBORS--BOSTON, MASS., DISTIIOT. 129 All the wharves in Lynn Harbor and Saugus River are privately owned, and are not open to general public use. The terminal facili- ties are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement,.--The deepening of the channel to 15 feet enables the smaller barges to carry full cargoes of coal to the wharves at all stages of the tide and barges of the greatest draft. during the higher stages. It is reported by local commercial interests that the cost of transportation was reduced 25. cents a ton by deepening the channel to 10 feet and further diminished by increasing the depth to 15 feet. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be retained for incidental expenses in connection with maintenance of the channels. No estimate of additional funds required is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.--The usual draft for loaded boats carrying coal, comprising about 71 per cent of the commerce for the current year and valued at $1,451,988.35, is 20 feet. Over 22 per cent of the commerce was miscellaneous freight, carried in boats under 10 feet draft, doing a general express and package-freight business. No accurate statement of its value can be given. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................. ... 382,513 48,000 $1,957,720.47 (1) 1915....., ............ 1916................... 385,761 2$1,539,199.51 413,783 2 1,883,826.97 914............... 194.......... ......... { 343,203 39,000 1,718,216.97 (1) 1917.................... 338,783 1,643,193.77 1 ot ascertainable. 2Does not include valuation of miscellaneous freight. A marked decrease in receipts of coal was apparent during the calendar year 1917, attributable to war conditions as affecting fuel production and transportation. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30. 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $0.39: New work---------------------------------- ------- $412,229.14 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 58,356. 23 Net total expended______-------___------- .470, 585. 37 Total appropriations to date of this report -- _.----___ - 476, 837. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work'............... . . . . . . . . . . . . .. $48,732.42 . . . . ... . . . . . ................ Expended for maintenance .. 694.21 $44.00 $48, 897.15 $320.87 Appropriated or allotted........ ............... ...................................... 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended--------------------------------- $6,572. 50 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 320. 87 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------- -6, 251.63 81116---ENG 1918----9 130 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 9. MYSTIC RIVER, MASS. (A5). Location and description.-This river rises in Mystic Lakes, Mass., flows in a southeasterly direction, and empties into Boston Harbor near the Charlestown Navy Yard. It is 7 miles in length and is a tidal stream. for about 5 miles above its mouth to Cradock Bridge, Medford, the head of commercial navigation, where it is closed by a dam forming a pond in the Metropolitan Park system. No records of discharge, etc., are available. The river between the two sections under improvement has a natural channel sufficient for commerce. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 6 and 109. Original condition.-The river up to Island End River (a dis- tance of 2,700 feet) had a narrow channel 14.4 feet deep at mean low water, but so narrow above the Chelsea (north) drawbridge as to be barely practicable. Above Island- End River there was a prac- ticable channel 6 feet deep at mean low water to Dennings Landing, about 4 miles above the mouth in Boston Harbor, and 4 feet deep at mean low water about 2,000 feet farther. Previous projects.--The original project for the lower Mystic was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1899, and cur- .tailed by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910. The amount expended on the original project prior to the adoption of the exist- ing project (expenditures on which began in 1910) was $125,723.20 for new work, and $10,281.92 for maintenance; a total of $136,005.12. For further details of previous project, see page 1743 of Annual Report for 1915. There has been no previous project for the upper Mystic. Existing project.-This provides for (a) a channel 30 feet deep at mean low water from the mouth of Island End River through the Chelsea (north) Bridge to the 35-foot channel of Boston Harbor, about one-half mile; 600 feet wide at the upper end, and gradually narrowing to 300 feet wide at the lower end, and widening of the entrance channel leading to Mystic Wharf. (b) A channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide from the Boston & Maine Railroad (western division) bridge, to about 2,500 feet above Wellington Bridge, about 1 mile and thence 1 feet deep at mean low water, gradually narrowing from 100 feet to 50 feet at the upper end for about 2 miles to the head of naviga- tion at Cradock Bridge in Medford. The mean range of tide is 9.6 feet. The extreme range is 13.7 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation. The estimates of cost, exclusive of amounts expended under pre- vious project, are (a) for new work in the lower Mystic, $172,000, made in 1908; the latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,500; (b) for new work in the upper Mystic, $25,000, made in 1891; the latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,500. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: (a) The act of June 25, 1910, provided for the improve- ment of the lower Mystic (H. Doc. No. 1086, 60th Cong., 2d sess.) ; (b) the act of July 13, 1892, provided for the improvement of the upper Mystic (Annual Report for 1891, p. 672). A map showing the entire river is published in House Document No. 2108, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session. RIVERS AND HARBOR--BOSTON, MASS., DISTBIOT. 131 Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditure of $320.86 was for a proportionate part of the cost of repairs to Government floating plant, chargeable to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project has' been completed. To adapt the project to the openings in the draw span of the new bridge built by the city of Boston, the channel above the bridge was widened along the western edge; this work was completed in 1914. In 1916 the channel was cleared of shoals1, restoring a con- trolling depth of 30 feet at mean low water. A channel of the projected dimensions was completed in the upper Mystic in 1906. A survey in 1916 showed that the portion of the channel normally 6 feet deep had an available depth of about 4 feet at mean low water, and that while the portion of the channel normally 4 feet deep had that depth throughout its length the width had been contracted by caving of the banks. At Cradock Bridge, Medford, 5 miles above the mouth of the river, is a dam built and maintained by the Common- wealth of Massachusetts. The river at this point is 110 feet in width. The dam includes a boat lock 60 feet in length, canoe rollway and weirs and sluice gates. The dam is intended to maintain the river about 3 feet below mean high water and with a navigable depth vary- ing from 7 feet at the dam to 4 feet at the lower Mystic Lake. Data concerning lock : Dimensions: 15 feet wide, 45 feet long. Lift: 6.3 feet above mean low water. Completed: 1909. Cost : Unknown. The expenditures under the existing project were: Lower Mystic, $126,632.03 for new work and $13,172.67 for maintenance, a total of $139,804.70; and for upper Mystic $28,794.88 for new work and $250 for maintenance, a total of $29,044.88. Local cooperation.-No conditions have been imposed by law. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1914 dredged two areas in front of Mystic Wharf, one to the depth of 20 feet and the other to the depth of 30 feet at mean low water, at an expenditure of $15,957.52; in 1915 the 20-foot area was enlarged and deepened to 30 feet at mean low water, at a cost of $5,927. Dredging to the depth of 30 feet at mean low water of the area known as the " Middle Ground," lying between the 30-foot Government channel and Mystic Wharf, was completed by the Commonwealth in'March, 1917, at a cost of $47,324.99. During 1917 the Commonwealth completed the dredging of a channel of substantially 30 feet at mean low water and about 350 feet wide from a point opposite the mouth of Island End River to a point opposite the northeasterly corner of the Charlestown Play- ground, with the exception of a small shoal at the easterly end with a least depth of. 27 feet; excavating in all 1,430,473 cubic yards at aL cost of $185,246.25. Terminal facilities.-In the section of the river benefited by the 30-foot channel project and the extension of that depth created by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, there are on the south bank of the river five wharves aggregating about 6,300 feet of berthing space. These wharves consist of substantial stone or wooden bulk- heads, filled solid and in many cases fronted by pile platforms. On 132 REPORT OF PHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the north bank of the river within the scope of this improvement there are no commercial wharves, but on the west bank of the Island End River, which flows into Mystic River on the north at the head of the 30-foot channel, are situated the large terminal wharves of the New England Fuel & Transportation Co. These wharves are con- nected with the 30-foot channel by a channel of that depth dredged by private interests. None of the above wharves are publicly owned, and none are open to general public use. Beyond the scope of the 30-foot channel improvement, and ap- proaching and within the scope of the improvement of the upper, Mystic, there are on the south bank in Charlestown and Somerville about 3,000 feet, and on the north bank in Medford about 3,000 feet, of wharf frontage used for commercial purposes. These wharves consist of stone and wooden bulkheads, solid filled. None are pub- licly owned, and none are open to general public use. The terminal facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-It can not be ascertained that any ma- terial reduction in freight rates has :been effected by the improvement below the mouth of Island End River, but it is of great advantage to shipping interests in permitting utilization of larger vessels. It is reported that the improvement of the upper Mystic enables barges of the lightest draft remaining in service to deliver coal at Medford without the expense of lightering, which would be about 50 cents per ton. Proposed operations.--Of the funds available, $24,000 will be ap- plied to redredging the channel of the upper Mystic throughout practically its entire length. The work will be done as soon as economic conditions allow. The remainder of the funds will be re- tained until additional maintenance work becomes necessary in the lower Mystic, and being sufficient for any such probable work in the near future no estimate of additional funds required is submitted. Recomrmended modifications of project.-None. References to published .articlesnot previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual drafts in the lower Mystic for loaded boats carrying coal, comprising about 96 per cent of the commerce for the current year and valued at over $15,000,000, are 17 to 28 feet. The usual draft in the upper Mystic for loaded boats carrying coal, comprising all of the commerce of the current year and valued at $168,800, is about 11 feet. Comparative statement. ABOVE CHELSEA BRIDGE (NORTH), INCLUDING MYSTIC UPPER AND MALDEN RIVERS. calendar year. Short tons. Value. Malendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913...................... ,85 ,2 181. 1916....... 2,45 997 13,65700.93 12,14,9 5 1914................., 8 18. 61,417,317 1 ) S2,126 ..... 562,229 2,191 18, 523,127.40 070, 50936 14, 637,138.66 1917 ................ 1,290,299 (1) 1915........ ......... 1,815,764 9 (60089.79 I1 1a969,r025, 1 Not ascertainable. RIVERS AND HARBORS---BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 183 Financial,summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2.43: New work _____ -------------------- $281, 150. 11 Maintenance -__------------------------------ 23, 704. 59' Net total expended -------------------------------------- 304, 854. 70' Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------- 336, 050. 00' Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work I........... $49,983.88... ............................... Expended for maintenance 1........ ....... 862. $0, 313.94 1,726.87 $320.86 Appropriated or allotted.......................................................24,000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Includes $1.98 receipts from sales omitted from 1917 report. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --------------------------- __ __ $7, 516. 16 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 24, 000. 00 31, 516. 16 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maiptenance_ 320. 86 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------------------------- 31, 195. 30 10. MALDEN RIVER, MASS. (AG). Location and description.-Malden River rises in Melrose, Mass., flows 4- miles in a southerly direction, and empties into Mystic River 3 miles above the mouth of the latter. Tidal influence extends beyond the Charles Street Bridge, which is about 2 miles- above the confluence with the Mystic. No records of discharge, etc., are avail- able. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 6 and 337. Original condition.-Tihe river had a practicable channel 4 feet deep at mean low water, extending only x,000 feet above its con- fluence with the Mystic. Previous,project.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882. The amount expended on the original project prior to the adoption of the existing project (ex- penditures on which began in 1912) was $24,986.39 for new work and $44,763.61 for maintenance; a total of $69,750., For further details of previous project see page 1742 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 100 to 150 feet wide from the mouth of the river to the Medford Street Bridge, about 1.6 miles. The mean range of the tide is 9.6 feet. The extreme range is 13.7 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navi- gation interests. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $80,000, exclusive of amount expended under previous project. The channel is to be maintained by the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 77, 62d Cong., 1st sess.); the river and 134 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. harbor act of March 4, 1915, provided for the application of the funds on hand and available to any modified plan of improvement which may be recommended by the Chief of Engineers and approved by the Secretary of War, subject to certain conditions stated under the heading "Local cooperation" (H. Doc. No. 878, 63d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The modified plan of improvement and plan showing proposed harbor lines, submitted on June 21, 1917, for approval of the Secretary of War, were approved on August 27, and interested parties were duly notified. Specifica- ;tions and proposals for the necessary dredging were prepared and issued, but at the scheduled opening no bids were received. In- formal inquiries developed the fact that the cost would be much in excess of the available appropriation, and the matter was taken up -with local interests to ascertain if additional funds would be con- tributed. On receipt of advice to the contrary, recommendation was made and approved that the funds available be retained in the Treasury until more favorable conditions should prevail for prosecu- tion of the work. The expenditure of $133.37 was for preparation of specifications and proposals, and office expenses in connection there- with chargeable to new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The channel dredged 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean high water from the mou.th of the river to the Medford Street Bridge, to which point the river is navi- gated at ordinary high water by coal barges drawing 101 to 11 feet, has recently been reported to have shoaled so that at present the depth is limited to about 9 feet at mean high water. Under the ,existing project the expenditures have been $1,119.37, all chargeable -to new work, but actual work has not been commenced. Local cooperation.-The conditions imposed by the river and har- bor act of July 25, 1912, adopting the project, and the river and harbor act of March 4, 1915, authorizing a modification in it, were that the riparian owners should give proper permits to dump spoil on their lands behind dikes and release the United States from all claims for damages by settling or caving of banks into the dredged channel; that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts lower the siphon of the metropolitan sewer and pledge itself for all costs of mainte- nance of the new channel; and that any increase in cost because of any modified plan shall be paid for by local interests and involve no further appropriation by the United States for the prosecution or completion of the improvement. These conditions were accepted by the Commonwealth by act approved April 29, 1915. The new sewer siphon has been laid, removal of the old'siphon completed, and the other conditions have been complied with. The plan of improve- ment and the location of the harbor lines were approved by the Secretary of War August 27, 1917. Terminal facilities.-There are two wharves, both on the east bank of the river, one about midway of the length of the improved chan- nel with a frontage of about 225 feet, consisting of a wooden bulk- head filled solid, with a pile platform in front; the other, at the upper end of the.improved channel, with a frontage of about 400 feet, con- sisting of stone and wooden bulkhead filled solid. Both wharves are privately owned and not open to general public use. RIVERS AND HARBORS-BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 135 The terminal facilities are considered adequate for existing com- merce. Effect of improvement.-No work has been done on the existing project, but the improvement by the previous project is reported to enable the smallest barges, or larger barges with partial, cargoes, to deliver coal at Malden, saving the cost of lightering--50 cents per ton. Proposed operations.-Of the $79,080.63 available, $78,880.63 rep- resents the amount which was appropriated for the existing project and which will be applied to its completion. The remaining $200 is the balance of an allotment to Malden River of a joint appropria- tion for Mystic and Malden Rivers, which will be applied to a sur- vey to determine the shoaling in the 12-foot channel. Because of war conditions, dredging under the existing project will be postponed until it can be done more economically. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to pulAished articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft for loaded boats carrying coal, comprising about 80 per cent of the commerce for the current year and valued at $415,337.93, is about 11 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................. 86,676 $389,624.18 1916................. 87,202 $505,941.13 1914..................... 80,865 409,636.98 1917..................... 67,029 449,272.93 1915 ..................... 86, 957 437,128.15 A marked decrease in receipts of coal was apparent during the calendar year 1917, attributable to war conditions as affecting fuel production and transportation. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ---------------------------------- ------ $26, 105. 76 Maintenance -------------- ------------------ 44, 763. 61 Net total expended____ __-- 869. 37 7----------70, Total appropriations to date of this report___------------------ 149,950.00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................ ................... ......... $986.00 $133.37 Expended for maintenance..... ......... ... ......... 50.000 ..... ....... ........... Appropriated or allotted................. .. .. .................... ..... .............. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------------------- _ $79, 214. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work... 133. 37 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----------------------_--_- 79, 080. 63 11. DORCHESTER BAY AND NEPONSET RIVER, MASS. (A7). Location and description.-DorchesterBay is situated at the mouth of Neponset River, in Boston Harbor. Neponset River rises in Fox- 136 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY,. 1918. boro, Mass., and. flows in a northeasterly direction about 25 miles, emptying into Dorchester Bay. At Milton Lower Mills, 4 miles above its mouth, it is closed by a dam. This 4-mile reach is tidal. No records of discharge, etc., are available. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 6 and 109.) Original condition.-The controlling depth at mean low water in the bay up to Commercial Point, at the mouth of the river, was 13 feet; thence up the river to the highway bridge at Neponset, 1 miles above its mouth, it was 8 feet; and from Neponset bridge to Milton Mills, at the head of navigation, 4 miles above its mouth, it was 31 feet. Previous projects.-None. Existing project--This provides for dredging a channel 18 feet deep at mean low water and 175 feet wide through Dorchester Bay to the mouth of the river at Commercial Point, 2.9 miles, and thence 15 feet deep at mean low water 100 feet wide in the river to the Nepon- set Highway Bridge, 1 miles. The mean range of tide is 9.6 feet. The extreme range is 13.7 feet. As a rule, fluctuations, due to wind or other causes, do not materially affect navigation interests.. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1906, is $125,233.34. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H.Doc. No. 83, 59th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest pub- lished map is in House Document No. 1113, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditure of $24.60 was for stenographic report of a bridge hearing, chargeable to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1909. The controlling depths, as ascertained in 1916, are 131 feet in the 15-foot channel and 177 feet in the 18-foot channel. The total expenditures under the existing project were $94,584.55 for new work and $423.45 for maintenance, a total of $95,008. Local cooperation.-Conditionswere imposed by the act of March 2, 1907,,that the portion of the river from Neponset Highway Bridge to Milton Mills should be dredged and maintained by the State of Massachusetts or other agency, to the depth of 6 feet at mean low water, 100 feet wide up to the Granite Bridge, 1.15 miles; 75 feet wide thence to Godfrey's Wharf, 1.25 miles; and thence 50 feet wide to the railroad bridge at Milton, a distance of 250 feet. These conditions were accepted by resolves of the Legislature of Massachusetts, ap- proved June 24, 1907, and March 5, 1908, and accepted by the Secre- tary of War February 10, 1908, and the work was completed in Au- gust, 1910, at a cost of $34,269.70. In 1914 the State widened to 280 feet, with a depth of 15 feet. the easterly side of the Government channel opposite the yacht basin of George Lawley & Sons, at a cost of $1,682.24. Terminal facilities.-On the north shore of Dorchester Bay are two wharves with a frontage of 1,050 feet, approached through a channel dredged through the flats by private interests. These wharves are stone bulkhead) filled solid. At the west end of this bay there are two wharves with an aggregate frontage of about 1,500 RIVERS AND HARBORS-BSTON, MASS., 'DISTRICT. 137 feet, approached by a channel dredged through the flats by private interests. These wharves are pile structures. At Commercial Point, at the mouth of Neponset River on the west shore, there is a frontage of 2,700 feet of stone and wooden bulkhead, solid filled. Of this bulkhead the lower 1,400 feet, together with the wharves previously described, are within the scope of the 18-foot depth of the improved channel. On the west bank of the river and within the scope of the 15-foot depth there is a yacht-building plant, with piers aggregating 1,720 feet in length, consisting of pile structures inclosing yacht basins; at the head of the improvement extending above and below the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad bridge there are wharves aggregating about 3,000 feet frontage, consisting partly of wooden bulkheads, filled solid, and partly of pile structures used for commercial purposes. All of the above wharves are privately owned and are not open to general public use. On the south shore of Dorchester Bay at the mouth of the river is the new United States Navy destroyer plant, the launching basin of which is connected with the 18-foot improved channel by a dredged channel 10 feet deep. The terminal facilities are considered adequate for existing com- merce. Effect of improvement.-So far as can be ascertained, the improve- ment has resulted in no material reduction in freight rates, but is of advantage to shipping interests in permitting the utilization of larger vessels. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be retained for in- cidental expenses in connection with maintenance of the channel. No estimate of additional funds required is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-Under date of May 10, 1916 (see H. Doc. No. 1113, 64th Cong., 1st sess.), the Chief of En- gineers reported that the further improvement by the United States of Dorchester Bay and Neponset River, Mass., up to Neponset High- way Bridge, is deemed advisable to the extent of widening the chan- nel to 175 feet between Commercial Point and Neponset Highway Bridge, as indicated on the map accompanying the document, at an estimated cost of $36,225. References to published articlesnot previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual drafts in Dorchester Bay and Neponset River below the bridge for loaded boats carrying coal, com- prising about 79 per cent of the commerce for the current year and valued at $488,987.65, are 14 to 17 feet. Comparative statement. 1Over . 2Incomplete. 138 REPORT OF ChlEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. A marked decrease in receipts of coal was apparent during the calendar year 1917, attributable to war conditions as affecting fuel production and transportation. Financial sunnmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work.-- -------------------------------------- $94, 584. 55 Maintenance ------------------------------- ------------ 423. 45 Net total expended ------------------------------- 95, 008. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 95, 233. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work .... ......... ..... .... ,.................... ............... ..... Expended for maintenance............................................ $50.40 $24.60 Appropriated or allotted................ ............... .................. ....... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_--- __----__ .-----------$249. 60 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance__. 24. 60 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended __________-__-_ _______--- ___ 225. 00 12. WEYMOUTH FORE RIVER, MASS. (AS). Location and description.-This river rises in Braintree, Mass., and flows in a northerly direction 7T miles, emptying into Hingham Bay, Boston Harbor. The head of navigation is an old dam at East Braintree, 6.2 miles above the mouth. Below this dam the river is tidal. No records of discharge, etc., are available. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 6 and 109. Original condition.-The channel had a depth of 18 feet at mean low water throughout, with a least width of 300 feet up to a point about 1 mile below the bridge at Quincy Point; the 18-foot channel extending two-thirds of a mile above that point, but being too tortu- ous for safe navigation of large vessels. In the remaining one-third of a mile to the bridge the channel was 150 feet wide and 13 feet deep at mean low water. From the bridge at Quincy Point to the head of navigation at East Braintree, 6.2 miles above the mouth of the river, the channel was 12 feet deep at mean low water, gradually shoaling to 6 feet and finally to 3 feet, where it became too narrow to be practicable. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, and extended by the river and harbor acts of March 3, 1905, and February 27, 1911. The amount expended on original projects prior to the adoption of the existing project (expenditures on which began in 1917) was $170,500 for new work, and $5,250 for maintenance; a total of $175,750. For further leTails of previous projects see page 1745 of annual report for 1915. SExisting project.-This provides for a channel 24 feet deep at mean low water and 300 feet wide, with a maximum width of 600 feet at the bend below Channel Rock, from Hingham Bay to Wey- mouth Fore River Bridge at Quincy Point, about 3 miles. The RIVERS AND HARBORS---BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 139 mean range of tide is 9.5 feet. The extreme range is 13.6 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially af- fect navigation interests. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1914, is $360,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 27, 1916 (Senate Com. Doc. No. 13, 63d Cong., 3d sess.). The latest published map is in House Document No. 803, Sixty-third Con- gress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Survey of the ledge known as " Channel Rock" was completed, notes were plotted, plans and estimates of contents made, and specifications and proposals for removal of the ledge were issued. Contract was entered into May 13, 1918, and the contractor's drill boat arrived June 30, 1918; but no work was done. The expenditure of $3,126.70 was for office and engineering ex- penses and maintenance of floating plant under the existing project ($2,484.98 being from United States funds and $828.34 from con- tributed funds); chargeable to new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is about 2 per cent completed. Under this project 13,480 cubic yards of mate- rial overlying Channel Rock has been removed, and contract is in force. for the removal of the ledge. After its removal there will re- main to complete the project the dredging of the channel. The net total of results accomplished under the previous and existing proj- ects, as ascertained in 1917, is a channel 18 feet deep at mean low water from that depth in Hingham Bay 300 feet wide up to the bridge at Quincy Point and a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide, narrowing to 50 feet in the upper river. Main- tenance of the latter channel since 1906 devolves upon the Common- wealth of Massachusetts. The expenditures under the existing project have been as follows: New -work : United States funds---$10,-------------------- 332. 05 Contributed funds------------------------------------------3, 625.28 Total ------------------------------------------------- 13, 957. 33 Local cooperation.-Under the project of March 3, 1905, the im- provement of the river above the Quincy Point Bridge was to be maintained by the Commonwealth of-Massachusetts or other agency. This was provided for by a resolve of the legislature approved May 26, 1905, and 'accepted by the Secretary of War June 7, 1905. The Commonwealth has maintained the improvement at an expenditure of $21,042.98, and has also expended over $50,000 in dredging in the vicinity of Quincy Point Bridge and in local improvements in the lower part of the river. The act of July 27, 1916, adopting the proj- ect for the 24-foot channel, appropriated two-thirds ($200,000) of its total estimated cost, subject to the condition that local interests contribute the remaining one-third ($100,000). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by act approved April 22, 1915, provided $75,000, the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation contributed $15,000, and the city of Quincy $10,000. 140 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. T-erminal facilities.-At the head of the improvement at Quincy Point, below the Quincy Point Bridge, there is a 1,200-foot frontage of stone and wooden bulkhead filled solid. Immediately .above the bridge on the Quincy Point side there is a wharf of about 150 feet front, consisting of wooden bulkhead faced with a pile platform. All these wharves are privately owned and are not open to general public use. The terminal facilities are considered adequate for existing com- merce. Effect of improvement.-The increased depth obtained is of im- portance chiefly to the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation (for- merly the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation), which builds at its extensive plant at Quincy Point large passenger and freight steam- ers, cruisers, and battleships up to 30,000 tons. No direct reduction in freight rates has been realized, but the improved channel has proven of benefit in permitting the movement of larger barges and the passage of vessels of greater draft between the harbor and the shipyards. Proposed operations.-The ,funds available will be expended in rock excavation and dredging in partial completion of the project. A contract is in force for removal of all known rock in the chan- nel, and this work will be completed by June 30, 1919, at an esti- mated cost of $91,000. The balance of the available funds $1-95,000, will be applied to dredging the channel 24 feet deep at mean low water to a least width of 200 feet for such length as the funds will permit. It is expected that the available funds to be applied to this purpose will be exhausted by October 31, 1919. Because of the economic conditions brought on by the war, the cost of the project has been greatly increased and the funds appro- priated by the Federal Government and contributed by local inter- ests, aggregating the entire estimated cost, have proved inadequate to complete the project. The deeper channel is a military necessity, to permit egress from the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's works of the largest type of battle cruiser for the United States Navy. In the emergency the naval authorities suggested a reduction in width of the channel from 300 feet to 200 feet, and this work should be completed as soon as practicable, and not later than December 31, 1920. The additional amount required to complete the channel 200 feet wide is estimated as follows: Total dredging required, scow measurement_------------- _cu. yds__ 687, 609 Funds available for dredging, $195,000. These funds will dredge, at 50 cents per cubic yard, plus 10 per cent for engineering and con- tingencies -- ____-------------------------------- u. yds__ 354, 545 Dredging for which additional funds will be required-__ cu. yds__ 333, 064 Dredging 333,064 cubic yards, scow measurement, at 50 cents--_----- $166, 532 Engineering and contingencies (about 10 per cent) __ ______________ $16, 468 Total-- ------------------------------------------- $183,000 Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual drafts for loaded boats carry- ing coal, comprising about 95 per cent of the commerce for the current year and valued at about $890,000, are 18 to 25 feet. Mer- RIVERS AND HIARBORS-BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 141 chant vessels leaving the works of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation draw from 18 to 20 feet. " Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................... 175,051 $1,084,081.73 1916.................. 212,662 $1,070,172.79 1914.......... ......... 175585 741,182.48 1917J 117, 965 835,763.34 1915............ ...... 148,149 976,695.28 35 552 (1) 1Not ascertainable. A considerable decrease in receipts of coal was apparent during the calendar year 1917, attributable to war conditions as affecting fuel production and transportation. Financial summary. UNITED STATES FUND. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work----------------------------------------------- $180, 832. 05 Maintenance ___________________ ____-- - - - 5, 250. 00 Net total expended--------------------------------------186, 082. 05 Total appropriations to date of this report____________ ________ 390, 750. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.............. Expended for maintenance............... ........... $8.00 ...$1, 837.29 .......... $336.77 8,033.69 317.94.......... $2, 298.36 Total expended ..................... 8.00 1,837.29 336.77 8,351.63 2,298.36 Appropriated or allotted................. ..... ...... 215,000.00 ................... July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ______ ___ - __- __ _ $206, 966. 31 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for new work__ 2, 298. 36 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ____ _____-- 204, 667. 95 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities__________________ $12.78 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 54, 282. 67 54, 295. 45 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $15,000 available only for maintenance------------ --------------------------------- 150, 372. 50 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work___________- -__________________ ----- 183. 000.'00 CONTRIBUTED FUNDS. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work --------------------------------------- $3, 625. 28 Maintenance ............ Total appropriations to June 30, 1918___---------------------------- 100, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.... Expended for maintenance ................ ................ ............................... 2,796.94 $828.34 Contributed................... ....................... 100,000.00.. 1 Exclusive of available funds. 142 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended .------------------------ _ $97, 203.06 June 30, 1918, azount expended during fiscal year, for new work___ 828. 34 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_ - -_____---____________-_ 96, 374. 72 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities______________S__ $6. 39 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 27, 141. 33 27, 147. 72 July 1, 1918, balance available_-------- ------------------ 69, 227. 00 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR UNITED STATES AND CONTRIBUTED FUNDS. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------------------------------------$184, 457.33 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 5, 250. 00 Net total expended--- ---------------------- _ _ 189, 707. 33 Total appropriations to date of this report --------------------- .490, 750. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............................................ $10, 830.63 $3, 126.70 Expended for maintenance.. ...... ...... $8.00 $1, 837.29 $336.77 317.94....... Total expended.................... 8.00 1,837. 29 336.77 11,148.57 3,126.70 Appropriated or all6tted and contributed-. ...... ...... ...... 215,000.00 100,000. ........ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ ______-______ $304, 169. 37 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for new work_ 3, 126. 70 July 1, 1918, balancq unexpended _ -------------------------- 301, 042. 67 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities___ -__ ___---- - $19. 17 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 81, 424. 00 81, 443. 17 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $15,000 available only for maintenance_ ___--------------------------------- 219, 599. 50 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work--------------------------------- 1183, 000. 00 13. WEYMOUTH BACK RIVER, MASS. (A9). Location and description.-This river rises in East Weymouth, Mass., and flows in a northerly direction 41 miles, emptying into Hingham Bay at the mouth of Weymouth Fore River. It is tidal for 4 miles, to the highway bridge at East Weymouth. No records of discharge, etc., are available. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Charts Nos. 6 and 109.) Original condition.-The river had a practicable channel not less than 200 feet wide and not less than 12 feet deep at mean low water for about 1 miles to the wharf of the American Agricultural Chem- ical Co., except on a bar 400 feet wide and one-fourth of a mile above the mouth, where the depth was _11 feet, and except for the 2,000 feet below the wharf, where the depth gradually shoaled from 12 feet to 6 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation was at East Weymouth, about 4 miles above the bar and about 3 miles above the wharf of the chemical company. 1 Exclusive of available funds. BEVERS AND HARBORS--BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 143 Previous projects.--None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide through the bar near the mouth, and for the widening and straightening to the same dimensions the natural channel 2,200 feet long to the wliarf of the American Agri- cultural Chemical Co. The mean range of tide is 9.4 feet. The extreme range is 13.5 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation interests. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1891, is $22,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $750. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 18, 1894 (H. Ex. Doec. No. 256, 51st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditure of $0.36 represents the proceeds from sale of blue prints, received during the previous fiscal year, charge- able to maintenance and applied to office expense. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in the fiscal year 1912. An examination of the channel in April, 1917, showed a controlling depth of 12 feet at mean low water throughout. The Navy Department has dredged a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water and 150feet wide from the improved channel of that depth opposite the chemical company's wharf to the naval magazine at Hingham. The expenditures under the existing project by the War Department were $26,500, of ;which $20,478.68 was for new work and $6,021.32 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The only wharf has a frontage of about 1,400 feet, and is a stone wall filled, with pile platform in front. It is privately owned and not open to general public use. The terminal facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-No data are available as to the effect on freight rates. The tonnage is carried almost exclusively in vessels owned and operated by the American Agricultural Chemical Co. Proposed operations.-Funds available will be retained for in- cidental expenses in connection with maintenance of the channel. No estimate of additional funds required is submitted. Recommended modificctions of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Fertilizerand fertilizing material, valued at $5,654,894, comprised over 88 per cent of the commerce for the current year. The usual drafts of loaded boats are as follows: Harbor lighters and towboats, 12; ocean-going barges, 17 feet; ocean- going steamers, 201 feet. During the low course of tides the extreme draft at which vessels can enter with safety is about 18 feet, and during the high course about 21 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.......................... 196,125 $4,108,418 1916. ....... ....... 200,905 $4,852,178 1914..................... 257,206 5,822,994 1917.................. 222, 278 6,848,037 1915 ...................... 206,323 4, 616, 218 144 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financialsumnmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after dedufcting receipts from sales, 'etc., amounting to $0.51: New work---- -------------------------------------- $20,478.68 Maintenance -------------------------------------------- 6,021.32 Net total expended --------------------------------- 26,500.00 Total appropriations to date of this report--- --------------- $27,000.00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... ......... ............ ...... ... .... ..... Expended for maintenance 1... ..... ....... .... ............. . ......... . $500.15 $0.36 Appropriated or allotted.... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------------------------- 2$500.36 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance .36 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------------------------- 500.00 14. PLYMOUTH HARBOR, MASS. (A10). Location and description.-Plymouth Harbor is 45 miles by water south of Boston. Its outer anchorage, the "Cow Yard," is common to Plymouth, Duxbury, and Kingston. From this anchorage a channel about 2 miles long leads through extensive flats to a turn- ing basin at the inner end opposite the wharves of the town. The channel and harbor are protected on the sea side by Long Beach, a narrow, low sand spit extending generally parallel to the main- land and about 1 mile from it. The harbor contains 2,000 acres, much of which, outside the channels, is dry at low tide. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1208. 7 The channel and low-water line wvere about Original condition.- 2,500 feet from the wharves at Plymouth, to which access could be had only at high water. Long Beach was liable to inroads by the sea that would injure or destroy the harbor. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by act of May 26, 1824, and was for the preservation of the beach. A project for dredging was' adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1875, and modified in 1877, 1884, and 1885. The amount expended prior to the adoption of the existing project (expenditures on which began in 1899) was $188,646.59 for new work, and $2,013.21 for maintenance, a total of $190,659.80, from United States funds. For further details of previous projects, see page 1746 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.--This provides for (a) protecting by riprap the sections of Long Beach damaged by the storm of November, 1898, and for restoring Eel River to its former course; (b) dredging a channel 18 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide, increased at the entrance and on curves from the bay to the town wharves, a distance of about 2 miles, with a suitable turning basin at the inner end. The mean range of tide is 9.6 feet. The extreme range is 13.7 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Includes $0.36 receipts from sales, omitted from 1917 report. RIVERS AND HARBOBS-BOSTON, MASS., DiSTRIOCT 145 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not ma-, terially affect navigation. The estimates of cost for new work, exclusive of amounts expended: under previous projects, are as follows: (a) for beach protection, $95,700, made in 1899; (b) for dredging, $167,000, made in 1911. For beach protection the latest (1917) approved estimate for an- nual cost of maintenance is $500. For dredging the latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: (a) The act of March 3, 1899, provided for the beach protection (Annual Report for 1899, p. 1089); (b) the act of March 4, 1913, provided for dredging the 18-foot channel (H. Doc. No. 1194, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). The latest published map showing the 18-foot channel (route No. 1), which map also shows in part the location of the beach protection on Long Beach, is in House Docu- ment No. 1194, Sixty-second Congress, third session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. The expendi- ture of $0.18 represents the proceeds from sale of blue prints received during the previous fiscal year, chargeable to maintenance and ap- plied to office expense. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1915. The 9-foot channel of the previous project has been superseded by the 18-foot channel under the existing project and the 9-foot turning basin in part by the 18-foot turning basin. In the fiscal year 1916 the greater portion of the 9-foot basin, not in- q]uded in the 18-foot project, was deepened to 15 feet at mean low water, with a cut 60 feet wide and 18 feet deep along the outer edge, the latter being for the convenience and at the expense of private interests. The net total of results accomplished under the previous and existing projects is the building on Long Beach of several miles of rubblestone dike, which has strengthened the beach by the accre- tion of a large volume of sand and shingle, the restoring of Eel River to its former course, and the dredging of a channel 18 feet deep at mean low water, 200 feet wide, widened at the entrance and on curves, and with a turriing basin at the inner end, about two-thirds of which has a depth of 18 feet and about one-third a depth of 15 feet. The controlling depth, as ascertained in 1915, is 18 feet at mean low water. The expenditures under the existing project were as follows: I United +States I Contrib- uted Total. funds. funds. New work.......................................................... 133, 846.16 57, 000.00 190, 846.16 Maintenance.................................................. 39, 362.73 400.00 39,762.73 Total............. ....................................... 173,208.89 57,400.00 230,608.89 Local cooperation.-The act of March 4, 1913, required that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or other local agency contribute one-half the estimated cost of the channel. This condition was ac- cepted by the Commonwealth on June 16, 1913, when an appropria- tion of $83,500 was made, and this amount was deposited by the Sec- 81116---ENG 1918- 10 146 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. retary of War August 25, 1913. The cost of the completed work being less than the estimated cost by $53,000 one-half of the saving, or $26,500, was returned to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on March 10, 1916, under provisions of section 4 of the river and harbor act of March 4, 1915. The town of Plymouth, in 1909, at an expense of $12,000, restored and deepened to 10 feet at mean low water the channel and a por- tion of the basin completed by the Government under the project of 1875. In 1911, with funds provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the town of Plymouth, the Commonwealth dredged a channel to the wharf of the Plymouth Cordage Co. for a length of about 1,100 feet to the width of 250 feet and depth of 20 feet at mean low water and for a length of about 5,000 feet to the width of 150 feet and depth of 18 feet at mean low water, at a total cost of $142,339.09. In 1915 the Commonwealth dredged an anchorage basin, about 94,000 square feet in area, extending northerly from the Govern- ment channel and easterly of Long, North, and Craig wharves, to the depth of 12 feet at mean low water, at a cost of $7,000; and is now dredging an extension to the Goose Point Channel 60 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water, which, to December 1, 1917, has been carried for about 1,600 feet to within a short distance of the originally selected terminal point, at a cost of $12,278.86. A contribution of $400 by the Plymouth Electric Light Co., received on July 17, 1915, was expended in deepening to 18 feet at mean low water a strip 60 feet wide along the outer edge of the old 9-foot turning basin, the work being done in conjunction with re- dreging the remainder of the basin to a 15-foot depth. Terminal facilities.-At the head of the dredged channel there are nine wharves, all of which are used for commercial purposes and consist almost wholly of wooden bulkheads filled solid, but in some cases faced by pile platforms or extensions. One of these wharves has a frontage of about 650 feet, is publicly owned, and is open to general public use; the other wharves have an aggregate frontage of about 3,000 feet, are privately owned, and' are not open to general public use. The terminal facilities are considered adequate for existing com- merce. Effect of improvement.It is reported that the old 9-foot channel effected a saving of 50 cents per ton in freight rates. Owing to abnormal conditions the completion of the 18-foot channel has ef- fected no reduction in water rates, but it has made possible the use of vessels of larger capacity. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be held for main- tenance of the existing channels and for repair of the beach protec- tion on Long Beach, and being sufficient for any probable work that will be needed in the near future no estimate of additional funds required is submitted. Recommended mrodifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial sta:tistics.-The usual drafts in the 18-foot channel for loaded boats carrying coal, comprising about 93 per cent of the commerce for the current year, and valued at $209,973.75,.are 16 to 17 feet. RIVERS AND HARBOB&--sBOSTON, . MASS., DISTRICT. 147 Comparative statement. Calendar Short tons. Value. Passengers. Calendar Short tons. Value. year. year. Passengers. 1913....... 38,612 1 $200,000.00 70,876 19 39 846 $259,229.25 1914........ 45,127 243, 780. 00 61, 805 400 s) 76,179 1915........ 36, 828 214,992. 56 1 50,493 1917........ 28,604 243, 973.75 None. 275 (2) J 1 Over. 2Not ascertainable. The passenger line of the Nantasket Beach Steamboat Co. between Boston and Plymouth was discontinued during the calendar year 1917. A considerable decrease in receipts of coal also occurred, attribut- able to war conditions as affecting fuel production and transportation. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $4,530.12: New work ------------------------------------------ $322, 492. 75 Maintenance -------------------------------------- 41, 375. 94 Net total expended--------------------------------- 363, 868. 69 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------___ 391, 959. 80 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 . 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4, 645.53 . . . . 379.30 . ..$43, . . . . $8, 975. 17 ................ Expended for maintenance 1 ... 8, 402.76 $6.13 $0.18 Total expended 1........... ... 9, 291.41 86,758.25 26.753.10 6.13 .18 Appropriated or allotted............... .......... . . ........................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------------------------- 2$28, 091.29 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance 1 .18 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended --------------------------- 28, 091. 11 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project for beach protection_--------------- _ 20, 700. 00 15. PROVINCETOWN HARBOR, MASS. (All). Location ind desr_'ption.-This is an important harbor of refuge in the bight at the extremity of Cape Cod, about 40 miles southeast from the entrance to Boston Harbor. Owing to its conformation, definite dimensions can not be given, but it contains several square miles of anchorage area well protected against northeast winds. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 6. Original condition.-The width and depth of entrance and the depth of the anchorage area were ample for the largest vessels, but actual or threatened inroads by the sea across the low and narrow Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Includes $0.18 receipts from sales not included in 1917 report. Exclusive of available funds. 148 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. 8. ARMY , 1918. part of the cape east of the town, and at intervals along about 1 miles of the narrow beach southwest of the town, were a serious menace. Previous project.-The original project was adopted by the act of May 20, 1826. The amount expended on the original project prior to the adoption of the existing project (expenditures on which began in 1910) was $215,800.44 for new work. For further details of pre- vious project, see page 1746 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a rubblestone protection dike 5 feet wide at the top and 15 feet above mean low water, across House Point Island Flats, from Stevens Point to Wood End, a distance of about 6,150 feet; and for a 300-foot extension of the Long Point beach protection and bringing it up to grade where necessary. The mean range of tide is 9.2 feet. The extreme range is 13.3 feet. As a rule, fluctuations due to wind or other causes do not materially affect navigation. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $140,000, exclusive of amount expended under previous project. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 821, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest pub- lished map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is com- pleted. A rubblestone beach protection at the east and outside of Long Point was built. This is now in good condition and serving the purpose for which built. Dikes, groins, and other sand-catching devices designed to resist the erosion and promote the accretion of the barrier of beach and sand dunes which protects the harbor were also built; but these timber structures resulted in but small and temp- orary betterment to the beach. A dike across the House Point Island flats was completed in 1914. It is in good condition and serves the purpose for which built. The net total of results accomplished is a rubblestone beach protection at Long Point and a dike across House Point Island flats. The temporary structures for catching and hold- ing the sand have been practically destroyed. The expenditures under the existing project were $131,653.28 for new work and $609 for maintenance, a total of $132,262.28. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-Along a water frontage of about 7,000 feet there are 14 wharves, of which but three extend beyond the low-water line. These wharves are partly wooden bulkheads, but principally pile structures. None of them is publicly owned; and but one, that of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co., is in any sense open to public use. This wharf has at its outer end a maximum depth of about 9 feet at mean low water. Effect of improvement.-The object of the improvement is the pres- ervation of this very excellent and important harbor of refuge. The effect of the improvement upon the commerce of the port is of minor consideration. The number of vessels passing around Cape Cod is estimated to be greater than 50,000 per annum, of which 4,000 are reported to seek shelter in the harbor. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be held for main- tenance of the protective works, and, being sufficient for any prob- RIVERS AND HARBORS--BOSTON, MASS., DISTRICT. 149 able repairs that may be needed in the near future, no estimate of additional funds required is submitted. Rebomended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-No detailed statement of the amount and character of commerce is available, but it is reported to average from 27,000 to 30,000 tons annually. The harbor is of importance mainly as an anchorage and a harbor of refuge, and as such has great value. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work---------------------------------------- $347, 453. 72 Maintenance ------------------------ 609. 00 Net total expended -------------------------------------- 348, 062. 72 Total appropriations to date of this report ----------------------- 362, 162. 97 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work......... ...... $27,235.52 $13,321.79 ............................... Expended for maintenance........................ 609.00 ..................................... Total expended...... ......... 27,235.52 13,930.79 ............................. Appropriated or allotted................... .. ......... ........................ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended__________________________ $14,100. 25 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended___----------------------------- 14,100.25 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP A. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $4,655.69: New work__________ -------------- $2,319,856. 61 Maintenance --------------------------------------------- 204, 650. 95 Net total expended-----------------------------------_ 2, 524, 507. 56 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------2, 892, 519. 43 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 . 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.............. .143, 749.07 $59, 538.96 $9, 469.13 $25,524.45 $2, 431. 73 Expended for maintenance 1............... 258.00 2 11,678.48 19,100.12 51,642.68 772.83 Total expended...................... 144,007. 07 71,217.44 28,569.25 77,167.13 3, 204.66 Appropriated or allotted................ 7,500.00...........215,000.00 250.00 24,000..00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_________-------____ - _ '$347, 216. 43 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917----------- ----------------------------------- 24, 000. 00 371, 216. 43 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work __- __----------------- _ $2, 431. 73 For maintenance--- ___--------------------- 772. 83 3 , 204. 56 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -- -------------------- __ 368, 011. 87 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Includes $1.98 receipts from sales omitted from 1917 report. * Includes $0.54 receipts from sales omitted from 1917 report. 150 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities- ----- __------. $12. 78 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts__ 54, 282. 67 S$54,295.45 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $41,991.11 available only for maintenance___ ------------------------ 313, 716. 42 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project for beach protection Plymouth Harbor -______ 1 20, 700. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work .__. _1183, _______________________ _ 000. 00 IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. This district includes the State of Rhode Island and part of the State of Massachusetts comprising the southern coast line of the latter State and extending as far north as Chatham Harbor, on the 'east coast line of Cape Cod. The several islands of both States lying off this coast and the tributary streams of the watersheds of Narra- gansett Bay, Buzzards Bay, and Nantucket Sound are also included. District engineer: Col. J. H. Willard, United States Army, retired. Division engineer: Col. Frederic V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, from July 1 to October 6, 1917, and Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, United States Army, retired, since October 11, 1917. IMPROVEMENTS. [The letters and figures in parentheses after the titles indicate the group and the numerical order in the group to which the respective improvements belong for purposes of appropriation.] Page. Page. 1. Pollock Rip Shoals, Nantucket 7. Providence River and Harbor, Sound, Mass.............. 150 R. I. (B2)............... ... 164 2. Harbor of Refuge at Nantucket, 8. Pawtucket (Seekonk) River, R. Mass.......... ...... 152 I. (B3).................. 168 3. New Bedford and Fairhaven 9. Harbor of Refuge at Point Harbors, Mass..................... 154 Judith, R. I. (B4)......... 170 4. Fall River Harbor, Mass........ 157 10. Harbor of Refuge at Block 5. Taunton River, Mass .......... 159 Island, R. I. (B5)........... 173 6. Newport Harbor, R. I. (B1)... 161 11. Great Salt Pond, Block Is- land, R. I. (B6)............. 175 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE PAGES 2049 TO 2067. 1. POLLOCK RIP SHOALS, NANTUCKET SOUND, MASS. Location and description.-Pollock Rip Channel is the northerly passage through the shoals off the eastern entrance to Nantucket Sound, connecting the deep water of the sound with that of the ocean. It is about 26 miles east from the harbor of Vineyard Haven on the island of Marthas Vineyard, Mass., and 60 miles south from Provincetown Harbor, at the northern extremity of Cape Cod. The shoals through which the Pollock Rip Channel passes are sometimes called the Monomoy Shoals. They extend about 14 miles north and 1Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. 151 south and about 8 miles east and west. The material of these shoals is a shifting sand and gravel, and the depth and location of the channel are subject to considerable variation, due to wind and cur- rents. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1107. Original condition.-The channel was very crooked and in places narrow. It was subject to very strong tides and directly exposed to the full force of easterly storms of the ocean. Its length was about 12 miles, measured from the Handkerchief Light Vessel to the whistling buoy north of Pollock Rip Slue, and, with a depth of 21 feet at mean low water, varied in width from about 2,000 to 3,600 feet, with a width of several miles as the Handkerchief Light Vessel was approached. The limiting depth was 27 feet. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging through the shoals at the eastern entrance to Nantucket Sound with a Government dredge which is to assist the natural agencies in obtaining such depth and width as may be found procticable, but not exceeding a depth of 30 feet at mean low water and a width of 1 mile. The mean ranges of the tide are respectively about 3.7 and 8 feet at Monomoy Point, the nearest land, and 6.7 and 14.6 feet at Chatham Lights, about 9 miles to the north of this point. The ranges are largely affected by direction and force of storms. The original expenditure authorized for experimental work in this locality was $250,000. The estimated annual cost of operating the dredge is $150,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 536, 62d Cong., 2d sess.), and extended by the act of July 27, 1916 (H. Doc. No. 3, 64th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest map is published in the Annual Report for 1915, page 2056. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress on the site of the work during the year. Dredging was discontinued June 30, 1917. The dredge was placed in dry dock at the Boston navy yard, thoroughly overhauled, and transferred to the Norfolk, Va., district about December 1, 1917. The expendi- tures were $43,491, for new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.- A passage has been dredged between Bearse and Pollock Rip Shoals, at the northeastern end of the proposed channel, 600 feet wide with a depth exceeding 25 feet at mean low water as determined in June, 1917, combined with the practical maintenance of the deep water previously se- (ured over the northern tongue of the Stone Horse Shoal. The bend in the channel at the Stone Horse Light Vessel is materially improved for vessels using the old channel. It is, however, thought that the width at the northeast end is not sufficient to warrant the general use of that part of the channel at present. The expendi- tures have been $398,166.82 for new work. Local cooperation.--None. Terminal f acilities.-None. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement on freight ILates, if any, will not be known until the improvement is completed, but the widening of the channel near the Shovelful Light Vessel has made the sharp turn in the sailing course easier. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to discontinue this work during the war. No estimate for additional funds is submitted. 152 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Recommended modifications of project.-None Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.--It is estimated that a commerce of over 20,000,000 short tons annually will be benefited greatly if it be prac- ticable to construct and maintain the proposed channel. It is im- practicable to estimate in detail the value of the commerce passing through this locality. During the calendar year 1917 the following vessels are reported as having passed Pollock Rip Slue Light Vessel: Steamers, 5,891; sailing, 1,619; barges, 6,601. The decrease in the number of vessels passing Pollock Rip Slue Light Vessel is probably due in part to the general effect of war conditions on coastwise traffic and the use by some vessels of the Cape Cod Canal. Comparative statement of vessels passing Pollock Rip Slue ibight Vessel. [No record available prior to 1914.] Calendar year. Steamers. Sailing Barges. Total. 1914... ...... .... ..........5,160 4,380 ............................................... 7,698 17,238 1915... ..................... . ...... .. .... ....... .... ...... 6,023 3,325 7,805 17,153 1916 ........................... ........................ 7,286 1,928 7, 994 17, 208 1917................................................... 5,891 1,619 6,601 14,111 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,282.78: New work ----------------- ----------- $398, 166. 82 Maintenance ------------------------------------ Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------400, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1 ............. $101,667.29 $37, 010.76 $29, 926.84 $105, 600.34 $43, 491.00 Expended for maintenance ........................ ........................ ....... Appropriated or allotted......... ..... ........... ........................ 150, 000.00 ............. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended- --- $45, 324. 18 ___---------__ June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work___ 43, 491. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_- ------ ___------1, 833. 18 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_----- ---------------- __- 1, 833. 18 2. HARBOR OF REFUGE AT NANTUCKET, MASS. Location and description.-The harbor of Nantucket is an indenta- tion in the coast line on the northerly side of the island of Nantucket. It is 32 miles east-southeast from the harbor of Vineyard Haven on the island of Marthas Vineyard, Mass., and 80 miles south from the harbor of Provincetown at the northern extremity of Cape Cod. The harbor'extends about 6 miles in a northeast and southwest direc- tion with a width of from one-half to 1 miles. It is practically RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEWPORT B. I., DISTRICT. 153 landlocked. There are about 48 acres 12 feet or more in depth and 750 acres 9 feet or more in depth. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1107. Original condition.-The channel entrance to the harbor was ob- structed by a bar 1.5 miles in width over which was a limiting depth of 6 feet at mean low water. The channel was crooked and subject to changes in location and depth. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the act of March 2, 1829. The total expenditure under this project was $45,834.75. For further details of previous project see page 1747, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for securing a depth of 15 feet at mean low water without prescribed width over the bar at the en- trance by converging jetties and by dredging. The mean range of the tide is 3.1 feet, increased to 3.7 at time of spring tides; irregular fluctuations are occasioned by storms, at times amounting to 2 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1907, is $475,000, ex- clusive of amounts expended under previous project.. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 14, 1880, authorized the construction of a single jetty (H. Doc. No. 18, 46th Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Re- port for 1880, p. 423); the act of August 5, 1886, provided for a second (eastern) jetty (Annual Report for 1885, p. 579); the acts of March 3, 1905, and March 2, 1907, provided for dredging in the channel between the jetties, the estimate for which had not been in- cluded in the 1885 estimate. For latest published map see Annual Report for 1916, page 1912. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress during the year. The total expenditures were $9.10 for maintenance and contingencies. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is about 95 per cent completed, resulting in a channel 300 feet wide and 14 feet deep at mean low water as determined in 1914 from the deep water in Nantucket Sound to the deep water in Nantucket Harbor, a dis- tance of 1.4 miles, with an additional width of 150 feet, over the greater part of which there is a 12-foot depth, except that near the end of the jetties and beyond them there is a tendency to shoal. To complete the project, the west jetty is to be extended, about 900 feet. The total expenditure under the existing project was $426,595.70 for new work and $101,927.25 for maintenance, a total of $528,522.95. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-These consist of four piers privately owned but used by the public on payment of wharfage, affording a total of about 3,000 feet of docking space. Facilities are adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-So far as known the project has had no effect on freight rates, but the widening and deepening of the chan- nel gives the use of the harbor to vessels of larger size. Proposed operations.--The west jetty should be extended to a point opposite the outer end of the east jetty, but it is not proposed to undertake this work during the war. It is expected that the avail- 154 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. able funds will suffice for the necessary work of maintenance until June 30, 1920, and no estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.--None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce consists of fish, coal, lum- ber and other building materials, and general merchandise, all of which uses the improved section in vessels from 3 to 14 feet draft. About 46 per cent of the freight tonnage, having a value of about 85 per cent of the total of all freight, is carried in vessels of from 7 to 10 feet draft. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................... 28,860 $1,475.908.00 1916 .................... 44,458 $2, 096,651. 00 1914 .................. 36,653 1,488,381.00 1917.................... 41,018 4,224,631.40 1915 ........... ........ 45,836 1,968,137.00 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work -- --------------------------------------- $472, 430. 45 Maintenance________________________--------------- 101, 927. 25 Net total expended ------...... ---.-..........--. _ 574, 357. 70 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 586, 473. 50 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work .................. $11,308.61 $29,005.94 61 ......... ........... Expended for maintenane .......... ; 1,250.00 9,668.65 165. 79 $5, 310. 86 .. .10 Total expended..................... 12,558.61 38,674.59 165.79 5,310.86 9.10 Appropriated or allotted........................ ................... .......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended________- __-___ _ $12, 124. 90 June 30,1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 9. 10 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------ 12, 115. 80 3. NEW, BEDFORD AND FAIRHAVEN HARBORS, MASS. Location and description.-New Bedford Harbor is an estuary of Buzzards Bay at the mouth of the Acushilet River, the east portion of the harbor being called Fairhaven Harbor. The anchorage is protected from the south by Palmer Island and from other directions by the mainland. The entire length of the harbor in a northerly and southerly direction is about 5 miles, the upper 2 miles being about three-fourths of a mile in width and the lower 3 miles being 1p miles in width. It is 21 miles by water southeasterly to the harbor of Vineyard Haven on the island of Marthas Vineyard, Mass., and about 42 miles to Point Judith Harbor, R. I., to the westward. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 1107 and 1108. Original condition.-The greater portion of the harbor was very shoal, and the channel through it had a minimum depth of only 12 RIVERS AND HARBORS---NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. 155 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation was at Belleville, about 5 miles north of the entrance at Butler Flats. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the act of 1839, and modified and extended by the river and harbor acts of March 3, 1875, and August 11, 1888. The amount expended under this project was $170,700, for new work. For further details of pre- vious project see page 1748, Annual Report of 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 300 feet wide from Buzzards Bay to the north end of Fish Island just above the New Bedford and Fairhaven.Bridge, 2.9 miles, a turning basin covering about 14 acres with a width of 700 feet above the bridge, and an anchorage below the bridge of about 114 acres between New Bedford and Fairhaven, all to be 25 feet deep at mean low water, the turning basin extending southward and the anchorage area northward, along the New Bedford front to the bridge; and a channel 100 feet wide and 18 feet deep at mean low water from the turning basin north of Fish Island to Belleville, a distance of about 2.15 miles, with a turn- ing basin at the upper end 300 feet wide. The mean range of the tide is 4 feet, increased to 4.8 feet at times of spring tides; irregular fluctuations are occasioned by storms, at times amounting to 2 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1915, is $640,610, exclu- sive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1912) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $3,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 2, 1907, provided for the entrance channel, anchorage area, channel through the bridge and turning basin above it (H. Doc. No. 271, 59th Cong., 2d sess.); the act of March 3, 1909, provided for extending the 25-foot channel along the New Bedford wharf front near the bridge; the act of July 25, 1912, provided for extending a channel 18 feet deep up the Acushnet River to Belleville (H. Doc. No. 442, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest pub- lished map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No work was in pro- gress during the year. The expenditures were $1,016.97 for office expenses charged to maintenance. Conditionat end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 91 per cent completed, it being completed except at a few points on the southwest- erly edge of the anchorage area, which do not materially affect the use of the harbor and excepting the 18-foot channel extending from the turning basin above Fish Island up the Acushnet River to Belleville. That part of the project providing for 25 feet depth at mean low water has been .practically completed. The controlling depths at end of fiscal year were 24 feet to New Bedford and 7 feet to Belleville. The head of navigation is about 5 miles north of the entrance at Butler Flats. The amount expended under the existing project was $580,823.67 for new work and $2,786.33 for maintenance, a total of $583,610. Local cooperation.--The modification of the existing project au- thorized by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912, imposed the condition that local interests construct a new bridge at Coggeshall Street with a draw opening of at least 100 feet and build a substan- tial wharf upon the city property at Belleville, the name given to 156 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the northern part of the city. These conditions have not been met, and there is no present prospect of their being complied with. Terminal facilities.-These consist of piers and wharves with a total of about 16,280 feet of docking,space of which 2,050 feet are publicly owned, 2,850 feet privately owned but used by the public upon payment of wharfage and 11,380 feet privately owned and so used. The wharves on the New Bedford side of the harbor have or can easily secure railroad connection. One on the Fairhaven side is so connected. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the deep water on commerce is the use of deeper-draft vessels and larger cargoes. So far as known the improvement has had no effect dn freight rates. A new large coal-producing corporation has secured wharf property on the, city front and is making extensive improvements in coal-handling appliances, with a view to shipping direct from southern ports to New Bedford. Proposed operations.-Owing to war conditions it is proposed to defer the work of maintenance dredging with the funds appropri- ated by the river and harbor act of July 18, 1918. The project is completed except at a few points on the southwesterly edge of the anchorage' area which do not materially affect the use of the harbor, and excepting the 18-foot channel extending up the Acushnet River to Belleville. No estimate is submitted for further work on the channel to Belleville for the reason stated above for deferring the maintenance work and for the further reason that the cooperation required on the Belleville Channel has not been fulfilled nor is there any prospect of its early fulfillment. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the port consists chiefly of coal, cotton, lumber, and other building material; oil, including whale oil; and general merchandise. It is estimated that about 84 per cent of the tonnage of the harbor uses the improved portion, the remaining 16 per cent consisting chiefly of barges and schooners in the lower harbor waiting for tows or favorable winds for other points of destination. About 69 per cent of the tonnage is coal car- ried in steamers and barges with a loaded draft of 11 to 22.5 feet, of which 58 per cent is under and 42 per cent over 18 feet draft. The State of Massachusetts has completed during the year a large pier and storage shed at New Bedford for handling freights direct from points of shipment. Since its completion, several cargoes of sisal have been handled and it is proposed to receive here cotton direct from southern ports. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913............ ..... 1, 491,046.5 $46,360 64543 1916 ............... 1,526,924.0 $126,859,944.97 1914............... 1,460, 784.5 43,354, 028.60 1917 .................. 1, 264,881.0 148,615,227 19 1915............. 1,626,226.0 52,408,202.00 RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRIOT. 157 ammu Financial ry. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $271.99: New work----------------------- ---------- $751, 523. 6 Maintenance ..--------------------------------------------- 2, 786. 33 Net total expended__-___ ____ ------------------- -__ 754, 310. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 769, 310. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1................. $11,128.46 .......... $6, 282.96 $50, 660.69 ............ Expended for maintenance ............ ................... $2,000.07 .. ..... ..... $.. 1,016.97 Appropriated or allotted .............................. 56,610.00 ......... . .............. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-__________ -- ____-______-$786. 26 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_ .___.. _____- 230. 71 1, 016. 97 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance _ 1, 016. 97 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918_ 15, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919______________ 15, 000. 00 4. FALL RIVER HARBOR, MASS. Location and description.-Fall River Harbor is situated at the mouth of Taunton River, on the east side and at the head of Mount Hope Bay, which empties into the ocean through Narragansett Bay and Sakonnet River. It is the port of entry of the city of Fall River, the largest cotton-manufacturing city in the United States. There is but slight protection to the harbor from the southwest; from other directions it is practically landlocked. It extends about 11 miles in a northeast and southwest direction and is from one-fourth to five- eighths of a mile in width. It is about 18 miles northerly from New- port Harbor. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 113. Original condition.-The approach channel through Mount Hope Bay had a ruling usable depth of about 21 feet at low tide, except for a distance of about 1 mile in the middle part of the bay, where the depth diminished to 15 feet. Along the water front in the reentrant in the wharf line above the Old Colony Steamboat Co.'s wharf the depth was only 6 feet, and a considerable area of the harbor, espe- cially at the north end, had a much less depth. Previous project.-The previous project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 23, 1874. The total amount expended under this project was $30,000. For further details of this project see page 1749, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for securing a channel through Mount Hope Bay 300 feet wide and 25 feet deep at mean low water from the deep water of Narragansett Bay to Fall River Harbor and for the removal of a shoal occupying a central position in the harbor to the same depth and extending the area of that depth along the 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 758 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. eastern side of the harbor. The mean tidal variation is 4.9 feet, in- creased to 5.9 feet at times of spring tides; the tidal planes are sub- ject to irregular fluctuations due to storms, amounting at times to 2 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1910, is $318,412, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1910) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $6,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 3, 1899, provided for a channel in front of the city wharves (H. Doc. No. 56, 55th Cong., 1st sess., smaller project); the act of June 13, 1902, provided for extending the channel of the same dimensions across Mount Hope Bay (same document but the larger project); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for the removal of a central shoal in the harbor and extending the 25-foot depth to the eastern harbor line (H. Doc. No. 778, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The last published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is com- pleted. The maximum depth over the shoalest part of the locality under improvement is about 25 feet at mean low water. The ex- penditure under the existing project was $300,204.16 for new work and $50,707.33 for maintenance, a total of $350,911.49. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-These consist of 18 piers having 9,650 feet of docking space and wharves, affording 3,250 feet additional dock- ing space. Three of the piers have direct railroad connection. One pier, belonging to the city of Fall River, is open to general public use. The facilities are considered adequate for the commerce of the port, Effect of improvement.-The increased depth in the approach channel and in the harbor permits the entrance of larger vessels and facilitates the handling of the large steamers of the Fall River Line to New York, but, so far as known, the improvement has had no effect on freight rates. Proposed operations.-No further work is proposed and no fur- ther reports on this work will be submitted. Recommended modifcatios of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the harbor consists chiefly of coal, cotton, lumber, and other building materials, oil, shellfish, and general merchandise. About 62 per cent of the total freight tonnage of the harbor was coal, carried in steam colliers and coal barges with a draft of from 7 to 24 feet. About 20 per cent of these vessels exceeded 18 feet draft. Cotton and general merchandise amounting to about 34 per cent of the total tonnage were carried chiefly in regular transportation lines in vessels of from 13 to 15 feet draft. About 8 per cent of the tonnage passes through the harbor to and from Taunton River. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913..... .......... 1,286,077 $50,714,675.77 1916 ................. 1,653,474 $1192,187,354.00 1914.............. ..... 1,426,853 49,880,290.87 1917....... ......... 1,469,750 228,249,185.00 1915................... 1,393, 654 57, 838, 257. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS---NEWPORT, . I., DISTRICT. 159 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $18.35: New work-------------------------- --------------- $330,204. 16 Maintenance -------------------------------------- 50, 707. 33 Net total expended_----___-_-------------- _......-380,911. 49 Total appropriation to date of this report-------------------- 380, 911. 49 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1........ $32,417.39.. Expended for maintenance 1.. ........ . $15, 746. 15 $13,478.66 ............ 1,653.16 ....... Appropriated or allotted...... ..... ............ ... 12,000.00 .. ...................... 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 4. TAUNTON RIVER, MASS. Location and description.-Taunton River rises in Norfolk Coun- ty, Mass., flows in a general south by west direction about 44 miles and empties into Mount Hope Bay, the name given to that part of Narragansett Bay which branches to the northeast, and at the head of which is the city of Fall River. The river has a drainage area of about 500 square miles with a mean fresh-water discharge of about 800 second feet. It is tidal for 21 miles above its mouth to East Taunton Dam. Dighton, the lower end of the improvement, is about 8 miles above the mouth of the river. Original condition.-That portion of the river under improvement had in places a width of about 100 feet and a minimum depth of 1 foot. The channel was crooked and obstructed in many places by bowlders. A vessel of 30 tons was as large as could go up to Taunton. The head of navigation was at Taunton, about 15 miles above the mouth of the river. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 11, 1870. The total amount expended under this project was $63,000, for new work. For further details of pre- vious project see page 1748, Annual Report of 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 12 feet deep at mean high water and 100 feet wide from the mouth of the river to Berkley Bridge, about 1 mile above Dighton (below Dighton the natural depth meets this requirement); thence the same depth and 80 feet wide, with enlargements at the bends to 100 feet, to Briggs Shoal; thence same width and 11 feet deep to the shipyard; thence same depth and 60 feet wide to Weir Bridge. The mean tidal varia- tion at the mouth of the river is 4.9 feet, increased to 5.9,feet at times of spring tides; the tidal planes are subject to irregular fluc- tuations due to storms, amounting at times to 2 feet. The mean variation at Dighton is 5.5 feet and at Weir Bridge, the upper end of the improvement, is 3.4 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1894, is $125,000, exclusive of amount expended on pre- vious project. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,500. 160 REPORT OF ,CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY 1918. The existing project was authorized by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880 (S. Ex. Doec. No. 61, 46th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in House Document No. 110, Sixty-fifth Congress, first session. Operations and results during the fiscal year.-No works of im- provement have been in progress during the year pending the result of an examination and survey with a view to further improvement. The wreck of a small schooner moved by ice from the shore to the channel just north of Berkley Bridge was removed in April, 1918, and the channel cleared. The total expenditure for the fiscal year was $218, all of which was for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was practi- cally completed during the fiscal year 1900. The 11 and 12 foot chan- nels had been dredged their projected lengths, and those shoals of subsequent formation offering the greatest obstruction to navigation had been redredged several times. The channel has suffered some deterioration in depth and' width. It is claimed by those using the channel constantly that it can not be used safely by vessels drawing more than 9 feet intending to make the round trip on one tide. The head of navigation is at Taunton. The expenditure under the exist- ing project was $108,497.93 for new work and $29,942.40 for main- tenance, a total of $138,440.33. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-These consist of wharves, privately owned but used to some extent by the public upon payment of wharfage, at Dighton, with docking space of about 480 feet; Church's wharf and Briggs's wharf, each 40 feet; North Dighton wharf, 180 feet; and Weir Village, 5,460 feet; a total of 6,200 feet. There is no railroad connection with any of these wharves. A trolley line runs near to and parallel with the wharf line in Weir Village. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The deepening and widening of the' chan- nel enables vessels of light draft to carry full cargoes to Taunton without, as previously, lightering at Fall River. So far as known the improvement has had no effect on freight rates. Proposed operations.-Owing to war conditions no work is pro- posed other than such emergency maintenance work as may arise. No estimate is submitted for additional funds, as those available are believed to be sufficient. Recommended modifications of project.-It is recommended that the channel be excavated up to the city of Taunton 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water at an estimated cost of $534,500, of which local or other interests shall contribute $267,250 for first con- struction and $10,000 annually for maintenance, in accordance with the report published in House Document No. 110, Sixty-fifth Con- gress, first session. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Comonercial statistics.-The commerce of the river consists chiefly of coal, bricks, molding sand, and general merchandise. Coal forms about 90 per cent of the freight tonnage and is carried in barges of from 7 to 9 feet draft, towed by tugs of 8 feet draft. Other freight is carried in motor freight boats and schooners of from 4 to 8 feet BIVERS AND tARBOBRS---NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. 161 draft. The decrease in the 1917 tonnage is believed to be due to the closing of the river by ice and an increase in towing rates in the latter part of the year. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................. 107,156 $490,869.82 1916.................... 139,349 $632,839.00 1914 ................... 105,413 463,744.52 1917................. 128,251 844,923.00 1915.... . ..... ..... 107,968 454,011.00 Financia summary. U Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2.25: New work--------------- -------------------------- $171,497. 98 Maintenance ----------------------------- 29, 942.40 Net total expended------- -------------------------- 201, 440. 33 Total appropriations to date of this report- ---- __------ 210, 189. 18 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... . ...... ....... .......... ............ ............ Expended for maintenance 1................ $170.99 $525.25 $7.16 $277.50 $218.00 A pp ro pria ted or al lot t e d .. .....N. ..... t ... d d . . . .. . t. i. . .gs. .. . . . .... . .. ... . .. ... .... . ........ . .. 1 Not dediucting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ------------------------------- 8, 966. 85 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 218. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------------------------- 8, 748. 85 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities 00 1----------------------- July 1, 1918, balance available, only for maintenance------------ 8, 633. 85 PROVIDENCE RIVER AND HARBOR, PAWTUCKET RIVER, NEWPORT HARBOR, HARBORS OF REFUGE AT POINT JUDITH AND BLOCK ISLAND, AND GREAT SALT POND, BLOCK ISLAND, R. I. (GROUP B). 6. NEWPORT HARBOR, R. I. (B1). Location and description.-Newport Harbor proper is at the main entrance to Narragansett Bay, with an inner harbor between Goat Island and the city of Newport. It is about 12 miles northeast of the harbor of Point Judith and 48 miles westerly from the harbor of Vineyard Haven, Mass. The inner harbor between Goat Island (on which is the United States Naval Torpedo Station) and the city is about 1.1 miles long with varying widths of from 1,500 to 2,000 feet, narrowing at the northern entrance to 750 feet; it is prac- tically landlocked and is formed by a deep indentation in the east- ern shore line of Narragansett Bay. It is protected from the west by Goat Island and from other directions by the shores of the island of Rhode Island. The outer harbor from " The Dumplings " to Gould Island, a distance of about 31 miles, has a width of from l1 to 11 miles, and over a greater portion, a'natural depth of from 6 81116-ENG 1918-1 162 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. to 28 fathoms. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 1107 and 1108. Original condition.--The capacity was limited by shoals, and the general business wharves could not be reached by vessels drawing more than 8 feet. Previous project.--The previous project was adopted by the act of March 3, 1873, and modified and extended by the river and harbor acts of March 3, 1881, July 5, 1884, July 13, 1892, and August 17, 1894. The total amount expended under this project was $234,695.71 for new work and $10,000 for maintenance, a total of $244,695.71. For further details of previous project see page 1751, Annual Re- port of 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 750 feet wide and 18 feet deep at mean low water along the east side and around the southerly end of Goat Island and northward through the harbor; for an anchorage of the same depth to extend from this channel eastward to the harbor line, limited on the north by the city wharf and the east and west prolongations of the line of its south face and on the south by a line running in a general southwesterly direc- tion from Perry Mill wharf; for the removal to 18 feet depth of Nourmahal Rock, in Brentons Cove, off the Fort Adams shore; and the extension of the 13-foot anchorage area southward from the 18- foot contour to the harbor line over that portion of the harbor lying to the eastward of the city stone pier. The mean tidal variation is 3.5 feet, increased to 4.3 feet at times of spring tides; the tidal planes are subject to irregular fluctuations d4Ie to storms, amounting at times to 2 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1910, is $483,900; exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1910) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 2, 1907, provided for a channel 750 feet wide and 18 feet deep at mean low water around the southern end and along the eastern side of Goat Island (H. Doc. No. 121, 58th Cong., 2d sess); the act of May 27, 1908, provided for extending the 13-foot anchorage to the southerly harbor line and the removal of Nourmahal Rock to 18 feet depth (H. Doec. No. 438, 59th Cong., 2d sess.); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for dredging the an- chorage area north of the line running southwesterly from Perry Mill Wharf and an area south of Goat Island to 18 feet depth at mean low water (H. Doec. No. 610, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1915, page 2070. Operations and results during the fiscal year.-No operations of improvement were in progress during the year. The expenditures were for a survey for the extension of the harbor line and for other contingencies. The total expenditure for the year was $3,237.21 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted during the fiscal year 1916. There has, however, been some slight deterioration of depth at a few points since the original dredg- ing. The controlling depths in the two anchorage areas are about 17 and 12 feet respectively at mean low water, which may be reduced 2 RIVERS AND IARBORS-NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. 163 feet at times of extreme low tides. The expenditure under the exist- ing project was $445,329.81 for new work and $9,380.31 for mainte- nance, a total of $454,710.12. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-These consist of 19 piers and wharves with a total docking space of 13,270 feet, of which one wharf with a frontage of 560 feet is owned by the city of Newport, about 1,900 feet of front- age is privately owned but open to public use on payment of wharf- age, 'and about 9,110 feet of frontage is privately owned and used. In addition to the, above is the Government landing, comprising 2 piers, 3 floats, ferry slips, and wharves with a total docking space of about 1,050 feet. On two privately owned piers there is direct railroad connections. No further rail connections are practicable without large railroad ex- tensions through high-priced business sections. These facilities are considered adequate for normal existing conm- merce. Effect of improvement.-The deeper and wider channel at the en- trance and through the harbor and the enlargement of the anchorage area have increased the number and size of the vessels using the inner harbor and greatly facilitates the passage of the large steamers of the New England Steamship Co. through the harbor. So far as known the improvement has had no effect on freight rates. Proposed operations.-Owing to war conditions no work is pro- posed other than such emergency maintenance work as may arise. No estimate is submitted for additional funds, as those available are believed to be sufficient. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not "previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the port consists chiefly of coal, oil, lumber and other building materials, fish, shellfish, and general merchandise, all of which uses the improved portion of the harbor. The limit of depth in the harbor is about 12 feet and 17 feet, respectively, at mean low water, which may be reduced 2 feet at times of extreme low tide. The tonnage given is exclusive of that handled by the Navy Department. There has been a large de- crease in the amount of bituminous coal and oil, the latter probably due to the growing custom of auto-truck delivery from both Provi- dence and Fall River. The total arrivals and departures of vessels during the calendar year 1917 was 32,331, of which 16,136 were regu- lar ,line and excursion steamers, tugs, Government vessels, yachts, and fishing steamers, and 16,195 were small power and sailing fish- ing and pleasure boats. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913........... .. .. 220, 435 $6,606,097.89 1916.................... 332, 610 $6,914,907.00 1914..................... 245,928 7,845,781.15 1917.................... 204, 701 7,139,139.40 1915 ..................... 223,174 5,761,963.51 164 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $414.85: New work--..------------------------------ --------- $680, 025.52 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 19, 380. 31 Net total expended---------------------------------- 699, 405. 83 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------728,,741. 67 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ............. $8,681.05 $48, 069.57 $22, 840.12.. Expended for maintenance .............. . .. .. .......... 3,227.16 $3,132.01 $3, 237.21 Total expended..................... 8,681.05 48,069.57 26,067.28 3,132.01 3,237.21 Appropriated or allotted ......... ..................... .................. ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended--------------------------- $32,356.98 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918----------------- 216.07 32, 573. 05 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 3, 237. 21 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ---------------------------- 29, 335. 84 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------------- 44. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available----------------------------- 29, 291.84 7. PROVIDENCE RIVER AND HARBOR, R. I. (B2). Location and description.-ProvidenceRiver is formed at the city of Providence by the junction of the Seekonk (Pawtucket) River and two small streams which rise in northern Rhode Island. It flows southerly from Providence about 8 miles and empties into Narragan- sett Bay and has a total drainage area of about 870 square miles and a mean fresh-water discharge of about 1,400 second-feet. Providence Harbor is in that part of the river north of Fields Point, and the length of the harbor section included in the project is about 1.6 miles in front of the city wharves. It is about 37 miles north of the Point Judith harbor of refuge at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. The river is tidal. Flats cover large areas on either side of the channel. The width between shores is from about 1,400 feet at Fields Point, the southern entrance to the harbor, to nearly 3 miles just above the mouth. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 113. Original condition.-Providence River was obstructed by many shoals, and at one point in the channel near the head of navigation the minimum depth was but 4.5 feet at mean low water. Providence Harbor was a shallow tidal basin, with a channel of about 12 feet depth and of varying widths. The heads of navigation were at Providence, and at Pawtucket, through its main branch, the Paw- tucket-River. The navigable portion is about 8 miles in Providence River and 5 miles additional in Pawtucket River. Previous projects.-The original project \was adopted by the act of August 30, 1852, and modified and ext/nded by the river and harbor acts of March 3, 1873, June 18, 1878/August 2, 1882, August 5, 1886, June 3, 1896, June 13, 1902, March 2, 1907, and June 25, 1910. £ Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND IARBORS---NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. 165 The total amount expended under previous projects was $2,422,730.35 for new work and $58,538.96 for maintenance, a total of $2,481,269.31. For further details of previous projects see page 1750, Annual Re- port of 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging to a depth of 30 feet at mean low water all of the harbor, about 1.6 miles in length by from 1,300 to 1,800 feet in width, from Fox Point to Fields Point, limited on the east and west sides by the harbor lines, excepting the area formerly known as Green Jacket Shoal, and for dredging to the same depth an approach channel 600 feet wide southward from Fields Point to the deep water of Narragansett Bay at a point nearly op- posite North Point on Popasquash Neck. The total length of both the river and harbor included within this project is 10.4 miles. The mean tidal range is about 4.7 feet, increased to 5.7 feet at time of spring tides; the tidal planes are subject to irregular fluctuations, due to storms, amounting to 2 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1915, is $1,112,600, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $25,000. The existing project was authorized by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913 (H. Doc. No. 1369, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1915, page 2068. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Work under the ex- isting contract for dredging the 30-foot channel to Providence, in progress at the beginning of the fiscal year, was continued through December, when the unusual severity of the weather stopped all dredging. Dredging was resumed in March, 1918, and a small amount was done during that month to connect with private dredg- ing operations carried on by the largest coal-handling plant in the harbor. The dredging was done by plant of inferior capacity, as the larger plant which had been intended for use under the contract has been commandeered for war work of greater urgency. The area in- creased to 30 feet depth is slight and not continuous as the effort had been to add as far as possible to the facilities of the fuel-handling plants, and to secure the full depth along the city wall where certain Items of war manufacturing are being actively prosecuted. The ex- penditures were $29,012.98 for new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is about 70 per cent completed. There is an approach channel 600 feet in width from its southern extremity, opposite the North Point on Popasquash Neck 'to Fields Point, a -distance of about 9 miles, which has been dredged to 30 feet depth at mean low water, the limiting lines of the 30-foot deep channel in the upper part being the same as those of the 25-foot deep channel previously dredged between Gaspee Point and Fields Point. Above Fields Point the entire harbor up to Fox Point has been dredged to a depth of 25 feet and about 32 per cent of this area has been deepened to 30 feet. That portion of the harbor formerly occupied by the Green Jacket Shoal and not in- cluded in the existing project has a depth of from 21 to 26 feet of water. The total expenditure under the existing project was $767,457.92 for new work and $49,463.50 for maintenance, a total of $816,921.42. Local cooperation.-The river and harbor act of June 25, 1910, provided that: "No part of this amount ($459,000, estimated cost of the work then provided for) shall be expended until satisfactory 166 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. assurances that the city of Providence or other -local agency will expend on the improvement of the harbor front in accordance with said document [H. Doc. No. 606, 61st Cong., 2d sess.] above re- ferred to, a sum equal to the amount herein appropriated and au- thorized." The proper assurances were promptly given, and ap- proved by the Secretary of War September 6, 1910. The river and harbor act of March 4, 1913, provided as follows: That no work in the harbor proper north of Fields Point shall be done until the Secretary of War is satisfied that the State and city have completed their proposed expenditures in the combined Providence and Pawtucket Harbors up to at least $2,000,000 for public terminals or other permanent public harbor improveinents. This was modified by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1915 (Rivers and Harbors Committee Doc. No. 9, 63d Cong., 2d sess.), by the addition of the words- or shall have given to the Secretary of War assurance satisfactory to him that the expenditure of the $2,000,000 aforesaid will be completed within a time satisfactory to him and not later' than three years from the passage of this amendment. This assurance was given the Secretary of War and was approved by him June 11, 1915. The entire amount was expended by the State of Rhode Island and city of Providence prior to March 4, 1918. Terminal facilities.-These consist of piers and wharves with a total dockilg space of 29,250 feet, of which 4,800 feet is publicly owned, about 3,150 feet is open for general public use upon pay- ment of wharfage, and 21,300 feet is privately owned and used. All of these wharves and piers are or can easily be connected with rail- road lines which are in operation on all sides of the harbor. The facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The deepening of the harbor has modi- fied to a considerable extent the character of the vessels using it. Large steam colliers are replacing some of the coal barges formerly bringing coal from southern ports, where the trip involved a con- siderable ocean voyage; four large oil-producing companies have provided themselves with terminal facilities and have taken advan- tage of the favorable situation of Providence for southern traffic by making it a distributing center for southeastern New England, bringing their products from the Gulf of Mexico and other points in tank steamers and barges drawing from 21 to 26 feet of water. Additional land adjacent to the new channel about l1 miles south of Kettle Point is now in course of development as one of the'most extensive oil-distributing plants on the North Atlantic coast. An extensive development of industrial plants is in progress at and near Fields Point. Proposed operations.--The recent development of war industries in Providence immediately on the harbor front has been such as to render urgent the completion of the 30-foot depth in that portion of the. harbor extending along the western harbor line for a width of about 400 feet as far north as the State pier, and the completion of the 30-foot depth on the east side of the harbor as far north as the wharf of the Gulf Refining Co. These industries include the fitting out and completion of vessels built under the Shipping Board, a large boiler plant operating on naval requirements, and the manufacture of coke and the toluol products in addition to large industries away from the direct water front. RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. 167 It is proposed to apply the available balance or as much thereof as may be necessary to completing the 30-foot depth by dredging at the above localities, the work to be done as soon as it is possible to secure the necessary plant. No estimate for additional funds is submitted as those available are believed to be sufficient to complete the work proposed, but not the project. Recommended modifications of the project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-"Port of Providence Alive With Business," in Providence Magazine, pub- lished by the Providence Chamber of Commerce, January, 1918. Commercial statistics.-The commerce consists chiefly of coal, oil, lumber, cotton, shellfish, and general merchandise, all of which uses the improved portions of the river and harbor. About 62 per cent of the total freight tonnage of the harbor was coal carried in steam colliers having a loaded draft of from 23 to 27 feet and in towed barges with a draft of from 8 to 29 feet, about 16 per cent of which exceeded 18 feet draft. The carriage of oil, an item of growing importance in the commerce of the port, is carried in tank steamers with a draft of from 21 to 26 feet. Lumber is brought in schooners with a draft up to 25 feet. Cotton and general merchandise are chiefly carried on regular lines of transportation with a draft of from 12 to 25 feet. Of the total commerce of the port, it is esti- mated that about 57 per cent, representing 33 per cent of the value, was carried in vessels of from 19 to 29 feet draft. The decrease in the commerce is chiefly due to the falling off in the quantity of coal, while there was a considerable increase in both oil and cotton. A new line of steamers between Providence and Philadelphia estab- lished during the preceding fiscal year, was discontinued after about three months of operation. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913........ 4,539,805 $111,146,764.62 ............ 1916.................... 4,222,391$415, 964, 807.47 1914................. 4, 104, 409 254, 014,50. 43 1917............ . 3,406,224 375,063,228.31 1915................ 3,739,546 290,654,307.50 Finanaial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc.:, amounting to $1,747.98: New work----------------------------------------$3, 190,188. 27 Maintenance---------------------------- 108, 002. 46 Net total expended------ ------------------------- 3, 298,190. 73 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------ 3, 593, 869. 31 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1............. 128,073.35 $266,192.06 $335,031.11 $61,237.06 $29,012.98 Expended for maintenance 1........... 2,538.82........................ 49,463.50 .......... Total expended 1 ......... ....... 130,612.17 266,192.06 335, 031.11 110,700.56 29, 012.98 Appropriated or allotted ................... 500,000.00 ........... ........ ........... ...... 1 Not deducting receipts for sales, etc. 168 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended __ ____-___ _----------- $324,374.03 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_- ------------- 317. 53 324, 691. 56 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work 29, 012.98 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ____------ _________ ___ 295, 678. 58 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities- ____________ $16, 971.15 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 241, 716. 89 258, 688. 04 July 1, 1918, balance available_----_____---,--___--__---- 36,990. 54 8. PAWTUCKET (SEEKONK) RIVER, R. I. (B3). Location and description.-This river rises in the vicinity of Wor- cester, Mass., and flows in a general southeasterly direction for about 50 miles, emptying into Providence Harbor at Providence. Its up- per portion as far south as Pawtucket is known as the Blackstone River, and that between Pawtucket and Providence, a distance of 5.2 miles, as the Pawtucket or Seekonk River, within which lies the improved portion of the river. This portion is tidal. The total drainage area is about 547 square miles and the mean fresh-water discharge is about 885 second feet. The width between the shores varies from about 100 feet, between the wharves at Pawtucket, to about 2,700 feet in the widest portions. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 353. Original condition.-That part of the river between Providence and Pawtucket was a shoal tidal basin, with a ruling depth of water in the channel of about 5 feet at mean low tide. The basin was wide, and the channel narrow and obstructed by two bridges with badly arranged draws. Navigation was difficult even for small vessels. The head of navigation was at Pawtucket Falls, about 5.2 miles above the mouth of the river. Previous projects.-The previous project was adopted by the act of March 2, 1867, and modified and extended by the river and harbor acts of July 5, 1884, and March 3, 1899. The total amount expended under this project was $334,444.91 for new work. For further de- tails of previous projects see Annual Report for 1915, page 1749. Existing project.-This provides for a channel from Red Bridge, Providence, to Division Street Bridge, Pawtucket, 3.4 miles, 16 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide from Red Bridge up to the ledge rock between the wharves at Pawtucket, where the width is reduced to 50 feet, with the provision for the expenditure of any balance remaining after the completion of the above project in deep- ening the channel to 18 feet at mean low water and increasing the width at such places as would best serve the interests of commerce. The mean tidal range at the mouth of the river is about 4.7 feet, increased to 5.7 feet at times of spring tides; the tidal planes are subject to irregular fluctuations due to storms amounting to 2 feet at times. At the Division Street Bridge in Pawtucket the mean tidal range is about 5 feet with an extreme range -of 7 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1905, is $237,875, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects, which was later re- duced by the requirement that the State of Rhode Island or other 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS---NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. 169 agency should contribute $67,792 of the amount. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 3, 1905, provided for the 16-foot channel from Red Bridge in Providence to Division Street Bridge in Paw- tucket (H. Doc. No. 113, 56th Cong., 1st sess.); the act of March 2, 1907, required that the State of Rhode Island or other agency should contribute $67,792 toward the completion of the project; the act of March 3, 1909 authorized the expenditure of any balance remaining after the completion of the 16-foot channel in deepening it to 18 feet at mean low water, and increasing the width at such places as would best serve the interests of navigation. The latest published map is in House Document No. 1283, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during the fiscal year.-No works of im- provement or maintenance were in progress during the fiscal year. The expenditures were $30.33 for contingencies in connection with the supervision of private and State improvements and are charged to maintenance. Condition at end of fscal year.-The project was completed dur- ing the fiscal year 1913. The channel between Providence and Phil- lipsdale had a usable depth of 16 feet, between Phillipsdale and Pawtucket 15 feet, and between the wharves at Pawtucket from 15 to 18 feet at mean low tide. The head of navigation is at Pawtucket Falls, about 5.2 miles above the mouth of the river. The expendi- ture under the existing project has been $164,573.40 for new work and $7,565.69 for maintenance, a total of $172,139.09. In addition there was expended $67,792 for new work from contributed funds, a grand total of both United States and contributed funds of $239,- 931.09. Local cooperation.-The river and harbor act of March 2, 1907, required that the State of Rhode Island or other agency should con- tribute $67,792, which was complied with. Terminal facilities.-Including the wharves at Phillipsdale, two in number, these cover about 4,540 feet of docking space, of which 700 feet is owned by the State of Rhode Island and 3,840 feet owned and used by private owners. Of the latter some portions are at times used by the public' upon payment of wharfage. The two wharves at Phillipsdale have near-by rail connections in the yards of the owners. The other wharves are not conveniently located for rail connection. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-So far as known the improvement has had no effect on freight rates, but the increased width and depth in the channel enables vessels of larger size to reach Pawtucket, and has enabled one of the large manufacturing plants at Phillipsdale to bring its coal and raw material from New York points in its own vessels to Phillipsdale. Proposed operations.-Owing to war conditions it is proposed to defer the work of maintenance dredging with the funds appro- priated by the river and harbor act of July 18, 1918. The project has been completed. No estimate is submitted for additional funds, as those available are believed to be sufficient, Recommended modifications of project.-The widening of the channel 50 feet, making it 150 feet wide and 16 feet deep between the 170 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. ledge at Pawtucket and Red Bridge, Providence, at an estimated cost of $61,440, is recommended in the report published in House Document No. 1283, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the river consists of coal lumber, and other building material, oil, shellfish, and iron and steel products. About 86 per cent of the total freight tonnage was carried chiefly in barges with a draft of from 7 to 15 feet. Of the total ton- nage, 74 per cent is carried over the improved portion of Paw- tucket River. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.......,........... 520,757 $6,196, 134.01 1916.................... . 510, 614 10, 856, 718. 16 914 ..................... 477, 413 6,568,853.56 1917..... .............. 490,594 12,548,054.02 1915..................... 458, 362 5, 677, 875.99 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $51.47. New work-------------------- --------------------- $499, 018. 31 Maintenance------------------------------------------- 7, 565. 69 Net total expended---------------------------------- 506, 584. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------- 516, 584. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work....................................:......... ................... Expended for maintenance 2......... $1,754.17 $5, 424.01 $16.67 $340.51 $30.33 Appropriated or allotted......................................... .... ............................ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended 30. 33 $---------------------- June 30, 1918, amount expended during' fiscal year, for maintenance_ 30. 33 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918- 10, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919------------ 10, 000. 00 9. HARBOR OF REFUGE AT POINT JUDITH, R. I. (B4). Location and description.-PointJudith is the southern extremity of the township of Narragansett, R. I., and marks the southwestern entrance to Narragansett Bay. It is about 50 miles westerly from the harbor of Vineyard Haven on the island of Marthas Vineyard, and about 23 miles easterly from Stonington Harbor, Conn. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts No. 1107 and No. 1108. The harbor is formed by a main detached breakwater in front of a curve in the shore line to the westward of Point Judith, and two shore-arm breakwaters, one to the east and the other to the west of the main breakwater. It is roughly triangular in shape and extends at its farthermost southerly point, about 6,600 feet from the shore. 1 In addition to this amount the sum of $67,792 has been expended from contributed funds. 'Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. 171 Original condition.-The only protection to the site of the harbor was the mainland to the north. A long ledge, known as Squid Ledge, projects over a mile from shore in a direction south by east about 1.5 miles west of the point. This locality was dangerous for vessels to pass during a storm, especially for the light-built barges transporting coal from New York Bay points to Narragansett Bay. Previous projects.-None. Emisting project.-This provides for a main breakwater to be built in part on Squid Ledge approximately in the form of the letter V, with its apex facing outward in about a south by west direction and lying from one-half to 14 miles from shore; for an easterly shore-arm breakwater to be built to the eastward of the main breakwater, leav- ing an entrance to the harbor 1,200 feet in width; and for a westerly shore-arm breakwater extending out from shore toward the west arm of the main breakwater, leaving an entrance to the harbor 1,500 feet in width. All breakwaters are of the rubble mound type, with the crest 10 feet above mean low water. The mean range of the tide is about 4 feet, increased to 4.7 feet at times of spring tides; the tidal planes are subject to irregular fluctuations due to storms amounting at times to 2 or 3 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1910, is $2,485,000. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $12,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of September 19, 1890, provided for the main breakwater (H. Doc. No. 66, 51st Cong., 1st sess.); the act of June 13, 1902, provided for extending the eastern breakwater to the shore (II. Doc. No. 53, 55th Cong.,. 1st sess.) ; the acts of March 3, 1905, and March 2, 1907, provided for the extension of the east breakwater both shoreward and seaward (H. Doc. No. 60, 58th Cong., 2d sess.); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for a western shore arm (H. Doc. No. 911, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in House Document No. 2001, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No work has been in progress during the fiscal year. The total expenditures for the year were $1,592.28, all of which was for contingencies. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed dur- ing the fiscal year 1915. There had been created a harbor which is fairly suitable for sailing vessels, but has poor holding ground. A reef near the central part, over which there is a minimum depth of 13.5 feet, limits the area available for deeper draft vessels. The limited usable area of the harbor because of shoals, and the exposure of the eastern entrance to the east and south storms of Block Island Sound lessen the advantages of the harbor to commerce. The ex- penditure was $2,335,281.12 for new work and $232,971.19 was for maintenance, a total of $2,568,252.31. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-None. Effect of improvement.-So far as known, the improvement has had no effect on freight rates, but the harbor forms a fairly good refuge for vessels during fogs and storms. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to use the available balance in repairs to the breakwater as may be required. The rate at which 172 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. funds will be used is dependent upon the amount of damage that may occur. No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as those on hand are believed to be sufficient to -complete such further repairs as may be required by another winter's storms. Recommended modifications of the project.-The removal of two shoal areas within the harbor to a depth of 18 feet at mean low water at an estimated cost of $35,000 is recommended in the report published in House Document No. 2001, Sixty-fourth Congress, sec- ond session. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-During the calendar year 1917, the num- ber of vessels using the harbor was 531. No means are available for ascertaining the cargoes of these vessels, but their general char- acter was that of small freight schooners, fishermen, anti barges. Estimate of number of vessels using Point Judith Harbor. Sloops, Govern- Year. Schooners. Tugs. Steamers. Barges. catboats, yawls, ment Total. boats. etc. 1913...................... 442 26 22 60 235 21 811 1914 .......... ........ 374 16 19 37 213 18 677 1915 ............. ......... 405 11 18 24 274 24 756 1916 ...................... 293 46 21 184 417 16 977 1917 .................... 417 14 19 17 49 15 531 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $521.84: New work ---------------------------------------- $2, 335, 281. 12 Maintenance --------------------------------------- 232, 971. 19 Net total expended-------------_ 2, 568, 252. 31 Total appropriations to date of this report__-__------ -- ___ 2, 588, 443. 35 year ending June 30. Fiscal 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work' ................. $179, 512.96 $90, 411.15 .... .. ..... ........... ..... . Expended for maintenance 1........... 13, 516. 94 69, 808. 00 37, 780. 74 869, 378. 97 $1, 592. 28 Total expended 193,029.90 . ...................... 160, 219.15 7, 780.74 69, 378.97 1, 592.28 Appropriated orallotted.................... 75,000.00 ................................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended______----------__-_____ $21, 771. 02 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 ____________-- 12. 30 21, 783. 32 June 30, - 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for mainte- nance . - - - - - - - - - - - - 1, 592. 28 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_ -___ ___--- - -_____ 20, 191. 04 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities----------------------------- 232. 50 July 1, 1918, balance available, only for maintenance - 19, 958. 54 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HIARBORS-NEWPORT, B. I., DISTRICT. 173 10. HARBOR OF REFUGE AT BLOCK ISLAND, R. I. (B5). Location and description.-Thisharbor is on the east side of Block Island, near the south end of the inner curve of the shore line, and varies in width from about 1,200 to 200 feet in an easterly and westerly direction in a length of about 1,800 feet north and south, and is protected from the southeast to north by breakwaters. It is 13 miles south by west from Point Judith Harbor and about 25 miles southeasterly from Stonington Harbor, Conn. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1108. Originalcondition.-The site of the harbor was on the ocean shore, unprotected except by the shore line of the island, which formed a partial shelter from southerly and westerly storms. There was no natural harbor on the island, and the small boats used by the fisher- men were hauled up on the beach by oxen for safety during storms. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a harbor of refuge, on the easterly side of Block Island, protected on the east by a rubble mound stone breakwater extending out about 1,950 feet from shore, and on the west by a similar breakwater inclosing an area about 800 feet square designated as the inner harbor. The portion of the protected area outside of the western breakwater is designated as the outer harbor. A small area nearly 300 feet square in the southeastern cor- ner of the harbor is designated as the basin. The outer harbor and about 67 per cent of the inner harbor and of the basin are to be dredged to a depth of 15 feet at mean low water. The mean range of the tide is about 3 feet, increased to 3.6 feet at spring tides; the tidal planes are subject to irregular fluctuations, due to storms, amounting to 2 or 3 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1912, is $596,174. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of July 11, 1870, provided Jor the construction of a breakwater (Annual Report for 1868, p. 785, and S. Misc. Doc. No. 81, 40th Cong., 2d sess.); the act of June 14, 1880, provided for dredging in the basin; and the act of August 2, 1882, provided for a jetty to the eastward of the main breakwater and a masonry wall to replace the original eastern crib (S. Doc. No. 26, 47th Cong., 1st sess.) ; the act of July 5, 1884, provided for filling a gap in the main breakwater; the act of August 5, 1886, provided for an enlarged in- ner harbor (S. Doc. No. 27, 48th Cong., 2d sess.) and (Annual Re- port for 1885, p. 610); the act of June 3, 1896, provided for raising the crest of the main breakwater and making it sand-tight (H. Doc. No. 3, 54th Cong. 1st sess.); the act of June 25, 1912, provided for rebuilding the old walls of the basin and in dredging the anchorage area (H.-Doc. No. 828, 60th Cong., 1st sess.) The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-These consisted of the removal of certain large bowlders in the vicinity of the entrance chan- nel, by hiring plant and labor. The total expenditures during the fiscal year were $2,990.36 for maintenance and contingencies. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 92 per cent of the existing project had been completed. The breakwaters and harbor walls have all been built; there has been dredged a channel from the ocean 174 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. to the wharf owned by the town, 1,400 feet in length, 15 feet deep at mean low water, and from 60 to 130 feet in width, and the portions of the inner harbor and basin included within the project have been dredged to the same depth. The controlling depth is about 14 feet at mean low water. The expenditures are $574,400.36 for new work and $53,907.18 for maintenance, a total of $628,307.54. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-These consist of one wharf publicly owned with about 500 feet of docking space and one privately owned and used with about 180 feet of docking space. In addition fishermen in small boats land their fares alongside the basin walls. Effect of improvement.-So far as known, no effect has been pro- duced on freight rates, but the deepening and widening of the chan nel allows vessels of greater draft and size to reach the wharves. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to retain the balance avail- able subject to any call for maintenance which is liable to occur at this harbor from severe storms. No estimate is submitted at this time for further funds, as it is believed that the work already done may. fully meet the demands of commerce. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics. The commerce of the island consists chiefly of fish, coal, oil, lumber and other building materials, and general merchandise. The total arrivals and departures of vessels of all kinds is estimated at 9,145, of which 3,957 were regular-line steam- boats, fishing vessels, freight schooners, and yachts, and 5,188 were small fishing and pleasure boats. The increase in the freight ton- nage is due to the discontinuance of some of the transportation lines to the Great Salt Pond Harbor and greater activity of the existing lines to this harbor. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913....................... 10,416 $500,573.25 1916.................... 5,129 $381,427.20 1914.............. ..... 7,661 399,667.75 1917................... . 8,282 992,920.00 1915.................... 5,976 236,986.50 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $209.96: New work --- $574, 400. 36 $------------- Maintenance ------------ --------------------------- 53, 907. 18 Net total expended - - - - -- - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 628, 307. 54 Total appropriations to date of this report -635, 566. 74 6-------------- Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 .. . . . . . . . . . . . Expended for new work 1 .. $20, 144. 65 $28,450. 52 $37,741.15 .. Expended for maintenance 1............... . ........ ..... 5,400.55 2,223. 53 2,990. 36 total expended.................... 20,144.65 28, 450. 52 43,141.70 $2, 223.53 $2, 990.36 ............................................. Appropriated or allotted................. 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS---NEWPORT, R. I., DISTRICT. 175 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ------ --------------------- $10, 249. 56 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 2, 990. 36 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------7,259.20 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project - -------------------------------------- 1 52,000. 00 11. GREAT SALT POND, BLOCK ISLAND, R. I. (B6). Location and description.-Great.Salt Pond is located near the central part of the island of Block Island and is 121 miles southwest- erly from the harbor of refuge at Point Judith and 20 miles south- easterly from Stonington Harbor, Conn. It is a body of water ap- proximately 1.25 miles long and about 0.6 of a mile wide. Its great- est depth is about 60 feet, and it has an area of about 150 acres exceeding 18 feet in depth. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1108. Original condition.-It was a large pond with brackish water, separated from the ocean on the west side by a narrow strip of beach. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel from the ocean to the pond 600 feet wide with a central depth of 25 feet for a width of 150 feet, sloping gradually up to a depth of 12 feet in a width of 504 feet and thence up to the low-water level with a bottom slope of 1 on 4. The outer entrance of the channel is to be protected on the south by a jetty extending 350 feet beyond the 18-foot contour and on the north by a jetty about 1,200 feet long. The banks through the original beach are to be protected by stone revetments and sand fences. The mean tidal variation is about 3 feet, increased to 3.6 feet during spring tides; the tidal planes are subject to irregular fluctuations due to storms amounting to 2 or 3 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1902, is $305,000. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,500. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 3, 1896, provided for dredging the channel and building jetties (H. Doc. No. 57, 54th Cong., 1st sess); the act of June 13, 1902, provided for an extension of the jetties and sand fences (Annual Report for 1900, p. 1276). The latest published map is in House Document No. 60, Fifty-eighth Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No works of improve- ment were in progress during the fiscal year pending the result of the reconsideration of the project. The expenditures were $669.18 for contingencies and survey. Condition at end of fiscal year-About 58 per cent of the general project has been completed, resulting in a channel 300 feet wide and 18 feet deep with a central depth of 25 feet over a width of 150 feet. The length of the channel from the pond to the ocean is about 3,000 feet. Some deterioration in depth and width of the channel has taken place, the minimum usable depth in the central part being about 23 feet at mean low water. The expenditure was $189,036.65 for new work and $22,468.16 for maintenance, a total of $211,504.81. Local cooperation.-The project was adopted without special con- ditions being imposed, but the State of Rhode Island and town of 1 Exclusive of available funds. 176 BRPORT OF CHIEP OF ENGIN , U.. ARMY, 1918. New Shoreham appropriated and expended $100,000 in the com- mencement of the work. Terminal facilities.-These consist of one privately owned wharf with a docking space of 575 feet for public use on payment of wharf- age and several small wharves, privately owned, around the shores of the pond. Effect of improvement.-So far as known, no effect has been pro- duced on freight rates by the improvement. The accessibility of the pond gives to vessels a harbor of refuge with an entrance channel of good, width and depth and has afforded means of reaching vessels in distress that could not have been reached from the open shore. Proposed operations.-Owing to war conditions no work is pro- posed other than such emergency maintenance work as may arise. No estimate is submitted for additional funds as those available are believed to be sufficient. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.--The commerce of the harbor consists chiefly of fish, coal, oil, lumber, and other building material, and general merchandise. The total arrivals and departures of vessels was 8,148, of which 5,767 were vessels on regular lines, freight, oyster, and fish- ing vessels and yachts, and 2,381 small power and sailing vessels used in fishing and Government and pleasure launches. The decrease in the freight tonnage is due to the discontinuance of four steamboat lines, one each from New York and New London, and two from Providence, due to war conditions. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................... 11,225 $766,490.20 1916.................... 17, 663 $1, 331, 963.20 1914................... 10,160 710,481.55 1917......................... 7,736 519,669.00 1915................... . 9,680 600,656.50 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ---------------------------- --------- $189, 036. 65 Maintenance------------------------------------------ 22, 468.16 Net total expended --------------------------------- 211, 504. 81 Total appropriations to date of this report -------------------- 38, 035. 63 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ......................................................... --- Expended for maintenance................. $2,369.16............ $430.24 $0.60 $669.18 Appropriated or allotted. ........ ...... ......................................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended __ ---------------- ------ $27, 200. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 669. 18 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_______--------------------- 26, 530. 82 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project --------------------------------------- 175, 000. 00 1 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEWPORT, a I., DISTRICT. 177 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP B. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2,946.10: New work_--------------------------------------------- $7, 467, 950. 23 Maintenance --------------------------------------------- 444, 294. 99 Net total expended------------------------------------ 7, 912, 245. 22 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------8, 301, 240. 70 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.................. l336, 412.01 8433,123.30 $395,612.38 $61,237.06 $29, 012.98 Expended for maintenance ............ 20,179. 09 75, 232. 01 16,855.36 124,539.12 8, 519. 36 Total expended 1 .................... 356, 591. 10 508,355.31 412,467.74 185,776.18 37,532.34 Appropriated or allotted....... ............ 500,000.00 75,000.00 ......................................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------------$415, 981.92 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918------------------ 545. 90 416, 527. 82 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year:1 For new work---------$------------------------ $29, 012. 98 For maintenance-------------------------------- 8, 519. 36 37,532. 34 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--------------------------_---- 378, 995. 48 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------17, 247. 65 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts 241, 716. 89 258, 964. 54 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance ------------- 120, 030. 94 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918--------------------------------------------------------10, 000.00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 ------------ 130, 030. 94 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project---------------------------- ---- 127, 000. 00 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS REQUIRED BY THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACTS APPROVED JULY 27, 1916, AND AUGUST 8, 1917. The local engineer was charged with the duty of making prelimi- nary examinations and surveys provided for by the river and harbor acts of July 27, 1916, and August 8, 1917, as follows, and reports thereon will be duly submitted when received: 1. Buzzards Bay, Mass., and approaches to Cape Cod Canal. 2. Providence Harbor, R. I. 3. Pawtucket River, R. I., with a view to increasing the width of channel through the ledge near Pawtucket. The Division Engineer, Northeast Division, was charged with the duty of making a preliminary examination and survey, provided for in the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, of Waterway con- necting Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay, Mass. (Cape Cod Canal), and reports thereon will be duly submitted when received. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. * Exclusive of available funds. 81116---ENG 1918-----12 178 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEEBS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. This district includes the river and harbor improvements in Con- necticut, including the Pawcatuck River, Conn. and R. I., and the Connecticut River, Conn. and Mass. District engineer: Col. S. W. Roessler, United States Army, retired. Division engineers: Col. Frederic V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, to October 11, 1917; thereafter Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, United States Army, retired. IMPROVEMENTS. [The letters and figures in parentheses after the titles indicate the group and the nu- merical order in the group to which the respective improvements belong for purposes of appropriation.] Page. Page. 1. Pawcatuck River, R. I. and 11. Breakwaters at New Haven, Conn (Al)................. 178 Conn. (C4)............ ... 204 2. Stonington Harbor, Conn. (A2) 181 12. Milford Harbor, Conn. (C5) ... 205 3. Mystic River, Conn. (A3) ..... 182 13. Housatonic River, Conn. (C6). 208 4. New London Harbor, Conn. 14. Bridgeport Harbor, Conn. (C7). 211 (A4)....... .. ...... 184 15. Southport Harbor, Conn. (C08). 215 5. Thames River, Conn. (A5) .... 187 16. Westport Harbor and Sauga- 6. Connecticut River, above tuck River, Conn. (09). .. 217 Hartford, Conn. (Bi)....... 190 17. Norwalk Harbor, Conn. (C10).. 219 7. Connecticut River, below 18. Fivemile River Harbor, Conn. Hartford, Conn. (B2) ...... 192 (011).. . ...... -...... 221 8. Duck Island Harbor, Conn. 19. Stamford Harbor, Conn. (12). 223 (C1)........... ......... 196 20. Greenwich Harbor, Conn. (C13) 226 9. Branford Harbor, Conn. (C2).. 199 10. New Haven Harbor, Conn. (03)................... 200 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE PAGES 2009 TO 2094. STONINGTON AND NEW LONDON HARBORS, CONN., PAWCATUCK RIVER, R. I. AND CONN., AND MYSTIC AND THAMES RIVERS, CONN. (GROUP A.) 1. PAWCATUCK RIVER, R. I. AND CONN. (Al.) Location and description.-This river is formed by the junction of the Wood and Charles Rivers in southwestern Rhode Island and flows westerly and southerly 18 miles and enters Little Narragan- sett Bay about 13 miles east of New London Harbor. Its drain- age area is about 300 square miles. The discharge is not known. The lower 9 miles is the boundary between Rhode Island and Con- necticut. The river is tidal to Westerly, R. I., 5 miles from the mouth. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original-condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth was 44 feet through the bay; in the river the depth was 1 to 1 feet and the channel was crooked and obstructed by numerous shoals and rocks. The head of navigation was and is at Westerly, 5 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1871, and modified by the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886. The amount expended prior to operations under the existing project was $97,500.01, all applied to new work. For further details of previous projects see page 1752 of Annual Report for 1915. Emisting project.-This provides for a channel in Little Narra- gansett Bay and in the river 10 feet deep and 200 feet wide from RIVERS AND'HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 179 Stonington to Avondale, about 4 miles; 100 feet wide from Avon- dale to the lower wharves at Westerly, about-3 miles; and 40 feet wide between the lower and upper wharves of Westerly, about one-half mile; and for the removal of obstructions at Watch Hill, at the southeastern part of Little Narragansett Bay. The plane of reference is mean, low water, the mean tidal range beihg 2.6 feet at the mouth of the river and 2.3 feet at the head of naviga- tion; the maximum range due to the combined effect of wind and other causes is 7 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1913, is $149,732.97, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $600, to be appropriated in sums of $3,000 at intervals of five years. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 3, 1896, provided for the present channel dimensions (H. Doc. No. 62, 54th Cong., 1st sess.); the act of March 3. 1905, provided for the removal of obstructions at Watch Hill. The latest published map is in the project docu- ment. Operations and results during fiscal yea.-Operations were con- fined to the removal of one snag from the channel at Westerly under open market agreement at a cost of $25. Expenditures amounted to $104.40, all applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 74 per cent completed. The channels have been dredged to project dimen- sions, except that the channel in the bay has a general width of 100 feet, the channel in the river at Pawcatuck Rocks a width of 80 feet, and there is a shoal in the vicinity of Rhodes Folly beacon due to bowlders deeply embedded in the bottom. The most ob- structive bowlders in the vicinity of Watch Hill have been removed, the work being completed in 1913. The controlling depths are 9 feet to Westerly. and 6 feet to Watch Hill. The work required to complete the project is the widening of the channel to 200 feet to Avondale and the removal of rock at Pawcatuck Rocks and in the vicinity of Rhodes Folly beacon. The expenditure under the existing project has been $82,529.62 for new work and $16,946.86 for maintenance, a total of $99,476.48. Local cooperation.-None required by law. Obstructive bowlders have been removed from the bay, at Watch Hill by the Watch Hill Improvement Association at a cost of $1,025. Terminal facilities.-This improvement serves 22 bulkhead and-pile wharves, of which one is owned by the town of Westerly and several others are open to public use. There are no physical connections be- tween the railroad and these terminals. The facilities are consid- ered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.--The improvement affords the town of Westerly the benefit of water transportation, which could not be carried on under modern conditions in the river in its natural state. The improvement has resulted in a reduction of the water rates on bulk commodities. Proposed operations.-Itis proposed to apply the available funds to maintenance dredging in Little Narragansett Bay and at West- 180 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. erly, and to the removal of bowlders from the channel in the vicinity of Rhodes Folly, in acordance with the following estimate: Dredging 11,000 cubic yards, at 50 cents---------- $5, 500 Administration, inspection, and contingencies-- --------- ------ 427 For maintenance---------- - ------------------ 5,927 'Removing 110 cubic yards of bowlders, at $20- ___- -- __--2, 200 Administration, inspection, and contingencies ---- __-------300 Total estimate_ __---_____________------------------------ 8,427 Due to war 'conditions it is proposed not to expend these funds until such time as normal conditions prevail unless the demands of navigation sooner justify the expenditure. No estimate for maintenance is submitted for the fiscal year end- ing June 30, 1920, for the reason that if the expenditure of the above funds is made necessary before that date the channel- will be placed in suitable condition to meet the reasonable demands of commerce dur- ing that period. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year were coal, lumber, sand, and paving blocks, carried prin- cipally in canal boats and box barges drawing from 7 to 10 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers. 1913.......... 56,400 $351,509.01 8,000 1916.......... 58,854 $607, 008.59 9, 800 1914.......... 47, 506 331, 949.25 7, 000 1917.......... .40,506 617,117.00 6, 500 1915.......... 39, 073 494, 752.69 9,800 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $631.27: New work _--- _$----------------------------------- 180,029. 63 Maintenance ---------------------------------------- 16,946.86 Net total expended----------------------------------196, 976. 49 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 205, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1916 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work1............... $3, 846.21............2,429.99........ ... Expended for maintenance ............. 150.36 $211.07 714.67 $390.33 $104.40 Total expended1.................. 3,996.57 211.07 3,144.66 390.33 104.40 Appropriated or allotted...................l............1 1,000.00 1,000.00 ............ 4,500.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------------- $1, 627. 91 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917------------- --------------------------------- 4, 500. 00 6, 127. 91 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 104. 40 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----------------------------- 6, 023. 51 RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 181 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ---------------------------- $95. 61 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance------------- 5,927. 90 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 2, 500. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919---------- 8, 427. 90 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project--------------------------------------- 164, 703. 27 2. STONINGTON HARBOR, CONN. (A2). Location and description.-This harbor is located on the north shore of Fishers Island Sound near its outlet to the ocean and about 9 miles east of New London Harbor, and is a small bay about 1 mile long and one-half mile wide, protected by two breakwaters. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-Originally exposed to southerly storms, the minimum usable depths were 17 feet at entrance, 12 feet midway up the harbor, and 6 feet opposite wharves. The head of navigation was immediately above the inner wharves, about 1 mile from the entrance. Previous projeats.-The original project was adopted by the. river and harbor act of May 23, 1828. The amount expended prior to operations under the existing project was $36,953.83, all for new work. For further details of previous project see page 1753 of An- nual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for two riprap breakwaters, one about 2,000 feet long at the westerly side of the harbor entrance, and the other about half a mile long, extending from the vicinity of Bartletts Reef to the vicinity, of Middle Ground Shoal; for a sea wall around Stonington Point; for a channel about 500 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 17 feet deep across Noyes Shoal; and for the dredging of the inner harbor and its approaches to a depth of 12 feet. The head of navigation is about 1 mile from the entrance. The plane of ref- erence is mean low water, the mean tidal range being 2.7 feet, and the maximum range, due to the combined effect of wind and other causes, 7 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1896, is $347,500, ex- clusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500, to be appropriated in sums of $5,000 at intervals of 10 years. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 3, 1873, provided for the dredging in the inner harbor (S. Doc. No. 23, 42d Cong., 2d sess.); the act of March 3, 1875, provided for a western breakwater (Annual Report for 1875); the act of June 14, 1880, provided for the eastern break- water (Annual Report for 1881); the act of August 18, 1894, pro- vided for the dredging across Noyes Shoal (Annual Reports for 1893 and 1895); the act of June 3, 1896, provided for the sea wall at Stonington Point (Annual Report for 1896, p. 664). For the latest published map see page 700, Annual Report for 1895. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1897 except that the channel across Noyes Shoal was made 160 feet Exclusive of available tand. 182 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. wide instead of 200 feet. The breakwaters are in fair repair. The controlling depths in the outer harbor are 15 to 18 feet and in the inner harbor about 11 feet. The total expenditure under the exist- ing project has been, for new work, $300,500; for maintenance, $6,000; total, $306,500. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are seven pile wharves on the easterly side of the harbor. Two of these are open for public use. There is no publicly owned terminal. Direct rail connection is provided at two wharves. The facilities are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The breakwaters serve a most useful pur- pose in providing a harbor of refuge for vessels passing through Fishers Island Sound. The effect of the improvement on freight rates can not be definitely stated. Proposed operations.-No estimate of funds is submitted and no operations are proposed, as the breakwaters are in fair repair and the channels satisfactorily meet the demands of commerce. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The local commerce of Stonrington Harbor is small and not recorded, the harbor being essentially a harbor of refuge. During the calendar year 1915 473 vessels, mainly barges and schooners, drawing from 7 to 15 feet, sought refuge here; no such record was kept for the calendar year 1917. Financialsumnmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $210.22: New work ----------------------------------------- $337, 453. 83 Maintenance ------------ ------------------------------- 6, 000. 00 Net total expended -------------- 343, 453. 83 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------343, 453. 83 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................................................................... ........ Expended for maintenance 1 .. . ......... ...... $4,284.18 $1,926.04 ... .. .. .......... Appropriated or allotted ........... . ..... . ......... ........................ 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 3. MYSTIC RIVER, CONN. (A3). Location and description.-This river has its source in south- eastern Connecticut, flows in a southerly direction 8 miles and emp- ties into Fishers Island Sound at Noank, 5 miles east of New Lon- don; its drainage is about 27 square miles. No record of discharge is available. The portion under improvement is narrow, crooked, and tidal. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth was 15 feet to about one-half mile below Mystic; thence 10 feet for 1.3 miles; and thence 6 feet for one-third mile farther to the head of navigation. RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRIOT. 183 Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, and was completed in 1900 at a total cost of $36,600, all for new work. For further details of original project see page 1753 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 100 feet wide and 15 feet deep from Fishers Island Sound to the highway bridge at Mystic, about 21 miles, and the reducing of five bends in the nat- ural channel; and a channel having a general width of 100 feet and 12 feet deep from the highway bridge at Mystic northerly about one-half mile to a point 700 feet above the wharf of the Mystic Manufacturing Co. The plane of reference is mean low water. The mean tidal range is 2.5 feet, and the maximum range due to the combined effect of wind and other causes is 7 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $11,660, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $400, to be appro- priated in sums of $2,000 at intervals of five years. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts. .The act of September 19, 1890, provided for the present channel dimensions up to the highway bridge at Mystic (original project) (Annual Report for 1889, p. 746); the act of July 25, 1912, provided for restoring and maintaining the original project (H. Doc. No. 858, 61st Cong., 2d sess.) ; the act of March 4, 1913, provided for the present channel dimensions above the highway bridge at Mystic (H. Doc. No. 637, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). For map see House Document No. 56, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 98.3 per cent completed. A channel of project dimensions has been secured up to the highway bridge, and of project depth, but slightly deficient in width, from the highway bridge one-half mile upstream, the work being completed in 1913. The controlling depth to the highway bridge is 14.5 feet, thence to the head of the improved channel, 11.5 feet. The work required to complete the project is the widening by from 5 to 10 feet of the channel above the highway bridge. The total expenditure under the existing project to the end of the fiscal year has been $11,525.50 for new work, and $134.50 for maintenance, a total of $11,660. Local cooperation.--None. Terminal facitities.-There are a number of small wharves on the west side of the harbor at Noank. and on both sides of the river at Mystic. These are the usual bulkhead and pile-apron construction. Cargo-handling devices on all are very simple and railroad connec- tions are lacking. There is a publicly owned wharf at Noank over which practically all of the water-borne traffic of the town passes. Three of the Mystic wharves are open to public use; the remaining are private. There is no publicly owned terminal. The facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to facilitate navigation. The most recent improvement, that above the highway bridge, resulted in a reduction of 5 cents per ton in water freight rates. 184 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. . ARMY, 1918. Proposed operations.-No estimate of funds is submitted and no operations are proposed, as the channels are in good condition and appear to satisfactorily meet the demands of commerce. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal item of freight for the cal- endar year was coal, carried principally in barges drawing from 9 to 12 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913....................... 50,888 $260,704.85 1916..................... 22,153 $120,523.43 1914 ....................... 50,983 130,929.60 1917..................... 26,193 214,069.00 1915. ................. 49, 668 144,412.17 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $152.41: New work-------------------------------------------$48, 125. 50 Maintenance------------------------------------------- 134.50 Net total expended________-- -- _____---- 48, 260. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report _________________ 48, 260. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 . . . .. . . .. . ..... Expended for new work 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . ... . $7,922.77......................... Expended for maintenance , 78.41 $36.68 571.87..................... .... ......... 8, 001.18 Total expended 1........ ..... 136.63 71.87 .... .................... Appropriated or allotted.................................... ................................ 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 4. NEW LONDON HABOR, CONN. (A4). Location and description.-This harbor is on the north shore of Long Island Sound, at its eastern end, and about 14 miles east of the mouth of the Connecticut River. It comprises the lower 3 miles of the Thames River, including Shaws and Winthrops Coves, both lying on the westerly side near its head, and is from about one-fourth to 11 miles wide. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth in the main channel to the head of the harbor was 26 feet for a width from about one-eighth to one-half mile; along the New London dock front, 10 to 15 feet; in Shaws Cove, 21 to 8 feet; and in Winthrops Cove, 7 to 14 feet. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880, as a part of the improvement of the Thames River, and as a separate project by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881. A project for Shaws Cove, as a part of the im- provement of the Thames River, was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892. The amount expended prior to operations under the existing project was $19,800 applied to new work in New London RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 185 Harbor and $21,000 applied to new work in Shaws Cove, a total of $40,800. For further details of previous projects, see page 1753 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for an entrance channel 600 feet 'wide, 33 feet deep, and about 3J miles long from Long Island Sound to the natural deep water in the upper harbor; a channel 400 feet or more in width, 23 feet deep, and about 6,000 feet long skirting the water front of the city, and for dredging Shaws Cove to a depth of 15 feet. The plane of reference is mean low water, the mean tidal range being 2.4 feet. The maximum tidal range, due to the com- bined effects of wind and other causes, is 7 feet or more. The esti- mate of cost for new work, revised in 1914, is $487,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1914) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $3,300. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 13, 1902, provided for the water-front channel (H. Doc. No. 392, 56th Cong., 1st sess.); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for dredging in Shaws Cove (H. Doc. No. 329, 60th Cong., 1st sess.) ; the act of July 27, 1916, provided for the en- trance channel (H. Doc. No. 613, 63d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Work on the entrance channel, with Government plant, which was in progress at the be- ginning of the fiscal year, was suspended on July 14. Dredging was confined to the westerly half of the outer end of the channel. At the close of dredging a depth of 30 feet was available for a width of approximately 500 feet, except for a short length southeast of New London Light, where the width varies from 200 to 300 feet. A total of 76,753 cubic yards of material, hopper measurement, was removed at a cost, including administration and inspection, of ap- proximately $10,177. The expenditures were $52,880.62 for new work and $644.88 for maintenance, a total of $53,525.50. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 71.5 per cent completed. The channels along the water front and in Shaws Cove were completed in 1913. The entrance channel is about 58 per cent completed. The controlling depths at mean low water are: Entrance channel, 30 feet; channel along the water front, 22 feet; Shaws Cove, 14.5 feet. The expenditures under the existing project have been $312,435.53 for new work and $3,069.45 for maintenance, a total of $315,504.98. Local cooperation.-Pursuantto a provision in the river and har- bor act of July 27, 1916, requiring local cooperation precedent to the expenditure of funds appropriated in accordance with the report in House Document No. 613, Sixty-third Congress, second session, the State of Connecticut has completed the essential portions of its terminal development consisting of a pier 1,000 feet by 200 feet, equipped with storage-warehouse, cargo-handling, and railroad facilities and approach channels and vessel berths affording depths of 35 feet at mean low water. Expenditure of funds appropriated by the above act was authorized by the Secretary of War September 8, 1916. The amount expended by the State for this development is approximately $1,000,000. Terminal facilities.-The wharves served by this improvement are, with a few exceptions, of pile and timber construction. On the west 186 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. side of the harbor there are several wharves directly connected with the railroads and nearly all provided with transfer facilities. The remaining wharves are generally smaller and are equipped to serve the business of the owner or operator only. The total developed shore frontage is about 1 miles. Of the total number, five wharves are publicly owned and five are open to public use. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement. The effect of the improvement has been to materially reduce rates on water-borne freight. Proposed operations.-With the available funds it is proposed to complete dredging the entrance channel. It is expected that work will be done by Government plant as soon as suitable plant is avail- able for the purpose, in accordance with the following estimate: Operation and rental of seagoing hopper dredge for 9 months at $17,000 per month ---------------------------------------------- $153, 000 Administration, inspection, and contingencies---------------------- 16, 830 Total -------------------------------------- - 169, 830 No estimate for maintenance during the fiscal year 1920 is sub- mitted, is the water-front channel and Shaws Cove are in such condi- tion as to satisfactorily meet the needs of present and reasonably prospective commerce for at least two more years. Recommended modifications of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.--Con- necticut Shipping Terminal at New London. Alternative and adopted designs, with illustrations. Engineering News, vol. 74, No. 22. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year were general merchandise, coal, sand, gravel, stone, and lumber, carried principally in steamers, barges, and schooners draw- ing from 12 to 22 feet. Most of the commerce of this harbor is handled on a draft of about' 15 feet; however, schooners and large barges drawing 18 to 22 feet are not uncommon. Decreased tonnage is due to reduced traffic by steamboat lines. Comparative statement. Calendar Short tons. Value. Passengers. calendar Short tons. Value. Passengers. year. year. 1913...... 924,127$112,332,489.00 245,018 1916....... 849,746 $172,153,233.00 318,505 1914.. 824,095 102,871,515.53 261,945 1917....... 690,977 210,423,517.00 183, 982 1915....... 786, 551 117,779,117.02 354,901 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects tb June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2: New work ---------------------------------------- $353, 235. 53 Maintenance ......- , -- 3, 069.45 Net total expended----------------------- ---- 356, 304. 98 Total appropriations to date of this report- ------------------ 526, 200. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 187 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ......... .................................... $107,224.36 $52,880.62 Expended for maintenance .............. $48.66 $383.75 $549.53 544.63 644.88 Total expended 1.................... 48.66 383.75 549.53 107,768.99 53,525.50 Appropriated or allotted .................. .. ....................... 170, 000.00 160,000.00 ' Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_____- ____-------____ $63, 420. 52 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917 160, 000. 00 223, 420. 52 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work ---------------------------------- $52, 880. 62 For maintenance ___ - _ 6_________-- 644. 88 53, 525. 50 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------------169, 895. 02 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities _________-_______________ 64. 18 July 1, 1918, balance available______________________________ 169, 830. 84 5. THAMES RIVER, CONN. (A5). Location and description.-This river is a tidal estuary varying in width from about 400 feet to three-fourths of a mile, and ex- tending from the junction of the Yantic and Shetucket Rivers at Norwich, Conn., 15 miles southerly to Long Island Sound at New London. The improvement includes the upper 12 miles,. the lower 3 miles being included under New London Harbor. The drainage area is about 1,465 square miles. The average discharge of the river at Norwich approximates 850 second-feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depths and widths were: New London to Bartletts Crossover, 4 miles, 26 feet deep and 250 feet wide; Bartletts Crossover to Allyns Point, 2 miles, 13 feet deep and 300 feet wide; and thence 6 miles to the head of navigation at Norwich, about 6 feet deep and generally narrow. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 4, 1836. The amount expended prior to op- erations under the existing project was $157,300, of which $10,000 was for maintenance. For further details of previous projects see page 1754 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 200 feet wide and 20 feet deep to Allyns Point; thence of same width and 14 deep to Norwich; the construction of five training walls, with their tops at mean high water, located, respectively, at Mohegan, pile and stone about 2'750 feet long, Trading Cove, riprap 2,325 feet long, Long Rock, riprap about 2,750 feet long, Rolling Mill, riprap about 3,300 feet long, and Norwich, riprap 1,050 feet long; and the removal of obstructions in the Shetucket River at Norwich. The plane of ref- erence is mean low water, the mean tidal range being 2.4 feet at New London and 3.1 at Norwich. The maximum range, due to the com- bined effect of wind and other causes, is 7 feet' or more. The esti- mate of cost for new work, revised in 1909, is $265,830, exclusive of 188 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1907) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $9,500. The existing project was authorized by the following river ana harbor acts: The act of August 2, 1882, provided for training walls and also finally for the present channel dimensions above Allyns Point (Annual Report for 1882, p. 606); the act of March 2, 1907, made final provision for the present channel dimensions up to Allyns Point (H. Doc. No. 265, 59th Cong., 2d sess.); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for the removal of obstructions in the She- tucket River (H. Doc. No. 397, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published maps are in the Annual Report for 1882, House Document No. 265, Fifty-ninth Congress, second session, and House Document No. 397, Sixty-first Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions. Expenditures were for administration and inspection, and amounted to $629.39, applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1912, the training walls having been completed in 1906, except the upper end of the Rolling Mill Dike, which is replaced by adjacent shore improvements. The controlling depths at mean low water June 30, 1918, are 20 feet to Allyns Point, thence to Norwich 13.5 feet, and 12 feet in the Shetucket River to the town dock. The expenditures under the existing project have been, $299,214.14 for new work, and $94,312.52 for maintenance; a total of $393,526.66. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption or modification of the project. In 1835-36 the Merchants' Bank of Norwich expended $3,679 in dredging channels in the vicinity of Norwich. Terminal facilities.-Wharves along the river and at Norwich are mainly of the bulkhead type both with and without pile aprons. Of these, three along the river and one at Norwich, have direct railroad connection and transfer facilities. There is an improved municipal wharf at Norwich and eight or more of the privately owned wharves are open to the public on equal terms. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The work done has reduced the cost of transportation by increasing the available draft from 8 feet to 16 and 22 feet. The river commerce of the present day could not be carried except for the increased depths thus obtained. Proposed operations.-As soon as normal conditions prevail, un- less the demands of navigation require an earlier expenditure, it is proposed to apply the available funds toward the restoration of the channel at Bartletts Crossover and between Allyns Point and Nor- wich to project dimensions, in accordance with the following esti- mate: Dredging 42,000 cubic yards at 30 cents ------------------------- $12, 600 Administration, inspection, and contingencies ------------------- 878 Total ------------------------------------------------- 13,478 When the work is in progress it is expected that expenditures will be at the rate of about $,000 per month. No estimate is submitted for maintenance during the fiscal year 1920 as, unless the expenditure of available funds is delayed beyond RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 189 that time, the funds available are thought to be sufficient to accom- plish the restoration of the channel to project dimensions. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year were coal, sand, and gravel, paper stock, general mer- chandise, petroleum products, and lumber, carried principally in steamers, barges, and schooners drawing from 12 to 21 feet. Above Allyns Point the bulk of the freight is carried in vessels of 12 to 13 feet draft; in the lower river the usual draft is 14 to 15 feet, with occasional cargoes up to 21 feet. The decrease in tonnage is largely due to coal shortage. Comparative statement. Calendar Short tons. Value. Passengers. Calendar Short tons. Value. Passengers, year. year. 1913........ 650,554 $9,114,246.54 66 651 1916......... 483,900 $11,436,713.29 25,637 1914........ 490,605 8 110,426.50 26,128 1917........ .328,188 13,043,737.00 4,602 1915........ 389,161 9,646, 479.75 29,200 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $861.64: New work ---------------------------------------------- $446, 514. 14 Maintenance---------------------------------------104, 312. 52 Net total expended_-- ___-- ______--____---550, 826. 66 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 564, 400. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.............. .... Expended for maintenance ............. $9, 801. 16 $8,185.56 $14,787.68 $297.27 $629.39 Appropriated or allotted............................... 19, 500.00 ............ 9 000.00 5,500.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended$___________________---- $8, 702.73 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__ 5, 500. 00 14,202.73 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 629. 39 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended __----------------------------- 13, 573. 34 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities __ _____- 94. 85 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance------------- 13, 478. 49 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP A. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,857.54: New work----------------------------- ---------- $1, 365, 358. 63 Maintenance ---------------- -- ------------ 130, 463. 33 Net total expended -------------------------------- 1,495,821.96 Total appropriations to date of this report ----------- 1, 687, 813. 83 190 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1................. $11,768.98 _.... $2,429.99 $107,224.36 $52 880.62 Expended for maintenance ............. 10,078.59 $13, 201. 19 18, 049.79 1,232.23 1 378.67 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total expended ... 21,847.57 13,201.19 20,479.78 108,456.59 54,259.29 Appropriated or allotted.......................... 20,500.00 1,000.00 179,000.00 170,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ _______ _______- _____ _ $73, 751. 16 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 170, 000. 00 243, 751. 16 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: 243, 751.1 For new work_- ...... __..-________________ $52, 880. 62 For maintenance _______ ___________________ 1, 378. 67 54, 259. 29 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended______________________ ______ 189, 491. 87 .July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities _______-_________________ _ 254. 64 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $19,406.39 available only for maintenance_ ...---- -------- ____- - -- _ 189, 237. 23 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 2, 500. 00 Amount available for fiscal year Onding June 30, 1919________-- 191, 737. 23 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project_ __._____ _______-________ ____ ___ ' 64, 703. 27 CONNECTICUT RIVER ABOVE AND BELOW HARTFORD, CONN. (GROUP B). 6. CONNECTICUT RIVER ABOVE HARTFORD, CONN. (B1). Location and description.-This river has its source in Connecti- cut Lake, in northern New Hampshire, flows southerly 375 miles, and empties into Long Island Sound at Saybrook, Conn., 14 miles west of New London. Hartford, now the head of commercial navigation, is 51.9 miles by channel from the mouth. A dam at Holyoke, 34 miles above Hartford, completely interrupts navigation. The drain- age area is about 11,000 square miles, and the average discharge in second-feet: At Holyoke, low water, 2,600, high water, 71,000; at Hartford, low water, 5,000, 20-foot freshet, 101,000. On low stages tidal fluctuation extends a short distance above Hartford, with a mean rise and fall at Saybrook of 3.4 feet, and at Hartford, 1.2 feet. The average fall per mile is, Holyoke to Hartford, 1.2 feet; Hartford to mouth, 0.053 foot. The width at the mouth is about 3,000 feet; at Hartford, 1,000 feet; at Holyoke, 900 feet. See U. S. Geological Survey map of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth was about 2 feet for 101 miles from Hartford to the foot of Enfield Rapids, 51 miles long, where navigation was interrupted; thence 18 miles to Holyoke the available depth was about 5 feet. About 100 years ago commercial navigation extended to Wells River, Vt., 250 miles above the mouth, by means of locks and canals around the various rapids. Previous projects.-None. 1 Not deducting, receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 191 Existing project.-No comprehensive project has been adopted. Improvement was authorized by the river and harbor act of July 11, 1870, and was prosecuted by the construction of wing dams, and, on one occasion, by dredging, under plans described in the Annual Re- ports of the Chief of Engineers for 1871, page 761, and 1881, page 565. The section of the river under consideration extends from Hart- ford, 51.9 miles above the mouth, to Holyoke, a distance of about 34 miles. The mean tidal fluctuation on low stages is 1.2 feet at Hartford, diminishing to zero near Bissells Ferry, about 7 miles upstream. The usual rise at Hartford due to spring freshets is be- tween 16 and 24 feet above mean low water and at Springfield 10 to 15 feet above mean low water. The maximum recorded freshet at Hartford (May, 1854) was 27.8 feet above mean low water and at Springfield about 25 feet above the ordinary summer stage of that year. Occasional freshets of short duration may occur during the remainder of the year. There are no approved estimates of cost for new work or for annual maintenance. For map see House Docu- ment No. 417, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions. The expenditures were for administration and inspection and amounted to $29.66, applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-Several wing dams were con- structed prior to 1886 and some dredging was done in 1873. One of these .wing dams became an obstruction to navigation and was re- moved in 1914. TWmo obstructive shoals at Springfield have been removed. The controlling depth is about 21 feet at low water in the section below Enfield Rapids. The expenditures, including sur- veys for a comprehensive project, have been $116,324.81 for new work; and $11,982.67 for maintenance; a total of $128,307.48. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation have been prescribed by law. About 1830 a dam 1,500 feet long and canal 5.3 miles long, with 4 locks, was built at Enfield Rapids by the Con- necticut River Co., at a cost reported as about $1,000,000. The canal is maintained by that company primarily for power uses. The locks are about 19.5 by 88 feet, with 3-foot depth at lower-lock sill at low water. During 1909 and 1914 bars between Hartford and Windsor Locks were dredged by the Springfield Navigation Co. to provide a channel about 3 feet deep and 35 feet wide, at a cost of $5,100. Between 1891 and 1914 the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts constructed about 5,050 linear feet of shore-protective works at West Springfield and Agawam, at a cost of $23,499.13. Terminal facilities.--In the absence of commercial navigation, ter- minal facilities are limited to a few small landings for excursion steamers in the pool above Enfield dam. Effect of improvement.-No permanent benefit has resulted from the work so far done by the United States, and none is to be antici- pated ntil a comprehensive project is adopted. Proposed operations.-Pendingthe adoption of a project for im- provement (see below), it is proposed to apply the available funds to expenditures for administration and inspection. Recommended modifications of project.--Under date of November 12, 1915, the Chief of Engineers recommended, subject to certain con- 192 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. ditions, providing a channel 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide from Hartford to Holyoke, at a cost of $1,870,000 for new work and $65,000 annually for maintenance. (H. Doc. No. 417, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Comriercial statistics.-There is no commercial navigation above Hartford, except by two small passenger steamers which run excur- sions during the summer in the vicinity of Springfield. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $3.50: New work ------------------------------------------ $116, 324. 81 Maintenance------------------------------------------11, 982. 67 Net total expended --------------------------------- 128, 307. 48 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------131, 324. 81 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work..... ................................................ ..... Expended for maintenance 1.............. 328.12 $7,182.04 $674.53 $2, 291.46 $29.66 Appropriated or allotted................... ....... ................. ... ....................-- 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-------- --------------- $3, 046. 99 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 29. 66 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------- ---- 3, 017. 33 7. CONNECTICUT RIVER BELOW HARTFORD, CONN. (B2). Location and description.-See description under preceding report. Original condition.--The minimum usable low-water depth was 7 feet over the bar at Saybrook, thence about 5 feet to Hartford, 51 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 4,1836, and a second project , which was modi- fied in 1872, 1881, 1887, and 1889, was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 11, 1870. The amount expended prior to opera- tions under the existing project was: $287,374.29 for new work and $366,348.47 for maintenance; a total of $653,722.76. For further details of previous projects, see Annual Report for 1915, page 1754. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 300 feet wide, 15 feet deep at mean low water, and about six-tenths mile long, across the bar at the mouth, and thence 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water (2 feet on the Hartford gauge) for 51.3 miles to Hartford; the channels to be obtained by dredging and the construc- tion of dikes, training walls, and revetments; for two riprap jetties at the mouth of the river, the tops to be 5 feet above high water and 6 feet wide the easterly one about 2,300 feet, and the westerly about 2,250 feet in length; and for a training dike about 3,700 feet long at Hartford. The mean tidal range is 3.4 feet at the mouth and, on low water, 1.2 feet at Hartford. The maximum tidal range at the RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 198 mouth due to wind or other causes is 8 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $177,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1911) approved esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance is $15,000 until the dikes and training wall are completed and $7,000 thereafter. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 10, 1872, provided for the jetties at the mouth (present dimensions approved by the Chief of Engineers Dec. 22, 1887) ; the act of March 3, 1881 provided for the Hartford Dike (present dimensions authorized by the Chief of Engineers in 1889); the act of February 27, 1911, provided for the present chan- nel dimensions and the construction of dikes, training walls, and revetments (H. Doc. No. 1294, 61st Cong., 3d sess.). For map, see Annual Report for 1913, page 1602. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The channels through the river bars were kept open for navigation by contract dredging. The total length of channel thus dredged was 15,500 feet, the width varying from 50 to 100 feet. A total of 67,118 cubic yards of material was removed at a total cost of $12,345. Minor repairs were made to the Cys Hollow revetment by hired labor and plant, using 133.4 long tons of stone at a total cost of $207.60. Under open market agree- ment, one large snag was removed from the river at Gildersleeve Is- land at a cost of $100. All of the above costs are applied to maintenance. The revetment of Press Barn reach was commenced and about 45 per cent of the work completed. Two thousand eight hundred and thirty- four linear feet of mattress was placed and 2,225 linear feet of bank graded and partially revetted. Expenditures for this work amounted to $20,989.23, and were charged to new work. The expenditure was $20,989.23 for new work and $12.114.90 for maintenance, a total of $33,104.13. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is about 89 per cent completed. The Saybrook jetties, training walls at Hartford, Clay Banks, and Sears Shoal, and the spur dikes at Press Barn were completed in 1915. The channel from the mouth to Hartford was completed in 1914. Cys Hollow reach and about 45 per cent of Press Barn reach have been revetted. The jetties, training walls, dikes, and revetment are in fair condi- tion except that the east jetty at Saybrook needs extensive repairs; some minor repairs are needed to the west jetty and some of the other structures named above. The channel widths are somewhat diminished. The controlling depths at mean low water are 14 feet across the bar at the mouth, thence 10.5 feet to Hartford. To complete the project requires the completion of the Press Bar revetment. The expenditures have been $160,020.12 for new work and $125,567.08 for maintenance, a total of $285,587.20. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption of the project. On various occasions between 1884 and 1904, when funds for maintenance were lacking or insufficient, channels through the various bars, sufficient to pass a regular line of steamboats, were maintained by dredging 81116--ENG 1918---18 194 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U.' S. ARMY, 1918. by the Hartford & New York Transportation Co., at a cost of $28,384.18. Previous to 1868 dredging and regulation work were done by private and municipal interests at a cost in excess of $93,000. Terminal facilities.-There are two or three wharves of the bulk- head type at each of the river towns, one or more in each town being open to public use. At Hartford and at Middletown there is approxi- mately one-half mile of wharf frontage along the west bank of the river. The towns of Saybrook and Cromwell and the cities of Middle- town and Hartford each own or lease wharf property. Rail connec- tion and transfer facilities are available at Saybrook, Middletown, Portland, and Hartford. The facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The work done has afforded the city of Hartford and other river ports the advantage of water transporta- tion and has effected a reduction in the water rates on bulk com- modities. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the available funds to repairing the Saybrook jetties and other dikes and revetments; to maintenance dredging during the calendar year 1919, and to the completion of the revetment of Press Barn reach, in accordance with the following estimate: Repairing Saybrook Jetties, 11,200 long tons riprap stone, in place, at $2 -------------------- -------------------- $22, 400 Repairs to spur dikes and revetments 000 1--------------------- Dredging 60,000 cubic yards, at 20 cents-------------------------- 12, 000 Administration, inspections, and contingencies---------------------3, 892 For maintenance-------------------------------------- 39, 292 Completing revetment of Press Barn reach, including administration and inspection for new work ---------------------------------- 16, 111 Total--------------------------------------------- 55, 403 It is proposed to commence the repairs to the Saybrook jetties late in the summer of 1918, providing favorable prices can be obtained to expend the funds at a rate of $6,000 per month, completing the work before January 1, 1919. Maintenance dredging for calendar year 1919 will be begun after the spring freshets and funds used at the rate of about $4,000 per month. It is expected to commence the completion of Press Barn reach to the limit of available funds about August 1, 1918, using the funds at a rate of about $7,500 per month, completing work about October 15, 1918. The condition of the existing dikes in the upper river is such that repairs are not urgently necessary. It is proposed therefore to defer the work until after the spring freshets of 1919, to perform the work with hired labor and plant, exhausting the funds in about one month. Annual maintenance dredging is required for the accommodation of the present commerce. To this end, work should be commenced immediately after the subsidence of the spring freshets. The follow- ing estimate for maintenance during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, is submitted: Dredging 60,000 cubic yards, at 22 cents------------------------- $13, 200 Administration, inspection, and contingencies___----- - 1, 800 Total-.... _----_--_-_--_-- _--_-- 15, 000 RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 195 Recommended modifications of project.-Under date of May 5, 1917, the Chief of Engineers recommended a modification of the existing project to provide for additional dikes, training walls, revet- ments, and accessory works, at an estimated cost of $211,000 for new work, $15,000 per annum for maintenance until the permanent works are completed, and $10,000 thereafter. (See H. Doc. No. 132, 65th Cong., 1st sess.) Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year were coal, general merchandise, fertilizer, cement, plaster, sand, and stone, carried principally in barges and steamers drawing 10 to 12 feet. The decrease in tonnage is due to a reduction in coal receipts. Increase in value is due to a general advance in the price of materials. Comparative statement. [Including Eightmile River.] Calendar Short tons. Value. Passengers. Calendar Short tons. Value. Passengers. year. year. 1913....... 644, 633 $38, 843, 681.52 66,451 1916...... 637, 192 $44,327,033.89 46,574 1914....... 559, 728 35, 193, 842. 88 59, 627 1917....... 602, 008 58, 940, 460.00 48, 647 1915....... 641, 562 39, 835, 837. 24 64, 515 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $977.14: New work ..----------------------------------------- $447, 394.41 Maintenance ----------------------- --- ------------ 491, 915. 55 Net total expended ---------------------------------- 939, 309. 96 Total appropriations to date of this report .___________-__ _ 1,007, 610. 69 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1................ 33,489.99 $30,512.25 $25,523.31 ............ $20,989.23 Expended for maintenance 1............... 28, 186.08 34, 855.18 13, 226.02 $15, 086.88 12, 114.90 Total expended 1.................... 61,676.07 65,367.43 38,849.93 15,086.88 33,104.13 Appropriated or allotted............ ...... ........ 30, 000.00............ 15,000.00 70,100.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ----.. 16, 295. 36 $------------------ Amount allotted from river and harbor act aproved August 8, 1917_ 70,100. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year" 1918--------------- -9.50 86, 404. 86 June 30, 1918, amounted expended during fiscal year: 1 For new work-___ ------- $20, 989.23 _-------------------- For maintenance_ ------------------------ 12, 114. 90 33, 104. 13 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------- 53, 300. 73 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ----------------- $3,565.82 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts__ 9, 332. 05 12, 897. 87 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 196 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. .Tuly 1 1918. balance available, including $24,292.59, available only for maintenance-------------------------------- $40, 403. 36 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 15,000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_..------. 55,403. 36 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance_ --------------------------------- 15,000. 00 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP B. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $980.64: New work----------- $563, 719. 22 ___ Maintenance-- ------- -_______-____ - -- 503, 898. 22 Net total expended ---------. _____------_ 1, 067, 617. 44 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------1, 138, 935. 50 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 2... .. .833, 489. 99 830, 512. 25 525, 523. 31........... $20, 989. 23 Expended for maintenance ......... 28,514.20 42, 037.22 13, 900.55 817,378.34 12,144.56 Total expended 2.................... 62,004.19 72, 549.47 39, 423.86 17,378.34 33,133.79 Appropriated or allotted ............... .......... 30,000.00 ............ 15, 000. 00 70,100.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ------------------- $19, 342. 35 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917..----------------- -------------------------------- 70, 100. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 -------------- 9. 50 2 89, 451. 85 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year. For new work------------------ ----------- $20,989.23 For maintenance ------------------- 12, 144. 56 33, 133. 79 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------- ---- 56,318. 06 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------ $3, 565. 32 July 1, 1918,' amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 9, 332. 05 12, 897. 37 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $27,309.92 available only for maintenance ------------ ----------------------------- 43, 420. 69 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 15, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919-------------58, 420.69 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance-------------------------------- 15, 000. 00 DUCK ISLAND, BRANFORD, NEW HAVEN, MILFORD, BRIDGEPORT, SOUTHPORT, NORWALK, FIVE MILE RIVER, STAMFORD, AND GREENWICH HARBORS, WESTPORT HARBOR AND SAUGATUTCK RIVER, BREAKWATERS AT NEW HAVEN, AND HOUSATONIC RIVER, CONN. (GROUP C.) 8. DUCK ISLAND HARBOR, CONN. (C1). Location and description.-Duck Island Harbor is a small bay, about 2 miles long and extending 1 mile inland, lying between Menun- 1Exclusive of available funds. Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 197 ketesuck and Kelsey Points, on the north shore of Long Island Sound, approximately midway between New London and New Haven Harbors, and about 23 miles distant from each. Duck Island is in the outer and southeasterly part of the bay. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52.) Original condition.-The harbor afforded practically no shelter from the east around through the south to the west, but afforded good protection from all northerly winds. The usable low-water depth for anchorage was about 16 feet over a considerable portion of the bay. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890. The amount expended prior to operations under the existing project was $114,867.90 for new work, and $5,334.10 for maintenance, a total of $120,202. For further details of previous project see Annual Report for 1915, page 1755. Existing project.-This provides for the construction of three rip- rap breakwaters, viz, one extending northwardly from Duck Island 1,100 feet; one extending westwardly from Duck Island 2,697 feet; and one extending southwardly from Stone Island, just south of Kelsey Point, 3,750 feet--each breakwater to be 8 feet wide on top, 9 feet high above mean low water, with side slopes of 2 on 3, except on the northerly side of the one extending westerly from Duck Island and the westerly side of the one extending northwardly from Duck Island, where the slopes are to be 1 on 1; and for dredging to a 'depth of 16 feet at mean low water a portion of the protected area back of the breakwaters at Duck Island. The mean tidal range is 4.2 feet and the maximum range, due to the combined effect of wind and other causes, is 9 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1916, is $370,000, ex6lusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1916) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,500, to be appropriated in sums of $25,000 at intervals of five years, with $5,000 additional every ten years. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 25, 1910, provided for the break- waters (H. Doc. No. 398, 60th Cong., 1st sess); the act of July 27, 1916, provided for the -dredging (H. Doc. No. 812, 64th Cong., 1st Tess.). For map see House Document No. 812, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Contract dredging for restoring the depth in the area behind the Duck Island breakwaters, in progress at the beginning of the fiscal year, was completed. Except for some slight deficiencies, project depth was obtained over prac- tically the whole 65 acres of the area. The expenditures were $55,794.88, for new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1917, the breakwaters having been completed in 1914. The breakwaters are in fair condition. The controlling depth in the area behind the breakwaters is about 16 feet at mean low water. The expenditures under the existing project have been $352,502.85 for new york, and $6,660.34 for maintenance, a total of $359,163.19. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-This harbor is entirely a harbor of refuge. There are no commercial wharves. 198 REPORT OF CRIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Effect of improvement.-The improvement affords shelter for the passing commerce of Long Island Sound, adding materially to the safety thereof, it being the only suitable harbor of refuge in a reach of 46 miles. A total of 808 vessels used the harbor as a refuge during the calendar year 1916. Proposed operations.-None. The breakwaters are in good con- dition and dredging was completed during the present fiscal year. It is proposed to retain the available balance and to apply it, together with funds for which estimates will be submitted, to maintenance dredging when such shall become necessary, probably in the fiscal year 1921. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-There is no local commerce, the harbor being entirely a harbor of refuge. The number of vessels reported as having sought refuge in the harbor is as follows: Calendar year: Vessels. 1913 -------------------------------------------------- . 905 1914 ----------------------------------------------------- 975 1915 ------- -------------------------------------------- 693 1916---------- ------------------------------------------ 808 1917 ------------------------------------------------ No record The above vessels are principally schooners, tugs with tows, and yachts drawing from 8 to 12 feet. Financialsum'nmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,234.16: New work-- ...------------------------------------ $467, 370. 75 Mtintenance----- ------------------------------------- 11, 994. 44 Net total expended--- .------------------------------ 479, 365. 19 Total appropriations to date of this report-- ----------------- 490, 202. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 , 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1........ ....... $85,135.63 $23, 095.29 .. . 4, 530. 88 $55, 794.88 Expended for maintenance 1....... .... 3, 856.44 3,438.22 593.09 .......... ... .. .. . . . . . . . .. . Total expended 1 85,135.63 26, 951.73 3,438.22 5,123.97 55,794.88 Appropriated or allotted................... ........ 7,000.00 .......... 71,000.00 .......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------------------------- $66, 626. 69 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918------------------ 5. 00 66, 631. 69 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year1 for new work__- 55, 794. 88 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ---------------------------- 10, 836. 81 July, 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities---------------------------- 117.00 July 1, 1918, balance available.......... ------------------------------- 10,719.81 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RiVERS AND HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 199 9. BRANFORD HARBOR, CONN. (C2). Location and description.-This harbor is on the north shore of Long Island Sound, 5 miles east of New Haven Harbor. It includes an outer harbor about 1 mile broad, an inner harbor one-half mile in diameter, and the lower 11 miles of the Branford River, the latter being narrow and crooked. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depths were about 7 feet in the outer and inner harbors, 12 feet in the river to near the lower wharves, and thence less than 6 feet by a very narrow channel to the upper wharves at the head of navigation, about 3 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This -provides for a channel 81 feet deep and 100 feet wide through the shoals at the mouth of the harbor, about one-half mile, and of the same depth, width, and length between the lower and upper wharves in the river. The plane of reference is mean low water. The mean tidal range is 51 feet, and the maximum range, due to the combined effect of wind and other causes, is 10 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1905, is $10,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $3,600. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 13, 1902, provided for dredging between the lower and upper wharves in the river (H. Doc. No. 100, 56th Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Report for 1901, p. 1188); the act of March 2, 1907, provided for the dredging at the mouth of the harbor. For map, see House Document No. 1292, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1907. The controlling depths at mean low water are 81 feet in the outer harbor, 7 feet in the inner harbor, and thence about 8 feet to the head of the improved channel. The expenditures have been $9,537.45 for new work and $8,679.08 for maintenance, a total of $18,216.53. Local cooperation-None prescribed by law. The upper part of the river at the head of the improved channel has been enlarged by the Malleable Iron Fittings Co. by dredging about 49,000 cubic yards of material, at a cost of $8,885.94. Terminal facilities.-Terminalfacilities are limited to 3 bulkhead and pile wharves near the head of the harbor. These are open at times to public use. There is no publicly owned terminal. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of invprovement.-The improvement has afforded the town and factories of Branford increased facilities for the water trans- portation of bulk commodities, and it is believed that it has effected a decrease in the freight rates. Proposedoperations.-None. No considerable amount of shoaling has taken place in the river and in view of the recommended modifi- cation of the project (see below) no maintenance dredging is now proposed in the inner harbor. 200 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Recommended modifications of project.--Under date of July 18, 1916, the Chief of Engineers recommended the modification of that part of the existing project pertaining to the inner harbor so as to provide for maintaining a depth not exceeding 71 feet at mean low water. (See H. Doc. 1292, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year were coal, iron, sand, and lumber, carried principally on scows, barges, and canal boats, drawing usually 8 to 9 feet, and on occasional schooners from 6 to 13 feet draft. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ..................... 43, 643 $242,187.76 1916...................... 30,375 $218,493.09 1914..................... 41,333 204,529.50 1917...................... 37,032 332,316.00 1915....... .............. 32,227 145,503.00 Increase in value is due to a general advance in the prices of materials. Financial swummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $3.50: New work--....----...---------------------------------$9, 537. 45 Maintenance------------------------------------------8, 679.08 Net total expended- -----------------------.--- 18, 216. 53 Total appropriations to date of this report...-------------.-------- 22,000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work Expended for maintenance ............ $6,188.29 179. 36 3268.97 349.16. Appropriated or allotted..... ........................ 4,00 00 ............ ............ .......... I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------------------------- $3, 783. 47 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----------------------------- 3, 783. 47 10. NEW HAVEN HARBOR, CONN. (C3). Location and description.-On the North Shore of Long Island Sound, about 71 miles to the east of New York City. The harbor consists of a bay about 4 miles long and from 1 to 4 miles wide, and the navigable portions of West River, entering the westerly side of the bay, and the Mill and Quinnipiac Rivers entering its northeast corner through a common mouth. The width of the lower harbor from Morgans Point to Oyster River Point is 41 miles, and its natural depths available for anchorage are from 20 to 28 feet at mean low water. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth in the harbor proper was 9 feet from the wharves to Cranes Bar, one-third of the way down the harbor, and 13 feet on the bar below Fort RIVERS AND HARBORS---NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 201 Hale; in Quifinipiac River, about 4 feet; in Mill River, west branch about 5 feet, east branch nearly bare at low tide; and in West River, less than 3 feet. The heads of navigation for small unmasted craft in the Quinnipiac, Mill, and West Rivers were, respectively, about 8, 2J, and 2 miles above the mouths. Previous projects-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 30, 1852, and modified by the river and harbor act of June 10, 1872. A second project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1871, and modified by the acts of 1875, 1878, 1879, 1882, and 1884. The original project for West River (consolidated with the main harbor by the act of Mar. 2, 1.907) was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1905. The amount expended prior to operations under the existing proj- ect was $331,625.66 for new work and $32,570 for maintenance, a total of $364,195.66. For further details of previous projects see Annual Report for 1915, page 1755. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 20 feet deep, 400 feet wide, and 3 miles long, from Long Island Sound to the inner end of the 20-foot anchorage basin; thence of same depth, 700 to 500 feet wide (increased to 1,200 feet at the turn opposite Long Wharf), 1.2 miles to Tomlinsons Bridge; three anchorage basins below Tomlinsons Bridge of 20, 16, and 15 foot depths; a pile and riprap dike, total length about 4,200 feet, to contract the tidal flow at Fort Hale Bar; a channel 12 feet deep and 100 to 150 feet wide, from the southwest corner of the 16-foot anchorage basin via Oyster Point and the dock frontage of West Haven to Kimberly Avenue Bridge; thence 12 feet deep and prevailing width of 75 feet up West River approximately to the railroad bridge, and an anchor- age basin 6 feet deep in West River opposite Mars Dock; a channel 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep from the 15-foot anchorage basin to- ward Brewery Street, about 1,500 feet; a channel 200 feet wide and 12 feet deep up Quinnipiac River to Ferry Street and 50 to 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep between Ferry Street and Grand Avenue; a channel up Mill River 200 feet wide and 12 feet deep to the junc- tion of the two branches above Chapel Street, and thence channels 12 feet deep extending to Grand Avenue, with width in the east branch of 100 feet and a general width in the west branch of 125 feet; and the removal of certain obstructive rocks in Morris Cove. All depths refer to mean low water, the main tidal range being 5.8 feet. The maximum tidal range due to the combined effect of wind and other causes is 10 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1913, is $684,200, ex- clusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $15,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of August 2, 1882, provided for the Sandy Point dike (plans approved by the Board of Engineers Oct. 2, 1882); the act of March 3, 1899, provided for the present depth of the main channel, and the dimensions of its lower end, and for the 20 and 16 foot anchorage basins; the act of June 25, 1910, provided for the Brewery Street channel and made final provision for the present dimensions of the 15-foot basin (H. Doc. No. 1159, 60th Cong., 2d sess.); the act of July 25, 1912, made final provision for the present 202 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. dimensions of channels in Mill and Quinnipiac Rivers (H. Doc. No. 26, 62d Cong., 2d sess.) and for the present dimensions of the West River channel and anchorage (H. Doc. No. 535, 62d Cong., 2d sess.) ; the act of March 4, 1913, provided for the present widths in the upper part of the main channel (H. Doc. No. 1258, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). For map, see House Document No. 497, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during flcal year.-There were no opera- tions. Expenditures were for administration and inspection and amounted to $928.09, applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1915, the dike at Fort Hale Bar having been completed in 1889. The controlling depths at mean low water are: Main channel, 19.5 feet; anchorage basins, 4, 10, 15, and 19 feet, respectively; West River, 12 feet to the shipyard, thence 10 feet to Kimberly Avenue, and thence 9 feet to the railroad bridge; Mill River, 12 feet; Quinni- piac River to Ferry Street, 12 feet, and thence to Grand Avenue, 8 feet; and Brewery Street channel, 10 feet. The dike at Fort Hale Bar is in fair condition. The expenditures under the existing project have been $489,524.94 for new work and $156,121.15 for maintenance; a total of $645,646.09. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption of the project. One mu- nicipal wharf, with limited facilities, has been constructed at a cost of approximately $20,000. The upper portion of the West River channel had been improved by private parties at a cost of about $10,000 before its further improvement was undertaken by the United States. Terminal facilities.-The wharves and piers served by this im- provement are grouped near the head of the main harbor, on both sides of Mill River between Chapel Street and Grand Avenue; on both sides of Quinnipiac River throughout the greater part of its improved portion; at Oyster Point and along the westerly side of West River. The terminals at the head of the harbor are mostly piers, either solid-filled or open, ranging in length up to 2,300 feet and separated by slips. The total frontage occupied approximates nearly a mile. Several of these terminals have direct railroad and transfer facilities and nearly all are open to public use. One, City Wharf, is publicly owned. Throughout Mill, Quinnipiac and West rivers the wharves are usually of the bulkhead and apron type. At Oyster Point are several small timber piers used in the oyster in- dustry. The river frontage developed amounts to over three-fourths mile in Mill River, over 1 mile in the Quinnipiac, and about five- eighths mile in West River and at Oyster Point. Some of the West River wharves are open to general public use, but in the other branches nearly all are private and closed to the public. The facili- ties are not considered adequate and plans are in preparation by the municipality for extensive additions and improvements. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has secured for New Haven the benefit of very low water-freight rates, particularly on bulk commodities. The present commerce of New 'Haven could not be carried on without the improvements made. RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 208 Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the available funds to the restoration of the 15-foot anchorage, in accordance with the following estimate: Dredging 104,000 cubic yards, at 25 cents_--------------------$26, 000 Administration, inspection, and contingencies_-------------------- 3, 058 Total------------ ----------------- ----------------- 29, 058 It is proposed to commence the work in the summer of 1918, using the funds at a rate of about $6,000 per month and completing the work about January 1, 1919. No maintenance work has been done in the Brewery Street Channel or in the upper portions of the West River Channel since their com- pletion in 1911 and 1913, respectively. Considerable shoaling has taken place and the restrictions in depth, particularly in West River, are beginning to be felt. For the restoration of these channels the following estimate of funds, required during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, is made: Dredging 54,000 cubic yards, at 25 cents------------------------ $13, 500 Administration, inspection, and contingencies , 500 1---------------------- Total ------------------------------------------------ 15, 000 Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the calender year were general merchandise, coal, lumber, oysters, and sand. Except in the shallower branch channels, the coal, which com- prises about 70 per cent of the total commerce of the harbor, is handled on a draft of from 12 to 14 feet, with occasional cargoes drawing up to 22 feet. Oysters are handled in vessels of from 8 to 12 feet draft, and the bulk of the remaining commerce is handled in vessels drawing about 10 feet. A small amount of lumber is received in schooners drawing from 16 to 20 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar short tons. Value. Passengers. Calendar Short tons. Value. Passengers. year. year. 1913...... 2,096,135 $123,093,132.96 98,023 1916....... 2,263,804 $132,445,728.00 93,495 1914...... 1, 704,854 105,459,519.16 112,816 1917... 1, 868, 649 143,736,132.00 78,130 1915....... 1,792, 856 99,561,097.40 116,665 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918; after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $573.56: New work ---------- ------------------------------- $821, 150. 60 Maintenance -------------- -------------------------- 188, 691. 15 Net total expended_ - ------------ --------- 1, 009, 841. 75 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------1, 038, 940. 92 204 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 ... . .... . . .. . Expended for new work 1 . ... $110,220.28 $19, 450. 80 $56, 512.92 Expended for maintenance 1................. 17, 359.95 5, 343. 41 11,651.40 $19, 757. 54 $928.09 Total expended 1................... 127, 580. 23 24,794.21 68,168.32 19, 757. 54 928.09 - I i i Appropriated or allotted .............. 86,000.00 ............ 14,000.00 - July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_______________- _____--$2, 004. 09 Amount allotted from river and, harbor act approved August 8, 1917 --------------------------------------------------------- 14,000.00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918___________ 23.17 16, 027. 26 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 1 928. 09 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_ -__-- - -_____ ____ 15, 099.17 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ____________-----40. 55 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $14,000 available only for maintenance-------------------------------------------15, 058. 62 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918_ 14, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919--- 29, 058. 62 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance___________________________ 215, 000. 00 11. BREAKWATERS AT NEW HAVEN, CONN. (C4). Location and description.-See New Haven Harbor, immediately preceding. Original condition.-Opposite New Haven, Long Island Sound is at its widest, about 19 miles, and the broad open mouth of the harbor was exposed to storms from the southeasterly and southwesterly quarters, so that vessels were usually obliged to go from 2 to 4 miles up the harbor in order to obtain refuge, and even then the shelter was inadequate with the wind in some directions. Previous projects.--None. Existing project.-This provides for a harbor of refuge at the entrance to New Haven Harbor by constructing three riprap break- waters, one 3,450 feet long, extending from Southwest Ledge to Quixes Ledge; one 4,450 feet long across Ludington Rock; and one about 4,200 feet long extending northwesterly from a point 6,000 feet south 54° west from Ludington Rock; the cross section of these breakwaters to be 12 feet wide on top and 6 feet above mean high water, with outer slopes of 1 on 1j and inner slopes of 1 on 1. The mean tidal range is 6 feet, and the maximum range, due to the com- bined effect of wind and other causes, is about 10 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1910, is $1,264,000. The latest (1915) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000, to be appropriated in sums of $5,000 at intervals of five years. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 205 The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of February 27, 1911 (Annual Report for 1910, pp. 124 and 125). Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1915. The breakwaters are in good condition. The anchorage shel- tered by the breakwaters exceeds 2,000 acres, of which over 500 acres are from 20 to 28 feet deep and the remainder 9 to 20 feet deep at mean low water. Expenditures have been $1,242,246.09 for new work and $21,753.91 for maintenance, a total of $1,264,000. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-None. The iniprovement is essentially a har-. bor of refuge only. Effect of improvement.-The commerce benefited by the improve- ment is mainly the passing commerce of Long Island Sound. The breakwaters also provide an outer anchorage for vessels bound to and from New Haven and help to protect the entrance to New Haven Harbor proper from seas and to diminish channel filling. There is no reliable record available of the number of vessels making use of the harbor as a refuge. The lighthouse keepers have reported from five to six thousand vessels as anchoring in this harbor annually. Proposed operations.-None. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.--It is impracticable to estimate accurately the tonnage and value of the commerce benefited by the improve- ment, but it is certainly very large and practically amounts to the entire commerce passing through Long Island Sound. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $3,244.31: New work --_ .--------------------------- $1, 242, 246. 09 Maintenance------------------------------------------ 21, 753. 91 Net total expended-------------------------------- 1, 264, 000. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------1, 264, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.............................. $41,971.0 ..... ........................ Expended for maintenance ............... 241.71 608.99............. Totalexpended 1............... ..... 241.71 42,580.59 Appropriated or allotted ................................... .......... .......... 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 12. MILFORD HARBOR, CONN. (C5). Location and description.-This harbor is on the north shore of Long Island Sound, about 8 miles west of New Haven Harbor. It consists of an open bay about 1 mile in diameter and the tidal por- tion of the Wepowage River, a small, narrow stream entering the bay at its head and extending inland about 1 mile. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. 206 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth was less than 2 feet on the bar in the bay, and in parts of the river the channel was nearly bare. The head of navigation was 1 mile from the head of the bay. Previous projects.--The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 23, 1874, and modified by the river and harbor acts of June 18, 1878, June 14, 1880, and August 2, 1882. The amount expended prior -to operations under the existing project was $42,340.44 for new work, and $3,159.56 for maintenance, a total of $45,500. For further details of previous projects see Annual Report for 1915, page 1756. Existing project.-This provides for two riprap jetties, 510 and 250 feet in length, respectively, on the east and west sides of the en- trance to the river; a channel across the bar and through the lower harbor 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep to Merwins Wharf, a distance of about 3,000 feet; an anchorage basin of same depth, of about 6 acres in area, on the east side of the channel, and a channel 90 feet wide and 6 feet deep through the river from Merwins Wharf to the Straw Works Wharf, a distance of about 3,500 feet. All depths refer to the plane of mean low water. The mean tidal range is 6.2 feet, and the extreme range due to the combined effects of wind and other causes, is 10 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1905, is $25,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1902) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is,$500. The existing propect was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 23, 1874, provided for the east jetty at the mouth of the river (H. Ex. Doc. No. 107, 42d Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Report for 1873, p. 1042) ; the west jetty at the mouth of the river was authorized October 16, 1879 (Annual Report of 1879, p. 342) ; the act of June 13, 1902, provided for the present channel di- mensions and for an anchorage basin (H. Doc. No. 280, 56th Cong., 1st sess., and in Annual Report for 1900, p. 1357). For map see House Document No. 232, Sixty-third Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. The expendi- tures were for administration, and amounted to $4.16, applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 90 per cent completed. The jetties were completed in 1880. The dredging of the anchorage basins and channels as they now exist was com- pleted in 1905. The entrance channel has been completed and the channel through the river has been dredged to a point 500 feet above the town wharf, ledge rock preventing its further extension at reas- onable cost. The head of navigation is one mile from the head of the bay. The anchorage area on the east side of the channel has been dredged 10 feet deep over an area of 2J acres, but could not be further extended at reasonable cost, as ledge rock was met; to compensate for the lack of anchorage area on the east side, a basin 1.6 acres in area has been dredged on the west side. The jetties are in fair- condition. The controlling depths at mean low water are 10 feet to Merwins Dock, thence 6- feet to a point about half way to the town wharf, thence about 6 feet to the town wharf; above the town wharf to the head of the channel the controlling depth is not over 5 feet and the RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 207 channel is very narrow. The average depth in the basins is about 8 feet. To complete the project requires the dredging of about 1.9 acres additional anchorage area and the extension of the 6-foot chan- nel about 560 feet. The expenditures under the existing project to the end of the fiscal year were $23,617.33 for new work, and $436 for maintenance; a total of $24,053.33. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption of the project. Prior to 1896 about 85,000 cubic yards was dredged from the outer bay by oystermen, at a cost of about $15,000. Shore protective works were constructed by the citizens of Milford at the mouth of the harbor prior to 1872 at an unknown cost. A town wharf has been main- tained near the head of navigation for many years. Terminal facilities.-Two timber bulkhead wharves or piers are served by this improvement. One only, that owned by the town of Milford, is open to public use. The unloading facilities are inefficient. Enlarged and improved terminal facilities are desirable. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has afforded the town of Milford the benefits of water transportation for bulk commodities at rates cheaper than by rail. Proposed operations.-In view of the recommendation referred to in the following paragraph, which contemplates the use of the avail- able funds for the proposed modification, no operations are proposed. Recommended modifications of project.-Under date of September 8, 1913, the Chief of Engineers recommended a readjustment of the location of anchorage areas and the widening of the 6-foot channel, at a cost of $14,700 for new work and $5,000 every four years for maintenance, in accordance with a plan contained in House Docu- ment No. 232, Sixty-third Congress, first session. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year were oysters and shells, sand, coal, and fertilizer, carried principally in steamers, scows, and schooners drawing from 6 to 12 feet. Increase in tonnage is due to receipts of building material and fertilizer. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................. ........ 12, 570 $101, 578.96 1916....................... 10,816 3$65,004.40 1914 ..................... 18,464 184,739.85 1917...................... 19,123 80,141.00 1915 ...................... 13, 312 68, 325.94 Financialsuzmmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------ $65, 957. 77 Maintenance -------------------------------------------- 3, 595. 56 Net total expended ------------------------------- --- 69, 553. 33 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 77, 500. 00 08 :REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work .... i"::::: ... ".... .................... i ................ Expended formaintenance 1.............. $3.10 $64.42 $&10 $18.66 $4.16 Appropriated or allotted.............................. ..................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended__________________________ $7, 950. 83 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 4. 16 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ______________________ 7, 946. 67 13. HOUSATONIC RIVER, CONN. (C6). Location and description--This river rises in northwestern Massa- chusetts, flows southerly 130 miles through Massachusetts and Con- necticut, and empties into Long Island Sound at Stratford, 5 miles east of Bridgeport Harbor. Its drainage area is about 1,930 square miles. The tidal section extends from the mouth 13J miles to Derby and Shelton, and 1.1 miles upstream is a power dam with a canal and locks by which craft of less than 3-foot draft may pass above the dam. At Derby the low-water discharge is about 600 second-feet; the high-water flow is not known. Average freshets reach a height of 12 feet, are of short duration, and occur mainly in the spring. The river is closed by ice for the greater part of January, February, and March. The low-water slope per mile from Shelton to the mouth is 0.14 foot; the width at the mouth is about 1,200 feet, and at Shel- ton 400 feet. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The original usable low-water depth on the bar at the mouth and in the river was about 3 feet; the channel was narrow and crooked. The head of navigation was and is at Otter Rock, 3 miles above the dam at Shelton and 171 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water, 200 feet wide and one-half mile long across the outer bar, and thence 100 feet wide to Derby and Shelton, about 13 miles; a riprap breakwater at the mouth, consisting of an inner arm 3,250 feet long, 3 feet high above mean low water, top width 6 feet, side slopes 1 on 1, and an outer arm 2,500 feet long, 6 feet high above mean high water, top width 12 feet, outer slope 1 on 2, inner slope 1 on 1; a riprap dike in the river below Stratford not to exceed 1,500 feet in length; and a riprap jetty 163 feet long at Sow and Pigs Rocks. The mean tidal range, exclusive of the winter season and freshets, is 6.4 feet at the mouth and 5.1 feet at Shelton; the extreme range due to combined effect of wind and other causes is about 11 feet at the mouth, diminishing toward the head. The spring freshets occasion- ally rise to a height of 18 feet or more above summer low water but only average about 12 feet above that datum. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1888, is $275,500. The latest (1917) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $6,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 3, 1871, provided for a jetty at Sow RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 209 and Pigs Reef and a channel of present dimensions across the outer bar (H. Doc. No. 95, 41st Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Report for 1871, p. 781) ; the act of August 11, 1888, provided for the breakwater at the mouth and the present dimensions of the river channel (S. Doc. No. 103, 50th Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1888, p. 554). The construction of the Stratford Dike, in accordance with the project submitted by the District Engineer Officer July 15, 1892, was authorized by departmental action. For map see House Docu- ment No. 970, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Contract was entered into for maintenance dredging, but work was not begun. Opera- tions were limited to minor surveys. Expenditures amounted to $449.64, applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is about 95 per cent completed. The channels were completed in 1893. The breakwater at the mouth is completed except that the outer arm has a top width of 8 feet and outer slope of 1 on 11 instead of the re- spective project dimensions; the Stratford Dike is 1,255 feet long; and the jetty at Sow and Pigs Rocks is completed. The breakwater, dike, and jetty are in good condition. The controlling depths at mean low water are, at mouth of river 7 feet, and thence about 6 feet to Shelton. To complete the project requires the enlargement of the outer arm of the breakwater to pro- vide a top width of 12 feet and an outer slope of 1 on 2, which is not required for permanence, and the extension of the Stratford Dike not more than 245 feet. The expenditures have been $234,364.92 for new work and $111,728.47 for maintenance, a total of $346,093.39. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption of the project or its modi- fications. A considerable amount of dredging has been done by pri- vate parties at the outer bar to obtain material for oyster beds, the cost and exact extent of which are not known. Terminal facilities.-There are wharves at Stratford, Devon and at Shelton and Derby. The usual types are longitudinal, timber bulkheads and short, filled piers with landing spaces parallel with the stream. Of the four wharves at Stratford, one is open to pub- lic use. At Devon is a private wharf with railroad transfer facili- ties. The two wharves at Derby and two of the five at Shelton are open to public use. Freight transfer is to dray and warehouse only. There are no publicly owned terminals on the river. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has afforded the towns of Stratford, Derby, and Shelton the advantage of water transpor- tation of bulk freight, and has had the effect of materially reducing the freight rates to these points. Proposed operations.-Itis proposed to apply the available funds to restoring the bar channels to project dimensions, in accordance with the following estimate: Maintenance dredging 20,000 cubic yards, at 38 cents_ _____.. _.----$7, 600 Administration, inspection and contingencies----------------------_ 738 Total ------- ----------------------------------- 888 81116--rae 1918----14 210 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. It is expected that dredging will commence soon after the spring freshet of 1919 and that funds will be used at the rate of about $4,000 per month. The commerce of this river, which serves important industries in the Naugatuck Valley, is now reported twice as great as in 1915. Frequent dredging (usually annually) is necessary to maintain the capacity of the improvement. The extent of shoaling is dependent on freshets and ice jams and cannot be foreseen. The following esti- mate, based on past experience, is for dredging in the fiscal year end- ing June 30, 1920: Maintenance dredging 20,000 cubic yards, at 36 cents------------$7, 200 Administration, inspection and contingencies,_----------------- 800 Total ------------------------------------------------- 8,000 Recommended modifications of project.--Under date of March 28, 1916, the Chief of Engineers recommended a modification of the project to provide a channel 10 feet deep to Stratford, 200 feet wide through the entrance, and 100 feet wide in the river, and the ex- tension of the Stratford Dike for 200'feet, at an estimated cost of $35,000, in accordance with a plan printed in House Document No. 970, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year are coal, petroleum products, sand and gravel, carried principally in steamers and barges, drawing from 6 to 9 feet. Increases in values and amounts are due to increased costs of items and the increased receipts of coal for transhipment up the Naugatuck Valley. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913............. ...... 114,183 $1 023,558.99 1916.......... ...... 169,340 $2,248,793.00 1914 ................... 114, 988 1,131 813.54 1917................. ... 300,047 3,644, 347.00 1915.................... 141, 583 1, 549338.10 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,142.26: New work ------------------------------------------- $234,364.92 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 111,728.47 Net total expended------------------------------ --- 346,093.39 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------362,450.00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.................. $6,182.34 6,288.00 ............ $5,700.66.. Expended for maintenance 1............. 11,040.49 2,901.25 $2,456.45 8, 845.61 $449. 64 Total expended1........ .. ..... 17,222.83 9,189.25 2,456.45 14,546.27 449.64 Appropriated or allotted....................... 7,000.00 ............ 12,000.00 8,000.00 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. ..... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended____---------- $806.25 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917____ 8,000.00 8,806.25 RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 211 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance _ $449.64 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------- ----------- 8,356.61 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ---- ----- __-- $18.12 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts -- ___ 8,000.00 8,018.12 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance--------------_ 338,49 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 8,000.00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919------------- 8,338.49 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project---------- ---------------------- ------- 1 35,135.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance------------------------------------8, 000.00 14. BRIDGEPORT HARBOR, CONN. (C7). Location and description.-This harbor is on the north shore of Long Island Sound, about 57 miles east of New York City. It consists of. an outer main harbor about 3,500 feet long and 4,000 feet wide; an inner harbor about 1 mile long and 1,500 feet wide, decreasing in width to 500 feet at the head; the navigable portions of Poquonock River, 11 miles long; Yellow Mill Pond, two-thirds of a mile long, entering from the north; Johnsons River, three- fourths of a mile long, entering from the east; Black Rock Harbor, about one-half mile wide and 1 mile long, lying 21 miles west of the main harbor; and Cedar and Burr Creeks, 1. and one-half miles long, respectively, entering Black Rock Harbor from the north. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depths were: On the bar at the mouth of Bridgeport Harbor, about 5 feet; in the Poquonock River, from 2 to 5 feet; in Johnsons River, nearly bare in upper half; in Yellow Mill Pond, generally bare; in Black Rock Harbor, 12 to 6 feet; in Cedar Creek, 2 to 4 feet; and in Burr Creek, nearly bare. The head of navigation in Poquonock River, Yellow Mill Pond, Johnsons River, Burr and Cedar Creeks was respectively, about 1, two-thirds, three-fourths, one-half and 1. miles above the mouth. Previous projects.-The original project for the main harbor was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 4, 1836. A second proj- ect was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1871, and modified in 1875, 1878, 1882, 1888,1892, 1894, and 1896. The original project for Black Rock Harbor, which prior to the adoption of the existing project was considered as separate from the main harbor, was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 4, 1836. A second project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884. The amount expended prior to operations under the present project was as follows: New work. Mainte- nance. Total. Bridgeport Harbor.................. ................... $311, 899.53 5,948.97 $317, 848.50 Black Rock Harbor... ............................. .... 66, 550.00 6,000.00 72,550.00 Total....................... .. ............... 378,449.53 11,948.97 390,398.50 1 Exclusive of available funds. 212 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. For further details of previous projects, see Annual Report for 1915, page 1756. Existing project.-This provides for: (1) Two riprap breakwaters: one about 3,190 feet long, on the easterly side, and one 2,110 feet long on the westerly side of the entrance to the main harbor. (2) The construction and maintenance of shore protection on Fayerweather Island, including a sea wall connecting the northerly and southerly portions of the island. (3) Main channel, 22 feet deep and 300 feet wide from Long Island Sound to the inner end of the 22-foot anchorage basin, thence 18 feet deep and 200 feet wide to the lower or Stratford Avenue Bridge across the Poquonock River. (4) Five anchorage basins: One, 22 feet deep and 1,280,000 square feet in area, opposite the inner breakwater; one 18 feet deep, 500 feet wide, and 2,000 feet long, adjoining the main channel on the west above the inner beacon; one 12 feet deep, 500 feet wide, and 900 feet long adjoining the main channel and immediately to the northwestward of the 18-foot anchorage; one 12 feet deep, 608,600 square feet in area, northwest of the 22-foot basin and adjoining the main channel on the east; and one 12 feet deep adjoining the main channel on the east immediately below the lower bridge. (5) Poquonock River Channel, from the lower bridge to Black's coal dock, nearly 1 mile, 18 feet deep and from 100 to 230 feet wide, thence for 750 feet farther to head of navigation 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide. (6) Yellow Mill Channel, from the main channel to the head of Yellow Mill Pond, about 1 mile, 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide. (7) Johnsons River Channel, from the main channel to the head of naviga- tion, about 11 miles, 9 feet deep and 100 feet wide. (8) Black Rock and Cedar Creek Channel, from the 12-foot curve in Black Rock Harbor to the head of navigation in both branches of Cedar Creek, a total length of nearly 2J miles, 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide, with additional width at the turns; also Burr Creek Channel from its junction with Cedar Creek Channel to the head of navigation in Burr Creek, about one-half mile, 9 feet deep and 100 feet wide. All depths refer to mean low water, the mean tidal range being 6.4 feet. The extreme tidal range, due to wind and other causes, is 11 'feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1910, is $697,470, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $12,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of July 4, 1836, provided for the Fayerweather Island sea wall; the act of March 3, 1899, provided for the shore pro- tection at Fayerweather Island, the 18-foot anchorage basin, the 12- foot basin west of the main channel, the 12-foot basin immediately below the lower bridge, the channels in Yellow Mill Pond, John- sons River, Burr Creek, and at the upper end of Poquonock River (Annual Report for 1899, p. 1173); theact of March 2, 1907, pro- vided for the west breakwater, the present dimensions of the east breakwater, the 22-foot channel, the 22-foot anchorage, and the 12- foot anchorage on the east side of the main channel (H. Does. Nos. 275 and 521, 59th Cong., 2d sess.) ; the act of June 25, 1910, provided for the Black Rock and Cedar Creek Channels and the 18-foot chan- nel in the Poquonock River to Black's coal dock (H. Doec. No. 751, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). For map see House Document No. 898, Sixty- third Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. A public hear- ing was held and surveys made in reference to the estabhlishment and revision of harbor lines in Johnsons River and other portions of the RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 213 harbor. Expenditures were for administration, inspection and sur- veys and amounted to $2,556.73, applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.--The existing project is 99 per cent completed. The breakwaters were completed in 1908 and the re- mainder of the improvement was practically completed in 1911. The channels have been dredged to project dimensions except at the inner ends of Johnsons River, Burr Creek, and Yellow Mill channels, where ledge rock exists, and in the Poquonock River at the East Washing- ton Avenue bridge, which is to be rebuilt. The breakwaters are in need of repairs; the shore protection works on Fayerweather Island are in good condition; and the Fayerweather Island breakwater and sea wall needs repairing. The controlling depths at mean low water are: Main channel, to just inside the inner breakwater, 21 feet, and thence 17 feet to the lower bridge; Poquonock River, 161 feet from Stratford Avenue to the East Washington Avenue Bridge; through the bridge 11 feet; from a point 100 feet above the bridge to a point opposite Black's coal dock, 17 feet, and thence to the head of the improved channel, about 9 feet; Yellow Mill Channel, 12 feet to the south line of Willard Street, and thence 9 feet nearly to the head of the im- proved channel; Johnsons River, 9 feet to the turn above the ship- yard, and thence about 6 feet to the head of the channel; Black Rock Harbor, 101 feet to the head of navigation in both branches of Cedar Creek; Burr Creek, about 5 feet to its head. To complete the project would require dredging the inner ends of the channels in Johnsons River, Yellow Mill Pond, and Burr Creek, and at the East Washington Avenue Bridge. The expenditures under the existing project have been $491,239.64 for new work, and $80,906.76 for main- tenance, a total of $572,146.40. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption of the project or its modi- fications. Dredging, totaling quite an extensive amount, has been done by private interests in various portions of the harbor, which has resulted in benefit to general navigation. The cost of this work is not known. Terminal facilities.-This improvement serves an extensive wharf frontage divided approximately as follows: In the main harbor, both sides at the head, about 1 mile; Poquonock River, both sides, 1 mile; Yellow Mill Pond, both sides, not continuous, one-fourth mile; Cedar Creek, nearly one mile; Johnsons River, Burr Creek, and Black Rock, a few small, scattered wharves. The general type of wharf in use is a stone or timber bulkhead with pile apron in front. There are but few piers and those small. The terminal and transfer facilities at the wharves of the larger manufacturing companies are efficient,- and except at Johnsons River, one or more wharves in each of the above groups have direct railroad connections. The city owns one small wharf in the main harbor and a larger one in the upper Poquonock. Except in Yellow Mill Pond, two or more wharves in each group are open to public use. Increased terminal and transfer facilities are desirable to serve the increased commerce to be expected by a rapidly growing municipality. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement is to afford the city of Bridgeport the advantages of water transportation at greatly reduced rates. 214 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Proposed operation.--In view of the present adequate capacity of the improvement and due to war conditions it is proposed to retain the available funds until normal conditions prevail, or the demands of commerce justify the expenditure. Under the above plan, funds will be applied in accordance with the following estimate: Maintenance dredging, Black Rock and Cedar Creek Channel, 75,000 cubic yards, at 20 cents------------------------------------ $15, 000 Repairs to Fayerweather Island sea wall, mainly labor--------------1, 000 Repairs to breakwaters at entrance to main harbor, 3,000 long tons of stone in place, at $1.50 ----------------------------------- 4, 500 Administration, inspection, and contingencies---------------------- 1, 734 Total ------------------------------------------------ 22, 234 No estimate is submitted for maintenance during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, as it is expected that the completion of the above work, if necessary before the above date, will furnish adequate channels for the accommodation of the commerce of the harbor. Recommended modifications of project.--Under date of April 13, 1914, the Chief of Engineers recommended that the project be modi- fled to provide increased widths and depths in certain branches of the harbor, at an estimated cost of $175,300 for new work and $10,000 per annum for maintenance, in accordance with a plan contained in House Document No. 898, Sixty-third Congress, second session. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year were general merchandise, coal, sand and stone, iron and steel, and petroleum products, carried in steamers, barges and scows, canal boats, and schooners, drawing from 5 to 20 feet. Over 80 per cent of the commerce of this harbor is carried on a draft of about 14 feet. During the year an additional transportation line to New York was established. Comparative statement. Freight Calendar Freight Calendar Cadar(short Value. Passengers. (short Value. Passengers. year. tons). year. tons). 1913....... 1,083,047 $43,727, 073.50 153, 692 1916....... 1,548,225 $109,889,957.00 153,963 1914....... 1,039,398 67, 003,507.55 96,892 1917..... 1,588,056 124,522,773.00 1268,779 1915...... 1,135, 623 71, 061781.90 121,270 Fina7cialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $26,353.76: New work---------------- -------- --------------- --- $869, 689. 17 Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 92, 855. 73 Net total expended---------------------------------- 962, 544. 90 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 984, 831. 96 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............................. Expended for maintenance 1............... 5, 450.09 7, 418.09 $2, 664.06 $9,773.21 $2, 556.73 Appropriated or allotted................. ..... ........ ................. . 24,000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS---NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 215 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended---_---------------------- $679.79 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__ 24, 000.00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918__-------------- 164. 00 24, 843. 79 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 1_ 2, 556. 7 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_-------------------------- 22, 287. 06 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities----------------------------- 52. 92 July 1,, 1918, balance available only for maintenance_----------- 22, 234. 14 15. SOUTHPORT HARBOR, CONN. (C8). Location and description.-This harbor is on the north shore of Long Island Sound about 50 miles east of New York City. It con- sists of an outer bay about 1 mile wide, extending inland one-half mile, and the tidal portion of Mill River, about 1 mile long, narrow and entering the bay from the north. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original conditions.-The minimum usable low-water depth was 2 feet at the entrance. At the head of the harbor, about three- quarters of a mile above the entrance the bottom was bare at low water. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1829, and modified in 1876 and 1881. The amount expended prior to operations under that portion of the ex- isting project adopted by the act of June 13, 1902, was $26,087.43 for new work, and $5,000 for maintenance, a total of $31,087.43. Existing project.-This provides for a stone breakwater about 1,320 feet long at the mouth of the harbor; for a dike about 1,350 feet long along the' easterly side of the harbor; for a channel 6 feet deep, 100 feet wide from the 6-foot curve in Long Island Sound to the second turn inside of the breakwater, thence 75 feet wide upstream as far as the docks and thence 60 feet wide along the dock front; for an anchorage basin 6 feet deep and 75 feet wide outside of the chan- nel; and for the removal of ledge rock to depth of 7 feet. The plane of reference is mean low water, the mean tidal range being 6.6 feet. The extreme tidal range, due to the combined effect of wind and other causes, is 11 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1911, is $33,670.98, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $700. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of -March 2, 1829, provided for the breakwater and dike (Annual Report for 1871, p. 824); the act of July 25, 1912, provided for the present channel dimensions, the anchorage basin, and the removal of ledge rock (Annual Report for 1911, p. 1245). For map see Annual Report for 1886, page 648. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Expenditures were for administration and inspection, and amounted to $78.95, ap- plied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1917. The br ,akwaterand dike were completed in 1838, and the channels and basin, 95 per cent completed by the United 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 216 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. States in 1914, were completed by private interests in 1916 and 1917. The. breakwater and dike are in fair condition. The controlling depth is about 6 feet at mean low water. The expenditures under the existing project have been $33,125.60 for new work, and $2,604.12 for maintenance, a total of $35,729.72. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption of the project. The breakwater was kept in repair at local expense in the interval between its completion, in 1837, and the resumption of operations by the United States in 1876. During 1916 hydraulic dredging for land reclamation to the extent of nearly a million cubic yards by the Country Club of Fairfield materially deepened and widened the channel from about 1,000 feet outside of the breakwater to the end of the upper docks and completed the anchorage basin. Terminal facilities,-Commercial wharfage is limited to about 100 feet of bulkhead wall, with very limited cargo handling facilities. This wharf is open to public use. Several other wharves are used as landings for pleasure craft. There are no publicly owned wharves. Direct connection with the railroad is not available. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to benefit the operations of those engaged in oyster fishery and pleasure boating rather than to reduce the freight rates. Proposed operations.-None. Recommended modifications of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The freight for the calendar year was limited to a small amount of shellfish carried in a light-draft sloop. Decrease in tonnage was due to the completion of exten- sive private dredging operations. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ...................... 4, 998 $24) 505 1916.....3,381 $22,246 1914..................... 5,168 25,050 1917 ..................... 19 1,000 1915 .................... . 20 1,200 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ----------------------------------------- $59, 213. 03 Maintenance---_____---.----------------- 7, 604. 12 Net total expended ---------------------------------- 66, 817. 15 Total appropriations to date of this report ------------------- 66, 935. 94 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ............... $14. 264.31 ............ * Expended for maintenance ............... ............ 123.70 $31.43 $192.51 $78.95 Appropriated or allotted..... RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, OONN., DISTRIOT. 217 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------------ $197. 74 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 78. 95 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--- ----------- --------------- 118. 79 16. WESTPORT HARBOR AND SAUGATUCK RIVER, CONN. (C9). Location and description.-SaugatuckRiver has its source in west- ern Connecticut, flows southerly about 20 miles, draining about 92 square miles and empties into Long Island Sound, 46 miles east of New York City. Discharge data are not available. The tidal and navigable portion of the river extends from Long Island Sound to Westport; the village of Saugatuck is located on the west side, about 1 miles below Westport. For about 2 miles below Westport the river is from 200 to 300 feet wide; thence to the mouth it is a broad, shallow bay with a narrow but comparatively deep channel along the westerly and southerly sides. See U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth was 9 feet in the channel in the bay, thence 5 feet to a point 3 miles above the mouth, above which the depth decreased to less than 1 foot at the head of commercial navigation at Westport, 4 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1827, and modified by the river and har- bor act of July 4, 1836. The amount expended prior to operations under that portion of the existing project was: $16,944, for new work; and $2,500, for maintenace; a total of $19,444. For further de- tails of previous project, see annual report for 1915, page 1758. Existing project.-This provides for .a riprap breakwater about 540 feet long at Cedar Point; for a channel 4 feet deep and 60 feet wide up to Westport; for removing the ledge opposite Stony Point; and for removing bowlders from the channel. The plane of refer- ence is mean low water, the mean tidal range being 7 feet. The extreme tidal range due to the combined effects of wind and other causes is 11 feet or more. The. estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1896, is $18,000, exclusive of amount expended on previous project. There is no estimate for maintenance. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 2, 1827, provided for the Cedar Point breakwater; the act of June 13, 1892, provided for the channel in the river (H. Doc. No. 179, 51st Cong., 2d sess. and Annual Report for 1891, p. 840) ; the act of June 3, 1896, provided for the removal of bowlders and ledge (H. Doc. No. 67, 54th Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1896, p. 806). For map, see House Document No. 148, Sixty-third Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 70 per cent completed. The breakwater was completed in 1870, and the ledge opposite Stony Point removed in 1908. Some of the obstruc- tive bowlders have been removed and a channel 4 feet deep, but deficient in width, dredged to Westport. The breakwater is in fair condition. The controlling depths at mean low water are: Nine feet through the bay, thence 6 feet to Saugatuck, thence 24 feet to the lower wharves, and less than 1 foot to the upper wharves, at Westport. 218 REPORT OF OHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. To complete the project requires further removal of bowlders and dredging to full project dimensions in the upper portion of the channel. The expenditure under the existing project has been: $15,160.55, for new work and $860.44, for maintenance; a total of $16,020.99. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.- This improvement serves two wharves at Saugatuck, two on the river and four at Westport. These wharves are of the bulkhead and apron type. None of these wharves has direct railroad connections. Nearly all are open to public use. There are no publicly owned wharves. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvements made have not been sufficient to materially decrease freight rates, which are much higher in this harbor than in any other improved harbor in this vicinity. Proposed operations.-None. Recommended modifications of project.-Under date of July 10, 1913, the Chief of Engineers recommended, subject to certain condi- tions, the adoption of a new project to provide increased depth and width of channel at a cost of $21,000 for new work and $300 annually for maintenance, in accordance with a plan contained in House Docu- ment No. 148, Sixty-third Congress, first session; and under date of July 23, 1915, the Chief of Engineers recommended the abandonment of the existing project. (See H. Doc. No. 404, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) References to published article not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal item of freight reported for the calendar year was coal, carried in scows and barges drawing from 7 to 91 feet. Decreased tonnage due to curtailment of receipts of construction material for public and private works in this vicinity. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913. .................. 13,921 $70,510.23 1916................... 18,694 $83,002.00 1914..................... 15,612 60,879,55 1917..................... 10,513 59,042.00 1915..................... 6,033 25,857.30 Financial sumomary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $126.13: New work --------------------------------------- --- $32, 104. 55 Maintenance -------------------------------------- 3, 360. 44 Net total expended ----------------------------- 35, 464. 99 Total appropriations to date of this report_- 35, 464. 99 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................. .. ........ _ _ .. _......_............- Expended for maintenance 1................ 27.62 $222.38............................. Appropriated or allotted................... 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project -- ------ $3, 000. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS-NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 219 17. NORWALK HARBOR, CONN. (C10). Location and description.-This harbor is on the north shore of Long Island Sound, about 44 miles east of New York City. It consists of a broad outer bay, also known as Sheffield Island Harbor; an inner harbor, about one-half mile wide and 1 miles long; and the tidal, portion of Norwalk River, 11 miles long, narrow and crooked. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original coridition.-The minimum usable low-water depth was 5 feet to South Norwalk, about 31 miles, and thence to Norwalk, about 1- miles, the river was nearly bare at low tide. The head of naviga- tion was at Norwalk. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 10, 1872, and modified in 1880 and 1894. The amount expended prior to operations under the present project was $95,241.22 for new work; $2,838.78 for maintenance; a total of $98,080. For further details of previous projects, see Annual Report for 1915, page 1757. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep and 150 feet wide to South Norwalk, a distance of 2.55 miles; for widen- ing two bends (at Keyser's Island and Black Buoy Point) near the harbor entrance to make them 250 to 300 feet wide; for a channel 8 feet deep and generally 100 feet wide from South Norwalk to Nor- walk, a distance of 1.45 miles; and for a channel 6 feet deep, 2,900 feet long, and generally 75 feet wide to the docks at East Norwalk; and for the maintenance of these channels. The reference plane is mean low water, the mean tidal range being 6.8 feet. The maximum range due to the combined effect of wind and other causes is 12 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1907, is $117,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 3, 1896, provided for the present channel dimensions up to South Norwalk and the widening of the two bends near the harbor entrance (H. Doc. No. 50, 54th Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1896, p. 813); the act of March 2, 1907, provided for the present channel dimensions from South Norwalk up to Nor- walk and to the docks at East Norwalk, and for the maintenance of the channels (H. Doc. No. 262, 59th Cong., 2d sess.). For map, see House Document No. 1143, Sixty-third Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Contract dredging for maintenance, in progress at the beginning of the fiscal year, restored to project depth one cut 2,225 feet long and 40 feet wide in the vicinity of Ferry Point at Norwalk, and an area about 40 feet square below the highway bridge at South Norwalk. The yardage removed during the fiscal year was: From below the highway bridge at South Norwalk, 155; from between South Norwalk and Norwalk, 12,049; total, 12,204. The expenditures, including administration and inspec- tion, were $8,196.41, applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1908. The width of the channels is diminished, and the East Norwalk channel has shoaled considerably. The controlling depths at mean low water are: to Washington Street Bridge at 220 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. South Norwalk, 10 feet, thence to the railroad bridge, 9 feet, thence to Norwalk, 7 feet, and in the East Norwalk channel about 4 feet. The head of navigation is at Norwalk. The expenditures under the existing project have been $67,275.59 for new work; and $42,150.49 for maintenance; a total of $109,426.08. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption of the project. Aside from minor dredging operations there has been no local cooperation. Terminal facilities.-The wharves in Norwalk Harbor line the west bank for over a half mile at South Norwalk and surround, with a frontage of over 2,000 feet, the basin at the head of navigation in Norwalk. There are also a few small wharves on the East Norwalk shore. The general type of construction is a stone or timber bulk- head with earth fill, in front of which is a narrow pile apron, except that the lower wharves at South Norwalk are narrow, open pile piers with slips 100 to 200 feet long between them. A majority of these wharves are private, but one or more in each group are open to public use. There is a municipal wharf at South Norwalk. Railroad con- nections without improved transfer facilities exist at the railroad wharves in South Norwalk and Norwalk. The facilities are con- sidered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement is essential to the water- borne commerce of the locality and has effected a material reduction in freight rates. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the available funds to dredging for maintenance in the channel near South Norwalk and between there and Norwalk in accordance with the following estimate: Dredging 28,000 cubic yards, at 25 cents------------------------- $7, 000 Administration, inspection and contingencies----------------------- 838 Total ---- ------------------------------------------ 7, 838 Due to war conditions, it is proposed to defer the expenditure of the above funds until normal conditions prevail, unless the demands of navigation make imperative an earlier disposition. No estimate is made for maintenance dredging during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, as the expenditure of available funds, if made necessary before that date, will provide channel dimensions sufficient to meet the reasonable demands of the commerce of the harbor. Recommended modifications of project.--Under date of August 7, 1914, the Chief of Engineers recommended the adoption of a new project to provide for the straightening of the entrance channel, in- creasing the width and depth, the latter by 2 feet, to South Norwalk and Norwalk; dredging a 10-foot anchorage basin and maintaining a channel of existing project dimensions to East Norwalk at a total estimated cost of $206,000 for new work, and $8,000 annually for maintenance for the first three years and $4,000 annually thereafter, in accordance with a plan contained in House Document No. 1143, Sixty-third Congress, second session. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Comimercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year were general merchandise, coal, oysters and shells, car- ried in steamers, barges, scows, schooners, and sloops, drawing from RIVERS AND HARBORS---NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 221 4 to 15 feet. Decreases in tonnage and value are due to curtailed receipts of all principal items and especially general merchandise. The bulk of this commerce is carried on a draft of about 12 feet; the oyster trade and an occasional deep-draft schooner furnishing the lower and upper limits above mentioned. Comparative statements. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ..................... 247,968 $22,568,126.89 1916.................. 247,419 31, 418,526. 00 1914................... 206, 467 11, 463, 619.10 1917.................... 194, 949 13, 904,860.00 1915 ................... 237,391 33,174,097.08. Financialswummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,013.08: New work----------------------------------------- $162, 516. 81 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 44, 989. 27 Net total expended--------------------------------- 207, 506. 08 Total appropriations to date of this report -- __ --- __- - 215, 413. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................. . ........... .............. Expended for maintenance 1............ 2, 978.02 976.26 1,817.96 1,130.19 8,196.41 Appropriated or allotted.................................... .......... 5,000.00 8,000.00 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended- - _ _---------------- -- $8, 103. 33 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 8, 000. 00 16, 103. 33 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_, 8, 196. 41 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------ ----------------- 7, 906. 92 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities --------------------- 68. 87 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance-__- -- 7, 838. 05 18. FIVEMILE RIVER HARBOR, CONN. (C11). Location and description.-This harbor is a tidal inlet about 1 mile long and from 100 to 1,000 feet in width, on the north shore of Long Island Sound, about 41 miles east of New York City. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth was 3 feet at the mouth, the upper part of the harbor being bare. The head of navigation was about 1 mile from the harbor mouth. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.--This provides for a channel 100 feet wide, 8 feet deep, and 6,000 feet long. The depth refers to mean low water, the mean tidal range being 7.2 feet. The extreme tidal range due to the effect of wind and other causes is 12 feet or more. The estimate 222 REPORT OF CHIEF OF' ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY 1918. of cost for new work, revised in 1894, is $45,000. The latest (1894) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888 (Annual Report for 1887, p. 639). For map see House Document No. 1419, Sixty-third Congress, third session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions. Expenditures were for administration, and amounted to $7.33, applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 82 per cent completed. A channel of project dimensions has been dredged about 5,300 feet up the harbor, and thence about 200 feet farther with project depth and widths of. 25 to 75 feet. The head of navigation is about 1 mile from the harbor mouth. The controlling depth at mean low water through the improved channel is 8 feet for the first half mile, about 7 feet for the next 2,000 feet, and thence grad- ually diminishing to about 3 feet at the head. The work required to complete the project is the widening and extension of the inner end of the channel for a distance of about 700 feet. The expenditures have been $35,490.44 for new work, and $10,746.65 for maintenance; a total of $46,237.09. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-Eight of the 10 or 12 wharves in this harbor are used in the oyster industry. The others are used as land- ings for pleasure craft. These wharves consist of solid filled bulk- heads and open-pile structures.- The unloading facilities are gen- erally inefficient. There is no physical connection with the railroad. Practically all of the wharves are open to public use at the owner's convenience. There are no publicly owned terminals. The facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The benefit of the improvement lies in facilitating the operation of vessels employed in the oyster industry rather than in a reduction in freight rates. Proposed operations.-None, other than such maintenance with available funds as may be necessary to meet the current needs of navigation. Recommended modifications of project.--Under date of December 15, 1914, the Chief of Engineers recommended that the project be modified to omit all work above a point 3,800 feet from the inner end of the entrance channel. (H. Doc. No. 1419, 63d Cong., 3d sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the calendar year were oysters and oyster shells, carried in vessels draw- ing from 2 to 7 feet. The tonnage, being dependent almost entirely on the oyster business, is variable. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.. .................. 14,725 $171, 229.94 1916......... ........... 2,984 $44, 436.00 1914 .................. 10, 118 140, 316.58 1917........... ......... 1,435 19, 931.00 1915 .................... 2,498 31,399.60 RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 223 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $105.11: New work ------------------------------------------ $35, 490. 44 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ _ 10, 746. 65 Net total expended---------------------------------- 46, 237. 09 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 49, 140. 44 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............. .................. ................ ... .......... ............ Expended for maintenance 1............... 118.66 18. 61.............. 22. 66 7.33 Appropriated or allotted................................ .......................................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ - -_____------__ _____$2, 910. 68 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 7. 33 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -____ __- __-----__ ___-2, 903. 35 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ----------------------------------------- 9, 510. 00 19. STAMFORD HARBOR, CONN. (C012). Location and description.-This harbor is on the north shore of Long Island Sound, 36 miles east of New York City. It consists of a bay about 2 miles wide at its mouth and extending inland 11 miles, from which two tidal inlets, known as the east and west branches, 1J and 1 miles long, respectively, extend northerly into the city of Stamford. The east branch, known locally as the "Canal," is largely artificial; the west branch is the tidal portion of Mill River, a small fresh-water stream. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth in the west branch was from 1 to 3 feet at the head, increasing in the bay to 12 feet; the depth in the east branch was small, but this branch' had been straightened and dredged about 6 feet deep and 60 feet wide by private enterprise before its improvement was begun by the United States. The head of navigation in the east and west branches was and is about 1l and 1* miles, respectively, above the head of the bay. Mill River is said to have been originally navigable by schoon- ers for a considerable distance above the Oliver Street Bridge, at the head of the existing west branch channel. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the act of August 5, 1886. The amount expended prior to operations under the existing project was $20,100, all for new work. For further details of previous project see Annual Report for 1915, page 1758. Existing prqoect.-This provides for a channel in the west branch 7 feet deep, 150 feet wide, and about 1* miles long, with a, basin of the same depth between harbor lines at the head of the harbor, and in the east branch a channel 9 feet deep and 100 feet wide for a length of about 8,535 feet, and from about 80-to 125 feet wide for about1 1,200 feet farther to the head of the harbor. The plane of Not deutn.rcit.fo.aes.t. Exlsv.o.viabefn. 'Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. 224 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. reference is mean low water, the mean tidal range being 7.3 feet. The extreme tidal range, due to the combined effects of wind and other causes, is 12 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1893, is $123,500, exclusive of amounts expended on previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892'(Annual Reports for 1891, p. 848, and 1893, p. 955); a special report to the Chief of Engineers, approved February 12, 1901, provided for the increased width at the head of the east branch. For map, see House Document No. 1130, Sixty-third Congress, sec- ond session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Expenditures were for obligations outstanding at beginning of year, minor sur- veys and administration, and amounted to $1,392.29, applied to main- tenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1911. The controlling depths at mean low water are: In the east branch, nearly 9 feet to the steamboat wharf, thence dimin- ishing to 3 feet at the extreme head, 1,200 feet above; in the west branch, 7 feet to the basin, in which project depth exists over about 50 per cent of its area, and in the remainder the available depth ranges from 5 to 7 feet. The channel widths in the west branch are seriously diminished, and those of the east-branch channel to a less extent. The expenditures under the existing project have been $115,042.85 for new work and $45,165.09 for maintenance; a total of $160,207.94. Local cooperation.-No conditions of local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption of the project. Prior to the adoption of the original project, a channel 61 feet deep and 60 feet wide had been dredged to the head of the east branch by private interests, at a cost said to be about $250,000. Terminal facilities.-Practicallyall of the wharves served by this improvement are of the shore-line bulkhead type, either with or ,without pile aprons. In the west branch they surround the basin at the head of the channel. The total frontage developed is approxi- mately one-half mile. One wharf is open to public use, the others are for the owners' use exclusively. In the east branch the wharves are located on both sides of the channel within 3,000 feet of its head. The upper 1,300 feet of frontage on each.side is continuous. A very large part of this frontage is open to public use. Railroad con- nection exists at the head of the branch and along the wharves on the west side. There are no publicly owned terminals in either branch. The facilities are considered adequate for the existing com- merce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has afforded the city of Stamford increased facilities for water transportation, with a con- sequent reduction in freight rates. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the available funds to the restoration of the channels and a portion of the basin to project dimensions in accordance with the following estimate: Dredging 49,000 cubic yards, at 26 cents -------------------- $12, 740 Administration, inspection, and contingencies. ---------- _------- 1, 212 Total..-- --.----.--.--.. _-...-- -13, 952 RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 225 Due to existing war conditions it is proposed not to epend the above funds until the capacities of the channels and basin become evidently inadequate for the existing commerce. No estimate is submitted for maintenance during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for the reason that the work to be done under the above estimate, if accomplished before that date, will leave the improvement in such condition that no further maintenance will be necessary during the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.--Under date of July 17, 1914, the Chief of Engineers recommended the adoption of a new project to provide channels and an anchorage basin of increased depths and widths at a cost of $183,000 for new work and $5,000 annually for maintenance, in accordance with a plan contained in House Document No. 1130, Sixty-third Congress, second session. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the cal- endar year were general merchandise, coal, sand and stone, earths, and ores and lumber, carried in steamers, barges, scows, canal boats, and schooners, drawing from 6 to 15 feet. The bulk of the traffic in the east branch is handled on a draft of from 11 to 12 feet, and in the west branch on about 9 to 10 feet draft. Decrease in tonnage is due largely to a marked falling off in receipts of the first three items mentioned above. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short Passen- Short Passen Value. Passen- Calendar year. Short Value. e 1913........... 332, 576 $15, 984, 034.84 33,779 1916............ 401, 359 $22, 708, 426.88 .......... 1914........... 263,331 10, 456, 050.03 11,450 1917........... 315,159 19,258, 529.00 .......... 1915.......... 356,768 17,843,810.04 11,110 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $420.45: New work ----------------------------------------- $135, 142. 85 Maintenance________________ 45, 165. 09 " Net total expended --------------------------------- 180, 307. 94 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------- 194, 360. 53 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work. ...........-................................................ Expended for maintenance 1.............. $607.73 $671.33 $474.53 $9,166.23 $1, 392.29 Appropriated or allotted........... ...................... .......... 14,000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended$---------------------------- $1, 444. 88 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917- 14, 000. 00 15,444.88 81116---ENG 1918-----15 226 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, 1T. S. ARMY, 1918.' June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 1, 392. 29 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended __________________________ 14, 052. 59 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_---- . -........... __.. 100. 09 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance_ .... ___- 13, 952. 50 20. GREENWICH HARBOR, CONN. (C 13). Location and description.-This harbor is on the north shore of Long Island Sound, about 30 miles east of New York City. It con- sists of a shallow cove, varying in width 'from about 1,500 to 200 feet, and extending' northward about 3,000 feet from a broad outer bay known as Captains Harbor. See United States Coast and Geo- detic Survey Chart No. 52. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth was 6 feet at the lower docks, decreasing to 2 feet at the head of the harbor, which was also the head of navigation, about 0.6 mile above the outer bay. Previous projects.-None Existing project.-This provides for a channel 90 feet wide from a point in the outer bay to the causeway at the head of the harbor, a distance of about a mile, to be 9 feet deep to the steamboat dock and 6 feet deep above, the upper end to be enlarged to form a turning basin. The plane of reference is mean low water, the mean tidal range being 7.5 feet. The extreme tidal range, due to the combined effects of wind and other causes, is 12 feet or more. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1896, is $20,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896 (H. Doc. No. 25, 53d Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Re- port for 1895, p. 860). For map see House Document No. 289, Sixty- third Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Expenditures were for administration and inspection and amounted to $106.70, applied to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was corm- pleted in 1905. The controlling depths at mean low water are 8J feet to the steamboat wharf and 7 feet to the head of the dredged channel; in the turning basin, 7 feet. The available channel width is in many places much reduced. The expenditures have been $17,017.19 for new work and $10,086.04 for maintenance, a total of $27,103.23. Local cooperation.-No conditions for local cooperation were pre- scribed by law at the time of the adoption of the project. A small amount of dredging has been done by private interests at an un- known cost that has provided additional anchorage space and has tended to reduce the cost of subsequent operations by the United States. Terminal failities.-There are eight commercial wharves of the bulkhead and apron type along the eastern side of the channel and at the head of the harbor, and also several landings for pleasure craft. Public use of these wharves may be had by special agreement. There is no direct physical connection with the railroad. The town RIVERS AND HARBORS--NEW LONDON, CONN., DISTRICT. 227 of Greenwich owns two small unimproved wharves, neither of which is accessible to commercial vessels. The facilities are considered ade- quate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has afforded the town of Greenwich added facilities for water transportation and has tended to reduce freight rates. Proposed operations.-Dredgingby private interests having re- stored the depths in the turning basin, it is proposed to apply the available funds to the restoration of the channel in accordance with the following estimate: Dredging 9,500 cubic yards, at 26 cents ------------------------ $2, 4701 Administration, inspection, and contingencies------------------------ 423 Total _________________ ---- _ --- 2, 893 Due to war conditions, it is proposed to delay the expenditure of the above funds until normal conditions prevail, unless the demands of navigation require earlier relief. No estimate is submitted for maintenance during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, as a prior expenditure of the available funds would provide all necessary requirements up to the end of that period. Recommended modifications of project.-Under date of November 25, 1913, the Chief of Engineers recommended the adoption of a new project to provide increased depth and width of channel, at a cost of $35,000 for new work and $2,250 annually for maintenance, in accordance with a plan contained in House Document No. 289, Sixty- third Congress, first session. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items of freight for the calendar year were coal, general merchandise, sand and stone, and building materials, carried in steamers, scows, barges, canal boats, and schooners drawing from 6 to 13 feet. The larger part of the above commerce is handled on a draft of from 10 to 12 feet, the vessels grounding at their berths at low water. During the year one line of transportation was abandoned and one new line established. Comparative statement. Calendar year. tos Passen- Short Passen- Short Calenda tons. Value. Paen-Calendar gers. year. tons. Value. gers. 1913.............. 116, 570 $8,582,337. 00 50, 000 1916.......... 139,704 $5,239,121.47 8, 000 1914............ 119 677 6,550,723.00 40,000 1917........... 112,198 8, 397, 884. 0 40, 000 1915............ 96, 632 2,656,780. 58 27,900 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $247.26: New work --------------------------- -------------- $17,017.19 Maintenance ---------------- ----------- 10, 086. 04 Net total expended------------------------- 27, 103.23 Total appropriations to date of this report---------- 29, 996. 5& 228 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............... ........... . ................... .... Expended for maintenance 1 ........... 3,386.10 ..... .. ....... 106.70 Appropriated or allotted......................................................3,000.00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917 ------------------------------------------------ $3, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- nance ---------------------- - 106. 70 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_____________________-__-__ 2, 893. 30 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP C. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $34,463.58: New work -- ----------------------------------- $4, 151, 801. 62 Maintenance ---------------------------------------- 561, 249. 95 Net total expended ____________________ ________ 4, 713, 051. 57 Total appropriations to date of this report_ _________-_-____ 4, 831, 236. 31 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1........ ... $215, 802.56 $90, 805. 69$ $56, 512.92 $10, 231.54 $55,794.88 Expended for maintenance 1-............. 47, 401.76 22, 284.24 22, 808.12 49, 548. 86 13, 720. 30 Total expended 1................... 263, 204.32 113, 089.93 79, 321.04 59, 780. 40 69, 515.18 Appropriated or allotted.................... ........... 104,000.00 ............ 88,000.00 71,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_________ _____$94, 507.75 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917_ 71, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918___________---- 192. 17 165, 699. 92 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: 1 For new work_ _____ ____________---___ $55, 794. 88 For maintenance___--1__- ________ ____---1_ 3, 720. 30 69, 515. 18 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended____________________________ 96,184. 74 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ______________ - __ 397. 55 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts____ 8, 000. 00 8, 397. 55 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $74,943.30 available only for maintenance _------------ ------------------------------ 87, 787. 19 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 22, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919___________109, 787. 19 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of ex- isting project____------------------------------------------ 47, 645. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance ----- ------- ___-____ _ *23, 000. 00 ! Nod deducting receipts from sales, 2 Etclusive of available funds. etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 229 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEY MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACTS APPROVED MARCH 4, 1915, AND JULY 27, 1916. Reports on preliminary examinations and survey required by the river and harbor acts of March 4, 1915, and July 27, 1916, of the following localities within this district were duly submitted by the district engineer. They were reviewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, pursuant to law, and were transmitted to Congress and printed in documents as indicated: I Prelinminaryexamination and survey of Niantic Bay, Conn., with a view of making it a harbor of refuge.-Reports dated November 4, 1915, and October 2, 1917, with map, are printed in House Document No. 829, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. 2. Preliminary examination of QuinnipiacRiver, Conn., from New Haven Harborto Meriden.-Report dated January 29, 1918, is printed in House Document No. 1052, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. The local engineer was also charged with the duty of making other preliminary examinations and surveys provided for by the river and harbor acts of March 4, 1915, and July 27, 1916, as follows, and reports thereon will be duly submitted when received: 1. New Haven Harbor, Conn., with a view to cooperation with local interests for further developments. 2. Naugatuck River, Conn., between head of navigation at Derby and Waterbury, Conn. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. This district includes that portion of Long Island Sound and the harbors on its northern shore west of the Connecticut boundary line; East River from the head of Long Island Sound at Throgs Neck and its tributaries from the north to the Battery, New York City; Hudson River and tributaries to the head of navigation, about 250 miles north from the Battery; and Lake Champlain and tributaries from Whitehall, N. Y., to the Canadian border. District engineer: Maj. E. M. Adams, United States Army, retired, to December 31, 1917; Col. S. W. Roessler, United States Army, retired, since that date. Division engineer: Col. Frederic V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, to October 11, 1917; Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, United States Army, retired, since that date. 230 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, ?91 IMPROVEMENTS. [The letters and figures in parentheses after the titles indicate the group and the numerical order in the group to which the respective improvements belong for purposes of appropriation.] Page. Page. 1. Port Chester Harbor, N. Y. 11. Operating and care of lock and (Al)...................... 230 dam in Hudson River at 2. Mamaroneck Harbor, N. Y. Troy, N. Y................ 273 (A2) ................... .... 233 12..Tarrytown Harbor, N. Y. (B1). 274 3. Echo Bay Harbor, N. Y. (A3).. 236 13. Peekskill Harbor, N. Y. (B2).. 277 4. East Chester Creek, N. Y. (A4). 238 14. appingerties Harboreek, N. Y. (B4). 279 5. Westchester Creek, N. Y. (A5). 241 16. Rondout Harbor, N. Y. (B5)-.. 284 6. Bronx River, N. Y. (A6)....... 244 17. Narrows of Lake Champlain, 7. East River and Hell Gate, N. Y. and Vt. (Cl)...--.-----. 287 N. Y-...-.......... ...... . 249 18. Burlington Harbor, Vt. (C2) .. 290 8. Harlem River, N. Y.-.......... 257 19. Plattsburg Harbor, N. Y. (C3). 293 9. Hudson River Channel, N. Y.. 262 20. Port Henry Harbor, N. Y. (C4) 296 10. Hudson River, N. Y.......... 267 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE PAGES 2095 TO 2150. PORT CHESTER, MAMARONECK, AND ECHO BAY HARBORS, EAST CHESTER AND WESTCHESTER CREEKS, AND BRONX RIVER, N. Y. (GROUP A). 1. PORT CHESTER HARBOR, N. Y. (Al). Location and description.-This harbor, located at the boundary between the States of New York and Connecticut, and about 32 miles by water east of the Battery, New York City, consists of the Byram River and a shallow bay at its mouth, about 100 acres in extent, open- ing into Long Island Sound. About 1 mile above its mouth, at the head of navigation, the river is crossed by a fixed bridge. The source of the river is about 13 miles north of the bridge. Below the bridge the river is tidal and from 100 to 300 feet wide. The bay is protected from storms in the Sound by Manursing Island on the south and a breakwater extending out from Byram Point on the east. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The river had a mean low-water depth of about 1 foot. Salt Rock in the river and Sunken Rock in the bay were considered to be dangerous obstructions. The head of naviga- tion was and is at the fixed bridge, about 1 miles from Long Island Sound. Previous projects.-The original project for improvement, adopted June 10, 1872, was modified in 1884 and enlarged March 3, 1899, and March 2, 1907. There was expended under this project, prior to the commencement of work under the existing project in 1910, $74,995.10 for new work and $16,369.12 for maintenance, a total of $91,364.22. For further details of previous projects see Annual Report for 1915, page 1758. Existing project.--This provides- for a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water and 150 feet wide from Long Island Sound to the month of the river at the southerly point of Fox Island; thence 10 feet deep and 100 feet wide to 900 feet below the fixed bridge at Mill St reet, in Port Chester, including a turning basin opposite the steam- boat latl(ling; and thence 3 feet deep and 175 to 100 feet wide to 100 RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 231 feet below the fixed bridge. The length of the section included in the project is about 11 miles. Mean tidal range, 7.29 feet; the ex- treme range under ordinary conditions is about 9 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $188,000, exclusive of the amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1918) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance after completion is $1,400. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910. (H. Doc. No..1165, 60th Cong., 2d sess.) The latest published map is in the project document, Operations and results during fiscal year.-Available funds were insufficient for the prosecution of work. The expenditures during the year amounted to $874.91 all for new work, and were in the payment of liabilities incurred in the prosecution of work prior to June 30, 1917, and in part payment of office expenses and contingencies. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 64 per cent of the exist- ing project has been completed. On June 30, 1918, there was avail- able for navigation a channel of navigable width and 12 feet depth up to Fox Island; thence about 9 feet up to about 1,800 -feet above Fox Island; thence 8 feet to about 700 feet below the steamboat wharf; thence to Willet Avenue the channel and turning basin have been completed to full projected width and depth; above this no work has been done, and the existing depths are 2 feet or less. To complete the project the following work remains to be done: Widening the channel from the entrance at Long Island Sound up to the vicinity of Fox Island, and widening and deepening the chan- nel at and above Fox Island to about 700 feet below the steamboat landing. Also, no work has yet been done in the channel of 3 feet projected depth immediately below the fixed bridge. In the prose- cution of this work both dredging and rock removal will be re- quired. The total expenditures amounted to $121,689.98 for new work and $3,216.92 for maintenance, a total of $124,906.90. Local cooperation.-No conditions have been imposed by law re- quiring local cooperation. About 1893 the local authorities aided by private interests, expended $1,200 in dredging the channel above Fox Island previously excavated by the United States. Terminal facilities.-Water terminals, 22 in number, with a total wharf frontage of 4,385 feet are located on Byram River at and be- tween Fox Island and the fixed bridge; one of these is connected with the main line of railroad by spur track. Three of the terminals, with a total frontage of 325 feet, are publicly owned, 18 with a total frontage of 4,065 feet are privately owned, one of which, with a frontage of 200 feet, is open to the public, and one consists of an earth slope occupied by a trestle supporting a pipe line. Other details are as follows: 16 with a total frontage of.3,285 feet consist of solid fills behind stone bulkheads, 2 with a total frontage of 530 feet consist of 280 feet of solid fills behind stone bulkheads and 250 feet of open pile with solid fills behind stone bulkheads in rear, 1 with a frontage of 200 feet consists of a solid fill behind a timber bulk- head, and 1 consists of a pile trestle supporting a pipe line. 232 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. The existing facilities appear to be adequate for existing com- merce. Effect of improvement.-Transportation by water has been ren- dered easier and safer, while the draft and registered tonnage of the largest vessels entering the harbor have increased. The financial benefits to the locality are indicated by the amount saved through the use of water instead of rail transportation for building materials, coal and pig and scrap iron. This saving amounted to about $128,800 in 1917. Proposed operations.-The 'funds available on June 30, 1918, are to be expended in payment of such minor liabilities pertaining to this work as may be necessarily incurred. Further prosecution of this project is not deemed essential at this time, and no estimate for funds is submitted. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of building materials, coal and pig and scrap iron. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................... 195,605 $6,359,430 1916................. ... 208,897 $18,159,717 1914................. .. 199,128 5,055,017 1917.................... 210,614 18,686,375 1915................... 206,556 9,976;999 Passengers carried, none reported. The tonnage for 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usual limit Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried, of total draft of tonnage. vessel (feet). Building materials ........... .... ...... .... ..... .... .......................... 20 81-14 General merchandise.................. . .. ..... ............ .......... 32 8 -11 Petroleum and products................................. ...................... 1 9 -10 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $27.52: New work----------------------------------------------- $196, 685. 08 Maintenance__--__________-1_______-___ -_ 19, 586. 04 Net total expended__________-___________________ 216, 271. 12 Total appropriations to date of this report ----- ______-__--216, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.. ... $26, 731.08 $14, 425.47 $9, 081.45 $33, 023.13 $874.91 Expended for maintenance 1......................... 870.76 797.54 1,548.62.. Total expended 1................... 26,731.08 15,296.23 9,878.99 34,571.75 874.91 Appropriated or allotted .................. 10,000.00 20,000.00 ........... 34,500.00 500.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT.' 233 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --------------------------------- $603. 79 Amount allotted from river and harbor act of Mar. 4, 1915 - 500. 00 1, 103. 79 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work__ 874. 91 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended___ -------------------------------- 228. 88 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities --------------- -9. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available----------------------------------- 219. 88 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project-------------------------- ------------------- 166, 081. 14 2. MAMARONECK HARBOR, N. Y. (A2). Location and description.--This harbor, situated on the north shore of Long Island Sound about 5 miles west of the Connecticut State line and about 27 miles by water east of the Battery, New York City, consists of a tidal inlet opening into a shallow bay about 1 square mile in area. Mamaroneck River, the source of which is about 7 miles north of the harbor, empties into the inlet at the head of navigation, which is marked by a fixed bridge at the Boston Post Road in the village of Mamaroneck, about 1 mile above the head of the bay. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 52. Original condition.-A narrow winding channel passed, to the westward of Grassy Knoll, a rocky obstruction, situated about 1,000 feet south of Harbor (Hog) Island. It had a controlling depth of 4.6 feet at mean low water up to an old steamboat wharf on the island; above this to wharves near the head of navigation just below the Boston Post Road the controlling depth was six-tenths of a foot. A secondary channel passed to the east of Grassy Knoll and afforded a passage for a large part of the tidewaters. Outside the limits of these channels the harbor abounded in flats. Several rocks ob- structed the mouth of the harbor and caused the wrecking of a num- ber of vessels. Previous projects.-The original project for improvement was adopted August 2, 1882, and modified April 27, 1899. There was expended under this project prior to the commencement of work under the existing project in 1912, $40,000-$35,371.50 for new work and $4,628.50 for maintenance. For further details of previous proj- ects, see annual report for 1915, page 1759. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water and 80 feet wide, with increased width at bends, from the head of the bay to a turning basin near the head of the proposed im- provement; 100 feet wide at the upper wharves; 50 to 40 feet wide just below thefixed bridge at the Boston Post Road; and 80 feet wide for a distance of approximately 300 feet east of the turning basin. The mean tidal range is 7.3 feet, and the extreme range, under or- dinary conditions, is about 9 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1914, is $47,550, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912. (H. Doc. No. 1087, 61st Cong., 3d sess.) The latest published map is in the project document. 1 Exclusive of available funds. 234 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the year. Expenditures were in the payment of liabili- ties incurred in making an examination of the dredged channel and in the payment of office expenses and contingencies and amounted to $241.62-$124.78 for new work and $116.84 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 98 per cent of the existing project has been completed, the incomplete portion being the channel extension immediately below the Boston Post Road. The controlling depth in the completed channel is about 7 feet. The total expendi- tures under existing project amounted to $53,751.46-$45,352.93 for new work and $8,398.53 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-The river and harbor act of July 25, 1912, required that easements for right of way and for the disposition of the dredged material on Harbor Island be furnished free of cost to the United States. The easement for right of way was approved by the Secretary of War May 20, 1913, and by July, 1913, the village authorities had completed the construction of a rubblestone wall around Harbor Island at a cost of about $10,000, inclosing about 12 acres of marshland and land under water for the reception of material to be excavated in improving the harbor. In the summer of 1916 the Orienta Yacht Club dredged a channel through the flats north of Harbor Island from deep water in the main channel up to its landing 60 feet wide, 6 feet deep, and about 600 feet long at a cost of $3,500. Terminal facilities.-Water terminals, 5 in number, with a total wharf frontage of 990 feet, are located at the head of navigation; one of these is connected by spur track with the electric trolley serv- ice; one of the terminals with a frontage of 70 feet is publicly owned; the remainder being privately owned, one of which, with a frontage of 180 feet, is open to the public. Other details are as follows: 2 with a total frontage of 330 feet consist of open pile construction with solid fill behind stone bulkheads in the rear. 1 with a frontage of 365 feet consists of 225 feet of solid fill behind a stone bulkhead and 140 feet of open pile construction with solid fill behind a stone bulkhead in the rear. 1 with a frontage of 70 feet consists of a solid fill behind a stone bulk- head. 1 with a frontage of 225 feet consists of a solid. fill behind a crib bulk- head. The terminal on the east side of Harbor Island has been aban- doned for commercial use; it is now used as a recreation pier. The existing facilities are not adequate for existing commerce; the village authorities have accordingly taken preliminary steps for the construction of an additional wharf to be open to the public and con- nected by spur track with the electric trolley service. Effect of improvement.-Navigation has been made easier, safer, and more direct from the bay to the wharves, while much larger car- goes are now carried to the harbor than formerly. Also bulk freight is now transferred to cars at the water front and carried to points in the interior. Lumber is unloaded direct from vessel to wharf with- out lightering. The financial benefits to the locality are indicated by the amount saved through the use of water instead of rail transporta- tion for building materials, general merchandise, and coal. This saving amounted to $36,800 in 1917. RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 235 Proposed operations.-Furtherprosecution of this project is not deemed essential at this time, and no estimate of funds is submitted. The small balance of funds available June 30, 1918, will be expended in maintaining the improvement as occasion may require. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of building materials, general merchandise, coal, and pumice stone. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913...................... 118,992 $970,164 1916.................... 36,007 $1,496,100 ...................... 1914 74,985 875,100 1917......................35,680 1,331,927 1915...................... 57,583 1,132,866 Passengers carried, none reported. There were also 1,000 visits of pleasure boats made to a local boat yard for repairs and refitting. The boats ranged in size from 18 to 43 feet in length and from 1 foot to 4 feet in draft. The tonnage of 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usual limit Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried. of total draft of tonnage. vessel (feet). Building materials .............................................. ................. 32 7--8 General merchandise ........................................................ 14 8 Pumice stone .......................... ........................................ 7 8-9 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $27.51: New work----------------------------------------------- $80, 724. 43 Maintenance ------------------ ----------------- 13, 027. 03 Net total expended-------------------------------------- 93, 751. 46 Total appropriations to date of this report __________ __________ 94, 300. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.............. $18, 842. 80 7, 524.29 $10,401.23 $7,003. 20 $124. 78 Expended for maintenance 1.. ... .. 7, 861.08 179.70 240. 91 116. 84 Total expended 1 ................... 18,842. 80 15,385.37 10,580.93 7,244.11 241. 62 Appropriated or allotted.......... ............ 17, 800.00 ........... 7,000.00..... 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ __________________ -------- _ $790. 16 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work--- ------------ $124. 78 For maintenance - 116. 1----------------------------- 84 241. 62 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- - -------- --- - 548. 54 236 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------_ ------ $9. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available--- ------------------------------- 539. 54 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project - --------------------------------------- _ 1, 648. 53 3. ECHO BAY HARBOR, N. Y. (A3). Location and description.-This harbor, on which lies the city of New Rochelle, is on the north shore of Long Island Sound about 8 miles west of the Connecticut State line and about 24 miles by water east of the Battery, New York City, and consists of a shallow inlet interspersed with islands about five-eighths of a mile long and 150 feet to 2,000 feet wide, with a bay at its mouth about three-eighths of a mile long and one-fourth of a mile wide. The inlet, or inner harbor, is landlocked except at the extreme outer end, while the bay, or outer harbor, is exposed to southeasterly storms. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The channel leading from the bay to the wharves was only 1 to 2 feet deep and was obstructed by Long Rock, Start Rock, and Sheepshead Reef. The first-mentioned rock was ex- posed at low water and the other two had not more than 1.6 feet and 2.2 feet of water over them, respectively, at mean low water. The head of navigation was at the head of the inlet about five-eighths of a mile north of the head of the bay. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, and modified June 13, 1902, and March 2, 1907. There was expended under this project prior to the com- mencement of work, under the existing project in 1910, $47,378.16- $47,367.75 for new work and $10.41 for maintenance. For further details of previous projects see Annual Report for 1915, page 1760. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide, extending from the 10-fdot con- tour in Echo Bay to the city wharf at Beaufort Point (Hudson Park), and a turning basin of the same depth at the inner extremity of the channel. Mean tidal range, 71 feet; the extreme range, under ordinary conditions, is about 9 feet. The estimated cost for new work made in 1910 is $22,110, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. No estimate was made for annual cost of mainte- nance. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 1118, 60th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-An examination of the dredged channel made showed that the amount of deterioration by shoaling was small and that expenditures for maintenance were inad- visable. The expenditures were in part payment of office expenses, and amounted to $68.09 and were applied to maintenance. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1911. With the exception of slight shoaling in small scat- tered areas the project depths are available. The controlling depth as far as Beaufort Point is about 10 feet, thence to the head of navi- gation about 3 feet. The head of navigation is at the head of the 1Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 237 inlet. The total expenditures under the existing project up to June 30, 1918, amounted to $19,325.96--$18,236.12 for new work, and $1,089.84 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-No conditions have been imposed by law re- quiring local cooperation. Prior to 1913 the local authorities of the city of New Rochelle expended about $27,500 in constructing a public wharf at Beaufort Point and about $50,000 in dredging, mainly at and in the approaches to this wharf. There was expended in 1913,. by private interests, in the construction of a public pier $2,500, and during and prior to 1913 private interests expended for dredging about $87,475, mainly in the excavation of a channel extending from the main channel at Beaufort Point to the head of navigation near Main Street, and from the same point up to and along the water front of the New Rochelle Coal & Lumber Co. property. Terminal facilities.-Water terminals, 10 in number, with a total wharf frontage of 3,050 feet are scattered along the waterfront at and between Beaufort Point and the head of navigation. Three of the terminals, with a total frontage of 700 feet are publicly owned, of which 550 feet are open to the public; five with a total frontage of 2,550 feet are privately owned, and two supporting pipe lines sup- ported on trestles are owned by corporations. Other details are as follows: 4 with a total frontage of 1,000 feet consist of solid fills behind stone bulk- heads; 2 with a total frontage of 200 feet consist of open pile construction; 1 with a frontage of 200 feet consists of 125 feet of solid fill behind a stone bulkhead, 250 feet of solid fill behind a crib bulkhead, and 550 feet of open pile with solid fill behind a stone bulkhead in rear; 1 with a frontage of 200 feet consists of 125 feet of solid fill behind a crib bulkhead and 75 feet of solid fill behind a concrete bulkhead; 2 consist of pipe lines supported on small trestles. The existing facilities appear to be adequate. The publicly owned terminal at Beaufort Point is inconveniently located with reference to the business center; insufficient depth of water precludes a more central location. Effect of improvement.-As the result of the improvement freight rates have been reduced, the tonnage of the vessels carrying this com- merce has been greatly increased, and a steamboat line for carrying passengers and motor vehicles has been established and is making several trips daily between New Rochelle and Sea Cliff, Long Island. The financial benefits to the locality are indicated by the amount saved through the use of water instead of rail transportation for building materials and coal, which amounted to about $53,900 in 1917. Proposed operations.-Itis proposed to expend the available funds in maintaining the improvement, as occasion may require. No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as the funds on hand are considered sufficient to provide for such maintenance work as may be required for the next two years. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of building materials, general merchandise, and coal. 238 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers Vehicles1 carried, carried. 1913. --- -------------------- -- _---..-.. 506,180 3,750.000 146. 212 4,117 1914 ..........--------------- ----------------------- 143, 766 1, 830,134 134,185 4,100 1915- . -...-- ....- ... ---. ...... ......... . 104, 518 2, 042, 530 93, 774 4.005 1916 ------------------------------------------- 87,628 3,881,395 64,017.. 1917.......... .. ----....... .............. - -.........---- 76,569 3,872,418 150,000 4,387 1 No record for 1916. Ferry company reorganized. The tonnage and value of the commerce for 1914 to 1917, inclusive, given in the above table are for Echo Bay Harbor only; for 1913 the commerce for New Rochelle Harbor as reported by the local associa- tions interested in the improvement is included. The tonnage for 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usuallimit Usual limit Per cent of loaded Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried. of total draft of Class of freight carried, of total draft of- tonnage. vessel tonnage. vessel (feet). (feet). Building materials......... 11 9 Coal........ .. ......... 57 6to 9 General merchandise....... 21 6 to 9 Petroleum products ....... 10 10 to 12 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $50.34. New work ------------------------------------------- $65, 603. 87 Maintenance ______________--__ ___ -- -____ __.--- _-1, 100. 25 Net total expended__--- -------------------------- 66, 704. 12 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------- 69, 110. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work...........------ ------ ..... ------........-- ----- ......----........ Expended for maintenance 1.. ... 86. 47 46. 82 596.76 60.66 68.09 Appropriated or allotted................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended__--------------------- $2, 472.22 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_______________----------------1.75 2, 473. 97 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance ' 68. 09 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------- 2,405. 88 july 1, 1918, outstandingiabilities------------------------------ 9. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available_ ------------------------------ 2,396. 88 4. EAST CHESTER CREEK, N. Y. (A4). Location and description.-This creek, also known as Hutchinson River, empties into East Chester Bay, an indentation about 3 miles 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS----FIRST NEW YORE, N. Y., DISTRICT. 239 long and 1,000 feet to 1 miles wide, in the north shore of Long Island Sound, immediately east of Throgs Neck, about 12 miles west of the Connecticut State line and about 21 miles by water east of the Battery, New York City. Its source is about 9 miles slightly east of north from the head of the bay. The navigable section of the creek, 100 feet to 1,000 feet in width, extends about 21 miles above its mouth. The approach through the bay is approximately 600 feet wide, with a controlling depth of 5 feet at mean low water. Four bridges cross the creek; two near the mouth, one a highway bridge and the other a railroad bridge; one highway bridge at Boston Post Road, and another at Fulton Avenue. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-The creek was navigable at high tide for vessels drawing 7 feet as far as a highway bridge at Lockwoods, at the Boston Post Road, about 2 miles above the head of the bay. Previous projects.-The original project, adopted March 3, 1873, was modified in 1891. There was expended under this project, prior to the commencement of work under the existing project in 1910, $115,500-$89,091.22 for new work and $26,408.78 for maintenance. For further details of previous projects, see Annual Report for 1915, page 1761. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 5 feet deep at mean low water and 150 feet wide for about 3,400 feet from the bay to about 700 feet above the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail- road bridge, thence 100 feet wide for about 8,000 feet to about 1,200 feet below Lockwoods, and thence 70 feet wide for about 3,800 feet to about 300 feet above Fulton Avenue Bridge, a total length of about 3 miles. The mean tidal range is 7.1 feet, and the extreme range, under ordinary conditions, is about 9 feet. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1910 is $103,000, exclusive of amounts ex- pended under previous projects. The latest (1918) approved esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 1250, 60th Cong., 2d sess.). For the latest published map of the locality see Annual Report for 1904, page 1017. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Government plant was employed on rock removal operations below Pelham Highway Bridge and between this bridge and the railroad bridge a short distance above, between November 12, 1917, and April 29, 1918, except from December 23, 1917, to February 13, 1918, during which period no work could be done on account of abnormal ice conditions. A num- ber of scattering points of ledge rock and bowlders totaling 681 cubic yards, loose measurement, were removed and disposed of at a cost of $6,927.86. This work resulted in completing the channel be- low Pelham Highway Bridge to project dimensions, and in nearly completing the removal of rock lying within projected channel limits between the above-mentioned bridges. Expenditures under the exist- ing project amounted to $7,252.68 for new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is about 81 per cent completed. The controlling depth in the channel is now 4 feet at mean low water up to about 250 feet below the Fulton Avenue Bridge; above this the depth gradually decreases to about 2 feet at 240 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the bridge and to 1 foot and less above it. The total expenditures under the existing project amounted to $95,160.53-$91,445.86 for new work and $3,714.67 for maintenance. The following work re- mains to be done: Widening the channel by dredging and rock re- moval for short stretches between the Pelham highway and railroad bridges, and about 1,800 feet below the bridge at Boston Post Road; dredging about 700 feet of channel in the vicinity of Goose Island and 600 feet about one-fourth of a mile below Boston Post Road; and dredging the channel at and above the bridge at Fulton Avenue. Local cooperation.-There were no conditions imposed by law re- quiring local cooperation. In 1877 the lands necessary for a right of way, the value of which is not known, were secured to the United States by the State of New York. This right of way extended from a point some distance below the Boston Post Road up to a point about 3,000 feet above it. In 1894 a slip arid basin were excavated and bulkheaded in the west shore of the creek, immediately above the Boston Post Road, at a cost of about $50,000. Terminal facilities.-Water terminals, 10 in number, with a total wharf frontage of 2,950 feet, are located one about midway between the mouth of the creek and the head of navigation and the remain- ing nine in the upper 3,000 feet of the projected improvement; none has railroad connections. One of the terminals, with a frontage of 50 feet, is publicly owned; seven, with a total frontage of 1,825 feet, are privately owned, two of which, with a total frontage of 1,075 feet, are open to the public, and two are owned by corporations. Other de- tails are as follows: Eight, with a total frontage of 2,300 feet, consist of open pile construc- tion, with solid fills behind pile and timber bulkheads in rear. One, with a frontage of 600 feet, consists of solid fill behind a pile and. timber bulkhead. One, with a frontage of 50 feet, consists of solid fill behind a stone bulkhead. One of the terminals open to the public, with a frontage of 1,000 feet, is in poor condition and should be repaired. With this excep- tion the existing terminals appear to be adequate for the present needs of commerce. Effect of improvement.-There has been an appreciable increase in the loaded draft of vessels using the creek, and navigation has been made safer in the rock sections. The financial benefits to the locality are indicated by the amount saved through the use of water instead of rail transportation for building materials and coal. This saving amounted to about $174,400 in 1917. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend the funds avail- able in continuing the improvement and in dredging for mainte- nance. It is expected that these funds will be sufficient to complete all work of pressing need, and therefore no estimate of funds is sub- mitted. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not, previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of building materials, coal, and petroleum products. RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 241 Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913..................... 194,956 $1,158,279 1916.................... 151,173 $1,020,971 1914.....135, 065 857, 827 1917................. .. 176, 121 1,128,839 1915..................... 139,798 776,331 Passengers carried, none. The tonnage in 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usuallimit Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried. of total draft of tonnage. vessel (feet). Building materials ... ................................................ 26 71to 8 Coal ............. ..................................................... 64 8 to10 Petroleum products.......... ....................................... ........ 9 7 to12 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $34.01: New work ------------------------------------------ $180, 537. 08 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 30, 123. 45 Net total expended--------------------------------210, 660. 53 Total appropriations to date of this report ____------___ 221, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ...... .... . $26, 203.88 $20, 472.08 $6, 679. 63 $951.36 $7, 252.68 Expended for maintenance 1...... ......... 3,608. 97 45.25 60.45 .. Total expended'.................... 26,203.88 24,081.05 6,724.88 1,011.81 7,252.68 Appropriated or allotted ............................ 25,000.00 ............ 6,000.00 11,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------------------- $-------- 7, 091. 10 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 11, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918----- 1. 05 18, 092. 15 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work 1 7, 252. 68 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- ------------------ __-- _ 10, 839. 47 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities---------------------------- 947. 48 July 1, 1918, balance available--------- ---------- ---- __ 9,891. 99 5. WESTCHESTER CREEK, N. Y. (AS). Location and description.-This creek lies wholly within the limits of Greater New York and extends northward about 4 miles from an estuary in the north shore of the East River, N. Y., situated about 14 SNot deducting receipts from sales, etc. 81116---ENG 1918-16 242 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. miles by water east of the Battery, New York City. The estuary varies from about 500 feet to 3,000 feet in width and is about 1 mile long; the depths outside the dredged channel vary from 1 foot at the head of navigation, 1i miles above the mouth of the creek, to 6 feet at the East River. The navigable section of the creek is tidal through- out its navigable length, with high-water widths from 110 feet to 500 feet; a fixed bridge marks the head of navigation at Main Street in Westchester village, and a drawbridge crosses the creek at Union- port, about 1 mile below the fixed bridge. Original condition.-So far as now known, it was not navigable beyond the site now occupied by the fixed bridge at Main Street. The mean low-water depth available for navigation was 3 feet, through a channel varying in width from 20 feet to 80 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 52. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 8 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide across the estuary, about 1 mile; thence 80 feet wide to about 1,000 feet above Scrivens Wharf; and thence 60 feet wide to the head of navigation at Main Street Bridge, a total length of about 2.7 miles. The mean tidal range is 6.8 feet and the extreme range under ordinary conditions is about 8.5 feet. The esti- mated cost for new work, revised in 1913, is $91,280. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,800. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (R. and H. Com. Doc. No. 7, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map, see House Document No. 111, Fifty-sixth Con- gress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the year. The expenditures during the year, amount- ing to $83.26-$37.48 for new work and $45.78 for maintenance-were in payment of liabilities incurred prior to June 30, 1917, in making a minor examination of the dredged channel and in part payment of office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is about 95 per cent completed. The work required to complete it is the removal of a small area of ledge rock at Unionport Bridge and a few small points of ledge rock in the east side of the channel about 3,000 feet below this bridge. The controlling depth in the improved channel on June 30 is about 8 feet. The expenditures under the existing project amounted to $88,070.83-$77,181.64 for new work and $10,889.19 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-Water terminals, 16 in number, with a total wharf frontage of 2,540 feet are located-3 between the mouth and Unionport, 6 at Unionport, 1 about midway between Unionport and Westchester village, and 6 in the upper 750 feet of the projected channel; none has railroad connections. Two of the terminals with a total frontage of 200 feet are publicly owned, 12 with a total front- age of 2,100 feet, one of which with a frontage of 100 feet is open to the public, are privately owned, and two with a total frontage of 240 feet are owned by corporations. Other details are as follows: 9 are of open pile construction, 1 consists of 200 feet open pile construction and 200 feet of open pile with solid fill behind a timber bulkhead in rear, RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 243 2 are of open pile construction with solid fills behind stone bulkheads in rear, 2 consist of solid fills behind timber bulkheads, 1 consists of a solid fill behind a stone bulkhead, 1 consists of a pipe line resting on a small trestle. The facilities appear to be adequate. Effect of improvement.-The draft of the largest vessels using the creek has increased, delays to water-borne commerce have been reduced, and part of the water-borne commerce of the Bronx River has been diverted to this stream pending the completion of the chan- nel at that place. The financial benefits to the locality are shown by the amount saved by the use of water instead of rail transporta- tion for building materials and coal. This saving amounted to about $447,200 in 1917. Proposed operations.-Upon the completion of a bridge at Union- port, now under construction by the city of New York and about 90 per cent completed, it is proposed to expend as much of the avail- able balance as may be necessary in completing the improvement, and to dredge for maintenance should this be found necessary in the interests of navigation. No additional funds appear to be neces- sary at this time. Recommended modification of project.-A further improvement of the creek recommended in House Document No. 370, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session, provides for a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide from the East River to Fort Schuyler Road in Westchester village, at an estimated cost of $208,000 for new work and $1,500 annually for maintenance, subject to the condi- tion that the necessary right of way across uplands be furnished free of cost to the United States. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of building materials, coal, and petroleum products. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913............. ........... 571,166 $1,531,161 1916 .......... .... ..... 150, 369 $499,271 1914..................... . 589,322 1,036, 984 1917..................... 238,405 879,945 19151 .................... 220,912 498,393 1 The decrease in the tonnage and value of the commerce for1915as compared with thatofprevious years isdue in part to failure on the part ofthree parties and inpart to toreply to requests forstatistics, a considerable reduction in the amount of coal, cellar dirt, and ashes carried. The decrease in 1916 is said to be due to conditions arising from the existing national emergency. Passengers carried, none. The tonnage for 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usual limit Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried. of total draft of tonnage. vessel (feet). Building materials.. .................................................... 51 7-14 Coal.......................................................................... 33 9-12 Petroleum products............ .............. ... ........ .................... 3 10-12 244 IIEPORT. OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $20.30: New work_---------- ------------------------------- $77, 181. 64 Maintenance ---------------------------- 10, 889. 19 Net total expended 070. 83 8---------------------------- Total appropriations to date of this report --------------------- 91, 280. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1....... ....... 6, 430.07 $23, 502.62 $4, 637.97 .. $37.48 Expended for maintenance 1............... ... ... ... 666.54 10, 60.03 $117.64 45.78 Total expended 1.................. 6,430. 07 34,169.16 4,698. 00 117.64 83.26 Appropriated or allotted................. ........ 36500. ......... ..................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------------- $3, 288. 68 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918------------------ 3. 75 3, 292. 43 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year :1 For new work--------------------------------- $37.48 For maintenance -------------------------------- 45. 78 83. 26 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-----------------------------3, 209. 17 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ------------------------------- 9. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available-------------------------------3, 200. 17 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ---------------------------------------- 210, 889.19 6. BRONX RIVER, N. Y. (A6.) Location and description.-This stream, about 15 miles long, flows in a general direction slightly west of south, and empties into a shallow bay, about 1 mile long and 300 to 4,500 feet wide, in the north shore of the East River, about 11 miles by water east of the Battery, New York City. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. The navigable portion,which is tidal, varies in high-water width from 60 to 300 feet and extends about 21 miles from the head of the bay to a dam at East One hundred and seventy-seventh Street, Bronx Borough, New York City. It is crossed by a highway bridge at Westchester Avenue, about 1 miles above its mouth, and by a railroad bridge some 600 feet farther upstream. Original condition.-The channel was narrow and tortuous, wind- ing through a mud flat and obstructed by rocky ledges and mud shoals. The available mean low-water depth was 3.3 feet to West- chester Avenue, thence decreasing gradually until from East One hundred and seventy-sixth Street to the dam the bottom was bare at low water. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896. There was expended under this I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. SExclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 245 project prior to the commencement of work under the existing proj- ect in 1913 $95,957.05-$69,035.72 for new work and $26,921.33 for maintenance. For further details of previous projects see Annual Report for 1915, page 1762. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide, with widening at the bends, to extend from deep water in the East River to the head of navigation at the dam at East One hundred and seventy-seventh Street, involving the first dredging from the East River to Randall Avenue to a width of 200 feet; tlhence to Spofford Avenue, 150 feet; thence to Watson Avenue, 125 feet; thence to the railroad bridge near Westchester Avenue, 100 feet, except in the southern approach to the bridge, where it is to be 140 feet; and above the bridge 100 feet, with increase at bends where permissible, including a turning basin at the head of the improvement. It also provides for main- taining the channel excavated under the project adopted June 3, 1896, until the channel provided for under the existing project is open to traffic to the railroad bridge. The length of the section in- cluded in the project is about 3j miles. Mean tidal range 7.02 feet in the estuary and about 6 feet at the head of navigation; the ex- treme range, under ordinary conditions, is about 8.5 feet. Irregular nontidal fluctuations, due mainly to wind direction and force, vary from about 3 feet below mean to about 11 feet above; while they are not of great frequency commerce is adversely affected to a very ap- preciable extent during the periods of low tides, which are most fre- quent during the winter months. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1913, is $930,000, exclusive of the amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1918) approved estimate of annual cost of maintenance is $3,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913 (H. Doc. No. 897, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map see Annual Report for 1912, page 1470. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the year. On April 19, 1918, the president of the Borough of Bronx was authorized to secure lands needed for right of way; when transfer to the United States of these lands has been accomplished the work of channel improvement will be resumed. Expenditures were in the payment of liabilities incurred in the prose- cution of work prior to June 30, 1917, and in part payment of the purchase price of gasoline launches, expenditures for. care of prop- erty and floating plant, office expenses, and contingencies, and amounted to $4,173.53-all for new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 16 per cent of the existing project had been completed. The work under all projects has re- sulted in a channel of the dimensions provided for under the existing project from deep water in the East River to Spofford Avenue, ex- cept at three points, where uplands project slightly into the channel limits; thence to the vicinity of Garrison Avenue the channel has been dredged to somewhat less than projected width and depth; thence to the gas works at One hundred and seventy-third Street it is 60 to 50 feet wide and 4 feet deep. The.controlling depth for navi- gation on June 30, 1918, was about 7 feet from the East River to the mouth of the river; thence to about 1,000 feet above Spofford 246 , REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Avenue 7.5 feet: thence to Garrison Avenue about 8 feet; thence to the gas works about 21 feet for widths varying from 35 to 50 feet; above this no dredging has been done. To complete the project re- quires the removal of small areas of upland which project into chan- nel limits at several points between the mouth and Spofford Avenue and deepening and widening the channel between Spofford and Gar- rison Avenues dredged during the fiscal year 1917; also, as yet no work under the existing project has been done above Garrison Ave- nue. The total expenditures under the existing project amounted to $149,158.15-$133,876.47 for new work and $15,281.68 for main- tenance. Local cooperation.-The existing project was adopted subject to the condition that any right of way necessary for the execution of the project should be furnished free of cost to the United States. Preliminary steps have been taken by the city authorities to secure the lands necessary for the right of way., The local authorities have expended $8,000 in the construction and maintenance of a public wharf, and local interests have expended $26,200 in removing from the vicinity of their wharves material from the channels included in the projects for improvement by the United States. Terminal facilities.-Water terminals, 18 in number, with a total wharf frontage of 4,975 feet are located,1 near the mouth of the river and 17 scattered along the west shore of the river between a point about 3,000 feet below the highway bridge at Westchester Avenue and the head of navigation; none has railroad connections. One of the terminals with a frontage of 75 feet is publicly owned; 15, with a total frontage of 4,475 feet, are privately owned, 2 of which with a frontage of 675 feet are open to the public, and 2 with a frontage of 425 feet are owned by corporations. Other details are as follows: 2 with a total frontage of 275 feet are of open pile construction. 2 with a total frontage of 385 feet consist of solid fills behind timber bulkheads. 3 with a total frontage of 825 feet consist of solid fills behind concrete bulkheads. 2 with a total frontage of 650 feet consist of solid fills behind crib bulkheads. 5 with a total frontage of 1,825 feet consist of solid fills behind stone bulkheads. 1 with a frontage of 225 feet consists of open pile with solid fill behind a concrete bulkhead in rear. 2 with a total frontage of 700 feet consist of open pile construction with solid fills behind stone bulkheads in rear. 1 with a frontage of 90 feet consists of a brick building with stone foun- dation directly on the water front. It is not used owing to insufficient depth of water. The terminal facilities are deemed inadequate; it is. probable the additional facilities needed will be provided when the improvement contemplated under the existing project has progressed sufficiently to warrant a reasonable return upon the capital invested. Effect of the improvement.-A reduction in the cost of transporta- tion and an increase in the amount of water-borne commerce has resulted from the work accomplished under the project adopted June 8, 1896. Work under the existing project has not been advanced sufficiently to benefit navigation to an appreciable extent. The finan- RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. . 247 cial benefits accruing to the locality are shown by the amount saved through the use of water instead of rail transportation for building materials and coal. This saving amounted to about $626,600 in 1917. Proposed operations.-The expenditure of the available funds is awaiting the transfer of lands for right of way. (See under "Local cooperation.") When the right of way has been secured to the United States it is proposed to remove the areas of upland which project into the projected channel limits between the mouth and Spof- ford Avenue; to widen and deepen the uncompleted channel between Spofford and Garrison Avenues; and to continue the improvement by extending the channel upstream from Garrison Avenue. In the meantime it is proposed to expend so much of the available funds as may be necessary in maintaining the dredged channels. No estimate for additional funds will be made until the right of way is secured to the United States. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of building materials and coal. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................ ..... ............ 658,473 $2,443,407 1916...................... 767,938 $1, 801,990 1914 ...................... 841,586 1,947,786 1917........... ........ 432,478 1,624,273 115 ................... 1,164,090 1,732,725 Passengers carried, none. The decrease in tonnage as compared with 1916 is due mainly to the removal from the locality of a dealer in building materials and to the nonreceipt of ashes and cellar dirt for land reclamation. The tonnage in 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded. to the drafts given in the following table: Usual limit Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried. of total draft of tonnage. vessel (feet). Building materials...... ..................... ...... ............................... 32 6 -11 Coal.................................................. .......................... 68 7-10 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $59.97: New work----------- --------------------- ------- $202, 912. 19 Maintenance--- -------------- ------------- 42, 203.01 Net total expended--------------------------------- 245, 115. 20 Total appropriations to date of this report------------- --- 576, 500. 00 248 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.... .. $6, 591.62 $62, 912.97 $18, 849.06 $41, 387.51 $4,173.53 Expended for maintenance 1........... 3,931.05 400.20 10,950.43 .......... 4 Total expended 1..................... 6,591.62 66,.844.02 1912 9. 26 52, 387.94 $4,173.53, Appropriated or allotted................. 100,000.00 ............ .........250,000.00 ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended___________--__--- _____ _ $335, 548. 73 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 ____-- - ______ -- 9. 60 335,. 558. 33 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work 1 4, 173. 53 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended___--- - -__--------- 331, 384. 80 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ___-----------------470, 97 July 1, 1918, balance available_________-__,_ ______-- -- -- 330, 913. 83 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project___________-_______ _________ _ 2464, 738. 73 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP A. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $219.65: New work ------------------------------------------ $803, 644. 29 Maintenance-_________________------------- 116, 928. 97 Net total expended--- ------------------------------- 920, 573. 26 Total appropriations to date of this report--- 1, 269, 190. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.................. $84, 799. 45 1$128,837. 43 $49, 649.34 $82, 365.20 $12, 463.38 Expended for maintenance ........... 86.47 26, 985.22 2,079.48 12, 978.71 230.71 Total expended.................... 84,885.92 155,822.65 51,728.82 95,343.91 12,694.09 Appropriated or allotted.................. 10,000.00 199,300.00 ........... 297,500.00 11,500.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_________----___________________ 349, 794. 68 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917- 11, 000. 00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act of Mar. 4, 1915_....... 500. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918-_-............. 16. 15 361, 310. 83 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: 1 For new work-....... $12, 463. 38 For maintenance_ 230. 71 12, 694. 09 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended --- --------------- 348, 616. 74 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ---------------------------- 1, 454. 45 July 1, 1918, balance available------------.. ------- 347, 162. 29 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project-------- ------------------------------- 544, 072. 26 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 249 7. EAST RIVER AND HELL GATE, N. Y. Location and description.-The East River is a tidal strait about 16 miles long and 600 to 4,000 feet wide, connecting Hudson River and the Upper Bay at the Battery, New York City, with Long Island Sound at Throgs Neck, New York City, and separating Long Island from the mainland. The stretch between the north end of Black- wells Island and Negro Point Bluff is known as Hell Gate. The Harlem River joins the East River at Wards Island, in Hell Gate; they are also connected by Little Hell Gate between Wards and .Ran- dalls Islands, and by Bronx (Harlem) Kills between Randalls Is- land and the mainland. Five bridges, having a vertical clearance at mean high water of 135 feet, cross the river between the Battery and Lawrence Point. From the Battery to Port Morris, a distance of 101 miles, both shores are occupied by wharves, practically continu- ously, except where shoals or currents prevent access. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-A channel through the East River for sea- going vessels existed but was rendered dangerous by rocks and reefs scattered throughout the section extending from the Battery to Bar- retto Point, the existence of many of which was not known until struck by vessels. In Hell Gate, navigators had the choice of three channels, all of which were very narrow and wound through numer- ous scattering rocks and reefs, and the tidal currents were exceedingly strong; these conditions rendered navigation through the Gate ex- tremely hazardous. The widths of these channels ranged from ap- proximately 100 to 200 feet, and their mean low-water depths from about 19 feet to 26 feet and over. Elsewhere in the river the channel' of 26 feet depth ranged in width up to probably 500 feet or more. The original depths over the rocks and reefs are given under " Con- ditions at end of fiscal year." Previous projects.-Priorto 1852 there was appropriated by other than river and harbor acts $13,861.59, which sum was expended in increasing the depth over various rocks in Hell Gate. On August 20, 1852, Congress appropriated $20,000 for the removal of " rocks at Hell Gate and Diamond Reef." A new project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1868, which was subsequently modified in 1874 and at various times thereafter, and was enlarged by the river and harbor acts of March 3, 1899, and June 25, 1910. As modified and enlarged the project provided for the removal of obstructions to the former projected depths given in the table in the paragraph Condition at end of fiscal year. The total estimated cost of all work under previous projects prior to the commencement of work under the existing project in 1917 was $8,791,044.59, and the total expenditures amounted to $6,239,219.04--$6,201,555.09, for new work and $37,663.95 for maintenance. The work accomplished under these projects is stated in para- graph Condition at end of the fscal year. Existing project.-This provides for channels of the following di- mensions: From deep water in the upper bay to the Brooklyn Navy Yard 40 feet deep and 1,000 feet wide; from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to Throgs Neck 40 feet deep, with widths varying from about 550 feet to 1,000 feet, according to locality; east of Blackwells Is- 250 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. land 30 feet deep and from 500 to 700 feet wide; and between South Brother and Berrian Islands 20 feet deep and 300 feet wide; also for the removal of Coenties Reef to a depth of 40 feet, local interests paying the cost of the work below a depth of 35 feet; for the removal of Corlears Reef to a depth of 40 feet; of Rhinelander Reef to 26 feet; for giving access to wharves off the Battery and along the Brooklyn shore below Blackwells Island to a depth of 30 feet, and along the New York shore below Blackwells Island to a depth of 25 feet; and for the collection and removal of drift. The mean range of tides varies according to locality, from 4 feet at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to 7.2 feet at the eastern entrance at Throgs Neck. The extreme range under ordinary conditions is about 5 feet at the Bat- tery and about 8.5 feet at Throgs Neck. The irregular nontidal fluctuations, due mainly to wind direction and force, vary according to locality from about 4 feet below mean low water at the Battery and about 3 feet below at Throgs Neck to about 8 feet above at the Battery and about 12 feet above at Throgs Neck. Extreme fluctua- tions are infrequent and do not affect navigation interests adversely to a serious extent. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1917, is $36,900,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $12,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: Public resolution No. 67, Sixty-third Congress, third session, March 3, 1915, provided for the removal of Coenties Reef to a depth of 35 feet (H. Doc. No. 188, 63d Cong., 1st sess.), condi- tioned upon local cooperation increasing the depth to 40 feet; the acts of March 4, 1915, and August 8, 1917, provided for the main- tenance of New York Harbor and its immediate tributary waters by the collection and removal of drift, and authorized the Secretary of War to allot such amounts as may be necessary for this work from funds available for specific portions of New York Harbor and said tributaries; the act of July 27, 1916, provided for a channel 1,000 feet wide and 35 feet deep across Diamond Reef (H. Doc. No. 188, 63d Cong., 1st sess.); and the acts of August 8, 1917, and July 18, 1918, provided for a depth of 40 feet across Diamond Reef and through East River and Hell Gate (H. Doc. No. 140, 65th Cong., 1st sess.), and for the remaining items under the existing project (H. Doc. No. 188, 63d Cong., 1st sess.). For latest published map, see page 2116, Annual Report for 1915, and for map of Coenties Reef, see page 1964, Annual Repor for 1916. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Work under contract for the removal of Coenties Reef in progress June 30, 1917, was con- tinued; drilling operations are thought to be completed, and the re- moval of the blasted rock by dredging is about 75 per cent completed. The ' expenditures by the United States in the prosecution of this work amounted to $49,296.83. Because of unstable market conditions contractors did not respond to an advertisement dated November 19, 1917, inviting proposals for dredging and rock removal in the Diamond Reef section of the river. This contingency having been foreseen arrangements had been made, as reported by the district engineer in his report printed RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 251 on page 2105, for receiving informal proposals to do the work. A satisfactory proposal having been received under these arrangements in response to an advertisement dated December 31, 1917, contract was entered into January 29, 1918, but owing to unprecedented ice conditions in the harbor work was not commenced until March 30, 1918. The first work to be done consisted in making a channel 40 feet deep at mean low water and 400 feet wide except where pre- vented by ledge rock; on June 30, 1918, about 36 per cent of the area covered by this first work had been dredged; there had been removed 218,219.5 cubic yards, scow measurement, of material, and the ex- penditures connected therewith amounted to $141,806.22. Contract was. entered into March 18, 1918, for the excavation of an emergency channel in Hell Gate 35 feet deep at mean low water and 500 feet wide; this channel is intended mainly for the purpose of meeting naval requirements (see H. Doc. No. 140, 65th Cong., 1st sess., p. 3). To June 30, 1918, there were drilled and blasted 2.065 linear feet of holes covering an area of about 16,300 square feet; the total area to be deepened is estimated at 311,000 square feet. Dredging operations had not been commenced at the close of the fiscal year. The expenditures connected with this work amounted to $504.17. Rock excavated in the Harlem River at Macombs Dam bridge, amounting to 1,392.1 cubic yards, was utilized at Mill Rock as fill and in building sea walls. There was expended in this work $1,354.84. The area of upland at Mill Rock now owned by the United States is about 99,825 square feet, and the total length of sea wall built is about 1,449 linear feet. Other work consisted in the removal of 71,365 cubic feet of drift at a cost of $6,304.34. Investigations to determine tidal phenomena characteristic of the East River, so far as these may have a bearing on further improvements, were commenced in June, 1918; there was expended in this work $5,400. Surveys were made to locate reported obstructions; to secure data needed in preparing plans for the pro- jected channel of 40 feet depth and for approaches to piers in Shell Reef; and to locate and examine an unusually large number of vessels sunk by ice during the past winter, most of which have been re- moved by the owners; the expenditures in connection with this work, including part of the cost of six gasoline launches, amounted to $55,978.72. The total expenditures amounted to $269,810.39-$252,292.08 for new work and $17,518.31 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-Under the previous project adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1868, as modified and enlarged, about 63j per cent of the work contemplated therein had been completed up to the date of the adoption of the existing project, August 8, 1917. The construction of the dike at Mill Rock was completed by the United States in 1882, and the dike at Bread and Cheese Reef was completed by the city of New York in 1881. No further work thereunder is contemplated. Under the existing project drilling and blasting operations in Coenties Reef are thought to be completed, and about 75 per cent of the blasted rock has been removed; about 36 per cent of the dredging required in making a 252 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY; 1918. channel in the Diamond Reef section 400 feet wide has been com- pleted, and an area of about 16,300 square feet of an emergency chan- nel in Hell Gate 35 feet deep and 500 feet wide has been drilled and blasted. As a result of the work done under all projects, rocks and reefs have been removed to the depths shown in the following table: I I I I I Distance Least Least Former Present Locality. by water original present projected projected from depth. depth. depth. depth. Battery. Miles. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. 1. Battery Reef......................... 0 12. 8 26 26 30 18 18 2. South Ferry Reef...................... 0 17 19 26 30 3. Diamond Reef i. . 15.7 25 25 40 4. Reef off Diamond Reef1.. ... . 19 26 26 40 5. Coetities Reef 2.......... ... ........ 14. 3 32 26 40 6. Corlears Reef......................... 24 40 7. Third Street Reef....................... 3 15.9 19 40 8. Shell Reef. ............................ 2J-4 7.5 13 18 25 9. Pilgrim Rock .... ........................ 32 12 24 26 10. Twenty-sixth Street Reef ..................... 4 16.1 26 26 11. Charlotte Reef ............................... 14. 7 26 26 30 12. Isolated rocks.............. ............. ........ 4t 30 13. Ferry Reef.................................. 26 40 14. Man-of-War Rock .............................. 47 + 0.8 26 26 40 15. Rhinelander Reef......,............ .... 74 ........ 26 16. Middle Reef (includes Negro Head, Flood Rock, Hen and Chickens, and Gridiron)............ +6 26 26 40 17. Heel Tap Rock......................... 71 12.1 20.5 26 18. Hallets Point Reef....................... +4 26 26 19. Frying Pan Reef........ ............... 9 23.8 26 40 20. Pot Rock..................................... 8 26 26 40 40 40 21. Shell Drake Rock........................ 8 8 26 26 40 40 40 22. . Ways Reef......................... ..... 8 5 26 26 23. Rock off Negro Point ..................... 9 +3 26 24. Scaly Rock ............................ 94 ....... 26 25. Middle Ground............................. 10 15.6 26. Rocks off Port Morris ........................ 104 35 27. Port Morris Shoal..................... 11* ......... .26 30 28. Reef off North Brother Island.............. 104 16 .26! 40 29. nChannel between Nortn and Soutn Bsrotner Islands................... .............. 11 19 19 26 40 30. North Point of North Brother Island ............ 11 .............................. 35 31. Rocks off Barretto Point ................ ..... 11 ............. .......... 40 32. Barretto Reef............................... 11* 17 26 26 40 Only such parts of these reefs as project into the channel of 1,000 feet width from deep water in the upper bay to the Brooklyn navy yard are to be removed to the present projected depth. 2 Cost of removal to 35 feet depth to be paid by United States; local interests to pay for cost of work below that depth. The total expenditures under the existing project to June 30, 1918, amounted to $280,695.91, all for new work. Local cooperation.-Publicresolution No. 67 (63d Cong., 3d sess.), approved March 3, 1915, authorized the removal of Coenties Reef to a depth of 35 feet at mean low water on condition that the city of New York or other local interests provide for its further removal to a depth of 40 feet at mean low water. On February 4, 1916, the city of New York met this condition by adopting a resolution appropri- ating $240,000 for the removal of the reef as required; as much of this appropriation as may be necessary will be expended in the pay- ment of work required to be done at the expense of the city of New York. The work of removal is being prosecuted under contract. Prior to 1913 local interests expended unknown amounts in the partial removal of Coenties Reef and in the construction of a dike connecting Bread and Cheese Reef with Blackwells Island. Terminal facilities.-The following is a tabulated statement of the terminal and transfer facilities served by the improvement: RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. .253 Number River Use. of termi- frontage Ownership. nals. (linear feet). I (a) Eastshore from Red Hook to Lawrence Point. General wharfage (open to public) ................... 5 360 City of New York. Do............................... .................... 12 2,520 Private. General wharfage, open to public and part leased........... 2 110 City of New York. City departments......... ..... .................. 15 3,275 Do. City departments and part leased..................... 5 590 Do. Public ferries... ...... ................... .... 9 1,860 Private, 8; railroad, 1. Public ferries, not in use .... .. .... .............. 3 330 Private. United States Navy ..... .......................... 2,700 United States. Barge canal terminals.......................... ... 750 State of New York. Railroad water terminals ............... .... ................ 7 4,950 Railroads. Manufacturing plants.................................... 15 8,740 Private. Coastwise commerce....................................... 17 8,350 Do. Transatlantic commerce............. .............. 3 2, 211 Do. Miscellaneous.......... ........................ 15,359 Do. Total east shore ..... ....... ......................... 52,105 (b) West shore from the Battery to Barretto Point. General wharfage (open to public) ..... .... ......... 20 2,090 City of New York. General wharfage, open to public and part leased......... 13 5,310 Do. City departments.... ............................ 13 3,600 Do. City departments and part leased ............ ......... 4 510 Do. Public ferries........................................................... 2 540 Do. Do....................................................... 13 1,980 Private, 12; railroad, 1. War Department ................. ................ 3 400 United States. Barge canal terminals ..................................... 1 390 State of New York. Railroad water terminals ................................ 14 3,120 City of New York. Do...... ... .............................. 4 2,160 Railroads. Manufacturing plants .... ........ ............. 3 570 City of New York. Do........................................ 11 3,270 Private. Local commerce ...... ........................... 11 1,450 City of New York. Coastwise commerce ........ ..... ............... 12 2,520 Do. Do............................... ......... ............ 1 720 Private. Transatlantic commerce............................ 1 210 City of New York. Miscellaneous..................... ............ 9,200 Private. Total west shore................................... .......... 38,040 Grand total .................................. .......... 90,145 Additional terminals are needed in the Hudson (North) River for deep draft vessels; to obtain these sufficient depth of water must first be provided in the East River along the Manhattan water front for access to piers between East Fifteenth and East Twenty-sixth Streets by boats employed in coastwise commerce and now occupying piers in the North River having sufficient depth in adjacent slips for steamships engaged in foreign trade; it is proposed to transfer these boats to the water front in the East River referred to as soon as sufficient depth for access to the piers is provided. Effect of the improvement.-While the benefits derived from the improvement can not be shown by its influence on freight rates or directly by the increase in tonnage, the commerce of the river is so enormous, both in tonnage and value, that every improvement which facilitates and lessens the dangers to navigation in this waterway is unquestionably justified. Perhaps the most obvious effect of the im- provement is the increase in the number of vessels of large tonnage using the river, many of which can now use the river at high stages of the tide only, and others, owing to lack of sufficient channel depth complete their cargoes in the upper New York bay by lighter; also though the improvements made have rendered navigation through 254 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Hell Gate safer for vessels up to about 20 to 22 feet draft, the shorter and safer inside route through Long Island Sound is not available for vessels of large tonnage because of insufficient depth over scat- tering rocks and reefs which obstruct the channel between the Bat- tery and Hunts Point. Proposed operations.-The District Engineer after consultation with navigators, naval and civilian, and with contractors recommends a program of procedure as expedient in the prosecution of work in this locality, namely, to secure first a practicable channel of 35-foot depth at Hell Gate and 40 feet elsewhere, the depth at Hell Gate to be later increased to 40 feet in accordance with the approved project. The improvement of the East River has not, for a number of years past, kept pace with the rapid growth of the commerce of New York Harbor and the increased size of vessels carrying it. Probably the most important factor to be considered at this time is the inability of large naval vessels to use this eastern channel because of inade- quate channel dimensions. The need of a channel through the East River for deep draft com- mercial vessels, all of whose terminals lie west of Hell Gate, has been apparent for a number of years past; the number of vessels of about 30 feet loaded draft entering and leaving New York Harbor is rapidly increasing, with the result that commercial interests have become more and more insistent in their demands for the excavation through the East River of a safe channel for this class of vessels. Until such a channel has been provided these vessels will necessarily use the longer route through the Lower Bay. The necessity for a 40- foot channel has been recognized by Congress in the river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918. It is estimated that in addition to the funds now available $3,000,- 000 will be required to continue work on this project to June 30, 1920, and an estimate for this amount is submitted. Recomrmended modiflcation of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-Tidal movements in the East River, by Col. W. M. Black. Professional Memoirs, volume 5. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisting mainly of all classes of commercial products and manu- factures is as follows: Comparative statement. Calendar "year. Short tons. Value. Passengers carried. 1914 ......................... ...... .......... ....... ...... . I 55, 218,678 $2, 156,096,181 1,222,532 1915. . .. ................... ................. ........ 74, 178,177 4,192, 206, 408 3,963,040 1916 ................. ........... .. ............... 70,128, 715 3, 878,101, 893 2,926, 479 1917 ............................................... 65,176,983 2,918,722,316 39,956,330 x The statistics for 1914 as printed in the Annual Report for 1915, p. 207, were not correct. Reliable statistics for years prior to 1914 are not available. The increase in the commerce since 1915 is probably due to in- creased receipts and shipments of war materials and supplies. RIVERS AND HARBORS FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 255 The tonnage of 1917 was carried in vessels ranging in loaded draft from about 6 feet at all stages of the tide up to 28 feet at high water; greater draft than the latter is not deemed safe by navigators. Therefore vessels desiring to load to a greater draft than 28 feet frequently complete their cargoes by lighter in the upper bay. Financialsummary. REMOVING OBSTRUCTIONS IN EAST RIVER AND HELL GATE. Amount expended an all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $14,779.17: New work ------------------------- $6, 201, 555. 09 Maintenance------------------------ --------- 37, 663. 95 Net total expended------------------------------- 6, 239, 219. 04 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------6, 239, 219. 04 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work' .... . .. . . .. ... . $427, 176. 20 $251, 325. 70 $88, 811.85 ........... $20, 543.16 Expended for maintenance 1. . . . .. . 803.28 $21,573.13 17, 518. 31 Total expended 1................... 427, 176. 20 251,325. 70 89, 615.13 21,573.13 38,061.47 Appropriated or allotted ................. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_____________ ____ $38,060.02 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_ _- --- __-- 1.45 061. 47 38, 0-60. 02 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year:1 $38,7 For new work_______________________________ $20,543.16 For maintenance ------------------------ _ _ 17, 518. 31 38, 061. 47 EAST RIVER, N. Y. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $323.34: New work -- --------------------------------------- $205, 331.57 Maintenance --------------------------- Total appropriations to date of this report-__ _ 4, 285, 308. 03 Fiscal year ending Jmune 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1..... .. .. 23, 203. 07 $182, 451.84 Expended for maintenance.............................. Appropriated or allotted .......................... ... ......... .. ......... . 400,000.00 1,385, 308.03 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------------------------- $376, 796. 93 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 ---------------- ------------------------------- 1,250, 000. 00 Amount transferred from Coenties Reef---------------------- 135, 308. 03 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918-------------- 323. 34 1, 762, 428. 30 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 256 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work ------------------------------------------- $182, 451. 84 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------ ___------------- -__ 1, 579, 976. 46 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------- $78, 880. 38 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_______ --------------------- 1, 438, 020. 77 516, 901. 15 -, July 1, 1918, balance available ------------------------------- 63, 075. 31 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 2, 200, 000. 00 Amount appropriated by sundry civil act approved July 1, 1918_ 300, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919---------- 2, 563, 075. 31 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project---------------------------------- 32, 486, 000. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work- _____- _____------_____-23, 000, 000. 00 COENTIES REEF, N. Y. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $15.25: New work------------------------------------------- $75, 364. 34 Maintenance ------------------------------- Total appropriations to date of this report------------- 128, 691. 97 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 'xpended for new work 1... .... $2,8...499. 23 $23, 583.28 $49, 297.08 Expended for maintenance... ........................................................ Appropriated or allotted .................. ...... $236, 000.00 .. . July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ____- ___________--____ $237, 932. 49 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918________________ . 25 237, 932. 74 Deduction on account of transfer to East River_ -__-__--_____- 135, 308. 03 102, 624. 71 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for new work 49, 297. 08 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ____-- __-______________ 53, 327. 63 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities________________ $5, 985. 56 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 18, 316. 69 24, 302. 25 July 1, 1918, balance available__________________ ________- 29, 025. 38 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR EAST RIVER AND HELL GATE. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $15,117.76: New work ----------------------------------------- 6, 482, 251. 00 Maintenance ------------------- _-___________ ______ 37, 663. 95 Net total expended-------- ------------------------- 6, 519, 914. 95 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------- ----- 10,653,219.04 xNot deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 257 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 i i"L-~--- Expended for new work 1.................. $427,176.20 $251,325.70 591,311.08 $46,786.35 $252,292.01 Expended for maintenance 1............... ...... 803.28 21,573.13 17, 518.3 -1 1 1 1 I I Total expended t.....4...7........ 427,176.20 261,325.70 92,114.36 68,359.48 269,810.31 Appropriated or allotted....................... 236,000.00 .......... 400,000.00 1,385,308.0 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ____ $652, 789. 44 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_-- ------------- ------------------ 1, 250, 000. 00 Amonet transferred between allotments .. _______..__ 135, 308. 03 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_-------__ 325. 04 2, 038, 422. 51 Deduction on account of amount transferred between allot- ments_ -- --------------------- --------- 135, 308. 03 1, 903, 114. 48 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year : For new work __$_______--______..__ $252,292. 08 For maintenance ----- --- 17, 518. 31 269_,Vl810 ..... 39 J ly 1, 1918, balance unexpended_ 1, 633, 304. 09 ".uly 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_ 84, 865. 94 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted con- tracts ---------------------- ------- - 1, 456, 337. 46 1, 541, 203. 40 July 1, 1918, balance available------------.... ---------------- 92, 100. 69 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act tpproved July 18, 1918-------------------------------------------- 2,200, 000.00 Amount appropriated by sundry civil act approved July 1, 1918- 300, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919--------- 2, 592, 100. 69 Amount .(estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project------- -------------------- ' 32, 486, 000. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920. for new work------------------------- 3,000,000.00 8. HARLEM RIVER, N. Y. Location and description.-The Harlem River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek, both included in the project for the improvement of the Harlem Rivert are two tidal waterways of a joint length of about miles, which join at Kingsbridge. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. They lie wholly within the limits of Greaer New York and separate Manhattan Island from the mainland. The East River entrance is about 81 miles northeast of the Battery, New York City, and the Hudson River entrance about 13J miles north of the Battery. The Harlem River also connects with the East River by way of Little Hell Gate, between Wards and Randalls Is- lands, and by way of Bronx (Harlem) Kills, between Randalls Island and the mainland. These channels are not used by navigators, being shoal, rocky, and winding, with strong tidal currents. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. 81116---NG 1918---17 $ 58 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, :191& Original condition.-The Harlem River varied in width from about 3,00 to 1,500 feet. It had an available depth of 10 feet at mean low water from the East River to Morris Dock, except at Highbridge, Where it was only 6 feet deep. From Morris Dock to Fordham Land- ing there.was a crooked channel 7 feet deep, and above the latter place the river could be used only by the smallest class of vessels. The width of Spuyten Duyvil Creek was about 150 feet at its head and about 1,000 feet near its mouth; it had a least mean low-water depth of about 4 feet from Kingsbridge to the Hudson River; above Kings- bridge the depth gradually diminished to less than 1 foot at the head of the creek. A narrow channel at the junction of the two streams was obstructed by a ledge of rock awash at low tide. In 1875 the mean tidal range at the mouth of Spuyten Duyvil Creek was 3.91 feet, and at Fordham Bridge, a short distance south of Broadway Bridge, it was 6.03 feet. Previous projects.-The original project for improvement was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 23, 1874. There was expended under this project prior to the commencement of work under the existing project in 1887, $21,000, all for new work. For further details of previous projects, see Annual Report for 1915, page 1762. Existing project.-This provides for a continuous channel 15 feet deep at mean low water and 400 feet wide from the East River to the Hudson River, except at Washington Bridge, where the adopted width is 354 feet, and at the rock cut through Dytkmans Meadow where it is 350 feet and the depth 18 feet. It also provides for straightening the channel at Johnson Iron Works by making a cut 15 feet deep and 400 feet wide, and for, the collection and removal of drift. The mean tidal range varies, according to locality, from 5 feet at Mill Rock to 3.7 feet at Spuyten Duyvil Bridge. The extreme range, under ordinary conditions, varies from about 8 feet at Hell Gate to about 7.5 feet at Highbridge and 6 feet at the Hudson River. The estimate of cost of new work revised in 1913 is $3,550,000. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $8,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, in accordance ,with the report published in House Document No. 75, part 9, Forty-third Congress, second session. It was modified in 1879, 1886, and 1893, and enlarged by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913, in accordance with the report published in House Document No. 557, Sixty-second Congress, second session. The act of March 4, 1915, provided for the maintenance of New. York Harbor and its immediately tributary waters by the collection and removal of drift and authorized the Secretary of War to allot such amounts as may be necessary for the work from funds available, for specific portions of New York Harbor and such tributaries. For latest published map, see page 1644 of Annual Report for .1913 atid House Document No. 402, Sixty-third Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Rock removal in the east draw channel of Macombs Dam bridge in progress .June ' .0, 1917, by the use of Government plant was continued until November 19, 1917, when the plant was withdrawn for the prosecution of press- ing work elsewhere. The work was confined to dredging rock previ- ously drilled and blasted; 1,392.1 cubic yards, loose measurement, RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 259 were excavated and disposed of by deposit on Mill Rock in the East iver at Hell Gate, where it was utilized as fill and in building sea walls on United States property. The cost of this work, exclusive of the cost of final disposal, was $7,022.73. There is now a channel through the east draw of Macombs Dam bridge 11 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide. Arrangements have been about completed for dredging urgently needed within project limits along the east shore of the river at a shipyard opposite Sherman Creek to facilitate the construction of mine sweepers for the Navy Department. It is expected to begin work in a few days and to complete it within four or five weeks thereafter. Other work consisted in the removal of 670 cubic feet of drift material at a cost of $116.61. Tidal phenomena characteristic of the Harlem River are intimately connected with those in the East River; tidal and current investigations, so far as they may have a bearing on projected and contemplated improvements, were com- menced in June, 1918, concurrently with those in the East River. 'The cost of this work amounted to $742.59. A pro rata payment of the cost of six gasoline launches purchased for the purpose of prose- cuting the work of surveys at the various localities under improve- ment in the district was made from the funds appropriated for the Harlem River improvement. The expenditures during the year amounted to $23,748.53--$23,- 523.41 for new work and $225.12 for maintenance. -Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 58 per cent of the work proposed under the existing project has been completed. There had been excavated a channel 15 feet deep at mean low water and 400 feet wide from the East River to Putnam railroad bridge except at a few points where the channel is somewhat narrowed by shoals, and at Macombs Dam bridge, where the available depth is 12 feet in the westerly draw channel and 11 feet for a width of 100 feet in the easterly draw channel. From the Putnam railroad bridge to the Hudson River the chan- nel has been excavated to a depth of 15 feet and width of from about 15.0 feet to 350 feet. On June 30,. 1918, the available depth for navigation through the Harlem River was estimated at 15 feet at mean low water, except at Macombs Dam bridge, where it was not more than 12 feet. The widths of channels through bridge draws are 98 to 100 feet. Approximately .midway between the East and Hudson Rivers navigation is obstructed by the piers of High Bridge. These cause eddies and high current velocities; limit the horizontal clearance for vessels, measured on a line normal to the channel, to about 44 feet; render navigation through the bridge hazardous for the smaller class of vessels,; and for vessels of commercial size they render the stream practically useless as a through waterway. The larger commercial vessels using the section of .the river north of the bridge as a rule enter and leave by way of the Hudson River, and those using the section south of it enter and leave by way of the East River. To complete the improvement there remains some dredging to be done between Madison Avenue and Macombs Dam bridges, and a considerable amount of dredging and rock excavation remains to be done at Macombs Dam bridge and between Putnam Bridge 260 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. and the Hudson River. The total expenditures under the existing project amounted to $2,098,554.31-$2,058,727.26 for new work and $39,827.05 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-The river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, adopting the existing project, and the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879, provided that the necessary right of way should be provided free of cost to the United States before work was begun. This pro- Aision was compliedwiith by the State of New York, which procured the necessary lands and completed their transfer to the United States in May, 1887. A similar provision is contained in the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913, authorizing the straightening of the channel at Johnson Iron Works. The river and harbor act of March 4, 1915, provides for the cession to the State of the land occu- pied by the present channel at that point, after the right of way for the cut-off has been provided and the new channel completed. A description of the lands required, with map, has been furnished the State of New York. - The prosecution of the work of straightening the channel is awaiting the transfer of these lands. Terminal facilities.-The following is a tabulated statement of the terminal and transfer facilities served by the improvement: Number. River front. Use. of ter- age (linear Ownership. minals. feet). (a) Manhattan Borough shore. General wharfage (open to public) ......................... 1 750 Private. Do ......... ........................................ 22 3, 530 City of New York. Gneral wharfage open to public and part leased............ 4 930 Do. City departments..... ........................... 7 810 Do. 'eased by transportation interests ...................... 7 1,150 Do. Railroad water terminals........................... 1 390 Private. Ibtt uring plants...... ......................... 10 2, 495 Do. Miscellaneous................................................ """ 5, 440 Do. Total Manhattan Borough shore ........................... 15, 495 (b) Broas Boroughabore... General wharfage (open to public)........................ 1 300 Private. Do...................................................... 6 1,045 City of New York. City departments............... 1 . . . . . . ......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 2 270 Do. Be anal terminals .. 1 780 State of New York. Railroad water terminals........ ... ............... 4 3,240 Private. Coastwise commerce..... ..... ...... .... . . 2 540 Do. Manufacturing plants..................................... 4 1, 880 Do. Miscellaneous.............................................. ... ...... 6, 350 Do. Total Bronx Borough shore...................... ...... 14, 465 Grand total... ..................................... .......... , 960 1Under construction. Additional terminals are constructed by the city of New York as needed. Effect of improvement.-The opening of the Harlem River to navigation has resulted in greatly increasing the areas of Manhattan and Bronx Boroughs, to which heavy freight can be brought by water with a marked saving in cost. Proposed operation.--It is proposed to expend such amount of the available funds as may be necessary in maintenance, the balance then remaining to be held subject to expenditure in extending the improvement when deemed necessary or advisable. The through RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRIOT. 261 waterway of the Harlem River is obstructed by the piers of High Bridge (see under Condition at end of fiscal year preceding). It is believed that these piers should be removed before any further work of improvement is done between' Purtnam Bridge and the HUidsoi River. Accordingly -no estimate of funds for prosecuting work in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of general merchandise, building materials, coal, fruit and farm products, and ice. Comparative statement. Calendar year. short tons. Value. carrieer 1913....................... ........ 18,313,336 $704 984,490 1914........... .. . ...................... ............... 11,577,922 582,383,737 ....... 1915 15096169 1,538,506,583 454,199 1916........ ....... .... ......... 13,789, 723 ..... .... ................. 1,286,970, 462 614,489 191715,822,342 1, 788, 331,171 2, 646,908 1 None reported in 1913 or 1914 returns. The tonnage in 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usual limit Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried, of total draft of tonnage. vessel (feet). Building materials........................................... ................... .......... 19 8-14 General merchandise... ........................... .. .. .................. 42 9-11 ............ ............ Coal.................. .......................... ......... 37 6-15 Financial summary. Amount expended on all- projects' to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $5,633.29: New work $2, 079, 727. 26 Maintenance--------------------------------------------- 39, 827. 05 Net total expended-------------------- ---- 2, 119, 554. 31 Total appropriations to date of this report --------- 2, 318, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . Expended for new work i $16,212.93 $205, 080.54 $80,607.22 $55,258.54 $23, 523.41 Expended for maintenance 1.. .. 12, 922.27 4, 734.16 19, 602.16 2,343.34 225.12 1. . . . . . .. . . .. . Total expended i ..... 29, 135.20 209, 814.70 100, 209 38 57, 601.88 23, 748.53 Appropriated or allotted.................. ............ 125,000.00 .. 25000000... 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 262 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U' S. ARMVY, 1918. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_-__--__ _ -___--____ $222, 037. 90 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_. ---------------- 156. 32 222, 194.22 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: 1 For new work---------------------------- $23, 523. 41 For maintenance ------------------------------ 225. 12 23, 748. 53 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _________ - -___-________198, 445. 69 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_-- .......... ____ -_____- 2, 967. 66 July 1, 1918, balance available ______-----__ ----- ______ 195, 478. 03 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project __------------. - 1,292, 827. 05 9. HUDSON RIVER CHANNEL, NEW YORK HARBOR. Location and description.--The Hudson River empties into the Upper Bay of New York Harbor at the Battery, New York City, The section included under this title extends from a line joining the Battery and Ellis Island to the northern limits of New York City, a distance of about 16 miles. The width between pierhead lines is 3,900 feet at the Battery, gradually decreasing to 2,750 feet at West Fourteenth Street and 2,725 feet at West Fifty-ninth Street; thence widening to 5,400, feet at Spuyten Duyvil Creek, which width it maintains to the northern boundary of New York City. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52.) Original condition.-The width was greater than at present, wide stretches of shallows along both banks having been long since re- claimed and devoted to urban purposes. Few changes in the depth of the deep-water channel are noted, except in the narrow reach between Hoboken and the Chelsea district of New York (vicinity of West Nineteenth Street), where the contraction has been so great as to cause scour on the bottom. These contractions were made mainly before 1890, when the United States protected the stream from further undue encroachments by the establishment of harbor lines. A channel 40 feet and over in depth and least width of about 1,000 feet extended throughout and some distance above the section included in the project; it bordered upon the New York shore, ex- cept in the reach from West Nineteenth Street to West Seventy- second Street, where the deep water was found along the western shore or in the center of the river. Its width was, and still is, lim- ited by three shoal areas projecting out from the shores a consider- able distance; one along the east shore from West Nineteenth Street to West Seventy-second Street, New York City; one along the west shore from below Jersey City to Castle Point; and one along the west shore from Weehawken to beyond the limits of the improve- ment. The least depths found over these shoals along pierheads were about 21 feet, 20 feet, and 7 feet, respectively. Previous projects.-The original project for improvement was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1875; the amount expended thereunder was $25,000. Joint resolution of July 1, 1902, and the river and harbor act of March 3, 1905, authorized the 1 o eutn eepsfo ae.ec xlsv faalbefns 1 Not deducting receipts from sales. etc. 2Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 263 diversion of not exceeding $45,000 from appropriations already made or authorized for the improvement of Ambrose Channel, New York Harbor, for the removal of a rock or obstruction in the North River, New York Harbor, near Pier No. 1 (known as Pier A), to a depth of 40 feet at mean low water. There was expended $43,979.12 in removing this rock to a depth of 38 feet at mean low water. Pro- vision for its removal to 40 feet at mean low water is made in the existing project adopted March 4, 1913, in which it is referred to as " ledge rock lying about 1,000 feet off Pier A at the Battery." The total amount expended on previous projects prior to the commence. ment of work under the existing project in 1913 is $68,979.12, all for new work. For further details of previous projects, see Annual Re- port for 1915, p. 1765. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 800 feet wide and 30 feet deep at mean low water from deep water off Ellis Island to 1,300 feet below the foot of Newark Street, Hoboken; thence to Castle Point the removal of a shoal to a depth of 40 feet ; a channel 550 feet wide and 26 feet deep along the Weehawken-Edgewater water front; the removal to a depth of 40 feet of ledge rock lying about 1,000 feet southwest of Pier A at the Battery; the removal of a shoal on the New York side between West Nineteenth and West Sixty-first Streets to a depth of 40 feet; increasing the width of the 40-foot' channel between the Battery and Canal Street, Manhattan Borough, to 2,000 feet; the removal of an obstruction north of the mouth of Spuyten Duyvil Creek to the depth of the surrounding river bottom; and the collection and removal of drift. The length of the section included in the project is about 16 miles. Mean tidal range at the Battery 4.4 feet, and at the mouth of Spuyten Duyvil Creek 3.7 feet; the extreme range under ordinary conditions is about 5 feet at the Battery and about 6 feet at the mouth of Spuyten Duyvil Creek. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1917 is $2,890,000, exclusive of the amounts expended under previous proj- ects. No estimate for annual cost of maintenance is given, as the amount required can be determined only from experience. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913 (H. Doc. No. 719, 62d Cong., 2d sess.); the act of March 4, 1915, modified it (Annual Report of the Chief of En- gineers for 1914, pp. 234--235) and provided for the collection and removal of drift; the act of August 8, 1917, enlarged it (H. Doc. No. 1697, 64th Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map see Annual Re- port for 1915, page 2144, and House Document No. 1697, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-A contract for dredging along the New Jersey water front was entered into December 21, 1916. On October 10, 1917, work under the contract was suspended on ac- count of shortage of coal, difficulty in obtaining tugs to tow the dredged material to the dumping ground, and unfavorable condi- tions for obtaining labor and supplies. There were dredged and dis- posed of during the fiscal year 34,372.2 cubic yards of material; the expenditures under the contract amounted to $5,643.36. Under date of 'January 12, 1918, the contractor submitted a favorable bid for pi-osecuting work of urgent military necessity in the Diamond Reef section of the East River. Delay in completing the dredging along 264 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the New Jersey water front would not unduly prejudice navigation interests, and, so far as could be foreseen, such delay would not inter- fere with military requirements; the contractor was accordingly permitted to utilize his plant in prosecuting work in the East River. Seagoing dredges Raritan and Atlantic, hired from the second dis- trict, New York City, were operated along the Manhattan water front for the purpose of securing greater depth of water between West Nineteenth and West Sixty-first Streets urgently needed by deep-draft trans-Atlantic steamships transporting military material and supplies and in removing shoals along the Hoboken, N. J., water front, which interfered with the departure of vessels of the United States transport service. There were removed and disposed of 1,258,762 cubic yards, bin measurement, of material from the former locality at a cost of $180,709.64, and 128,125 cubic yards, bin measure- ment, from the latter locality at a cost of $32,262.91. Drift material to the amount of 85,435 cubic feet was picked up and disposed of at a cost of $8,245.83. Investigations pertaining to tidal phenomena characteristic of the Hudson River between the Battery and the mouth of Spuyten Duy- vil Creek (Harlem River) were commenced in June, 1918, in con- junction with those in the East River. The cost of this work to June 30, 1918, amounted to $742.59. Part of the cost of six gasoline launches, purchased for expediting the district survey work was paid from the appropriations for this improvement. An unusually large number of vessels were sunk in the river dur- ing the past winter, two of which were removed by the United States; all were investigated and many were examined and located by sur- vey. Those not removed by the United States were removed by the owners. The expenditures amounted to $212,384.12-$190,449.35 for new work and $21,934.77 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.--About 26 per cent of the existing project has been completed. The work done under all projects has resulted in removing rock off Pier A to 38 feet; in dredging a chan- nel in the Jersey City water front 200 feet wide and 30 feet deep; in completing the removal of the shoal in Hoboken water froint to a depth of 40 feet; and in dredging a channel in the Weehawken- Edgewater water front 250 feet wide and 26 feet deep. Dredging along the Manhattan water front in the past year has resulted in increasing the depths along this front where most needed, particu- larly in the vicinity of a new pier at West Forty-sixth Street, where the depth is now sufficient for entry into one of the slips by the largest trans-Atlantic steamships if carefully maneuvered. The con- trolling depths on June 30, 1918, in the dredged channels are esti- mated at 30 feet in the Jersey City water front and 40 feet in the Hoboken water front. Considerable shoaling has occurred in the channel along the Weehawken-Edgewater water front, in which a recent examination shows a controlling depth for through traffic of but about 18 feet. To complete the project it is necessary to widen the channels in the Jersey City and Weehawken-Edgewater water fronts and between the Battery and Canal Street; to complete the removal of the rock RIVERS AND HARBORS--FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 265 off Pier A; to complete the removal of the shoal on the New York side; and to remove the obstruction north of Spuyten Duyvil Creek. The total expenditures under the. existing project amounted to $789,500.78-$760,706.90 for new work and $28,793.88 for mainte- •nance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The following is a tabulated statement of terminal and transfer facilities served by the improvement: Number River front- Use. of ter- age (linear Ownership. minals. feet). (a) ManhattanBorough shore. General wharfage (open to public) ..................... 7 1, 470 City of New York. General wharfage open to public and part leased ...... 16 3,810 Do. City departtments. .......... .......... ......... 8 2,370 Do. Cif 'departments and general wharfage ........ 22....... 390 Do. Public ferries........................................... 13 2,040 Private. War Department, United States ......................... 6 2, 220 City of New York. Barge canal terminals......... ........................ . 1 300 State of New York. Railroad water terminals.. ............................. 18 4,830 Private. Do......... ...................................... City of New York. 26 5,668 CoaStwise commerce ................................................ 18 4,620 Do. Do ................................................................ 1 150 Private. Transatlantic commerce................................. 14 4, 020 City of New York. Miscellaneous................................................ .. ........ 3,177 Private. Total Manhattan Borough shore........................... 35,065 (b) New Jersey shore. General wharfage (open to public) ...................... 1 120 Jersey City. Public ferries. ............. ................. 12 2, 460 Private. War Department... ............................. 6 1,800 United States, Do.......... ....-- ................. 7 1,800 Leased bj the United States. Navy Department.... ............................. 1 225 United States. Railroad water terminals ....................................... 9 18,720 Private. Manufacturing plants....... ........................ 18 8, 355 Do. Transatlantic commerce ... ..................... 2 435 Do. Miscellaneous................................... 9,190 Do. Total New Jersey shore.............. ....... .. 43,105 Grand total .......... ...................... 78,170 Effect of improvement.-The largest trans-Atlantic steamers can now reach their piers at Hoboken, N. J.; a number of piers between West Forty-first and West Fifty-first Streets, New York City, have been made available for deep-draft vessels, and an increase in the amount of pier construction and extension along the Weehawken- Edgewater water front has developed. It is impracticable to ascer tain what effect the improvement has had on freight rates. Proposed operations.--It is proposed to expend the funds available in completing the channels along the Jersey City and Weehawken- Edgewater water fronts under a contract now in force; in continuing the removal of the shoal along the New York shore from West Nine- teenth to West Sixty-first Streets by the use of seagoing dredges; and in widening the 40-foot channel between the Battery and Canal Street to the extent, within project limits, that the available funds will permit. The satisfactory results of the work done during the past year by the use of seagoing dredges, both in progress made and in unit costs, indicate that immediate needs of navigation can be secured by the expenditure of available funds in continuing the im- 266 -REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEElS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. provement by the use of these dredges. For this reason, and because of high unit prices, due to war conditions, asked by contractors for prosecuting work, no estimate of funds for the fiscal year 1920 is submitted. Recomm e nded modification of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of all classes of commercial products and manufac- tures. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers carried. 1913.................. ................................ 64, 517, 302 $2, 958,075,917 109,459,665 1914 ......... .................................... 58,644,614 4,559,185,809 106,253,639 1915.......... ........ ......................... 63,458, 291 6,410,144,119 69,239,418 1916............... . .......... .......... .... 68, 377,558 7,339,340, 857 84,470,659 1917.. ........................ ................... 53, 945, 490 4,882,879,167 111,438, 512 The tonnage of 1917 was carried in vessels ranging in loaded draft from about 5 feet up to about 40 feet. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $568.21: New work---------------------------- $829, 686. 02 Maintenance ________________________ _______ 28, 793. 88 Net total expended____________-__-_____________ 858, 479. 90 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------_ 2,104, 479. 12 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work I................... .............. $29,577.59 . . . .021.59 . . . . . .$244, . . . . . . . . . . . $12,085.08 . . . . . . .$282,314.81 $190,449.35 Expended for maintenance 1 6,859.11 21, 934.77 . . . . . . .. . .. . . .. . . Total expended 1.. ... 29,577.59 244, 021.59 282,314.81 18,944.19 212,384.12 Appropriated or allotted.......................... 375,000.00 ............ 450,000.00 810, 500.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended__ - ___-- - ____-_____ $447, 872. 64 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917 ------------------------------------------------- 810, 500. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 ----- __ -- -____-- 10. 70 1, 258, 383. 34 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work-------------------------------- $190, 449. 35 For maintenance _______________ 21,934. 77 212, 384. 12 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- ------------- __________ 1, 045,999. 22 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ------------ 41,483. 88 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted con- tracts--.-...-... --.-.--. -- 380, 074. 94 421, 558. 82 SNot deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVES AND HBRBORS--FIRST NEW YORKr, N. Y , DISTRIOT. 2& July 1, 1918, balance available -------------------------- $624, 440.40 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918----------------.---------.----------------------- 200,000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919--------- 824, 440. 40 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion for existing project-- ------------------------------- 883, 293. 88 10. HUDSON RIVER, N. Y. Location and description.-The Hudson River has its source in the Adirondack Mountains, about 250 miles in a direct line and about 315 miles following its course from the Battery, New York City, and flows in a generally southerly direction into New York Bay. The section under improvement extends from Waterford to Hudson, about 38 miles. Hudson is about 117 miles north of the Battery, New York City. The river is tidal to the Federal dam at Troy, N. Y., about 153 miles north of the Battery. Above the dam the drainage area is about 9,900 square miles. The watershed is in general moun- tainous and wooded. The fall in the upper portion is very rapid. The discharge varies within wide limits. The low-water discharge is generally assumed at about 2,000 second-feet, but discharges as low as 1,500 second-feet and as high as 240,000 second-feet have been observed. The latter discharge occurred March 28, 1913, and raised the river to an elevation of 23.5 feet above "lowest low water" at Albany, N. Y., and 31.6 feet above the same plane at the dam at Troy, N. Y. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 284.) Original condition.-After partial improvement by the State of New York there was a narrow and crooked channel between banks 650 to 3,000 feet apart, with a navigable depth at mean low water varying from 31 to 11 feet between Waterford and Coxsackie, and of 12 feet and more between Coxsackie and Hudson. From Hudson to New York a natural depth of 25 feet existed, except over a few shoals. The river above Hudson was obstructed by sand bars, mak- ing the channel tortuous and unstable and navigable by small shallow-draft vessels only. The head of boat navigation was origi- nally at Waterford, and of logging navigation near the headwaters. The navigable length, commencing at the Battery, was about 155 miles. Later the river became the southern and eastern outlet for the Champlain and Erie Canals, connecting with the Champlain Canal at Waterford in the pool formed by the dam built by the State of New York about 1823 at Troy, and with the Erie Canal opposite Troy and at Albany. In 1831 the mean range of tide was reported as follows: Troy, 1.09 feet; Albany, 2.09 feet; Castleton, 1.7 feet; and New Baltimore, 2.83 feet. Previous projects.-The improvement was commenced by the State of New York in 1797. The original project for improvement by the United States was adopted in 1834 and modified in 1852 and 1866. From 1834 to 1892 the improvement was carried on by the State of New York in conjunction with the Federal Government, and the actual control was only settled by the courts, the United States as- suming legal control in 1891. A second project was adopted in 1892 and modified in 1899. The expenditures by the United States prior to the commencement of work under the existing project in 1910 totaled $5,459,390.58, of which amount $5,112,593.50 was for new zExclusive of available funds. 268 . REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, '1918. work, including $48,432.37 for work in other localities referred to in the Annual Report for 1911, page 172, and $346,797.08 for mainte- nance. For further details of previous project, see Annual Report for 1915, page 1764. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 12 feet deep at all stages from Waterford to Hudson, a distance of 38 miles, 200 feet wide from Waterford to the dam at Troy; a general width of 400 feet, increased at bends below the dam and widened to form harbors in front of the cities of Troy and Albany; the removal of the State dam at Troy, and the construction of a lock and dam about 24 miles below Waterford and about 1,400 feet north of the State lock and dam at Troy. The following table contains information concerning the various: features of the lock and dam included in the existing project: Location: miles- Below Waterford___'_ .---------------------------------- 2. 5 --------------------------------- do. Above Battery, N. Y 152. 5 Lock: Clear width----------------------------------------feet__ 45 Greatest length available for full width---------do.... 492. 5 Lift at lowest stages- - -- do. 16. 3 Depth on miter sills at lowest low water: Upper ----------------------------------------- do 16. 3 Lower ------------------------------------------- do--- 14. Character of foundation: Rock. Kind of dam: Fixed. Type of construction: Concrete. Completed : 1917. Cost : $1,463,014.07. The channel is to be formed by dredging and rock excavation, and to be maintained by dredging and by constructing new and raising and repairing old longitudinal dikes, built partly under previous projects and partly by the State of New York. The range of mean tides at the dam in seasons of moderate rains is about 2.55 feet, as determined in 1903. At Broadway, Troy, the range is about 3 feet, and at Albany about 2.9 feet, as determined in 1910. At New Balti- more it is about 3.21 feet, at Coxsackie about 3.7 feet, and at Hudson about 4.1 feet. The assumed lowest low-water plane varies from 2 feet at Troy to 3.7 feet at Hudson below mean sea level, Sandy Hook, N. J. In measure as the channels above Hudson are improved, the range of tide increases and the low-water plane falls. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1914, is $7,530,000, exclusive of amounts expended on previous projects. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $200,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H.Doc. No. 719, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). For maps showing part of the projected work, see House Document No. 719, Sixty-first Congress, second session. For general index map of the improvement, see Annual Report for 1914, page 1712. Operations and results during fiscal year.-By the use of Govern- ment plant and hired labor the following work was accomplished: New work: Channel excavation of rock at Lansingburg between Waterford and the new lock and dam at Troy was continued, 3,158 square yards of rock area being drilled and blasted. At the lock all work was completed. Between the lock arid the site of the former State dam 2,578 square yards of rock area were drilled and blasted and 43,255 cubic yards of material were dredged from the channel; RIVERS AND HIARBORS---FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 269 the total cost of this work was $81,853.06. Between the State dam and Albany 7,080 linear feet of channel 150 feet wide were deepened to 12 feet at lowest low water by the excavation of 204,780 cubic yards of material; the cost of this work, including supervision but excluding plant deterioration, amounted to $38,856.05---$28,128.54 for news work and $8,727.51 for maintenance. No ,work was done on the dikes. Contracts: Operations resulted in the excavation of 2,900 linear feet of channel 12 feet deep and 150 feet wide, and 2,900 linear feet of channel 12 feet deep and 400 feet wide at Troy, besides several portions of incompleted width; 3,600 linear feet of channel 12 feet deep and 400 feet wide between Troy and Albany; and practically all of the work necessary to create a channel 12 feet deep and 400 feet wide and a harbor 12 feet deep at Albany; the cost of this work amounted to $255,462.85. The total expenditures amounted to $555,445.12-$520,727.93 for new work and $34,717.19 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 75 per cent of the present project has been completed; the percentage of completion of the va- rious items of work being about as follows: Troy lock and dam and removal of old dam at Troy, 100 per cent; general channel excavation, 50 per cent; construction of new and reconstruction of old dikes, as far as authorized at present, 100 per cent. Under this latter item 15,545 linear feet of new diking have been constructed and 32,300 linear feet of old dikes have been raised to the adopted crest height. The ruling depths at lowest low water and widths of the existing channel from Waterford to Hudson on June 30, 1918, were as follows: Locality. Depth. Width. Locality. Depth. Width. Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. Hudson to Coxsackie...... 12 400 New Baltimore to Albany. 9 170 Coxsackie to New Balti- Albany to Troy.......... 11.5 200 more.................... 11 220 Troy to Waterford . 11 240 Draws in bridges spanning the river reduce the navigable widths through the draw spans as follows: Feet. Greenbush Bridge, Albany -------------------------------------- 160 New York Central Passenger Bridge, Albany------------------------ 90 New York Central Freight Bridge, Albany---- --------------------- 90 congress Street Bridge, Troy------- ---------------------------- 180 Delaware & Hudson Bridge, Troy--------------------------------- 45 The following table of monthly averages of daily tide readings at Albany, N. Y., indicate stages above datum plane that may be ex- pected at the different seasons: [Datum=L. L. W,=--.0 M. S. L.- -2.5 M. L. T.] Year. Tide. Jan. Feb, Mar. Apr. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 1914......... High.... 4.75 4.56 6.54 11.36 6.80 5.08 5.44 5.21 5.13 5.03 4.91 4.78 4Low.... 2.90 3.11 5.58 11.02 4.76 1.96 2.27 2.15 2.03 1.94 1.95 2.57 1915......... High.... 6.45 7.22 5.55 6.30 5.51 5.18 6.47 6.26 5.51 5.61 5.43 5.89 L.ow.... 5.46 6.71 3.49 4.41 2.51 1.93 3.84 3.57 2.31 2.78 2.67 4.56 1916... ... High.... 7.39 6. 21 5.86 9.70 6.78 6.13 5.72 5.43 5.34 5.20 5.36 5. 27 Low .... 6.81 5.36 4.87 9.04 4.89 3.27 2.55 2.10 2.11 2.07 2.38 3.38 1917. ' * High .. Low.... 4.98 3.37 4.26 7.03 7.93 6.30 7.19 5.85 5.48 5.33 5.93 5.79 4.47 2.64 6.26 6.76 4.23 5.19 2.69 2.11 1.97 3.21 3.11 2.39 270 REPORT, O OFCHIEFF ENGINBERS U. AMY, 1918. The deepening and widening of the channel under the project of 1892 and existing project has caused an increase in the mean tidal -range of the upper portion of the river, extending from Troy to about New Baltimore. The mean range at Albany, as determined in 1910, 'was 2.9 feet, being approximately- 0.6 foot greater than the range previous to the adoption of the project of 1892, which provided for a channel between Coxsackie to the State dam at Troy 12 feet deep at mean low water, equivalent to about 8.9 feet at lowest low water, present datum plane. From recent observations the present range at Albany is.about 3.2 feet, showing an increase of about 0.3 of a foot, due to the work which has already been completed under the existing project. The navigation season extends usually from about March 15 to "December 15; during the remainder of the year the river is usually closed by ice. Dike construction, since the first improvement was begun by the State of New York, has resulted in the construction of longitudinal dikes on both sides of the river between Troy and Stuyvesant, a dis- tance of about 24 miles, nearly continuous, except where the fixed r haracter of the shores made them unnecessary. Between Stuyvesant and Hudson (the southern limit of the present project) longitudinal dikes have been constructed at Fordham Point and Stockport. The lock and dam and appurtenant works replacing the old State lock and dam at Troy have been completed. No continuous channel of project depth has yet been made ready, but navigation has benefited materially from the work done thus far. At Troy canal tows pass the lock in less than one-sixth of the time required for the old lock. The maximum depth available at lowest low water is 9 feet, with a. least width of about 170 feet below Albany, and 11.5 feet, with a least width of about 200 feet between Albany and' Troy. The work remaining to be done consists principally in channel excavation and excavation for harbors at Troy and Albany; also the construction of new dikes and the restoration of certain old dikes, if found neces- sary. sThe total expenditure amounted, to $5,326,772.02-$4,862,752.20 for new work and $464,019.82 for maintenance. Local cooperation.---The extent of the local cooperation required by the existing project (H. Doc. No. 719, 61st Cong., 2d sess.) was:(a) That the existing water-power rights and privileges granted to cer- tain manufacturing interests by the State of New York in connection with the State dam at Troy be extinguished; (b) that the city of Troy aid in the.harb6r improvement at that point by securing the expenditure of aproximately $420,559 in constructing and maintain- ing public docks and warehouses, and by preventing refuse from pass- ing into the channel from its sewer system or from creeks, and re- moving any such deposits if made within its corporate limits; (c) that the city of Albany aid in harbor improvements at its water front, expending approximately $105,000 for improving its terminal struc- .tures and facilities along its harbor frort. The New York State Canal Board complied with the first condition by its resolution, dated November 22, 1910, extinguishing existing water-power rights and privileges. The abandonment of the State dam at Troy by the State automatically extinguished the leases for water power developed at RIVERS AND HIIARBORS-IRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRIOT. 271 this dam. The cooperation required from the city of Troy is being complied with; about 2,800 linear feet of new docks are being con- structed. The State authorities have built at Troy a canal terminal and have purchased a site for another terminal, and are constructing a new terminal at Cohoes. The cooperation required from the city of Albany has been amply complied with by a comprehensive scheme of water-front improvement now practically completed, which in- eludes a canal terminal built by the State of New York. The canal terminals constructed at Troy and Albany have cost to date about $650,000. The river has been under improvement since 1789. The State of New York carried on this work exclusively until 1831, and in con- Junction with the United States until 1892, when its. cooperation ceased. From 1789 to 1892 the State expended in building dikes and dredging $1,279,749, and $263,462.63 in connection with the State lock and dam at Troy and the canal basin at Albany. There was also considerable work done by local interests and navigation com- panies, but its cost is not known. Termina facilities.-The piers and other terminal or transfer facilities served by the improvement are as follows: Between Watervliet and the Federal dam at Troy there are some 14 timber wharves with solid fill in the rear, aggregating approximately 5,000 feet in length, all privately owned. The State of New York is constructing a barge canal terminal at Cohoes. Privately owned docks, consisting of timber bulkheads with solid fill in the rear, and at many places equipped with transfer facilities, extend practically the entire length of the water front of the city of Troy, approximately 4,900 feet in length. The city of Troy is now reconstructing approximately 2,800 feet of these docks, which it is proposed to equip with modern transfer facilities and make available for public use. *At Adams Street, troy, the State of New York has constructed a concrete barge-canal terminal, 970 feet in length, equipped with light, derricks and storehouse. The State also proposes to construct an additional terminal just south of the old State dam. At the United States Arsenal, Watervliet, there is a. stone bulkhead with solid fill in the rear, 800 feet in length. Between this point and Albany there are some five timber docks, aggregating 4,275 feet in length, all privately owned. At Albany there are some 10,300 linear feet of timber docks, all privately owned. The State of New York has constructed a barge-canal terminal 1,400 feet in length, and the city of Albany has constructed concrete docks 3,200 feet in length, which are leased to the various transportation companies. The city contemplates the reconstruction of some 2,400 linear feet of the present timber docks which will be open to public use. At Island Creek (South Albany) the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Co. own approximately 3,100 feet of timber wharves, which are free to railroad shippers. At Rensselaer there is approximately 1,350 feet of timber wharves, all p rivately owned. Between Albany and Hudson there are some 100 timber docks, aggregating 36,700 feet in length, all privately owned. At Athens there are some nine timber docks, aggregating approximately 4,000 feet, all privately owned. Existing docks and terminals appear to be inadequate to efficiently and economically accommodate the traffic of the Hudson River, but it is expected that upon the completion of the terminal facilities now under construction or proposed they will be ample. Efect of improvement.-The through waterway formed by the. Hudson River and the New York State canals determines through freight rates from the Middle West to the Atlantic and Gulf ports. The improvement has resulted in considerably increased navigation facilities. The total effect of the present improvement can not be 272 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. determined until the new State canals are completed and commerce on them develops. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend the funds avail- able in dredging, rock removal, and accessory work as follows: Chanel excavation from Waterford, N. Y., to near the site of the: former State dam, and the work necessary to improve navi- Sgat4an; conditions at the new dam__----.- --.----- _---- $170, 000. 00 Supervision of contract for widening the channel opposite the city of Troy to full project width of 400 feet_ 44, 800. 00 Widening the channel so as to form a harbor at Troy, N. Y --- 455, 000.00 Channel excavation to full project width from a point near the north end of Base Island Dike to Albany, N. Y- --- 130, 000. 00 Completion of existing contract for dredging so as to form a harbor at Albany, N. Y ---------------------------------- 20, 000. 00 Channel excavation south of Albany, N. Y 60, 000.00 2-------------------- Raising and repairing dikes------------------- ---- 36, 000.00 Engineering, surveys, and contingencies __.- -- 125, 899. 67 Total _-_ 1241, 699. 67 1------- It is estimated that the funds available are sufficient to complete all of the work which is deemed neces arv under the existing ener- gency, and accordingly no estimate of fun(ls is submitted for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920. Recommended mod cdations of 7proect.'-None. IReference.s to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commereial statistics.-Of the total tonnage reported about 90 per cent consists of bulky articles, such as coal, iron ore, ice, salt, grain, oil. etc.. and is carried in towed barges and canal boats of from 4.5 feet to 12 feet draft. The remaining 10 per cent consists of high-class general merchandise, requiring rapid delivery, and this, with the passenger traffic, is carried by the fast river steamers and packets, with a maximum draft of about 11 feet, plying between Albany, Troy, and New York. The river traffic, as reported by transportation companies by cal- endar years, is as follows: Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers 1913........................................................... 3,300,000 $172, 525, 000 1, 760,000 1914 ............................................... 2, 979,062 170,000,000 1, 291,694 1915... .. .... ...................... .............. 3,211,739 59, 197,000 907, 600 1916............................................... 3,190, 471 70,530 240 998, 463 1917... ............ ... ....... ...... ....... ...... 3,105,756 0.515,016 815,031 Values given for freight tonnage previous to 1915 are believed to be too high. This was due principally to a high estimated ton value for the high-class freight carried by one of the principal transporta- tion companies; the present reported value is believed to be a close approximation. The falling off in passenger traffic is believed to be tempdrary.. Owing to the reconstruction of the New York State canals, canal traffic is in a transition stage. The present boats are antiquated and are gradually being abandoned. The construction of boats adapted RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 273 to the new canals has been commenced and it is expected that during the navigation season of 1918 the volume of traffic will be greatly increased. Financial sum/mary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $75,868.71: 1 New work--------------- $9, 975, 345. 70 ltintenance -------------------------------- 810, 816. 90 Net total expended--------------------------------10, 786, 162. 60 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------- 12, 391, 524. 56 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 8........$ 1,068, 033.64 $925, 875.37 $995, 561.13 $599, 578.18 $520, 727.9 Expended for maintenance 3....... 109,100.40 45, 083.62 60, 880.41 137, 567.07 34, 717.1 Total expended 3. . . . . . . ..... 1, 177,134.04 970, 958.99 1, 056, 441.54 737,145.25 555. 445. 12 Appropriated or allotted........... .............. 2,810, 000.00 .............. 1,015,000.00 ............. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------- $2, 159, 436. 51 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918----------------- 1, 370. 57 2, 160, 807. 08. June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year : For new work----- --------------------- $520, 727.93 'or maintenance-------------------------- 34, 717. 19 555, 445. 12 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------- 1, 605, 361. 96 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities---------------$61, 567. 11 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted con- tracts ------------------------------------ 302, 095. 18 363, 662. 29 July 1, 1918, balance available ___----------------------------1, 241, 699.67 Amount unappropriated under continuing-coitract authorization, act of July 27, 1916-- -_ ' 295, 000. 00 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project-----------------------------------1, 061, 885. 84 11. OPERATING AND CARE OF LOCK AND DAM IN HUDSON RIVER AT TROY., N. Y. The improvement for which report is made under this caption forms part of the project for improving Hudson River, N. Y. See pages 267 to 273, where general information regarding the im- provement can be found. The completed lock and dam has been operated and maintained under the permanent indefinite appropria- tion since August 18; 1915. 1Does not include $88.16 erroneously included in receipts from sales, etc., on previous report. 2 Includes $10 000 expended on improvement of Tarrytown Harbor, N. Y.; $84,000 ex- pended in removing Stonehouse Bar, Hudson River, N. Y. , and $4,432.17 expended in deep- ening the mouth of Schodack Creek, N. Y. (See Annual keport for 1911, p. 172.) SNot deducting receipts from sales, et . ' Exclusive of available funds. 81116---ENO 1918----18 . ,274 . REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The lock and dam are situated at Troy, N. Y., and wereconstructed in the pool formed by the old State dam and lock, located 1,400 feet south. The old dam was not breached until December 26, 1915, and during the navigation season of 1915 vessels passed through both the old and new locks. Operation of the lock for the season of navigation of 1918 was begun on April 11, 1918. There was expended $10,893.41, all for main- tenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The work has been completed. Existing works are in good condition. Total expenditures for operating and care of these works to the end of the fiscal year were $27,522.93, all for maintenance. Proposed operations.-The lock and dam will be operated and maintained under allotments from the permanent indefinite appro- priation provided by section 6 of river and harbor act of March 3, 1909. Commercial statistics.-Practically all the commerce passing through the lock is carried in towed canal boats and barges of about 4.5 to 7 feet draft. Passenger traffic is negligible in quantity, as no regular passenger vessels pass the lock. The tonnage and value of freight passed through the lock as compiled from reports of vessel pilots and owners, by calendar years, are as follows: Comparative statement. Year. Short tons. Value. 1915, (about 4 months)., ..... ....................... ...... ............ 332, 213 $5,691,100 1916................. .. ... ...... ...... ............. 651,705 12,758,644 1917 .-.. ..... ...... 573,526 13, 471,853 SAUGERTIES, RONDOUT, PEEKSKILL, AND TARRYTOWN HARBORS, AND WAPPINGER CREEK, N. Y. (GROUP B.) 12. TARRYTOWN HARBOR, N. Y. (B1L) Location and description.-Thisharbor extends along the east shore o'the Hudson River for a distance of about 1 mile below Kingsland Point, about 29 miles above the Battery, New York City. The dis- tance to the 12-foot contour in the river from the pierheads varies between 1,600 feet and 2,200 feet. A small stream, the Pocantico River, whose source is about 8 miles northeast of Tarrytown, empties into the harbor at Kingsland Point. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 281. Original condition.-The maximum available depth at mean low water over flats extending out from the shore to deep water was about 6 feet, and the general depth over a considerable part of them was about 4+ feet. Previous project.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel along the wharf 'front of the harbor 12 feet deep at mean low water and 150 feet wide, and northerly and southerly connections with deep water in the Hud- son River of the same depth and 100 feet wide; total length about 1 miles. The mean tidal range is about 3.6 feet, and the extreme range, under ordinary conditions, is about 4.5 feet. The estimate of cost for RIVERS AND HARBORS---FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 275 new work, revised in 1907, is $36,000. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $900. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1905 (H. Doc. No. 283, 56th Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1900, p. 1520), The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the year. The work proposed to be done with the avail- able funds was not cof such pressing necessity as to warrant the pay- ment of the existing excessive cost per unit for dredging. The expend- itures during the year, amounting to $78.23 and chargeable to main- tenance, were in payment of making an examination of the channel and of office expenses and contingencies. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is about 88 per cent completed. The work has resulted in excavating to projected dimen- sions the southern arm; along the water front to a depth of 12 feet and width of 90 feet, and 10 to 12 feet deep for an additional width of 60 feet, and in the eastern end of the northern arm to a depth of 12 feet and width of 60 feet for a distance of 350 feet, and 60 feet wide, but less than 12 feet deep for a farther distance of 100 feet. An examination of the dredged channels shows that they have been tiarkedly reduced in depth and width by the falling in of material from side slopes. The controlling depth through the narrowed chan- nels is about 10 feet in the southern arm and about 10 feet along the water front. Dredging the channel in the northern arm has not been completed; the available depth here is but 5 feet at mean low water. Expenditures to June 30, 1918, amounted to $36,454.41- $29,311.03 for new work and $7,143.38 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-Water terminals, seven in number, with a total wharf frontage of 3,910 feet, are located along the water front of Tarrytown; none has railroad connections. Six and one-half of the terminals with a total frontage of 3,635 feet are privately owned, one of which, with a frontage of 1,060 feet, is open to the public, and one with a frontage of 350 feet is not used; and one-half of a ter- minal (about 275 feet frontage) is owned by a corporation. Other details are as follows: One with a frontage of 1,060 feet consists of 860 feet of solid fill behind a crib bulkhead, 100 feet of solid fill behind a pile and timber bulkhead, and 100 feet of solid fill behind a stone bulkhead; Four with a total frontage of 2,750 feet consist of solid fills behind crib bulkheads; Two with a total frontage of 100 feet consist of open pile construction in slips and solid fill behind crib bulkheads in rear. The existing terminals are adequate for present commerce. Effect of improvement.-As the result of the improvement there has been an appreciable increase ih the water-borne commerce of the harbor; vessels of increased draft can now reach the wharves, and a slight reduction in freight rates has been reported. The financial benefits to the locality are indicated by the amount saved through the use of water instead of rail transportation for building materials and coal. This saving amounted to about $114,400 in 1917. Proposedoperations.-The existing unit cost for dredging is exces- sive. It is therefore proposed to not expend the available funds until 276 IWEPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the needs of navigation become so urgent as to necessitate further work of improvement or maintenance. No estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recomrirended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistis.--The commrhrcr of-the-calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of building materials and coal. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers 1913 .. ............................................... 188,163 $2,328,623 105,000 1914........................................................ ...... 79,821 1,725,177 131,586 1915................................................................ 102,251 1,637,341 122,639 1916 . ................... .............. .... ................. 97,111 3,341,005 116,862 1917 .. ......... ... ..... ......... .................. ...... 86,705 376,389 94,709 The tonnage for 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usual limit Usual limit Per cent ofloaded Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried. of total draft of Class of freight carried, of total drafit 40 tonnage. vessel tonnage. vessel (feet). (feet). Building materials........ 56 6-10 Petroleum products.... 2 12) Coal....................... 40 5-12 Ashes... 2 11 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $12.70: New work $----------------- Maintenance , 143. 38 7-------------------------- Net total expended--------------___----- - 36, 454. 41 Total appropriations to date of this report -------------- ----- 49, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending JTune 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Eexpended for new work............. . . . . . . . . .. . . ......... . . ... I.......... ...... ........ .... Expended for maintenance 1 . $174.18 $74.68 $275.46 $186.59 $7823 Appropriated orallotted................... ......... 3,000.00............ 10,000.00 .......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------------- $12, 623. 07 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918- ___---- - - .75 12, 623. 82 _ June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance' 78. 23 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_____ ____ ___________------- 12,545. 59 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities _________ . 5. 50 July 1, 1918, balance available-- -- 12, 540. 09 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 277 13. PEEKSKILL HARBOR, N. Y. (B2). Location and description.-This harbor is an indentation about five-eighths of a mile long and 1l miles wide in the eastern shore of the Hudson River, about 42 miles above the Battery, New York City. Peekskill Creek, whose source is about 14 miles northeast of the har- bar, empties into the Hudson River about one-half mile northwest of the wharves in Peekskill. The mouth of the creek up to Alnnsville is known locally as Annsville Creek, and the upper section, above the highway at Tompkins Corners, as Peekskill Hollow Creek. The mouth of the creek is crossed by the New York Central Railroad by a bridge with draw span. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 282. Original condition.-The controlling depth in the harbor was about 5 feet at mean low water, except near the wharves, where the depth was about 6 feet. The length of navigable channel in the har- bor, following the general contour of the shore, was about 1.8 miles. Previous project.---None. Existing project.--This provides for a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide and about 1.8 miles long, extend- ing from deep water in the Hudson River north of the village to deep water south of it, following generally the contour of the shore, and two turning basins, 200 by 150 feet, of the same depth, in front of the lower and center wharves. The mean tidal range is about 3 feet, and the extreme range, under ordinary conditions, is about 4 feet. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1896 is $50,000. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896 (H. Doc. No. 37, 53d Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Report for 1895, p. 999). The project was modified in 1896. For latest published map of the locality, see Annual Report for 1903, page 885. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the year. Work of maintenance was not of such press- ing necessity as to warrant the payment of the existing excessive cost per unit for dredging. The expenditures during the year, amounting to $51.65 and chargeable to maintenance, were in payment of the cost of making an examination of the channel and of office expenses and contingencies. Condition at end of fiscal year.--The project was completed in 1899. The improved channel has a length of about 4,300 feet in the northern arm, 1,700 feet along the water front, and about 3,500 feet in the southern arm. The depth available for navigation was about 9 feet. The total expenditures amounted to $30,653.50-$19,400 for new work and $11,253.50 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-No conditions have been imposed by law re- quiring local cooperation. Prior to 1913 the local authorities ex- pended $909 in removing shoals formed by the deposit of sewage, and private interests expended $150,000 in the construction of a public wharf and $10,000 in dredging in front of it. Terminal facilities.--Water terminals, six in number, with a total wharf frontage of 2,340 feet, are located-one at the mouth of Peeks- kill Creek (not used) and five along the water front in Peekskill; 278 REPORT OF :CHIEF OF ENGINEEIS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. n:one has railroad connections. Three of the terminals, with a total frontage of 1,520 feet, are privately owned, one of which, with a frontage of 650 feet, is open to the public and one, with a frontage of 100 feet, is not used; two, with a frontage of 800 feet, are owned by the New York Central Railroad; and one, with a frontage of 20 feet, is used by a corporation. Other details are as follows: 1, with a frontage of 100 feet, is built of concrete (not used). 4 consist of sold fills behind crib bulkheads. 1 consists of a steel trestle 20 feet wide extending out from the natural bank. The existing terminals are adequate for present and prospective needs of commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has resulted in compe- tition which holds freight rates at a reasonable figure. The financial benefits to the locality are indicated by the amount saved through the use of water instead of rail transportation for building materials and coal. This saving amounted to about $30,200 in 1917. Proposed operations.-The existing unit cost for dredging is ex- cessive. It is therefore proposed to not expend the available funds until the needs of navigation become so urgent as to necessitate the removal of shoals. No estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917, consisted mainly of building materials, manufactures, and coal. Comparative statement. Caleridar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers 1913 . ........ .......................................... ........... 308,173 9, 880,198 (2) 1914............................ .................................. 127,752 2,402,275 8020 1915.............. ................. ..................... 152, 854 3,777,619 22,417 1916............. ............................................ 80,561 4, 271,149 37,391 1917.,........................................................................... 89,920 8,339, 097.......... 1 It would seem from the investigation made during the canvass of 1915 that the statistics for 1913 are unreliable. 2 None reported. As the result of the discontinuance of two passenger lines no passengers were carried during 1917. The tonnage for 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usuallimit Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried, of total draft of tonnage. vessel (feet). Building materials.. ................................................... 12 9 Coal..... 50 50 6-15.......................... 6-15 General merchandise .............................................................. 17 8 RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 279 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $3.10: New work ----------------------------------------- $19, 400. 00 Maintenance ------------------------------------ 11, 253. 50 Net total expended ---------------------------------- 30, 653. 50 Total appropriations to date of this report ____ --- ___ -____36, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for pew work...------------- ------- -- -- ..... ...... Expended for maintenance 1........... $141.31 $78.80 $20.02 $176.16 $51.65 Appropriated or allotted ....................... ........................... 1,000.00 3,500.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended _ ------------------------- $2, 397. 65 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 3, 500. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_________________ - . 50 5, 898. 15 June 30, 1918; amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance 51. 65 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_____________________________ 5, 846. 50 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------------- 5. 50 July 1, 1918, balance available__________-__________________ 5, 841. 00 14. WAPPINGER CREEK, N. Y. (B3). Location and description.-TThis creek is a small stream which empties into the Hudson River from the east, about 64 miles by water north of the Battery, New York City, and about one-half mile below the -village of New Hamburg, N. Y. Its source is about 30 miles slightly east of north from its mouth. The head of navigation is at the village of Wappinger Falls, about 2 miles above its mouth, and is marked by a series of falls, with an aggregate height of 861 feet above mean low water. Below the falls the creek is tidal and varies in width from about 90 feet to about 900 feet. The drainage area is 216 square miles. The average discharge varies according to season and amount of rainfall from about 53 second-feet to 1,420 'second- feet. Two drawbridges cross the creek--one at the mouth, a railroad bridge, and the other, a highway bridge, about 1,000 feet farther upstream; both have solid fill approaches. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 283. Originalcondition.-The channel used by navigators was winding, and not exceeding 6 feet in depth at mean low water and from 25 to 75 feet in width. The lower falls marked the head of navigation. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 8 feet deep at mean low water, 80 feet wide and about 2 miles long, extending from the mouth to about 200 feet below the lower falls. The mean tidal range 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 280 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. is about 2.9 feet, and the extreme range, under ordinary conditions, is about 3.5 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1890, is $13,000. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act of Septem- ber 19, 1890 (H. Doc. No. 25, 51st Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1890, p. 758). For latest published map see Annual Report for 1904, page 1051. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the year. Work of maintenance was not of such press- ing necessity as to warrant the payment of the existing excessive cost per unit for dredging. The expenditure, amounting to $68.24, and chargeable to maintenance, was in payment of the cost of making an examination of the channel, and of office expenses and contingencies. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1892. On June 30, 1918, the maximum mean, low-water depth avail- able for navigation was about 8 feet. ' The total expenditures amounted to $29,213.16-$13,000 for new work and $16,213.16 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-There are no conditions imposed by law re- quiring local cooperation in making the improvement. About 1890 local interests expended $34,000 in dredging a channel for boats carrying freight.from the head of navigation to the railroad bridge and about $500 on a public wharf. Terminal facilities.-Water terminals, 6 in number with a total wharf' frontage of 4,015 feet are located-1 on the north side of the railroad trestle bridge and direct connected with the railroad, 1 *just north of the highway bridge, 2 about 1 mile below the head of navigation, and 2 close to the head of navigation. Two of the terminals with a total frontage of 650 feet are privately owned, and 4 with a total frontage of 3,365 feet, of which 2 with a total front- age of 590 feet are open to the public, are owned by corporations. Other details are as follows: 1 with a frontage of 75 feet is of open pile work. 1 with a frontage of 350 feet consists of a solid fill behind a pile and timber bulkhead. 3 with a total frontage of 890 feet consist of solid fill behind crib bulk- heads. 1 with a frontage of 2,700 feet consists of a solid fill behind a stone bulk- head. The existing terminals appear to be adequate for existing com- merce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement tends to keep railroad freight rates down. The financial benefits to the locality are indi- cated by the amount saved through the use of water instead of rail transportation for coal, drugs and chemicals, cotton goods, clothing and woolens, and sulphur. This saving in 1917, so far as could be determined from the data furnished by local interests, amounted to about $47,500. Proposed operations.-The existing unit cost for dredging is ex- cessive. It is therefore proposed to not expend the available funds until the needs of navigation become so urgent as to necessitate the removal of shoals. No estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 281 Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the calendar year 1917 consisted mainly of building materials, coal, drugs and chemicals, cot- ton goods, and ice. Compara.tive statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers ;carried. ____! . _ ~ - --- 1913 .............................. ........................... 49, 854 $10, 228, 820 21,787 1914............................................................... 52,350 11,406,277 23,284 1915.................... ........................................ 43,315 5,259,423 21, 763 1916.......................................................................... 46,050 7,977,280 18,281 1917.......................... ..................... 135,574 10,364,409 15,656 The tonnage for 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Per cent Usual limit Per cent Usual limit Class of freight carried. of total of loaded Class of freight carried. of loaded draft of ves- of total draft of ves- tonnage. sel (feet). tonnage. sel (feet). Building materials..... 54 6-9 Drugs and chemicals..... 7 6-9 Coal....... ........ 23 8-9 Cotton goods......... 6 6-9 Financial summary. Amount expended on a1ll projects to June 30. 1918. after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $5.93: New work 000. 00 $---------------------------------- $13, Maintenance-___ 16, 213. 16 Net total expended 29, 213. 16 Total appropriations to date of this report- 32, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................... ...... .. . .. ........... ........... . Expended for maintenance 1............... $348.76 $2,963.40 $23.69 $376.61 $68.24 Appropriated or allotted........... ................. ...... 3,500 ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------------- $3, 354.58 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_------------------ .50 3,355.08 June 30, 1918, amountexpended during fiscal year for maintenance ~ 68. 24 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- ---_------------------ - 3, 286. 84 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------ ---- __ __------- 5. 50 July 1, 1918, balance available -------------- ___________ 3, 281.34 15. SAUGERTIES HARBOR, N. Y. (B4). Location and description.-This harbor comprises about four-fifths of a mile in length of the tidal mouth of Esopus Creek, which empties 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 282 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. into the Hudson River from the west, about 100 miles north of the Battery, New York City, and 44 miles south of Albany. _The head of navigation is at the wharves of the village of Saugerties, N. Y., about 6,000 feet from deep water in the Hudson River. A dam crosses the creek over rapids situated about one-half mile above the wharves. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 283. Original condition.-The original depth at mean low water over a bar at the mouth of the creek was 3 feet. Prior to improvement by the United States, dredging by the State of New York had provided a channel across the bar 7.5 feet deep at mean low water and 100, feet wide. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted in 1884, modified in 1887, and completed in 1892 at an expenditure of $42,000. From 1892 to June 30, 1902, $15,000 was expended for maintenance,: making the total expenditures for new work and for maintenance $57,000. For further details of previous project see Annual Report for 1915, page 1765. Existing project.-The existing project provides for a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide from deep water in the Hudson River to the steamboat wharf in the village of Saugerties, a distance of about four-fifths of a mile, to be secured by dredging and rock removal between longitudinal pile dikes filled with rubble stone which were built under the previous project; and for the exten- sion of the south dike westward about 155 feet to the shore line. Mean tidal range under ordinary conditions is 4 feet. Irregular fluc- tuation due to freshets is infrequent and does not materially affect navigation. The estimate of cost for new work is $44,685, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The work was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of July 5, 1884, provided for longitudinal dikes (Annual Report for 1884, -p. 716), and act of June 12, 1902, provided for the present channel dimensions and dike extension (H. Doc. No. 107, 56th Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1900, p. 1518). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Expenditures which amounted to $38.72 were in connection with inspection costs and office expenses and are chargeable to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project has been considered completed since the completion of the channel excavation in 1913, although the shore extension of the south dike authorized in the pres- ent project has not been constructed, because the freshets, since the completion of the Ashokan Dam on Esopus Creek, appear to have been reduced to a point where they have no effect in scouring the channel. The dikes are about 2,385 feet and 1,950 feet long, respec- tively, and about 260 feet apart. An examination in March, 1915, showed that the channel between the dikes had maintained a con- trolling depth of about 11 feet at mean low water, except at the Hudson River end, where a shoal had formed against the south dike. This shoal is not of sufficient extent to interfere seriously with navigation. However, the north dike will need repairs within the next few years. The total expenditures under the existing project RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 283 amounted to $64,655.28-$39,904.91 for new work and $24,750.37 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-No conditions as to local cooperation were imposed by Congress. Previous to the undertaking of the improve- ment of this harbor by the United States, local interests and the State of New York had expended about $14,250 in the construction of dikes and dredging. Terminal facilities.-The terminal facilities which serve the im- provement consist of five timber docks, aggregating 2,400 feet in length, all-privately owned; of which four, aggregating 1,600 feet in length, are open to public use. In addition to the above the Standard Oil Co. operates a terminal for the transfer of its product. The'existing terminals are sufficient for the present needs of naviga- tion. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has afforded the village of Saugerties the advantage of low freight and passenger rates and quick facilities for reaching commercial centers with freight during the season of navigation. Proposed operations.--It is proposed to expend so much of the available funds as may become necessary from time to time in main- taining the improvement. These funds are sufficient for present needs, and therefore no estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-About 80 per cent of the freight traffic of this harbor is carried by towed canal boats and barges, with a maxi- mum draft of about 11 feet; the remainder and the passenger traffic is carried by river packets, with a maximum draft of about 9 feet. The tonnage and value of the commerce and number of passengers carried, as reported by transportation companies, are as follows: Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers 1913............................................................. 87,521 $2,340, 025 15,000 1914... ........................................................ 149,440 2,317,490 21,585 1915... 94,758 2,279,350 20,000 1916 .................. ...... .............. ....................... 86,626 2,210,326 15,800 1917 ...................................................... 80, 974 3,623,023 13,350 The tonnage for 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usual limit Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried, of total draft tonnage. of vessel (feet). General merchandise.... .. ......................... 11 6-9 Coal and other fuels...... ............................ ................ 32 7 Foodstuffs and farm products................ ............................. 18 5 Building and road materials..... ............................ ............. 34 7 284 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $5.65: New work------------------------ ------------ $81, 904. 91 Maintenance ----------- ---------------------------------- 39, 750. 37 Net total' expended 121;,655. 28 Total appropriations to date of this report_ -- ---- 133, 750. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1...............$2,792.4 ..................... .............. Expended for maintenance 1....................... $174.93 $36.62 $3,011.50 $38.72 Appropriated or allotted ... ............. ... .... ....... ............ 11,250.00 ...... ; 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended._______..- $12, 133. 44 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 38. 72 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-_ 12, 094. 72 16. RONDOUT IHARBOR, N. Y. (B5). Location and description.-This harbor comprises the tidal mouth, about one-half mile in length, of Rondout Creek, which empties into the Hudson River from the west about 89 miles north of the Battery, New York City, and about 55 miles south of Albany. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 283. Original condition.-With the exception of the bar at the mouth the creek was navigable for deep-draft vessels to the village of Rondout, and for vessels drawing less than 8 feet it was navigable from Rondout to the dam at Eddyville, about 4 miles from the mouth. Prior to improvement'by the United States, dredging by local inter- ests and by the State of New York had resulted in the formation of a channel across the bar 7 feet deep at mean low water and about 400 feet wide, connecting deep water in the Hudson River with that in the creek. Previous projects.-None. ELxisting projet-This provides for a channel across the mud flats at the mouth of the creek, about 3,000 feet long, 14 feet deep at mean low water, and 100 feet wide, to be secured by dredging, and for two parallel dikes 350 feet apart, to maintain the channel, and a branch dike to extend upstream from the outer end of the north dike to protect that dike from running ice in the Hudson River. Mean tidal range under ordinary conditions is 3.57 feet. Extreme tidal range, about 4.5 feet. Irregular fluctuation is infrequent and does not materially affect navigation. The estimate of cost for new work is $172,500, exclusive of amounts expended under previous proj- ects. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of main- tenance is $2,500. RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRIOT. 285 The project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 10, 1872 (S. Doc. No. 35, 42d Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map see House Document No. 390, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Expenditures during the fiscal year amounted to $126.39 and were in payment of inspection costs and office expenses, chargeable to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is regarded as conm- pleted, although part of the diking originally proposed was not built because deemed of doubtful usefulness. Two parallel dikes of an aggregate length of about 5,000 feet, generally 350 feet apart, with a now obsolete spur from the old lighthouse south of the south dike, have been built across the bar at the mouth of the creek, and a chan- nel of project dimensions has been excavated between them from the deep water in the Hudson River to deep water in the creek, a distance of about 3,000 feet. A branch dike about 1,000 feet long, extending northerly from the outer end of the north dike, was also constructed. The dikes are generally in a fair condition and accomplish their pur- pose to a satisfactory degree. The maximum draft that can be car- ried over the shoalest part of the improvement at mean low water is about 13 feet. The total expenditures amounted to $159,750.01- $90,000 for new work and $69,750.01 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-No conditions as to local cooperation were im- posed by Congress. Previous to the undertaking of this improve- ment by the United States, local interests and) the State of N~w York had spent an amount not now known in dredging at the mouth of the creek. Terminal faoilities.-The terminal facilities which serve the im- provement consist of nine timber docks, aggregating 7,050 feet in length, equipped with transfer facilities; all privately owned. The existing terminals appear to be sufficient for the present needs of navigation. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to reduce freight rates during the season of navigation. It affords access for the main towing fleet of the Hudson River to its home port and affords access to the only floating dry dock in the upper Hudson. Proposed operations.-The available funds are sufficient for pres- ent and prospective needs, therefore no estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-A new project for this locality has been recommended, providing for a channel 15 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide to Broadway, Kingston, and 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide to Eddyville. Estimated cost $58,170, and $4,000 annually for maintenance. (See H. Doec. No. 390, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial .statistics.-The commerce of this harbor consists chiefly of coal, building materials, and general merchandise. Over 90. per cent is carried in towed barges on drafts of from 5 to 12 feet, the remainder being carried by passenger steamers of the Hudson River type. As reported by transportation companies, the tonnage and value of this commerce are as follows: 886 aREPORT, OF CHIEF OF ENGI.NEERS, U7 S. ARMY, 1918. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. assengers 1913........ ............. .............................. 499,586 $4, 204,000 17,524 1914 ............ ......-....... ................ .......... 381, 594 2,376, 209 15,267 1915. .. ... ........ ... .......... ..................... . . 369,019 2,402,190 38,068 1916...... .................................... 355, 439 5, 200, 300 17,427 1917 ......... ........................................... 370,363 6,672,600 10,001 The decrease in freight traffic during the past several years is believed to be temporary and merely a reflection of local and business conditions. The tonnage for 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usual limit Usual limit Per cent of of loaded Per cent of of loaded Class of freight carried. total draft of Class of freight carried. total draft of tonnage. vessel tonnage. vessel (feet). (feet). i i a3 General merchandise..... 3 61--14 Building and road mate- Coal and other fuels... 62 10 -14 rials.......... 10 10-14 Foodstuffs and farm prod- Lumber ................ 10 14 'ucts.... ......... 2 6 -61 Ice ...................... 13 6 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $5.80: New work------------------------------------------ $90, 000. 00 Maintenance---------------------------------------- 69, 750.4)1 Net total expended_____------- __ --------- 159,750.01 Total appropriations to date of this report__._______- - ___-__- 172, 050. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work..................... . ............ Expended for maintenance 1............. $5, 563. 25 $213.07 $88. 52 $76. 85 $126.39 Appropriated or allotted........ ......... .......... 3,000.00 4250.00 ............ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended____________________________ $12, 426. 08 Receipts from sales, etc ., during fiscal year 1918________----___- .30 12, 426. 38 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance'_ 126. 39 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------- 12, 299. 99 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities _________-________-___-___--20. 17 July 1, 1918, balance available 12, 279. 82 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS----FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 287 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP B. -)mount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $33.18: New work------------------------------------------ ---- $233, 615. 94 Maintenance---------------------------------------------- 144,110.42 Net total expended------------------------------------- -377, 726. 36 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------- 423, 800. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new Work 1............... ... $2,792.48.... ... . Expended for maintenance 1 .............. 6,227. 50 $3, 504. 88 $444. 31 $3, 827.71 $363.23 Total expended 1 ....................9, 019.98 3,504. 88 444.31 3,827. 71 363.23 Appropriated or allotted ....... ....... 6,00000 ........... 6.......... 30,000.00 3,500.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------------- $42,934.82 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 --------------------------------------------------------- 3, 500. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_ __--------------- 2. 05 46, 436. 87 1 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 363. 23 tJuly 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------------------- 46, 073. 64 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------------- 36. 67 July 1, 1918, balance available---------------------------------- 46,036. 97 BURLINGTON HARBOR, VT.; PLATTSBURG AND PORT HENRY HIAR- BORS, N. Y.; AND NARROWS OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN, N. Y. AND VT. (GROUP C). *17. NARROWS OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN, N. Y. AND VT. (Cl). Location and description.-This waterway is the southern end of Lake Champlain, 37 miles long, between Whitehall and Crown Point,' N. Y. The portion included in the project extends from Whitehall, N. Y., at the southern extremity of the lake, northerly to Benson Landing, Vt., a distance of 15 miles. Burlington Harbor, Vt., is 80 miles by water north of Whitehall, and New York City is 214 miles south by water via the Champlain Canal and the Hudson iRiver. This reach is a link of the international waterway between New York City and Montreal, a distance of about 400 miles, via the Hudson River, Champlain Canal, Lake Champlain, Richelieu River, Chambly Canal, and St. Lawrence River. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 556. Original condition.-The channel through the reach under im- provement was narrow and tortuous, with a minimum usable depth from 9 'to 10 feet at low lake level and a width of 75 to 200 feet. The depth limiting through traffic is that of the Chambly Canal, 7 feet. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 288 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Previous projects.-Under appropriations of July 4, 1836; March 3, 1837; July 7, 1838; August 30, 1852; and March 3, 1855, a dredge was constructed and an unknown amount of work was done in White- hall Harbor, which is at the southern entrance of the Narrows. The project adopted August 5, 1886, as modified by the acts of July 13, 1892, and March 3, 1899, provided for a channel from Whitehall, N. Y., to deep water in Lake Champlain, to be 12 feet deep at low lake level and from 100 to 200 feet wide, and for fender-boom pro- tection to prevent collisions of boats with rocky shores at Putts Rock, at a point near Beacon No. 8, and at Pulpit Rock. Estimated cost, $121,000, including certain maintenance work not separated in the estimate. The cost of maintenance was estimated at $2,500 annu- ally. The total expenditures under all projects prior to" the com- mencement of work under the existing project in 1917 amounted to $101,140.35-$82,000 for new work and $19,140.35 for maintenance. Existing project.-This provides for a channel extending from Whitehall, N. Y., at the head of Lake Champlain to Bensons Land- ing, to be 12 feet deep at low lake level and of a general width of 200 feet on the bottom and the installation of fender booms at Putts Rock, Putts Leap, Narrows near Dresden, Pulpit Point, and Cedar Mountain. The reference plane of the low lake level is 92.5 feet above mean sea level at Sandy Hook, N. J. The usual annual variation of the lake level is from 4 to 5 feet, and the extreme variation va~ies from 0.6 foot below to 8.8 feet above the low-water reference. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1917, is $737,000, exclu- sive of amounts expended under previous projects. The la ist (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The length of the section included in the project for improvement is about 15 miles. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917 (H. Doc. No. 1387, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The only operations during the fiscal year consisted in maintaining fender booms. Ex- penditures amounted to $1,501.59-$1,362.93 for new work and $138.66 for maintenance-were in payment of the cost of maintaining the booms, making surveys, preparing plans and specifications, lia- bilities incurred in connection 'with the proposed purchase of land for right of way, and office and inspection expenses. .fcal Conditiotf at end of year.--At the close of the fiscal year there had been completed under previous projects a channel 12 feet deep at low lake level and from 100 to 200 feet wide through the reach under improvement between Whitehall, N. Y., and Bensons Landing, and fender boom protection along the rocky points had been pro- vided. The existing controlling depth is about 8.5 feet at low lake level. The connecting Champlain Canal has been reconstructed with a least depth of 12 feet and a least bottom width of 75 feet. Work under the existing project consisted in completing necessary prelimi- naries in preparing for active operations in prosecuting the work of improvement. The head of navigation for lake traffic is at the canal lock at Whitehall. The total expenditures under the existing project amounted to $1,362.93, all for new work. Local cooperation.-None. RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 289 Terminal facilities.-The only terminal facilities which serve the improvement are located in Whitehall Harbor and consist of three timber docks, aggregating 4,200 feet in length, all of which are pri- vately owned. Approximately 2,600 feet of these docks are open to public use. The State of New York has constructed a barge canal terminal at Whitehall, just south of the terminus of the canal, which is being equipped with transfer facilities. Effect of improvement.-This waterway is an important factor in controlling, freight rates between Montreal and New York. Its in- fluence is expected to increase upon the completion of the New York State Barge Canal system, with its facilities for larger and more modern boats. Proposed operations.--It is proposed to expend the funds available in the purchase of land for right of way, removing the worst ob- structing shoals between Whitehall and Bensons Landing and in prosecuting the work of improvement by excavating a channel of the projected depth and 150 feet in width, ultimately to be widened to 200 feet, in such stretches of the Narrows between Whitehall and Bensons Landing as will be most beneficial to navigation. It is esti- mated that the funds available, together with those contained in the river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918, will be sufficient to com- plete as much of the improvement as is necessary at this time. Ac- cordingly no estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articlesnot previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce within the limits of the im- provement, mainly in general merchandise, coal, lumber, iron ore, wood pulp, pulp wood, and building material, is carried by fleets of canal boats of about 5 feet draft towed by tugs of a maximum draft of about 12 feet. As obtained from transportation companies and reports of clearances on the Champlain Canal, the tonnage and value of this commerce are as follows: Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ..................... 424,933 $4,675,311 1916............ .......... 390,020 5,795, 351 1914..................... 466,700 4,448, 438 1917 ................... 411,981 8,487,981 1915...................... 437,791 5, 425, 524 There are no lines engaged in the regular transportation of passen- gers, but occasional excursions on large steamers come to Whitehall, and there is considerable motor-boat traffic. Financialsummnary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1.50: New work-----------------------------------------$83, 362. 98 Maintenance -------------- -------------- 19, 140. 35 Net total expended------------------------------ 102, 503.28 Total appropriations to date of this report--- -.....- 612, 500. 00 81116--ENG 1918---19 290 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended . for new work 1................................ $1,362.93 Expended for msrantenance.............. $646.62 $436.40 2,044.60 $488.02 138.66 Total expended 1............... 646.62 436.40 2,044.60 488.02 1,501.509 Appropriated or allotted................... ........... 3,000.00 .............. .......... J 305,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------------- $6, 498.31 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 305, 000. 00 311, 498, 31 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work-----------------------------------$1, 362. 93 For maintenance ------------------- ------- 138. 66 1, 501. 59 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------------------------- 309, 996. 72 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------------- 90. 53 July 1, 1918, balance available----------------------------------309, 906. 19 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 200, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919--------------509, 906. 19 Amount (estimated) required to be appropridted for completion of existing project____________--- __________2_ 2225, 640. 35 18. BURLINGTON HARBOR, VT. (C2). Location and description.-This harbor, about 100 acres in extent, is located in a half-moon-shaped indentation in the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, about 40 miles south of the international boundary line, 70 miles north of the southern end or head of the lake, and 20 miles southeast of the harbor at Plattsburg, N. Y. It lies along the wharf front of the city of Burlington, Vt., behind a breakwater built by the United States. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 554. Orl'ginal condition.-There was ample depth of water in the har- bor, which was an open roadstead, and along the wharves, but vessels were without protection against the seas rolling in from Lake Cham- plain during storms. Winds from the northwest to southwest create seas having a fetch of over 10 miles. Previous project.-None. Existing project.-This provides for an irregular-shaped break- water 6,000 feet long, located about 1,000 feet from the shore and practically parallel with it, to be built of stone-filled timber cribs, capped with large stone or concrete. The completed breakwater is to be in two sections, the northerly 500 feet being separated from the southerly 5,500 feet by a gap 200 feet wide, for the purpose of safety in entering the harbor during storms. The level of the lake has varied from 0.6 foot below to 8.8 feet above low-lake level, but the usual annual variation is 4 to 5 feet. The estimate of cost of new work, revised in 1886, is $923,442. The latest (1918) approved esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance is $3,000. s Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusrive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS---FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 291 The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of July 4, 1836, provided for the first 1,000 feet of the breakwater (H. Doc. No. 131, 23d Cong., 1st sess.),; the act of July 12, 1866, provided for a 1,500-foot extension (H. Doc. No. 56, 39th Cong., 2d sess., being the Annual Report for 1866, pp. 17 and 179); the act of March 3, 1875, provided for a 2,000-foot extension (Annual Report for 1874, p. 274) ; and in 1886 a plan was adopted for an extension southerly of 1,000 feet and northerly 500 feet (Annual Report for 1887, p. 2407). The latest published map of the locality is in the Annual Report for 1897, page 3298. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Under a contract to build about 3Q0 feet in length of rubblestone, 10,650 tons of rubblestone were placed along about 250 feet in length of the lake face of the northern section of the breakwater, at a cost of $18,772.48. Expenditures during the year amounted to $15,390.73, all for main- tenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is about 80 per cent completed. A breakwater has been built in two sections, 364 feet and 3,793 feet in length, respectively, separated by a gap of 200 feet in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The total length of breakwater built to June 30, 1917, is therefore 4,157 feet. Of the superstructure 3,567 linear feet have been rebuilt and a protecting rubble mound 1,450 feet long has been built, of which length 250 feet is along the lake face of the northern section and 1,165 feet is along the lake face of the southern section. Further extension of the breakwater is being held in abeyance until the city of Burlington has adopted a definite plan for the improvement of its water front. The stone superstructure of the northern or detached section of the breakwater has settled, and in several places has been displaced and has fallen into the lake,. due to the spreading of the substructure cribs and uneven settlement in the rubble foundation. The timber superstructure of the extreme southern end of the breakwater and the timber pier on which the southern lighthouse rests have some- what deteriorated. The controlling depth is about 8.5. feet at low lake level at the wharves, increasing considerably toward the break- water. The distinction between new work and maintenance was not made in the early reports, hence it is impossible to state the amounts expended for new work and maintenance prior to 1886. To Sep- tember 30, 1886, expenditures amounted to $501,811.07. The total expenditures amounted to $816,848.85-$706,414.11 for new work and $110,434.74 for maintenance since 1886. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The terminal facilities which serve the im- provement consist of 20 docks of the crib and open pile type of con- struction, aggregating 15,790 feet in length; all privately owned, with the exception of one dock 600 feet long which is owned by the city of Burlington and which is open to the public. The majority of the above docks have railroad connections and are equipped with light transfer facilities. The existing terminals appear to be suffi- cient for the present needs of commerce. Effect of improvement.-The water-borne commerce of this port during gales from the west is practically dependent for its existence 292 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. upon the protection afforded by the breakwater, which also affords to through lake traffic a harbor of refuge during storms. This through traffic consists principally of towed canal boats, numbering about 3,000 yearly. The improvement maintains competition between rail anid water traffic. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to complete the construction of the rubble mound along the lake face of the northern section of the breakwater. No other work of reconstruction or repair is now urgent, and no estimate for funds is submitted. Recomnmended modification of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial_ statistics.-The greater part of the tonnage of this harbor consists in general merchandise, and is carried by the pas- senger steamers on a maximum draft of 9 feet. The remainder of the tonnage, consisting of lumber and coal, is carried in towed canal boats and barges, with a maximum draft of about 6 feet. The tonnage and value of this traffic, as reported by transportation companies, are as follows: Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers 1913...... ...................................................... 44,510 $940,000 126,000 1914............................................................. 20,279 1,853,030 117,766 23, 284 ..... ... .... .............. 1915........................... ......... 2,219,900 118,835 1916....... ................ ...... 10, 867 ....................... 3,109,660 123,939 1917..... ............................................. 13,625 4,204,570 97,653 While the tonnage carried to this harbor during 1916 and 1917 was smaller than in preceding years, it consisted largely of merchan- dise, and its value was proportionately greater. The falling off of the passenger traffic is due to war conditions and to the fact that no boats were run to St. Albans, Vt. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $147.90: New work-------------------------- ----------------- $706, 414. 11 Maintenance ---------------------------- ------------- 110, 434. 74 Net total expended---------------------------------- 816, 848. 85 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 825, 666. 07 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ... .............................................. Expended for maintenance 1............... 33, 519.53 $5, 870.04 $563.41 $428.98 $15, 390.73 Appropriated or allotted ........................... .. ........ ........... 22,000.00 .......... 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended $24, 207. 95 June 30,1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 15, 390. 73 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------- 8,817.22 RIVERS AND HARBORS-FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 293 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities --------------- $4, 023.93 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts. 2, 504. 74 $6, 528. 67 July 1, 1918, balance available ---------------- --- 2, 288. 55 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project-------------- -------------------- 1208, 210. 67 19. PLATTSBURG HARBOR, N.. Y. (C3). Location and description,-Thisharbor embraces an area of about 25 acres along the westerly shore of Cumberland Bay, an arm of Lake Champlain, 30 miles south of the international boundary line, 90 miles urth of the south end of the lake and 20 miles northwest of the hrhr at Burlington, Vt. The harbor proper is that portion of the bay between the wharf front of the city of Plattsburg, N. Y., and the breakwater constructed by the United States. It is about 1,500 feet long and of varying width. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 554. Original condition.-The minimum usable depth was about 6 feet at low lake level, but the water front was unprotected and subject to the action of southeasterly storms. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a breakwater about 1,565 feet long, built of timber cribs filled with rubble stone and capped with large stone and extending from a point about 750 feet south of the outer face of South Dock in a general northeasterly direction to a point about 1,400 feet from shore; for dredging to a depth of 9 feet at low lake level between the breakwater and the wharves; and for the revetment of the beach in front of the United States reservation. The reference plane of low lake level is 92.5 feet above mean sea level at Sandy Hook, N. J. The usual annual variation of the lake level is from 4 to 5 feet, and the extreme variation varies from 0.6 foot below to 8.8 feet above the low-water reference. The estimated cost of new work, revised in 1910, is $217,500. The latest (1918) approved estimate of the annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: fhe act of July 4, 1836, provided for the construction of a breakwater 1,000 feet in length (H. Doc. No. 131, 23d Cong., 1st sess.); the project, as modified in 1870, provided for the extension of the breakwater in a northeasterly direction for a distance of 400 feet, with dredging between the breakwater and the wharves, and the revet- ment of the beach in front of the United States reservation (H. Doc. No. 89, 39th Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Report for 1870, p. 55); the act of September 19, 1890, provided for the further extension of the breakwater for a distance of 300 feet (Annual Report for 1889, p. 2458) ; and the act of June 25, 1910, provided for completing the im- provement (H. Doc. No. 759, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest pub- lished map is in House Document No. 406, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fscal year.-Contract was entered into June 15, 1917, in connection with work in Burlington Harbor, I Exclusive of available funds. 294 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Vt., for the construction of a rubble mound along the lake face of the breakwater, work thereunder to commence on or before July 7, 1917. Due to scarcity of labor and difficulty in the transportation of material there were no operations during the year. The expenditures, amounting to $360.30, were in the payment of office and inspection ex- penses and are chargeable to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project has been completed. The breakwater was completed in 1893. As now constructed, with its lake face partially protected by a rubble mound, it is in a generally good condition, except for a portion of the lake face of the substruc- ture cribs. The project depth of 9 feet at low lake level was secured in 1913. The controlling depth is now about 8.5 feet at low lake level. The revetment of the beach in front of the United States reservation has not been undertaken, as the material washed therefrom into the harbor can be more readily and economically removed by periodical dredging. The distinction between new work and maintenance was not made in the early reports, hence it is impossible to state the amounts ex- pended for new work and maintenance prior to 1910. Expenditures under the project amounted to $219,018.02; since 1910 the expenditure for maintenance totals $20,602.89, leaving $198,415.13 expended on new work and maintenance prior to 1910. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal fadcilities.-The terminal facilities which serve the im- provement consist of 4 timber docks aggregating 1,780 feet in length, all privately owned; some 400 feet of which are open to the public. The State of New York has constructed a barge canal terminal about one mile north of the breakwater. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has resulted in the es- tablishment and maintenance of competition with the railroads paral- leling the lake, by providing safe passage to and from the wharves, and. protection while lying there, and also by providing a much needed harbor of refuge for through lake traffic, amounting to ap- proximately 3,000 canal boats annually, against the frequent storms of the lake. Proposed operations.--Inspectionshave shown that the timbers of the lake face of the cribs forming the substructure of the breakwater have deteriorated by reason of the erosive action of ice, waves, and sand on the joints and timbers. The result is that many of the upper timbers have been wholly removed from the lake face, and the present upper timbers are below the general level of the lake from 2 to 6 feet. To prevent the destruction of the breakwater by further deterioration it is proposed to construct, under a contract in force, a protecting mound along the lake face of the southern section of the breakwater and to repair the .superstructure, if such becomes necessary. It is estimated that the available funds are sufficient to pay for the cost of this work. There does not appear to be any pressing necessity for further work of maintenance at this time. Therefore, no estimate of funds for expenditure in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The passenger traffic is the principal item of commerce for this harbor and is conducted mainly during the RIVERS AND HARBORS--FIRST NEW YORI, N. Y., DISTRICT. 295 summer season. This traffic and the traffic in general merchandise, which constitute about 90 per cent of the water-borne commerce, are handled by steamers having a maximum draft of about 9 feet. The remaining 10 per cent of freight consists of lumber, and is carried in canal boats on 6 feet draft, in tow of tugs of maximum draft of 12 feet. The tonnage and value of freight and number of passengers car- ried, as reported by transportation companies, are as follows: Comparative statement. Calendar year. - Short tons. Value. Passengers carried. 1913................................................... 6,016 $549,600 125,972 1914...... 1914. ....... ..................................................... . 7,733 7,733 1853, 240 '853,240 117,766 117,766 1915.... ..................................... ....... 6,808 971,250 118,835 1916........ ............... ............. ................... 11,562 1,299,350 128,939 1917.................. ........ ................................. 7,457 1,779,150 97,653 1Through an error of one of the reporting companies, the value of commerce hbandled in 1914 was reported as $350,140. The falling off of the passenger traffic is due to war conditions and to the fact that no boats were run to St. Albans, Vt. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $360.85: New work_ __ New work,,,---------------------------------------$98, 41.13 $198, 415. 13 _ Maintenance ------------------- ---------------------- 20, 602. 89 Net total expended --------------------------- 219, 018. 02 Total appropriations to date of this report ------------------- 232, 789. 09 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1 1914 1915. i 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work .. ... $2,124.82.................................... Expended for maintenance 1.............. 6,599.98 34, 780.91 $1, 945.28 $322.57 $360. 30 Total expended 1............. 8,724. 80 4.780.91 1,945.28 322.57 360.30 Appropriated or allotted .............. ..... ....... 2,000.00 ............ 11,000.00...... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -- - --------- $14, 131. 37 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance- 360. 30 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---- ---- ------------ 13, 771. 07 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_ .- --------- - $42. 75 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts___ 11, 400. 00 11,442. 75 July 1, 1918, balance available_______-------------------- - 2, 328. 32 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project----------------------------------------- 5, 313. 80 ' Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 xclusive of available funds. 296 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 20. PORT HENRY HARBOR, N. Y. (C4). Location and description.-This harbor consists of an irregular area along the westerly shore of Lake Champlain extending about 2 miles north from the entrance to Bulwagga Bay. It is about 35 miles north of Whitehall Harbor, N. Y., at the head of Lake Cham- plain, and about 46 miles south of Plattsburg Harbor, N. Y. See U. S. Lake Survey chart No. 4, Lake Champlain. Original condition.-The harbor was protected from the east, south, and west by the shores of the lake, but was exposed to north- erly and northeasterly winds, which occasionally were of such severity as to render it dangerous for vessels to lie at the wharves. Water shoaler than 12 feet extended for 500 to 1,000 feet out from the general shore line. The depth at the wharves ranged from 5 to 7 feet at low lake level. The average depth during the season of navigation was probably from 2 to 3 feet more than this. The har- bor had a good bottom for anchorage. Previous project.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging to a depth of 12 feet at low lake level over an area 500 feet wide and extending about 3,000 feet along the water front of Port Henry. The level of the lake has varied from 0.6 foot below to 8.8 feet above low lake level, but the usual annual variation is from 4 to 5 feet. The estimate of cost to the United States for new work, made in 1917, is $71,500. In addi- tion thereto $10,000 is to be contributed by local interests. It seems probable the improvement when completed will be permanent, there- fore no estimate for annual maintenance is submitted. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917 (H. Doc. No. 369, 64th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Expenditures which amounted to $459.20 were in connection with the cost of sur- veys, inspection, preparation of plans, and specifications, and office expenses, and are chargeable to new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-No field work of improvement was done during the fiscal year, and the present condition is same as stated under Original condition preceding. The expenditure on the existing project has been $459.20 for new work. Local cooperation.-Underthe river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, the project is subject to the condition that no work shall be undertaken until local interests have contributed $10,000 toward the cost of the work. This sum was contributed May 23, 1918. Terminal facilities.-The terminal facilities which serve the im- provement consist of an ore dock: now under constructioi, which when completed will be approximately 850 feet in length, and will be equipped with modern ore-handling machinery. The State of New York has constructed a barge canal terminal on the north side of the harbor. Effect of improvement.-No work of improvement has yet been done by the United States in this locality. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the funds appro- priated, together with those contributed by local interests, in prose- cuting the work of improvement as required by the project. The total of the estimated cost for completing the improvement having RIVERS AND HARBOS---FIRST NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRIOT. 297 been appropriated, no estimate is submitted for the fiscal year end-. ing June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The conmnerce of this harbor was small during 1917, due to the rebuilding of the ore docks. Practically all of the commerce during the last season was carried by steamers of the' Champlain Transportation Co. on a maximum draft of about 6.5 feet. The tonnage and value of this traffic, as reported by transporta- tion companies, are as follows: Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers carried. 1917.......................... ... ............... 49 $11,50 1,605 Financial summary. 'UNITED STATES FUNDS. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work --------------------------------------------- $459. 20 Maintenance_ Total appropriations to date of this report-___- -------- 71, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended fornew work.................. ...................... "...........-..........$459 Expended for maintenance . ............. .................. ......... Appropriated or allotted .............. ............................................ 71,500.00 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917 --------------- ----------------------------- $71, 500. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work__ 459. 20 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------- 71,040. 80 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ______-_______---------49. 75 July 1, 1918, balance available--- 991. 05 7------ 70, CONTRIBUTED FUNDS. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work -- Maintenance - --------. _.... Total contributions to date of this report -------------------- $10, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work......................................... .................. Expended for maintenance ........................................................ Contributed.......... . ... ............... .. ..... .......................... ........... $10,000 298 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Amount contributed by local interests ______---__________--- $10,000.00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------- -- 1------------ 0,000. 00 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR UNITED STATES AND CONTRIBUTED FUNDS. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work --------------------------------------------- 459.20 Maintenance Total appropriations and contributions to date of this report- _____ 81, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work......... .................... . .. ............. .... $459.20 Expended for maintenance........................ ....................... Appropriated and contributed ............. .......... ............ 81,500.00 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917 71, 500. 00 $----------------------------- Amount contributed by local interests______--------- 10, 000. 00 81, 500. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work__ 459. 20 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- -- _____- ---------- 81, 040. 80 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ...... _ 49. 75 July 1, 1918, balance available -------------- 80, 991. 05 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP C. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $510.25: New work --- ---------------------------------- $988, 651. 37 Maintenance-- ---------------------------------- 150,177. 98 Net total expended -----------.--------- 1,138,829.35 Total appropriations to date of this report ---------------- 1, 542, 455. 16 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 ... . .. . . . .... Expended for new work .... $2,124.82 ......... ........ ........... 1,822.13 Expended for maintenance ............... 40,766.13 11,087.35 4,553.29 1,239.57 15,889.6 Total expended ................. 42,890.95 11,087.35 4,553.29 1,239.57 17,711.82 Appropriated or allotted ......... ................ 5,000.00I............ 33,000.00 376,500.00 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --------------------------------- 44, 837. 63 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917 ---------------------- 376, 500. 00 421, 337. 63 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work_ __________________________ $1,822. 13 For maintenance __ ___________--_____-___ 15, 889. 69 17, 711. 82 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _____________________------403, 625. 81 RIVERS AND HARBORS-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 299 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities----------------- $4,206.96 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts- 13,904. 74 $18, 111. 70 July 1, 1918, balance available_________________----------- 385, 514. 11 Amount appropriated by river and harbor, act approved July 18, 1918 ------------------------------------------------- 200,000.00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_------------ 585,514. 11 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of Existing project ------- _ ----------------------------- 439, 164. 82 EXAMINATION MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH TIHE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 27 1910. Report dated October 6, 1917, on preliminary examination of har- bor at Classon Point, N. Y., required by the river and harbor act ap- proved July 27, 1916, was duly submitted by the district engineer. It was reviewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, pursuant to law, and was transmitted to Congress and printed in House Document No. 542, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. The local engineer was also charged with the duty of making pre- limninary examinations and surveys provided for by the river and harbor act approved March 4, 1915, July 27, 1916, and August 8, 1917, as follows, and reports thereon will be duly submitted when received: 1. Mamaroneck Harbor, N. Y. 2. Hudson River, N. Y., from its mouth to Hudson, with a view to securing a depth of 30 feet, and a harbor at Hudson of the same depth. 3. Hudson River, N. Y., from Hudson to the dam at Troy, with a view to securing a depth of. 27 feet, with suitable width. 4. Harbor of New Rochelle and Echo Bay, N. Y. 5. Bronx (Harlem)Kills, N. Y., lower end of Hudson River to Long Island Sound. 6. Harlem River, N. Y. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. This district includes the greater part of the lower and upper bays, New York Harbor, and the rivers and harbors of Long Island, N. Y. It embraces all of the principal channels and anchorages of New York Harbor from the Battery, New York City, to the Atlantic Ocean. District engineer: Col. Frederic V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, July 1 to October 11, 1917; Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, United States Army, retired, October 13 to 19, 1917, and Brig. Gen. Theodore A. Bingham, United States Army, retired, since that date. Division engineer: Col. Frederic V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, July 1 to October 11, 1917, and Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, United States Army, retired, since that date. 1Exclusive of available funds. 300 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. IMPROVEMENTS. Page. Page. 1. New York Harbor: Ambrose, 5. New York Harbor: Collec- Main Ship, Bayside, and tion of drift ------- 312 Gedney Channels, includ- 6. Wallabout Channel, N. Y.. 313 ing Upper Bay and Craven 7. Newtown Creek, N. Y.----- 315 Shoal, and channel be- 8. Harbor at Flushing Bay, tween Staten Island and N. Y.------- ________---317 Hoffman and Swinburne 9. Hempstead Harbor, N. Y._-. 320 Islands ---------------- 300 10. Huntington Harbor, N. Y.___ 322 2. New York Harbor: Coney 11. Port Jefferson Harbor, N. Y. 324 Island Channel________ _ 306 12. Mattituck Harbor, N. Y... 326 3. New York Harbor: Bay 13. Sheepshead Bay, N. Y.----- 328 Ridge and Red Hook 14. Jamaica Bay, N. Y. ------- 330 Channels ------ 308 15. Great South Bay, N. Y..__ 334 4. New York Harbor: Gowanus 16. Browns Creek, N. Y.------ 336 Creep Channel ..---------- 310 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR SEE PAGES 2151 TO 2173. 1. NEW YORK HARBOR: AMBROSE MAIN SHIP, BAYSIDE, AND GED- NEY CHANNELS, INCLUDING UPPER BAY AND CRAVEN SHOAL, AND CHANNEL BETWEEN STATEN ISLAND AND HOFFMAN AND SWIN- BURNE ISLANDS. Location and description.-The works included under the above title are in the Lower Bay and in the lower part of the Upper Bay, New York Herbor. The Lower Bay is 330 miles southwest by water from Boston Harbor, Mass., and 165 miles northeast from the en- trance to Delaware Bay, N. J. and Del. New York Harbor consists of the Upper Bay, 4 miles long and 4 miles wide, connected with the Lower Bay by the Narrows, over a mile in width. The Lower Bay is triangular, extending 12 miles inland, with one side about 6 miles long open to the sea, from which it is separated by a broad bar crossed by five channels. Two of these channels have been improved under this title--Ambrose Channel and the Gedney-Bayside Channel, with its extension, Main Ship Channel. The inner end of these channels in the Lower Bay is 10 miles south from the Battery, New York City. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 1000.) Original condition.-In the Main Ship-Bayside-Gedney Channel the natural depth across the bar was 23.7 feet, with a width of about 500 feet. Inside the bar the depths were greater, and a total length of 9 miles required dredging to make 30 feet depth. Ambrose Chan- nel had a natural available depth of about 16 feet for a width of 2,000 feet. These channels form separate routes across the shoals in lower New York Harbor. The Upper Bay opposite the anchorage grounds has a natural depth of 40 feet or more with a minimum width outside the necessary anchorages of 370 feet, limiting the 40- foot entrance channel in that part of its route. Craven Shoal is a shoal near the west edge of the harbor entrance about 1" miles above the inner end of Ambrose Channel, having a least depth of 19.6 feet. The channel between Staten Island and Hoffman and Swinburne Islands is the route between Quarantine Anchorage and the Quaran- tine Islands, lying west of the entrance channel and separated from it by West Bank; this channel is 2 miles long with available mean RIVERS AND HARBORS--SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. - 301 low-water depths of 10 feet to Hoffman Island and 8 feet to Swin- burne Island, and having width of about 50 feet, with channel banks not defined. Previous projects.-None. "Existing project.-This provides for the Ambrose Channel 40 feet deep and 2,000 feet wide, extending from the sea to deep water in the Lower Bay, length about 7.5 miles; for an extension of this channel with the same depth and width, in the Upper Bay opposite the anchorage grounds, length about 3.5 miles; for the Main Ship- Bayside-Gedney Channel, 30 feet deep and 1,000 feet wide, extend- ing from the sea to deep water in the Lower Bay, length about 101 mll ; for the removal of Craven Shoal to a depth of 30 feet; for a channel 16 feet deep, 200 feet wide, and about 12,500 feet long, ex- tending from Bell Buoy 13A to Hoffnan and Swinburne Islands; and for the collection and removal of drift. The project depths refer to mean low water. The mean rise of tide is 4.6 feet; the mean range of spring tides 5.6 feet. Irregular fluctuations, due to wind and barometric pressure, are from 3 to 4 feet below mean low water, usually in the month of February, and from 3 to 3J feet above mean high water, occasionally in the early autumn. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1915, is $7,- 211,000. The latest (1915) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $256,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of July 5, 1884, provided for the Main Ship- Bayside-Gedney Channel, and the dimensions of this channel were fixed by the Secretary of War December 27, 1886, under authority of the act of August 5, 1886 (Annual Reports for 1887, p. 62; 1888, p. 63); the act of March 3, 1899, provided for the Ambrose Channel (H. Doec. No. 159, 55th Cong., 3d sess.); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for the maintenance of the entrance channels under one head; the act of March 4, 1915, provided for the collection and re- moval of drift, reported separately; the act of August 8, 1917, pro- vided for extending the Ambrose Channel into the Upper Bay oppo- site the anchorage grounds (H. Doc. No. 518, 63d Cong., 2d sess.), for the removal of Craven Shoal (H. Doc. No. 557, 64th Cong., 1st sess.), and for the channel to the Quarantine Islands (H. Doec. No. 625, 64th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map of Ambrose Channel is in the Annual Report for 1914, page 1734, and the latest published maps of the other localities in their respective project documents.• Operations and results during fiscal year.-No work of improve- ment was carried on. The three dredges belonging to New York Harbor were leased during the entire year excepting brief intervals for repairs. A survey to determine the present condition of Ambrose Channel has been begun. The United States survey boats, supple- mented by hired boats, have been engaged the greater part of the year upon maintenance of New York Harbor by collection and removal of drift. (See report on that subject.) Proposals for dredging Staten Island to Hoffman Island were received and rejected as being too high. 302 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. The amount expended was as follows: New work. Maint Total. Ambrose Channel. ........... ....... ...... .............. $107,636.74 $107,636.74 Maintenance, inculding Ambrose Channel and Gedney and main shilp channels; and Upper Bay and Craven Shoal ............... 36,380. 94 ........... 36,380.94 Channel between Staten Island and Hoffman and Swinburne Islands ........................................................... .............. .. ...... 0.3 ............ 0.35 Total...... ............ ....... ........... ... ................ 50.35 144,017.68 144,068.03 Of this amount $129,764.79 was expended in the purchase of plant, annual repairs to plant, surveys, and contingent expenses of the work, and $14,303.24.was expended on drift removal. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The entrance channels have been completed-the Main Ship-Bayside-Gedney Channel in 1891 and the Ambrose Channel in 1914. Work has not yet been begun ors the Upper Bay Channel opposite the anchorage grounds upon Craven Shoal or upon channel between Staten Island and the Quarantine Islands, and their condition has not materially changed from the original condition reported. The depth in the Main Ship-Bayside-Gedney Channel has been increased from 23.7 feet to 30 feet. The width, dredged to 1,000 feet, has since decreased to 500 feet in the narrowest part of Main Ship Channel. The depth in Ambrose Channel has been increased from 16 feet to 40 feet over a width of 2,000 feet and has been fully maintained. The controlling depths are: Main Ship-Bayside-Gedney Channel, 301 feet; Ambrose Channel, 40 feet. The 30-foot channel was constructed at cost of $1,518,024.52 (excluding the $116,530 applied to removing 'wreck and sunken rock as per H. Doec. No. 1491, 63d Cong., 2d sess.). The 40-foot channel, estimated to cost $6,688,000, was completed with a gross expenditure of $5,165,550.2L; deducting the value of the plant in hand on completion, April 17, 1914, the net cost was $4,225,546.21, a saving of $2,462,000. In both these figures'of cost is included $372,- 372.40 applied to necessary work of maintenance during the period of construction, but not expenditures ($893,270.97) for maintenance of this and other harbor channels after completion. In the table following are shown the total expenditures to June 30, 1918 : Projects for Ambrose Channcl; Main Ship, Bay Side, and Gedney Channels, and maintenance, including Ambrose Channel and Upper Bay and Craven Shoal; and channel between Hoffman and S'winburne Islands. For new For main- Total. work. tenance. 30-foot entrance ............................................ $1 634,554.52 $621,598.06 $2,256,152.58 40-foot entrance (Ambrose Channel)....................... 4,602,377.15 783,805.13 5,386,182.28 Channel between Hoffman and Swinburne Islands........... 50.35 .............. 50. 35 Total.......... ... ................ ........ 6,236, 982.02 1, 405,403.19 7, 642, 385. 21 Local cooperation.-None has been required. Terminal facilities.-The harbor above the Narrows, including the Upper Bay, the Hudson River to Spuyten Duyvil, the Harlem, RIVERS AND HARBORa -SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 303 and the East River to College Point, has about 105 miles of water front, of which 86 miles is covered by piers, the unused front being mainly in those parts of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers where steep, rocky shores make development difficult. On 177 miles of water front the city of New York owns 252 piers, of which 10 are taken over by the United States, 138 are otherwise leased, and,104 are open to the public at fixed rates. Including piers of private and corporate ownership, the United States is now occupying over 30 of the largest piers in the harbor. The piers now built are not sufficient to afford fair accommodation in the harbor business, which has vastly increased during the war. Effect of improvement.-The effect upon freight rates is not trace- able, being obscured by various other causes. The improvement has made it possible for the largest ships to enter and leave at all normal stages of tide; without it none of them would have been able to enter or leave the harbor when loaded. A ship with reported draft of 42 feet 6 inches passed out via Ambrose Channel in the spring of 1918. Proposed operations.--The funds now available (including those de- rived from the river and harbor act of 1918) will be applied to main- tenance of New York Harbor by removing any shoals which ma obstruct the entrance channels and by collection and removal of drift at estimated average cost to New York Harbor funds of $1,400 a month; to removal of Craven Shoal and beginning the widening of the channel opposite the anchorage grounds with United States plant and hired labor when the plant is not required for urgent war work; to beginning the channel between Staten Island and Hoffman and Swinburne Islands. The rate at which the funds will be used while work on these channels is actively prosecuted is about $30,000 a month; the date when they will be exhausted depends upon the return of the leased plant, which can not now be anticipated. It is proposed to apply the estimate of $200,000 submitted for the fiscal year 1920 to maintenance of the main entrance channels to New York Harbor, removing such shoals as may be found to obstruct or interfere with navigation. The location of such shoals can not be foreseen or described. Ships are now loading to greater depths than ever before, requiring the full depth in the harbor entrance, and any shoaling there becomes of great importance. No estimates are submitted for the other work included in the project. It is believed that the funds now available will be sufficient to put and keep these channels in usable condition. Recommended modifications of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commnercial statistics.-No complete records of domestic or coast- wise commerce are available. The following table contains a record of foreign commerce only: Comparative statement. Fiscal year. Short tons. Value. Fiscal year. Short tons. Value. 1913................. 15,552,676 $2,140,243,057 1916............ 22,963,249 $3,743,430,013 1914 . ..... 15, 238, 057 2, 056, 847, 222 1917.............. 24, 007, 169 5,586, 740, 276 1915.:.... ......... 17,885,893 2,216,337,518 304 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINFEBS, U, :. ARBMY, 1918, Financialsummary. AMBROSE CHANNEL. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $723,412.35: New work ,--------- ------- ----------------------- $4, 602, 377.15 Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 219, 054.55 Net total expended--- ___----- 4, 821, 431. 70 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------- 4, 924, 530. 88 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expenefotdnew work 1..... . $3.......... $8,770.12 ... . 7 Sfor maintenance 1 . . . . .. ... . . . 107 $4,9,49 4 Appropriated or allotted ............................................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended 858. 54 $--------------------95, Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 _______-___ 114, 877. 38 210, 735. 92 June 30, 1918, - amount expended during fiscal year, for mainte- - - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - - -- - -- - - - -- - - -- - nance 107,636. 74 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------- ________-___- 103, 099. 18 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities________________ __ __ 35, 228. 91 July 1, 1918, balance available__ -------- ------- 67, 870. 27 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project- -------------- ------------- 2 764, 000. 00 MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING AMBROSE CHANNEL AND GEDNEY AND MAIN SHIP CHAN- NELS, AND UPPER BAY AND CRAVEN SHOAL. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $45,561.32: New work------------- ---------------------------- 1, 634, 554. 52 Maintenance ---------------- -- ----------- 1, 186, 348. 64 Net total expended------------------ ---- 2, 820, 903. 16 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------- 2, 873, 030. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................. Expended for maintenance 1 ........ ... . . ....... ......................... $134, 571.96 $10, 016.66 55, 332.34 $329,807.80 ............. $36,380.94 Appropriated or allotted.................... ............... ........... 40,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_______--------------------- $48, 505. 63 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917--------------------------------------------------40, 000.00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918----------------- 2. 15 88, 507. 78 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. s Exclusive of available funds. * Includes $15,035.52 receipts from sales, etc., deducted in previous report. RIVERS AND HARBOR&-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 305 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for mainte- nance 1---------- ------------------------------------- $36, 380. 94 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ______--------- ----- 52, 126. 84 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities__------------ ------- 5, 310. 67 July 1, 1918, balance available-__-______--------------- - 46,816. 17 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance_______________________- _ 200, 000. 00 CHANNEL BETWEEN STATEN ISLAND AND HOFFMAN AND SWINBURNE ISLANDS. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work 50. 35 $------------- Maintenance Total appropriations to date of this report---- 125, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work......... .............. .... ......... ........... ......... $50.35 Expended for maintenance............ ...................... Appropriated or allotted....................... .................. ............... 75,000.00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ $50, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work._ 50. 35 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-.____---- - 49, 949. 65 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act aproved July 18, 1918-------------------------------------------------- 75,000.00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 -- 124, 949. 65 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project _______________ ---------------- 2135, 000. 00 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR NEW YORK HARBOR. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $768,973.67.: New work---------------------------------------- $6, 236, 982.02 Maintenance---------------------------------------1, 405, 403.19 Net total expended-___ --------------------- _____ 7, 642, 385. 21 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------7, 847, 560. 88 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 .1917 1918 Expended for new work.............. $38,770.12 ............................ $50.35 Expended for maintenance 1............. 134, 571.96 $148,147.30 $104,741.44 $64, 287.74 144,017.68 Total expended 1.................... 173,342.08 148,147.30 104,741.44 64, 28.74 144,068.03 Appropriated or allotted........... ................... .......... 40,000.00 90,000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. 81116--ENo 1918---20 306 ZAPOrT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, 'U. S. ARMY, 1918. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------- --------- 144, 364. 17 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 90, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_ ______ ___ _ 114, 879. 53 349,243.70 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year :' For new work -------------------------------- $50. 35 For maintenance--------------------------- 144, 017. 68 144, 068. 03 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended __________....-___-___ 205, 175. 67 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities--------------------------- 40, 539. 58 July 1, 1918, balance available ------------------------------- 164, 636. 09 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18,. 1918 -------------------------------------------------- 75, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919____________ 239, 636. 09 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project------------------------------------ 899, 000. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June - 30, 1920, for maintenance_______________-__________ '200, 000. 00 2. NEW YORK HARBOR--CONEY ISLAND CHANNEL. Location and description.--This channel lies at the entrance to New York Harbor and is the northerly one of five channels crossing the bar. It is from 1,500 to 6,000 feet from the Coney Island shore. It is the connecting channel between New York Harbor and Jamaica Bay entrance, and is also frequently used by dump scows returning from sea. The channel is shown on U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 369, but it is not named. Original condition.-The channel had a natural depth of about 10 feet and a width of 500 to 2,000 feet. Its length was about 3 miles, with the shoalest water on the western third. The eastern 2 miles had natural depths of 16 to 20 feet. Previous project.-There have been no previous projects. On two occasions allotments were made for removing shoals in this channel. For further details of work done, see page 1768 of Annual Report for 1915. Ermisting project.-This provides for a channel 600 feet wide and 20 feet deep at mean low water and 7,000 feet in length between 20- foot contours. Mean tidal variation, 4.6 feet; mean range of, spring tides, 5.6 feet; irregular fluctuations due to wind and barometric pres- sure vary from about 31 feet below mean low water to 3 feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1906, is $168,300, and for maintenance $20,000 annually. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (.H. Doc. No. 442, 59th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operationsand results during fiscal year.-No excavation was done. The existing channel meets the present needs and no dredge has been available with which the channel could be economically deepened. Occasional examinations of the channel have been made, and the filling has been found to be but little. No expenditures were made. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND aARBORS-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 307 Condition at end of fiscal.year.-The project is about one-half com- pleted. The depth has been increased from 10 feet at mean low water to about 20 feet for a distance of 4,000 feet and for widths varying from 300 to 600 feet. The controlling depth is 18 feet. To complete the project there remains the widening of the shoal at the west end to 600 feet and the deepening of the eastern part to 20 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures under the existing project have been $122,957.50, of which it is estimated that $111,371.21 were for new work and $11,586.29 were for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are two privately owned piers from Coney Island for summer passenger travel and not extending to the channel. They are sufficient for this use. Commercially the channel is part of the water route between New York Harbor and Jamaica Bay. Effect of in'provement.-The improvement has had no effect upon freight rates. It has facilitated the trips of scows carrying dredgings to the public dumping ground, of barges carrying refuse to Barren Island, and of commerce with Jamaica Bay in general. Proposed operations.-Itis proposed to apply the available funds to examinations of the channel from time to time. The channel in its present condition meets all urgent demands of navigation, and no additional funds are now asked for. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce through Coney Island Chan- nel consists mainly of ashes and garbage to the Barren Island disposal works, of fuel, building materials, and general merchandise. There is a large excursion traffic to and from Coney Island and Rockaway Beach during the summer months. The Barren Island commerce, 36,942 tons, is carried in barges and scows of 9-11 feet draft; the gen- eral commercial freight, 219,069 tons, in barges and canal boats of 8-12 feet draft; the passenger traffic in steamers of about 8 feet draft. No new lines of transportation have been established, nor have any previous lines been abandoned. No changes in the nature of the com- merce have resulted from the improvement. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Freight Estimated Passengers (shorttons). value. carried. 1913 .............................................. ....... 816,132 $i 35,3 878 1,243,398 1914.. ........ ... ........ ................................ . 768, 550 5,256, 680 1,178.868 1915 ...... ....... .............................................. 750867 7,04 795 893,45 1916.........3.... ....................................... 736,775 9, 887, 021 870, 318 1917 ....... ..... ..................................... 256,011 8,171,231 123,248 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $0.37: New work --------------- -------------------------- $111, 371. 21 Maintenance __-------------------------------------- 11, 586. 29 Net total expended --------------- 122, 957. 50 Total appropriations to date of this report.-.--- - - 194, 300. 00 308 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1 . . . . .. .. .... Expended for new work $2, 410.68 .. ........................... Expended for maintenance 1........... ..... ... $957.22 $572.30 $93.77.......... Appropriated or allotted ....... ................ ............ ............... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended______,__________--_______ $1, 342. 50 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----------------------------- , 342. 50 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project --------------------------------------- 2 57, 000. 00 3. NEW YORK HARBOR-BAY RIDGE AND RED HOOK CHANNELS. Location; and description.-These channels lie along the east shore of the Upper Bay, New York Harbor, and, with Buttermilk Channel, form an easterly channel along the Brooklyn water front from the Narrows to the East River. The combined length of 'Bay Ridge and Red Hook Channels is 4 miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Sur- vey Chart No. 369. Original condition.-Bay Ridge and Red Hook Channels were navigable by lighters, barges, and similar small harbor craft. The minimum low-water depth was 7 feet in a channel about 100 feet wide and hardly distinguishable from the adjacent flats. Previous projects.--The first project was adopted by act of Con- gress March 3, .1881. It was modified by acts of August 11, 1888, September 19, 1890, and August 18, 1894. A second project was adopted by act of Congress June 3, 1896, and completed in 1899. The amount expended on these projects and their modifications was $1,246,100, of which $1,090,000 was applied to Bay Ridge and Red Hook Channels (as nearly as can be estimated), and $156,100 to other channels combined with them in these projects. For further details of previous projects see page 1768 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for channels 1,200 feet wide and 40 feet deep at mean low water; length of section included in the project, 41 miles; mean rise of tide, 4z feet; mean range of spring tides, 5 feet; irregular fluctuations, due to wind and barometric pres- sure, vary from about 3 feet below mean low water to 3 feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1910, is $3,459,000. This project was adopted in specific terms by river and harbor act of March 3, 1899, no prior surveys or estimates for channels of these dimensions having been published. A report upon a survey of these channels showing the depths in 1897 was printed on page 1177 of the Annual Report for 1897. The river and harbor act of 1907 author- ized prosecution of the work so as to obtain, first, a depth of 35 feet, subsequently increasing the depth to 40 feet for the full width, in accordance with the project of 1899. This permitted a change in the order 6f the work without a change in the project. The latest pub- lished map is in the Annual Report for 1915, page 2150. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging by the U. S. dredge Raritan was in progress from July 1 to July 7, 1917, when I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND IIARBORS-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 309 work was suspended and the dredge released for important war meas- ures. During this period 12,896 cubic yards of mud, sand, stones, and harbor debris were removed from Red Hook Channel, deepening to about 39 feet shoals along the channel edge. The expenditures were $43,124.70 for operation and rental of United States plant in July, 1917, all new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is about 96 per cent completed. Bay Ridge Channel was completed in 1915. Red Hook Channel has been dredged to between 38 and 40 feet deep and from 1,000 to 1,200 feet wide, and for 800 feet length at its south end it has been dredged to 40 feet. There has been some shoaling in portions of the channels but the controlling depth is still 40 feet. To complete the project there remains the further deepening of Red Hook Chan- nel to 40 feet at mean low water for its entire width, 1,200 feet. Total expenditures under existing project are as follows: For new work, $3,052,691.29; for maintenance, $94,555.81; total of $3,147,- 247.10. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 33 piers along these channels, the largest of which-9 belonging to the city of New York and 7 to the' Bush Terminal Co.-have been taken over by the United States Ship- ping Board and the Navy. Several of the others are devoted wholly or in part to war uses. There are three large shipyards along these waters. In Erie Basin there are active commercial wharves. The State of New York is building a barge canal terminal at the head of Bay Ridge Channel. The terminal facilities occupy practically all of the available wharf room along the water front. They are mostly of modern equipment, but by reason of limited space are not adequate to all the requirements of the increased war traffic. Effect of improvement.-The effect upon freight rates is obscured by other causes. The improvement has opened up to use 4 miles of water front, most of which is already occupied by large piers. Ships which prior to the improvement could not have approached this part of the water front now visit it in large numbers. Proposed operations.-Itis proposed to expend the available funds in dredging in Red Hook Channel in accordance with the adopted project, using one of the United States seagoing dredges when avail- able for the work. The expenditures on this would be approximately $12,000 a month, including lease, and would exhaust the funds in about six months' work. Due to war conditions, no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recomnmended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The amount of commerce reported for the last five years is: Comparative statement. 1Valuations are approximate estimates only. 2 War conditions have made it difficult to get accurate data for 1917. 310 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30. 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $26, 201.93: New work ---------------------------------------- $4, 298, 791. 29 Maintenance----------- --- --------------------------- 94, 555. 81 Net total expended --- ________------- ____ 4, 393, 347. 10 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------4, 471, 100. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1..... ........ $225,599.68 $195,769.14 $192,83 .05 55,930.12 $43,124.70 Expended for maintenance................ .......... , ,......... ....... Appropriated or allotted.. .................. 150,000.00 125,000.00 ........... 150,00 00 ............ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------------- $120, 876. 10 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918----------- 1. 50 120, 877. 60 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work 43, 124. 70 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------- -____77, 752. 90 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project----------------------------------- 234, 000. 00 4. NEW YORK HARBOR--GOWANUS CREEK CHANNEL. Location and description.-GowanusCreek is a small tidal inlet extending easterly about 1l miles from the north end of Bay Ridge Channel. The section improved under the title of Gowanus Creek Channel is the lower part, from Bay Ridge Channel to the foot of .Percival Street, Brooklyn, a length of 2,900 feet. The waterway east and northeast of Percival Street is called Gowanus Canal. Originalcondition.-The channel had an available depth of 11 feet, with widths from 150 to 50 feet, the channel of 9-feet depth being about 100 feet wider. Navigationi extended through Gowanus Creek Channel and more than a mile farther inland, through Gowanus Canal. The depths were as great as those immediately outside the creek, and were, therefore, sufficient at the time for such vessels as could enter. Previous projects.-The first project for this improvement was adopted by the river and harbor act of 1881. This project was modi- fied by the terms of the river and harbor act of 1888, increasing the channel dimensions. It was a part of a general project for improv- ing channels in Gowanus Bay, including Bay Ridge and Red Hook Channels. The amount expended on the Gowanus Creek section of the improvement is estimated at $75,000. It is impracticable to es- timate .how much of this sum was applied to maintenance. For further details of previous projects see page 1769 of Annual Report for 1915. 1 Not deducting receipts from $ Ex~clusive of available~ funds. sales. etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 311 Existing project.-This provides for a channel 26 feet deep at mean low water, extending eastward from the end of Bay Ridge and Red Hook Channels at Twenty-eighth Street, for a distance of about 2,900 feet to the foot of Percival Street, with width decreasing from about 300 feet at its outer or western end to 200 feet at its inner end, as limited by harbor lines. The mean tidal range throughout Gowanus Creek is 4- feet. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act of 1896. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1896, is $70,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. For latest published map of Gowanus Creek, see page 919 of Annual Repart for 1903. Operations and results during fisca year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was completed in 1904. The channel has now a depth of 24 feet in a narrow thread, and an available depth of 20 feet for width of 220 feet and over. The total expenditures under the existing project to June 30, 1918, have been $73,228.76, of which $70,000 have been for new work and $3,228.76 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None has been required by law. The State of New York has secured 50 acres of land, partly under water, with 1,000 feet front on the north side of Gowanus Creek Channel, and has be- gun developing it as a barge canal terminal. The amount already ex- pended on this terminal is about $280,000, and the estimated cost at completion is $350,000, exclusive of purchase of site. Terminal facilities.-Gowanus Creek shores are practically all oc- cupied by four piers for lumber, coal, and other local supplies; one shipyard with three large and four small dry docks; two repair yards for small steamers; one yacht basin; a bulkhead with varying uses, and at its lower end the State Barge Canal Terminal. Effect of improvement.--The effect of the improvement upon freight rates can not be determined. It has rendered possible a large commerce which otherwise would have been impossible or dependent upon lighterage. Proposed operations.-There are no funds available for further work. No estimate has been submitted of the cost of maintaining the channel dredged under the adopted project, though its liability to shoaling has always been recognized. To restore the channel to its full project dimensions would cost now $35,000, and the cost of main- tenance would be about $3,500 annually. Apparently, actual work may be deferred for at least another year, and no immediate:appropri- ation is now asked: Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-No statistics were collected in 1913, 1914, 1916, anid 1917, as the project had been completed. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1915....... .................... ....................................... 658,000 354,0 312 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ----------------------------------------- $145,000.00 Maintenance ------------------------------------------- 3, 228. 76 Net total expended------- ---------------------- 148, 228. 76 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------148, 228. 76 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............................................................. Expended for maintenance .......... .. .......... ........... $3,228.76 . . ... ....... Appropriated orallotted... ............... . ..... .... 3,228.76 .. .... .. .... 5. NEW YORK HARBOR-COLLECTION AND REMOVAL OF DRIFT. Location and description.-This project applies to the lower and upper bays, the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers, Newtown Creek, Staten Island Sound, and Newark Bay. Original condition.-Prior to adoption of the project the waters referred to were obstructed by drift of various kinds allowed to escape from pier construction and demolition, from scows. carrying refuse, from abandoned and broken craft, floats, etc., and from various other sources. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for the collection and removal of drift from New York Harbor and its immediately tributary water- ways and authorizes the Secretary of War to allot such amounts as may be necessary for the work from funds available for specific portions of New York Harbor and such tributaries. It is wholly a work of maintenance. The purpose of the work is to afford relief from variable conditions of obstruction, and no advance estimate of the amount of work required and its proper cost can be made. From three, years' experience it appears that about $40,000 a year may be profitably applied to the work. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1915. Operations and results during the fiscal year.-The U. S. S. Mani- sees, the steam lighter Rockaway, and launch Ingalls were assigned to collecting and removing drift whenever they could be spared from other duties, and for six months a lighter was hired by contract to further the work. During the year these boats collected and removed 327,725 cubic feet of driftwood. The pieces ranged in size from small blocks up to 12 by 12 timbers 30 feet in length, pieces of wreckage, piles, float stages, etc. The expenditures for work during the year amounted to $29,127.46, of which $13,233.75 are chargeable to the first New York district, $14,303.24 to the second New York district, and $1,590.47 to the third New York district; all for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is one of continuous maintenance, for which no percentage of completion exists. The amount of drift cast into the harbor, especially from breaking up abandoned boats and old piers, has been so great that no notable reduc- tion in the quantity found is apparent. The total amount of drift removed since the beginning of operations, May 21, 1915, is 1,095,495 RIVERS AND HARBORS--SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 313 cubic feet. The total expenditures to June 30, 1918, have been $93,706.97. Local cooperation.--None has been required. Voluntary coopera- tion of several of the New York City departments has been asked for and given, in so far as they are able to assist, particularly in the line of prevention. Terminal facilities.-Not pertinent to this class of work. Effect of improvement.-This work has not yet shown any notable reduction of the quantity of drift afloat. Every high tide ifrings out into the channel large quantities of drift which had been either grounded or locked in slips. It is not infrequent that channels quite free from drift at one time will, within a few hours, be full of it. Proposed operations.-There are no specific funds available for this work; it depends on such allotments from other works as may be made from time to time under authority of the river and harbor act of 1915. Whenever such funds are made available, it is proposed to apply them to continuing removal of drift. Recommended modifecations of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-None are pertinent to work of this char- acter. 6. WALLABOUT CHANNEL, N. Y. Location and description.-This channel is a tidal branch of the East River, N. Y., about 2.5 miles by water northeast of the Battery. It is located on the east side of the river in 'the bight of a bend, be- hind what was formerly an island known as Cob Dock, and is di- vided by a stone causeway, the property of the United States, into a north and a south section. The north section is the one under im- provement by the United States. It is 230 to 350 feet wide and 2,000 feet in length. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 3694. Original condition.-The channel was about 15 feet deep at mean low water and from 40 to 160 feet wide. The length from East River to the stone causeway was about 0.4 of a mile, and thence Wallabout Basin, a small arm, extended southwardly about 1,300 feet to the head of navigation. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a cha'nnel 20 feet deep at mean low water, and from 230 to 350 feet wide. The total length of channel under improvement is about 2,000 feet. Under ordinary conditions the mean range of tides is about 4 feet, of spring tides about 4.7 feet, and of storm tides about 10 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1898, is $40,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1899 (H. Doc. No. 50, 55th Cong., 3d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1900. The channel has been enlarged from a depth of 15 feet at mean low water, with widths of 40 to 160 feet, to a depth of 20 feet with widths of 230 to 350 feet. The controlling depth of channel is 314 REPORT OF. CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 20 feet. The total expenditure has been $36,400, of which $18,173.69 was for new work and $18,226.31 was for maintenance. Local cooperation.-Eachyear the borough of Brooklyn dredges at various points to offset the effect of deposits from storm sewers, with funds derived from municipal taxation. From time to time local .interests have done minor dredging in front of their own wharves. Terminal facilities.-The entire channel front is occupied, the lower part by bulkheads, the upper end by 8 piers, 5 of which are city Fiers for market and local supplies, which, with bulkheads, cost $393,000, and 3 are railroad lighterage berths. These facilities are adequate for the traffic under ordinary conditions. Effect of improvement.-The effect on freight rates can not be de- termined. This channel has opened up a considerable water front which is. utilized to its full capacity, and has rendered transporta- tion easier and better. It serves a good purpose as a terminal for the interchange of freight from water carriage to land carriage. Proposed operations.-No field operations are proposed. The channel is subject to gradual deterioration by shoaling, but as only about 15,000 cubic yards or a little more of such shoaling has oc- curred along its edges since it was last dredged, maintenance work is not considered necessary at this time. Nearly all traffic is con- ducted by means of barges, lighters, etc., for which the present depths are sufficient. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal commodities handled during the current year were coal, sugar, general merchandise, and the by- products of a large gas plant, these being typical of preceding years. The improvement has greatly facilitated its large traffic, all of which is benefited by the entire improved area. No important changes in transportation lines have been noted. The.draft of loaded vessels varies from about 2 to 17 feet, but 12 to 14 feet is probably about the usual limit. It is impracticable to state proportionate tonnage carried by the different types of vessels, as their trips run, far into the thousands. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................. 1,048,339 $9,209,538 1916..................... 1,628,147 $26,983,441 1914. ..... :. ...... 990,618 13,021,165 1917..................... 1,927,914 26,471, 45 191 ..................... 1,245,689 15,660;163 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $0.50: New work------- ----------- $18, 173. 69 Maintenance--------------------------- -------------------- 18, 226. 31 Net total expended-------------------------------- 36,400.00 Total appropriations to date of this report ----------------- 37,000.00 RIVERS AND HARBORS--SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 315 Fiscal year ending June30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1............... ,. $25.00 ................................... Expended for maintenance, ................... ........ $75.00 $170.00 $130.50........ Appropriated orallotted....................... ....... ... ..................... 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended .------- ,- _---,_ ----- _ $600 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_ ____---_------_-------------- 600 7. NEWTOWN CREEK, N. Y. Location and description.-Newtown Creek is a tidal arm of East River, N. Y., and forms the boundary between the boroughs of Brook- lyn and Queens, New York City. The mouth of the creek is nearly opposite Thirty-fourth Street, Manhattan, and 4 miles northeast from the Battery. Its length is about 4 miles, with widths varying from 125 to 200 feet. The drainage area embraces about 7 square miles, for the most part densely built up along the banks of the creek. The section under improvement is about 3.8 miles long. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 369. Original condition.-In 1857 the creek varied in width from 140 to 1,200 feet. Depths ranged from 0 to 17 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation for a 6-foot draft was about 3.3 miles from the mouth, at what is now Metropolitan Avenue. Dutch Kills, a tribu- tary, had a length of 4,450 feet; Maspeth Creek, 3,550 feet; Whale Creek, 2,000 feet; and English Kills, included in the existing project, 2,900 feet. The total length, including tributaries, was about 5.7 miles. By 1880 the mouth of the creek had shoaled to 12.5 feet. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880, and modified by the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884. A total of $197,500 had been expended on the project up to July 1, 1895, but the exact' amount spent for new work and maintenance can not be separately stated. For further details of previous projects see page 1769 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 18 feet deep at mean low water and 125 feet wide from the mouth to the head of navigation, a length of about 3.8 miles. Under ordinary conditions the mean range of tides is about 4 feet, of spring tides about 4.8 feet, and of storm tides about 10 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1897, is $213,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1904) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896 (H. Doc. No. 323, 54th Conga, 3d sess.). For latest pub- lished map see House Document No. 936, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.---Examination of re- ported obstructions to navigatiqn was made. No dredging was done. The prevailing high prices prevent the proper expenditure of avail- able funds, except under emergencies. Disbursements amounting to $865.34, which includes receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2.25, were for office expenses and contingencies. 316 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 90 per cent completed. The channel, dredged 18 feet deep and 125 feet wide, has shoaled in places, and the present controlling depth throughout the project is 14 to 15 feet. The total expenditure under the existing project has been $329,630.54, of which it is estimated $203,763.81 was for new work and $125,866.73 was for maintenance. Local cooperation.-Local interests, at various times, provided for maintenance dredging in front of their wharves. Such interests have also expended large sums in extending the channel in the west branch from the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge southward a distance of about 2,500 feet to the present head of navigation at Johnson Avenue. This extension is about 160 feet wide and 6 to 12 feet deep at mean low water. Extensive bulkheading, dredging, and filling has been done in the Dutch Kills branch. The Borough of Brooklyn each year dredges in Newtown Creek to offset the effect of deposits from storm sewers. The funds are derived from local taxation. Effect of improvement.-The increased depth has greatly reduced freight rates by making the landings accessible to vessels of greater draft:and carrying larger cargoes. Terminal facilities.-The lower 21 miles of water front is wholly bulkheaded; the upper 1l miles about half. The narrowness of the creek prevents building piers except by dredging slips into the shore. There is one public pier owned by the City of New York and built at cost of $95;000; three piers are owned by the Long Island Railroad Co.; the bulkhead landings are generally privately owned and occu- pied by interests located on them. Terminal facilities are constantly being enlarged in an effort to keep pace with the growing commerce. Proposed operations.-The available. funds, including those de- rived from the river and harbor act of 1918, will be expended under contract in deepening the worst shoals, particularly in the lower part of the stream. It is expected that this will be expended at a rate of about $8,000 a month and that the funds will be exhausted in four months' work; the work to be done as soon as reasonable prices can be obtained. No funds are asked for the year ending June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.--A proposed modification of the existing project for Newtown Creek, providing for increased width and a depth of 20 feet, and for the improvement of some of its tributaries, at a total estimated cost of $510,000 and subject to certain specified conditions, is recommended in House Document No. 936, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal items handled were: Coal and other fuel; petroleum and its products; crushed stone, gravel, sand, cement, etc.; copper ore and copper; brick, lumber, etc., these being typical of preceding years. The entire channel is used, and the improvement has greatly facilitated traffic. No important changes in the nature of the commerce have been noted. Steamers, schooners, and unrigged vessels are the principal freight carriers. Their drafts range from 5J to 20; 2 to 19; and 2 to 18 feet, respectively. Some ste~ners, of still larger draft, lighter in their cargoes. It is imprac- ticable to give proportionate amounts carried by different types of vessels. RIVERS AND HARBORS-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 317 Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.......... ........ 5,141,516 $226, 962,025 1916.................... 5,915,150 $201,581,200 1914..................... 4,445,556 147,739, 825 1917......... ....... 5,215,820 294, 701,793 1915........ . .. 56,102 5,7... ............ 147, 086, 860 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $357.32: New work------------------------ 263. 81 $---------$401, Maintenance -------------- --- ------ 25, 866. 73 1-- Net total expended--------------------------------- 527,130. 54 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 550, 900. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work....................... ............................... Expended for maintenance 1............... $19,834.44 $10,517.05 $27,953.42 $2,066.55 $865.34 Appropriated or allotted....... ..... ........ ..... 15,000.00 ............ 10,000.00 15,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------------- $9, 632. 55 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918------------------- 2. 25 9, 634.80 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 1 865.34 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------ ---------------- 8,769. 46 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 -------------------------------------------------- 15,000.00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919----------- 23,769.46 8. HARBOR AT FLUSHING BAY, N. Y. Location and description.-FlushingBay is an indentation of the north shore of Long Island, about 12 miles, by water, northeast of the Battery, New York City, and within the city limits. The bay, which is entered from East River, is about 2 miles in length, with widths varying from about 300 feet to 1.4 miles. Flushing Creek is a tidal stream which flows in a northerly direction and empties into the head of Flushing Bay. The distance from East River to the head of navigation in Flushing Creek is about 6 miles. The length of the section included in the project is about 3 miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.--A channel 9 feet deep at mean low water and 100 to 600 feet wide extended for a distance of about 0.4 of a mile from deep water in East River. From the head of this channel southward to within about 750 feet of the mouth of Flushing Creek, a distance of 1.3 miles, a more or less uniform depth of 4.5 feet at .mean low water existed throughout the bay. The depths at mean low water in Flushing Creek varied from 0 to 21 feet and thewidths varied from 40 to 300 feet. 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 318 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879, and was modified by river and harbor acts of September 19, 1888, June 9, 1891, and March 2, 1907. There had been expended under the previous project and its modifi- cations $178,900. It is not possible to state what portion was for maintenance, but it has been estimated at $30,247.46, and for new work, $148,652.54. For further details of previous projects, see page 1772 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-The existing project provides for dredging a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide from the 10-fbot contour in the bay to the Broadway Bridge ; thence 7 feet deep to the Main Street Bridge, narrowing in width uniformly from 200 feet at the Broadway Bridge on a basis of 100 feet 1 mile south of Strongs Causeway; and for construction of about 1,300 linear feet of new dike, reconstruction of 1,600 linear feet of old dike, repair of 2,765 linear feet of old dike, and removal of 375 linear feet of old dike. The length of the section included in the present project is about 15,200 feet. Under ordinary conditions the mean range of tides is about 7.1 feet; of spring tides about 8 feet; and of storm tides about 12 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $235,700, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1910) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913, in accordance with a report published in House Docu- ment No. 1333, Sixty-first Congress, third session. For latest pub- lished map, see page 1746 of Annual Report for 1914. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the fiscal year. During the year $1,092.02 was expended for office expenses, etc., all charged to maintenance. Condition at end of flscal year.-The existing project is about 35 per cent completed. The increase in available depth has been about 5 feet; there has been no increase in width. A total of 4,663 linear feet of pile and stone dike was constructed under the former project, but a large portion of it has been carried away entirely and the remainder has greatly deteriorated. The controlling depths are 10 feet for the 10-foot part of the project and 7 feet for the 7-foot part of the project. To complete the project some dike work is needed and all the dredging between the Broadway and Main Street Bridges, The total expenditures under the existing project have been $65, 507.96, of which amount $59,068.84 was for new work and $6,439.12 was for maintenance. Local cooperation.-Duringthe fiscal year 1916 the Degnon Realty & Terminal Improvement Co., working on a private enterprise under a permit issued by this department, dredged the Government channel for a linear distance of about 600 feet with a depth of about 30 feet at mean low water, the dredged material being pumped on near-by marshes on the shore. About 500 feet of the channel was partially excavated along one side. Terminal facilities.-These consist of 3,000 linear feet of bulk- head on the east shore of the bay and creek, all privately owned. This is sufficient for handling existing commerce, but wholly inade- quate to the commerce anticipated under the project of 1913. RIVERS AND HARBORS---SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 319 Effect of improvement.-No reduction in freight rates has been noted. As a result of the improvement a large portion of the traffic which was formerly ,limited to navigation at high-water periods has been enabled to make use of the channel at any stage of tide and vessels of deeper draft are now able to utilize the channels. Proposed operation.--Work on the project has been suspended pending the granting to the United States of a right of way in cer- tain sections of the creek. No estimate for additional funds is there- fore submitted. Recoinimended modiffcations of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Comiercia statistic.-The principal commodities handled during the current year were coal and other fuel, cement, lime, etc., lumber, gravel and sand, ashes, and cinders, these being typical of preceding years. No changes in transportation lines have been noted. The draft of loaded vessels varies from 2 to 14 feet, but 10 to 12 feet is probably about the usual limit. The bulk of the freight is carried on scows and in schooners. All the traffic has been benefited by all the improvement, as the boats pass through the whole length of the channel. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Vilue. 1913...... .............. 917,561 $969,011 1916..................... 710,547 $1,137,195 1914..................... 853,714 968,461 1917...................... 1,355,620 3,508,600 .. 1915................... 677,460 1,006,295 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from 'sales etc., amounting to $14.60: New work-------------- -------------- ------------- $207, 721.38 Maintenance --------------- ----------------------- 36, 686. 58 Net total expended -------------------------------- 244, 407.96 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 324, 600. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 '1917 1918 Expended for new work 1................$13,706.28 .. 4, 276. $45,45,318.36 .......... $1............ Expended for maintenance 1.............. .......... 5, 92 $4,276.09 261. $1,085. 61 092.02 1, Total expended x1.................... 13,706.28 50,610.28 4,276.09 1,085.61 1,092.02 Appropriated or allotted............... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-_ - ---------------- $81, 283. 66 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 ---------- .40 81, 284. 06 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 1 1, 092. 02 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------- 80, 192. 04 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ---- --------------------- 175, 000. 00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. s Exclusive of available funds. 320 REPORT OF CHIEF OF EN~GINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 9. HEMPSTEAD HARBOR, N. Y. Location and description.-This is an indentation of the north shore of Long Island, about 25 miles by water northeast of the Bat- tery, New York City, and about 13 miles southwest of Stamford Harbor, Conn, The harbor is divided by a narrow neck of sand, Bar Beach, into an outer harbor about 3 miles long, 2 miles wide at the outer end, and a half mile wide at the inner end, and an inner harbor about one-half mile wide and 2 miles long. The section under improvement by the United States lies entirely within the inner harbor. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-A channel 90 to 350 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water extended from the outer harbor about a mile up the inner harbor to a point opposite Ward's wharf. Thence the depth gradually diminished to zero at the Roslyn Town Wharf, a dis- tance of about 0.6 mile; thence to the head of navigation at the dam at Hicks mill, in the village of Roslyn, the bottom was exposed at low water. At high water boats of shallow draft carried lumber and coal to within a short distance of the Hicks milldam. Preevious projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide from the entrance to a point opposite Ward's wharf, a distance of about 5,600 feet; thence 80 feet wide to the Roslyn Town Wharf, a distance of about 3,200 feet; and thence 50 to 70 feet wide to the head of navigation, a dis- tance of about 1,700 feet. The total lepgth of channel under im- provement is 1.85 miles. Under ordinary conditions the mean range of tides is about 7.2 feet, of spring tides about 8.5 feet, and of storm tides about 12 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $47,000. The latest (1910) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $3,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (R. and H. Com. Doc. No. 1, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). There is no published map. Operations and, results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the fiscal year. During the year $237.45 was expended for office expenses, etc., all charged to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1913. Dredging for maintenance is required from time to time. The increase in width varies from 0 to 100 feet, and the increase in depth varies from 0 to 8 feet. The maximum draft that could be carried over the shoalest portion of the channel at mean low water on June 30, 1918, was estimated to be 5 feet. The expenditures under the ex- isting project have been-for new work, $39,468.11; for maintenance, $11,727.29, a total of $51,195.40. 'Local cooperation.-The river and harbor acts of June 25, 1910, and February 27, 1911, making appropriations for this project re- quired a suitable dumping ground for the material dredged to be furnished by the local interests free of cost. The required disposal areas were furnished. The town of North Hempstead reconstructed the Roslyn Town Wharf and erected an additional public dock at the head of navigation at a cost of $2,970.48, and expended $9,100 in the construction of sod-retaining bulkheads for the excavated RIVERS AND HARBORS-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 321 materials, making a total of $12,070.48. The funds were derived from local taxation. The village of Roslyn converted a part of the disposal area into a public park. Terminal facilities.-These consist of two town docks; four docks, and several small landings privately owned and understood to be open to public use when not occupied by the owners. The facilities are adequate to the existing commerce, which is local, and there is ample water front, both public and private, for extensions as needs arise. Effect of improvement. No reduction in freight rates as a result of the improvement has been reported, but local interests state that facilities for receiving coal, building and road materials, etc., have been greately improved. Proposed operations.-None. No additional funds will be required for the fiscal year 1920, the work done under the last contract having put the channel in fairly good boating condition. The channel is, however, subject to gradual shoaling. Recommended modifcations of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal commodities handled during the calendar year 1917 were sand and gravel shipped to New York City from the screening and washing plants on the west side of the harbor. Other commodities handled were coal, lumber, road ma- terials, etc., delivered to docks near the head of navigation. These are typical of preceding years, and all have been benefited by the improvement, but the main tonnage, sand and gravel, does not have to pass through the inner part of the dredged channel, which has cost more than the outer part. A quantitative division is not pos- sible. No changes in the nature of the commerce have resulted from the improvement. No new transportation lines have been established, nor have any old ones been abandoned. The draft of loaded vessels is about 10 feet, but it is impracticable to state pro- portionate amounts of freight carried by each class. Scows probably carried the bulk of all freight. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913........ ........... 2,602,668 $995,464 1916.................. 3,966,885 $1,195,538 1914........... ........ 3, 707, 195 1,575, 392 1917.......... ...... .. 2, 451, 014 1,397, 005 1915........... ........ . 3,644,716 1,687,441 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $8.47: New work---------------------------------- $39, 468. 11 Maintenance ------- --- ------------------------- 11, 727. 29 Net total expended---- 5.40 5119-------.--------- Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------52, 000. 00 81116---EN 1918--21 822 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................. .... ... ...... ..... ...... ..................... Expended for maintenance 1, . $161. 29 $1, 178.61 $9,618. 79 $539.62 $237.45 Appropriated or allotted........ .............. ..................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --------------------------- $1,040.85 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_------------------ 1.20 1, 042. 05 June 30,1- - 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - -- - - -- - -- - - -- - - -- - -- - - -- - -- - nance 237.45 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-_______________------- 804.60 10. HUNTINGTON HARBOR, N. Y. Location and description.-Huntington Bay is an indentation of the north shore of Long Island, about 40 miles east of the Battery, New York City, and 8 miles southeast of Stamford Harbor, Conn. Huntington Harbor is a landlocked arm of Huntington Bay, about 2 miles long, with widths varying from 300 to 2,000 feet. The sec- tion under improvement extends from near Ketchams Dock, in Huntington Harbor, to the O,1d Town Dock at Halesite, N. Y., a distance of about 2,400 feet. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 116. Original condition.-The harbor varied in width from 300 to 1,500 feet and in depth from 0 to 19 feet at mean low water. A channel 8 feet deep, with widths from 150 to 1,300 feet, existed from Hunting- ton Bay southward for a distance of about 1.5 miles. South of this point no channel existed, and depths decreased rapidly to Halesite, a distance of about 0.4 mile. Much of the bottom was exposed at low water. A bar 3 feet below mean low water obstructed the en- trance. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 10, 1872. It was completed in 1872 at cost of $22,500. The records do not permit separating maintenance ex- penditures from the total. For further details of previous projects see page 1772 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 8 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet, wide to the Old Town Dock, with a turning basin 200 feet wide at that dock and with a protect- ing dike on the west -side, if necessary. The length of the section included in the project is about 2,400 feet. Under ordinary condi- tions the mean range of tides is about 7. feet, of spring tides about 9 feet, and of storm tides about 12 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1885, is $32,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890 (H. Ex. Doc. No. 200, 48th Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map see House Document No. 827, Sixty-first Con- gress, second session. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS---SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 32 Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the fiscal year. A total of $17.26 was expended for office expenses, etc., all charged to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1904. A channel 200 feet wide was dredged. in lieu of the projected channel 100 feet wide to be protected by a pile dike. The dike was never built, the purpose for which it was intended having been ac- complished by dredging to the greater width. The turning basin at the Old Town Dock was made 230 feet wide. The controlling depth is now about 7 feet, the channel having shoaled from inflow of mud. The total expenditure under the existing project has been $50,500, of which $29,489.06 was for new work and $21,010.94 was for main- tenance. Local cooperation.-None has been required. Dumping grounds for materials dredged during the fiscal year 1916 were furnished by private persons and local interests, free of cost to the United States. Terminal facilities.-There are three public wharves in the harbor which are leased by the town of Huntington to private interests for a nominal rental. One wharf is open to the public upon the pay- ment of wharfage, but the rates are arbitrary and not fixed. The wharves were built originally by the town of Huntington with funds derived from local taxation; cost of construction not known. Effect of improvement.-The improvement of this harbor has opened possibilities for commerce that could not have existed pre- viously, and freight rates have been reduced materially. It has been reported that the difference on lumber alone amounts to $3 per 1,000 feet. Proposed operations.-None. The available funds have been ex- hausted. No funds are requested for expenditure during the next fiscal year. The channel is subject to gradual shoaling. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal commodities handled during the current year were coal, lumber, cement, and lime, these being typical of preceding years. The improvement has benefited all water- borne commerce in the harbor, as practically the whole of it passes through the improved channel. The draft of loaded vessels is about 10 feet, but it is impracticable to state proportionate amounts of freight carried by each class. Steamers and scows probably carried the bulk of material. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913......... ..... ....... 68,504 $535,637 1916............. .......... 73,362 $198,946; 1914.... ................ 30,975 147,491 1917..................... 44,155 151,613 ............ 42,863 1915.......... 200,722 Financialsum/mary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2,918.99: New work ------------------------------------------ $51, 989. 06 Maintenance ---------------------- 21, 010. 94 Net total expended ------------------- ----------- 73,000.00 Total appropriations to date of this report -------------------- 73, 000. 00 324 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work .................. ... ............ ........... ........ Expended for maintenance ......... . $5, 479. 16 $583.74 $6, 231.82 $170.57 $17. 26 Appropriated or allotted.......... ........... . 5,000.00 ........... ............ 5,000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-----------------------------------_ $17.26 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance- _ 17. 26 11. PORT JEFFERSON HARBOR, N. Y. Location and description.-This is an indentation of the north shore of Long Island, about 56 miles by water northeast of the Battery, New York City, and 13.5 miles southeast of Bridgeport Harbor, Conn. It is about 1.75 miles long and averages 0.75 of a mile wide. The entrance is protected by jetties, one on either side of the channel, which is about 0.5 of a mile long and 200 feet wide. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 52. Original condition.-In its original condition the depth at mean low water over the outer bar was 4 to 5 feet. From the outer bar to the harbor proper depths of 6 feet or more existed at mean low water, with widths of 125 to 300 feet. In the harbor proper depths of 12 feet or more were found as far south as the village of Port Jefferson, the head of navigation, about 2 miles from the entrance. Previous projects.-This was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1871. The amount expended on this project was $80,200. Funds spent for improvement can not be accurately separated from those for maintenance. For further details of previous projects, see page 1771 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel through the entrance 200 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water, for repairing and enlarging two riprap jetties built under the previous project, and for extending the east jetty to the 21-foot curve. The length of channel under improvement is about 2,600 feet, the length of the west jetty is 940 feet, and the projected length of the east jetty about 1,900 feet. Under ordinary conditions the mean range of tides at the entrance is 7 feet, and at the head of navigation 6.2 feet; of spring tides about 7.3 feet; and of storm tides about 12 feet (esti- mated). The estimate of cost for new work,.made in 1889, is $145,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $600. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of September 19, 1890, provided for a chan- nel 10 feet deep and 200 feet wide; the act of August 18, 1894, pro- vided for a channel " 12 feet in depth at mean low water in Port Jefferson Inlet and Harbor " (Annual Report for 1889, p. 751). For latest published map, see page 866 of Annual Report for 1903. Operations and results during the fiscal year.-There were no oper- ations during the fiscal year. A total of $211.62 was expended on office expenses, etc., charged to maintenance. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-The project is 67 per cent com- pleted. The channel has been deepened from 4 feet to 12 feet at mean low water, with width of over 200 feet, and was completed in RIVERS AND HARBORS-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 325 1903. The east jetty has been built to about four-fifths its projected length; the west jetty has been built to full length, but incomplete width and height. The controlling depth is about 10 feet at mean low water. The total expenditure under the existing project has been $99,356.35, of which it is estimated that $91,226.71 was for new work and $8,129.64 was for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The harbor has one large pier used as a land- ing by the steamer which runs across Long Island Sound and open to the public generally. Other landings are small and privately con- trolled. Under ordinary conditions these seem sufficient for the com- merce of the harbor. Effect of improvement.-The effect on freight rates is not known. Boats make regular trips to and from the harbor at all stages of the tide, which, under former conditions, would have been forced to wait for high tides before entering or leaving. On the north shore of Long Island, between Huntington Harbor and Plum Gut, Port Jefferson is the only harbor having a depth of more than 7 feet at mean low water. It is used as a harbor of refuge by a few vessels, but the actual number can not be ascertained. Proposed operations.-The available funds will be applied to deep- ening shoals in the dredged channel. and to repair of the jetties. Unless an emergency arises the work will be deferred until more mod- erate prices prevail. No estimate for additional funds for expenditure during the fiscal year 1920 is made. Deterioration of the channel and jetties is slow, and such funds as are now on hand will probably be sufficient for any work needed prior to June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal commodities handled during the current year were gasoline, oysters, and automobiles transported on the ferry service to the Connecticut shore, all of which pass through the improved channel. There have been no changes in the nature of the commerce nor have any changes in transportation lines been noted. The draft of loaded vessels varies from 6 to 12 feet, but 8 to 10 feet is probably about the usual limit. The bulk of freight is probably car- ried by steamers and schooners, but proportionate amounts can not be accurately given. Comparative statemnent. Calendar year- Short tons. Value. Calendar year- Short tons. Value. 1913......... ............. 21,793 $999,562 1916.............. ...... 11,491 $660,247 1914....................... 22,281 572,791 1917......................49,983 3,113,606 1915....................... 20,746 1,132,325 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work -- ---------------------------------------- $171, 426. 71 Maintenance-----------------------------------------8, 129. 64 Net total expended --------------------------------- 179, 556. 35 Total appropriations to date of this report-- - - - 189, 356. 35 326 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916' 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................i..... ........ i.................. . Expended for maintenance ................. 143.84 $317.27 $1, 158.89 $161.95 $211.62 Appropriated or allotted............................. .... ........... 5,000.00....... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended---------------------------- $10, 011. 62 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 211. 62 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-----------------------------9, 800. 00 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of .existing project ---------------------------------------- 147, 000. 00 12. MATTITUCK HARBOR, N. Y. Zocation and description.-This is a tidal inlet on the north shore -of Long Island about 85 miles east of New York City and about 24 miles southeast of New Haven Harbor, Conn. The length of chan- nel under improvement is 2.25 miles, with widths from 80 to 100 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 115. Original condition.-In its natural condition a channel varying in width from 80 to 240 feet and in depth from 0 to 12 feet at mean low water existed from Long Island Sound to the milldam, a dis- tance of about 0.9 of a mile. The head of navigation was at the milldam, beyond which Mattituck Bay, varying in width from 500 to 1,000 feet, with depths of from 2 to 8 feet at high water, extended .a distance of about 1.2 miles to the village of Mattituck. Above the imilldam the elevation of water surface depended on the operation of the sluice gates. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water from Long Island Sound to the milldam and 7 feet deep at mean high water from the milldam to the village, with two rip- rap jetties at entrance, providing a width of 100 feet there and 80 feet thence to the village, a total length of about 11,500 feet. Under ordinary conditions the mean range of tides is about 4.8 feet at the entrance and about 3.5 at the village; of spring tides (entrance) about 5.3 feet; and of storm tides about 9 feet. The latest (1911) approved estimate of cost for new work and for maintenance to June 30, 1909, was $176,700. The estimate for annual maintenance has never been separated from the total for new work and mainte- nance. (See Annual Report for 1909, pp. 133-134; also Annual Report for 1911, p. 195.) The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896 (Annual Report for 1891, p. 843). No map of the harbor is printed. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the fiscal year. A total of $150 was expended for office expenses, etc., charged to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is 83 per cent com- pleted. There remain extending the jetties to the 9-foot depth, which is not considered necessary at this time. Dredging the chan- nel was completed in 1914. The depth has been increased from 0 1 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 327 to 7 feet at mean low water for widths of 80 and 100 feet north of the milldam. South of the milldam a tortuous channel of various width and depths has been replaced by a well-defined channel 80 feet wide and 3.5 feet deep at mean low water. The controlling depth to the milldam is 51 feet at mean low water in a channel whose width has been reduced by inflow of sand on the sides; above the milldam the controlling depth is about 2 feet. The total expenditure under the existing project has been $121,235.17, of which $94,956.40 was for new work and $26,278.77 was for maintenance. Local cooperation.-The river and harbor act of June 25, 1910, provided: That no part of this appropriation shall be expended for the improvement of the harbor at Mattituck above the milldam until the local authorities shall have replaced the, existing dam and bridge by a bridge with suitable draw spans. The draw span was installed and approved April 21, 1913. Terminal facilities.-There is one small landing open to general use, and several private trestles at which landings are made. The commerce is of such a light nature that much of it can be handled from small boats run up on the shore. These facilities are adequate for the commerce as it exists. Effect of improvement.-The project south of the milldam is not of sufficient depth to permit the carrying of freight in large quanti- ties to the village, and freight rates have not been affected. Oyster dredges and other small craft use the harbor north of the milldam, and it is also used as a harbor of refuge by a limited number of ves- sels. Investigation indicates that about 390 vessels use the harbor in a year, of which about 40 vessels use it solely as a harbor of refuge. Proposed operations.-The available funds, including those from the river and harbor act of 1918, will be expended in 1919 in main- taining the channel either by dredging or by raising the height of the jetties, or both, as may be found most effective at the time. These funds will be expended at a probable rate of $4,000 a month and will be exhausted by August 1, 1919. No additional funds are asked for the year ending June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal commodities handled dur- ing the current year were oysters and shells, these being typical of recent years. The improvement has afforded a harbor of refuge for oyster dredges and numerous pleasure craft, and has benefited all water-borne commerce of the harbor, as the whole of it passes through the improved channel. The usual limit of draft for the oyster boats, the principal commercial craft, is about 7 feet. Complaints have been received to the effect that shipments of freight to and from the village can not be made to any considerable extent on account of the insufficient depth provided by the existing project south of the milldam. 1 Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913....................... 726 $5,620.00 1916.......... ............ 7, 755 186,650.00 1914.................... 2,413 15,000.00 1917.............. ...... 2,083 59,585.00 1915..................... 1,312 4,875.00 1Reliable data for this harbor have always been hard to obtain. The figures given are the best that could be secured from the usual available source. 328 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $13.21: New work -------------------- --------------- $94, 956. 40 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 26,278. 77 Net total expended.------- ---------------- ------ 121, 235.17 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------- ----- 129, 750. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.............. 19,169.94 ........................ 16,139.00 Expended for maintenance 1............... $878.60 $431.51 $92.05 $150.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total expended 1 ... 35,308.94 878.60 431.51 92.05 150.00 Appropriated orallotted................. ..... ..... . .......... ...................... 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended__--- 3, 664. 83 $----------------- June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance-- 150. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------------- 3, 514. 83 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918_ 5, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_---------- 8, 514. 83 13. SHEEPSHEAD BAY, N. Y. Location and d escription.-Thisis a bay on the south side of Long Island, 14 miles by water southeast from the Battery and 8J miles northeast from Sandy Hook. It is 6,000 feet long and from 250 to 1,000 feet wide. It is open to the east and is separated from the ocean on the south by the east end of Coney Island. The section under improvement is the entrance channel, which extends from deep water in the Atlantic Ocean to deep water in Sheepshead Bay, a distance of about one-quarter of a mile. See U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey chart No. 1215. Original condition.-The entrance to Sheepshead Bay has under- gone many changes during the last 80 years. In 1881 the inlet was about a mile to the eastward of its present location. Originally there were numerous shoals in the bay, and the channel depths ranged from 1 to 13 feet at mean low water. There was a tidal flow through Coney Island Creek, a narrow, tortuous stream, about 3 miles in length, connecting Sheepshead and Gravesend Bays, but the prac- tical head of navigation in Sheepshead Bay was about 0.8 mile west of the present entrance. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880. At the close of the fiscal year 1895 a total of $26,000 had been expended on the work. No ffirther ex- penditures have been made in connection with this project. The records do not permit the separation of maintenance cost from the total. For further details of previous projects see page 1771 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep, at mean low water, from the 6-foot contour in the ocean to the corresponding contour in Sheepshead Bay, a RIVERS AND HARBORS-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 329 length of 2,200 feet. Under ordinary conditions the mean range of tides is about 4.8 feet; of spring tides, about 5.7 feet; and of storm tides, about 8 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $13,600, exclusive of amounts expended on previous projects. There has never been any approved estimate of cost for annual main- tenance. Shoaling of the channel is gradual and the project is of such recent date that no accurate estimate for maintenance can be submitted at this time. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 959, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map see page 732 of Annual Report for 1884. Operations and results during fiscal year.-There were no opera- tions during the fiscal year. The total expenditures for office ex- penses, etc., amounted to $386.03, all charged to maintenance. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1914. The last examination showed that the course of the channel was somewhat changed, due to movement of the banks, but the controlling depth was still 6 feet with widths from 60 to 400 feet. The total expenditure under the existing project has been $10,072.42, of which $7,827.59 was for new work and $2,244.83 was for main- tenance. Local cooperation.-In 1884 and in 1913 local property owners furnished disposal areas and retaining bulkheads for excavated ma- terials. Terminal facilities.-The city of New York owns a wooden retain- ing bulkhead along the entire length of the south and west sides of the bay, and this bulkhead is open to the public for pleasure, but not for commercial purposes. Freights are handled at private bulkheads and float stages, which are sufficient for the local commerce. Effect of improvement.-Sheepshead Bay is used but slightly for commercial purposes, and on this account freight rates have not been noticeably affected, but large numbers of pleasure and fishing boats and the ferryboats to Rockaway Point have been benefited by the improvement. A count of boats in the bay on June 4, 1917, showed 1,009. Proposed operations.-No dredging is now required, but if the channel shoals sufficiently to necessitate redredging prior to the close of the next fiscal year, the available funds will be expended in remov- ing shoals. The rate of expenditure will be about $3,000 per month while dredging is in progress, and the balance will be exhausted by June 30, 1919. No estimate is made for the fiscal year 1920, as deterioration of the channel is by gradual shoaling and it is not believed that funds will be required for expenditure during that year. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal commodities handled during the current year were coal and other fuel, lumber, and gasoline, these being typical of preceding years. The nature of the commerce has not been affected by the improvement, but the number of fishing- party boats, ferryboats, and motor and sail boats increases each year. Three ferry lines maintain regular schedules during the summer season, carrying large numbers of passengers to near-by beaches and 330 REPORT OF CHIEF OF EINGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. summer resorts, and the fishing-party boats operate practically all year. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.... ................ 2,000 $40,000.00 1916............ ...... .. 1,146 $49,080.00 1914........................3,593 144,777.00 1917...................... 850 41,086.00 1915..................... 11,654 82,756.00 It is not practicable to state, accurately, limiting drafts, but, aside from rowboats and canoes, the drafts range from about 2 to 8 feet. Probably 6 feet is a fair average for the commercial vessels. Financials8ummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2.70: New work ------------------------------------------ $33., 827. 59 Maintenance----. --------------------------------------- 2, 224. 83 Net total expended----- ----------------- 36, 052. 42 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------44, 600. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work '.................. $6,385.03............................ Expended for maintenance 1.......................... 8816.59 $646.88 $378.03 $386.03 Appropriated or allotted ............................... 5,000.00 ............... Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------------- $8, 933. 61 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance-_ 386. 03 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------------- 8, 547. 58 14. JAMAICA BAY, N. Y. Location and description.-Thisis an indentation in the south shore of Long Island, the entrance being about 8 miles east of the Narrows, New York Harbor. It includes a total area of about 18 square miles and is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by Rockaway Beach. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 120. Original condition.-Depths refer to mean low water. The dimen- sions of the channels in use were (depths being below mean low water): Two entrance channels, one from the sea about 8,000 feet long, 800 feet wide, and 10 to 14 feet minimum depth, subject to fre- quent changes, and the other from New York Harbor via Coney Island Channel, about 12,000 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 10 feet deep; interior channels of ample width and depth near the entrance decreasing to less than 3 feet depth and 200 feet width at the heads of navigation, distant, respectively, 6 and 10 miles from the entrance. There were several minor channels in the bay used by small fishing boats at high tide. The mean range of tides is 44 feet. RIVERS AND HARBORS---SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 331 Previous project.-There was no previous project for improving Jamaica Bay as a whole. For further details of previous project, see page 1770 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.--This is a cooperative project for making a gen- eral harbor in Jamaica Bay by dredging an entrance channel and protecting it by one or two riprap jetties, as may prove necessary, and by dredging a main interior channel along the west and north sides of the bay, at the expense of the United States, the city of New York to make these channels of service by dredging basins, bulk- heading the water front, and making suitable highway and rail con- riections with the upland. It provides for making and maintain- ing a channel with width of 500 feet and depth of 18 feet at mean low water, to be increased as the needs of commerce require and as may be further authorized by Congress to a width of 1,500 feet for the entrance channel and 1,000 feet for the interior channel, and to a maximum depth throughout of 30 feet. The length of channel included in the project is 12 miles; mean range of tides, 4- feet; spring tides, about 51 feet; irregular fluctuations, due to winds and barometric pressure, about 3 feet below mean low water and 3 feet above mean high water at the entrance; inside the bay, probably somewhat less, but observations insufficient for determination. Approved estimate of cost to the United States for original work not to exceed $7,430,000 in any event; to the city of New York, from $13,565,360 to $70,000,000, according to the extent of works under- taken. Approved estimate of cost of maintaining the 30-foot en- trance channel, $55,600 annually. The project is described and a map printed in House Document No. 1488, Sixtieth Congress, second session, and was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910. Operations and results during fiscal year.--The U. S. dredge Atlantic resumed dredging the entrance channel July 23 and con- tinued until October 13, when she was withdrawn for work in channels urgently needed for war shipments. In this period she dredged out 386,747 cubic yards of sand and deepened the entrance to 171 feet with width of 100 to 300 feet. No field work was done by the city of New York under its part of the project. The amount expended dur- ing the year was $36,160.01, chargeable as new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The estimated proportion of proj- ect completed is: Portion to be done by the United States, 3 per cent; portion to be done by the city, less than 1 per cent; total, 1 per cent. The entrance channel has been deepened to 17 feet, and the main interior channel for a section 8,800 feet north from deep water at Barren Island has been deepened from 3 to 18 feet at mean low water with width of 500 feet. The only benefit to navigation has resulted from the increased depth at the entrance and a narrow channel to Mill Island. The work remaining to complete the project is: The comple- tion and protection of the entrance channel, and extension of the main interior channel for 7 miles, at the expense of the United States, and the completion, by the city of New York, of Mill Basin, the construction of five other basins, bulkheading all the basins and the main channel and building roads for access to the basins. The controlling depth through the section under improvement is 174 feet at mean low water. Total expenditures by the United States under 332 REPORT OF OHIEF OF ENGINEES, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the existing project, $250,214.09, of which $242,090.39 was for new work and $8,123.70 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-In adopting this project the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910, prescribed that no part of the amount appro- priated ($250,500) should be expended until the Secretary of War was satisfied that the city of New York was prepared to undertake its part of the general plan for the improvement of Jamaica Bay as outlined in the report cited above; and the appropriations in the river and harbor acts of July 25, 1912, and March 4, 1913, were made sub- ject to the condition that from these amounts the Secretary of War might reimburse the city of New York each month for the dredging and the disposition of dredged material of the preceding month at the actual unit price per cubic yard, place measurement, provided such cost does not exceed 8 cents per cubic yard. To meet these con- ditions the city of New York appropriated $1,000,000 toward its part of the proposed work, to be applied by the department of docks and ferries as follows: For construction of a bulkhead or wall, $50,000; for dredging in the main channel of Jamaica Bay, contingent upon provision for reimbursement by the United States for all or part of the cost of said dredging, $150,000; for acquiring lands needed for filling purposes, $750,000, the application of the other $50,000 being otherwise provided for. This action was accepted as satisfactory by the Secretary of War in 1912. The city of New York, however, has expended but a small part of this sum as yet, chiefly on surveys, in- spections, and similar work. The only work done to make the in- creased depths available for navigation is the deepening of Mill Creek Basin to 18 feet at mean low water for 100 feet width. Terminal facilities.-Besides the landings at Barren Island, Canarsie, and other points built before the improvement was begun and little affected by it, there are bulkheads made by the city and by private parties in Mill Creek Basin which are partly used and may be used to greater extent when land approaches are sufficient. The existing facilities are fairly adequate to the existing commerce, but are wholly inadequate to the commerce anticipated and for which the project was adopted. Effect of improvement.-No reduction of freight rates or other benefits result from the improvement in its present stage. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the available funds to deepening the entrance channel to 20 feet at mean low water to make it safe for 18-foot draft in rough weather, with 500 feet width; estimated to require about 12 months' work, at cost of $140,000. The importance of this is increased by the required needs of transportation facilities for the United States reservation on Rockaway Beach. The rest of the funds will be available to reimburse the city of New York for further excavation of the main interior channel, but it is not proposed to undertake this until there is evidence that the city will make the ,channel useful by dredging inland basins and building roads to make the water front accessible. It is not possible to say when this will be done. There is no present prospect that the avail- able funds will be exhausted before June 30, 1920, and no estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modiffecations of project.-Underauthority of section 14 of the river and harbor act of March 4, 1915, the Chief of Engi- neers submitted January 10, 1916 (H. Doc. No. 554, 64th Cong., 1st RIVERS AND HARBORS--SECOND NEW YORK' N. Y., DISTRICT. 333 sess.), a modification of the approved project, reducing the amount of work to be done to what will be of use at the time it is done. It con- templates an entrance channel 20 feet by 500 feet, in place of one of 18 feet depth and 500 feet width in the original project, and reduces the width of the main interior channel but extends it entirely around the bay, both dimensions to meet current needs, not to exceed a depth of 18 feet with a width of 200 feet. A new provision is that this wider channel shall be dredged only when expenditures by the city of New York subsequent to July 1, 1916 are at least as great as those by the United States subsequent to that date. This modification of proj- ect would reduce the estimated cost of completion to $1,273,000, and the cost of maintaining the interior channel to $20,000 a year. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The freights consist of garbage and refuse to Barren Island disposal works, fertilizer products, coal, building materials, lead and tin, mineral oils, road materials etc. The limits of draft of vessels engaged in this traffic are from 3 to 14 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913........... ......... 816, 132 $5, 346,878 1916........ 736,775 89, 887,021 1914.................... 768,550 5,171,668 1917................. 256,011 8,171,231 1915........................ 750, 867 7,049,795 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $148.68: New work----__------------------- $242, 090. 39 Maintenance ---------------- -- ---------- 8, 123. 70 Net total expended---------------------------------250, 214. 09 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------ 709, 960. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1... $87909.31.$11,251.74 $87,909.31 ............. $28,479.86 $36,160.01 Expended for maintenance............... ........ $8,123.70 ..... ... ... Appropriated orallotted................ .... .................................... .. .... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-------------------------- $495, 895. 12 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918---------------- 10. 80 495, 905.92 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- nance - - - -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36, 160. 01 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------459, 745. 91 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities-------------- -------------- 80. 50 July 1, 1918, balance available----------------------------- 459, 665. 41 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ________------------- - - -6, 730, 000. 00 Z Exclusive of available funds. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 334 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, :U., . ARMY, 1918. 15. GREAT SOUTH BAY, N. Y. Location and description.-Thisis a lagoon inside the south shore line of Long Island, N. Y., about 26 miles long and 2 to 6 miles wide. It is separated from the.Atlantic Ocean by a narrow sand beach. The section under improvement lies between Fire Island Inlet, about 38 miles east of the entrance to New York Harbor, and the head of navigation in Patchogue River, at Patchogue, N. Y., about 60 miles east of New York City. Patchogue River is tidal and extends north from Great South Bay to a point 2 miles north of Patchogue. The distance from Fire Island Inlet to the head of navigation in the river is 17 miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1214. Originalcondition.-The section covered by the project was a series of natural channels with depths varying from 10 to 20 feet and shoals with depths varying from 7.5 to 10 feet at mean low water, the dis- tance from Fire Island Inlet to the mouth of Patchogue River being 16 miles. The river varied in width from 160 to 500 feet, with depths at mean low water varying from 0 to 8 feet. The distance fromh the shore of Great South Bay to the head of navigation at Division Street, Patchogue, was about 0.75 mile. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890. It was completed in 1902 at cost of $40,000. Records do not show how much of this was for main- tenance. 'No further expenditures have been made under that project. For further details of previous projects see page 1773 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 200 feet wide and 10 feet deep at mean low water from Fire Island Inlet to the central basin in Great South Bay and a channel 8 feet deep and 100 feet wide from the central basin in the bay to the head of naviga- tion in Patchogue River. The length of section included in the project is about 17 miles. Under ordinary conditions the mean range of tides is about 1 foot; of spring tides 1.1 feet; and of storm tides probably 3 to 4 feet. All tides are greatly affected by storm and wind conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1900, is $66,000, exclusive of amount expended under previous project. The latest (1900) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was adopted-by the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902 (H. Doc. No. 103, 56th Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map, see page 2018 of Annual Report for 1916. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No field work was done; $157.84 were applied to general supervision and office expenses, chargeable as maintenance. . Condition at 'end of fiscal year.-The project is 60 per cent com- pleted. Of the projected channels through three bars in the bay, only the easterly one, " bar C," was dredged; it is reported as nearly obliterated. Due to changes in Fire Island Inlet, deepening of these bars, which amounted to about 57 per cent of the project, is not now required. The channel in Patchogue River, dredged 8 feet deep and 100 feet wide, is in fair condition. The east jetty, built under the previous project and repaired partly with riprap and partly as a RIVERS AND HARBORS--SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 335 sand spit, continues serviceable. The controlling depth is about 8 feet. The total expenditure under the existing project is $132,109.34, of which $59,820.82 was for new work and $72,288.52 was for main- tenance. Local cooperation.-In 1893 local parties dredged a small channel near the mouth of the river east of that dredged by the United States, and when the middle ground was removed the width was increased to about 150 feet, and leaving a small area for anchorage purposes. During the fiscal year 1913 local residents furnished, free of cost to the United States, areas suitable for the disposal of dredged materials. In connection with the sand spit built on the east side of the channel, the owner of the abutting shore front is to do certain main- tenance work on the structure in return for a revocable permit to occupy it. Terminal facilities.-Two public docks-one at the foot of Laurel Street and one at the foot of Mulford Street-were constructed and are maintained by the town of Brookhaven with funds obtained by local taxation. There is an extension bulkhead landing at the head of Patchogue River, used for commercial purposes, and several smaller private landings. These facilities are adequate to the water- borne commerce. Effect of improvement.-So far as can be ascertained, freight rates have not been materially affected, but shipyards and other local in- dustries have been made accessible to vessels and lighters of shallow draft, and Patchogue River is used to a considerable extent for winter storage of various craft. Proposed operations.-None. Deterioration by shoaling is grad- ual and further maintenance work is not required at present. Aecommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal commodities handled during the current year were fish, shellfish, coal and other fuel, and lumber, these being typical of preceding years. No changes in transportation lines have been noted. All of the commerce of Patchogue River is benefited by the improvement, as it all uses the dredged channel. The draft of vessels varies from about 2 to 7 feet, but 5 or 6 feet is the usual limit for loaded craft. Comparative statement. calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.... ............. 1914 1.,................... 67,000.0 9,966.0 $1,015,000 103,892 1916. ................. 1917. .................. 19, 572.0 17,857.0 $148,516 125, 441 1915 .................... 18,434.5 132,884 1Patchogue River only. The decrease in tonnage reported is due principally to the fact that prior to the calendar year 1914 the tonnage to many small settlements along the south shore of Great South Bay was included. As the im- provement is now practically limited to Patchogue River, this ton- nuge to other points on Great South Bay has been omitted. 336 .REPOIT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $183.92: New work------------ --------------------------- $99, 820. 82 Maintenance------------------------------------------ 72,288. 52 Net total expended ----- -------------- -_ - 172, 109. 34 Total appropriations to date of this report _________________ _ 173, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.... . . . . . . .......................................... . . . . . . Expended for maintenance 1 . $8,282.78 $542. 61 $2, 774.18 $22, 033.18 $15784 Appropriated or allotted .......................... .. 5,000 ......... ........................ 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended _ -___- ___-- - ____ -$1, 048. 50 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance- 157. 84 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ---------------- ---- - 890..66 16. BROWNS CREEK, N. Y. Location and description.-This is a narrow, crooked tidal stream flowing south and emptying into Great South Bay, Long Island, near Sayville, N. Y., 12.5 miles northeast of Fire Island Inlet, and 55 miles east of New York City. It has its source in two small lakes 1.5 miles north of Great South Bay. The length of the creek is 1.8 miles, the widths varying from 75 to 200 feet. The section under improvement extends from the 6-foot contour in Great South Bay about 6,500 feet to the Sayville Highway Bridge, at the head of navigation. The drainage area is 12 square miles. Ordinarily only a very small quantity of fresh water finds its outlet through this stream. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1214. Original condition.-A channel varying in width from 20 to 200 feet and in depth from 0.4 of a foot to 4 feet at mean low water existed from Great South Bay to the Sayville Highway Bridge, at the head of navigation, a distance of about 1 -mile. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water from the 6-foot contour in Great South Bay for a distance of 1,850 feet and thence, with same width, 4 feet deep to the head of navigation at the Sayville Highway Bridge; and also for two stone jetties to protect the entrance, the east jetty to be 1400 feet long and the west jetty 1,600 feet long. The total length of channel under improvement is about 6,500 feet. Under ordinary conditions the mean range of tides is about 1 foot; of spring tides about 1.1 feet; and of storm tides probably 3 to 4 feet. All tides are greatly affected by storm and wind conditions. The estimate of cost for new woik, made in 1889, is $46,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $600. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890 (H. Ex. Doc. No. 22, 51st Cong., 1st sess). For latest published map, see House Document No. 991, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. ,RIVERS AND IHARBORS-SECOND NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 337 Operations and results during fiscal year.-No work was done other than general supervision, for which $296.11 was expended, chargeable as maintenance. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-The dredging is 70 per cent completed and the jetties 33 per cent, making about 50 per cent com- pletion of the project. The channel has been dredged 100 feet wide for a length of about 3,000 feet, the outer 1,850 feet being 6 feet deep and the rest 4 feet. The controlling depth is between 3 and 3.5 feet. The total expenditure under the existing project has been $51,000, of which $25,000 was for new work and $26,000 was for maintenance. Local cooperation.-No local cooperation has been required by law. In 1912 a local commercial organization at Sayville, N. Y., had the dredging operations continued northward a distance of about 1,800 feet to a depth of 4 feet at mean low water for a width of 100 feet. The cost of this work was $2,000, and the amount was raised by popular subscription. Disposal areas for dredged materials have from time to time been provided without cost to the United States. Terminal facilities.-The town of Islip has erected and maintains four public docks on the creek, two on the west side in the village of Sayville and two on the east side in the village of Bayport, N. Y. A statement of the cost of construction of these docks is not avail- able. The funds were derived from local 'taxation. There are other private landings of temporary construction and part of the tonnage is unloaded from boats direct to the shore. The facilities are ade- quate for the amount and kind of commerce involved. Effect of improvement.-There has been no appreciable effect on freight rates. The creek now serves as an excellent harbor of refuge and as winter quarters for the numerous oyster and fishing boats which work in that vicinity. Proposed operations.-None. The completion of the project is not urgent, and it is expected that no work of maintenance will be especially needed before 1920. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The principal commodities handled dur- ing the current year were shellfish, oyster shells, fish, and gasoline, these being typical of preceding years. No changes in transporta- tion lines have been noted. The improvement has benefited all commerce on the creek, as all of it uses the improved channel. The draft of loaded vessels varies from about 3 to 7 feet, but 5 feet is probably the usual limit. It is not practicable to state proportionate amounts of freight carried by the different classes of boats. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913. ................. 12,135 $260,380 1916.................... 17,007 $140,308 1914. ........ ...... 124,116 1536,300 1917...................... 7,287 101,115 1915................ 28,998 297,375 1 This statement is believed to include the bay products, landed at wharves on the shores of Great South Bay, east and west of Browns Creek. A small percentage only of these bay products are han- died via Browns Creek. 2 The large decrease in the valuation of articles handled during the year is attributed to an unusually bad fishing season. 81116--ENG 1918---22 338 REPORT OF. CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2.38. New work --------------------------------------------- $25, 000 Maintenance -------------------------------------------- 26, 000 Net total expended------------------------------------- 51, 000 Total appropriations to date of this report--------- 51, 000 1914 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ... ...... ....... ... ...... ........ ...... Expended for maintenance 1,............ $96.65 $669.75 $536.06 $10,228.24 $296.11 Appropriated or allotted................ .......... 2,000.00 .. ........... ............ 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_......_________-_____ $296.11 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance____ 296. 11 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEY MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACTS APPROVED JULY 27, 1916, AND AUGUST 8, 1917. Reports on preliminary examinations and survey required by the river and harbor acts of July 27, 1916, and August 8, 1917, of the fol- lowing localities within this district were duly submitted by the dis- trict engineer. They were reviewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, pursuant to law, and were transmitted to Con- gress and printed in documents, as indicated: 1. Preliminaryexamination and survey of Sheepshead Bay, N. Y.- Reports dated November 29, 1916, and August 10, 1917, with map, are printed in House Document No. 540, Sixty-fifth Congress, second ses- sion. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time to a greater extent than is author- ized by the existing project. 2. Preliminaryexamination of Sterling Basin, at Greenport, N. Y., with a view to securing adequate width and depth.-Report dated December 1, 1917, is printed in House Document No. 1114, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is deemed advisable only to the same extent as has previ- ously been recommended in House Document No. 874, Sixty-first Con- gress, second session. 3. Preliminaryexamination of GardinersIsland, N. Y., with a view to the construction of a breakwater.-Report dated December 1, 1917, is printed in House Document No. 1009, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. The local engineer was also charged with the duty of making other preliminary examinations and surveys provided for by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, as follows, and reports thereon will be duly submitted when received: 1. Flushing Bay, N. Y. 2. Bay.Ridge Channel,New York Harbor,N. Y. 3. JamaicaBay, with a view to obtaining a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep to and through Great South Bay to Peconic Bay, in- RIVERS AND HARBORS---THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 339 eluding channels to Parsonageand Su'npawans River and Freeport and MassapequaCreeks.-This item, contained in the river and harbor act approved March 2, 1907, is modified in the act of August 8, 1917,. to permit the consideration of a channel of suitable depth and width. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. This district includes Staten Island, N. Y., and the northeastern part of New Jersey from Newark Bay and its tributaries on the north to Toms River on the south. District engineer: Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, United States Army, retired. Division engineer: Col. Frederic V. Abbot, Corps of Engineers, to October 11, 1917, and Brig. Gen. William T. Rossell, United States Army, retired, since that time. IMPROVEMENTS. [The letters and figures in parentheses after the titles indicate the group and the numeri- cal order in the group to which the respective improvements belong for purposes of appropriation.] Page. Page. 1. Newark Bay and Passaic River, 7. Raritan Bay, N. J. (B3)........ 357 N. J.... .............. 339 8. Raritan River, N. J. (B4)...... 359 2. Hackensack River, N. J......... 345 9. South River, N. J. (B5)...... 362 3. Arthur Kill, or Staten Island 10. Cheesequake Creek, N. J. (B6) 364 Sound, N. Y. and N. J. (Al). 347 11. Keyport Harbor, N. J. (B7)... 367 4. Channel north of Shooters Island 12. Matawan Creek, N. J. (B8).... 369 between New York and New 13. Shoal Harbor and Compton Jersey (A2)............... 350 Creek, N. J. (B9)........... 371 5. Elizabeth River, N. J. (Bl).... 352 14. Shrewsbury River, N. J.(B10). 373 6. Woodbridge Creek, N. J. (B2).. 354 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORKS IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE PAGES 2175 TO 2199. 1. NEWARK BAY AND PASSAIC RIVER, N. J. Location and description.-PassaicRiver rises in the highlands of northeastern New Jersey and flows in an easterly and southerly direc- tion into Newark Bay, a distance of about 80 miles. Its drainage area is about 949 square miles. The average discharge of the river at the mouth is about 1,490 second-feet. It is tidal and navigable up to the Dundee Rapids, above Passaic, a distance of about 16 miles. The width between banks of the improved section varies between 300 and 1,000 feet. Newark Bay is an estuary about 1j miles wide and 6 miles long, extending southerly from the confluence of the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers to Staten Island Sound and Kill van Kull, thus connecting with the waters of Upper and Lower New York Bay. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 287 and 369. Distances. Miles. Length of Newark Bay------ ---------------------------------- 6. O0 Mouth of river to Center Street, Newark --------------------------- 4. 2 Center Street to Nairn Linoleum Works 6 1------------------- Nairn Linoleum Works to Montclair & Greenwood Lake Railroad Bridge .1.1 Montclair & Greenwood Lake Railroad bridge to Gregory Avenue, Passaic 6. 0 Gregory Avenue to Dundee Dam---- 3.4 Total---- -_--_--_------------ _22.3 340 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S., ARMY, 1918. Original condition.-There was an available depth of about 7 feet to Center Street, Newark, 4.2 miles above the mouth of the river. Mud and sand flats at its mouth limited navigation to this depth. At the narrowest points the width of the 7-foot channel was not over 100 feet at mean low water. Above this point to Passaic, where through navigation was cut off by the dam of the Dundee Water Co., the channel was obstructed by several rock and gravel bars, which limited the original navigable depths to 2J to 3 feet and the width to about 200 feet. Previous projects.-An appropriation was made by Congress Au- gust 30, 1852, of $10,000 for improvement of Newark Bay; also $2,000 for survey of the same. A report of the survey was made under date of January 27, 1853. The original project was adopted June 10, 1872, and still applies to the part of the river from the Montclair & Greenwood Lake Railroad bridge to the city of Passaic. "The second project was adopted by the river and harbor act of -June 14, 1880. The third project was adopted by the river and 1harbor act approved June 13, 1902. The amount expended under previous projects was $540,343.75 for new work and $108,757.39 for maintenance, a total of $649,101.14. Work under existing 6-foot project was commenced in 1872, the 16-foot project in 1907, and the 20-foot project in 1913. For further details of previous projects see page 1774 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 20 feet deep and 300 feet wide (increased at the bends) up to the Nairn Linoleum Works about 9.8 miles, thence 16 feet deep and 200 feet wide to the Montclair & Greenwood Lake Railroad bridge about 1.1 miles, thence 7- feet deep and 150 feet wide through Belleville Bar, and thence 6 feet deep and 50 to 100 feet wide to the Gregory Avenue highway bridge at Passaic about 6 miles, or a total length of about 16.9 miles. All depths refer to the plane of mean low water. The tidal range in the bay and river up to the Montclair & Greenwood Lake Railroad bridge is about 5 feet; at the Gregory Avenue high- way bridge in Passaic it is about 4.6 feet. High easterly or westerly winds cause tidal fluctuations of about 2 feet above or below the mean range. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1912, is $2,475,397, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1918) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $30,000. The project was adopted as follows: The 6-foot channel was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 10, 1872 (Annual Re- port for 1872, p. 808) ; the 16-foot channel was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907, and modified by river and harbor act of February 27, 1911 (see H. Doc. No. 441, 59th Cong., 2d sess.) ; the 20-foot channel was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (see H. Doc. No. 707, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published maps are printed in House Document No. 401, Fifty- sixth Congress, first session, and 2110, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session, and Annual Report for 1914, page 1764. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging by contract for maintenance was done in the 16-foot channel. Efforts were made in the open market during the summer and fall of 1917 to secure a favorable proposal for doing maintenance dredging by contract RIVERS AND HARBORS---THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 341 in the 6-foot channel. New specifications covering this work were submitted and approved under date of June 22, 1918, and the work will be readvertised early in the next fiscal year. There was expended and charged to maintenance of the 6-foot channel in payment of serv- ices and traveling expenses of employees the sum of $468.48. Work under contract dated April 11, 1917, for maintenance dredging in the 16-foot channel was commenced on August 9, 1917, and continued at the close of the fiscal year. This work consisted in restoring project depths in the stretch between Jackson and Clay Streets. The amount of material excavated under the contract during the year was 185,178 cubic yards. The depth made was between 17 and 18 feet at mean low water. The contract was completed at the close of the fiscal year, except for the removal of some excavated material from the dumping basin. There was expended during the year for main- tenance of the 16-foot channel $75,574.67. No work was done during the year in the 20-foot channel. Fruitless efforts were made to secure a reasonable bid for dredging in the open market. Approval 'was given for postponing work here until prices moderate or until its need became sufficiently great to warrant its prosecution under exist- ing high prices. The amount expended was $3,013.95, charged to maintenance, in payment of services and traveling expenses of em- ployees, supplies, etc. Condition at end of fiscal year.-A channel 20 feet deep and 300 feet wide has been completed up to within about 800 feet of Jackson Street; thence 16 feet deep and 300 feet wide to the vicinity of the Nairn Linoleum Works, except for a small area of rock along the west channel line above the Centre Street bridge; thence 200 feet wide and 16 feet deep to the Montclair & Greenwood Lake Railroad bridge; thence 7 feet deep and about 100 feet wide through Bellville Bar; and thence 6 feet deep, with a minimum width of 100 feet, to the city of Passaic, which is at the head of boat navigation. The 6 and 16 foot projects were practically completed in 1901 and 1915, respectively. The 20-foot project is about 80 per cent completed. The controlling depths on June 30, 1918, were about 20 feet to the Plank Road bridge; thence about 18 feet to a point about 800 feet below Jackson Street; thence about 17 feet to Bridge Street; thence about 151 feet to the Montclair & Greenwood Lake Railroad bridge; and thence 5 feet to Passaic. The amount expended under the ex- isting project for new work was $1,348,379.59 and $320,796.99 for maintenance, a total of $1,669,176.58. Local cooperation.-There were no special conditions imposed by law relative to the carrying out of any of the projects for the Passaic River or Newark Bay. The city of Newark has cooperated in main- tenance to the extent of removing sewer deposits in the river at a cost to the city of $66,745.46. The city of Newark has also spent about $2,000,000 in the construction of a public terminal and en- trance channel on the west side of Newark Bay. Terminal facilities.-There are 2 publicly owned docks in New- ark Bay open to the public and 11 private docks. One of these former, Port Newark Terminal, has been extensively developed, and its utilities are now practically all used for war emergency work by the United States Quartermaster's Department, and by the Sub- marine Boat Corporation. There are located on the river, below the 342 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Montclair & Greenwood Lake Railroad bridge, 2 publicly owned docks and 2 privately owned docks open to public use, and 96 private docks, one of which is the United States Engineers depot at Harrison. Above this bridge are located about 30 privately owned docks. The docks in the lower section of the river are adequate and well equip- ped; in the upper section they are small and not so well equipped. Practically all docks have easy connection with railroads and high- ways. Space is available for construction of docks all along the waterway. Effect of improvement.-This improvement has reduced freight rates. It has rendered navigation easier and safer, and made it pos- sible for deeper-draft vessels to come up the river. The past three years has witnessed the rapid development of the meadow lands below the Pennsylvania Railroad freight bridge for industrial pur- poses, greatly increasing the commerce of the locality. The con- tinuance of this improvement is necessary to the successful operation of business in this locality. Proposed operations.-Itis proposed to expend the funds available June 30, 1918 ($128,181.61), toward completing the 20-foot channel to Jackson Street, and in maintenance work in the 20-foot and 6-foot channels. New work on the 20-foot channel will not be done for the present above the Jackson Street Bridge, as it is not desired by local interests. No work will be done until the cost of dredging moderates, or until the need for the work is sufficiently great to justify its prose- cution at the present high prices. When work is being carried on the funds will be expended at the rate of about $12,000 per month. If, favorable contracts can be made during the winter, or early spring, all available funds will be exhausted by the fall of 1919. As it is improbable, owing to abnormal conditions, that work will be commenced before the beginning of the fiscal year 1920, no addi- tional funds are requested in the estimate submitted in this report. Recommended modifications of project.-House Document No. 2110, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session, contains the recom- mendation, with certain provisions, to widen the main channel in Newark Bay to 400 feet, at an estimated cost of $84,500 and $17,700 annually for maintenance; also to dredge a side channel 400 feet wide and 20 feet deep from the bay channel to the pierhead line, to connect with the Newark Terminal Channel, at an estimated cost of $21,100 and $2,400 annually for maintenance. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of this river is mainly in building materials, iron ore, fertilizer, coal, and general merchandise. The draft of the loaded boats carrying these commodities varies from 4 to 26 feet, the deeper-draft vessels using only the lower end of the bay. The bulk of the commerce is carried in barges drawing from 8 to 12 feet. The great increase in tonnage and value for the calendar year 1917 is due to the large amount of war commodities manufac- tured along this waterway, and to the large quantity of sand, gravel, etc., brought in for filling purposes by the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. The decrease in the number of passengers carried during the past two years is due to discontinuation of excursion boats that formerly ran to Coney Island from Newark, N. J. RIVERS AND HARBORS---THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 343 Comparative statement.1 Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers. 1913............................. ............. 2,807, 307 $64, 439,074 323,715 1914 ........ .................................................. ... 4,260,541 81,489,426 750,000 1915........................................................................ 4,240,297 97,098,474 100,612 1916..................................................3,894 572 130, 810,855 17, 020 1917 4, 977, 005 199, 344, 078 47, 681 Financial summary. SIX-FOOT CHANNEL. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $26.69: New work ----- --------------------------------- $150, 734. 00 Maintenance ------------------------------------ 86, 096. 18 Net total expended---------------------------------236, 830. 18 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------273, 248. 86 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.............................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. Expended for maintenance $800.19 $12,528.52 $38.25 $512.78 $468.48 Appropriated or allotted. .......... ........... ............ ......... 35,000.00 ............ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_----_------__ --------_- $36, 887.16 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for main- tenance .- 468. 48 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended___----_-_----- -------_ __ 36, 418. 68 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities.--..-.......-... 63.00 July 1, 1918, balance available, only for maintenance---- ----- 36, 355. 68 SIXTEEN-FOOT CHANNEL. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $50,218.96: New work------------------------------------- $1, 332, 146. 50 M i Ivluetnance tnn -- ----- --.......- - 1oa 186, ooo 8686 , 7 Net total expended__ - _-----------__-- - - '1, 519, 010. 25 Total appropriations to date of this report -------------- - 1, 539, 101. 14 Fiscal yar ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 $51,252.22 $108,239.90 $161, 305.84 .............. Expended for new work .................. Expended for maintenance ............... 3,604.35 26,454.74 27,900.52 $2, 531. 69 $75, 574.67 Total expended 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 54,856.57 134,694.64 189,206.36 2,531.69 75,574.67 Appropriated or allotted................ 92,000.00 ..................... 40,000.00 .......... 1 .Includes the commerce of Hackensack River that passes over Newark Bay. 'Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 8 Formerly included $50,000 from surety on bond now included in receipts from sales, etc., and deducted from expenditures for new work. 344 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS U. S. ARMY, 1918. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ -___- __-------_---_---- $95, 665. 56 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- nance ---------------------------- ---- --- 75, 574. 67 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ------------------ _----- 20, 090. 89 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ----------------- $4, 423. 17 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts__ 14, 216. 00 18, 639. 17 July 1, 1918,. balance available only for maintenance- .- ,----_---- 1, 451. 72 TWENTY-FOOT CHANNEL. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $160.14: 2 New work ------------------------------------------ $405, 842. 84 Maintenance --_ - --- ___---___-- --- _ 156, 594. 45 Net total expended ----- --------- ------------- 562, 437. 29 Total appropriations to date of this report ___________________ 654, 520. 00 Fiseal tyar ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended Tor new work 1................. $180, 122.18 $99, 287.10 $114, 917.37 $10,186.18 ............ Expended fog; maintenance 1 .......... .......- ............ . 20, 574.41 133,127.78 $3, 013. 95 Total expended 1.................. 180, 122.18 99, 287.10 135, 491.78 143, 313.96 3,013.95 Appropriate:rQ allotted... .......... ... 150, 000.00 100, 00(1..00 100, 000. 00 .. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-- ---- -- ------ - $95, 079. 59 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918__ 17. 07 95, 096. 66 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- nance ------------------------------------------------ 3, 013. 95 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _____-_-__-------- 92, 082. 71 ------------- July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_____ _256. 78 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $71,825.93 available only for maintenance__--___-- --------- __-------------- 91, 825.93 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR NEWARK BAY AND PASSAIC RIVER. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $50,405.79:2 New work--------------------------------- $1,888, 723. 34 Maintenance ---------------------------------------- 429, 554. 38 Net total expended- ----------------------------- - 2, 318, 277. 72 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------- 2, 466, 870. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1 .................. .$231, 374. 40 $207, 527. 00 $276,223.21 $10,186.18 .. Expended for maintenance 1.............. 4, 404. 54 38, 983. 26 48,513.18 136,172.25 79,057. 10 Total.expended 1.................... 235,778.94 246,510.26 324,736.39 146, 358. 43 79, 057. 10 Appropriatedorallotted............ 242,000.00 100,000.00 ............ 175,000.00.. 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2Formerly included $245.70 from reimbursements. RIVERS AND HARBORS--THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 345 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -.--- --------------------- 227, 632. 31 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918-----------------.. 17. 07 227, 649. 38 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for mainte- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- -- - -- - - - - nance 1- - - - - - - - - - - - - 79, 057.10 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--- ------------------------ 148, 592. 28 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities-----------------$4, 742.95 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_- 14, 216. 00 18, 958. 95 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $109,633.33 available only for maintenance ------------------------------------ --- 129, 633. 33 2. HACKENSACK RIVER, N. J. Location and description.-The Hackensack River rises near Hav- erstraw, Rockland County, N. Y., and flows south, emptying into the head of Newark Bay, about 39 miles in a direct line from the source. The drainage area is 201.6 square miles. The average width between banks is about 800 feet. The average discharge at the mouth is about 322 second feet. The river is tidal and navigable to New Milford, about 205 miles from the mouth. See United States Geological Sur- vey chart of New York City and vicinity and United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 287. Original condition.-Bars at the mouth limited navigation to a depth of about 8 feet at mean low water up to the Newark & New York Railroad bridge, a distance of 1 mile. The widths for this depth extended over several hundred feet. From this bridge to Little Ferry, a distance of 111 miles, there was ample width, with depths of 12 feet or more. From Little Ferry to Court Street, Hack- ensack, 21 miles, the limiting width and depth were about 100 feet and 5 to 6 feet, respectively. Thence to New Milford, the head of navigation, there was little depth and width and practically no commerce. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.--This provides for a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide to Little Ferry, 121 miles; thence 150, feet wide to the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad bridge, 2 miles. The mean range of tides is about 5 feet. High westerly or easterly winds cause tidal fluctuations of from 1 to 2 feet above or below the mean range. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1912, is $171,018.10. The latest (1912) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $6,000. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 643, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest pub- lished map is in House Document No. 728, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Fruitlessefforts were made during the summer and fall of 1917 to secure satisfactory pro- posals in the open market, to do dredging for maintenance by con- tract. Specifications have been prepared, and proposals will be advertised early in the next fiscal year for this work. The amount expended and charged to maintenance was $3,219.17, and was for harbor-line survey, etc. 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 846 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEER;, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1914, except for obstructions in the draw of the highway bridge at Little Ferry. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, was 12 feet up to the highway bridge at Little Ferry, where shoals in the draws of this bridge limit the navigable depths to between 8 and 9 feet. The total amount expended was $81,066.68 for new work and $10,612.16 for maintenance, a total of $91,678.84. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are publicly owned lands at different points along the waterway. No public docks have been built. About five private docks are open to public usage. There are about 25 docks whose use is confined to private industry. The docks are adequate for existing commerce. They practically all have ready railroad and highway connections. Effect of improvement.-It appears from statements collected from business men along this river that there are no marked effects result- ing from the improvement as yet in the upper stretches of the river. Several large industries are now building plants along the lower stretches of the river; and a large increase in commerce is anticipated next year. Freight rates are reported to be abQut the same. Larger boats are being used, and their movements are not so dependent upon the tides as formerly. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend the balance of funds available June 30, 1918, in maintenance of the channel during the summer of 1918, provided a reasonable offer for doing this work can be secured. When actively prosecuted, this work can be com- pleted in about six months. It is estimated that these funds will be sufficient to maintain this improvement until June 30, 1920, and, ac- cordingly, no estimate of funds for the fiscal year of 1920 is sub- mitted. Recommended modifications of project.--A recommendation is now pending before Congress (see H. Doc. No. 728, 65th Cong., 2d sess.) for further improving the Hackensack River by providing a channel 300 feet wide and 16 feet deep at mean low water up to the deep water above the Central Railroad Co. of New Jersey bridge, at an estimated cost of $88,000, and $5,000 annually for maintenance. References to published articlesnot previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of this river is mainly in coal, building materials, and clay products. These commodities were carried in vessels with drafts varying from about 41 feet to about 16 feet. There was a marked increase in the commerce of this river dury ing the calendar year 1917, due to bringing in by water of large quantities of gravel for filling purposes for the Pennsylvania Rail- road Co. and to the establishment of several large manufacturing plants and a large shipbuilding plant on the lower stretches, of the river. Comparative statement.' Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913....................... 813,972 33,080.406 1916...................... 696,391 33.731,867 1914..... .............. 460, 303 2,443,263 1917............ ........ 262 1,417, 6,715, 847 1915...................... 795,563 2,731,544 1 No passengers carried. RIVERS AND HARBORS-THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 347 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting re- ceipts from sales, etc., amounting to $53.31: 1 New work ------------------------------------------- $81, 066. 68 Maintenance------- ------- -- 10, 612. 16 Net total expended___ ------------------ ---------- 91, 678. 84 Total appropriations to date of this report-..___- ___------ 106, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 2............... $51, 588. 55 $23, 602. 74 ............................. Expended for maintenance 2. ........... ............ 15. 68 $6, 067.02 $1, 364.26 $3, 219. 17 Total expended ................... 51,588. 55 23, 618.42 6, 067.02 1,364. 26 3,219,17 Appropriated or allotted.............. .... ... ... .......... 6,000.00............ 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --- _-__---------------- $17, 534. 73 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_-------- 5. 60 17, 540. 33 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 's 3, 219. 17 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_-- .... ---------- __ 14, 321. 16 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities--------.------ -- 14. 50 July 1, 1918, balance available for maintenance-.----------------- 14, 306. 66 ARTHUR KILL, OR STATEN ISLAND SOUND, AND CHANNEL NORTH OF SHOOTERS ISLAND, BETWEEN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY (GROUP A). 3. ARTHUR KILL, OR STATEN ISLAND SOUND (Al). Location and description.-Staten Island Sound is a strait about 17 miles long lying between New Jersey and Staten Island. It con- nects Raritan Bay with upper New York Bay, and consists of Arthur Kill, about 12 miles long, extending from Raritan Bay to Newark Bay; the lower end of Newark Bay, 2 miles wide, and Kill Van Kull, 3 miles long. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic survey chart No. 369. Original condition.-The maximum navigable depth was about 14 to 15 feet at mean low water, with widths varying from 100 feet to 1,000 feet. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the act of June 23, 1874, and modified by the acts of March 3, 1875, June 14, 1880, August 11, 1888, May 15, 1889, October 20, 1890, June 3, 1896, and June 13, 1902. The total amount expended under pre- vious projects was $850,392.24 for new work and $124,766.86 for maintenance, a total of $975,159.10. Work on the existing project was commenced on August 4, 1913. For further details of previous projects see page 1775 of Annual Report for 1915. 1 Reduced from amount formerly reported, which included 66 cents account of over- payment. Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 848 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Emisting project.-This provides for a channel 25 feet deep at mean low water and 400 feet wide from deep water east of Shooters Island to Perth Amboy, a distance of 14 Iniles, with a suitable turn- ing basin of the same depth at the mouth of Fresh Kills. The mean range of tides is about 5 feet and the extreme range is about 7 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1912, is $2,130,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects, and $50,000 annually for maintenance. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913 (H. Doc. No. 1124, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). The latest published maps are printed in House Document No. 393, Fifty-sixth Congress, first session, and in the Annual Report for 1911, page 1322. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Operations during the year consisted in dredging and rock removal by three contracts. Dredging was done at the Fresh Kills turning basin and the adja- cent channel and at the rock area southeast of Shooters Island, and drilling and blasting at the rock areas southeast of Shooters Island and opposite Tremley Point. The amount of material removed and accepted during the year was 348,361 cubic yards, scow measure- ment, and the amount expended was $63,406.93. In addition, the sum of $5,079.98 was expended for the removal of drift, propor- tional cost of purchase of steam lighter Rockaway and barge Eclipse, and reimbursement to the Board of Engineers for services in con- nection with harbor lines. There was also expended the sum of $580.32 for services in connection with pending claim of William H. Taylor, under his contract dated October 14, 1903. The total amount expended during the year and charged to new work was $69,067.23. No maintenance work was done. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is about 70 per cent completed and has been carried in a partially completed state from deep water southeast of Shooters Island to the southerly end of the turning basin at Fresh Kills, Staten Island, N. Y. Project width and depth have been made over this section with the exception of certain, rock areas, which it is expected will be removed during the coming year. The controlling depth over the partially completed section of the channel - is 23 feet, mean low water. Beyond this 1point navigation is limited to about 20 to 21 feet and width of 300 feet. There is ample depth between Sewaren and Perth Amboy, but com- pletion of the project will require dredging to widen the channel from Ploughshare Point to Raritan Bay. The total amount ex- pended under the existing project was $1,093,443.86 for newwork. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are seventy-eight private concerns owning wharves fronting on the section of this waterway covered by the existing project, of which forty-nine have both rail and water terminal facilities and twenty-nine have no railroad connections. There are nine public wharves, none of which has railroad or un- loading facilities. The existing terminal facilties in many cases are not only adequate for the existing depth in the Government channel, but the development of many of the existing concerns and the addition of new concerns are being greatly retarded by the sus- pension of the work in connection with this project. Additional shipping and terminal facilities are apparently urgently needed, and there is ample room for such development; but the location of termi- RIVERS AND HARBORS---THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y.,:DISTRICT. 349 nals on this waterway is directly dependent on the increased depth of water in the Government channel in the near future. Effect of improvement.-It appears from inquiry that no estimate can be made of the exact effect of the improvement on freight rates, except as to the local commerce and deep-draft vessels carrying bulk freight from distant ports upon which the rates have been reduced by this improvement. Proposed operations.-Of the balance available June 30, 1918, $25,747.04 is being held pending decision in the claim of William H. Taylor, contractor under a previous project, for the purpose of apply- ing same on any judgment which might be made against the United States. The remainder, $395,115.15, will be expended in complet- ing the project and in maintenance. It is expected that maintenance work will be required between the Kill van Kull and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge. When work is being actively prosecuted these funds will be used at an average rate of about $30,000 per month and will be exhausted by the fall of 1919. As these funds will be sufficient for the completion of the project and for its maintenance until June 30, 1920, no estimate is submitted for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The freight carried through this waterway consisted of oil, coal, clay products, ores, chemicals, fertilizer, grain, machinery, manufactures, and general merchandise. These com- modities were carried in 94,470 vessels, divided as follows: Seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven steam vessels, of an average draft of about 20 to 22 feet; 1,369 sailing vessels, of an average draft of about 16 to 18 feet; 55,699 barges, of an average draft of about 16 to 18 feet; 30,065 power boats, launches, etc., of an average draft of about 7 feet. It is estimated that at least 5 per cent of the 7,337 steam vessels which passed through this waterway to their destination draw, when loaded, over 25 feet. These vessels all had to be lightered. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ................. (1) (1) 1916............... .. 31, 993,180 $914,219; 538 1914................ 32, 140, 2641 $477, 993, 429 1917..... ........... 29, 687,191 1, 078, 460, 430 1915.................... 28, 288, 936 489, 328,730 1No statistics received. NOTE.--Tn the above table the tonnage given for 1917 is less than for any year shown in the statement except 1915. This apparent falling off is due to the fact that up to 1915 the commercial statistics for Arthur Kill included tonnage for Kill van Kull, which has never been under improvement by the United States. In 1915 and 1916, although the tonnage for Kill van Kull was deducted from Arthur Kill, an error was made in crediting the Arthur Kill with the entire tonnage of a large corporation which has plants in both Arthur Kill and Kill van Kull and which transports over 5,000,000 tons per year, only about 25 per cent of which should be credited to Arthur Kill. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing recgeipts from sales, etc., amounting to $456.34: New work----------------------------------- ---------- $1, 43, 836. 10 Maintenance-------------------- ------------------------ 124, 766. 86 Net total expended--------------- --- 2, 068, 602. 96 Total appropriations to date of this report-- 2,802, 540. 85 1 Reduced from amount formerly reported, which included $40.48 from reimbursements. 350 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 . . . . . . ... . . . . . Expended for new work 1 . . . . . .. . . ..... . $195, 912. 21 $364, 576. 97 $319, 176. 25 $145,534.01 $69,067. 23 Expended for maintenance 1 . 15.00 520.00.................. ...... Total expended.................... 195,927.21 365,096.97 319,176.25 145,534.01 69,067.23 Appropriated or allotted... ....... ....... 400, 000. 00 400,000.00 ............ 500,000. 00 ............ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended___--------------------------- $802, 972. 67 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918------------------ 32. 45 803, 005. 12 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for new work 1 69, 067. 23 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------------------------- 733, 937. 89 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_----------------- $18, 052. 54 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 295, 023. 16 313, 075. 70 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $25,000 available only for maintenance ------------------------------------------- 420, 862. 19 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project 2-330, 000. 00 4. CHANNEL NORTH OF SHOOTERS ISLAND BETWEEN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY (A2). Location and description.-This channel was an extension of the project of 1902 for the improvement of Arthur Kill or Staten Island Sound, N. Y. and N. J. It is about 1 mile in length, crossing the flats north of Shooters Island, and connects the main channel of the Arthur Kill above Elizabethport with the channel in Newark Bay. Its object is to relieve the congestion in navigation of the' main channel between Staten Island and Shooters Island and to provide a more direct route from the Arthur Kill to Newark Bay. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 369. Original condition.-The central and eastern part of this new waterway was a part of the flats above referred to on which the depth was from 2 to 5 feet at mean low water. Small boats drawing up to about 5 feet of water could cross the flats at high water. This route was practically unused at low water. Previous projects.-Original project was adopted by the act of June 23, 1874, under the title of "Improvement of channel between Staten Island and New Jersey." Amount expended on this project for improvement was $50,000. This project was modified according to act of March 3, 1875. For further details of previous projects see page 1775 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 1 mile in length, 300 feet wide, and 16 feet deep at mean low water, lying north of Shooters Island and connecting the main channel of the Arthur Kill with that of Newark Bay. It further provided for the removal of two middle grounds, one at the site of former Corner Stake Light, 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS---THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 351 the other in the main channel of Newark Bay, northeast of Shooters Island; and for the removal of a portion of the Bergen Point Light Reef. The mean range of tides is about 5 feet, and the extreme range is from 3 to 6 feet. The estimate of cost for new work is $280,115, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act approved June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 337, 59th Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Report for 1907, p. 175). The latest published map is printed in the Annual Report for 1913, page 1716. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-The project is about 90 to 95 per cent completed, the last work of improvement being done in 1914. A small amount of rock remains to be removed from Bergen Point Reef. Maintenance work is necessary. The maximum draft that could be carried over the channel on June 30, 1918, was about 10 feet at mean low water. The channel widths have narrowed greatly. The expenditures under the existing project were $253,436.51 for new work and $23,583.18 for maintenance; a total of $277,019.69. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is only one private concern having wharves fronting on this channel and no publicly owned wharves. Owing to the location of this channel, there is no chance of additional private wharves or the construction of a public wharf. Effect of improvement.--The channel has not yet been used suffi- ciently to ascertain its actual effect on the commerce of the locality. Proposed operations.-The funds available will not be expended until the advisability of continuing the project has been determined. The deterioration of the dredged channels has been considerably greater than was expected, and as the advisability of continuing the project appears questionable, no additional estimate is submitted pending the results of a reexamination of this improvement. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-This is a connecting channel, and the com- merce to be benefited is a part of the Arthur Kill tonnage,, which in 1917 amounted to 29,687,191 short tons, with an estimated valie of $1,078,460,430, and a part of the commerce of Newark Bay and Passaic River, which in 1917 amounted to 4,977,005 short tons, valued at $199,344,078. (See commercial statistics for Arthur Kill and Newark Bay and Passaic River.) The limit of draft for loaded boats in this channel is 10 feet at mean low water. Financial sum~mary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $4.69: New work_ ---------------------------------------- $253, 436. 51 Maintenance --------------------------------- 23, 583. 18 Net total expended--------------------------- 277, 019. 69 Total appropriations to date of this report--_------- --------- 319, 889. 15 3 52 REPORT OF OCIEF OF ENGINEERS, UT. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ...... ........ $35, 815.02 $965.38 ............ ....... .... ............ Expended for maintenance 1.......:........ ... ... ............ $23,104.57 $483.30.......... Appropriated or allotted............................. 49,889.15..................... ' Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended .________-_____ ___-_____ $42, 869. 46 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended __ ___ -____ -____ 42, 869. 46 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP A. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $461.03: work_______ New New-work _ ___ ---------------------------------------- $2, 197, $2 272.61 9,226 Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 148, 350. 04 Net total expended_ - - --- -------------- 2, 345, 622. 65 Total appropriations to date of this report- --- --- __ 3, 122 430. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1...... ........ $21, 727. 23 $365, 542.35 $319,176.25 $145, 534. 01 $69,067.23 Expended for maintenance 1........... 15.00 520.00 23,104.57 483.30 ......... 1 Totalexpended .................. 231,742.23 366,062.35 342,280.82 146,017.31 69,067.23 Appropriated or allotted .................. 400, 000.00 449, 889.15 ......... 500, 000.00 ............ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended _---_--_ ____-------------- $845, 842.13 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 ---- 32. 45 845, 874. 58 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work 69, 067. 23 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- - ---------------------- 776, 807. 35 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities-__ $18, 052. 54 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 295, 023. 16 313, 075. 70 July,1, 1918, balance available, including $51,368.47, available only for maintenance --------------------------- 463, 731. 65 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project------ -------------------- ---- -- ----- 330, 000.00 KEYPORT AND SHOAL HARBORS, WOODBRIDGE, CHEESEQUAKE, MATAWAN, AND COMPTON CREEKS, ELIZABETH, RARITAN, SOUTH, AND SHREWSBURY RIVERS, AND RARITAN BAY, N. J. (GROUP B). 5. ELIZABETH RIVER, N. J. (BI). Location and description.-The Elizabeth River is a tidal stream throughout the section under improvement by the United States. It rises in the city of East Orange,. N. J., and flows in a general southeasterly direction about 9 miles, and empties into the Arthur Kill at Elizabethport, about 1 mile below its junction with Newark Bay. The drainage area is about 16 square miles. The data at hand 1 Not deducting receipts from sales,. etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HABORSB-TID NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 353 are insufficient to determine its discharge, which is, however, very slight, as the flow of the upper part of the river is governed by im- pounding reservoirs. For location see United States Coast and Geo- detic Survey chart No. 369. Original condition.-The width in the tidal part varied from 50 to 90 feet, with a natural depth ranging from 5 to 6 feet at mean low water at the mouth, which decreased to a high-water depth of about 4 feet at Broad Street. Navigation Was cut off at Broad Street, about 2.7 miles above the mouth, by a bridge without a draw. The mean range of tides at the mouth was about 4.7 feet and 3.4 feet at Bridge Street. Previous proects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879. There was expended on this project $27,000 for new work and $32,944.45 for maintenance, a total of $59,- 944.45. For further details of previous projects see page 1778 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 60 feet wide, extending from the mouth to the New York & Long Branch Railroad bridge, a distance of 1 mile. The mean range of tides at the mouth is about 4.7 feet. The estimate of cost for new work is $15,433.50, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 19-13 (H. Doc. No. 750, 62d Cong., 2d sess). The latest pub- lished map is printed in the Annual Report for 1905, page 1048. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No dredging work was done under the project on account of nonfulfillment of conditions imposed by the act adopting this project prior to July 1, 1917, as to local cooperation. There was expended for this improvement during the fiscal year $23.17 for services and traveling expenses of employees. ('ondition at end of fiscal year.-No dredging has been done on the project of 1913. The river has been greatly shoaled and damaged during recent years. It has been used as a sewer outlet by the city of Elizabeth and factories along its bank, the upper part of the river having fallen into disuse as a navigable stream. The maximum draft that could be carried to Summer Street June 30, 1917, was about 7 feet at mean high water.i Above this point: the: river is nearly bare at mean low water. The total expenditure under: the existing project was $717.02, charged to new work. Local cooperation.--The river and harbor: act of March 4, 1913, required that before any work shall be done by the United States local interests must furnish free of cost suitable places for the deposit of dredged material, and also release the Umnited States from all claims for damages due to the possible sloughing of the banks incident to the contemplated dredging. Terminal facilities.-There are seven concerns owning wharves fronting on the section of the river covered by the existing project, of which four have both rail and water facilities and three have no railroad connections. There are no publicly owned wharves. The facilities are adequate for existing commerce. Sl"ilfi('---ENG 191'$-21 354 oF oa oe o M tr. & x 1#18. Effect of improvLemeft.-It appears from statements received from shippers that the effect of work done under the previous project was to reduce freight rates. Proposed operations.-No estimate is submitted herein. Hecommended modifications of project.--A recommendation was presented to Congress (see H. Doc. No. 578, 6'4th Cong., 1st sess.) that the existing project be abandoned unless prior to July 1, 1917, local interests comply with th'e conditions imposed by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913. These conditions were not fulfilled prior to July 1, 1917. References to published articles not previously published.-None. Commercial statistics. The commerce of this river consisted mainly in lumber, rosin, oils, rags and felt. The limit of draft of loaded boats at mean low water is about 4 feet. Comnparative statement.1 calendar year. ' Short tons. Valite. F Calendar year. Shorttons. Value. 1913....... .. ...... 38,716 $859,814_i 1916................... . 29,514 $1,018,742 1914.. ..-. . 29,103.5 530, 724 1017........ .. ... 18402 900,503 1911. ....... .... ... 21 393 .5: 601,027 . ., ,,llNopassengerscarried. :Finni2 alswunmary. Amlount expedel ii ,on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting ;r Appropriated or allotted ............... .......... 12,000.00 ............ 3,000.00 3,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended 657. 30 $---------------- Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8,1917_ 3, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_ . 60 5, 657.90 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance i_. 54. 22 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---- _------ -------------- - - 5, 603. 68 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities- 2.,00 July 1, i918, balance available only for maitenance .... 5, 601. 68 SNot deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS---THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 357 7. RARITAN BAY, N. J. (B3). Location and description.--RaritanBay lies between the southern end of Staten Island and the New Jersey shore, with lower New York Bay on the east. Its greatest width, north and south, is about 5imiles, and its greatest length, east and west, is about 7 miles. The Raritan River flows into its west end between Perth Amboy and South Am- boy, and the Arthur Kill or Staten Island Sound extends northward from this point to Newark Bay. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Sur- vey chart No. 369. Original condition.-Thisbay had a fairly straight channel.several hundred feet wide, with a minimum depth of 11 feet to South Amboy. The line of deepest water, however, followed the Staten Islandshore from Perth Amboy to Seguine Point, where it was separated from deep water in the east part of the bay by a shoal 1.5 miles broad, with a minimum depth of 14.5 feet. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.--This provides for three channels 300 feet wide and 21 feet deep at mean low water, one extending from Seguine Point to deep water in the bay, a distance of about 1* miles, another through two shoals opposite Wards Point, aggregating a length of 2, miles, ahd another extending from South Amboy to deep water near Great Beds Light, a distance of 1, miles. The mean range of tides is 5 feet. Extreme easterly or westerly winds cause irregular tidal fluctuations from 1 to 2 feet above or below the mean range. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1896, is $507,875. The latest (1900) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $20,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 3, 1881, provided for the Seguine Point Channel (H. Doc. No. 45, 46th Cong., 3d sess.) ; the project was modified and extended to include a channel around Wards Point and from Great Beds Light to South Amboy, 15 feet deep (Annual Re- port for 1885, part 1, p. 757) ; and the act of June 3, 1896, provided for present dimensions in the South Amboy Channel (H. Doe. No. 298, 53d Cong,, 3d sess.). The latest published map is printed in Annual Report for 1911, page 1330. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Operations consisted in making fruitless efforts, during the summer of 1917, to. secure a reasonable open market bid for maintenance dredging. Specifica- tions for this work were submitted to the department and approved during June, 1918. There was expended under maintenance, for services and traveling expenses of employees, supplies, etc., and pro- portional part of cost of purchase of steam lighter Rockaway, the sum of $1,634.76. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1905, but shoaling has narrowed the widths of the channels. Dredging for maintenance has been done several times. The con- trolling -depths on June 30. 1918, through the imnproved channels were 19 to 21 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures were $"388.676.40for new work and $304.035.90 for niaintenance. a total of $692,712.30. Local cooperations.--None. 358 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Terminal facilities.-The shores of Raritan Bay have not been developed to any great extent for commercial purposes except at the locality of the Amboys. Publicly owned docks are located at South Amboy, Princess Bay, and Atlantic Highlands. Extensive coal ter- minals of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. are located at South Amboy. About 15 other private docks are located on the bay proper which are not open for general public use. These docks seem sufficient to provide for the present demands of commerce. Effect of improvementt. It appears from statements of the ship- ping interests of the great railroad terminals that the improvements have resulted in a reduction of towing rates "and a proportionate reduction of freight rates, owing to the greater quantity of freight that can be carried and towed through these channels over that which was carried before the improvement was made. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend the balance avail- able in dredging under contract for maintenance of the three channels. No work will be done with these funds until the cost 'of dredging moderates or until the-work becomes sufficiently urgent to warrant its prosecution at the existing high prices. If a reasonable contract can be made, work will be done during the summer and fall of 1918, and the funds will be expended before July 1, 1919. While work is going on the funds will be expended at the rate of about $8,000 per month. Due to war conditions no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modificationis of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.- None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of this bay is in mainly coal, oils, brick, refined copper and lead, bullion, clay products, and general merchandise. These commodities were carried in 45,823 vessels having drafts varying from 5 to 24 feet, and divided as fol- lows: 5,077 steamers drawing from 6 to 23 feet when loaded, 6,272 sailing vessels drawing from 6 to 24 feet when loaded, and 34,447 barges drawing from 5 to about 24 feet when loaded. It is estimated that at least 5 per cent of these vessels draw over 23 feet when loaded and have to be lightered. Vessels drawing over 25 feet can not get into port fully loaded. Decrease in tonnage for the year 1917 is due in a large masure to slackening in ther clay and clay products industries along the Raritan and South Rivers owing to scarcity and excessive cost of labor due to war conditions, and also to decrease in coal ship- ments. Increases in value are due to war inflation of prices. Comparative statement.1 Calendar year, Short tons. Value.. Passengers. 1913...... ............ .. ................. 1914... . ... ........................ .............. j 10,500,337 $152,691,821 .......... 9,751,484 137,264,383.. 1915......... .................. ..... ............. 10,17,890 137,298,379 .......... 1916.. . ............................................ 10,055,637 220,896,132 . 1917........... .................................. 9,362,466 250,078611 426,600 1No figures at hand for passenger traffic prior to calendar year 1917. RIVERS AND HARBORS -' IBD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 359 Financial swmmvary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $18.87: 1 New work---------------------------------------------- $388,676. 40 Maintenance ---------------------------------------- 304, 035. 90 Net total expended -- ----------- 692, 712. 30 Total appropriations to date of this report- -- - __ _ 752, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work........ ......... ... ......................... Expended for maintenance 2............... $217.70 47,438.03 $765.49 $23,037.07 $1,634.76 Appropriated or allotted............................. 40,000.00 .......... 20,000.00 40,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended __ ___- -- $21, 421. 41 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 40, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 1. 05 61, 422. 46 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maiutenance 2 1, 634. 76 July 1, 1918. l)alance unexpended_ 59, 787. 70 July 1, 1918, outstanding lialbilities . . . 279. 92 July 1, 1918, balance available for maintenance_ 507. 78 39, 8. RARITAN RIVER, N. J. (114). Location and description.-This river is a moderate-sized tidal stream about 70 miles long, rising in the north central part of New Jersey and flowing in a general southeasterly direction into Raritan Bay, between Perth Amboy and South Amboy. The drainage area is about 1,105 square miles. The river is tidal about 13 miles. The ,verage width between banks is about 3,000 feet to Crab Island, 3.5 miles; thence about 500 feet to New Brunswick. The average dis- charge is about 1,760 second-feet; its maximum flood discharge has been estimated at 42,548 second-feet. For location see United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 375. Original condition.-There were depths of 20 feet at mean low water, with a width of 400 feet and more to the" Stakes," about 3.3 miles above the mouth. Above this point to New Brunswick, which was the head of navigation, there were many shoals, where the depths varied from 6.5 to 8.5 feet, and widths from, 100 to 400 feet. Above New Brunswick there were rapids and navigation was limited to rowboats and canoes. Previous projects.-A survey of Raritan River for the improve- ment of New Brunswick Harbor was made in 1836, and in the follow- ing year $13,963 was appropriated for work, but the records of this office do not show what work was done. Work under the existing project was commenced in 1879. For further details of previous *projects see page 1777 of Annual Repo rt for 1915. 'Reduced from amount formerly reported, which included $32.49 from reimbursement. 2 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 360 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEEBS U. S. ARMY, 1918. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep and 200 feet wide, extending from the mouth to the canal entrance at New Brunswick, a distance of 12 miles, and for the south channel, between Crab Island and Kearneys Dock, 21 miles long, 51 feet deep, and 100 feet wide. The plane of reference is mean low water. The mean range, of tides is about 5 feet at the mouth of the river and 5 feet at New Brunswick. High easterly or westerly winds cause irregu- lar tidal fluctuations from 1 to 2 feet above or below the mean range. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1901, is $1,035,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $10,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878 (Hi. Doc. No. 174, 43d Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1874, pt. 2, p. 173) and modified by act of March 3, 1881, to provide for the channel between Crab Island and Kearneys Dock (Annual Report for 1881, p. 657). For latest published map see House Document No. 1341, Sixty-second Congress, third session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Inquiry was made dur- ing the summer and fall of 1917 with a view of obtaining proposals for maintenance dredging in the 10-foot channel in the open market. Owing to high prices of all labor and dredging supplies, no satis- factory propos could be obtained. New specifications were -pre- pared for this work and submitted to the department and approved during June, 1918. The amount expended and charged to mainte- nance was $853.11 for services of employees, reimbursement to the Board of Engineers, etc. Condition at end of fiscal year.--About 66 per cent of the work contemplated under the project has been completed. A channel of project depth and 200 feet wide has been made from the mouth up to and through the reef at Whitehead's dock, a distance of 8 miles; thence 100 feet wide to the canal locks at New Brunswick, a distance of 4 miles. The last new work under the improvement was done inl 1900. The South Channel was dredged in 1882-83 to project depth and width for a distance of about 4,000 feet. It was partially re- dredged in 1906 and now has reverted to its original condition. Five dikes aggregating about 20,000 linear feet have been built. The con- trolling depth at mean low water in the river on June 30, 1918, was 10 feet to within 1 mile of the head of navigation and 9 feet for the remainder of the distaihie. The charinel idths have narrowed. The head of navigation is at New Brunswick. There has been expended to June 30, 1918, under the existing project $659,192.32 for new work and $106,700.88 for maintenance, a total of $765,893.20. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are three publicly owned docks at New Brunswick. Other private docks are opened to public usage. About 40 other docks are used for private business. The docks seem suffi- cient to provide for the needs of existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-It appears from information obtained that this improvement has resulted in a reduction of freight rates. Five freight steamers operate daily between New Brunswick and New York, furnishing fast and efficient freight service. Proposed operations.--The balance available will be expended in maintenance dredging. Channels of the present completed width will conveniently accommodate present and reasonably prospective RIVERS AND HARBORS----THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 361 commerce. It is accordingly not proposed, at the present time, to prosecute the project toward completion. Maintenance work is needed, but is not immediately urgent. Proposals are to be asked for during July, 1918, for dredging in the 10-foot channel, but un- less a reasonable offer is secured it is not proposed to prosecute the work until dredging conditions improve and a reasonable price can be secured. When work is being actively prosecuted these funds will be used at the rate of $3,000 per month, and will be exhausted by June 30, 1919, provided a contract is made. Work is required at the " Stakes," the " Middle Grounds," Martins Reach, and from Mar- tins Reach to the canal locks at New Brunswick and in the south channel, Experience shows that work is required about every two or three years at the shoals indicated above. Owing to war conditions no additional estimate is asked for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-It was recommended by the Chief of Engineers February 1, 1913, advisable to secure a chan- nel 200 feet wide and 15 feet deep from deep water at Keasby to Washington Canal; thence 150 feet wide and 10 feet deep to the canal locks at New Brunswick; and a width of 150 feet and depth of 10 feet in the south channel, increased at entrances and curves. Esti- mated cost of construction is $784,000 'and$90,000 annually for-main- tenance (see H, Doc. No. 1341, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of this river is principally coal, ores, refined copper, brick, fireproofing, lumber, building mate- rials, drugs and chemicals, rubber goods, and general merchandise, and it includes all the commerce passing over South River. These commodities were carried in vessels with drafts varying from about 6 feet to about 13 feet when loaded. The decrease in tonnage during 1917 is confined chiefly to sand, gravel, and clay products industries, and was due principally to the scarcity and high cost of labor, which made this work unprofitable. Comparative statement.' Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913......... ..... 1, 243,923 $73,175,177 1916 ................. 1,126, 770 2 $148,893,788 1914..................... 1,034,853 63,133,228 1917.......... ........ 824,14 131,391,056 1915............... 1,102,594 69,156,343 1 No passengers carried. 2Increase due to great increase in tonnage of ores and metals, mostly refined copper, silver, and lead of high value. Financialsummary. amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $7,942.07: New work -------------------- ----------- $673, 155. 32 Maintenance ---------------------------- _106, - 700. 88 Net total expended -------------- ------------------ 779, 856. 20 Total appropiations to date of this report-------------------- 804, 182. 81 'The sum of $7,907, received from surety on bond, was previously deducted from amount for new work and should have been deducted from amount for maintenance. '362 REPORT OF CREF OF ENGIKEE1J-S U._ S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 SI-- - - -- Expended for new work................. ................... ...... ...... .. i. .. ... Expended for maintenance 1............ $13,265.09 $10,712.09: $1, 464.82 $1,011.37 $853.11 Appropriated or allotted............................. 3,000.00......... .................. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ _-____ $25, 170. 79 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_ _-. 8.93 25, 179. 72 June 30, - 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for mainte- --- - - -- - -- - -- - -- - - -- - -- - - -- - - -- - -- - - -- - - -- - -- - -- - nance 853. 11 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended 24, 326. 61 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities-------------- -- 76. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance 24, 250. 61 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for coinpletion of existing project ----------------------- ---------- "375, 807.68 9. SOTH RIVER, N. J. (B5). Location and description.--This isa tidal river rising in central New Jersey, about 7 miles southwest 'of Freehold. It flows in a northerly direction about 20 miles to 1 mile above Sayreville, where it empties into the Raritan River about 8 miles above its mouth. The drainage area is about 133 square miles. It is tidal about 10 miles. Its average width between banks is 300 feet. The average discharge is about 258 second-feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 375. Original 'condition.-A private canal about three-fourths of a mile long had been dredged from near Washington on the South River to Sayreville on the Raritan River, which shortened the sailing course about 2 miles. The original low-water depth in the canal was about 3.5 feet, and in the river about 2.5 feet as far as Old Bridge, the head of navigation. The limiting widths in the canal were 80 feet, thence about 100 feet to Bissetts, 3.7 miles above the mouth of canal, and then about 50 feet or less to Old Bridge, about 6.3 miles above the mouth of canal. Previous projects.-The first project adopted by the Government for this improvement was by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1871. The amount expended for carrying out this project was $20,000. Work under the existing project was commenced in 1882. :For further details of previous projects, see page 1778 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel to be obtained by diking and dredging extending from the mouth of the canal to Old Bridge, a distance of 6.3 miles, to be 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water to Washington, 1.5 miles; thence 6 feet deep for the remainder of the distance. The tidal variation at the canal is 5.34 feet and at Old Bridge 4.57 feet. Irregular tidal fluctuations from 1 to 2 feet, respectively, above or below 2the mean range take place 1---Not deutn eepsfo aeec. xlsv faalbefns 2 Eclusive of available funds. 1 Not deducting receipts from Pales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 363 during high easterly or westerly winds. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1892, is $176,975, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1912) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $8,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 14,:1880 (S. Doc. No. 69, 46th Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Re- port for 1880, p. 519); and extended by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 520, 62d Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Re- port for 1912, p. 279). The latest published map is.printed in House Document No. 520, Sixty-second Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Specifications to. cover maintenance dredging by contract were prepared and approved pre- paratory to advertising for proposals early during the next fiscal year. Inquiry was made during the summer of 1917 with a view to securing a satisfactory offer for this work in the open market. No satisfactory proposition was offered. There was expended under maintenance, for services and traveling expenses of employees, in connection with a survey, etc., the sum of $233.73. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project. fully com- pleted in 1914, was completed in parts as follows: Below Washington, six dikes aggregating 5,788 linear feet in 1883, dredging completed in 1896; Washington to Bissetts, dredging completed in 1911'; Bis- setts to Old Bridge, no work done on project as originally contems plated, but the revised project of 1912 was completed in 1914: The controlling depth to South River or Washington on June 30, 1917, was about 8 feet, thence to Bissetts, 5 to 6 feet, thence to within about 1,000 feet of the highway bridge at. Old Bridge, 6 to 7 feet at mean low water. Shoals at this latter point restrict vessels to about 3 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation is at Old Bridge. The total expenditures under the existing project were $137,224.41 for new work and $47,090.74 for maintenance, a total of $184,315.15. Local cooperation.-None. The Washington Canal was dredged about 1830, prior to any improvement by the Government, by the New Jersey Transportation Co. No information is obtainable as to the cost of this work. Terminal facilities.- There is one publicly owned dock at South River. There are about 20 private docks, some of which are open to public usage. These facilities seem adequate under existing condi- tions. Effect of improvement.-It appears from reliable information that tlh improvement has caused a great reduction in freight rates, and that it is probable that the rates will now be further reduced on the upper stretch of the river. Proposed operations.--Maintenancework is needed in this stream. Bids were invited for this work during the sumnmer of. 1917, but no proposals were received. Specifications were prepared and approved in June, 1918, and will be advertised in July, 1918. Unless favorable prices can be secured it is not proposed to prosecute the work until its need becomes more urgent. When work is being actively prose- cuted, these funds will be used at the rate of $6,000 per month and will be exhausted by June 30, 1919, if a favorable contract can:be made. Work is especially required in the canal and in the section between the town of South River and Bissett's brickyard. 364 REPORT OF OCHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. It is estimated that the balance available will be sufficient to main- tain the channel until June 30, 1920, and no estimate is submitted in this report for additional funds. Recommended modiflcatiomn of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Large brickyards established along the banks of the river give it considerable commercial importance. These industries have been severely handicapped by the war because of high cost and scarcity of labor, and commerce has decreased accordingly. The commerce is principally in brick, clay, clay products, and coal. These commodities were carried in vessels drawing, when loaded, up to about 8 feet. Comparative statem nt. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913....................... 187,051 $747,829 1916..................... 108,905 $682,919 1914 ...................... 137,459 575,774 1917.................... 23,727 95,923 1915....................... 111,226 513,461 No passengers carried. Finanoal wsurremary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $607.46: New work--...------ ----- 1 $157, 224. 41 Maintenance _----- -- ------ _ - 2-- 090. 74 147, Net total expended -- ----------------------------- 204, 315.15 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 222,559. 26 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 2............. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . $39, . 283.13.... ..... ............. Expended for maintenance 2. 70. 69 2. 26 $333. 30 $168 33 $233. 73 Total expended 2.................... 39,353. 82 2. 26 333.30 168.33 233.73 Appropriated or allotted....................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ -____________ -___ ___ $18,477. 84 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 233. 73 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------- -------------- ------ 8,244.11 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities-------------- 75. 88 July 1, 1918, balance av'ailable only for maintenance_ 18, 168. 23 10. CHEESEQUAKE CREEK, N. J. (B). Location. and desc ption.-Cheeseque ke Creek is u inmall tidail stream, 6 to 7 miles long, rising in the eastern part of New Jersey near Old Bridge and flowing in a northeasterly direction and 1 The sum of $593 received from surety on bond which was formerly deducted from new work should have been deducted fron maintenance. 2 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND H kBORS-T--TH D EW YORK, . ., DISTRICT. 365 emptying into the south shore of Raritan Bay, abut 2 miles south- east of South Amboy. The average width between banks is about 160 feet. The drainage area is about 7 square miles. The discharge is small and no data regarding it are available. For location see U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 369. Original conditioi.-There were extensive shoals and bars at the mouth, over which the mean low-water depth was about 11 feet. The old outlet was about one-half mile to the westward of the pres- ent outlet. The creek was crooked; it had a depth of 4 feet for about three-fourths of the distance to Whiteheads Dock. 34 miles, which was the head of navigation, and 4 to 1 feet for the remainder of the distance. The width of the channel varied from 25 to 100 feet. Previous projects.-None. Existinq project.-This provides for a new outlet, 5 feet deep. from the creek into Raritan Bay, at right angles to the shore line, through a beach which ran across the mouth of the creek from the right bank and which had forced the outlet nearly one-half mile to the westward. This was to be obtained by dredging and con- structing parallel jetties of stone 200 feet apart on each side of the dredged channel: the old outlet was to be closed by a pile dike, and a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water and from 50 to 100 feet wide was to be dredged. from the mouth to the head of naviga- tion. 3z miles up the creek. In this distance two dikes were to be built and a new channel to be made through the marsh was to cut off a bend in the creek. Stump Creek. a tributary st rea emptying into the creek near its mouth, was to be improved by dredging a channel 50 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The mean range of tides is 5 feet. Irregular tidal fluctuations from 1 to 2 feet, respectively, above or below the mean range are caused by strong easterly or westerly winds. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1884, is $90,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,500. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880 (S. Doc. No. 69, 46th Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Report for 1880, p. 525). The latest published map is printed in the Annual Report for 1905, page 1048. Operations and results durin, fescal year.-Nothing was done. There was expended and charged to maintenance the sum of $17.51 for services and traveling expenses of employees, etc. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 45 per cent of the work contemplated under the existing project has been completed. The work accomplished consists of the construction of two parallel stone jetties at the mouth, the construction of a sheet-pile dike closing the old channel, and dredging a new outlet about 1,600 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 5 feet deep at mean low water. The last work done in carrying out the project was in 1884. Since then maintenance work has been done several times. The head of navigation is at White- head's dock. The controlling low-water depths on June 30, 1918. were about 5 feet at the entrance, and from 4 to 5 feet in the creek. The total expenditures were $40,000 for new work and $19,375.95 for maintenance, a total of $59,375.95. 366 REPORT OF OmFEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Local cooperation.-No conditions were imposed by law relative to the carrying out of the project. As dredging the way for the new outlet involved encroachment upon private property, the owner, Mr. David Noble Rowan, voluntarily offered and gave the land to the Government for this purpose. Funds were derived from no sources other than Congress with which to carry out the improvement. Terminal ,facilities.-No publicly owned docks are located on this creek. There are six privately owned docks which adequately accom- modate the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-It appears that the improvement has not advanced sufficiently to affect freight rates. Proposed operations.-No work under this project appears imme- diately necessary at this place. It is accordingly not proposed at the present time to prosecute the project toward completion, and the available funds will be expended for maintenance only to the chan- nel dimensions previously obtained. It.is estimated that the balance on hand July 1, 1918, will be suffi- cient to maintain the channel to June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of this creek is principally in fertilizer, clay, and farm products. T-he variation in the value of commodities is due to the varying prices of farm products. The vessels carrying these commodities draw from 5 to 8 feet when fully loaded. Two-thirds of the tonnage was carried in barges drawing from 5 to 6- feet, and the balance was carried in a steamer drawing 8 feet when loaded. Comparative statcemen t. Calendar year. . Short tons. Value. (alendar year. Short tons. Vahle. ........... 23,679 1913.......... $45,043 1916......................... 23,337 $25, 502 1914...... .......... ..... 23,213 190,428 1917 ....... .............. 32,253 197,000 1915..... ..... ... .. 23,402 155, 137 No passengers carried. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1.45: New work --_------------- $40, 000. 00 Maintenance-------------------------------- 19, 375. 95 Net total expended--------------------------------- 59, 375.95 Total appropriations to date of this report_ _-------------- - 61, 852. 28 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.... ............. ....... .......................................................... Expended for maintenance 1..............1. $66.42 $5,;481.02 1..................... 17.51 Appropriated or allotted.................. . ......... .. ... ............ 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS IAND ~ABOB& S--THISD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 367 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended - $2, 493. 84 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance 17. 51 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ------------------------------ 2, 476. 33 July 1,.1918, outstanding liabilities__------------------------------ 8. 75 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance __- ____ 2, 467. 58 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project _ __50, 000. 00 11. KEYPORT HARBOR, N. J. (B 7). Location and description.-Keyport Harbor lies at the mouth of Matawan Creek, on'the south side of Raritan Bay, 5 miles east of the mouth of Raritan River, and about 9 miles west of Sandy Hook, and consists of a bay 1 mile broad. It is sheltered on the east by Cona. shonk Point, and on the west by Matawan Point. The distance by water to New York City is about 25 miles; to Perth Amboy 5 miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 369. Original condition. There was no. distinct channel in the harbor, the available depth over the flats to the wharves being less than 4 feet at mean low water. A 6-foot channel had been dredged at private expense before the United States assumed charge of the improvement, but it had shoaled again to about 5 feet. Previous projects. None. Existing project.-This provides for a chanfiel about 1 mile long from Raritan Bay to the steamboat dock at Keyport, the width to be. 200 feet and the depth to be 8 feet at mean low water. The mean range of tides is 4.9 feet. High easterly or westerly winds cause the tides to fluctuate from 1 to 2 feet above or below the mean range. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1883, is $40,475. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act approved August 2, 1882 (H. Doc. No. 153, 42d Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Report for 1873, p. 941). The latest published map is printed in the Annual Report for 1905, page 1040. Operations a(nd results during fiscal /e ar.-Efforts were made dur- ing the summer of 1917 to secure a satisfactory proposal in the openi market for doing dredging for maintenance. No offers were secured owing to abnormal condition of the dredging market. During June, 1918, specifications for this work were again prepared and approved preparatory to again advertising for proposals. There was expended and charged to maintenance, for services of employees and traveling expenses, the sum of $172.82. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1911. The -controlling depth on June 30, 1918, to the Keyport wharves was about 7 feet at mean low water, in a channel of about three-quarters of the project width. The expenditure was $40,475 for new work and $71,364.55 for maintenance, a total of $111,839.55. Local cooperation.-There were no special conditions imposed by law relative to the carrying out of the project as adopted by the United States. The improvement was made without local coopera- tion. A channel 6 feet deep and 100 feet wide had been dredged at private expense in 1867, but this channel had shoaled to its original I Exclusive of available funds. 368' IREPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEE , U. 8. AMY, 1918. condition at the time of the adoption of the project. The amount expended on this work is not known. Terminal facilities.-There are seven privately owned docks on Keyport Harbor. One or two of these are open for public usage. The docks' facilities seem adequate under existing conditions. SEffect of improvement.-The effect of this improvement has been to greatly reduce freight rates, especially in the marketing of farm products, Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend the balanbe avail- able June 30, 1918, in dredging for maintenance over the entire length of the channel. When work is being actively prosecuted these funds will be used at the rate of about $1,200 per month, and if a satisfac- tory proposal can be secured this work will be done and the funds exhausted before the close of the fiscal year 1919; No additional estimate for funds is presented in this report, owing to abnormal war conditions. The funds onr hand are believed to be sufficient to keep the channel in a passable conrdition until June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None, References to published articles not previously reported. None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of this harbor is mainly famn products, fertilizer, coal, shellfish, and miscellaneous freight, and includes the tonnage of Matawan Creek. The bulk of th'e com- merce is carried in small steamers having drafts varying from about 5 to about 9 feet when loaded. The decrease in the commerce of Keyport Harbor for the last three years is due in a large measure to the decrease in commerce of Matawan Creek which passes over it, and which is confined almost entirely to one industry, which had no water business in 1915, 1916, and 1917. The large decrease during 1917 is due to the falling off in the shipments of market produce for the year. Cormparati8re stat(-'m ent. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers. 1913............................................................. 130, 921 $2,057,245 ............ 1914.............................................................. ............. .. 116, 628 3,262,358 ......... 1915................... .......... .. . ............................ 59, 790 1,8 ,003 .......... t16.............................................. ........... ... 40,624 1,607,300 1917.................... ........................................... 26,313 633,052 41 SNo record kept of passengers carried prior to 1917. Financial surn'mary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1.86: New work ------------------------------------------ $40, 475. 00 Maintenance 71, 364. 55 Net total expended--------- --- 111, 839. 55 Total appropriations to date of this report 23, 053. 71 1------------------- Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... ............ ...... ....... Expended for maintenance1.. ... 156.64 512,707.07 8, 176. 12 19. 86172 Appropriated or allotted..........................5, 00000 5,000.00 , , 1 Not deducting receipt's from sales, etc. ° RIPE A:D HABOsR---THIRDnEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRIC'T. 369 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------------------------$6, 386. 98 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917^ 5,000. 00 11, 386.98 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 172. 82 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ---------------------------- 11, 214. 16 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------------ 2.00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance 11, 212. 16 12. MATAWAN CREEK, N. J. (B38). Location and description.-Thiscreek is a small tidal stream about 5 to 6 miles long, rising in the eastern part of New Jersey near Mata- wan and flowing northeastwardly through salt marshes and empty- ing into Raritan Bay through Keyport Harbor. It has a drainage area of .about 13.5 square miles. The average width between banl is about 120 feet. It has been estimated that the minimum dry- weather discharge is about 25 second-feet. See Geodetic Survey chart No. 369. UT. S. Coast and Original conition.-The nmouthwva :obstructed by a mud flat through which a narrow and crooked 3-foot channel existed. Above this flat there was a 4-foot channel for 1 mile, and beyond a narrow 3jfoot channel extending nearly up to the head of navigation, which was at Matawan. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water, and 100 feet wide to Winkson Creek, a distance of 1 mile, thence for about 1 mile 75 feet wide to the New York & Long Branch Railroad bridge at Matawan. The mean range of tides is 4.9 feet. Strong easterly or westerly winds cause the tides to fluc- tuate from 1 to 2 feet above or below the mean range. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1881, is $33,120. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $3,000. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act approved March 3, 1881 (H. Doc. No. 45, 46th Cong., 3d sess., and in the Annual Report for 1881. p. 720). The latest published map is printed in House Document No. 43, Sixty-third Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No work: was done. Commerce has dwindled to almost nothing during the last two years and there appears to be no need for maintenance work this year. There was expended and charged to maintenance the sum of $23.30 for services of employees, etc. ('ondition at end of fiscal year.-The project is 90 per cent com- pleted. The project depth has been completed from the mouth to the town dock at Matawan with the following widths: 90 to 100 feet from the mouth to the highway bridge (1,200 feet below Winkson Creek), 80 feet from the highway bridge to Winkson Creek, and 60 to 70 feet from Winkson ('reek to the town dock at Matawan. The head of navigation is at Matawan. The controlling depth- at mean 1Ow water on June 30 1918;, to: the steamboat dock at Matawan, 9,900 feet above the mouth, was from 4 to 5 feet; thence to the town dock, 500 feet, about 3 feet; thence nothing. The work remaining to be done to complete the project is: Widening of the channel from the 81116---ENo 1918 24 ---- 370 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEEBS, U. 8. ARMY, 1918. mouth to the town dock at Matawan and the excavation of a channel of project dimensions from the town dock to the railroad bridge. There was expended $21,000 for new work and $70,358.17 for main- tenance, a total of $91,358.17. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-Thereis one publicly-owned dock at Matawan in bad repair. There are three private docks. One of the private docks and the public dock are open for general public usage. These docks are connected with highways and are adequate for existing commerce which is small. Effect of improvement.-The effect of this improvement has been to greatly reduce freight rates. Recent appropriations have been insufficient to maintain the channel in the upper part of the creek, where the market boats formerly loaded, consequently that branch of the commerce has been abandoned. Proposed operations.-No work of maintenance is immediately necessary at this place, and as the present project dimensions are sufficient for present and reasonably prospective commerce, no esti- mate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-It was recommended on April 26, 1913, by the Chief of Engineers advisable to secure an avaiable channel depth of 8 feet and a channel width of 100 feet to Winkson Creek arid thence 80 feet to the steamboat dock at Mata- wan, increased at entrances and curves, at an estimated cost of $72,000 for first construction and $5,000 annually for maintenance (see H. Doc. No. 43, 63d Cong., 1st sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce during the past two years was very small. During recent years the bulk of it has been derived from one plant, a large brickyard, located on the upper stretches of the creek. Water shipments from this plant have been decreasing since 1912, and during the past three years have practically stopped, all shipments being made by rail, thus accounting for the decrease in the commerce of the creek. The reason advanced for the change is that a 4-foot channel is an insufficient depth to accommodate brick barges of the type now in use. The boats used in the past drew from 6 to 7 feet of water. Comparative statement.' Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.... ..... ...... 79,08&5 $146,890 1916................ ..... 5,000 $10,000 1914................... 70,553 194,358 1917...................... 1,114 2,280 1915..................... 11,974 44,603 1 No passengers carried. Financialsummnry. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting reeeipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2.99: New work ----- ------ ------- $21, 000. 00 Maintenance ------------------------- ------------ 70, 358. 17 Net total expended-------- - - - 91, 358. 17 Total appropriation to date of this report -------------------- 91, 804. 39 RIVERS AND HARBORS---THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 371 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................................. ......................... Expended for maintenance 1............... 34, 701.77 $3, 324.25 $13,095. 65 $1, 029.31 23. 30 Appropriated or allotted................ ......... 14,000.00 .. ........................ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ----------- --------- $469. 52 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 23. 30 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------------- -446. 22 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ---------------------------------------- 12, 120. 00 13. SHOAL HARBOR AND COMPTON CREEK, N. J. (B9). Location and description.-Shoal Harbor is an indentation on the south shore of Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays at their junction, about 5 miles southwest from Sandy Hook. It is about 19 miles distant from New York City. The harbor is not landlocked. Compton Creek is a small crooked tidal stream rising on the west side of the Navesink highlands and flowing -for 5 to 6 miles in a general northerly direc- tion through the meadows into Shoal Harbor. The drainage area is about 6.5 square miles. The discharge is slight. For location see United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 369. Original condition.-The entrance was obstructed by a broad flat shoal extending generally along the south shore of Sandy Hook Bay and the distance between deep water in the creek and the 4-foot depth in the bay was about one-half mile. The available depth across this shoal was less than 1 foot at mean low water. The creek was navi- gable for 1 mile above its mouth, where it is crossed by a railroad bridge, and about one-half mile above its mouth it is crossed by a highway bridge with a draw opening 29 feet wide; the width below this point varied from 80 to 100 feet. The available low-water depths varied from 3 to 6 feet. Previous project.- None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel by dredging and diking about two-thirds of a mile in length, connecting Compton Creek with Raritan Bay, the width to be 150 feet in the bay and 75 feet in and near the mouth of the creek, the depth to be 4 feet at mean low water. The mean range of tides is 4.5 feet. Irregular fluctua- tions from 1 to 2 feet above or below the mean range occur in the tides during heavy easterly or .westerly storms. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1890, is $64,130. The latest (1917) approved esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance is $5,000. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act approved September 19, 1890 (S. Doc. No. 80, 48th Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1884, p. 770). The latest published map is printed in House Document No. 40, Sixty-third Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging for mainte- nance under an open-market contract dated July 30, 1917, was com- menced on August 7 and continued until completed on September 4; 15,989 cubic yards of material were removed under the contract, re- storing about 2,300 feet of channel to project depth and to a width of ' Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. ~xclsive of available funds. 372 :REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. 8. . ARMY, 1918. about 75 feet. There was expended under the existing project for maintenance dredging the sum of $11,882.28. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 60 per cent of the area of dredging proposed under the project has been completed. The last work done on the improvement was in 1899. No dikes have been built. The controlling depth into the creek on June 30, 1918, through the improved channel was about 4 feet at mean low water. The channel had narrowed considerably. The total expenditures were $17,000 for new work and $68,183.78 for maintenance, a total of $85,183.78. Local cooperation.-None. 'emrinal facilities.-There are no public docks located on this creek. There are three privately owned docks which are open to the public on equal terms. Two of these docks are in efficient condi- tion and are adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.It appears from statements received from shippers that there has been a reduction on freight rates from 20 to 50 per cent. The creek is used extensively as a harbor of refuge by small fishing craft; according to reports gathered, about 200 such- boats harbor here. Proposed operations.---The balance available is insufficient to do contract work and will be held for examinations and emergencies. It is proposed to expend the funds to be furnished under the esti- mate: submitted in dredging for maintenance where required. Ex- perience shows that shoaling takes place every year at the bend of channel at the entrance, and thence out for about 2,000 feet. The amount asked for is in accordance with the last approved annual estimate, which is considered adequate under normal conditions. Channels of the present dimensions will conveniently accommodate present and reasonably prospective commerce. It is accordingly not proposed at the present time to do new work under the project, and the work herein proposed is for maintenance only of the channel dihensions previously obtained. Recommended modifications of project.-It was recommended by the Chief of Engineers April 24, 1913, to provide a depth of 8 feet at mean low water with a channel width of 150 feet through Shoal: Harbor and 80 feet in Compton Creek, increased at entrances and curves. The estimated cost was $56,800 for new work and $(,000 annually for maintenance (see IH. Doc. No. 40, 63d Cong., 1st sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Caninercial statistics.-The commerce of this locality is mainly in fish, clams, fertilizer, and general miscellaneous freight. This com- merce was carried in boats drawing up to about 8 feet when loaded. The large decrease in tonnage for recent years, as shown in the com- parative statement, is mainly due to a poor yield of fish. The value of tonnage as submitted by interested parties for 1913 and 1914 is believed to have been greatly overestimated. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................. . 65, 135 3915, 900 1916......... ......... ,875 $276,800 1914:......... .......... 26,515 1,179,585 1917...................... 7,758 823,900 1915..................... 20,598 523,560 No passengers carried. RIVERS AND HARBORS----TIRD.NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 378 Fi lan(cial sutn1lmar /. Amount expended on 111l l)rojets t Ju .ne 30. 1918s, after !educting receipts from sales, etc., a:noulting to $3.67 New work ------------------------------------------------ $17, 00. 00 Maintenance 183. 78 6---------------------------- Net total expended ------------------------ 85, 183. 78 Total appropriations to date of this report__- __ 85, 502. 81 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................ .... ... ....... ........ ....... ............ Expended for maintenance ................ 4 4,113.91 $114.17 $8,121.09 $11.50 $11,882 28 Appropriated or allotted........ ......... ......... $10,000.00 .............. 5,000.00 ......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ - -_ _$12, 201. 31 June 30). 1918, anmount expended (luring tihcal year. fiorlnaiJitellal-e_ 11, 882. 28 July 1, 1918, blalance u Ixpen lded ............. ...- ............ - .. ..... 319. 03 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project - -- - _____-._47, 130. 00 ' Amount that (an be profitably expelndel illfiscatlett r e Itin .Iu: i( 30, 1920, for maintenance --------- 5,00(). 00 14. SHREvWSBUYIII RIVER, N .J. (B110). L6cation and description.-This river is a large tidal basin in the eastern part of New Jersey consisting of two bays, each having an area of about 3 square mines, and known, respectively, as the North Branch (or Navesink River), which rises near Freehold, flows east- erly. ;xl( is :1 out 15 liiles long. and the South Branch. about i to miles long, which flows in a northerly direction; and a channel called the Main Stem, which unites the two branches near Normandie and extend,; northerly 24 miles to the outlet at the southeast end of Sandy Hook Bay, about 4 miles south from the point of Sandy Hook. The total drainage area is about 250 square miles. The discharge is not known. See IT. M. Coast and (eodetic Sirvey chart No. 543 Original condition.-The available mean low-water depth to Oceanic on the North Branch was 3 feet, to Sea Bright on the South Branch 2- feet, and in the Main Stem 4 feet. The minimum widths were variable, owing to the shifting nature of the sand which forms the botto Hof the river and which changed position after every big storm. The l)ays above these points had sufficient depths and widths to accommodate light-draft navigation. The river is navigable on the North Branch to Red Bank, 8 miles from the mnouth, where it is crossed by three bridges without draws and on the South Branch to Branchport, 9 miles from the mouth, and to Little Silver, Ocean- port, Parkers Creek, North Long Branch, and Monmouth Beach on its several arms. INot deducting receipts from sales, etc; 2 xclusive of avazilabe funds. 874 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Previous projects.-By act of Congress August 30, 1852, $1,500 was appropriated for and expended upon a survey to ascertain the extent of a break through the beach between Shrewsbury River and the ocean, but no work of improvement was done. The first project for the improvement of the Shrewsbury River was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1871. The estimated cost of this improvement was $14,000. There was expended for the completion of the improvement under this project $19,000. Work under the existing project was commenced in 1880. For scope of previous projects see page 1778 of Annual Report for 1915. The total amount expended on previous projects was $20,500. Existing project.-This provides for diking and dredging to ob- tain channels 6 feet deep at mean low water as follows: 300 feet wide in the Main Stem, 21 miles long; 150*feet wide in the North Branch to Oceanic, 21 miles; 150 feet wide in the South Branch, 2- , miles, to the vicinity of Sea Bright. The mean range of tides on the outer bar is 5 feet; at Highlands Bridge, 3 feet; at Sea Bright, 1.3 feet; and at Oceanic, 2.5 feet. High easterly or westerly winds cause irregular tidal fluctuations from 1 to 2 feet above or below the mean range. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1887, is $234,062, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $10,000. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1879, with subsequent modifications made in 1883 and 18x7 (H. Doc. No. 38, 45th Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Report for 1879, part 1, p. 409). The latest published map is printed in House Docu- ment No. 1296. Sixty-second Congress, third session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging for mainte- nance with a plant hired by the day under a contract dated June 11, 1917, was in progress at the beginning of the fiscal year and con- tinued until July 30, when the contract was completed. Sixteen thousand eight hundred and twenty-three cubic yards of material were removed during the year from the following localities: 5,394 cubic yards from Reeves Channel, 6,672 cubic yards from the lower crossover, and 4,557 cubic yards from the upper crossover. The total amount of material removed under the contract was 18,675 cubic yards. Specifications for maintenance dredging were prepared, ap- proved, and advertised. Proposals were to have been opened on June 15, 1918. Owing to abnormal conditions of the dredging market no bids were received. There was expended for maintenance dredging the sum of $10,364.52. Condition'at end of fiscal year.-The project has been completed. Channels of project depths have been dredged and nine dikes have been built, aggregating 13,667 linear feet. The dredging for improve- ment was completed in 1905; the last dikes were built in 1891. The controlling depths on July 1, 1918, over the shoal areas were 51 feet at mean low water. The channels were narrow in many places. The amount expended under the existing project was $200,393.95 for new work (including $5,000 for survey) and $257,377.79 for maintenance, a total of $457,771.74. Local cooperation.-Dredging in the channel has been done at various times by the local steamboat companies. The available in- formation does not give the amount or cost of this work. RIVERS AND HARBORS-THIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 375 Terminal facilities.-There is one publicly owned dock on the river. There are about 15 privately oWvned docks used for com- mercial purposes, the greater part of which are open to general pub- lic use on equal terms. The docks seem 'to adequately provide for the demands of existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-It appears from reports received from the Merchants Steamboat Co. and the New York & Long Branch Steamboat Co. (Patten Line) that freight rates have been lowered and maintained as results of the improvement by the United States; also that the commerce has increased, and that the improvement tends to keep the freight rates down. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be expended for maihtenance dredging of shoals at the Highlands Bridge, in Reeves Channel, and in the Upper and Lower Crossovers, provided a suitable contract can be secured. Efforts will be made in the open market to secure a contract so that the work can be completed during the summer of 1918. It is proposed to expend the funds appropriated by the river and harbor act of July 18, 1918 ($10,000), for mainte- nance dredging by contract where needed in any part of the river covered by the project. It is proposed to advertise this work during the winter or early spring of 1919 and complete it by the latter part of the summer of that year. When work is actually prosecuted these funds will be used at the rate of about $3,000 per month and will be exhausted by the end of the summer of 1919. It is proposed to expend the funds to be furnished under the esti- mate submitted in this report, which is in accordance with the latest approved estimate for annual maintenance, in dredging for mainte- nance where required. Experience indicates that dredging will be required every year or so at the mouth and at the Highlands Bridge in the main stem; in Reeves Channel near the junction of the two branches; in the vicinity of Sea Bright in the South Branch; and in the Upper and Lower Crossovers in the North Branch. Recommended modifications of project.--Modification of the proj- ect, including an extension of the 6-foot channel to Red Bank on the North Branch and Branchport on the South Branch, at an esti- mated first cost of $295,000 and $10,000 annually for maintenance during construction and $20,000 thereafter is recommended (see H. Doc. No. 1296, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce of the river is mainly in coal, farm products, building materials, and general merchandise. Passenger traffic is important. Practically all tonnage was carried by two steamboat companies, the Patten Line, in the South Branch, and the Merchants Line, in the North Branch. The steamers of these companies draw from 44 to 7 feet when loaded. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passengers. 1913............. .................................... ..... () (1) (1) 1914..... .... .......... ....... ..... .................. . ....... 411,65 $8,84 723 339,547 1915 .............. ......................... ...... ..... .... .. 141 012 399 348 305732 1916................................................................ 108 201 2,760,550 273 022 1917.. ............ . ........ ........... ................ ....... 95 302 2,4 1Not reported. 376 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $38.87: New work--------------------------___- ------ $220, 893. 95 Maintenance----------------------------------- ---- 257, 377. 79 Net total expended..----------------- ---------- 478, 271. 74 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 497. 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work..................... ... Expended for maintenance 1............... $10,173.50 $17,513.08 $3,045.68 $18,678.49 $10,364.52 Appropriated or allotted......................... 28,000.00 ............ 10,000.0 20,000.00 July 1, 1917,: balance unexpended--__ 9, 592. 18 $------------------ Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 -------------------------------------------------------- 10, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 - . 60 19, 592. 78 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- nance 1----------------------------- ------------------- 10, 364. 52 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _:_--------- . 9, 228. 26 July : 1918, outstanding liabilities 209. 75 July-1, 1918, balance a valable only for maintenance_------- 9, 018. 51 Aiiotint allotted froml river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 _------- ------------------- 10,000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending Juune 30, 1.9.9 -19, 018..51 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920,. for maintenance_ ............ _ ......... -- : 10, 000. 00 CONSOLIDA;TED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP B. Amniount exI)ended on, till projects to .June 30, 19!.8, after deduct- inug receipts from sale, etc., aniunting to $S.622:63:s New work-_ _-L-. $1,1635, 964. 80 Maintenance --------- - 1-- 022. 755. 83 Net total expended - 2, 658,720. 63 Total apI)ropIriations to date of this report_- -- 2, 805, 092. 71 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 .1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.. ..... $39,283.13 ............ $530.38 $164.57 $23.17 Expended for maintenance 1...........$41, 333.44 $103, 007.02 41, 837.55 44, 477. 43 25, 236. 25 Totalexpended 1................. 80,616.57 103,007.02 42,367.93 44,642.00 25,259.42 Appropriated or allotted.............. (4) 5112, 000.00 ........... 43,000.00 68, 000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. a Exclusive of available funds. 'Formerly included $32.49 from reimbursem, nts. 4Printed in former report as $3,000. 5 Printed in former report as $124,000. RIVERS AND HARBORS-TIIRD NEW YORK, N. Y., DISTRICT. 377 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended___------------------------------ $113, 620. 32 Amount approriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 58, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 --------------- 11. 18 171, 631. 50 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work----------------- ...--- $23. 17 For maintenance -------------------------------- 25, 236. 25 25, 259. 42 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- -- --- 146, 372. 08 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_ --- 660. 13 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $130,991.80 available only for maintenance__--1--------------------------------- -- 45, 711.95 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 1918_ 18, 10, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_ -- 155, 711. 95 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project -- - - --- 2, 485, 057. 68 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance -- -- - 15, 000. 00 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACTS APPROVE) JULY 25, 19121 JULY 27, 1916, AND AUGUST 8, 1917. Reports on preliminary examinations and surveys required by the river and harbor acts of July 25, 1912, July 27, 1916, and August 8, 1917, of the following localities within this district were duly sub- mitted by the district engineer. They were reviewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, pursuant to law, and were transmitted to Congress and printed in documnents as indicatedl: 1. Prelimina yr examiratioon and suret,,y of Rahway River, N. J., in- eluding the construction of the necessary eut-offs, and with a view to the consideration of any proposition for cooperation on the part of local interests. -Reports ldated November 8, 1912, and October 11, 1917, with map, are printed in House Document No. 541, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. 2. Preliminary examination of Greenwood Lake, N. J., with a view to dredging channel at the southern end.-Report dated August 29, 1917, is printed in House Document No. 743, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. 3. Preliminary examination and survey of Hackensack River, N. J., with a view of obtaining a depth of 16 feet up to the Central Rail- road Co. of New Jersey bridge; preliminary examinations of Hack- ensack River, N. J., from' the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad bridge to the Hackensack Water Co. dam at New Milford, and Overpeck Creek, N. J., from Little Ferry to Leonia.-Reports dated May 9, 1917, and August 17, 1917, with map, are printed in House Document No. 728, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Erroneously reported last year as $482,642.68. Exclusive of available funds. 378 REPORT* OF CHIEF OF ENGINEEBS, U. S. ARMY, 1918, improvement of these localities by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time, with the exception of Hackensack River, N. J., with a view of obtaining a depth of 16 feet up to the Central Co. of New Jersey bridge, for which a plan of further improvement is presented to the extent of providing a channel 16 feet deep at mean low water and 300 feet wide from the Passaic River channel to deep water above the Central Railroad Co. of New Jersey bridge, at an estimated cost of $88,000 for first construction and $5,000 annually for maintenance. 4. Preliminary examination of the Kill Van Kull from Shooters Island west to junction of channels, with a view to dredging shoals between channels to provide anchorage grounds.-Report dated Jan- -of uary 4, 1918, is printed in House Document No. 1031, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The improvement this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. The local engineer was also charged with the duty of making other preliminary examinations and surveys provided for by the river and harbor acts of March 4, 1915, and August 8, 1917, as follows, and reports thereon will be duly submitted when received: 1. New York and New Jersey Channels, with a view to securing a ship channel of increased width and depth necessary for the purposes of commerce from lower New York Bay, through Raritan Bay, Arthur Kill, Staten Island Sound, channel north of Shooters Island, and Kill Van Kull to upper New York Bay. 2. New York Harbor: West side of upper bay from Constable Hook to Ellis Island. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. This district includes the watersheds drained by the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, embracing a small area in southeastern New York, the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and the shore lines only of New Jersey and Delaware bordering on the Delaware River and Bay. The tributaries of the Delaware River, except the Schuylkill and those in Pennsylvania north of Philadelphia, are not included in this district. District engineers: Lieut. Col. J. C. Oakes, Corps of Engineers, July 1 to August 22, 1917; Lieut. Col. Mark Brooke, Corps of Engi- neers, August 22, 1917, to January 3, 1918; Mr. L. D. Shuman since that date: Division engineer: Col. W. L. Fisk, United States Army, retired. IMPROVBMENTS. Page. Page. 1. Delaware River, N. J., Lalor 4. Schuylkill River, Pa......... 391 Street, Trenton, to upper rail- 5. Ice harbor at Marcus Hook, Pa.. 395 road bridge.................. 379 6. Constructing pier in Delaware 2. Delaware River, Pa. and N. J., Bay, near Lewes, Del........ 396 Philadelphia, Pa., to Trenton, 7. Harbor of refuge, Delaware Bay, N. J........................ 382 Del ...... ........... .. 398 3. Delaware River, Pa., N. J., and Del., Philadelphia, Pa., to the sea.................. 385 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DUERING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE PAGES 2201 TO 2224. RIVERS AND HARBORS-PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 379 1. DELAWARE RIVER, N. J., LALOR STREET, TRENTON, TO UPPER RAILROAD BRIDGE. Location and description.-The Delaware River has its sources in southeastern New York, flows in a general southerly direction, form- ing the boundary line between the States of New York and New Jersey on the east, and Pennsylvania and Delaware on the west, and empties into Delaware Bay. Its total length is about 315 miles. The distance by water from Philadelphia Harbor to the harbor of refuge at the mouth of Delaware Bay is about 101 miles. The length of the bay, from the mouth of the river at Liston Point to the Atlan- tic Ocean, is about 50 miles. The distance by water from Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, to Lalor Street, Trenton, is about 30 miles. Tidewater extends to Trenton, N. J. The drainage area of the river is about 11,250 square miles and the average discharge above tidal influence near Trenton; N. J., varies from about 5,200 second-feet during the summer months to about 18,000 second-feet during the winter and spring months. Below Trenton the flow begins to be largely influenced by tidal action. Below Philadelphia the effect of the fresh water inflow on the regi- men of the stream is almost negligible. The discharge below Phila- delphia varies from about 245,000 second-feet at League Island to about 973,000 second-feet at Bombay Hook, in Delaware Bay, just below the lower limit of the improved channel. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 1218, 294, 295, and 296. Original condition.-This section varied in width from 1,000 to 1,500 feet, and was so obstructed by rocks and shoals as to be unfit for commercial navigation. The actual and natural head of naviga- tion is at Trenton, but the river is navigable for rafting and logging for a distance of about 214 miles above Trenton. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.This provides for a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water near the New Jersey side of the river, from Lalor Street to the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge at Trenton. 200 feet wide, except at the upper end, where the width is to be increased to 300 feet for a distance of 400 feet, to form a turning basin. The total length included in the improvement is about 1 mile, and the dis- tance from its lower end to the mouth of the river is about 85 miles. The mean range of tide is 4.2 feet and the extreme range under ordinary conditions is about 4.5 feet. Freshets occur in the upper Delaware River, usually during the latter part of February or the early part of March, and attain a height of from 9 to 15 feet above mean low water, with a velocity of about 6 miles per hour. Freshets which cause a rise of from 5 to 9 feet occasionally occur at other seasons of the year. The formation of ice in the river occurs usually during the months of January and February, and, in connection with freshets, limits the workng season usually to the period between March 15 and December 15. The estimate of cost of new work, re- vised in 1918, is about $455,000. The estimated cost of maintenance is $5,000 per annum. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (IH: Doc. No. 839, 61st Cong., 2d sess.) A map showing the location of this improvement is published in the Annual Report for 1914, page 1804. 380 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Operations and results during fisca year.--Dredging and rock removal with plant furnished under contract were continued until the close of the working season of 1917. Approximately 30,281 cubic yards, scow measurement, of overburden, and 8,794 cubic yards of ledge rock were removed from the channel. About 1,000 cubic yards, scow measurement, of rock were blasted but not dredged. The woirk done during the year resulted in the completion of about 1,600 feet of channel to project dimensions except for a few unimportant shoals and the completion of an additional length of about 1,130 feet in the east half of the channel to one-half the project width and to the .project depth except for a few shoals where the blasted rock was not entirely removed. An additional strip 50 feet wide and about 270 feet long at the upper end of the east half of the channel was dredged to the full project depth. In the'w est half of the channel an area of about 58,000 square feet was stripped of overburdend', and an area of 28,000 square feet of ledge rock was drilled and blasted and partially dredged. No work was done during the season of 1918, as all efforts to obtain a favorable offer for carrying on the work failed. The amount expended was $61284.76 for new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is about 60 per cent completed. The channel has been completed to project dimensions for a distance of 3,100 feet except for a few shoals where blasted rock has not been removed, and a few pinnacles of unblasted rock in the west half of the channel. From this point to the upstream side of the city dock under construction, a distance of about 1;130 feet, the east ':half of the channel has been completed to project depth except for a few shoals where blasted rock has not been removed. From the city dock to the upper end of the improvement a 50-foot strip along the'east edge of the channel has Le n completed to project depth. A minimum depth of 10 feet at imean low water now cxis;t virtially over the entire eastern half of the channel, as far up as the city (ldock. The west half of the channel. above the section where the full project width has been made, has been partially stripped of over- burden and the rock has been partially drilled and blasted, but this portion of the channel is not in suitable condition for navigation. The work remaining to be done is the excavation of about 35,000 cubic yards, scow measurement, of overburden (sand, gravel, clay, and bowlders), 12,000 cubic yards, place measurement, of ledge rock, and 1,000 cubic yards, scow measurement, of blasted rock. The total amount expended was $286,058.09 for new work. Local cooperation.--The act of July 25, 1912, imposes the condition that the city of Trenton shall provide substantial terminal facilities commensurate with the probable needs of present and prospective commerce. To meet this condition the city of Trenton has taken steps looking to the acquisition of all water-front property abutting on the proposed channel and has prepared plans for a comprehensive scheme of municipal terminals. The conditions imposed have been met, and the Secretary of War gave his approval thereto on March 19, 1913. On May 6,1915, the city of Trenton comlnmenced the construction of a dock 205 feet wide, and extending inshore 438 feet from the existing pierhead line, at a point about 400 feet below the upiper limits of the improvement. This dock will be entirely surrounded by a timber and concrete bulkhead. A double-decked wharf 70 feet RIVERS AND HARBOR---PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 381 wide and covered with a shed will be constructed on the upper side of the dock. Passengers will be landed on the upper deck and freight on the lower deck. A part of the upper deck will be entirely inclosed and used for recreation purposes. It is estimated that the fock and wharf, complete, will cost between $90,000 and $100,000. The exca- vation for the dock is practically completed and the bulkhead is under construction. The city of Trenton has also constructed an open pile-timber wharf, 100 feet long, at the lower end of the water front. This wharf will be used ultimately for handling low-grade freight. The water front within the city limits of Trenton is 6,735 feet in length, of which the city owns 3,040 feet, and has entered condemnation proceedings for the acqusition of an additional 400 feet. A temporary landing wharf has been constructed by the city of Trenton at Lalor Street. A line of steamers plies between the two cities. Terminal facilities.--Except for one privately owned wharf, which is not open to public use, there are at present no terminal facilities within the limits of this improvement other than those described under the heading Local cooperation. Effect of improv ement.-The completion of the channel from Lalor Street to a point opposite the plant of the American Bridge Co. has enabled this company to engage extensively in the construc- tion of steel car floats and steel scows, which they were not able to launch in the original condition of the river. The work done above this point in the east half of the channel, which has been dredged to a minimum depth of 10 feet at mean low water as far upstream as the city dock, would enable any of the regular steamers which use the wharf at the lower end of the improvement to reach the city dock. Such use of the channels however, is not likely to be made until after the completion of the dock. Proposed operations.--Itis proposed to expend the available funds in continuing the work of dredging and rock excavation. Under existing conditions it is impracticable to state in detail how the work swill be done, nor at what rate of progress, as it is not known what facilities may be available, but it is expected that all dredging and rock removal will be completed before the end of the working season of 1919. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published a'ticles not previously reported.-None. Commercialstatistics.-Thereis no commerce in this section of the river other than that described under Effect of improvement. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $3,088.61:. New work----------------------------------------------$286, 058, 09 Maintenance . ---- Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------455, 612. 50 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1...... 510.69 $9, 807.25 397,960.05 1129,497.55 $61, 284.78 Expended for maintenance... _......................... Appropriated or allotted................... .. .. 6,612.50......... 135,000.00........ Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 382 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended _-- ---- $67, 750. 56 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918-- --- 13, 088. 61 80, 839. 17 June 30, 1'918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work 1 61, 284. 76 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------------- 19, 554.'41 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 _------_____ ------------------- 150, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919-------- --- 169,554. 41 2. DELAWARE RIVER, PA. AND N. J., PHILADEPHIA, PA., TO TRENTON, N. J. Location and description.-See page 379 of this report; also U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 296. Original condition.-The channel was obstructed by shoals carry- ing depths of 3 to 8 feet, and between Bordentown and Trenton it was narrow and circuitous. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 10, '1872, and was modified by the acts of March 3, 1875; June 14, 1880; July 5, 1884; and March 2, 1907. The total expenditures under these projects amounted to $197,623.25. For further, details of previous projects see page 1778 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide from Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, to Lalor Street, Trenton, a distance of about 30 miles, and includes the construction of dikes at Mud Island, Bordentown, and Biles Island. The mean range of the tide at Philadelphia is 5.3 feet and at Trenton 4.2 feet. The extreme range under ordinary conditions is from 0.3 to 0.5 feet greater. Freshets, which occur usually during the latter part of February or the early part of March, attain a height in the upper portion of the river of 9 to 15 feet above mean low water, with a velocity of about 6 miles per hour. Freshets which cause a rise from 5 to 9 feet occasionally occur at other seasons of the year. Navigation is usually suspended during the winter months on account of the formation of ice in the river. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1910 is $360,000, exclusive of amounts ex- pended on previous projects. The latest (1910) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $20.000: The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 702, 61st Cong., 2d sess.) map of this improvement is published in the Annual Report for 1914, page 1804. -A Operations and results during fiscal year.-Maintenance dredging was in progress during the latter part of the working season of 1917, both under contract and with Government plant. Although contract for dredging was in force at the beginning of the season, changes which had occurred during the winter in the condition of the channel made it advisable to postpone the work until after the usual summer shoaling. Dredging with Government plant, hired from Wilming- ton, Del., district, which was in progress from October 20, 1917, to the end of the season, resulted in the removal of approximately 79,980 cubic yards, scow measurement, of material. Under contract, ap- proximately 2,594 cubic yards, place measurement, were removed. As 1 Not dedi cting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS--PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 383 the contractor's plant was urgently needed for work at the Hog Island shipyard, the contract was terminated by mutual agreement, it being the intention to complete the work with the Government dredge. This dredge was not available, however, during the season of 1918, prior to the end of the fiscal year. The expenditures amounted to $13,252.23 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1913, with the exception of the dike at the upper end of Mud Island (about 9.5 miles above Allegheny Avenue), the construc- tion of which has been deferred, as its necessity has not yet been fully demonstrated. Maintenance dredging has aggregated approximately 122,600 cubic yards, but the complete removal of shoals was not ac- complished during any year. The controlling depth at the end of the year was about 10 feet. The total expenditure under the existing project was $310,963.17 for new work and $45,617.71 for maintenance, a total of $356,580.88. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.--There are 52 wharves on this section of the river. Five are owned by the city of Philadelphia and three by municipalities between Philadelphia and Trenton. Six of the mu- nicipally owned wharves are open to public use. Of the privately owned :wharves seven are open to general public use on payment of wharfage. The facilities in general are adequate for existing com- merce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has enabled shallow- draft seagoing vessels to receive and discharge cargoes at several large industrial plants located on this section of the river, and per- mits the regular lines of packet boats to run on schedule time be- tween Philadelphia and Trenton. There has been no appreciable effect on freight rates on commerce confined to this section of the river. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend about $25,000 of the funds available in making repairs to the Bordentown, Biles Island, and Kinkora Dikes by facing them with riprap to replace the original facing of gravel and cobbles which has been carried away by freshets, and it is proposed to expend the remainder in maintenance dredging during the working season of 1918 if Gov- ernment plant becomes available for the work. The repairs to the dikes will be undertaken as soon as the condition of the labor and material markets indicates that the work can be done at a reasonable cost. It is expected that the dredging which can be done with funds now available will place the channel in such condition that no main- tenance dredging will be required during the season of 1919; hence no estiihate of funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, is sub- mitted. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The season of navigation opened February 15 and closed December 31. During the year there were 5,048 ar- rivals and 7,577 departures. A total of 2,439,044 short tons, valued at $19,550,146, consisting chiefly of coal, coke, fertilizer, lumber, sand, and general merchandise, were carried in these vessels. The traffic 384 .REPORT OF .:CHEF OF: ENS~tERS, U. S. °ARMY, '1918. is principally confined within the limits of the river between Phila- delphia, Pa., and Trenton, N. J., a distance of about 30 miles. Dur- ing the year 366.313 short tons of coal were transported in canal boats via the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co.'s canal, which enters the river at Bristol, from the Pennsylvania coal fields. There is one regular line of steamboats in operation between Philadelphia and Trenton. The fleet consists of two small packets and two fair- sized river steamboats. Freight service is maintained throughout the entire season and a passenger service for about six months of the year. All the traffic on the river above Burlington, N. J., is carried in vessels varying in draft from 6, to 11 feet, and therefore require the full project depth of 12 feet for their accommodation. The channel as far as Burlington, N. J.. is of sufficient depth for the present requirements of commerce. The amount and value of the commerce carried during the past five calendar years is as follows: Comparative statement. Year. Short tons. Values assengers Year. Short tons. Values. Passeoners carried. carried. 1913... ..... 1,869,521 $8,914,441 147, 263 1916.........2,304,364 $20,701,880 210,000 1914.... ..... 1,712,271 11,254,950 155,263 1917......... 2,439,044 19,550,146 220,000 1915.......... i1,782,422 16,196, 779 167,500 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $589.03: New work___ $508, 586. 42 Maintenance_ --------------- 45, 617. 71 Net total expende(ld 1554. 204. 13 Total appropriations to dlate of this report --- ------- 612, 623. 25 year ending 'June 30. "Fiscal 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ...................... .............. . Expended for maintenance 2............ $4, 997.89 $20,505.35 $5, 690.59 $1,744.64 $13,252.23 .. Appropriated or allotted .... ... 25,00000.... 40,000.00 25,000.00 000 00... 40........ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------------------------------- $31, 098. 36 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917--------------------------------------------------------40, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918--------------------- 572. 99 71j 671. 35 June 30, 1918, amount expended (duringfiscal year for maintenance l 13, 252. 23 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended - --- 58, 419. 12 July 1, 1918, putstanding liabilities_ 64. 96 July 1, 1918, balance available. ... 58, 354. 16 x Inclusive of $124,500 appropriated for the improvement of the Delaware River from Trenton to its mouth prior to adoption of the existing project. 2 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 385 3. DELAWARE RIVER, PA., N. J., AND DEL., PHILADELPHIA, PA., TO THE SEA. Location and description.-See p. 379; also U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey charts Nos. 1218, 294, and 295. Original condition.-The river was obstructed by shoals and bars carrying a minimum usable depth of 17 feet in the upper part of Phil- adelphia Harbor, 17 feet over Mifflin Bar, 18 feet over Schooner Ledge, 18 feet over Cherry Island Flats, 24 feet over Pennsville Shoals, 20 feet at Bulkhead Bar, and 21 feet at Dan Baker Shoal, with a channel width var.ying from about 175 to 600 feet. The actual and natural head of navigation for steamers and other craft is at Trenton, N. J., about 30 miles above Philadelphia, and about 85 miles above the mouth of the river. The river is navigable, however, for rafting and logging for about 214 miles above Trenton, or to a point within about 16 miles of the source of its most important fork. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted July 4, 1836, and was modified by the river and harbor acts of March 3, 1873, March 3, 1875; June 18, 1878; March 3, 1879; July 5, 1884; August 11, 1888; and March 3, 1899. The total amount expended under all previous projects was $12,976,057.61 for new work and $1,025,409.02 for maintenance. A total of $14,001,466.63.' For further details of previous projects, see page 1779 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel from deep water in Delaware Bay at a point about 8 miles below the mouth of the river, to Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, a distance of about 63 miles, having a depth of 35 feet at mean low water, and a width of 800 feet in the straight parts, 1,200 feet at Bulkhead Bar Shoals, 1,000 feet at the other bends, and 1,000 feet in Philadelphia Harbor. The project includes the construction of dikes for the better regulation and con- trol of the tidal flow. The mean range of tide at various points on the river and bay is as follows: Philadelphia, Pa., 5.3 feet; Chester, Pa., 5.8 feet; New Castle, Del., 6.0 feet; Liston Point, Del., 5.9 feet; and Lewes, Del., 4.4 feet. Under the influence of heavy and long continued winds, the range of tide occasionally varies from about 3 feet below to about 10 feet above mean low water. Observations which have been in progress by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey for a num- ber of years at Philadelphia, Pa., indicate that there has been a de- crease in the mean tidal range of about 0.7 feet and an increase in the elevation of the mean low-water level of about 0.8 foot, as compared with the range and elevation observed at the same locality in 1878 and earlier. This change is believed to be due, partly or wholly, to the introduction of regulating works in the river. Recent observations made by this office at Marcus Hook, New Castle, Fort DuPont, and Smyrna River indicate a similar change at these localities, but the observations have not been in progress sufficiently long to afford reliable figures. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $10,920,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1910) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $300,000. 'Exclusive of $124,500 expended on that part of the Delaware River between Philadel- phia and Trenton prior to adoption of existing project, and included in total expenditures reported for Delaware River, Pa. and N. J., Philadelphia, Pa., to Trenton, N. J. 81116-ENG 1918- 25 386 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. The existing project was adopted by the river- and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 733, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest pub- lished map may be found in the Annual Report for 1913, page 1746. Operations and results during fiscal year.-New work was in prog- ress under contracts for dredging, rock excavation, and dike con- struction. Under the one contract in force for dredging, 1,235,401 cubic yards of material were removed, resulting in the completion of one section of channel to project dimensions for a length of about 2.4 miles, and the partial completion of two other sections. Work was in progress under two contracts for rock excavation, one of which was made under continuing-contract authorization. The work done under these contracts was confined to drilling and blasting, no dredg- ing being done except experimentally. Approximately 31,339 tons of stone were placed under contract for dike work, resulting in the construction of about 2,700 linear feet of the Reedy Island dike extension, completing the dike to about two-thirds of its projected length. Maintenance dredging with Government plant was in progress, and approximately 7,650,018 cubic yards of material were removed, a depth of 30 feet at mean low water being maintained over the entire length of the channel for the greater part of the year. Dur- ing the winter season the plant was laid up for the annual overhaul and repair. The dredges were also idle at other times, due to diffi- culty in obtaining coal at the beginning of the year and later to dif- ficulty in keeping the dredges fully manned. At Artificial Island, where material from maintenance dredging is deposited, work was in progress, with Government plant and hired labor, on the construction of earth banks to increase the capac- ity of one of the three basins, approximately 5,900 linear feet of bank being built during the year. Under contracts for furnishing and placing riprap to close a gap in the bulkhead of the middle basin and as reinforcement for the timber bulkhead each side of the gap, approximately 27,523 tons of stone were placed. Under contract an artesian well was driven on Artificial Island to supply water for plant operated there. At the reservation at Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia, the construction of a storehouse under contract was completed, and work was in progress under contract for installing partitions and heating system in the storehouse, for driving an artesian well, and for repairs to the wharf damaged by a steamer on October 30, 1916. Four steel barges and one wooden pontoon were delivered under contracts, and work was in progress under contract for furnishing 12 other wooden pontoons. Contracts were made for furnishing one new boiler for the U. S. tug Camden and four for the U. S. dredge Manhattan. Government plant and hired labor were employed in fitting up derrick boat No. 13, pile driver No. 14, and in making alter- ations to drill boat No. 8. Much of the annual overhaul and repair of the active floating plant was done by the crews of the vessels, the remainder being done at local shipyards. Government plant and hired labor were also employed during the year in making repairs to the timber bulkhead at Artificial Island, to the river bank at Fort Miffin, and to other Government works, removing small wrecks from the river and in miscellaneous main- tenance work. RIVERS AND HfARBORS---PHILADELPHIIA, PA., DISTRICT. 887 Expenditures during the year were as follows: Items. New work. Main- Total. Original dredging, under contract,............................ Stone dike construction, under contract.............................. $234,683.76 ............. $234,683.76 43, 675.85 ............ 43,675.85 Construction of storehouse at Fort Mifflin, under contract...................... $24, 075.37 24,075.37 Alterations and additions to storehouse at Fort Mifflin .................... 442.34 442.34 Construction of 4 steel barges under contract............... .............. 44, 000.00 44, 000.00 Repairs to wharf at Fort Mifflin, under contract ................. ............ 12, 548.30 12, 548. 30 Construction of 5 wooden pontoons, under contracts............................ 3920.25 3, 920.25 Driving artesian well on Artificial Island, Delaware River, under contract................... r........... .................................. ,432.10 4,432.10 Riprapping at Artificial Island, under contract .................... ............ 30,207.45 30,207.45 Pipe line for artesian well ............................................. 1261.38 1i,261.38 Pump shed for artesian well ............................. ............. 139.64 139.64 Alterations and additions to 4 steel scows ............................. 204. 75 204. 75 Reconstruction and fitting up drill boat No. 8......................... 11,745.75 11,745.75 Fitting up derrick scow No. 13.......................................... 746.82 746. 82 Fitting up pile-driver scow No. 14 n.................................... 824.41 824.41 Fitting up banking machine, including traveling excavator................. 8, 914.36 8,914.36 Temporary shelter for men employed on banking machine................... 155.95 155 .95 Operation of banking machine on embankments at Artificial Island.............. 2,118.24 2,118.24 Railroad track on Artificial Island used by banking machine............... .... 586.74 586.74 Surveys and incidentals ............... .................. 10, 078.41 24,134.34 34, 212.75 Operation of floating plant used in connection with new work.... 1,812.74 ............ ,812. 74 Maintenance dredging with Government plant, including repairs to plant .......... ........................ .............. .............. 313,728.20 313,728.20 Engineering and contingencies, superintendence and inspection, office expenses and incidentals .................................... 25, 207.01 82,121.49 107, 328.50 Care of property ................... . ................. ............... 2,516.48 2,516.48 Total........................................................................... 315, 457. 77 568,824. 36 884, 282. 13 Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was about 50 per cent completed. The total quantity of material dredged was approximately 31,354,000 cubic yards. The total length of channel completed to project dimensions, including the portions where a natural depth of 35 feet or more at low water exists over the full width of the channel, was approximately 34 miles. The completed channel is continuous from Greenwich Point, at the lower end of Philadelphia Harbor, to a point opposite Delaware City, Del., a distance of about 35.8 miles, except for two small areas of ledge rock in the western half of the channel, which are in process of re- moval, one gap of 3 miles opposite Wilmington, Del., where dredg- ing has been postponed pending the completion of the Edgemoor Bulkhead extension, and a length of about one-half mile opposite Chester Island, where the western half of the channel has not been completed to the full width. At the lower end of Philadelphia Harbor, between Greenwich Point and Wolf Street, Philadelphia, a length of 1.5 miles was completed to project depth for a width of 500 feet. A length of 2,000 feet, opposite the Port Richmond coal piers at the upper end of Philadelphia Harbor, was completed to project dimensions. The remainder of the completed channel is in several isolated sections of various lengths. The controlling depth at the end of the year was 30 feet at mean low water. About 50 per cent of the dike work contemplated was completed. The total quantity of stone placed in the dikes was approximately 691,144 tons. The dikes at Chester Island. Old Man Point, and the lower end of Artificial Island, having a total length of 8,460 feet, were completed. The topping off of the old Reedy Island Dike, 6,528 feet long, was completed. The extension of this dike downstream was completed for a length of about 5,850 feet, and it is probable that no further ex- tension will be necessary. The dike at Mifflin Bar had been extended 388 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. downstream to a point about 2.439 feet below the former terminus of the dike, and a further extension of about 2,900 feet, to form one side of an impounding basil, .was in progress by the American International Shipbuilding Corporation under permit for dredging in connection with the construction of the Hog Island shipyard. It is believed that no further extension will be needed to fulfill its purpose as a regulating work. Some preliminary work on the ex- tension of Edgemoor Bulkhead had been done, approximately 394,796 cubic yards of heavy dredged material having been deposited at this locality as reinforcement for the old timber bulkhead and to form a bank in extension of the same. About 20 per cent of the areas of ledge rock to be excavated had been covered by drilling and blasting operations. The work re- maining to be done to complete the project is approximately 32,000,- 000 cubic yards of dredging, 100,000 cubic yards of rock excavation, the completion of the extension of Edgemoor Bulkhead, and the con- struction of dikes at Round Island and at the upper end of Artificial Island. The total amount expended under the existing project was $5,092,114.05 for new work and $2,860,781.27 for maintenance, atotal of $7,952,895.32. Local cooperation.-None required by law. In connection with previous projects for 26-foot and 30-foot channels, approximately 8,115,000 cubic yards of dredged material and 27,000 cubic yards of ledge rock were removed from the channel at a total cost of about $1,552,000, with funds appropriated by the State of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia. Terminal facilities.-A comprehensive plan has been inaugurated by the city of Philadelphia for enlarging and improving the terminal facilities of that port, with a view to relieving the freight congestion which has existed on the Atlantic seaboard for a number of years. At the present time the city owns 22 piers in the Delaware River, 12 of which are open to public use. Among these are 4 modern steel and concrete piers, 551 to 582 feet long, equipped with freight- handling facilities. Two piers are under construction and sites have, been acquired for 3 others. One of the piers under construction, which is 900 feet long, will form part of a group of 10 similar piers, capable of handling approximately 4,000,000 tons of freight per annum. There are approximately 150 privately owned piers along the Philadelphia water front, 45 of which are open to public use. The Navy Department has 10 piers at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The terminal facilities of the port of Philadelphia are more than ample for existing commerce and, with the additional facilities under construction or contemplated, will provide for a great increase in the amount which can be handled in this port. The city of Camden owns 2 piers, both open to the public. There are also on that city water front approximately 50 privately owned piers, 7 of which are open to public use. Between Philadelphia and the lower end of the improvement there are 9 piers owned by the United States, 2 of which are open to the public, 1 pier owned by the State of Pennsylvania and used by the State quarantine service, and 5 piers owned by municipalities, 4 of which are open to the public. There are in addition approximately 60 privately owned piers, 14 of which are open to public use. The existing piers have been adequate RIVERS AND HARBORS-PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 389 for the commerce in this portion of the river, and additional piers are under construction or in contemplation to serve the needs of the new and growing industries located along the river banks. Effect of improvement.-The work of improvement thus far com- pleted has greatly facilitated the movements of deep-draft vessels. Ships drawing up to 32 feet navigated the channel without difficulty during the year. The improvement of the river has enabled coast- wise vessels to greatly relieve the congestion of railway traffic, and it is fair to assume that the economic value of the improvement to com- merce has been very great. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend the available funds in continuing the improvement by dredging and rock excavation, in necessary work of maintenance with Government plant, including the construction of minor works in connection with maintenance oper- ations. Owing to the inability to secure advantageous contracts, the balance remaining on hand is larger than was anticipated. It is estimated that the sum of $500,000 in addition to funds now available can be profitably expended during the fiscal year 1920 in continuing the required maintenance and new work under the existing project. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The season of navigation in this section is open throughout the entire year. During the year there were 1,049 arrivals and 1,012 departures of vessels engaged in the foreign trade; 2,855 arrivals and 2,624 departures of vessels engaged coastwise and 47,302 arrivals and 51,202 departures of vessels engaged in local and canal traffic, making a total of 51,206 arrivals and 54,838 departures. The total amount of commerce received and shipped from the port during the calendar year was 26,282,734 short tons, valued at $1,926,- 415,739. Of this quantity 7,542,173 short tons, which includes all the foreign traffic and that portion of the coastwise traffic engaged trans- porting crude oil from the Texas oil fields, lumber from the South, and sugar from the Hawaiian Islands via the Panama Canal, was carried in cargo steamers, oil tankers, oil barges, and sailing ships, varying in draft from 27 to 30 feet; in the coastwise trade 4,707,829 short tons was carried in steamships, sailing craft, and barges, vary- ing in draft from 18 to 26 feet; local traffic confined to the river and bay amounting to 12,432,852 short tons was carried on steamboats, sailing vessels, canal boats, barges, and lighters, varying in draft from 8 to 18 feet, and 1,600,000 short tons was carried through the canals from and to the river in steamboats, sailing vessels, and canal boats. The value of the foreign exports totaled $501,234,169, which estab- lishes the highest record for the port by $180,179,254. The total value of the imports was $102,245,870, showing a decrease of $9,169,918 over the previous calendar year of 1916. This decrease in the value of imports is not due to any permanent falling off in the volume of this trade, but is attributed to the abnormal conditions prevailing throughout the year on account of the European war, which necessi- tated restrictions on certain classes of commodities, and the with- drawal of a considerable amount of tonnage engaged in this trade for more urgent use in transporting troops and supplies to Europe. The revenue collected amounted to $14,377,522. 390 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. To provide safe navigation for vessels drawing 27 feet and up- wards, allowing for the squat of the vessels when under headway and provide against extraordinary low tides, the full project channel depth in the river is considered necessary. The present 30-foot channel is adequate for vessels drawing less than 27 feet. An important asset to the port was the establishment during the year of seven large shipbuilding plants on the river, the principal among them being the plant at Hog Island, which is being constructed under the direction of the Emergency Fleet Corporation, and the expansion of many of the old-established plants, by additional ship- ways and increased modern facilities in their shipyards for the rapid construction of ships, making Philadelphia the largest shipbuilding port in the United States, if not in the world. The tabular statement following shows freight movements and values, passengers carried, and revenue collected during the past five calendar years: Comparative statement. Short tons. Value. Passengers Revenue' Calendar year. carried. collected. 1913................ .............................. 26,569,352 $1,229,454,962 3,159,644 $19,340,300 1914... ..................................... 24, 817, 952 1,033, 229, 869 3,039, 083 14,839,660 1915.................. .. ........................... 26,189,790 1,116,529,839 2,588,892 11,683,331 1916...................... . ........ ........... ... 28, 974,016 1,525; 614,807 2, 850, 090 15, 932, 340 1917 .......................................... .... 28, 721, 778 1,945,965, 885 1,527 000 14, 377,522 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $48,608.07: New work_--__-______-- -____- -_______-- 1 $18, 068,171. 66 Maintenance __ -__ _-__-_- - - - -______ 3, 886, 190. 29 Net total expended _______________ __________ 121, 954, 361. 95 Total appropriations to date of this report-- ----- ___- -__-- 26, 460, 092. 20 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 2............ . . . . .. . 1,152, 790.37 $975, 857.90 $656,709.58 $609,467.75 $315,457.77 Expended for maintenance 2 ... 531, 496. 49 302,181.99 441, 497. 55 319, 567.68 568,824. 36 Total expended 2.............. 1,684,286. 86 1,278, 039.89 1,098, 207.13 929, 035.43 884, 282.13 Appropriated or allotted......................... .......... 2 000 000. 00 2,000,000..... 2,239, 500. 00 1,870,218.74 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended- -- -__-- __ $2, 266,281. 41 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 , 870, 000. 00 1-------------------------------------- Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Mar. 4, 1915 ---------------------------------------------------- 218. 74 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_ _ - -___ ---- 4, 012. 23 4, 140, 512. 38 1 Exclusive of $124,500 expended bn that part of the Delaware River between Phila- delphia and Trenton, N. J., prior to adoption of existing project and included in total appropriations for Delaware River, Pa. and N. J., Philadelphia, Pa., to Trenton, N. J. (H. Doc. No. 1491, 63d Cong., 3d sess., p. 442.) s Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 391 Deduction on account of funds withdrawn and allotted to Wil- mington, Del., district _ _------------------------------ $500. 00 4, 140, 012. 38 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work______________------------------------ $315,457. 77 For maintenance _------------------------- 568, 824. 36 884, 282. 13 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_____________--______-----_ 3, 255, 730. 25 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities--------------- $46, 350. 50 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted con- tracts ---------------------------------- 1, 543, 256. 05 1, 589, 606. 55 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $450,000 available only for maintenance --------------------------------- 1, 666, 123. 70 Amount appropriated by sundry civil act approved July 1, 1918_ 150, 000. 00 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918------------------------------------------- 1, 100,000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 ________ 2, 916, 123. 70 Amount unappropriated under continuing-contract authoriza- tion, act of July 27, 1916 _____________________-- -__ ___ 300, 000. 00 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for comple- tion of existing project .. __ -- __-- ___________________ 1, 772, 000. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work and for maintenance------------ 500, 000. 00 4. SCHUYLKILL RIVER, PA. Location and description.-The Schuylkill River has its sources in Schuylkill County, Pa., flows in a general southeasterly direction, and empties into the Delaware River at Philadelphia, Pa. Its total length is about 130 miles. The distance from Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, to the mouth of the Schuylkill River, measured along the Delaware River channel, is about 11 miles, and the distance from the mouth of Schuylkill River to the mouth of Delaware River, at Liston Point, Del., is about 44 miles. The drainage area of the Schuylkill River is about 1,920 square miles and its discharge varies from about 1,200 to 7,000 second-feet. Tidewater extends to Fair- mount Dam, about 8.6 miles above the mouth. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 295. Original condition.-The ruling depth of the section under im- provement was about 16 feet at mean low water, except at the mouth, which was obstructed by a bar having a depth of about 10 feet. The head of navigation was approximately at the site of Fairmount Dam, which is the present head of navigation. The river above this point was canalized by private interests and made navigable for canal boats as far as Port Clinton, 98 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.-The improvement of this section of the river was begun under project adopted July 11, 1870, providing for a channel 100 feet wide and 20 feet deep at mean low water from the mouth to Gibsons Point, thence 18 feet deep to Chestnut Street Bridge. This project was modified in 1875 to provide a channel 24 feet deep and 300 feet wide between the mouth and Girard Point. A further modification of the project in 1883 provided for increasing 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. SExclusive of available funds. 392 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the width of the 24-foot channel between the mouth and Girard Point to 400 feet and for increasing the width of the 20-foot channel from Girard Point to Gibsons Point to 250 feet, except at Yankee Point, where a width of 300 feet was provided. A modification of the project approved April 26, 1892, provided for the construction of earthen and pile dikes at the mouth of the river. The total amount expended on previous projects between 1870 and 1901 was $525,000. No work has been done by the Federal Government since the latter date. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 35 feet deep at mean low water and 400 feet wide from Delaware River Channel to Girard Point, thence 30 feet deep and 400 feet wide to Twenty-ninth Street, thence 30 feet deep and 300 feet wide to Passyunk Avenue Bridge, thence 26 feet deep and 200 feet wide to Gibsons Point, and thence 22 feet deep and 200 feet wide to Cleveland Avenue, suitably widened at bends; provided that no depth in excess of 30 feet at mean low water shall be provided or maintained in the lower section of the river, from the mouth to Girard Point, until such greater depth has been secured in the main Delaware River Channel from Philadelphia to the sea. The length of the section included in the project is about 6.5 miles, the lower end being at the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide at Penrose Ferry Bridge is 5.1 feet. The mean range of tide at Chestnut Street is 5.2 feet. Freshets occur several times during each year and in connection with heavy and long-continued winds raise the water surface sometimes as much as 12 feet above mean low tide. The currents produced by tides and freshets oc- casionally attain a velocity of 6 miles per hour; the normal maximum velocity being about 2 miles per hour. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1916 is $1,649,173, exclusive of amounts expended on previous projects. The latest approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $45,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, in accordance with the report published (with maps) in House Document No. 1270, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-A contract for dredg- ing was entered into, but no channel excavation was done, the delay in commencing work being due to the slowness of the city of Phila- delphia to meet the condition as to local cooperation imposed by the project. At the end of the year the preparation by the contractor of a basin for the reception of dredged material was in progress. The expenditure was $1,549.90 for new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-Considerable shoaling had oc- curred since the date of adoption of the project. Controlling depths at mean low water at the end of the year were about as follows:' Across the bar at the mouth, 23.9 feet. From the bar to Girard Point, 24.1 feet. From Girard Point to Penrose Ferry Bridge, 25 feet. From Penrose Ferry Bridge to Passyunk Avenue Bridge, 22.3 feet. 1 These depths are referred to present mean low water, as determined from the records of an automatic tide gauge in operation at Penrose Ferry Bridge during the entire year 1916. The soundings and elevations shown on the maps accompanying the project document (H. Doc. No. 1270, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) are referred to the mean low water datum established in the Delaware River at Marcus Hook about 1879, which is approxi- mately 1 foot below present mean low water at Penrose Ferry Bridge. RIVERS AND HARBORS-PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 393 No examination of the channel above Passyunk Avenue Bridge has been made by this department since the survey on which the ex- isting project was based, at which time the controlling depth be- tween Passyunk Avenue and Cleveland Avenue was about 18 feet at mean low water. The total amount expended under the existing project, all for surveys, preparation of plans and specifications, office expenses, and incidentals in connection with new work, was $1,549.90. Local cooperation:-The existing project imposes the condition that the city of Philadelphia or the -Stafe of Pennsylvania shall maintain the improved channel until the city's projected sewage- treatment works shall have been completed and placed in operation. This condition has been met to the extent that a resolution, pledging the city of Philadelphia to maintain any improved channel provided by the United States was passed by the city council and approved by the mayor on February 26, 1918. A draft of the proposed resolu- tion was previously submitted to the Chief of Engineers and was approved by him on January 10, 1918. Between 1895 and 1899 the city was engaged in improving the channel under authority of War Department permits, and since 1901, when work was discontinued by the United States on account of exhaustion of funds, the entire work of deepening and maintaining the channel has been done by the city. Between 1895 and June 30, 1917, the city had removed approximately 3,066,000 cubic yards of material, including a small quantity of ledge rock, from the channel at a cost of about $915,000. The city has also adopted a project for bulkheading the entire unimproved frontage of the river below Fairmount Dam, a total length, measured on both sides of the river, of about 10.5 miles, at an originally estimated cost of $750,000. This work is approximately 17 per cent completed. Terminal facilities.-The only terminal of a public character is located at Girard Point, about three-fourths of a mile above the mouth of the river. The facilities include, besides general ware- houses, two grain elevators with capacities of 370,000 bushels and 1,080,000 bushels, respectively. There are four timber and concrete piers with slips having 25 to 30 feet depth and 450 to 900 feet length, capable of accommodating 10 large vessels simultaneously. The wharves are provided with cargo handling apparatus. This termi- nal is owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. and is connected with its tracks. The Pennsylvania, the Baltimore & Ohio, and the Phila- delphia & Reading Railroads have spur tracks running into a num- ber of the industrial plants along the river. There are about 20 of these, provided with wharves or bulkheads. The terminal facilif ties are adequate for present commerce. Effect of improvement.-Work under the existing project has not been commenced. Improvement of this section of the river under previous projects has resulted in the development of a number of important commercial and industrial establishments along its banks. It is expected that the increased depth and width of the channel pro- vided for in the existing project will greatly facilitate the loading and unloading of vessels which are now able to carry only partial cargoes in the Schuylkill River, the remainder of the cargo being loaded or unloaded by means of lighters while the vessels remain in the deeper water of the Delaware River. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend the funds avail- able in dredging, including the necessary engineering and incidental 394 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. expenses. It is expected that all the work which can be done with these funds will be completed by the end of the working season of 1919. It is estimated that the sum of $400,000 can be profitably expended during the fiscal year 1920, in continuing the improvement by dredg- ing. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Navigationwas open throughout the entire year. The river is the main tributary of the Delaware River and runs practically parallel with that river through the city of Philadelphia, dividing the city about in half, east and west. Owing to its favorable location the Schuylkill River is an important adjunct to the commer- cial importance of the port of Philadelphia. The heaviest traffic of the river is confined to that section between the mouth and Gibsons Point, a distance of about 4.2 miles. In this section are located an im- portant terminal, with two large grain elevators at Girard Point and two oil refineries at Point Breeze and Gibsons Point, respectively. During the year 644 foreign, 283 coastwise, and 4,185 local vessels arrived and departed from the port. The total freight movement was 4,827,092 short tons, valued at $161,097,795. Of this quantity about 63 per cent was carried in deep-draft vessels varying in draft from 26 to 29 feet, about 3 per cent in vessels of a draft from 18 to 25 feet, and about 34 per cent was carried in vessels of a draft less than 18 feet. The foreign traffic consists principally of clay, kryolite, grain, mag- nesite, ores, petroleum, and general merchandise, and crude oil is the principal commodity in the coastwise trade. From the character of this commerce, which is heavy and bulky, deep-draft vessels are required for its economical transportation; therefore the full project channel depth. No previous statistics have been compiled for this improvement, and therefore no comparative statement can be submitted. Financialsumm a ry. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ..----------------- $526, 549. 90 Maintenance ---------------- ---- Total appropriations to date of this report____________________ 1, 125, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... 1,54.....9.90 Expended for maintenance .............. ....... ............. ...................... Appropriated or allotted ................. . .. ...... .... ..... ........ 300,000.00 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917 -------------------------------------------- $300, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work 1, 549. 90 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended__----------------------- 298, 450. 10 RIVERS AND HARBORS-PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 395 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities__ ________---___ $506. 89 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted con- tracts ------------------ 270, 000. 00 $270, 506. 89 July 1, 1918, balance available__________________________ 27,'943. 21 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 ---------------------------------- _---- -300, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 __ _____327, 943. 21 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project________________________ _ 1, 049, 173. 00 _1-___-- Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work_____________________________ 1400, 000.00 5. ICE HARBOR AT MARCUS HOOK, PA. Location and description.-This harbor is situate in the Delaware River, at the town of Marcus Hook, Pa. It is about 20 miles down- stream from Philadelphia, Pa., about 35 miles from the head of Delaware Bay, into which the Delaware River empties, and about 81 miles from the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Henlopen, Del. The harbor is about 1,500 feet long by 290 feet wide, and embraces an area of about 10 acres. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 295. Original condition.-In its original condition the Delaware River at this locality afforded no shelter whatever to vessels from the dangers occasioned by floating ice. Previous projects.-The acts of March 2, 1829, and June 23, 1866, each appropriated the sum of $5,000 for repairs to the old piers, wharves, and landings. The amount appropriated ($10,000) was ex- pended for the purpose intended. Existing project.--The existing project was adopted March 2, 1867, and was based upon a plan for the construction of four detached ice piers to provide an anchorage ground and to protect shipping against moving ice. In 1880 the project was enlarged to include the con- struction of two additional ice piers, and again modified in 1881 to include another ice pier. The project was modified further in 1888 to provide for dredging within the harbor limits to depths of 24, 18, and 12 feet, at mean low water, and for repairing the wharves and ice piers. The acts of Congress appropriating funds for Marcus Hook Ice Harbor do not indicate clearly that any definite plan of improvement is to be followed. The general plan or project for im- provement appears to have developed with the demands of commerce for safe anchorage grounds at this locality. The mean tidal range is about 6 feet. For latest published map of locality, see Annual Report for 1902, opposite page 1046. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Owing to the fact that the repairs contemplated to the piers are neither an urgent military or commercial necessity, no work was undertaken during the year. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1889 at a cost of $198,963.64. Since 1889 the ice piers and wharves have been repaired at various periods at a cost of $10,636.36, making a total expenditure of $209,600 since the expenditures on previous projects. The detached ice piers are in need of minor re- pairs which will be made with funds in hand. 1 Exclusive of available funds. 396 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMIY, 1918. Local cooperation.-In 1785 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania built two wharves upon crib piers extending from the shore line into the river. These piers were ceded to the United States in 1789, to- gether with other aids to navigation located in, the Delaware River. Terrinal facilities.-There are two Government piers in the har- bor,, one of which is open to the public, under regulations prescribed April 29, 1904, and is used as a place of landing by a line of steamers plying between Philadelphia, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., and occa- sionally by other vessels. There are no railroad connections with the piers. Effect of improvement.-The improvement provides an ice harbor of about 10 acres, and provides a satisfactory shelter for all classes of vessels whose draft is not too great to, enter it. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend available funds in repairing the ice piers by resetting displaced stones and mooring posts and replacing the broken iron ladders on the piers. It is expected that the funds in hand will be sufficient to complete all repairs now necessary and that no funds will be required during the fiscal year 1920. Recomrmended modiftcations of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Seasonof navigation open throughout the year. One steamboat makes two stops each week day at the Govern- ment landing pier to collect and discharge freight. The boat does not carry passengers. The inbound freight amounts to about 5,000 short tons, valued at $1,000,000; outbound, 7,000 short tons, valued at $1,575,000. The commodities consist of canned goods, groceries, produce, general merchandise, silk, and building material. The present depth of channel leading to the landing pier is about 12 feet, which is adequate for present commercial requirements. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------ $208, 963. 64 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 10, 636.36 Net total expended ---------------------------------- 219, 600. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------ 220,600. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended fornew work..............................-............. -.- .. Expended formaintenance ........................ ..... .... ........ ................... Appropriated or allotted........................ ........................... $1,000.00 ... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------------------------- $1,000. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-----------------------------1, 000. 00 6. CONSTRUCTING PIER IN DELAWARE BAY, NEAR LEWES, DEL. Location and description.-The pier is on the Delaware shore, above Cape Henlopen, in the town of Lewes, Del., about 101 miles by water below Philadelphia. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1218. RIVERS AND HARBORS---PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 397 Original condition.-There were no facilities available at the mouth of Delaware Bay for the interchange of rail and water borne commerce nor means of communication with the shore by vessels seeking shelter or harbor in that locality. Previous projects.-The sum of $60,000, appropriated by the act of March 3, 1837, was expended in the construction of a wooden-pile landing pier 1,200 feet long by 20 feet wide, and terminating in a depth of 8 feet at mean low water. This pier endured until about 1850. Existing project.-The river and harbor act of July 15, 1870, adopted a project and appropriated $225,000 for the construction of "a good and substantial pier of stone or iron in the Delaware Bay, at or near Lewes, in Sussex County, in the State of Delaware," for the benefit of commerce that was expected to develop at this locality, but which has failed to materialize. Work was commenced in 1872, and the pier was completed June 30, 1882. The pier consists of a wrought-iron screw-pile substructure and a yellow-pine superstruc- ture. The total length of the pier from its stone abutment to its outer end is 1,701 feet. For a distance of 1,125 feet from the abutment the pier has a width of 21 feet, and thence to its outer end, a distance of 546 feet, its width is 42 feet. There is a fender system of creo- soted piles, etc., entirely around the pier. The mean tidal range is 4.4 feet. The repair and rehabilitation of the pier at an estimated cost of $78,000, in accordance with the reexamination report printed in House Document No. 1059, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session, was authorized by the river and harbor act of July 27, 1916. The same act provides that hereafter the pier shall be open to public use under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of War, and also repeals the provision of the act of March 3, 1891, authorizing the transfer of the pier to the Treasury Department. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No work was done, the available funds being insufficient to make repairs in accordance with the approved plans, due to the enormous increase in prices of labor and materials since the original estimate was made. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The pier is rapidly falling into decay and is in need of extensive repairs, as set forth in the reexami- nation report. The total expenditure on the existing project to the end of the fiscal year was $353,546.41 for new work and $34,642.99 for maintenance, a total of $388,189.40. Local cooperation.--In January, 1871, the State of Delaware ceded title to the United States to a tract of land having a front of 500 feet and a depth of 1,000 feet (about 11.5 acres) for the erection thereon of the shore end of the pier. Terminal facilitiea.-Thereis no railroad connection with the pier. Effect of improvemiet.-The pier has never been used to any ex- tent for the interchange of commerce. It has been used occasionally as a landing place for vessels reporting at Lewes. The United States Lighthouse Establishment uses the pier as a place for the storage of buoys, the United States Life-Saving Service has a boathouse at a point about midway of the pier, and the United States Quarantine Service uses it occasionally for landing passengers The pier was used extensively by the Navy Department during the present fiscal 398 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. year in connection with operations of the naval base at Lewes, Del., principally as a mooring for submarine patrol boats. Supplies for naval vessels passed over the pier in small quantities. The pier was also used to some extent by the Engineer Department during the con- struction of the harbot of refuge in Delaware Bay from 1897 to 1901, but has not been used by this department to any extent since that time. Proposed operation.-The available funds are not sufficient to make repairs in accordance with the reexamination report. It is pro- posed to postpone this work until more normal times, unless it should be found that the repair of the pier is necessary to the prosecution of the war, in which event additional funds will be required. Recommended modifations of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The pier was not used for commercial pur- poses during the year. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work__________ New wor------ __-------- ----------------------------------- $413, 546.41 $1,564 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 34, 642. 99 Net total expended ---------------------------------- 448, 189, 40 Total appropriations to date of this report 526, 189. 40 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................. ....................................... Expended for maintenance................_............................ Appropriated or allotted .................... ...... ~................. 10,000.00 868, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended--------------------------- $78, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--------------------------- -- 78, 000. 00 7. HARBOR OF REFUGE, DELAWARE BAY, DEL. Location and description.-This harbor is at the lower end 'of Delaware Bay, a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean, on the Delaware side of the bay. It is about 120 miles from New York Harbor, about 114 miles from the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, and about 101 miles from Philadelphia, Pa. The harbor is formed by a stone breakwater having a top length of 7,950 feet, with 15 detached ice piers at the northerly end of the breakwater to break up ice floating down the bay. The breakwater and ice piers have an elevation of 14 feet above mean low water. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1218. Original condition.-The locality was of little service as a harbor of refuge, because the only shelter to vessels anchoring there was given by the mainland of Cape Henlopen, Del. The holding ground was good and the depth was suitable for anchorage of all classes of vessels, but it was exposed to easterly and northwesterly storms. Its value to commerce is due to its location near the coast line and its practical equidistance from New York, Philadelphia, and Chesa- peake Bay, thereby affording a haven of refuge or a port of call for practically the entire north Atlantic coast shipping. RIVERS AND HARBORS--PHILADELPHIA, PA., DISTRICT. 399 Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for the construction of a break- water about 8,000 feet long, beginning at a point about 6,000 feet from Cape Henlopen, extending in a northerly direction for a dis- tance of 2,695 feet, thence in a northwesterly direction for 5,330 feet, and the construction of 5 ice piers located in prolongation of this line, and 10 more located in a line perpendicular to the line of the breakwater. The mean tidal variation at this locality is about 4.4 feet. The irregular fluctuation from the mean tidal variation at this locality is about 1 foot, due to wind and equinoctial tides. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1896, is $4,665,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896 (H. Doc. No. 112, 52d Cong., 1st sess.). A subproject for the construction of 10 ice piers was approved by the Secretary of War April 23, 1900, and a subproject for 5 additional ice piers was approved June 30, 1902. The latest published map of this lo- cality is printed in House Document No. 1293, Sixty-fourth Con- gress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-Some shoaling has taken place in the area sheltered by the breakwater. The breakwater and ice piers are in good condition. The total expenditures have been $2,- 254,205.34, of which $2,238,205.34 was for new work and $16,000 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-None. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the construction of the breakwater and ice piers has been to provide a safe anchorage ground for a large number of vessels annually, both as a port of call and a refuge from easterly storms. The anchorage ground is exposed to northwesterly storms and drifting ice. The harbor is not used for the exchange of commerce. Proposed operations.-None. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Therewas no exchange of commerce in the harbor. The limit of draft for loaded boats in the protected area of the harbor is 36 feet at mean low water. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work---------------------------------------- $2, 238, 205. 34 Maintenance__.------------ 16, 000. 00 Net total expended ------------------- 2, 254, 205. 34 Total appropriations to date of this report _______-- __-____ 2, 254, 205. 34 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended fornew work........................................... ........ .... Expended for maintenance.. ................................................... Appropriated or allotted....... . .. ............. ......... ...... ........... 400 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. This district includes the tributaries of Delaware River and Bay and the streams, bays, and inlets along the Atlantic coast from Toms River, N. J., to Metompkin Inlet, Va. For supervision of fish ponds its southern limit is Cape Charles, Va. District engineer: Maj. Mark Brooke, Corps of Engineers, from July 1, 1917, to January 3, 1918, and Mr. Frank C. Warner, from that time. Division engineer: Col. W. L. Fisk, United States Army, retired. IMPROVEMENTS. [The letters and figures in parentheses after the titles indicate the group and the numeri- cal order in the group to which the respective improvements belong for purposes of appropriation.] Page. Page. 1. Cooper River, N. J. (Al)..... 400 18. Smyrna River, Del. (C2)..... 437 2. Woodbury Creek, N. J. (A2).. 402 19. Leipsic River, Del. (C3)...... 439 3. Mantua Creek, N. J. (A3) ... 404 20. Little River, Del. (C4)... .. 441 4. Raccoon Creek, N. J. (A4).... 407 21. St. Jones River. Del. (C5 )...... 443 5. Oldmans Creek, N. J. (A5).... 409 22. Murderkill River, Del. (C6)... 445 6. Salem River, N. J. (A6)....... 411 23. Mispillion River, Del. (C7)... 447 7. Alloway Creek, N. J. (A7)..... 413 24. Broadkill River, Del. (C8).-... 449 8. Cohansey River, N. J. (A8)..... 415 25. Inland waterway between Re- 9. Maurice River, N. J. (A9)_..... . 417 hoboth Bay and Delaware 10. Cold Spring Inlet, N. J. (Bi).. 420 Bay, Del....... .... ... 452 11. Absecon Inlet, N. J. (B2)_....... "422 26. Inland waterway from Chinco- 12. Absecon Creek, N. J. (B3) .... 424 teague Bay, Va., to Dela- 13. Tuckerton Creek, N. J. (B4).. 426 ware Bay, Del.............. 455 14. Toms River, N. J. (B5)......... 428 27. Waterway on the coast of Vir- 15. Chester River, Pa........... . 430 ginia ........................ 457 16' Wilmington Harbor, Del....... 432 17. Appoquinimink River, Del. (Cl).......--........... 435 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE PAGES 2225 TO 2254 COOPER, SALEM, COHANSEY, AND MAURICE RIVERS; WOODBURY, MANTUA, RACCOON, OLDMANS, AND ALLOWAY CREEKS, N. J. (GROUP A). 1. COOPER RIVER, N. J. (Al). Location and description.-This river rises in Camden County, N. J., flows northwesterly through the northern part of the city of Camden, and empties into the Delaware River. The drainage area is 44 square miles of comparatively flat country. The navigable length is about 8 miles and the tidal length about 91 miles. The high-water widths are 220 feet and 100 feet, respectively, at the mouth and at the head of navigation; the low-water widths are 160 feet and 60 feet, respectively, at the same localities. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Originalcondition.-The river had an average depth of 6 to 9 feet, except near the upper limit, where there was an available depth of 2 feet to Stoys Landing, the head of navigation, 8 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.-None. Existing projects.-This provides for a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water and 70 feet wide through the bar outside of the RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 401 mouth and upstream to what was formerly Browning Chemical Works, about 1.7 miles. The mean range of tide is 6 feet at the mouth and 2 feet at Stoys Landing; and the extreme range is about 10 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1895, is $35,000. No estimate for annual cost of maintenance has been made. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896 (H. Doc. No. 176, 53d Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Report for 1895, p. 1102, et seq.). The latest published map is in House Docu- ment No. 134, Sixty-third Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The channel was re- dredged, under contract for maintenance, to project dimensions a distance of about 1,300 feet upstream from the 6-foot curve of Delaware River. Mud amounting to 11,003 cubic yards, place measurement, including 1 foot over depth, allowed where made, was removed and redeposited upon the adjoining banks. The amount expended was $4,859.73 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 90 per cent of the project has been completed. The remaining portion--400 feet at the upper end of the project-is unimportant. The controlling depth June 30, 1918, from the Delaware River to the Camden Iron Works was 9 feet at mean low water; thence to the upper end of the section cov- ered by the project 6 feet. The total expenditures were $28,101.64 for new work and $39,375.61 for maintenance, a total of $67,477.25. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is practically a continuous utilized wharfage on the west side of Cooper River and a considerable num- ber of important wharves also in use on the east side. The wharves are owned by private concerns, and most of them have direct con- nection with the Pennsylvania Railroad. They are not open to the general public. The facilities for handling the existing commerce are considered adequate at the present time. Effect of impprovement.-Freight rates have been reduced because the enlargement of the channel has resulted in a reduction of light- erage and permits larger vessels than formerly to go up the river to load and discharge cargo directly at the wharves. Proposed operations.The funds available will be applied to maintenance in removing the shoaling between the mouth and Cam- den Iron Works. Experience has shown that the annual shoaling amounts to about 16,000 cubic yards, and it is estimated that the available funds are insufficient for the work and will have been expended by June 30, 1919. Due to war conditions no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recomonended modifications of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 7 to 14 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 Was building material, coal, chemicals, iron, oil, and mis- cellaneous material. The decrease in tonnage and increase in valua- tion for 1917 is due to a smaller shipment of chemicals and an increased valuation of the other articles. 81116--ENG 1918----26 402 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY,_. 1918. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913..................... 289,061 $3,699,277.26 1916........... ..... 356,736 5, 207,389.00 1914.................... 291 305 3,386 414.51 1917................... 344, 200 6, 271,144.64 1915...... .......... ..... 237, 099 3, 415845.00 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work_ --------------------------- $28, 101. 64 Maintenance 39, 375. 61 Net total expended ---------------- 67, 477. 25 Total appiropriations to date of this report--------------------- 72, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work....................................... .. .................................. Expended for maintenance .............. $8, 375.30 $48.81 $12.49 $126.64 $4, 59.73 Appropriated or allotted ....................................... 5, 000.00 5, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended _--_---___ __ ----------------- Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 $4,5, 882. 48 000. 00 9, 882. 48 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance__ 4, 859. 73 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------- 5, 022. 75 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project------------------------------- --------------- 6, 898. 36 2. WOODBURY CREEK, N. J. (A2). Location and description.-This is a tidal stream in Gloucester County, flowing northwesterly and emptying into the Delaware River about 9 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. It has a drainage area of about 12 square miles of comparatively flat country. The navigable length is about 4 miles and the tidal length about 6 miles. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 250 feet and 150 feet at the mouth, and 80 feet and 40 feet at Woodbury. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-There was a general depth of about 4 feet, except across the bar outside the mouth, where the controlling depth was about 3 feet, and at Woodbury, the head of navigation, where it was about 1 foot. Previous projects.-The river and harbor act of August 2, 1882, appropriated $5,000 for Woodbury Creek, N. J. Of this amount, $450.31 was expended in making a survey. The balance, $4,549.69, was returned to the Treasury. Also $2,500 of the appropriation in the river and harbor act of June 3, 1886, for Cooper Creek, N. J., was authorized to be used and was expended as maintenance in rebuilding 1Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 403 the dike on Government reservation in the Delaware River at Wood bury Creek. The total expenditures under previous projects were $2,950.31 for new work. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water from the 6-foot contour of Delaware River to Woodbury, 60 feet wide across the bar outside the mouth and up the river to the White Bridge, li miles; thence 40 feet wide to Woodbury, a farther distance of 2J miles, including three cut-offs, which shorten the dis- tance 3,340 feet. The mean range of tide at the mouth was 5.7 feet and at Woodbury 4.3 feet. The extreme tidal range is about 10 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1912, is $38,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1912) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913 (H. Doc. No. 635, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest pub- lished map is in this document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging operations under contract for maintenance were in progress. The channel was dredged to project dimensions, an aggregate length of 12,245 feet, from the 6-foot curve of Delaware River to a point about 6,700 feet above the " Red Bridge." Mud and sand amounting to 40,576 cubic yards, place measurement, including 1 foot over depth allowed where made, were removed and redeposited above high water on adjacent banks. Work was suspended on November 12, 1917, owing to the in- ability of the contractor to secure coal and the necessity of complet- ing dredging work for United States Shipping Board at Hog Island. The amount expended during the fiscal year, all of which was for maintenance, was $8,390.22. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1916. The controlling depth June 30, 1918, from Delaware River to Woodbury was 4 feet. The expenditures under the existing project to June 30, 1918, were $24,142.70 for new work and $12,019.75 for maintenance, a total of $36,162.45. Local cooperation.-The land for the three cut-offs and for the de- posit of the dredged material required by law to be furnished by local interests free of cost to the United States was donated by local in- terests, and title to the land was approved by the Department of Justice January 8, 1914. Terminal facilities.-There are no public terminal or transfer fa- cilities, all the wharves being private property except at the foot of streets; and there is no direct communication with railroads or con- necting transportation lines. The wharves are available to the gen- eral public, and no charge is made for landing or loading and un- loading. It is believed that the wharfage facilities are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-Navigation has been facilitated, and larger vessels can be used at all stages of the tide. The effect on freight rates is not known. Proposed operations.-Itis proposed to apply the available balance in dredging for maintenance under the existing contract, and it is expected this amount will be sufficient to restore the channel to proj- ect dimensions throughout. From experience in similar waterways it is expected that after this creek has been dredged to project dimen- 404 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. sions for the second time it can be maintained at an annual cost of $2,000. No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as funds available are sufficient for restoring the channel to project dimensions, and de- terioration is not likely to occur soon. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to 6 feet. It was impracticable to obtain commercial statistics for calendar year 1917. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913...................... (1) ........... 1916................... 7,805 $45,365 1914...... ........... 11,270 $38390 1917 . ................. (1) 1915 ..................... () ..... 1Impracticable to obtain statistics. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------- $27, 093.01 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 12, 019. 75 Net total expended---------------------------- 39, 112. 76 Total appropriations to date of this report _____________________ 42, 950. 31 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ............. $85.02 $20, 687.05 $3,370.63.. Expended for maintenance................ ............. 1, 215.36 $2, 414.17 8, 390. 22 Total expended ...................... 85.02 20, 687.05 4, 585.99 2, 414.17 8, 390.22 Appropriated or allotted ......... ............................. ........... 6, 000.00 2, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_______ ____ ______-----_$10, 227. 77 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__ 2, 000. 00 12, 227. 77 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 8, 390. 22 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- ------------- 3, 837. 55 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities--------------------- $850. 00 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts-- 2, 550. 00 3, 400. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance-------------- 437. 55 3. MANTUA CREEK, N. J. (A3). Location and description.-This is a tidal stream rising in and flow- ing northwesterly through Gloucester County and emptying into the Delaware River about 10 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. It has a drainage area of about 51 square miles of low, flat country. The navigable length is 8 miles, and. the tidal length about 9 miles. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 225 feet and 160 feet at the mouth and 90 feet and 25 feet at Mantua. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376.) RIVERS AND IIARBORS--WWILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 405 Original condition.-The creek was very crooked, obstructed by bars and sharp bends, and in the upper portions by stumps and over- hanging trees. There was an average depth, at the mouth, of 8 feet; at Paulsboro, 4 miles above the mouth, of 5 feet; at Mount Royal, 7 miles above the mouth, of 2 feet; and at Mantua, the head of naviga- tion, of 1 foot, 11 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882, and was modified in 1889. The amount expended upon previous projects was $3,000 for new work. For scope of previous projects, see page 1784, Annual Report of Chief of Engineers, 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 12 feet deep at meari low water and 100 feet wide from the 12-foot contour of Delaware: River, through the marsh to the phosphate works; thence 8 feet deep and 80 feet wide via cut-offs to Paulsboro; thence 7 feet deep and 60 feet wide via cut-off to Parkers Landing, near Mount Royal; and the dredging of a cut-off 3 feet deep and 50 feet wide 9,000 feet above Berkley (Mount Royal), the removal of overhanging trees above Mount Royal; the construction of jetties on both sides of the mouth; and the construction of a dike across the old mouth. The mean range of tide at the mouth is 6 feet; at Paulsboro, 51 feet; at Mount Royal, 4 feet; and at Mantua, 21 feet. The section of the creek included in the project extends from the Delaware River upstream 104 miles to 1 mile below the town of Mantua. The cut-offs shorten this distance 3 miles. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1897, is $145,030, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. No esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance has been made. The existing project was adopted by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 3, 1899, provided for all features of the project. except the dike across the old mouth (H. Doc. No. 123, 55th Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Report for 1898, p. 1122), and the act of March 2, 1907, provided for the dike across the old mouth. The latest pub- lished map of the whole creek is with the project document. A later map of the portion from just below Mount Royal to Mantua is in House Document No. 523, Sixty-first Congress, -second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Work under contract for repairs to the jetties was commenced March 8, 1918, and tempo- rarily suspended on June 11, 1918, owing to the inability of the con- tractor to obtain stone. At the end of the fiscal year 80 per cent of the repairs contemplated were made. The expenditure during fiscal year was $5,879.65 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 85 per cent of the existing project has been completed. The remaining portion, a cut-off 3 feet deep and 50 feet wide, about 9,000 feet above Berkley (Mount Royal) is regarded as unimportant. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, was 12 feet from the Delaware River to the phosphate works, thence 8 feet to Paulsboro, thence 5 feet to Mount Royal, and thence 1 foot to Mantua. The total expenditures under the existing project were $104,535.04 for new work and $34,551.57 for maintenance, a total of $139,086.61. Local cooperation.-The cut-off between Paulsboro and Parkers Landing, which was provided for as part of the project of improve- ment, was made by the enlargement of a ditch which formed a natu- 406 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. ral connection, the work being done with the consent of the owner of abutting property. Terminal facilities.-There are 16 wharves on Mantua Creek, and all but 3 of them are open to public use. Several of the wharves at Paulsboro have connections with the West Jersey & Seashore Rail- road. The wharfage facilities are considered adequate for the exist- ing commerce. Effect of improvement.-Effect on freight rates and the number of vessels using the improvement not reported. Shipments of fruit and other perishable merchanidise have been facilitated. Several large manufacturing plants have located on land between Paulsboro and Delaware River and provided themselves with facilities for shipping and receiving products and materials by water. Proposed operations.--It is proposed to apply the available bal- ance in making repairs to jetties under present contract and redredg- ing the channel to project dimensions between Paulsboro and Mount Royal, where no work has been done since 1913. No funds are estimated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, as the funds available will be sufficient to that date. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.--The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 4 to 12 feet. The general character of commerce for the current year was fertilizers, farm produce, fruits, coal, chemicals, building materials, and miscellaneous merchandise. No statement of com- merce was reported for 1916, but the decrease in valuation and ton- nage in 1917 over 1915 is due to a smaller shipment of fertilizers, caused by fire which destroyed one of the large plants situated on Mantua Creek. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 19138........ ............. 187,780 $2,912,930 1916 ..................... (1) (1) 1914.................... 113 518 1, 541,970 1917.................... 60,902 $1,270,46 1915 ...................... 145,352 1, 731,320 1It was impracticable to obtain statistics. 2 Incomplete. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $3,362: New work----------------------------------------- $107, 535. 04 Maintenance --------------------------- 34, 551. 57 Net total expended.------------------------------- 142, 086. 61 Total appropriations to date of this report__________ ________151, 250. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............................................. . .. . . . . . . . . ............ Expended for maintenance 1 .. $240.07 580.75 $57.00 51,940.94 - 5,879.65 Appropriated or allotted................... ............ ........................ 10,000.00 .......... 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 407 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --------------------------- $15, 043. 04 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 5, 879. 65 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended --------- ------------------ 9, 163. 39 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_________________ $3, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 1, 000. 00 4, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance________ ___-_5, 163. 39 Araunt (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project------------ ---------------------------- 140,494.96 4. RACCOON CREEK, N. J. (A4). Location and description.-This is a tidal stream; rises in Glou- cester County, N. J. flows in a northwesterly direction and empties into the Delaware River about 20 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. The drainage area is 44 square miles of flat country. The naviga- ble length is about 9 miles. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 1.200 feet and 250 feet just inside the mouth, and 140 feet and 60 feet at Swedesboro. See United States Coast and Geo- detic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The creek was crooked and obstructed by numerous shoals. It had an available depth of 4 feet between the mouth and Bridgeport, 1( miles; and thence of 3 feet to Swedesboro, the head of navigation, 9.75 miles from the entrance. * Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882. The amount expended upon previous projects was $757.23, for new work. For scope of previous projects see page 1784, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water 75 feet wide from the 7-foot contour in Delaware River to Bridgeport, a distance of 11 miles; thence 60 feet wide to Springers Wharf, a farther distance of 31 miles; and thence 5 feet deep at mean low water and 40 feet wide to Swedesboro, a farther distance of 4{ miles; widening of the channel around sharp bends; and a cut-off at Molonox Shoal. The total length of the channel under improvement is about 94 miles. The mean range of tide is 6 feet at the mouth and at Bridgeport, 5.6 feet at Springers Wharf, and 5 feet at Swedesboro. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1900, is $102.135, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The existing project was adopted by the following river and har- bor acts: The act of June 13, 1902, provided for all features of the existing project except the cut-off at Molonox Shoal (H. Doc. No. 231, 56th Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1900, p. 1590); and the act of March 2, 1907, provided for the cut-off at Molonox Shoal. The latest published map of the mouth and the upper section of the creek is in House Document No. 800, Sixty-third Congress, sec- ond session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress as work fnder contract was temporarily suspended on ac- 1 Exclusive of available funds. 408 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. count of the contractor being unable to obtain a dredge sufficient to pass under a fixed bridge in order to complete the contract. The expenditure was $259.02 for office expenses and inspections for main- tenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 95 per cent of the existing project has been completed. The remaining portion, the widening of sharp bends, is unnecessary at present. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, from Delaware River to Bridgeport was 4 feet, thence to Springers Wharf 7 feet; and thence to Swedesboro 3.5 feet. The total expenditures under existing project to June 30, 1918, were $47,906.87 for new work and $39,144.28 for maintenance, a total of $87,051.15. Local cooperation.-The lands necessary for the cut-off at Molonox Shoal were requiied by the act of March 2, 1907, to be deeded to the United States free of cost. This was accomplished March 19, 1908. Terminal facilities.-There are 21 wharves or docks on Raccoon Creek, most of which are private but open to public use for a nominal wharfage charge. The wharfage facilities are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The carrying of perishable freight has been facilitated. Bulky freight can now be carried by water for about half of the cost of carriage by rail. Proposed operations.-It is expected that the available funds will suffice for completing existing contract and in dredging for main- tenance a portion of the river near the mouth. It is estimated that these funds will have been expended by June 30, 1919, should dredging plants complete work on which they are all now engaged for the United States Shipping Board. Due to war conditions, no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-Recommended modifica- tion of project provides for increase of depth from 5 feet to 7 feet from Springers Wharf to Swedesboro and a dike or jetty at the mouth at an estimated cost of $39,770 for construction and about $5,000 annually for maintenance (H. .Doc. No. 800, 63d Cong., 2d sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 4 to 7 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year was coal, crude oil, farm produce, manure, grain, oyster shells, and tomatoes. The decrease in commerce is due to it being impracti- cable to obtain complete reports. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.... ................. 89,075 $1,158,170 1916...................... (1) () 1914.... ......... ........ 23,543 350,907 1917..................... 37, 085 $307,179- 1915 ..................... 89,638 844,290 1The figures reported for 1916 are incorrect due to an error in reporting the commerce of Rancocas Creek or Raceoo, Creek, for which it is impracticable to obtain statistics. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 409 Financialsum m ary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $100: New work ------------------------------------------- $48, 664. 10 Maintenance------ ----------------------------------- 39, 144.28 Net total expended-------___ ------------------- 87, 808. 38 Total appropriations to date of this report ------------------- 97, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................ ......... ................ . ......... ....... Expended for maintenance . .............. $745.02 $11, 543.67 $543.05 $5, 192.87 $259. 02 Appropriated or allotted ....... ....... . ..... .... ............ 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_______ -__________________ $4, 950. 64 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 5, 000. 00 9, 950. 64 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 259. 02 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended___________________ _____ _ 9, 691. 62 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities______________________ $350 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts------ 400 750. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance___________ __ 8, 941. 62 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project___ _______________________-__ _ 54, 228. 13 5.' OLDMANS CREEK, N. J. (A5). Location and description.--This creek, a tidal stream, forms a part of the boundary line between Gloucester and Salem Counties, flows northwesterly, and empties into the Delaware River about 24 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. It has a drainage area of about 83 square miles of flat country. The low-water widths of the stream are 230 feet at the mouth, 100 feet at Pedricktown, and 30 feet at Auburn. The high-water widths are indeterminate, owing to the low, flat marshlands which border the stream. The navigable length of the stream is 14.2 miles, and the tidal length about 171 miles. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The creek was crooked and obstructed by sharp bends and numerous shoals. There was an available depth of 3 feet across the bar outside of the mouth, of 5 feet between the mouth and Pedricktown, and of 3 feet between Pedricktown and Auburn, the head of navigation, 14.2 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water from the 6-foot contour of the Delaware River to Pedrick- town, a distance of 6 miles, and thence 5 fee't deep at mean low water to I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. 410 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Auburn, a farther distance of 9 miles; 100 feet wide across the bar out- side of the mouth, 75 feet wide thence to Pedricktown, and thence 40 feet wide to Auburn, including nine cut-offs and a jetty at the mouth. The length of the channel under improvement is about 15 miles. The mean range of tide is 6 feet at the mouth, 2.4 feet at Pedricktown, and 0.9 foot at Auburn. The extreme tidal ranges fluctuate from 2 feet below mean low water to about 2 feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $89,500. The latest (1908) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910. (H. Doc. No. 1083, 60th Cong., 2d sess.) The latest published mnap is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditure during the fiscal year for office expenses and inspections was $92.81 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 50 per cent of the proj- ect, i. e., all of the dredging contemplated, has been completed. The remaining part, the construction of a jetty, it is not proposed to build until later, if at all. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, from Delaware River to Pedricktown was 4z feet, and thence 4 feet to Auburn, with a variable width of channel. The total expenditures were $31,188.43 for new work and $3,479.62 for maintenance, a total of $34,668.05. Local cooperation.-As required by law, the necessary land re- quired for the nine cut-offs was furnished by local interests free of cost to the United States, and the United States was released from all claims for damages arising from the diversion of the stream, title to the land and the releases being approved by the Department of Justice April 17, 1913. Terminal facilities.-There are 15 wharves on the creek. They are private, but open to general public and freight lines for a nominal wharfage charge. They are not directly connected with any rail- road and are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has been of great bene- fit to navigation and has facilitated and expedited the carrying of perishable freight, by eliminating wagon haul of from 1 to 5 miles to the railroad station. Proposed operations.-It is estimated that the available funds will have been expended by June 30, 1919, in dredging for maintenance, restoring the channel to project dimensions. Being a new project and the river bed composed largely of mud, the deterioration which took place after initial dredging is considerable and necessitates re- dredging the entire creek. After the redredging has been done it is expected that the project can be maintained for $2,500 annually. It is estimated that the available funds are not sufficient for this work. Due to war conditions, no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial ;statistiscs.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 4 to 6 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILM1NGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 411 year was fertilizers, fruit, and tomatoes. It was impracticable to obtain complete statistics, and those reported represent the business of only two shippers on Oldmans Creek. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................... 88,412 $812,900.00 1916 ..... ..... .......... (1) ........ 1914 .................... 25,659 250,166.91 1917 .............. .... 1,81 2180000; .00 1915................. 60,438 423,875.00 1 Impracticable to obtain statistics. 2 Incomplete. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work----------------------------------------------- $31, 188. 43 Maintenance -___ ----- - -------- 3, 479. 62 Net total expended-------------------------------------- 34, 668. 05 Total appropriations to date of this report _____________________ 43, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1..... ... $21,334.41 $9, 824.02................ ............ Expended for maintenance 1......... ..... ....... $1,089.09 $2,297.72 $92.81 Appropriated or allotted..... .............................. . ..... ............... 5,000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ___ _____-____ __-______- $3, 424. 76 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917_ 5, 000. 00 8, 424. 76 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 92. 81 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ______________-______ _ 8, 331. 95 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project --------------------------------------154, 979. 62 6. SALEM RIVER, N. J. (A6). Location and description.-This river lies wholly in Salem County. It flows westward 10 miles, thence southward 13 miles to the city of Salem, where it is joined by the Little Salem, and thence westward 3 miles, entering the Delaware River through Salem Cove, about 45 miiles below Philadelphia, Pa., just above Reedy Island. It has a drainage area of about 40 square miles of low, flat country. The navigable length is about 4.miles. The tidal head is about 1 miles above Salem. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 1,360 and 1,040 feet at the mouth and 120 and 90 feet at Salem. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Originalcondition.-The river was obstructed by stony and gravel bars and had a minimum available depth at the entrance through 1 Exclusive of available funds. 412 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Salem Cove of 5 feet, and of 44 feet in Little Salem River. Salem is the head of navigation. Previous projects.-The original project, adopted in 1870 and modified in 1878, was for improvement at the mouth and in the upper river (now cut-off). The amount expended on the previous project, all for new work, was $17,209.34. For scope of previous project see page 1784, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.- This provides for a channel 9 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide from the 9-foot contour of Delaware River to the fixed highway bridge over Little Sale m River, and the removal of stony bars in front of the city wharves and at the bend above the brickyard, about halfway between the mouth of the river and Salem. The length of the section of the river under improvement is about 4 miles. The mean range of tide is 6 feet and the extreme tidal.range varies from about 1 foot below mean low water to about 2 feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1907, is $38,600, exclusive of amounts ex- pended under previous projects. No estimate for maintenance has been made. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 78, 55th Cong., 1st sess.; R. and H. Com. Doc. No. 12, 59th Cong., 2d sess.; and Annual Report for 1897, p. 1245). The latest published map of a portion of the river is in House Document No. 1436, Sixty-second Congress, third session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The amount expended during the fiscal year for office expense and inspections was $437.09 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 95 per cent of the existing project has been completed. The remaining portion, the widening of the channel in Little Salem River, is unimportant. The control- ling depth on June 30, 1918, was 8 feet across Salem Cove and up the river to a point 2,000 feet above Penns Neck Bridge, and thence 5 feet to the fixed highway bridge at Salem. The total expendi- tures on the existing project was $38,600 for new work, $39,114.13 for maintenance, a total of $77,714.13. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 18 wharves on this river, about 5 of which are private, and all have connection with the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad. The wharfage facilities are considered ade- quate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-Steamboats regularly plying the river can now make trips at any stage of the tide and thereby maintain a regu- lar schedule. Shipments of fruits and other perishable freights have been facilitated and expedited. The effect on freight rates and the number of vessels using the improvement are not known. Proposed operations. It is proposed to apply the funds available in dredging to restore the channel across Salem Cove. It is esti- mated that these funds are insufficient for this work and will have been expended prior to June 30, 1919. Due to war conditions no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 413 Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 6 to 10 feet. The general character of the commerce for the current year was coal, building material, fertilizers, farm produce, grain, canned goods, oilcloth, and miscellaneous items. The increase in tonnage and valuation is due to an increased commerce in nearly all the articles with a higher value per ton on most of the items caused by the shortage of materials. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................. 163,522 $4,834,290 1916 ...................... 80,690 2,951,154 1914 ..................... 25,537 728,102 1917.................83,275 3,020,910 1915.......................... 73,980 1,829,608 Financialsunrrmnary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $100: New work ------------------------------------------------ $55, 809. 34 Maintenance _---------------------------------------------- 39,114.13 Net total expended ------------------------------- 94,923.47 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------- -- 103, 809. 34 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work. ...... .... ........................ ........................... Expended for maintenance 1............. $4,909.26 $933.14 $12,916.92 $1, 756.14 $437.09 Appropriated or allotted............... ............. ............... ......... 10,000.00 ............ Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------- ---------------- $9, 322.96 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance-- 437. 09 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- ----------------- 8, 885. 87 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities__. ------- ---- - - 40.00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance_--- ------ _ 8, 845..87 7. ALLOWAY CREEK, N. J. (A7). Location and description.-This creek, a tidal stream, rises in Salem County and flows southwesterly, emptying into the Delaware River about 47 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. It has a drainage area of about 60 miles of flat country. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 260 feet and 245 feet at the mouth and 102 feet and 90 feet at Quinton. The navigable length is 9 miles. The tidal head is about 4 miles above Quinton. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 376. Original condition.-The creek had numerous shoals over which the depth was 4 to 5 feet. Quinton, the head of navigation, was then 101 miles from the mouth. 414 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water from a locality known as " The Square " upstream to Quin- ton, a distance of 84 miles, 75 feet wide to a point 1,000 feet above Upper Hancock Bridge, and thence 60 feet wide to Quinton, supple- mented by a dike at " The Square ' and by an increase of width at "The Canal" to 150 feet between low-water lines. The mean range of tide at the mouth is 6 feet, at Hancock Bridge 5 feet, and at Quin- ton 4 feet. The extreme range of tide is from about 1 foot below mean low water to about 2 feet above mean high water. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1890, is $25,000. No estimate for annual cost of maintenance has been made. The existing project was adopted by the following river and harbor acts: The act of September 19, 1890 (H. Doc. No. 60, 51st Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1890, p. 910), provided for all features- except the following mentioned; a dike above Upper Hancock Bridge was added in 1896, and the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907, pro- vided for the cut-off at Fosters Bottle. There is no published map. Operations and results during fiscal year.--No operations were in progress. Work under contract not begun; time limit waived on account of contractor's plant being engaged on emergency work for the national defense. The amount expended during the fiscal year- for office expenses and inspections was $189.87 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1909. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, was about 4 feet (at mean low 'water) from Delaware Bay to Quinton, with a variable width of channel. The total expenditures were $21,397.73 for new work and $24,589.93 for maintenance, a total of $45,987.66. Local cooperation.-As required by law, all land needed for the cut- off at Fosters Bottle was furnished by local interests free of cost to the United States, title to the land being approved by the Depart- ment of Justice July 30, 1908. Terminal facilities.-There are six wharves on the creek, all of which are private, but no charge is made for wharfage at any of them. They are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect on freight rates is not known, but the carrying of perishable freight has been greatly facilitated by elimination of a wagon haul of 5 to 6 miles to the railroad station. Proposed operations.--It is proposed to apply the funds available in dredging for maintenance under the existing contract by remov- ing the shoals in the river. It is estimated that the funds will have been expended by June 30, 1919, and are insufficient to complete the work. Due to war conditions no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modification of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statstics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 4 to 7 feet. The general character of commerce for the current year was canned goods, coal, empty cans, fertilizers, fruits, and store goods. The decrease in tonnage and valuation is due to it being im- practicable to obtain complete commercial statistics. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 415 Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913..................... 34,342 $1,105,483.00 1916................ 22,925 $1.078.324.00 1914................... 8,314 140,181.31 1917...2.... ........... 12,634 1209, 829.00 1915..................... 19,343 936 015.00 tIncomplete. Financial suamm ry. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc, amounting to $100: New work $---------21, 397.73 Maintenanc ----------------------------------------- Maintenance _______ _______ ____ __ 24 8.9 93 24, 589. Net total expended ------------- --------- 45, 987. 66 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------52, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................ ......................... ................... Expended for maintenance .......... 238.70 $73. 18 ............ $235.06 $189.87 Appropriated or allotted .................. ... .... ........ ........................ 2,000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended____________________________ $4, 702. 21 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 ___ 2, 000. 00 6, 702. 21 June 30, 1918. amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 189. 87 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_________________-__________ 6, 512. 34 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts____________ 3, 600. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance-------------- 2,912. 34 8. COHANSEY RIVER, N. J. (AS). Location and description.-This river rises in Salem County, flows southerly and southwesterly through Cumberland County, and empties into the Delaware Bay about 62 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. It has a drainage area of about 91 square miles of flat country. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 750 feet and 700 feet at the mouth, and at Bridgeton they are both 70 feet. The navi- gable length is 19 miles and the tidal about 201 miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The river was obstructed by a broad bar at the mouth, over which there was a depth of about 5 feet. Through. and below the city of Bridgeton the bottom was nearly bare at low water in numerous places. The head of navigation was at Bridgeton, 20 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1873, and was modified in 1879. The amount expended on previous projects was $36,000 for new work. For scope of previous projects see page 1785, Annual Report for 1915. Emisting project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide through a neck of land at the mouth, from the Cohansey River to Delaware Bay, about 2,000 feet in 416 REPORT OF CIIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. length, and for a channel 7 feet deep, 100 feet wide, from Stony Point to Broad Street, Bridgeton, a distance of 6,000 feet; thence 75 feet wide to Commerce Street Bridge, a distance of 740 feet, and thence 60 feet wide to the Nail Works Bridge, a distance of 900 feet. The total length of the channel under improvement is about 1.8 miles. The mean range of tide is 5 feet at the mouth and 7 feet at Bridge- ton. The extreme tidal range varies from 2 feet below mean low water to 3 feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1905, is $55,800, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. No estimate for annual cost of maintenance has been made. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 645, 59th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in that document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditures were $119.02 for office expenses and in- spections for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1912. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, between Delaware Bay and the Nail Works Bridge was 6 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures under existing projects were $48,578.89 for new work and $11,419.97 for maintenance, a total of $59,998.86. Local cooperation.-The land required for the cut-off at the mouth, which was provided for by law as part of the project of improve- ment, was voluntarily conveyed to the tnited States free of cost, title being approved by the Department of Justice September 21, 1910. Terminal facilities.-There are 22 wharves and docks on the river, most of which are private. No charge is made to the public, how- ever, for their use, except in one instance, where a nominal charge is made. The wharfage facilities are adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement on freight rates is not known, but it has facilitated and expedited shipments of fruits and other perishable merchandise. The cut-off at the mouth saves 3 miles to and from points up Delaware River and assures a deeper entrance. Proposed operations.--It is intended to use the funds available in dredging for maintenance, and it is estimated they will be exhausted by June 30, 1919. As the channel is slow to deteriorate no estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 5 to 9 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year was canned goods, crude oil, coal, empty baskets and cans, fruit, tomatoes, oysters, and miscellaneous. The decrease in tonnage and valuation is due to its being impracticable to get complete statistics. Comparative statement. I Impracticable to obtain statistics. $ Incomplete. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 417 Financialsurnmmanry. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $100: New work ------------------------------------------ $84, 578. 89 Maintenance----------- ------------------------------- 11, 419. 97 Net total expended_---------------__-.---------_ .95, 998.86 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 102, 300. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1................. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 7,000.00...00 ..... ............... .. . Expended for maintenance 1 4.012.45 $153.42 $201.96 $1,366.41 $119.02 Total expended 1.................... 11,012.45 153.42 201.96 1,366.41 119.02 .................. ... .... Appropriated or allotted .. ............. ...................... 4,000.00 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------$2, 420. 16 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 4, 000. 00 6, 420.16 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance- 119. 02 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- -______------------------- 6, 301. 14 9. MAURICE RIVER, N. J. (A9). Location and description.--This river rises in Gloucester County, flows southerly and southwesterly through Cumberland County, and empties into Delaware Bay, through Maurice Cove, about 89 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. It has a drainage area of about 377 square miles of flat country. The navigable and tidal length is 24 miles. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 1,500 feet and 1,200 feet at the mouth and 165 feet and 135 feet at Millville. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 876. Originalcondition.--The river was obstructed by numerous sand bars. The depth over the bar at the mouth was 5 feet; at Frenchs Bar, 20 miles above the mouth, it was 4 feet; and at Millville, the head of navigation, 24 miles above the mouth, it was 2 feet. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted in the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882. It was modified in 1890, and again in 1892. The amount expended on previous projects was $43,000 for new work. For scope of previous projects, see page 1785, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water across the bar at the mouth in Maurice Cove and up to the head of navigation at Miliville, including a turning basin at the upper end, the width across the bar at the mouth and in the river to Millville drawbridge to be. 100 feet, and 60 feet thence to the mill- dam. The sections of the river included in the project are from the 7-foot contour in the Delaware Bay to the 7-foot contour in the mouth of Maurice River, a distance of 3 miles, and from French Bar, 31 miles below Milville drawbridge, upstream to the milldam, a distance of 4 miles. The mean range of tide at the mouth is 5 feet, and at Millville 6 feet. The extreme tidal range is frbm 1 foot 81116--ENG 1918--27 418 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S.ARMY, 1918. below mean low water to 1 foot above mean high water. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1906, is $156,200, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. No estimate for annual maintenance has been made. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 664, 59th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in that document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress during the year. The expenditures during the fiscal year- for office expenses and inspections were $984.16. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 45 per cent of the existing project has been completed; the remaining portion is the deepening of the channel across the flats to project depth of 7 feet at mean low water and dredging to project dimension of a short distance of the channel in the upper river. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, from Delaware Bay across bar in Maurice River was 6 feet and in the river 5 feet. The total expenditure under the existing project was $63,954.20 for new work and $10,342.59 for maintenance, a total of $74,296.79. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 48 wharves, 5 shipyards, and 4 marine railways located on Maurice River, and most of these have direct railroad connection. At Bilvalve and Maurice River, N. J., there is a continuof's wharfage with direct railroad connections run- ning parallel to the wharves. All the wharves are owned by private concerns. The wharfage and terminal facilities are adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-Larger vessels can now be used, and in consequence there is a larger output from the sand deposits, and vessels can now be operated to Millville at low tide. The full effect and value of the improvement can not be determined until the chan- nel outside the mouth is completed. No effect on freight rates is known. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the funds available to necessary work of maintenance and to the extension of the im- provement, viz., dredging the channel across Maurice Cove to project dimensions. Due to war conditions no additional funds are re- quested for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of projects.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 5 to 9 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year was coal, fertilizers, oysters, clams, grain, sand, tomatoes, and miscellaneous articles. The increase in commerce is due to an in- crease in the oyster business which is responsible for a slight increase in several of the other items, as it is the principal business of the lower section of the river. Comparative statement. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 419 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work_ _ _______ -- - - -_ $106,954.20 Maintenance------------------------------------------ 10, 342. 59 Net total expended-------------------------------- 117, 296. 79 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------150, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... $6,639. 73' $13,964.46 $14,451.03 ................... Expended for maintenance.......... ........................ 2,416.06 3,073.02 984.16 Total expended .................... 6,639. 73 13,964.46 16, 897. 09 3, 073.02 984.16 Appropriated or allotted ............... ....... ............. ........... 10,000.00 25,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --________-__--- - __-____ $8, 687. 37 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 25, 000. 00 33, 687.37 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 984. 16 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended______________________________ 32, 703. 21 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project----------------------------------- 2 59, 542. 59 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP A. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $3,762: New work--- ------------------------------------ $511, 322. 38 Maintenance--------------------- 214, 037. 45 Net total expended--.- 725, 359. 83 Total appropriations to date of this report_ --- 815, 809. 65 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 . .. . . .. .. . .. Expended for new work 1 1. . . . . . ........ .. $35, 16 059. 80 18, 520. $44, 12, 475. 53 832. 97 $17, 18, 821.66 48 1. 93 ......402. 97 $18, ....$21 211. 57 Expended for maintenance, . .... ' , Total expended 1..................... 53,579.96 57,'308.50 36,303.59 18,402.97 21,211. 57 Appropriated or allotted..... .................................. 5, 000.00 46,000.00 48,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ----- $63, 661. 39 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 --------------------------------------- 48, 000. 00 111, 661. 39 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 21, 211. 57 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended___________________________ . 90, 449.82 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities___________________ $4, 240. 00 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_ 7, 550. 00 11, 790. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $42,624.66 available only for maintenance_-------------------------- ------- 78, 659. 82 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ---- ------------------ 2216, 143. 66 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. 420 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. COLD SPRING AND ABSECON INLETS, ABSECON AND TUCKERTON CREEKS, AND TOMS RIVER (GROUP B). 10. COLD SPRING INLET, N. J. (B1). Location and description.--Cold Spring Inlet is located in Cape May County, southern New Jersey, about 3 miles east of Cape May City and about 16 miles northeast of Delaware Breakwater. The inlet connects Cold Spring Harbor with the Atlantic Ocean and is about 1 mile in length. See United States Coast and Geodetic Sur- vey chart No. 376. Original condition.-There was a natural basin inside the inlet about 6 feet deep and 60 acres in area. In the gorge of the inlet there was a depth of 29 feet and on the outside bar a minimum depth of 3 feet. There was no commerce. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 25 feet deep at mean low water and 400 feet wide, from the inner harbor across the bar to that depth in the ocean, protected by two parallel stone jetties 700 feet or more apart. The mean range of tide is 41 feet and the extreme tidal range is very great, due to storms at sea, the extent of which has not been recorded. The length of the improved section from Cold Spring Harbor to the Atlantic Ocean is 1 mile. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1906, is $1,311,000. The latest (1906) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $10,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 388, 59th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1911, page 1382. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Operations were in progress. The dredge Absecon arrived at Cold Spring Inlet on June 29, 1918, and work of dredging and maintaining a channel to a depth of 18 feet at mean low water, with a width of 400 feet, was begun. Material, consisting mostly of sand, amounting to 990 cubic yards estimated bin measurement, was removed and redeposited at sea. The expenditures during the fiscal year were $1,626.68 for mainte- nance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project. was completed in 1917. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, was 22.2 feet at mean low water between the Atlantic Ocean and the inner harbor. The total expenditures were $879,274.62 for new work and $61,366.49 for maintenance, a total of $940,641.11 from United States funds and $100,000 additional for new work from contributed funds. Local cooperation.-In compliance with law, the Cape May Real Estate Co. contributed $100,000 toward the cost of the improvement, has assumed the work of deepening and enlarging the inner harbor, and also has contributed the necessary land and right of way for the shore ends of the jetties for lighthouses, for the establishment of a life-saving station, and for a depot for engineer supplies. Terminal facilities.-There are 25 wharves, all of. which are open to the public, and 1 railroad coaling pier and 2 marine railways. The wharfage facilities are adequate for the present commerce, and are indirectly connected with two railroad systems. Effect of improvement.-There is an increased use of the inlet by commercial and fishing interests and as a harbor of refuge. The RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 421 inlet also affords considerable advantage to the present marine emer- gency. Proposed operations.-It is intended to apply the balance avail- able in dredging for maintenance and for repairs to the jetties. It is expected that the funds available will have been expended by June 30, 1919, based on the following estimate of cost: Repairs to jetties__---- --------------------------------- $15, 000. 00 Operation of seagoing type dredge for period of six months at $3,500 a month---_----------------------------------- 21, 000.00 Engineering, contingencies and incidentals------------------------ 3, 558. 89 39, 558. 89 The funds ($20,000) estimated for expenditure during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, are intended to be used for the work of maintenance of the channel by Government plant in accordance with the following estimate: Operation of seagoing dredge for five months, at $4,000 a month, in- cluding repairs, incidentals, inspections, etc--------------------___ $20, 000 The Navy Department has taken over Sewells Point, located on this inlet, and extensive naval shipping operations at this point re- quire a minimum depth of 18 feet of draft for their vessels over the project width. It is intended that the funds requested for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, be applied in maintaining the channel when necessary to meet both naval and commercial needs. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 4 to 16 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 was agricultural products, fish, grain, and oysters. The decrease in commercial traffic on the inlet over calendar year 1916 is entirely caused by the inlet being practically closed to commerce since the early part of the fiscal year, at which time it was taken over by the Navy Department for naval emergency needs. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ............... .... 5,516 $82,276 1916.....14,956 $1,815,451 1914 ..................... 6,193 103, 948 1917 ... ........... _ 2,364 316,295 1915...................... (1) 1 Impracticable to obtain statistics for 1915. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------------ ---------------------- $879, 274. 62 Maintenance ----------------------------------- 61, 366. 49 Net total expended------------------ ------- -------- 940, 641. 11 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 981, 200. 00 I In addition to this amount, $100,000 of contributed funds was expended on this work. 422 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal yehr ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................. $47, 380. 63 $31, 546. 85 $20, 218. 27 $21, 512. 79 Expended for maintenance ............................ 24, 802. 91 31, 815. 69 3,121.21 $1,626.68 . . . . . I -- I Total expended .. .................. 47,380. 63 56, 349.76 52, 033.96 24, 634.00 1, 626. 68 Appropriated or allotted.............................. 30,000.00 .......... 60,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -- _ ____ _________-- _____-_- $42, 185. 57 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 1, 626. 68 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-__ ________-_______________ 40, 558. 89 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities __----------------- ____ _ 1, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance____________- 39, 558. 89 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance___ ____________________________ 120, 000. 00 11. ABSECON INLET, N. J. (B2). Location and description.-Thisinlet separates Atlantic City from Brigantine Beach and is about 65 miles north of Delaware Break- water. The inlet is about 1 mile long. (See U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey charts 376 and 1108.) Original condition.-The inlet was unsafe on account of the un- stable and shifting. condition of the channel across the bar. The channel proper was about 1,200 feet wide, with a minimum usable depth varying from 7 to 9 feet. Ptevious projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for obtaining, and maintaining by dredging for a period of five years, a channel through the inlet 12 feet deep at mean low water and 300 feet wide, the question of continuing the improvement to be then determined in the light of the commerce that may be developed. In adopting the project it was stipulated that work was to be done by contract, if suitable dredges were available, otherwise by Government plant. The mean range of tide is 4z feet. The extreme range of tide, due to ocean storms, is very great, but its extent has not been recorded. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $270,000. The latest (1911) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $50,000. The length of channel included in the project is 1 mile. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912. (H. Doc. No. 1395, 61st Cong., 3d sess.) The latest published map is contained in the Annual Report for 1887, page 818. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The dredge Absecon continued dredging over the bar whenever weather conditions per- mitted, maintaining a channel to project dimensions, until June 24, 1918, when the dredge was transferred to Cold Spring Inlet. Material amounting to 180,970 cubic yards of sand, bin measure- ment, were removed and deposited at sea. Also under date of May 22, 1918, the Chief of Engineers authorized the dredging of shoals at the entrance of Gardner's Basin for the city of Atlantic City. The dredge Absecon completed this dredging on June 24, 1918, and 15,350 1 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS -WILMINGTON, DEL., PISTRICT. 423 cubic yards of sand and mud, bin measurement, were dredged and deposited in deep water. The controlling depth on October 23, 1917, was 14.6 feet over the crest of the bar in the thalweg, with a minimum width of channel of 300 feet. Work under contract for repairs to bulkhead was commenced on April 13, 1918, and to June 30,. 1918, 80 per cent of the work had been completed. The total expenditures were $42,777.68 for operation of dredge, inspections, and repairs to bulkhead, all of which was for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1917. The controlling depth October 23, 1917, was 14.6 feet at mean low water over the crest of the bar in the thalweg, with a minimum width of 300 feet. The total expenditures to June 30, 1918, were $226,496.89 for new work and $92,065.09 for maintenance,, a total of $318,561.98. Local cooperation.-Authorities of Atlantic City voluntarily un- dertook some experimental work of harrowing the crest of the bar with a view of deepening the channel, but without any definite re- sults. Terminal facilities.-A continuous line of wharves commences about one-half way inside Absecon Inlet and continues on south channel side a total distance of 3 to 5 miles; this includes wharfage in several large basins which indent the south shore line. There are three shipyards at this locality; also three marine railways. Effect of improvement.-The inlet is now open to navigation, with a depth of not less than 12 feet and a width of not less than 300 feet, the project dimensions. No marked effect on freight rates is known. Proposed operations.-It is intended to use the available balance for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, to complete work under contract for repairs to bulkhead and for operating dredge Absecon on the work of maintaining the channel to project dimensions as an en- trance for a harbor of refuge, and for miscellaneous work in con- nection with the dredge depot. It is estimated that these funds will only be sufficient for a period of five months, based on the following estimate: Operating seagoing dredge Absecon for five months, at $3,500 a month ______________-_________-___ ------------ $17, 500.00 Miscellaneous expense, etc __--_ _________________ _------ 3, 438. 02 Total ______________ ------- ------------- 20, 938.02 The funds will probably be exhausted before June 30, 1919. It is proposed to apply the funds ($30,000) estimated for expendi- ture during fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, in continuing the work of maintaining the channel across the bar to project dimensions. Experience has shown that the channel is continually encroached upon by the western end of Brigantine Shoal and dredging must be kept up continually to hold the channel navigable. Recommended modifeations of project.-None. References to published articles not previouly reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to 10 feet. The general character of the commerce for the current year was fish, oysters, merchandise, building material, garden truck, and miscellaneous articles. The increase in tonnage and valuation is due to a small increase in all the items of commerce. 424 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY," 1918. Comparative statement Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913..................... (1) (1) 1916.................... 27,543 $1,783,315.00 1914 .................... 13, 414 $543,328.00 1917.................... 30, 499 1,850, 800. 00 1915..................... 5,237 3,025,105.67 1Improvement not begun. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2,795.30: New work ------------------------------------------ $226, 496. 89 Maintenance----- ----------------- 92, 065. 09 Net total expended ------------------------------ 318, 561. 98 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 350, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1................. $59,370.57 $146,240.80 $20,385.98.............. Expended for maintenance .............. ............ ........ .... 24, 400.00 $27, 682. 71 $42, 777. 68 Total expended 1....... ........ 59, 370. 57 146, 240.80 44, 785.98 27, 682.71 42,777.68 Appropriated or allotted..... ............. .......... 85, 000.00 ............ 25,000.00 30,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ----------_$21, ---------------- 420. 70 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 30, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918------------------ 2, 795. 00 54, 215. 70 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 1 42, 777. 68 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended --------- ------------------ 11, 438, 02 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_.,_ 500. 00 $------$7, July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts_-- 3, 000. 00 10, 500. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance --------------- 938. 02 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 20, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919------------ 20, 938. 02 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance -------------------------------- 30, 000. 00 12. ABSECON CREEK, N. J. (B3). Location and description.-This creek, a tidal stream, rises in and flows easterly through Atlantic County, emptying into Absecon Bay, about 5 miles northwest of Atlantic City. It has a drainage area of about 26 square miles of low flat country. The navigable length is about 2 miles, and the tidal is about three-fourths of a mile above Absecon. The high and low water width at the mouth is 280 feet and at Absecon is 80 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. 2 Exclusive of available funds. SNot deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 425 Original condition.---The creek was very crooked, obstructed by numerous shoals, and near its head by the ruins of an old dam. There was an available depth of 3J feet in the creek and about 1 foot across Absecon Bay. The head of navigation was at Absecon village, 2 miles from the mouth. Previousprojects.--None. Evisting project.-This provides for a channel 5 feet deep at mean low water 80 feet wide from deep water in Absecon Bay across the flats to the mouth of the creek a distance of 1 mile, thence 50 feet wide to the highway bridge at Absecon village, a farther distance of 2 miles, including a turning basin at the head of navigation. The length of the channel under improvement is about 3 miles. The mean range of tide is 4 feet. The extreme tidal range is from 1 foot below mean low water to about 1 foot above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $15,000. The latest (1911) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,600. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 71, 62d Cong., 1st sess.). The latestpub- lished map is in that document, Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditures for office expenses and inspections amounted to $91.44 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1913. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, was about 3J feet at mean low water from Absecon Bay to Absecon, with a variable width of channel. The total expenditure was $11,934.96 for new work and $4,698.89 for maintenance, a total of $16,633.85. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-Thereare four wharves on the creek, adequate for existing commerce-one public, three private, but all open to public use. Effect of improvement.-The channel is navigable at any stage of the tide, whereas formerly vessels could not cross Absecon Bay except at high tide. No effect on freight rates is known. Proposed operations.-It is expected that the funds available will suffice for the most urgent work of maintenance until June 30, 1919. Due to war conditions, no additional funds are requested for fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to 6 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year was fertilizers, fish, garden truck, oysters, and building material. The increase in tonnage and valuation is due directly to increased fish and oyster business. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913........................ 29, 540 10, 660 1916.................... 11,601 $239,985 1914 ....................... 5,500 210,825 1917.....................-13,786 258,716 1915......... . 3,699 ......... 115,010 426 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------- $11, 934. 96 Maintenance------------------------------------------- 4,698. 89 Net total expended ----------------------------------16, 633. 85 Total appropriations to date of this report______________________ 18,200. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work..... .......... $3,250.79 .................... Expended for maintenance......................$13.00 34,553.31 $41.14.........$91.44 Appropriated or allotted.................. . . ........ . ........... $1, 600.00 ....... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------------------------------- $1, 657. 59 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 91. 44 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended __---____________ __ 1, 566. 15 13. TUCKERTON CREEK, N. J. (B4). Location and description.-This creek, a tidal stream, rises and flows southeasterly through Ocean County into Little Egg Harbor, about 8 miles north of Little Egg Inlet. The mouth of the creek is about 1 miles from the head of Marchelder Channel, across Little Egg Harbor, 2- miles above the mouth. The high and low water width at the mouth is 120 feet and at Tuckerton is 50 feet. It has a drainage area of about 14 square miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1108. Original condition.-The creek was obstructed by a broad flat out- side of the mouth, over which there was an available depth of about 2 feet, with numerous shoals and sharp bends in the creek, with an available depth of about 4 feet at the mouth and 1 feet at Tucker- ton, the head of navigation. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water, 80 feet wide from Gaunts Point in Little Tuckerton Bay, seven-eighths mile to the mouth of the creek; thence up the creek, 75 feet wide. 1 mile to Parkers Landing; thence 60 feet wide five-eighths mile to West Tuckerton Landing; thence 5 feet deep at mean low water and 60 feet wide three-eighths mile to just above Scow Landing; and thence 3 feet deep at mean low water and 40 feet wide one-eighth mile to the milldam at Tuckerton. The total length of the channel under improvement is about 3.8 miles. The mean range of tide throughout the creek is 22 feet. The extreme fluctuation of tide, due to winds, is from 1 foot below mean low water to 1 foot above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1900, is $61.380. No estimate for annual maintenance has-been made. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of Juie 13, 1902 (H. Doc. No. 274, 56th Cong., 1st sess.); the river 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 427 and harbor act of March 3, 1905, substituted for the channel from the mouth of the creek to Gaunts Point a channel from the mouth of the -creek across Little Tuckerton Bay to the head of Marchelder Channel. The latest published map is in House Document No. 1040, Sixty- fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditures were for office expenses and inspections, :amounting to $36.55 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 97 per cent of the project has been completed. The remaining portion, the widening of channel :at mouth to project dimensions is considered unimportant. The con- trolling depth on June 30, 1918, was 5 feet outside the mouth, 4 feet to Scow Landing, and thence 2 feet to Tuckerton. The total expendi- tures were $59,742.16 for new work and $23,637.84 for maintenance, a total of $83,380. Local cooperation.-Consent by the owner of property at the -mouth of the stream was given to the cutting off of the point of land. There are three municipal wharves or public landings along the .creek, the cost of which isnot known. Terminal facilities.-There are 30 private wharves and 4 public landings located on the stream. The Tuckerton Railroad makes an indirect connection with these wharves. The wharfage facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-Navigation is now possible at low tide. No effect on freight rates is known, as there is no competition. Proposed operations.-It is intended to apply the funds available in redredging the creek above the point where work was last done. It is estimated that the available funds are sufficient, but owing to the scarcity of dredging plants in this vicinity it is impracticable to state when funds will have been expended for this work. Due to war conditions, no additional funds are requested for the -fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-A modification of the project has been conditionally recommended to cover the deepening of the creek to 5 feet from Scow Landing to the mill dam and the -cutting back of seven sharp points in the creek to facilitate naviga- tion, at an estimated cost of $3,100 (H. Doc. No. 1040, 64th Cong., 1st sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 4 to 6 feet. It was impracticable to obtain statistics of the commerce on this river for calendar year of 1917. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ........................ 16, 775 $472,400 1916........... .. .. 26,017 $1,038,934 1914 ..................... 8,818 389,125 1917................... . (1) :1915 ..................... 21,907 - 901,929 1 It was impracticable to obtain commercial statistics. 428 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work-------------------------------------- $59, 742. 16 Maintenance ----------- ----------- -------------- 23, 637. 84 Net total expended----------------------------- ------ 83, 380. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report--_____ - -_____-__- 88, 380.00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work...................................................... ............. Expended for maintenance ................ $15.10 $214.30 $10,862.38 $2.61 $36.55 Appropriated or allotted.............. ........................ . 5,000.00 ............ 5,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-------------- ----------------- $36. 55 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_... 5, 000. 00 5, 036. 55 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance__ 36. 55 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended______________________________ 5, 000. 00 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ----------------------------------------- 1,637. 84 14. TOMS RIVER, N. J. (B5). Location and description.-This river rises in and flows easterly through Ocean County, emptying into Barnegat Bay 5 miles east of Toms River village and about 11 miles north of Barnegat Inlet. It has a drainage area of about 166 square miles of flat country. It has a navigable length of about 6 miles and a tidal length of about 100 miles. The high and low water width at the lower end of the project is 1,000 feet and at the bridges, respectively, 50 and 75 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1108. Original condition.-The river had a minimum usable depth of 5 feet up to a point about 3,500 feet below the bridges at Toms River and thence 2 feet to the bridges, the head of navigation. Previous projects.-None. Existing projects.-This provides for a channel 5 feet deep at mean low water 100 feet wide, from deep water up to the Forks, a distance of 3,400 f!eet, and thence the full widths of the two branches, re- spectively, 400 feet and 700 feet, to the bridges at Toms River. The mean range of tide is about 6 inches; the extreme tidal range is about 18 inches. The length of the channel under improvement is about 4,500 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1907, is $10,050. The latest (1907) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 346, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1891, page 1116. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditures for office expenses and inspections amounting to $49.63, were for maintenance. Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 429 Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1911. The controlling depth at mean low water on June 30, 1918, was 2J feet in the North Fork, 3 feet in the South Fork, and 5 feet from their junction to the mouth. The total expenditures were $10,050 for new work and $289.19 for maintenance, a total of $10,339.19. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 22 private wharves and 2 marine railways on the river. There is an indirect connection with two rail- road lines with several of these wharves. The wharfage facilities are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-Increased transportation facilities are afforded, resulting in a large increase of traffic, particularly of pleas- ure craft and passenger business. No effect on freight rates is known, as there is no competition. Proposed operations.-It is intended to apply the funds available to necessary work of maintenance and they are estimated to be suffi- cient for the work, but owing to the scarcity of dredging plants in this vicinity it is impracticable to state when funds will have been expended. Due to war conditions no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 21 to 5 feet. It was impracticable to obtain statistics of the com- merce on Toms River for 1917. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913... ............. (1) ....... 1916..................... 2,732 $168,500 1914..92.$2,714 1917...................(1) (1) 1915...................4997 30,750 1No statement obtained. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ----------------------------------------------- $10, 050. 00 Maintenance-------------------- ---------------------------- 289. 19 Net total expended------------------------------------ 10, 339. 19 Total appropriations to date of this report _______----------____ 14, 050. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work........... .................................... ......... Expended for maintenance. ............. $56.77 $64.96 $33.78 $84.05 $49.63 Appropriated or allotted.... ..... . .............................. 2,000.00 ........ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended $3, 760. 44 ---- .____---------.------ June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 49. 63 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--------------- ------------- 3, 710. 81 430 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP B. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2,795.30: New work ---------------- 1$1, 187, 498. 6> Maintenance ----------------------- - - 182, 057. 50 Net total expended---------------------------------- 1, 369, 556. 13. Total appropriations to date of this report 431, 830. 00 1--------------------, Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917- 1918 ... . . .. . .... Expended for new work 2. . . . . .. . . .. . $110,001.99 $177, 787.65 $40,604.25 $21,512.79 ........ Expended for maintenance 71.87 25,095.17 71, 665.16 30, 931.72 44, 581.98 Totalexpended 2 ............... 110, 073. 86 202, 882.82 112, 269.41 52, 444.51 44,581.98 Appropriated or allotted.................. .......... 85 000.00 5,000.00 28,600.00 35, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------------------------------- $69, 060. 85 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 35, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918------------------- 2, 795. 00 2 106,855. 85 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 44, 581. 98 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--------------------------------- __ 62, 273. 87 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ------------------ _ $8, 500. 00 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts__- 3, 000. 00 11, 500. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance--------------- 50, 773. 87 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 20, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919-------------- 70, 773. 87 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing projects_--------------------------------------- 1, 637. 84 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance----------------------------__ --------- 50, 000. 00 15. CHESTER RIVER, PA. Location and description.--This river rises in Chester County, flows southeasterly through the city of Chester, and empties into the Dela- ware River. It has a drainage area of about 67 square miles, largely of hilly, wooded country. The navigable length is 2 miles and the head of tide is 4 miles from the mouth. The high and low water widths are 100 and 75 feet, respectively. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The river had a depth at the entrance from 4 to 5 feet, and within the river for a mile upstream the prevailing depth was 6 feet. Navigation was limited to barges by the low fixed bridge at Third Street, about 1,600 feet above the mouth. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel from 2 to 7 feet deep and from 25 to 30 feet wide from the Delaware River to Kirlin Street Bridge at Upland, a distance of 21 miles. The mean range of tide is 6 feet, and the extreme range of tide is about 10 feet. By 1In addition to this amount, $100,000 Not deducting receipts from of contributed funds was expended on this work. 2 sales, etc. 8 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 431 request of the city authorities the improvement was confined to the river between the Delaware River and Second Street Bridge, a fixed span, a distance of about 900 feet, and upon the completion of this work in 1883 no further work was done under the project. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1880, is $10,781. No estimate for annual maintenance. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881. (Annual Report for 1881, p. 794.) Resumption of the work of maintenance was authorized by Congess in the river and harbor act of July 27, 1916. The latest published map is in House Document No. 677, Sixty-second Congress, second session. Operationsand results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1883. The controlling depth June 30, 1918, was 5 feet. The expendi- tures were $6,000 for new work and $49.86 for maintenance, a total of $6,049.86. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are nine wharves on Chester River, all of which are owned by private concerns and are indirectly connected with two railroad lines. The facilities are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-There is no record of what effect the im- provement has had on commerce. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to redredge the channel with the available funds as soon as war conditions and more reasonable prices permit the work to be done. No estimate of funds is submitted for fiscal year ending June 30, 1920. Recommended modification of project.-A modification of the proj- ect has been recommended, with a view of dredging the channel to 8 feet at mean low water, the width to be 60 feet wide from the Dela- ware River to the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad bridge and 50 feet thence to the fixed bridge at Second Street, a distance of about 1,000 feet, at an estimated cost of $3,600. (See H. Doc. No. 677, 62d Cong., 2d sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.--The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to 8 feet. It was impracticable to obtain statistics for Chester River for calendar year 1917. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913....................... (1) (1) 1916.................... 119,088 $690,421 1914...................... (1) (1) 1917................... (2) (2) 1915 ..... .. ........... (1) (1 1None reported. 2 Impracticable to obtain statistics. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work----------------------- ------------------- $6, 000. 00 Maintenance ------------------------------------- 49. 86 Net total expended ------------------------ 6, 049. 86 Total appropriations to date of this report----- ----------- 9, 000. 00 432 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending Jue 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ........... ......... ................................. Expended for maintenance ......... ... ............ ......... $49.86........ Appropriated or allotted....................... ........ .......... 3, 000.00 ......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------------- $2, 950. 14 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_--_-------------------- 2, 950.14 16. WILMINGTON HARBOR, DEL. Location and description.-The Christiana River rises in and flows northeasterly through New Castle County, Del., and through the city of Wilmington, emptying into the Delaware River about 29 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. Its navigable length is 15 miles and its tidal length 16 miles. It has a drainage area of about 523 square miles, largely of hilly, wooded country. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 1,000 and 750 feet at the mouth and 60 and 50 feet at Christiana village. About 1 miles above its mouth it is joined by the Brandywine River, which is navigable for about 1 mile. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The depth at the entrance of the Christiana River was 81 feet; at the pulp works, about 4 miles above the ens trance, 7 feet; at Newport, about 9 miles above the entrance, 51 feet; and at Christiana village, the head of navigation, about 15 miles above the entrance, about 2 feet. Previous projects.-Work was done on the Christiana River from 1836 to 1838. The original project was adopted by act of July 11, 1870, and modified by acts of March 3, 1881, and July 5, 1884. The amount expended on previous projects was $402,121.21 on 'new work. For scope of previous projects see page 1785 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for the formation, by dredging and rock removal, of a channel 21 feet deep at mean low water from the Delaware River to the pulp works, a distance of 4 miles; thence diminishing to a depth of 10 feet at the Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washington Railroad bridge No. 4; and thence 7 feet deep to New- port, a total distance of 81 miles; 250 feet wide from the Delaware River to the mouth of the Brandywine, a distance of 1.3 miles; 200 feet wide thence to bridge No. 4, a farther distance of 2.4 miles: and thence 100 feet to Newport; also the construction of a jetty at the mouth of the Brandywine, one on the south side of the mouth of the Christiana, and the extension of the north jetty at the mouth of the Christiana about 300 feet. The mean range of tide is 6 feet. at the mouth and 5.4 feet at Newport. The extreme range of tide is from 2 feet below mean low water to 31 feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1911, is $476,675, ex- clusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1911) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $30,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896, and modified by the river and harbor act of March 3, RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 433 1899 (H. Doc. No. 66, 54th Cong., 1st sess, Annual Report for 1896, p. 973, and Annual Report for 1897, p. 1250). The river and harbor act of July 25, 1912, provided for the purchase or construction of a Fruhling-type dredge and auxiliaries, including a wharf and depot, for maintenance of the project (H. Doc. No. 359, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in House Document No. 66, Fifty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Operations were in progress by dredge Minquas during entire year, the work being con- fined chiefly to the section of the Christiana River between the mouth and Market Street Bridge, the depth varying from 18 to 20 feet. Material, principally mud, amounting to 240,875 cubic yards, esti- mated bin measurement, was dredged and redeposited through pipe line on the lowlands along the river. The expenditures during the fiscal year were $52,424.90 for operation of dredge and inspec- tions, office expenses, and superintendence, all of which was for main- tenance. Of this amount $44,067.67 was from United States funds and $8,357.23 from funds contributed by city of Wilmington. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1901. The controlling depth at mean low water on June 30, 1918, from the Delaware River to the pulp works, was 17 feet, and thence to Newport, 5 feet. The total expenditures under the existing project were $443,651.63 for new work and $825,540.67 for maintenance, a total of $1.,269,192.30. In addition $40,351.84 was contributed by the city of Wilmington and expended on maintenance. Local cooperation.-By an act of the Delaware State Legislature passed March 9, 1901, the city of Wilmington was authorized to contribute toward the improvement of Wilmington Harbor to the amount of 10 per cent of the United States Government appro- priation to an aggregate not exceeding $60,000. To the close of the fiscal year the city of Wilmington has contributed $45,411.81, in- cluding interest on the contribution. Terminal facilities.-On the west side of the Christiana River there is practically continuous wharfage from the plant of the Ameri- can Car & Foundry Co. to the Delaware mills of the Jessup & Moore Paper Co. On the east side there is almost continuous wharfage for about the same distance. The most important wharves are located on the west side. Of the more important wharves, those at the foot of Fourth Street, Lombard Street, King Street, French Street, Ship- ley Street, and Tatnall Street are owned by the city and leased to private concerns at a nominal rental. The wharf at the foot of Church Street is owned by the city and maintained as a municipal wharf. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad wharf, at the foot of Ship- ley Street, has direct conneciton with points along the .Atlantic seaboard. The present facilities are adequate for the existing com- merce and are being enlarged, especially in the several shipyards, towing to increased emergency business. Effect of improvement.-The transportation of freight of all classes, at rates slightly less than by rail, has been facilitated. Proposed operations.-Itis intended to apply the available Govern- ment funds for fiscal year 1919 in operating the dredge Minquas and 81116---ENG 1918---28 434 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. for miscellaneous work and expenditures at the dredge depot, based on the following estimate: Operating hopper dredge Minquas for 12 months, at $4,100 a month- $49, 200. 00 Miscellaneous expenses at dredge depot, surveys, engineering, contin- gencies and superintendence--- ----------------------------- 5, 214. 30 54, 414. 30 It is expected that these funds will suffice to June 30, 1919. Due to war conditions and the large shipbuilding operations for the United States Shipping Board on the Christiana River, the channel requires continual dredging over a longer distance for a minimum depth of 18 feet at mean low water to meet the urgent demand for war emergency needs. It is proposed to apply the funds ($50,000) estimated for fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance of channel by dredge Minquas and miscellaneous repairs to dredge depot and jetties, and for surveys and engineering contingencies. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 5 to 18 feet. The general character of the commerce for the current year was hides, sand, coal, chemicals, general merchandise, lumber, pulp wood, and miscellaneous articles. The decrease in tonnage and valuation is due to smaller shipments of hides and general merchan- dise. Comparative statement. Calendar • year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. n tons. Value. 1913..................... 473,382 $48,270,363.00 1916.................... 508,221 $173,317,399.00 1914.................... 363,199 63, 396,957.04 1917..... .. ........ 414, 987 134,863, 705.00 1915..................... 389, 713 93, 695, 494.87 Financialsummary. GOVERNMENT FUNDS. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $754.76: New work ---------------------------------------------- $845, 772. 84 Maintenance --------------------------------------------- 825, 540. 67 Net total expended----------------------------- 1, 671, 313. 51 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 1, 728, 227. 81 Fiscal year ending June 30. , 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 2....... ... $57,155.18.... ...... Expended for maintenance 2............. 66, 316.07 $147,800.69 $104, 967.31 $40,903.35 $44, 067.67 Total expended 2...................... 123, 471.25 147, 800.69 104, 967.31 40,903.35 44, 067.67 Appropriated or allotted.................. ........... ... .... 75, 000.00 30, 000.00 50,000.00 1In addition to this amount, $40,351.84 was expended from contributed funds. *Not deducing receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS---WILIINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 435 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended--------------- --------------- $900. 97 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917 -------------------------------------------------- 50, 000.00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 -- 81.00 50, 981. 97 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance _ 44, 067. 67 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-__- __-____-------- 6,914. 30 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_____--------------- 2,500. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance ------------- 4, 414. 30 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918_ 50, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919___________ 54,414.30 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance--___-- ------------------------- 50,000. 00 CONTRIBUTED FUNDS. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work___ Maintenance --------------------------------------------- $40, 351. 84 Contributed to date of this report, with interest ______________ 45, 411. 81 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ............. ................... ........... Expended for maintenance ................ 7,221.41 $135.38 ........... 12, 088. 64 $8,357.23 Appropriated or allotted................... $4,456.71 $9.27 $10,109.89 $10,080.42 $4,514.28 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended $8, 902. 92 _------------------------------- Contributed by city of Wilmington during fiscal year 1918, with interest ---------- ------------------------------------- 4, 514. 28 13, 417. 20 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 8, 357. 23 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _____---_____-____--_____ ___ 5,059. 97 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities----- _____________ ____ 15. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance_-_________-- --- 5, 044. 97 APPOQUINIMINK, SMYRNA, LEIPSIC, LITTLE, ST. JONES, MURDER- KILL, MISPILLION, AND BROADKILL RIVERS, DEL. (GROUP C). 17. APPOQUINIMINK RIVER, DEL. (C1). Location and description.-This river rises on the Maryland-Dela- ware divide, flows in a generally eastern direction, and empties into the Delaware River about 50 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. It has a drainage area of about 42 square miles of comparatively flat coun- try. The navigable length is about 61 miles and the tidal length 9 miles. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 230 feet and 200 feet at the mouth and 130 feet and 100 feet at Odessa. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. SNot deducting receipts from sales, etc. Exclusive of available funds. 436 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Original condition.-There were numerous sharp bends, a broad bar outside the mouth, over which there was a depth of 2 feet,'and in the river an available depth of 4 feet. The head of navigation for steamboats was at Odessa, 81 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.--This provides for a channel 8 feet deep at mean low water 100 feet wide from the mouth to new (Fennimores) bridge, a distance of 5 miles, and 80 feet wide thence to Odessa, a farther distance of 31 miles, including five cut-offs, which shortened the dis- tance 1.5 miles. The mean range of tide at Rock Landing, about 1 mile inside the mouth, is 5.2 feet, at Fennimores bridge 4.2 feet, and at Odessa 3.3 feet. The extreme range of tide is from 2 feet below mean low water to 2 feet above mean high water. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890 (H. Doc. No. 19, 51st Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1890, p. 943). The latest published map is in House Document No. 149, Sixty-third Congress, first session. Operations and results duringq fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditures for office expenses and inspections, amounting to $3.33, were for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 90 per cent of the project has been completed, the remaining portion, the widening of the chan- nel from 60 to 80 feet and the depth from 7 to 8 feet, is unimpor- tant and beyond the demands of commerce. The controlling depth at mean low water on June 30, 1918, was 2 feet across the flats at the mouth and 6 feet in the river. The cut-offs shortened the distance 1.5 miles between the mouth and Odessa, the head of navigation. The total expenditure was $36,973.35 for new work and $30,112.40 for maintenance, a total of $67,085.75. Local cooperation.-The land necessary for the five cut-offs made was donated voluntarily by property owners affected. Title to four cut-offs was approved by the Department of Justice under date of August 9, 1898, and the fifth in 1900. Consent of the State of Dela- ware was given to cutting a public road at one of the cut-offs by act of the legislature dated March 7, 1901. The necessary bridge was constructed by the authorities of New Castle County. Terminal facilities.-There are two wharves, one private and other open to the public for a nominal wharfage charge. There are also two landing places on the river. The facilities for handling the com- merce are adequate at present time. Effect of improvement.-A greater ease of vessel movement at all stages of the tide, except on the bar outside of the mouth, where boats must wait for the tide. Freight rates have not been affected, as there is no competition. Proposed operations.-Due to war conditions no additional funds are requested for fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-A modification of the ex- isting project has been recommended, providing for a reduction of depth from 8 feet to 7 feet and a uniform width in the river of 60 feet, and extension of the channel across the bar outside the mouth 100 feet wide at an estimated cost of $11,000. Estimated annual maintenance, $5,400 (H. Doc. No. 149, 63d Cong., 1st sess.). RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 437 References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to 7 feet. The general character of the commerce for the current year was agricultural produce and coal. The decrease in tonnage and valuation is due to smaller shipment of farm produce. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................... 28, 850 $1, 853,375 1916........ .. ........ 2, 758 $112,312 1914........... .... ... 29,775 1,422,425 1917......... ........ 1,853 65,668 1915... ..... .... (1) (1) 1 No statement obtained. Financial summmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $150: New work------------------------------------------ $36, 973. 35 ,Maintenance----------------------------------- 30, 112. 40 Net total expended-------------------- 67, 085. 75 Total appropriations to date of this report___ 67, 096. 91 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work...... .............................................. Expended for maintenance 1........... $7. 311.19 $6.88 $5.00 $21.59 $3.33 Appropriated or allotted_._.. .. .. ... ----- ......................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended--- -- $14. 49 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance _ 3. 33 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-----------------------------------11. 16 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project____________ _ ------- 22, 978. 41l 18. SMYRNA RIVER, DEL. (C2). Location and description.--This river, formerly Duck Creek, rises on the Maryland-Delaware divide, forms a part of the boundary line between New Castle and Kent Counties, flows in a northeasterly direction, and empties into the Delaware Bay about 57 miles below Philadelphia, Pa. It has a drainage area of about 91 square miles of low, flat country. The navigable length is about 10 miles and the tidal length, 11 miles. The high and low water widths are, respec- tively, 300 feet and 250 feet at the mouth, and 100 feet and 60 feet at Smyrna Landing. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 376. Original condition.-The river was very crooked and shoal, navi- gable only to Rothwells Landing, about 2 miles below Smyrna Land- 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. 438 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. ing. It was obstructed by a bar at the mouth, over which there was an available depth of 3 feet. The head of navigation was at Smyrna Landing, 11 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.--The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, a second by the river and harbor act of August 11 1888, and a third by the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902. This project was modified by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1905. The amount expended on previous projects was $55,084.78 for new work and $22,722.85 for maintenance, a total of $77,807.63. For scope of previous projects, see page 1786, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water, 100 feet wide across the bar outside the mouth, and 60 feet thence to Smyrna, a distance of 10 miles, including three cut-offs which shortened the distance 1.2 miles, and the permanent protection of the channel across the bar outside the mouth by jetties. The mean range of tide at the mouth is 6 feet, at Flemmings Landing, about half way up the river, 4.2 feet, and at Smyrna Landing, the head of navigation, 31 feet. The extreme range of tide is from 1 foot below mean low water to 2 feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1907 is $89,000, exclusive of amounts ex- pended under previous projects. The latest (1907) approved esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 815, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in that document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditure for office expenses and inspections was $480.95 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 23 per cent of the etisting project has been completed, the remaining portion is the construction of jetties at the mouth, and the improvement of the channel to project dimensions for a short distance in upper section of the river near Smyrna Landing. The controlling depth at mean low water on June 30, 1918, between the Delaware Bay and Smyrna Landing was 4 feet.' The total expenditures under the existing project were $19,944.57 for new work and $1,330.95 for maintenance, a total of $21,275.52. Local cooperation.-As required by law, the land required for the necessary cut-offs was transferred to the United States free of cost, and the title was approved by the Chief of Engineers December 11, 1915. Terminal facilities.-There are eight wharves and numerous land- ings on the river, all of which are open to the public. The facilities for handling the existing commerce are considered adequate. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has not advanced far enough as yet to be a benefit to navigation. Proposed operations.-It is intended to use the available funds in dredging to project dimensions a portion of the channel to complete the dredging portion of the project. It is estimated that the available funds are insufficient for this work and will have been expended prior to June 30, 1919, shQuld dredging plants be available in this locality. Due to war conditions no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 439 References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Comrercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to 6 feet. The general character of commerce for the current year was agricultural produce and general merchandise. The increase in tonnage and valuation is due to a larger shipment of agricultural products. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 117, 786 ..................... $1,067,750.00 1916.................... 9,266 $319,247.87 1914..................... 20, 216 299,451.74 1917.................. 10,652 565,530.00 1915......... ....... 18, 580 470,418.32 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work----------------------------------------- $75, 029. 35 Maintenance---- ---------------------------- -- 24, 053. 80 Net total expended. ------------------ 99, 083. 15 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------- 107, 807. 63 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work .................................. $747.09 $19,197.48 ... Expended for maintenance..... ...... 8.50 $2.45 .98 850.00 $48095 Total expended.................. 8.50 2.45 748.07 20,047.48 480.95 Appropriated or allotted................ ......... .......... ....... ... 100 ......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ _- -- _-----._ --.---- - $9, 205. 43 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 480. 95 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended --.... ------------------ ---- 8, 724. 48 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ------------------------------- _160, 330. 95 19. LEIPSIC RIVER, DEL. (C3). Location and description.-This river rises in and flows in an easterly direction through Kent County, emptying into Delaware Bay about 38 miles above Cape Henlopen. It has a drainage area of about 54 square miles of low, flat country. The navigable and tidal length extends to Garrisons mill dam, 14) miles from the mouth. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 500 feet and 450 feet at the mouth and 75 and 60 feet at Garrisons mill. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376.) Original condition.-This river was very crooked and obstructed by several shoals and sharp bends between the mouth and the town of Leipsic, a distance of 121 miles, with an available depth of 5 feet; and thence to Garrisons mill, the head of navigation, 18 miles from the entrance, it was very shoal, having an available depth of but 1 foot. Previous projects.--None. 1 Exclusive of available funds. 440 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Existing project.-This is in two sections adopted in separate river and harbor acts. The first section provides for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 50 feet wide through five cut-offs, between the mouth and the town of Leipsic, a distance of about 9 miles. The cut-offs shortened the distance 3 miles. The mean range of tide at the mouth is 5 feet and at Leipsic 3 feet. The extreme range of tide is from 1 foot below mean low water to 2 feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1909, is $18,500. No estimate for annual maintenance has been made. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910, and modified by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 574, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The second section provides for a channel 5 feet deep at mean low water and 40 feet wide from the town of Leipsic to Garrisons mill, a distance of about 5J miles, including a turning basin and one cut-off, which shortened the distance about half a mile. The mean range of tide at Leipsic is 3 feet and at Garrisons mill 21 feet. The extreme range of tide is from 1 foot below mean low water to 2 .feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $19,600. No estimate for annual maintenance. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912. (H. Doc. No. 647, 62d Cong., 2d sess.) The latest published map of a portion of the river is with House Document No. 574, Sixty-first Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.--No operations were in progress. Work under contract had not been started at the close of the fiscal year, owing to the necessity for the contractor to complete dredging work for the United States Shipping Board at Hog Island, Pa. - The expenditures for office expenses and inspections, amounting to $204.03 were for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1914. The controlling depth at mean low water on June 30, 1918, was 6 feet between Delaware Bay and Leipsic and 4 feet between Leipsic and Garrisons mill. The total expenditure was $36,956.06 for new work and $5,163.07 for maintenance, a total of $42,119.13. Local cooperation.-As required by law, the land required for the necessary cut-offs was transferred to the United States free of cost, and the United States was released from all claims for damages aris- ing from the proposed diversion of the stream, and the title and re- leases were approved by the Assistant Secretary of War December 30, 1912, and by the Department of Justice May 21, 1913. Terminalfacilities.-There are nine wharves on the river, one of which is public, the others are private but all accessible to the public on equal terms. The wharfage facilities are adequate for existing commerce, but no connection is made from these wharves with rail- road or other transportation lines. Effect of improvement.-It has facilitated vessel movement and has: invited additional production and traffic. The effect on freight rates is 'not known. Proposedoperations.-Itis intended to apply the balance available in redredging the channel for maintenance under the existing con- tract. The funds available are considered insufficient to restore the channel to project dimensions throughout its entire length, but due RIVERS AND HARBORS---WILMIINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 441 to war conditions no additional funds are requested for fiscal year 1920. Recommended m o difications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to 7 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of canned goods, coals, fertilizers, fish, oysters, grain, tomatoes, and sugar. The decrease in tonnage and valuation of the commerce for 1917 was due to a shortage in the tomato, wheat, and corn crops and a falling off in the demand for salt hay. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ..................... 12,581 $254,380 1916..................... 14,098 $270,837 1914..................... 10,289 139,656 1917...................... 8,207 256,432 1915 ...................... 12,462 248,020 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------- $36, 956. 06 Maintenance------------------------------------------ 5, 163.07 Net total expended---------------------------------- 42, 119. 13 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------48, 100. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................... $13,336.89 $10,693.44 ...................... Expended for maintenance.............................. .. $1, 990.14 $1,898.80 $204.03 Appropriated or allotted .............. . ............ 5,000.00 .......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --------- -- ----------- $6, 184. 90 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 204. 03 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------------- 5, 980. 87 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted Contracts------------5, 900. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance -------------- 80. 87 20. LITTLE RIVER, DEL. (C4). Location and description.-,This river rises in and flows easterly through Kent County, emptying into Delaware Bay about 32 miles above Cape Henlopen. It has a drainage area of about 21 square miles of flat country. The navigable length is 3J miles and the tidal length is 6 miles, or to a point 3 miles above the head of navigation at Little Creek Landing. The high and low water widths are, re- spectively, 140 feet and 100 feet at the mouth and 40 feet and 30 feet at Little Creek Landing. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The river was narrow, obstructed by numer- ous shoals and sharp bends and by a bar outside of the mouth, over which there was an available depth of about 3 feet. The controlling depth in the river was 4 feet. The head of navigation was at Little Creek Landing, 3 miles from the mouth. 442 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Previous projects.-None. Emisting project.-This provides for a channel 5 feet deep at mean low water from the 5-foot contour in Delaware River to the bridge at Little Creek Landing, 60 feet wide across the bar outside the mouth, and 40 feet in the river, including several cut-offs to eliminate sharp bends, and which shortened the distance about half, a mile. The length of channel under improvement is about 3 miles. The mean range of tide at the mouth is 5 feet and at Little Creek Land- ing 4 feet. The extreme range of tide is from 2 feet below mean low water to 1 foot above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1912, is $14,000. The latest (1912) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 626, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). There is no published map of the river. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. Work under contract for maintenance, authorized May 11, 1917, had not been started owing to the necessity for the contractor to complete dredging work for United States Shipping Board at Hog Island, Pa. The amount expended during the fiscal year for office expenses and inspections, amounting to $94.02, was for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1914. The controlling depth at mean low water on June 30, 1918, .was 4 feet from the mouth to Little Creek Landing and 3 feet across the bar outside the mouth. The total expenditures were $12,015.86 for new work and $3,082.71 for maintenance, a total of $15,098.57. Local cooperation.-As required by law, the land required for the three cut-offs and for the deposit of dredged material was furnished free of cost to the United States, the title thereto being approved February 18, 1913. Terminal facilities.-There are three wharves on the river, two of which are private and the other public. One of these is located in a curve of a cut-off and is no longer used. A charge of $1 per day is made by the owners of the private wharves for their use. There is no direct connection thereon with any railroad or other transportation line, but the wharfage facilities are considered adequate for the exist- ing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement opened a new lane for commerce and affords opportunity for new industries on the river by furnishing an outlet. The railroad is at Dover, 4 miles distant. Proposed operations.-It is intended to use the available funds in restoring the channel to project dimensions under the existing project. It is estimated that the available funds are insufficient for restoring the channel to project dimensions throughout its entire length, but due to war conditions no additional funds are requested for fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 31 feet to 8 feet. The principal articles of commerce during the calendar year 1917 were canned goods, fertilizers, grain, salt hay, and oysters. The increase in tonnage and decrease in value are prin- cipally due to an increase in the oyster business and a decrease in the shipment of canned goods. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 443 Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ..................... 16,075 1 $160,500.00 1916..................... 7,327 $236,633.00 1914...................... 6,636 213, 651.98 1917 .......... ............. 8,238 228,475.00 1915 ...................... 5,889 107,047.50 1 Estimated. The amounts previously reported for 1913 were found incorrect; the new amounts stated are estimated and represent closely the actual commerce for 1913. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work__________________ New ork------------------------------------ $12, 015.86 $1,01.8 Maintenance- ----------------- 3, 082. 71 Net total expended -- __ _-------15, ---- 098. 57 Total appropriations to date of this report_-----__ -__----... 18, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................. $11, 203.30 ............................... Expended for maintenance .................. $2,937.17 $10.00 $41.52 $94.02 Appropriated or allotted............................... .......... 3,000.00 .......... July 1, 1917, balance 'unexpended --------------------------- $2, 995. 45 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance__ 94. 02 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------- 2, 901. 43 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts ------------ 2, 700. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance________- -- - 201. 43 21. ST. JONES RIVER, DEL. (C5). Location and description.-Thisriver rises in the western part of Kent County, flows in a southeasterly direction, and empties into Delaware Bay about 26 miles above Cape Henlopen. It has a drain- age area of about 55 square miles of flat country. The navigable length is 17 miles and the tidal length 21 miles. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 200 feet and 160 feet at the mouth and 70 feet and 60 feet at Dover. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The river was crooked, obstructed by numer- ous shoals and by broad flats outside of the mouth. The controlling depth was 31 feet in the river and 1 foot across the bar outside of .the mouth. The head of navigation was at Dover about 20 miles above the entrance. Previous projects.-The original project for improving the river by dredging and a jetty at the mouth was adopted by the river and harbor act of- March 3, 1881; it was modified in 1884 to provide for an increase of depth and again in 1889 to substitute a dredged bank for the jetty at the mouth, and for one cut-off. The amount ex- pended on previous projects was $54,590.20 for new work and 29,235.96 for maintenance, a total of $83,826.16. For scope of pre- vious'projects see page 1787, Annual Report for 1915. 444 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water from Delaware Bay to Dover, 100 feet wide outside of the mouth, about 1 mile in length, 50 feet wide from the mouth to Lebanon, a distance of 11 miles, and 40 feet wide thence to Dover, a farther distance of 6 miles, and the construction of 5,000 feet of jetty on the north side of the entrance, and the dredging of 16 cut- offs to shorten the distance and eliminate sharp turns and bad shoals. The mean range of tide at the mouth is 41 feet, at Lebanon 2 feet, and at Dover 1 feet. The extreme range of tide is from 1 foot below mean low water to 2 feet above mean high water. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $181,425, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. No estimate of the annual cost of maintenance has been made. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 116, 60th Cong., 2d sess.) It was modi- fied by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1915, so as to permit work to be undertaken at any cut-off where the land has been fur- nished free of cost and the United States released from damage claims due to a diversion of the stream. The latest published map is in the above document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditure during the fiscal year for office ex- penses and inspections, amounting to $171.69, was for maintenance of the previous project. Condition at end of fiscal year.-No work has been done on the project, as local interests have not as yet complied with the legal requirements. The controlling depth at mean low water on June 30, 1918, was about 3 feet between Delaware Bay and Lebanon and 3 feet between Lebanon and Dover. No expenditures have been made on account of the new project. Local cooperation.-As required by law, all lands needed for the necessary cut-offs is to be transferred to the United States free of cost and the United States released from all claims for damage arising from the proposed diversion of the stream. Interested par- ties are engaged in obtaining title, but no definite date when the matter will: be settled can be given. Terminal facilities.-There are 10 private wharves and landings along the river on which no charge is made to the public for wharf- age. No direct communication is made from these wharves with railroad or transportation lines, but existing wharfage facilities are considered adequate. Effect of improvement.-Transportationby water has been facili- tated to some extent by the improvement under previous project. Proposed operations.-It is intended to apply the funds available in dredging for maintenance and continuing improvement under new project as soon as local interests have complied with the legal conditions. No additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 4 to 6 feet. The general character of the commerce for the cal- endar year was fertilizers, garden truck, fish, oysters, grain, .fruit, RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 445 tomatoes, and miscellaneous items. The increase in valuation and tonnage is due to heavy shipments of grain and fruit and the estab- lishing of a freight transportation line for several months during the year. Comparative statement. Calendar years. Short tons. Value. Calendar years. Short tons. Value. 1913.................... 102,291 $5,901,524.00 1916.................... 6,384 $188,455 .00 1914............ ..... 11,825 585, 926.25 1917................... 10,334 507, 914.00 1915..................... 7,063 171,480.25 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ----------------------------------------------- $54, 590.20 Maintenance ---------------------------------------------- 29, 235. 96 Net total expended 826. 16 8---------------------------- Total appropriations to date of this report ____________________112, 256. 50 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work....................................... Expended for maintenance ............... $4,994.62 $4.67 $25.70 $220.75 $171.69 Appropriated or allotted............... .................. .... ----...--.. ............--- ....... .... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------------- $28, 602. 03 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 171.69 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------------28, 430..34 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project_------------------- ---------------------- 152, 994. 66 22. MURDERKILL RIVER, DEL. (C6). Location and descrription.-This river rises in Kent County, Del., flows in a general northeasterly direction, and empties into Delaware Bay about 25 miles above Cape Ilenlopen. It has a drainage area of about 99 square rmiles of flat country. The navigable length is 81 miles and the tidal length 134 miles. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 200 feet and 150 feet at the mouth and 120 and 100 feet at Frederica. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.--The entrance was obstructed by a bar with a depth of only 1 foot, while inside there was a depth of 52 feet in the shoalest places. The canals or cut-offs made by private parties were narrow and poorly located, causing excessive shoaling. The head of navigation was at Frederica, 9 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water from Delaware Bay to Frederica, 150 feet wide across the 1Exclusive of available funds. 446 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. flats outside the mouth, a distance of about 1 mile, and 80 feet wide inside the river to Frederica, a distance of about 71 miles. The mean range of tide is 4.8 feet at the mouth and 1.8 feet at Frederica. The extreme range of tide is 1 foot below mean low water to 2 feet above- mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1891, is $47,550. No estimate for annual maintenance. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892 (H. Doc. No. 21, 52d Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1892, p. 981). The lastest published map is in House Document No. 1058, Sixty-second Congress, third session. Operations and results during fiscal year.--No operations were in progress. The total expenditure during the fiscal year was $341.16, all of which was for office expense and inspections. Condition,at end of fiscal year.-About 75 per cent of the project has been completed, the remaining portion is the widening of the channel across the flats and in the river. The controlling depth, at mean low water, on June 30, 1918, was 5 feet between Delaware Bay and Frederica. The total expenditures were $37,630.07 for new work and $53,606 for maintenance, a total of $91,236.07. Local cooperation.-Land required for the one cut-off made under the project was voluntarily given free of 'cost to the United States in 1895. Terminal facilities.-There are seven wharves on the river, three of which are open to the public without charge, and the remainder open to the public for a nominal wharfage fee. There is no direct con- nection with railroad or other transportation lines. The wharfage is adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-Freight rates are reported to be 25 to 50 per cent lower by water than by rail, except in winter time when the boats can not run. Vessel movements at all stages of the tide have been made possible. Proposed operations.-The available funds will be applied to re- dredging shoaling in the portion of the river covered by the project. Previous experience has shown that the annual shoaling amounts to about 30,000 cubic yards. The available balance is insufficient for this work, but the expenditure of these funds will depend on the availability of dredging plant. No additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920, as the funds available will probably be suffi- cient for such work as can be done prior to June 30, 1920. Recommended modification of project.--A modification of the proj- ect has been conditionally recommended that the width of the river be reduced from 80 to 60 feet, and across the flats outside the mouth from 150 to 75 feet; to make three cut-offs to eliminate sharp bends and shorten the distance 12 miles; and to enlarge turning basin at Frederica, at an estimated cost of $31,468 and $3,500 annually for maintenance (H. Doc. No. 1058, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 4 to 7 feet. The principal articles of commerce during calendar year 1917 were agricultural products, canned goods, fish, fertilizer, grain, hay, oysters, clams, and coal. The slight decrease in tonnage and value was due principally to lighter shipments of canned goods during 1917. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 447 Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calepdar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 .................... 35, 082 $1,431,950.00 1916.................. 33,105 $2,068,400..00 1914 .................... 26, 269 924,870.20 1917................... 32,501 1,838, 401.00 1915 .................... 32, 945 1,012,955.50 Financial sumorrn/ary. .Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------ $37, 630. 07 Maintenance-------------------------------------- 53, 606. 00 Net total expended-------------------------------- 91, 236. 07 Total appropriations to date of this report ---------- __------ 103, 450. 99 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work..................... ......................................................................... Expended for maintenance ............... $.4,127.64 $3, 767.92 $4, 996.61 $119.03 $341.16 Appropriated or allotted ......................... 5,000.00 ............ 5,000.00 7,500.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended________---------------- $5, 056. 08 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ - 7, 500. 00 12, 556. 08 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenanceL 341. 16 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------------------- 12, 214. 92 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of ex- isting project ------------------------------------------ 9, 919. 93 23. MISPILLION RIVER, DEL. (C7). Location and description.-This river rises on the boundary line between Maryland and Delaware, flows northeasterly between Kent and Sussex Counties, and empties into Delaware Bay about 16 miles above Cape Henlopen. It has a drainage area of about 99 square miles of flat country. The navigable length is 14 miles and a tidal length of 141 miles. The high and low water width at mouth is 400 feet and at Milford is 100 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Sur- vey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The entrance was obstructed by a bar extend- ing about a mile out in the bay over which there was a controlling depth of 1 feet, and in the river there were numerous shoals with an available depth of only 4 feet. The head of navigation was at Mil- ford, 14 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.--The original project was adopted in 1879, which was for the improvement of the river from Delaware Bay to Milford. A second project, adopted by the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892, was for the improvement of the mouth by dredging. This project was modified by authority of the Chief of Engineers July 3, 1893, to provide for a protective jetty at the inner end of the channel across the flats outside of the mouth. The amount expended 1 Exclusive of available funds. 448 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. on previous projects was $78,390.07 for new work. For scope of previous projects, see page 1786, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water and 150 feet wide across the bar outside the mouth, a dis- tance of about 1 mile protected by a jetty along the south side, and thence 60 feet wide, increasing to 75 feet at sharp bends, from the mouth to Milford, a distance of 13 miles. The mean range of tide .is 41 feet at the mouth and 3- feet at Milford. The extreme range of tide is from 1 foot below mean low water to 2 feet above mean high water. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1900, is $87,065, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. No estimate of the annual cost of maintenance has been made. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 102, 56th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest pub- lished map is in House Document No. 678, Sixty-second Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging operations by hired dredge, under special agreement, were in progress. The channel was dredged an aggregate length of about 8,500 feet with a width ranging from 40 to 75 feet and to a varying depth of 5 to 6 feet at mean low water. The total expenditure for the fiscal year was $6,843.33, all of which was for maintenance. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-About 90 per cent of the ex- isting project has been completed, the remaining portion consisting of the widening of sharp bends in the river. The controlling depth on June 30, 1918, across the flats outside the mouth and in the river was 4 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures under the ex- isting project were $70,408.34 for new work and $60,608.90 for main- tenance, a total of $131,017.24. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are seven wharves at Milford, all open to the public, and numerous landing places and wharves along the river. All are open to the public free of charge. The wharfage facilities for handling existing commerce are adequate. Effect of improvement.-Freight rates are reported to have been reduced an average of 25 per cent, and the greater depth of water permits the movement of vessels in the river at low water. Proposed operations.-It is intended to use the available funds in continuing work of repairs to jetties by filling in remaining portion with stone where it has settled and for dredging for maintenance upstream toward Milford. The funds available are considered suffi- cient for this work until June 3.0, 1919. It is proposed to apply the funds ($10,000) estimated for fiscal year 1920 for dredging shoals, particularly at the entrance, as supplies for Fort Saulsbury are delivered by water in addition to the usual commerce of the stream. Recommended modifications of project.-A report was submitted (H. Doc. No. 678, 62d Cong., 2d sess.) recommending additional work, in effect a modification of the existing project, providing for a deepening of the channel across the flats to 6 feet and a reduction of the width in that locality from 150 to 80 feet; also the making of five cut-offs in the river to avoid sharp bends and to shorten the distance, at an estimated cost of $70,400, with $5,000 annually for maintenance. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 449 References to published articles not previously reported.---None. Commercial statistics.-Thetusual draft of loaded vessels is from 4 to 8 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year was fertilizers, grain, farm produce, canned goods, coal, lumber, and general merchandise. The decrease in valuation is due to smaller shipments of general merchandise for which a higher value per ton was reported for 1916. The principal freight line was discontinued in the early part of the year, as the Navy Department took over their boat. This resulted in considerable freight being shipped by rail which heretofore was shipped by boat. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................... 157,150 $6,155,600.00 1916.................... 31,254, $3,638,390.00 1914...... .... ............ ... 24,492 576, 523.40 1917 ............. .. 32, 075 1,453,275.00 1915 ................... 31,778 1,014, 346.68 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work_ _-------- $148. 798. 41 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 60, 608. 90 Net total expended --------------------------------- 209, 407. 31 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 219, 890. 67 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work......... 5,000.00 ............. ............. Expended for maintenance................ 5,475.15 $10,270.30 $10,144.75 $208.22 86, 843.33 Total expended ..................... 9,475.15 10,270.30 10,144.75 208.22 6,843.33 Appropriated or allotted .......................................... 10,000.00 ........... 7,500.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended__ __------------------------ $9, 826. 09 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__ 7, 500. 00 17,326. 09 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 6, 843. 33 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended______________------------- 10, 482. 76 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project- - ---- ----------- _______ ' ------ 116, 656. 66 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance -------------------------- 110, 000. 00 24. BROADKILL RIVER, DEL. (C8). Location and description.--This river rises in and flows north- easterly through Sussex County and empties into Delaware Bay about 5 miles above Cape Henlopen. It has a drainage area of about 64 1 Exclusive of available funds. 81116--ENG 1918 29 450 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. square miles of flat country. The navigable length is about 11 miles and the tidal length extends about one-fourth mile above Milton. The high and low water widths are, respectively, 300 feet and 250 feet at 'the mouth and 90 feet and 80 feet at Milton. (See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376.) Original condition.-The river was crooked, obstructed by numer- ous shoals, and by a bar of shifting sand at the mouth, which was about 2 miles northward of the present entrance. There was a con- trolling depth of 3 feet in the river and about 2 feet across the bar. The head of navigation was at Milton, 13 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.--The original project adopted by the river and harbor act of June 10, 1872, was modified in 1885 and completed in 1890. The amount expended on this project was $35,030 for new work. For scope of previous projects see page 1787, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for the establishment of a perma- nent entrance by dredging a channel through Lewes Cape 6 feet deep at mean low water and 150 feet wide from that depth in Delaware Bay to the same depth in Broadkill River, a distance of about one- half mile, and the construction of a jetty on the north side of the entrance. The mean range of tide is 4J feet, and the extreme range of tide is from 1 foot below mean low water to 2 feet above mean high water, except in very severe storms. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1905, is $33,300, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. No estimate for annual maintenance has been made. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. 214, 59th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map of the whole river is in the above document and of the mouth in House Document No. 1109, Sixty-third Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditure during the .fiscal year for office ex- penses and inspections was $225.22 for maintenance. Conditionat end of fiscal year.-The existing project was completed in 1913. The controlling depth at mean low water on June 30, 1918, through the new entrance, was 2 feet and in the river 5 feet. The total expenditures under the existing project were $33,197.97 for new work and $40,271.57 for maintenance, a total of $73,469.54. Local cooperation.-The land required for the new entrance was furnished voluntarily free of cost to the United States by the owner of the tract through which the new entrance was cut. Title to the land was approved by the Department of Justice June 21, 1907. Terminal facilities.-Thereare seven private wharves and landings on the river at which a nominal charge is made to the public for wharfage, and one public wharf at which no charge is made. The wharfage facilities are adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-It has facilitated vessel movement by shortening the distance to the head of navigation 2 miles, but the depth of water at the entrance is inadequate for the free movement .of vessels using the stream. The effect on freight rates is not known. Proposed operations.-It is intended to use the available funds for jetty repairs and in maintenance by dredging. It is estimated that the available funds will have been expended prior to June 30, 1919, on this work. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 451 Due to war conditions, no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-A plan is recommended for the dredging of the channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide at the new mouth; an extension to the north jetty of 400 feet; the construction of the south jetty, 1,600 feet; and a sand fence 600 feet long, estimated cost of $60,000. It was suggested that there be constructed at first the extension.of the north jetty, 500 feet of the south jetty, and the sand fence and the dredging of the 'mouth of the river, this portion of the work being estimated to cost $26,840 (H. Doc. No. 1109, 63d Cong., 2d sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to 7 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year was fertilizers, hides, coal, oysters, tomatoes, and miscellaneous items. The decrease in commerce is due to the fact that in 1916 there were considerable shipments of building materials reported for con- struction work which was completed in the latter part of that year. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913..................... (1) (1) 1916..................... 16,531 $234,070 1914..... ................ 172 $2,4453 1917...................... 5,866 138,476 1915 ............ ......... 5,879 91,915 1 Not reported. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $100: New work ------------------------------------------ $68, 227. 97 Maintenance --------------------------------------------- 40, 271. 57 Net total expended--------------------------------------108, 499. 54 Total appropriations to date of this report _____________________ 123, 862. 67 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work..:....... ..... . . . . ........ .................. ................ . . .. . Expended for maintenance 1 .... 5, 918. 54 $24.83 $228.65 $9,008:24 225. 22 Appropriated or allotted......................5,000.00...................... ........ 15,000. 00' 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------------------------- $588. 35 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 15, 000. 00 15, 588. 35 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 225.22 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--------------------------- 15, 363. 13 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities______---------- - _____ 100. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance- .15, 263. 13 452 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP C. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $250: New work ------------------------------------------ $470, 221. 27 Maintenance -------------------------- ------- 246, 134. 41 Net total expended ---------------------------------- 716, 355. 68 Total appropriations to date of this report- 800, 464. 77 -____-__-__-______ Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................. $29 540.19 $10 693,44 $747 09 $19,197.48 Expended for maintenance' ............ 27, 835,64 17 014i22 17,401.83 12, 368115 8,3.73 Totalexpended1 ...... ........ 57,375.83 27, 707.66 18,148.92 31,565.63 8,363. 73 Appropriated or allotted...... ....... . ..... -... 10,000.00 ............ 33,000.00 30,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended______--______--____----- $62, 472. 82 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act, approved Aug. 8, 1917 - 30, 000. 00 92, 472. 82 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- nance ------------------------------------------------------- 8, 363. 73 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--- ------ __84, 109. 09 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities.------------------------ $100 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts .. 8, 600 8, 700. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $38,243.11 available only for maintenance 5, 409. 09 7---------------------------- Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project -------------------------------------------- 242, 880. 69 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance----------------------------------- 10, 000. 00 25. INLAND WATERWAY BETWEEN REHOBOTH BAY AND DELAWARE BAY, DEL. Location and description.-This tidal canal, situated in the south- easterly part of Sussex County, extends from Rehoboth Bay north- ward through the highland west of the town of Rehoboth Beach to Gordon Lake; thence through the marshes back of Cape Henlopen to Lewes River. It then follows the latter and Broadkill River, emptying into the Delaware Bay about 5 miles above Cape Hen- lopen. It has a drainage area of about 27 square miles of flat country. The high and low water widths near the mouth of Lewes River are, respectively, 75 feet and 60 feet, and in the canal as far as the work has progressed a high and low water width of 55 feet and 40 feet. respectively, have been made. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 376. 12Not deducting receipts from sales, Exclusive of available, funds. etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 453 Original condition.-Rehoboth Bay and Delaware Bay were not connected by any channel. The land through which it was necessary to dredge had a highland elevation and a marsh elevation of about 23 feet and 4 feet, respectively, above mean low water at Delaware Breakwater Harbor. Lewes River had an available depth of about one-half foot at its upper end and about 4 feet at its junction with the Broadkill. Previous projects.-A canal along a slightly different route formed a part of the projected waterway from Chincoteague Bay, Va., to Delaware Bay, begun in 1886 and abandoned in 1905. Existing project. This provides for a waterway 6 feet deep at mean low water, 50 feet wide through Lewes River and the marshes, and 40 feet wide where it passes through deep cutting, including also the construction of two bridges between the confluence of Lewes River with the Broadkill River and Rehoboth Bay, a distance of 12 miles. The mean range of tide at Delaware Bay end is 44 feet. There was no tide at the Rehoboth Bay end until the canal made connec- tion between the two bays, when a mean range of tide of about 3 feet was established at the Rehoboth Bay.end of the canal. The extreme range of tide is from 1 foot below mean low water to 3 feet above mean high water. This is due to storms piling up the waters of the bays. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1908 is $356,000, exclusive of amount expended on previous projects, but included $14,275 for the purchase of land since obtained free of cost to the United States, making the actual estimated cost to the United States for the construction of the canal $341,725. The latest (1908) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $7,500. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 823, 60th Cong., 1st sess., and R. and H. Com. Doc. No. 51, 61st Cong., 3d sess.). The latest published map is with the above House document Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging operations under contract were in progress. The channel was dredged for an aggregate length of about 17,180 feet, from the junction of the Broad- kill River with the waterway upstream to the town of Lewes, to a depth of 6 feet and to a width of 50 feet increasing to 90 feet at the entrance of the waterway in Broadkill River. Material, consisting of mud, sand, clay, shells, stumps, bog iron ore, stones and gravel, amounting to 130,903 cubic yards place measurement, was removed and deposited on the adjacent banks above high water. The total expenditure during the fiscal year was $40,669.81 for new work. Condition at end of fiscal year.-About 67 per cent of the existing project has been completed, the remaining portion is the excavation to project dimensions, of the waterway through town of Lewes, thence to Rehoboth Bay. The controlling depth at mean low water, between Delaware Bay and Rehoboth Bay, on June 30, 1918, was about 24 feet. This covers a distance of 12 miles. The total ex- penditures were $218,998.30 for new work. Local cooperation.-As required by law, the land required for cut- offs and for right of way for the canal from Lewes River southward was furnished free of cost to the United States by the State of Dela- ware and interested parties, with the exception of the railroad cross- ing at Rehoboth. The titles were approved by the Deparment of Justice November 3, 1892, and May 3, 1913. 454 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Terminal facilities.-There are 2 city wharves at Lewes, Del., free to the public, and 2 private wharves at Rehoboth. The present wharfage facilities have direct railway connections and are con- sidered adequate for the existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has not progressed sufficiently to have any appreciable effect on commerce. Proposed operations.-It is intended to use the available funds to continue the excavation of the waterway to project dimensions as soon as reasonable.prices can be obtained and it is estimated that the funds available will have been expended by June 30, 1919, for part of this work. Due to war conditions no additional funds are requested for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to 7 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917, consisted of coal, cord wood, fertilizer, agricultural products,' grain, crabs, oysters, lumber, and miscellaneous products. The decrease in tonnage and value was due principally to the fact that a number of items reported for 1916 were for construction work which is now finished. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.............. ....... (1) ............. 1916..................... 26,968 $450,129.00 1914............... .... ..... 4,928 $67, 122.60 1917 .......... . ..... 15,275 397,680.00 1915 ..................... 13,655 303,239.00 1No statement obtained. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------ --------- $218,998. 30 Maintenance-------------------------------- Total appropriations to date of this report-- ------------------- 267, 725. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................... $16,091.88 $37,163.24 $96,686.31 $28, 202.79 $40, 669.81 Expended for maintenance....... ........................................ ....... Appropriated or allotted.......... ... ...... ... 76,000.00 ............ 50,000.00 50,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_____________________________ $39, 396. 51 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 50, 000. 00 89, 396. 51 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work_... 40, 669. 81 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----------------------------48, 726. 70 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities-------------------- -------- 200. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available------------------------------- 48, 526. 70 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project- _,_ --- --- -- ----- 74, 200u.00 1Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 455 26. INLAND WATERWAY FROM CHINCOTEAGUE BAY, VA., TO DELA- WARE BAY, AT OR NEAR LEWES, DEL. Location and description.-This waterway was to extend from Chincoteague Bay, Va., northward, following the waterways par- allel with the ocean, through Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, cutting the neck of land at Ocean View, Del., and the land between Rehoboth Bay and the headwaters of Lewes River, entering the Delaware Bay opposite the town of Lewes, a distance of about 70 miles. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The larger portion of the route was in natu- ral waterways of sufficient depth for the proposed canal. Some shoals existed. A neck of land at Ocean View, Del., separating Assa- waman and Indian River Bays, a distance of 4 miles, required cutting through, and from Rehoboth Bay to Delaware Bay, a distance of 8 miles, required largely an artificial waterway. Previous project.--None. Existing project.-This provides for a waterway 6 'feet deep at mean low water and 70 feet wide from Chincoteague Bay, Va., to Delaware Bay, at or near Lewes, Del., a distance of about 70 miles. There is no tide in the inland waterways covered by this project, but at each end there is an ocean tide of about 44 feet mean range. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1884, is $350,000. No esti- mate for maintenance has been made. The project was modified in 1892 for the section between Rehoboth and Delaware Bays, a distance of 8 miles, reducing the width to 20 feet on bottom, with turnouts 70 feet wide every mile (S. Doc. No. 85, 52d Cong., 1st sess., and in Annual Reports for 1891, p. 1168, and for 1892, p. 596). The river and harbor act of March 2, 1905, repealed the project. The river and harbor act of June 25, 1910, revived the project in so far as the restoration and maintenance of the three Government-built bridges at Ocean View, Del., were con- cerned (H. Doc. 538, 59th Cong., 1st sess.). There is no published map of this entire waterway. The latest published map of the sec- tion between Rehoboth Bay and Delaware Bay is in House Docu- ment No. 823, Sixtieth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were in progress. The expenditure for the fiscal year for office expenses and inspections was $81.55, for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was about one-third completed when repealed in 1905, and no resumption of the work under this project has been made since. The appropriation of $1,500 in the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910, and two sub- sequent allotments of $1,000 each have been applied to the mainte- nance of the three Government-built bridges at Ocean View. The project for an inland waterway between Rehoboth Bay and Delaware Bay, Del., adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912, fol- lows practically a portion of the line included in the project for the waterway between Chincoteague Bay, Va., and Delaware Bay, Del., and the completion of the former will accomplish the purpose of the Chincoteague-Delaware Bay project in connecting the intra- coastal waterways of the Delmarvia Peninsula or the lower waters 456 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. with Delaware Bay. Combining the work done under the two proj- ects, the improvement of the waterway between Chincoteague Bay, Va., and Delaware Bay, Del., according to the plan of the earlier project, was about 55 per cent completed at the end of the last fiscal year. The expenditures have been $168,411.88 for new work and $28,089.97 for maintenance, a total of $196,501.85. Local cooperation.-The land necessary for the cuts through high land between Assawaman Bay and Indian River Bay and between Rehoboth Bay and Delaware Bay was furnished voluntarily free of cost to the United States by the State of Delaware. Title thereto was approved by the Department of Justice July 2, 1888, and No- vember 3, 1892, respectively. Terminal facilities.-There are about 29 wharves on these waters and a number of landing places, all of which are open to the public use free of charge. Effect of improvement.--The canal is used to a constantly growing extent even in its uncompleted condition. Considerable traffic in farm produce, timber, piling, and general merchandise is being car- ried on among the landings and settlements along the waterways and from the railroad connections at Millsborough and Rehoboth. Proposed operations.-It is intended to use the funds available on repairs to the three Government-built bridges at Ocean View, Del., and the increased heavy traffic over these bridges causes frequency of repairs to keep the bridges in safe condition. It is estimated that the funds available will keep the bridges in good repair until June 30. 1919. It is proposed to apply the funds ($1,500) estimated for fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, in continuing the necessary annual repairs to the bridges. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded boats is from 3 to 6 feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year is canned goods, farm produce, fertilizers, lumber, and miscel- laneous items. The increase in tonnage is due to a larger shipment of lumber; the decrease in valuation is due to a smaller shipment of farm produce. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................. (1) . 1916 .................. 19,450 $715,329.00 1914...................... (1) .. ... 1917..... ........ ... 22,520 658,278.00 1915...................... 10,601 $247,568.96 1No statement obtained. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work-------------------- --------------- ------------ $168, 411.88 Maintenance-------- --------------------------------------- 28,089. 97 Net total expended -------------------- --- --- 196, 501. 85 Total appropriations to the date of this report___________- 198, 242. 30 RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, DEL., DISTRICT. 457 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................. . . i.... ... ' .... ........ Expended for main enance ................ :.......Ut, 112.81 $45.36 $19.83 -481.55 ppropriated or allotted............... ........... 2000.00 ........ .. ..... 1,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended -------------- _________ $822. 00 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__ 1, 000. 00 1, 822. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 81. 55 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------------- 1, 740. 45 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities-------------------------------1, 500. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance--------------_ 240. 45 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance----------------------------------- 1, 500.00 27. WATERWAY ON THE COAST OF VIRGINIA. Location and description.-This waterway is a series of tidal thoroughfares in the northeastern part of Accomac County, Virginia, extending from Chincoteague Inlet on the north through Ballast Narrows and Island Hole Narrows. Bogues Bay, Cat River, and Hog Island Creek to Assawaman Inlet. It separates Wallops Island from the mainland and is about 7 miles long. Bogues Bay is a broad, shallow sheet of water 1 mile by 11 miles in extent. Cat River is about 1 miles long and has an average width of about 70 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1221. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water and 25 feet wide in Cat River, a distance of 2 miles, and thence northward across Bogues Bay 50 feet wide for a farther distance of about one-half mile. The mean range of tide is 3 feet. The extreme range of tide is about 6 feet, due to storms. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $12,100. The latest (1908) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,200. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 957, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in the document. Operations and results during fiscal year.--No operations were in progress. The expenditures, amounting to $87 for office expenses and inspection, were for maintenance. Condition at the end of fiscal year.-The project has been com- pleted. The minimum usable depth June 30, 1918, was 4 feet. The expenditures were $9,404.45 for new work and $2,306.04 for mainte- nance, a total of $11,710.49. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are about 100 wharves on these waters, 6 of which are open free to the public and the remainder 1Exclusive of available funds. 458 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. for a nominal wharfage charge. The facilities for handling exist- ing commerce are adequate. Effect of improvement.-The transportation of oysters has been facilitated and cheapened by providing a much-used protected inland route, which can be used by small boats without detention on ac- count of the tide or storms. Proposed operations.-It is intended to use the funds available and the funds provided for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, in necessary work of maintenance. It is estimated that about 8,000 cubic yards of material can be removed with these funds, which is considered adequate. Due to war conditions no additional request for funds for fiscal year 1920, is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-No-ne. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The usual draft of loaded vessels is from 3 to t5feet. The general character of the commerce for the calendar year was building material, coal, cattle, farm produce, fish, hay, logs, sand and miscellaneous items. The decrease in valuation and tonnage was due to a smaller shipment of miscellaneous items for which a lower estimated price per ton was reported. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. -Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913........... ........ (1) ............ 1916............. ...... ... 123,172 $6,018,055 1914.................... 1,955 $37, 426 1917.................... 109,024 2,092,676 1915..................... 32,262 63,962 1 No statement obtained. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work-----------------------___---------- --------- $9,404.45 Maintenance_ ---------------------------------------- 2, 306.04 Net total expended ------------------------- -------- 11,710. 49 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 14, 100.00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................................ ............. Expended for maintenance.............. $1, 603.42 $37.39 $25.44 $180.60 $87.00 Total expended .................. ....... . .... .. ........... . . . ......... Appropriated or allotted.......... ... ............ ........... 1,000.00... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------- -- $1, 476. 51 June 30,1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 87. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----------------------- 1. 389. 51 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918_ 1, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919-__ ___-- 2, 389. 51 RIVERS AND HARBORS-BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 459 EXAMINATIONS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 2 7, 1916. Reports on preliminary examinations required by the river and harbor act of July 27, 1916, of the following localities within this district were duly submitted by the district engineer. They were re- viewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, pursuant to law, and were transmitted to Congress and printed in documents as indicated: 1. Preliminary examination,of Hereford Inlet, Cape May County, N. J.-Report dated March 24, 1917, is printed in House Document No. 331, Sixty-fifth Congress, first session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. 2. Preliminary examination of inland waterway on the Atlantic coast of the State of New Jersey between Cape May and New York Bay, N. Y. and N. J.-Report dated June 15, 1917. is printed in House Document No. 727, Sixty-fifth Congress. second session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisible at the present time. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. This district includes Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries north of Patuxent River, Md., on the west side, and of Onancock River, Va., on the eastern shore; also channel at York Spit. District engineer: 'Col. W. L. Fisk, United States Army, retired, to September 24, 1917; Mr. John S. Doyle, to June 5, 1918; and Mr. George W. T. Miller, since that date. Division engineer: Col. W. L. Fisk, United States Army, retired. IMPROVEMENTS. [The letters and figures in parentheses after the titles indicate the group, and the nu- merical order in the group, to which the. respective improvements belong for purposes of appropriation.] Page. Page. 1. Baltimore Harbor and Chan- 15. Cambridge Harbor, Md. (A13). 485 nels, Md................ 460 16. Slaughter Creek, Md. (A14)... 487 2. Susquehanna River, above and 17. Nanticoke River (including below Havre de Grace, Md.. 465 Northwest Fork), Del. and 3. Elk and Little Elk Rivers, Md. Md. (A15)....... .. 488 (Al) ........................ 466 18. Broad Creek River, Del (Al6). 491 4. Rockhall Harbor, Md. (A2).... 468 19. Tyaskin Creek, Md. (A17) ..... 493 5. Chester River, Md. (A3)....... 470 20. Wicomico River, Md. (A18). 494 6. Corsica River, Md. (A4)....... 471 21. Manokin River, Md. (A19).... 496 7. Queenstown Harbor, Md. (A5). 473 22. Lower Thoroughfare, at or near 8. Claiborne Harbor, Md. (A6)... 474 Wenona, Deal Island, Md. 9. Tilghman Island Harbor, Md. (A20)..... .......... 498 (A7). ............ .... 476 23. Crisfield Harbor, Md. (A21)... 499 10 Tred Avon River, Md. (A8)..... 477 24. Broad Creek, Md. (A22)....... 501 11. La Trappe River, Md. (A9)... . 479 25. Pocomoke River, Md. (A23)... 503 12. Choptank River, Md. (A10)... 481 26. Twitch Cove and Big Thor- 13. Tuckahoe River, Md. (All).. 482 oughfare River, Md. (A24).. 504 14. Warwick River, Md. (A12).... 484 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE PAGES 2255 TO 2286. 460 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 1. BALTIMORE HARBOR AND CHANNELS, MD. Location and description.-Baltimore Harbor consists of Patapsco River and tributaries. The subdivisions of the project are as fol- lows: Patapsco River: This is formed by the North and South Branches of Patapsco River, both of which rise in the central part of Mary- land. It is about 65 miles long and, taking a southeasterly direction, empties into Chesapeake Bay 11 miles below Baltimore. For a short distance above the city it is tidal. The drainage area is about 350 square miles. The maximunm flow 24 miles above Baltimore is said to be 1,200 second-feet, with 50 for a minimum and a mean of about 460. The improved portion of this section lies in and be- low Baltimore, with a detached channel about 4- miles long in lower Chesapeake Bay opposite York Spit, Va., 158 miles from the Patapsco. Curtis Bay: This is a tidal estuary on the south side of Patapsco River about 6 miles southeasterly of the inner harbor. It is about I mile long by three-fourths mile wide and is also the mouth of Curtis Creek, the source of which is in Anne Arundel County, Md. Southwest Baltimore Harbor (Spring Garden): This is a tidal estuary. of Patapsco River on the south side of Baltimore. It is about 4 miles long and about one-half mile wide. Inner harbor: This extends from Fort McHenry to Light Street, constituting the inner harbor or basin, which is a tidal estuary extending into the center of the city nearly 3 miles long and with widths varying from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-Above Baltimore, the Patapsco River was a flowing stream, seldom more than 200 feet wide, while below it was a tidal arm of Chesapeake Bay from 1 to 4 miles wide. A depth of 17 feet was available at low tide and slightly more than 18 feet at high tide. Vessels over that draft were obliged to lighter portions of their cargoes about 14 miles below the city to permit them to reach the wharves. Small vessels formerly ascended the river as far as Elk Ridge Landing, 6 miles above Baltimore, but for years past this city has been the head of navigation. In Curtis Bay there was an available depth. of 20 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation was in Curtis Creek for shallow-draft vessels, 5- miles above the upper end of Curtis Bay. The navigable portions of the bay and creek were about 7 miles long. In Southwest Baltimore Harbor the city of Baltimore had dredged a channel from the main ship chan- nel in Patapsco River to the foot of Eutaw Street to a depth of 15 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation was at Eutaw Street. The navigable portions of the channel were about 4 miles long. Previous projects.-Patapsco River: The original project was dated July 4, 1836. Modifications were made August 30, 1852; June 10, 1872; March 3, 1881; June 3, 1896; March 3, 1905 (including York Spit section) ; March 3, 1909; February 27, 1911; and March 4, 1913. Curtis Bay; original project dated July 15, 1892; modifications made June 13, 1902, provided for a channel 30 feet deep and 250 RIVERS AND HARBORS-BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 461 feet wide from the Baltimore ship channel to the old sugar refinery wharf in South Baltimore Harbor, at an estimated cost of $196,000; completed in 1904. Southwest Baltimore Harbor; original project dated June 3, 1896. It was for a channel 27 feet deep and 100 feet wide at mean low water from the main ship channel near Fort McHenry through the middle rm of the Patapsco to the foot of Eutaw Street in Baltimore, with a turning basin 400 by 400 feet near the upper end. Project completed in 1905. The total amount spent on original and modified projects prior to the 1917 project was $8,764,003.40 for new work and $3999801.77 for maintenance, a total of $9,163,805.17. For further details of previous projects see pages 1787 and 1788 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a main channel 35 feet deep and 1,000 feet wide between the curves of 35-foot depth in Chesa- peake Bay opposite York Spit, 41 miles; 35 feet deep and 600 feet wide from the 35-foot curve below the mouth of the Patapsco River to and in that river as far as Fort McHenry, 20 miles; for a branch channel 35 feet deep and 250 feet wide into Curtis Bay to head of bay, 21 miles; for a branch channel 35 feet deep and 400 feet wide into Southwest Baltimore Harbor to a point near Ferry Bar, and 27 feet deep and 250 feet wide to the Western Maryland Railway bridge, 3J miles; and for widening at the approaches and bends and for an- chorage and turning basins, as shown approximately on the map ac- companying House Document No. 799, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Also, that as rapidly as the city of Baltimore at its own ex- pense extends the 35-foot depth into the inner harbor or basin inside of Fort McHenry the United States take over the maintenance of such extension. The estimated cost for new work, made in 1915, is $876,100, exclusive of amounts expended under previbus projects. The latest (1915) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance (excluding the inner-harbor work) is $34,000. The mean range of tide is a little over 1 foot under ordinary conditions, with an extreme tidal range of 3 feet in the upper sections, and 21 feet and 3.3 feet, respectively, in the York Spit section. The existing project was authorized by the following river and har- bor acts: The act of March 3, 1905, provided for the main 35-foot channel 600 feet wide throughout (H. Doc. No. 186, 57th Cong., 2d sess.); the act of March 3, 1909, provided for the anchorage basin near the intersection of the Fort McHenry and Curtis Bay Channels upon the condition that such addition could be made within the original limit of cost (no prior estimate or recommendation); the act of February 27, 1911, provided for an increase of channel width at the entrances and bends, provided such increase could be made within the limit of the original estimate; the act of March 4, 1913, provided for an increase in width of the. York Spit Channel from 600 feet to 1,000 feet (H. Doc. No. 1190, 62d Cong. 3d sess.); the act of" August 8, 1917, provided for present dimensions in the remaining features of the project (H. Doc. No. 799, 64th Cong., 1st sess.). The last-mentioned document contains the latest published map. Operations and results during the fiscal year.-No field operations were in progress. The expenditures were $70.37 for new work (printing specifications and advertising) and $11,423.88 for main- 462 REPORT O0 CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. tenance, such as office expenses, inspections, and operation and maintenance of floating plant, a total of $11,494.25. Condition at end of fiscal year. The improvement of the main channel to project dimensions, and of the Curtis Bay Channel to a depth of 30 feet, has been completed and maintained by dredging in good condition under previous projects. No field work has been done under the existing project. The consolidation of these divisions, to- gether with that of the Southwest Baltimore Harbor into the exist- ing project, brings the latter to within about 23 per cent of comple- tion. The controlling depths at mean low water are 35 feet in the main channel, 30 feet in Curtis Bay, and 12 feet in Southwest Balti- more Harbor. The expenditures under the existing project were $70.37 for new work, and $10,383.23 for maintenance, a total of $10,453.60. Local cooperation.-The only conditions of local cooperation pre- scribed by Congress are those, imposed by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, which require that, with the exception of the Curtis Bay Channel, the work of improvement by the United States be made conditional upon local interests providing, free of cost to the United States, whenever required by the Chief of Engineers, suit- able areas behind bulkheads or other revetment, satisfactory to the district engineer, in which the dredged material may be deposited. The matter has been brought to the attention of local interests, but the conditions have not been met, and it is uncertain when they will be. The State of Maryland and city of Baltimore, chiefly the latter, have at various times in the past expended about $750,000 on the upper Patapsco River section. In addition, the city has expended nearly $12,000,000 in dredging the inner harbor to connect with the upper end of the 35-foot channel made by the United States, in the construction of municipal wharves, and in other works. Terminal facilities.-The total length of wharf or dock front- age at which vessels may. lie is about 46 miles. The harbor facilities consist of wharves, piers, marine railways, dry docks, ship- yards, modern grain elevators, terminal warehouses equipped with modern appliances for handling freight, extensive modern coal piers, etc. Seventeen per cent of the dock space is owned by the munici- pality. There are accommodations for all classes of vessels from the smallest to ships of 30 feet draft. Some of the wharves are pub- lic and open to general public use; some are public but leased for periods by private concerns and used exclusively by them; some are private and open to all on equal terms; and others are privately owned and used exclusively. They are generally efficient for the particular uses to which they are put. The methods of freight han- dling vary from cranes and telphers to hand trucks. Many of the piers have physical connection with the railroads centering in the city. These roads have their own water terminals, and also tracks laid in the city streets, over which connection is made with many private piers. All' of the piers within the city are reached by well paved and adequate highways. The city of Baltimore has con- structed a belt line 3 miles long, which connects the water front ter- minals of the three trunk-line railroad systems reaching the harbor, RIVERS AND HIARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 463 and has provided a powerful electric tractor, in addition to the steam tractors, in the transfer service. Effect .of improvement.-On the York Spit and Patapsco River sections, because of disturbed shipping conditions, due to the Euro- pean war, itisimpossible to determine what effect the improvement will have on freight rates under normal, conditions. The city of Baltimore has completed certain portions in the inner harbor to a depth of 35 feet so as to fully conform to the improvement already made by the Government. On the Curtis Bay section, the former improvement did not have as great an effect as it should, as the dimensions are not sufficient to accommodate fully the large ocean- going and naval colliers which would use it if a greater depth were available. On the Southwest Baltimore Harbor section the work heretofore done has aided in the development of large business ac- tivity in the south and southwest parts of the city, where numerous industries are being developed, some of which, at least, need deep- water transportation, notably the Westport Brick Co., which has dug its own channel from the main channel near the new Hanover Street Bridge to its wharf, a distance of about four-fifths of a mile; the Western Maryland Railway, which has enlarged its terminal facilities by the construction of additional large coal piers and a grain elevator, and which has dug its own channel 32 feet deep from the Government channel of 27 feet depth to its piers; and the Con- solidated Gas, Electric Light & Power Co., which has constructed a channel from its wharves to the main ship channel. Proposed operations.-Due to prevailing conditions and failure to obtain reasonable prices, no field work was done during the fiscal year. It is, therefore, proposed with funds available to do main- tenance dredging to the amount of 152,000 cubic yards in the Fort McHenry section, 171,000 cubic yards in the Fort McHenry-Brewer- ten angle, 312,000 cubic yards in the cut-off section, 226,000 cubic yards from the Brewerton channel, 108,000 cubic yards from the Brewerton Cut-off angle, 150,000 cubic yards from the Cut-off-Craig- hill angle, 120,000 cubic yards from the York Spit section; and to continue improvement in accordance with the existing project by dredging 1,124,600 cubic yards of material from the Curts Bay sec- tion, and 2,800,000 cubic yards from the 35-foot section of the branch channel in Southwest Baltimore Harbor. It is expected' that the above-described work will take until about June 30, 1920, to complete, and therefore, no estimate for.additional funds is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the current year consisted of coal,-coke, grain, iron, oysters, lumber, etc. No new lines of steamers were established between Baltimore and foreign ports and the sailings of one line were suspended due to the European war. The usual limit of draft for loaded boats is as follows: Patapsco River, 33 feet for trans-Atlantic ships, 24 feet for coastwise ships, 9 feet for through bay traffic, and 6 feet for steam packets on bay tributaries; for sailing vessels using the bay, about 7 to 8 feet. Curtis Bay section, 30 feet. Southwest Baltimore Har- bor section, 12 feet. 464 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Valtie. Calendar year. Short tons. " Value. 1913............ ..... 14,781,548 $439,906, 468 1916.................. 17,014,235 $695,457,772 1914................ 13,425,185 383,401,736 1917...........14,055,885 841,616,304 1915......... .... 15, 762,.942 452,040, 202 About 55 per cent of the decrease in 1917 in the amount of com- merce under that reported for 1916 was due principally to war re- strictions on imports and exports; the remainder, largely coastwise, was caused by war conditions. Financial summrnary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $58.81: New work ------------------------ _____----- $8, 764, 073. 77 Maintenance __----------------------------------------- 410, 185. 00 Net total expended --- 9, 174, 258. 77 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------- 9, 853,180. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.. .... $5, 512.74 $229, 739.76 ..... ... $70. 37 Expended for maintenance 1.. .. 5, 581. 46 27, 279.45 22, 100.71 $42, 681.94 11,423.88 Total expended 1.................. 81,094.20 257,019.21 22,100.71 42,681.94 11, 494.25 Appropriated or allotted................. . ...... .... ..... .... . ............ 354,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ----------------------------- $36, 415.48 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 354, 000. 00 390, 415. 48 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work______________---- ______-- $70. 37 For maintenance 1,423. 88 1------------------------ 11, 494. 25 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----- ----- --------------- 378, 921.23 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities----------------------------- 2,488. 90 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $119,223.23 available only for maintenance--------------------------------------- 376, 432.33 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 --- ------ --------------------------------------- 300,000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919------------ 676, 432. 33 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ------ __-------------------------------- 418, 890. 00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. SExclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 465 2.SUSQUEHANNA RIVER ABOVE AND BEILOW HAVRE DE GRACE, MD. Location and description.-The river rises in the southern part of New York and, flowing in a general southerly direction over 400 miles, empties into the head of Chesapeake Bay. Above Port De- posit, Md., it is nontidal Its source is 1,193 feet above tide, and the drainage area is 27,400 square miles. It is extensively used for power purposes . The maxamum discharge is thought to be over 300,000 second-fete, the minimum under 6,000. See U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Suirvey chart No.78. Original condition.-Above Port Deposit the river contained sev- eral disjointed stretches which were navigable for shallow-draft vessels, but it was not used for regular navigation above the tidal limit. It was used for rafting and logging below Williamsport, Pa., and was formerly canalized to the New York State line. The con- trolling depth between Port Deposit and the mouth was about 5 feet. The head of uninterrupted navigation was Port Deposit, 51 miles from the mouth. Previous project.-The original project was dated August 30, 1852. The amount expended on this project, prior to the existing (1882) project, was $97,390. For further details of previous project see page 1788 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 200 feet wide and 15 feet deep at mean low water from Chesapeake Bay to Havre de Grace, and for the removal of the shoal opposite Watsons Island (which is above Havre de Grace) to a depth of 8 feet at mean low water. The length of the channel, including its prolongation in the bay to, Spesutie Island, is about 51 miles, the lower end of the im-- provement being about 5 miles below the mouth of the -river proper. The mean range of tide is 2 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3.8 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1911, is $200,750, exclusive of amounts expended under pre- vious project. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $4,500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882. The latest published map may be found opposite page 1806, Annual Report for 1913. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging for mainte- nance under contract was continued until August 20, 1917, when it was completed. It resulted in removing the worst shoals from the upper end of the 15-foot portion of the project downstream for a distance of about 2,300 feet. The expenditures were $9,547.67 for maintenance. Cond4ition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1915. The controlling depth at mean low water is 13 feet. The total expenditures on the existing project were $173,274.40 for new work and $43,758.46 for maintenance, a total of $217,032.86. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 11 bulkhead wharves served by this improvement, all privately owned, aggregating a frontage of ap- proximately 2,500 feet. Nine of these are open to general public use. These are considered adequate for existing commerce. Efect of improvement. The improvement has made no appreci- able difference in freight rates, and up to the present time no advan- tag6 has been taken of increased facilities. 81118-ENG 1918----30 466 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Proposed operations.--It is proposed to expend funds available for maintenance, for examination of channel, and proportion of office expenses. No estimate of funds is submitted, as itis believed the balance on hand will be sufficient for maintenance until June 30, 1920, when available funds will be exhausted. Recommended modifcations of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of canned goods, fertilizers, fish, general merchandise, lumber, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 9 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Vahle. . 156,269 1913.................... $1, 098, 731 1916................... ' 124,821 $1, 756, 562 1914..................... 225,513 726,791 1917...1................. 13,058 1,317,901 200,990 1915....................... 1,944,605 The decreased tonnage for 1917 was due to the almost entire sus- pension of shipments of cruished stone by water. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------------------------------------ $270, 664, 40 Maintenance------------------------------------------43, 758. 46 Net total expended3---------------------------------14, 422. 86 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------316, 120.00 Fiscal year ending June ,30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for rtewwork....... ......... 7, 890.42 $15 891.97... ......................... Expended for maintenance...... ....... .... ....... ........... 3592.54 $15, 638.25 $9,547,67 Appropriated or allotted ..... . ........... .................. .. ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------------- $11, 244. 81 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance- 9, 547,67 July 1. 1918, balance unexpended---- ---- __---------------------1, 697. 14 ROCKHALL, QUEENSTOWN, CLAIBORNE, TILGHMAN ISLAND, CAM- BRIDGE, AND CRISFIELD HARBORS, ELK AND LITTLE ELK, CHES- TER, CORSICA, CHOPTANK, TUCKAHOE, WARWICK, LA TRAPPE, TRED AVON, WICOMICO, MANOKIN, AND POCOMOKE RIVERS, SLAUGHTER, TYASKIN, AND BROAD CREEKS, TWITCH COVE AND BIG TIHOROUGHFARE RIVER, AND LOWER THOROUGHFARE, DEAL ISLAND, MARYLAND; NANTICOKE RIVER (INCLUDING NORTHWEST FORK), DELAWARE AND MARYLAND; AND BROAD CREEK RIVER, DELAWARE. (GROUP A.) 3. ELK AND LITTLE ELK RIVERS, MD. (Al). Location and description.-The Elk River rises in Chester County, Pa., and flowing in a generally southerly direction for about 35 miles empties into the head of Chesapeake Bay. 'About 15 miles from its RIVERS ATID HARBORS-BALTIMORE', MD.) DISTRICT. 467 mouth it is joined by the Little Elk, which also rises in Chester County flowing in a generally southerly direction about 12- miles. The tide extends about 1 mile above Elkton on the Elk and about one-fourth of a mile on Little Elk. Both streams above tidal: flu- :ence drain Semimountainous regions and have steep courses with small natural flow. The watershed is subject to sudden and :heavy freshets, bringing down large quantities of material. The drainage area above the Junction of the streams is about 115 square miles, 74 per cent of which is drained by the Elk and the remainder by Little Elk River. The discharge is unknown. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1226. Original condition.-Above Elkton these streams were small and incapable of navigation, while below they were tidal. The head of navigation was at Elkton, and the length of the navigable portion of Elk River was about 16 miles and of Little Elk River 2,000 feet. Previous projects.-The original project was dated June 23, 1874. Modifications were made September 19, 1890; June 13, 1902; and March 2, 1907. The amount expended on; the original and modified project prior to the adoption in 1912 of the existing project was 79,625.65 for new work and $24,320.94 for maintenance, a total of $103,946.59. For further details of previous projects, see page 1788 of ,Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 7 feet deep and 80 feet wide at mean low water from deep water to a point, about 1,200 feet above Cedar Point in the Elk River and 2,000 feet up the Little Elk River. The length of the section included in the project is 1,200 feet in the Elk and 2,000 feet in Little Elk, and the lower end of the improvement is about 15 miles from the mouth of the Elk. The mean range of tide is about 2 feet in both streams, and the extreme tidal range is 3.9 feet; both under ordinary conditions. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1912, is $6,060, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $4,900. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 770, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest pub- lished map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Maintenance dredging between Old Frenchtown Wharf and Bridge Street Bridge at Elkton, under contract approved June 26, 1917, was commenced July 24, 1917, and completed August 25, 1917. It resulted in restoring the project to within about 3,300 feet of the Bridge Street Bridge. The expendi- tures were $8,453.32 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1914 and has been maintained in only fair condition. The controlling depth at mean low water is 7 feet in the Elk and 31 feet in Little Elk River. These depths appear to be adequate for com- merce under existing conditions. The head of navigation is at Elkton. The total expenditures on the existing project were $6,060'for new ' work and $19,521.41 for maintenance, making a total of $25,581.41 Local cooperation.--The law of June 25, 1912, required that private interests should contribute one-third ($2,020) of the estimated amount for completion of the project. This condition was complied with and approved by the Chief of Engineers February 6, 1913. 468 RIPEPORT OF CHIF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Terminal facilities.-There are five bulkhead wharves served by this improvement, all privately owned, two of which are open to gen- eral publie use. The present wharves are considered adequate for ex- istlg commerce. Efpctof improvement.-Water rates have not been affected, rail rates have been reduced. Proposed operation.--Due to war conditions, no funds are re- quested at this time. Recommended modifications of project.-None. Referenoes to puzblished articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of fertilizers and pulp wood. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 7 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. -Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913............. .. ... 48,408 $182, 282 1916........... .......... 42,385 $202, 24 1914.............. 44, 111 164,882 117..................44,208 251,672 1915 ............... 44,933 168, 37 Financial summ ry. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ---------------------------------------- $85, 685. 65 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 43, 842. 35 Net total expended-------------------------------------129, 528. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------129, 528. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................... $4,907.52 82.34 ......... .... ............... Expended for maintenance............................. 21.41 4,. 04 ,0. 6.4 8, 453.32 Total expended...................... 4, 907.52 23.75 4, 983.04 6,063.64 32 8,453. Appropriated or allotted.............. .... 11,000.00 ............ 8,500.00......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-------------------------------- $8, 453. 32 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 8, 453. 32 4. ROCKHALL HARBOR, MD. (A2). Location and description.-This is a small bight on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay, about 23 miles southeast of Baltimore Harbor, and is about three-fourths of a mile long by one-half of a xile wide. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Oginal condition.-There was a controlling depth of 5 feet in the harbor and across the bar off Swan Point. The head of naviga- tion was Sharps Wharf, in the inner harbor, and the length of the navigable portions of the harbor was about three-fourths mile. Previous projects. The original project was dated June 3, 1896. The amount expended on it, prior to the adoption of the existing RIVERS ANTD &--B-BALTIMORE, HABO~ MD., DISTRICT. 469 project in 1913, was $16,600. For further details of previous project see page 1789 of Annual Report for 1915, xistingproject.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep and 150 feet wide at mean low water from the 10-foot contour in Chesa- peake Bay across Swan Point Bar to the 10-foot contour in Swan Creek Inlet. Length of section included in the project is five- eighths mile. The mean range of tide is about 1.1 feet and the ex- treme tidal range is 2.6 feet under ordinary conditions. The esti- mate of cost for new work, revised in 1913, is $71,196.81, exclusive of amounts expended under previous project. The latest (1913) approved estimaite for annual cost of maintenance is $3,500. The egiting project was authorized by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913 (no document printed; it is a modification of t.'e one adopted by the act of June 13, 1902, I1. Doc. No. 99, 56th Co:ig., 1st sess.). There is no published map. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1915. The controlling depth is not known as no exiamina- tion was made. The total expenditures on the existing project were $71,156.73 for new work and $9,524.99 for maintenance, making a total of $80,681.72. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is one solid bulkhead wharf served by this improvement, privately owned and open to general public use. It is considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-It is stated that the improvement'hay had no effect on freight rates nor has commerce been benefited. Proposedoperations.-No estimate for funds for 1920 is submitted, because of recommendation for abandonment. Recommended modification of project.-Abandonment of the proj- ect because the benefits to commerce are not commensurate with ex- peditures required for maintenance is recommended. (See H. Doc. No. 57, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.---None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of canned goods, coal, oysters, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 8 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913..................... 20,716 $177,958 1916...................... 9,682 $454,183 1914...................... 4,87 370,208 1917...................... 8, 813 463, 728 1915.......... ........... 18,096 514,630 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work.------------------------------------------, $87, 756. 73 Maintenance --- 9, 524. 99 Net total expended ----------------------------------- 97, 281. 72 Total appropriations to date of this report __---------------- 97,281. 72 REPORTOF R4- CHIEF OF;ENGEEER~, S. ARMY, 1918, i cayear ending runeo. i914 1917 11 1916 1917 1918 ,xpended forw m ....... eaft A......$4,o990.38 4.87 " ............. : Totalexpended................... 4,990.33 10,814.67.................. . ........... .... Apprbpriated or alotted.............................................. ... :............. 5. CHESTER RIVER, MD. (A3). 1ocation and description.--This stream rises in Kent County Del., flows in a generally southwesterly direction, and empties into Chesa- peake Bay. Its total length is less than 50 miles. The river is tidal for practically its entirelength and has but small natural flow. The improved portion is fromn Crumpton to Jones Landing. The drain- age area is about 162 square miles. The discharge is unknown. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 78. Original condition.-Vessels drawing 6 feet of water could reach Crumpton at low tide, and from that point to Jones Landing, 6 miles, the controlling depth was 3 feet. The head of navigation was Millington, Md.,' and the length of the navigable portion was about 41 miles. Previous projects.-There has been no project prior to the existing one for this portion of the river, but under projects for other portions of the river $38,041.46 had been expended. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 6 feet deep and 60 feet wide at mean low water from Crumpton to Jones Landing, a distance of 61 miles, the lower end of the section being about 33 miles from the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is 2.4 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1900, is $19,562.50, ex- clusive of amount expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,700. The, existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890 (H. Ex. Doc. No. 65, 51st Cong., 1st sess.). No. map has been published. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1903 and has been maintained in fair condition. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is 5 . feet. The total expenditures on existingg project were $17,659.48 for new work and $20,273.30 for maintenance, making a total of $37,932.78. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are two bulkhead wharves served by the improvement, both privately owned, and are open to general pub- lic use. They are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appre- ciable difference in water rates, but railroad rates have been reduced. Proposed operations.-No estimate for funds for 1920 is submit- ted. The proJect has been completed, and the last examination shows it to be in fair condition. Recommended modifications of project.-An extension of the pres- ent project from Jones Landing about 2,000 feet upstream, with a suitable turning basin, subject to certaifi conditions of local coopera- RIVERS AN 0HBS-BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 471 tion, at an estimated cost of $7,700, has been recommended (see H. Doc,. No. 797, 63d Cong., 2d sess.). Referenes to published artiles not previously reported.-None. Swroial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for tlhe calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, fertilizers, oyster, and general merchandise. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 5 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value, Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913..................... 63,558 4,288,665 1916...-............... . 46,588 $1,691,741 1914....................... 26,107 352,274 1917...........,......... 48,195 2,221,336 1915.................... 40,932 983,960 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work-- ------------------------------------ $55,700.94 Maintenance ---------------- ----------------- 20,273.30 Net total expended ---------------------------------- 75, 974. 24 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 75, 974. 24 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.............. .................... ........... Expended for maintenance............. ........ $7.84 $10 43 $4,30000 ...... Appropriated or allotted.......... ........ ............ 4;300.00 . ... ...................... 6. CORSICA RIVER, MD,' (A4). Location and description.- This stream (formerly called Corsica Creek) is a tributary of Chester River. It rises in Queen Annes County, Md., is about 10 miles long, and, flowing in a generally west- erly direction, empties into Chester River about 8 miles above Queens- town, Md. The stream is nearly all tidal. The drainage area is 37 square miles. The discharge is unknown. See U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The river was available for commerce only to within about 1I miles of Centerville Landing. There was a bar with less than 8 feet of water just inside the mouth and shoaler areas at the upper end. The head of navigation was at Centerville, about 5 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.--The original project was dated August 2, 1882. The amount expended on it prior to adoption of the existing project in 1912 was $30,000. For further details of previous project see page 1790 of Annual Report for 1915.. . Existing project.-This provides for a channel 8 feet deep and 100 feet wide at mean low water from the 8-foot contour in Chester River to the wharf at Centerville, with a turning basin 200 by 300 feet at the upper end. The length of the section included in the project is about 5 miles, and its lower end extends into Chester River. The 472 REiAPoRT OF OEREF OF ENGINEIR , U. S. ARMY, 1918. mean range of tide is about 2 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4 feet under ordinary conditions. The estiaat# of cost for new work, revisedtn 9oia is 194168, exclusive of amounts expended under pre- vious p oject. The latest (1909) approved estimate for annual cost of.amteiance is $400. The existing project was adopted by the riverlandharbor at of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc.No. 537, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1916 and has been maintained in good condition. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is 7 feet. The total expenditures on the existing project .were $9,070.85 for new work and $1,097.15 for mainteance, a total of $10,168. Lfocal coopera ion.-None. Terminal f i'ties.--There is one solid bulkhead wharf served by this improvement about 1,000 feet front, privately owned, and open to general public use. It is considered adequate for existing com- merce. Effect of improvement.-It is stated that the effect of this project has been to reduce rail rates. Proposed operations:-It is proposed to expend funds available in removing shoals which were found by last examination to have formed within the project limits, requiring the removal of 14,000 cubic yards of material. No estimate of funds is submitted, as those on hand will be sufficient for maintenance until June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general characte'r of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of bricks, coal, canned goods, fer- tilizers, and general merchandise. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 6 feet. c--- Comparative statement. Calendar year. ' Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Vlue. ... 50,79 4, 1916. 7"34...............193.................. .... 54, 302 $1, 470,954 1915 .................... , 300 642,600 Decreased, tonnage in 1917 is due principally to falling off in re- ceipts of oyster shells used for road construction and repair. Financial sum'mary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------------------------------------------ $39, 070.85 Maintenance -------------------------------- -- 1, 07. 15 Net total expended--------------------- --------------- 40, 168. 00 Total appropriations -to date of this report---,_,--.----------- 42, 968. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 473 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............. ... 1,500.88 .22.70 3, 702.85 ................. Expended for maintenance. ......... ...... . 1........... ............ ........... 1,097.15 Total expended.......... ........ 1,500 22.70 4, 800.00 ... ............. Appropriated or allotted........ ............... 4,800.00 ............... ...... 2,800.00 Amount allotted from river and harbor'act approved August 8, 1917__ $2, 800. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended______- ___________-__ 2, 800. 00 7. QUERNSTOWN HARBOR, MD. (A5). Location and description.-This harbor is about one-half mile square and is located on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay, being an arm of Chester River, about 35 miles southeast of Baltimore Har- bor. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Originalcondition.-Priorto 1871 the controlling depth was 6 feet. Queenstown was at the head of navigation, about one-half mile above the mouth of the harbor. Previous projects.-The original project was dated March 3, 1871. The amount expended on it prior to adoption of the existing project in 1902 was $19,000. For further details of previous project see page 1789 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep and 200 feet wide at mean low water from that depth in Chester River to the 10-foot contour in the inner harbor, a distance of about 1 mile. The mean range of tide is about 2 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4.8 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1907, is $25,886.35, exclusive of amounts expended under previous project. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902. (H. Doc. No. 92, 56th Cong., 1st sess.) Thelatest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operationsand results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.---The existing project was com- pleted in 1911 and has been maintained in good condition. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is 9 feet. The head of navigation is at Queenstown. The total expenditures on the existing project were $25,858.27 for new work and $18,399.75 for maintenance, making a total of $44,258.02. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-'there are three open pile wharves served by this improvement, all privately owned, one of which is open to gen- eral public use. They are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appre- ciable difference in freight rates so far, but has rendered navigation to and from the inner harbor easier and safer. Proposed operations.--It is proposed to expend funds available in removing a portion of the shoals which were found by last examina- tion to have formed within the project limits to the extent of 15,500 cubic yards of material. Available funds will probably be exhausted 474 REPORT OF CH EF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. June 30, 1919. Due to war conditions, no additional funds are asked at this time. - Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistis.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, corn, and general merchandise. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 8 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1918...................... 28,335 $1,307,806 1916 ........ ............. . 14,051 $346,259 1914 ................... 21,737 1,0 7,935 1917.................. 10,690 388,417 1915................ .. 18,670 323,907 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------------------------------- $44, 858. 27 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 18, 399. 75 Net total expended---------------- 63, 258. 02 Total appropriations to date of this report -.-.----- 66, 258. 02 Fiscal year endihg June 30. 1 14 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended fqr new work................................. .................... Expended .. for maintenance................ . 35,367.39 .. 33,108.61 33,100. 00 ................. ---.--- Appropriated or allotted..... ... .. ........... 3,000.00 100.00 ............ $3,000.00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917-- $3, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---- ---------------- 3, 000. 00 8. CLAIBORNE HARBOR, MD. (A6). Location and description.-This harbor is about one-half mile square and is located on the eastern side of Eastern Bay, an arm of Chesapeake Bay, about 42 miles southeast of :Baltimore Harbor. It is protected somewhat from the currents from Eastern Bay around Tilghman Point by a short jetty. See U.' SI Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original conditi6n.--Before 1902 the controlling depth was 9 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation was at Claiborne, about one-half mile above the mouth of the harbor. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 12 feet deep and 300 feet wide at mean low water from the 12-foot contour in Eastern Bay 'to the railroad pier in the harbor, and thence shoreward along the south side of the pier to a width of 195 feet for a length of 500 feet, and an extension of the existing jetty. The length of the chan- nel' is about 2,400 feet and of the jetty 253 feet. The mean range of tide is about 2 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4.2 feet uhder ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work (dredging), revised in 1907, is $27,408.30, for the jetty work, $2,500, a total of RIVERS .AND HARBORS-BALTIMORE, MD, IISTRICT. 475 $29,908.30, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,100. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902 (H. Doc. No. 81, 56th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-An examination was made of the damaged portion of the jetty. The expenditures were $19.39 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project has been completed and maintained in fair condition. The channel was com- pleted in 1911 and the jetty in 1912. The controlling depth at mean low water is 9 feet. The total expenditures were: Dredging $27,373.65, jetty construction $2,500, total for new work $29,873.65. for maintenance by dredging $26,991.83, for jetty repair $2,129.24, total for maintenance $29,121.07, making the total expenditures for the entire work $58,994.72. Local cooperation.--None. Terminal facilities.-There are two solid bulkhead wharves served by this improvement, privately owned, and not open to general pub- lic use. They are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.--The improvement has made no appreci- able difference in freight rates, but is the terminus of both the water and land lines of the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co. Proposed operations.-Due to prevailing conditions, dredging plants were not available and it was not possible to do any work of maintenance. It is proposed as soon as war conditions permit to ex- pend available funds for maintenance in removing a portion of the shoaling which at the present time amounts to about 50,000 cubic yards. Recommended modifications of project.-None. Rfeference8 to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, general merchandise, lumber, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 9 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ............... . 107, 564 $9,075385 1916....... ........ .... 20,827 $1,985,099 1914. ... ..... 26,726 25,..... 1,909,839 1917.................... 21,004 2,322,200 1915.. .... ......... 21,300 1,502, 780 The decreased tonnage reported for 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917 compared with that for 1918 is due to the lesser amounts reported in the later years by the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co., which reported 21,406 tons for 1914, 18,675 tons for 1915, 20,827 tons for 1916, 20,995 tons for 1917, and 107,097 tons for 1913. The reports of the railway company were doubtless in error as to 1913 commerce, although by what amount can not be stated. The company explains that since 1913 there has been a decrease of ton- nage due to the discontinuance of business of several oyster packing 476 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. houses and the further fact that it now handles by land routes a large tonnage of railroad ties, lumber, and coal ' which it formerly handled by barges and sailing vessels. Financial sumvmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------- $29, 873. 65 Maintenance------------------ ------------------------ 29, 121.07 Net total expended-----------------------------------58, 994. 72 Total appropriation to date of this report-------------------- 66, 346. 09 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.; .................. ........ .......... . .......... ....... ...... Expended for maintenance............... $1,453.68 $3,616.32 32,100.00 $2,129.24 $19.39 Appropriated or allotted ............ .... ....... 2,000.00 2,100.00 ............ 6,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------------ $1, 370. 76 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917,, 6, 000. 00 7, 370. 76 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year. for maintenance_- 19. 39 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------- - 7, 351. 37 9. TILGHMAN ISLAND HARBOR, MD. (A7). Location and description.-This hkrbor (also called Dogwood Harbor) is on the easterly side of Tilghman Island, between Chesa- peake Bay and Choptank River. It is about 60 miles southeasterly from Baltimore Harbor. Its general dimensions are about 1,200 feet long by 600 feet wide. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The controlling depth was 6.8 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation was at Avalon, about 600 feet above the mouth of the harbor. Previous pro/ects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging an anchorage basin 10 feet deep at mean low water, 300 feet wide and 700 feet long to the northward of the steamboat wharf. The mean range of tide is 1.4 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3.2 feet under ordinary condi- tions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $7,820. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $200. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 400, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in House Document No. 796, Sixty-third Congress, second sesion. Operations and results during fiscal year.--None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-No field Work has been done, as the adopted project did not meet with the wishes of local interests, who desired one which would give a greater degree of shelter. The conditions are the same as those stated under Original condition. aXVEBS AND ARBOI---BALTIMOBE, MD., DISTRICT. 477 The total expenditures were $29.73, being expenses incident to print- ing specifications and advertising for proposals for dredging. Local cooperation.--None. Terminaal faclitie.-There are four wharves, three of which are solid bulkhead and one open pile, served by this improvement, pri- vately owned, and not open to general public use. They are con- sidered adequate for existing commerce. E of imp tct ovement.,-The effect of the project can not be de- termined until the work has been commenced and completed. SP oposed operations.-No work is proposed pending the further action of Congress on the modification of project recommended below. Recom ended modificcions of project.--To change present an- chorag basin depth to 8 feet with a slight change in boundary lines at an estimated cost of $7,790 is recommended. (See H. Doc. No. 796, 6 d Cong., 2d sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, fish and oysters, and general merchandise. The limit of draft or loaded boats is 8 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 .................... 25,185 $988,434 1916................... 19,918 8653,765 1914........... .......... 20,333 554,937 1917.................... 16,710 673,768 1915...................... .19,546 499,820 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30. 1918: New work -------- ---------------------------- ------------- -- $9. 73 Maintenance-------- Total appropriations to date of this report------------------------- 7,820. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work..................... $17.16 ... ...... ...... ......... Expended for maintenance. ................. I............ ............ . Appropriated or allotted.................................. ... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ------ 7, 790. 27 $----------------- July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------- 7, 790. 27 10. TRED AVON RIVER, MD. (A8). Location and description.-This stream, formerly called Tread- haven Creek, rises in Talbot County, Md., flows in a general south- erly direction and empties into Choptank River about 10 miles above its mouth. It is about 10 miles long and is a tidal estuary with very little natural flow. The drainage area is 36 square miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-There was a depth of less than 7 feet to Eas- ton Point, above which the stream was not navigable. The head of 478 REPORT 'OF COIEF 'O' ENGINEERS,t . S. E i Aktl~ 8. naVigation was at Easton Point. The length of the navigable por- tion was 10 miles. Previous projects.-The original project was dated June 14, 1880. Amount expended on it prior to beginning of existing project in 1912 was $6,000. For further details of previous project see page 1790 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for restoring by dredging the channel formerly dredged from Peach Blossom Creek to Easton Point to 8 feet deep at mean low water and 150 feet wide, widen- ing out at the upper end. The length of the section included in the project is about 3 miles, and its lower end is about 7 miles above the mouth. The mean range of tide is about 2 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3.1 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $9,200, exclusive of amounts ex- pended under previous project. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $100. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 399, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1914 and has been maintained in fair condition. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is 7 feet. The total expenditures on the existing project were $6,692.87 for new work and $474.37 for maintenance, a total of $7,167.24. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is one solid bulkhead wharf, aggregat- ing a frontage of about 900 feet, privately owned, and not open to general public use. Additional wharf room is considered necessary to admit of competition in transportation facilities. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appre- ciable difference in freight rates, but has made the passage of steam- ers using the river easier and safer, it being before the last improve- ment somewhat tortuous. Proposed operations.-The last examination showed this improve- ment to be in fair condition, and it is proposed to hold available funds until need for them develops. Recommended modifications of project.--Extension for a distance of 2,100 feet up the north fork, with a turning basin at the upper end, at an estimated cost of $19,600 and $400 annually for mainte- nance is recommended (see H. Doc. No. 27, 63d Cong., 1st sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, fertilizers, lumber, and general merchandise. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 8 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913............... .... 28,884 $1,140,880 1916...................... 27,938 $956,610 1914....... ..5641917.......13,375 768,564 1917.................... 26,072 1,155,275 1915.............. ....... 25,872 936,060 RIVERS AND HARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 479 Financial,summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ---------------------------------------- $12, 692.87 Maintenance - ------------------ 474. 87 Net :total expended----- ---------------------------- 13, 167. 24 Total appropriations to date of this report-----------1------- 15,'200. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................ $6, 50.05.. Expended for maintenance ..... .... ... . . . .. ........... 474.37...... Appropriated or allotted ........... ...... .. .. ... ................................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ....- ______ __--________ $2, 032. 76 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-_____ 2, 032 76 11. LA TRAPPE RIVER, MD. (A9). Location and description.-Thisstream, formerly known as Divid- ing Creek, is a tributary of Choptank River. It is in the lower section of Talbot County, Md., and is a small tidal basin 3 miles long, with .no fresh-water inflow. S4e U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-Before improvements were begun by the United States the controlling depth was 4 feet, which was increased to 8 feet by dredging at private expense. The head of navigation-was Trappe Landing, and the length of the navigable portion was about 3 miles. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging .a channel 11 feet deep at mean low water and 150 feet wide across the bar at the mouth, and 8 feet deep at mean low water and 75 feet wide inside the bar as far as Trappe Landing, with a turning basin at the latter point. The length of the section included in the project is about 3 miles, the lower end extending into Choptank River. The mean range of tide is 2 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3.5 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1896, is $9,750. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of main- tenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892. (Annual Report for 189i, p. 1216.) No map has been published. Operations and results during fiscal year.--None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was completed in 1908 and has been maintained in fair condition. The controlling depths at mean low water are 9 feet and 8 feet. The total expendi- tures were $8,063.87 for new work and $15,367.97 for maintenance, making a total of $23,431.84. Local cooperation.-No conditions as to local cooperation were pre- scribed by law, but prior to operations by the United States local interests had dredged a channel approximately 8 feet deep. 480 BEPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Terminal facilities.-There is one combined solid bulkhead and open pile wharf of 225 feet and 200 feet long, respectively, served by this improvement, privately owned. The bulkhead portion is open to general public use. It is considered adequate for existing com- merce. Efect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appre- ciable difference in freight rates. Poposed operations.-Itis proposed to expend the funds available in removing 7,000 cubic yards of shoaling found to exist by the last examination. No estimate of additional funds is submitted, as it is believed the balance on hand will be sufficient for maintenance until June 30, 1920, when available funds will be exhausted. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the. calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, fertilizers, general merchandise, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 8 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short'tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913............... ... 1,9 $1,141,808 1916..................... 6,478 8379,160 1914...................... 8,356 371, 242 1917.......... ....... .. 5,829 297,362 1915................... ... 6,949 340, 750 The decreased tonnage reported for 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917 compared with that for 1913 is due to the lesser amounts reported in the later years by the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co., which reported 3,429 tons for 1914, 3,888 tons for 1915, 2,316 tons for 1916, 732.tons for 1917, and 15,821 tons for 1913. The, reports of the railway company were doubtless in error as to 1913 commerce, although by whatamount ' can not be stated. Financia5a ae ry. Amount expended on all, project to June 80, 1918: New work - -------------------------- u- ------ $8, 063.87" Maintenance------- ---------------------------------- 15, 367.97 Net total expended---------------------------------- 23, 431.84 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------_--- 24, 931.84 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 E d oegnew work.................... 4xp~ .. ....... ................. Etpoeided fbr maintenance......... .... $2,976.11 '2,023.89 2,600.00.. ................. Appropriated or allotted............................... 2,500 00 100.00 $1,500.00.......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ --------------------------------- $1, 500.00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended. --------------- ----- # ----------- 1, 500. 00 RIVER9 AND HARBOR -BA.TIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 481. 12. CHOPTANK RIVER, MD. (A10). Location and description.-This stream rises partly in Delaware and partly in Maryland, between Dover and Centerville, flows in a generally southwesterly direction until near Cambridge, where it turns to the northwest and empties into Chesapeake Bay. Its total length is about 70 miles. It is tidal for practically its entire length, is sluggish, and has but small natural flow. The drainage area is 192 square miles. The discharge is unknown. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The depth between Denton and Greensboro varied from 2 to 8 feet. Navigation by small sailing vessels ex- tended only to 3 miles above Denton. Upon the remaining 5 miles to Greensboro freight had to be transported in scows. The head of navigation was at Greensboro, and the length of the navigable portions was about 46 miles. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 75 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water from Denton to Greensboro, a dis- tance of 8 miles, the lower end of the section being about 38 miles above the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is about 2 feet, and the extreme tidal range is 4.6 feet under ordinary condi- tions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1880, is $79,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,400. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880. (S. Ex. Doc. No. 66, 46th Cong., 2d sess.; and Annual Report for 1880, p. 634.) No map has been published. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1911 and has been maintained in a generally good condition. The controlling depth at mean low water is 7j feet. The total ex- penditures were $78,996.34 for new work and $21,149.83 for main- tenance, a total of $100,146.17. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are three solid' bulkhead wharves served by this improvement, privately owned, aggregating 850 feet in length, 570 feet of which is open to general public use. They are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.--The improvement has made no appreci- able difference in water rates, but railroad rates have been reduced. Proposed operations.-No estimate for funds for 1920 is submitted, as the project has been completed and the last examination showed it to be in good condition. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, fertilizers, oysters, and general merchandise. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 8 feet. 81116--ENG 1918-31 482 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEES, U. S. ABMY, 1918. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................... 243, 749 $19, 790, 784 1916.... . ..... 57,845 3, 262, 600 1914................ ....... .. 48,712 3,712,196 1917..................... 50,657 3,111,420 1915......................... 49, 586 2, 540, 465 The decreased tonnage reported for 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917, compared with that for 1913, is due to the lesser amounts reported in the later years by the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co., which reported 48,537 tons for 1914, 23,877 tons for 1915, 25,306 tonas for 1916, 26,960 tons for 1917, and 241,443 tons for 1913. 'The reports of the railway company were doubtless in error as to the 1913 commerce, although by what amount can not be stated. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------ -------------------------------------- $78,996. 34 Maintenance------------ ------------------------------------ 21, 149. 83 Net total expended----- ----------------------------- 100,146. 17 Total appropriations to date of this report..------------------------100, 146. 17 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................. ....... ................................... Expended for maintenance................. 2,97604 $4,015.58 $4, 200 00 .. Appropriated or allotted ................ ......... 4,000.00 200.00 ...................... 13. TUCKAHOE RIVER, MD. (All). Location and description.-This river (formerly called Tuckahoe Creek) rises in Queen Annes County, Md., flows in a generally south- erly direction, and empties into Choptank River about 8 miles below Denton, Md. It is about 25 miles long, narrow and crooked, with tidal influence extending about 13 miles, and varies in width from 50 to 100 feet. The drainage area is 115 square miles. The dis- charge is unknown. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The river was available for commerce as far as Waymans Wharf. Above that point the stream was crooked and shoal, with a maximum depth of about 4 feet. The head of naviga- tion was Hillsboro. The length of the navigable portion of the river was about 121 miles. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 8 feet deep at mean low water and 50 feet wide from Waymans Wharf to Rolphs Landing and to remove a shoal below Waymans Wharf. The. length of the section included in the project is about 11 miles, and its lower end is about 8 miles above the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is 2.3 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4.3 feet RIVERS AND HARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 483 under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $15,600. The latest (1908) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912. (H. Doc. No. 1160, 60th Cong., 2d sess.) The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Conditions at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1914 and has been maintained in excellent condition. The controlling depth at mean low water is 8 feet. The total expendi- tures were $9,727.36 for new work and $415.03 for maintenance, a total of $10,142.39, Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are two solid bulkhead wharves served by this improvement, privately owned, and not open to general pub- lic use. An additional wharf at Rolphs Landing is considered de- sirable. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appre- ciable difference in freight rates or type of vessel using the channel. Proposed operations.-The last examination showed this improve- ment to be in good condition, and it is proposed to hold available funds until need for them develops. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, fish and oysters, general merchandise, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 7 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................................ 6,579. $457,053 1916.................. 1,978 $178,105 1914..................... 3,161 234,144 1917..................... . 1,110 103,902 1915...................... 2,208 171,415 The decreased tonnage reported for 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917 compared with that for 1913 is due to the lesser amounts reported in the later years by the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co., which reported 2,949 tons for 1914, 2,194 tons for 1915, 1,329 tons for 1916, 1,104 tons for 1917, and 6,483 tons for 1913. The reports of the railway company were doubtless in error as to 1913 commerce, although by what amount can not be stated. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work---------------------------------------------- $9, 727. 36 Maintenance ---------------------------- ---------------- 415. 03 Net total expended--------------------------- -- 10, 142. 39 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 15, 600. 00 484 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............ .... $9,708.83........... ...................... Expended for maintenance..................... ......... $415.03................... Appropriated or allotted................ ................ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_________------------------ -------------- $5,457. 61 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _______________-__________- 5, 457. 61 14. WARWICK RIVER, MD. (A12). Location and description.-This river, formerly named Secretary Creek, is in Dorchester County, eastern shore of Maryland, and flows into Choptank River, one of the largest tributaries of Chesa- peake Bay. It is a tidal estuary about 1 mile long with little fresh- water inflow and practically no drainage area. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The controlling depth in the river was 4 feet. The head of navigation was at Secretary Landing, and the length of the navigable portion was about 1 mile. Previous projects.-The original project was dated June 14, 1880. The amount expended on it prior to beginning existing project in 1892 was $6,000. For further details of previous projects see page 1789 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep and 100 feet wide at mean low water from the 10-foot contour in Chop- tank River to Secretary Landing, including a turning basin at the latter point. The length of the section included in the project is about 1l miles, the lower half mile extending into Choptank River. The mean range of tide is 2 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3.7 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1891, is $18,600, exclusive of amounts expended under pre- vious projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,800. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 13, 1892 (Annual Report for 1891, p. 1219.) No map has been published. Operations and results during fiscal year.--None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1904 and has been maintained in good condition. The controlling depth at mean low water is 9 feet. The total expendi- tures on the existing project were $16,040.82 for new work and $24,041 for maintenance, a total of $40,081.82. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is one solid bulkhead wharf served by this improvement, privately owned, most of which is open to general public use. It is considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appreci- able difference in freight rates, but larger vessels have been given access to the wharves at the head of navigation. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to expend available funds in removing shoals which were found by the last examination to have formed within the project limits, amounting to 7,500 cubic yards of material. Available funds will probably be exhausted June 30, :RIVERS AND HARBORS-BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 485 1919. No additional funds are asked for, as those on hand are be- lieved sufficient to maintain the channel in good condition until June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project. None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agriculture products, canned goods, coal, general merchandise, oysters, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 8 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tens. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ...................... 72,833 $3,776,030 1916.................... 8,649 $523,460 1914.................. .... 5,876 399,020 1917................. ... 8, 334 428,264 1915 ...... ............... 8.541 383.670 The decreased tonnage reported for 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917, compared with that for 1913, is due to. the lesser amounts reported in the later years by the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co., which reported 4,974 tons for 1914, 4,148 tons for 1915, 4,589 tons for 1916, 5,164 tons for. 1917, and 69,800 tons for 1913. The reports of the railway company were doubtless in error as to the 1913 commerce, although by what amount can not be stated. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work-------------- ---- -------------------- $22. 040. 82 Maintenance 041. 00 2---------------------------- Net total expended-------------- 46, 081. 82 Total appropriations to date of this report-----------------------49, 081. 82 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work'.i.........-.....- ..... .................... Expended for maintenance.............. $3 968.61 4,02350 $3.10000............ Appropriated or allotted.................... .....- .... 3, 000.00 3, 100.00 $3,000.00 ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-------------------------------- $3, 000. 00 ------- July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------- --- __ 3, 000. 00 15. CAMBRIDGE HARBOR, MD. (A13). Location and description.-This harbor is about three-fourths mile long by one-fourth mile wide, and is a bight on the eastern side of Choptank River, about 18 miles above its mouth, and is distant southeastwardly from Baltimore Harbor about 70 miles. See U. S. Coast avnd Geodetic Survey chart No. 1225. Original condition.-There was a cQntrolling depth of 4 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation was at Cambridge, about one-half mile inside the outer end of the project. Previous projects.-The original project was dated March 3, 1871. Modification was made July 13, 1892. The amount expended on the 486 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. original and modified project prior to adoption of the existing project in 1902 was $50,237. For further details of previous projects see page 1789 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 12 feet deep and 150 feet wide at mean low water from the 12-foot curve in Choptank River to a point 500 feet outside the Baltimore, Chesapeake & At- lantic Railway Co.'s steamboat wharf, from this point gradually widening to the harbor line at the wharf, and from the steamboat wharf to Mill Wharf with a width of 200 feet and depth of 8 feet, making an anchorage basin; increasing the width of the lower harbor 40 feet on the north side and widening the upper harbor an average of 360 feet along the channel already dredged to a depth of 8 feet. The length of the improved sections is about 1 mile. The mean range of tide is about 1.7 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3.5 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, re- vised in 1907, is $13,858.25, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902 (H. Doc. No. 119, 54th Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Report for 1897, p. 1296). Latest published map is with House Docu- ment No. 560, Sixty-first Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1911, and has been maintained in good condition. The controlling depths at mean low water are project depths of 12 and 8 feet. The total expenditures on the existing project were $11,084.13 for new work, and $5,587.30 for maintenance, a total of $16,671.43. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are about 5,400 feet of solid bulkhead wharf served by this improvement, privately owned, about 4,900 feet of which is open to general public use. These facilities are con- sidered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appre- ciable difference in freight rates, but has permitted the use of the harbor by larger. vessels. Proposed operations.-No estimate of funds for 1920 is submitted; the project has been completed, and the last examination showed it to be in good condition. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercialstatistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, fish and oysters, general merchandise, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 10 feet in the outer harbor and 8 feet in the inner harbor. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 789 $11,927,222 237, 1913........................ 1916................ ..... 88, 367 $2, 064,460 1914....................... 79,211 1,689,552 1917.................. .. 90,296 2,408,333 1915...................... 87,384 1,631,616 RIVERS AND HARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 487 The decreased tonnage reported for 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917 compared with that for 1913, is due to the lesser amounts reported in the later years by the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co., which reported 10,451 tons for 1914, 10,094 tons for 1915, 10,696 tons for 1916, 9,659 tons for 1917, and 118,387 tons for 1913. The reports of the railway company were doubtless in error as to the 1913 commerce, although by what amount can not be stated. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work__ ------------------------------------------ $61, 321, 13 Maintenance------------- 5, 587. 30 Net total expended 908. 43 6---------------------------- Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------66, 908. 43 Fiscal year eniding June 30. 1914 ii 1915 I 1916 I 1917 - - , - - 1918 - - Expended for new work................................I... Expended for maintenance................. . ...... $4.86 $200.00................... Appropriated or allotted.................... ..................... .... 200.00 ....................... 16. SLAUGHTER CREEK, MD. (A14). Location and description.--This is a waterway connecting with Little Choptank River 5 miles from its mouth. It lies between Taylors Island and the mainland of the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay. It is in Dorchester County, Md., follows a generally northerly direction, and is about 8 miles long and tidal throughout. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-A bar existed at the mouth over which sail- ing vessels drawing 71 feet and the regular steamer from Baltimore, drawing 6 feet, could not pass except at very high tide. The head of navigation was at Taylors Island Wharf. The length of the navigable portion was 3 miles. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 7 feet deep and 100 feet wide at mean low water through the bar at the mouth, a distance of about one-third mile, the lower end of the sec- tion extending about 900 feet into Little Choptank River. The mean range of tide is about 1 feet and the extreme tidal range is 2.9 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $4,140. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $100. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 87, 62nd Cong., 1st sess.). No map has been published. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1913 and has been maintained in fair condition. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is 6 feet. The head of navigation is at Taylors Island Wharf. The total expenditures were $4,140, for new work. 488 REPORT OF OCHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. B. AEMY, 1918. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is one solid bulkhead wharf about 300 feet long served by this improvement, privately owned, and open to general public use. It is considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appre- ciable difference in freight rates, but the steamboat which had aban- doned trips to the creek on account of the shoaling has been able to resume them. Proposed operations.-No funds are available, and no estimate of funds for 1920 is submitted. The project has been completed, and is in fair condition. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, fish and oysters, lumber, and general merchandise. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 7 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 913....................... 16, 612 $606,450 1916................... 20,755 $1,224,318 1914 ................... .... 31,390 1,536,060 1917................. 14,642 1,242,033 1915 .................. 22, 800 1,156,350 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------------------------------------------- $4, 140. 00 Maintenance Total appropriations to date of this report------------------------ 4, 140. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................. 581.05 $30.21... Expended for maintenance.... ............................................... Appropriated or allotted...................... ...... 17. NANTICOKE RIVER (INCLUDING NORTHWEST FORK), DEL. AND MD. (A15). Location and description.-Nanticoke River is a tidal stream for 43 miles of its course, the upper 7 miles of which are very crooked and average about 60 feet in width, the surrounding bottom lands being devoid of timber, sparsely inhabited, and unproductive. At the mouth it is about 3 miles wide. Its headwaters consist of numer- ous branches, rising mainly in the northern section of Sussex County, Del. It flows in a southwest'erly direction to Tangier Sound, Chesa- peake Bay and is about 50 miles long. The drainage area is 248 square miles. Northwest Fork is a branch of Nanticoke River and for 16 miles of its course is a tidal stream. It rises in Kent County, Del., and flows past Federalsburg, Md., in a generally southern di- RIVERS AND HA RBOB--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 489 rection' through Dorchester County, Md., to its junction with Nanti- coke River opposite Riverton, Md. It is about 30 miles in length. The drainage area is 191 square miles. The discharge is not known for either stream. See U. S. Coast and 'Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-There were shoals in the upper Nanticoke River with only 5 feet of water over them. Seaford was at the head of navigation. The length of the navigable portion was 36 miles. In Northwest Fork there was a minimum depth of 6 feet from the mouth to Browns Wharf, and thence to a point one-half mile below Federalsburg there were numerous shoals of gravel, sand, and mud, which rendered navigation very difficult. The head of navigation was about one-half mile below Federals- burg. The length of the navigable portion was 16 miles. Previous projects.-The original project was dated August 18, 1894. The amount expended on this project prior to beginning the existing project in 1896 was $5,000. For further details of previous project see page 1790 of Annual Report for 1915. There was no previous project for Northwest Fork. Existing project.-- (Nanticoke) This provides for dredging a channel 9 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide from the 9-foot contour to the county bridge at Seaford, with a turning basin at the upper end. The length of the section included in the project is about 2 miles, and its lower end is 34 miles from the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is about 3.4 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4.3 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $15,860, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 3, 1896, provided for the present channel dimen- sions exclusive of the widening between the bridges in Seaford Harbor (H. Doc. No. 323, 53d Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Report for 1895, p. 1165); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for a slight widening between the bridges in the harbor at Seaford, Del. (H. Doc. No. 674, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in House Document No. 323, Fifty-third Congress, third session. (Northwest Fork) This provides for dredging a channel 6 feet deep and 60 feet wide at mean low water from upper Browns Wharf to within one-half mile of the south boundary of the town of Fed- eralsburg, with a turning basin at the upper end. The length of the section included in the project is about 51 miles, and its lower end is 11j miles above the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is 2.6 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3.3 feet under ordinary con- ditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $44,200. The latest (1908) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 869, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). No map has been published. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The improvement of Nanticoke River under the existing project was completed in 1911 and has been maintained in good condition. The controlling depth at mean 490 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. AREMY, 1918. low water is 9 feet. The expenditures thereon under the existing project were $8,379.21 for new work and $12,837.59 for maintenance, a total of $21,216.80. The improvement of'the Northwest Fork was completed in 1912 and has been maintained in excellent condition. The controlling depth at mean low water is 6 feet. Total expenditures thereon under the existing project were $35,436.10 for new work and $12,907.10 for maintenance, a total of $48,343.20. The total expenditures on both sections were $43,815.31 for new work and $25,744.69 for maintenance, a total of $69,560. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are about 2,500 feet of solid bulkhead and 50 feet of open pile wharves (Nanticoke River proper) served by this improvement, all privately owned, and all except about 950 feet open to general public use. These facilities are considered ade- quate for existing commerce. There are four solid bulkhead wharves served by the Northwest Fork improvement, all privately owned, and open to general public use. They are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of inprovement.-The improvement has made no apprecia- ble difference in water rates on the Nanticoke, but railroad rates have been reduced. No appreciable difference in either class has been observed in the case of Northwest Fork. Proposed operations.-The last examination showed the work to be in good condition, and it is proposed to hold available funds until need for them develops. No estimate for additional funds for the fiscal year 1920 is therefore submitted. Recomcmended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, cordwood, coal, fertilizers, general merchandise, lumber, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 10 feet in the main stream and 6 feet in Northwest Fork. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................. .... 174,929 $8,712,877 1916..................... 47,157 $1,794,915 1914 ..................... 52,083 2,115,283 1917....... 35,915 1, 655,820 1915.............. ............ 51,609 1,587,130 The decreased tonnage for 1917 was due largely to direct ship- ment of coal and lumber from mines and mills to sidings and yards by railroad. The decreased tonnage reported for 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917, compared with that for 1913, is due to the lesser amounts reported in the later years by the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co., which reported 19,983 tons for 1914, 15,045 tons for 1915, 14,585 tons for 1916, 13,051 tons for 1917, and 138,971 tons for 1913. The reports of the railway company were doubtless in error as to 1913 commerce, although by what amount can not be stated. RIVERS AND HARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 491 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work _ 815. 31 $--------------48, Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 25, 744. 69 Net total expended---------------------------------- 74, 560. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 79, 560. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work......... ............ .......... ....... Expended for maintenance ................ $785.48 $3, 628.33 .............. Appropriated or allotted................. ... .. .................. .. 5,000.. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ----------------------- $5, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------------- 5,000. 00 18. BROAD CREEK RIVER, DEL. (A16). Location and description.-This a tributary of Nanticoke River, and for about 8 miles is tidal. It rises near the Great Cypress Swamps, in the southern part of Sussex County, Del., and flows in a westerly direction, emptying into Nanticoke River about 6 miles below Seaford, Del. It is about 18 miles long. The drainage area is 108 square miles. The discharge is unknown. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth to Laurel, the head of navigation, was 1l feet. The length of the navi- gable portion was 7i miles. Previous projects.-The original project was dated June 14, 1880, modified July 13, 1892. Amount expended on original and modified projects, prior to adoption of the existing project in 1912, was $50,- 000 for new work and $7,462.57 for maintenance, a total of $57,462.57. For further details of previous projects, see page 1790 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 8 feet deep and 70 feet wide at mean low water frbm Portsville Landing to Laurel, to straighten and widen several sharp bends in the river, and to widen the channel below the railroad bridge so as to provide a suitable turning basin. The length of the section included in the project is 4 miles, and its lower end is about 3 miles above the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is 3 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4.5 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1909, is $14,520, exclusive of amounts ex- pended under previous projects. The latest (1909) approved esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 601, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). For latest published map, see Annual Report for 1891, page 1291. Operations anaf results during fiscal year.-The expenditures were $10.38 for maintenance, office expenses. 492 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1913 and has been maintained in fair condition. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is 4 feet. The total expenditures under the existing project were $14,520 for new work and $2,106.22 for maintenance, a total of $16,626.22. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are about 2,600 feet of solid bulkhead wharves served by this improvement, all privately owned, except about 100 feet which is publicly owned. About 1,100 feet is open to general public use. These facilities are considered adequate for ex- isting commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement is reported to have made a reduction in railroad rates, but not in water rates and has permitted boats of project draft to reach the factories at Laurel, Del. Proposed operations.-Due to prevailing conditions the available funds were too small to be applied economically; it is, therefore, proposed to hold them until such time as war conditions warrant fur- ther appropriations. Recommended m odifcations of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of fertilizers, gum logs, general merchandise, lumber, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 8 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons Value. 1913..................... 33,686 $665,992 1916...................... 18,248 $470,678 1914 ..................... 30,561 614,149 1917..................... 18,663 572,081 1915 ..................... 17,935 312,845 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work-------------------------------------------------- $64, 520. 00 Maintenance-------- ------ --- 9, 568. 79 Net total expended--------------------------------------- 74, 088. 79 Total appropriations to date of this report 5, 520. 00 7---------------------- Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work........... ..... $1,369.77 ............ ............ ............ Expended for maintenance................ 29.26 $2,008.17 ............ $58.41 $10.38 Total expended.................... 1,399.03 2,008.17 ........... 58.41 10.38 Appropriated or allotted................. ........... ........ ...........----- 1,500.00 ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_-_______-------------_____ _ $1, 441. 59 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 10. 38 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ____________-----_--_--____ 1, 431. 21 RIVERS AND HARBORS-BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 493 19. TYASKIN CREEK, MD. (A17). Location and description.-This creek, also known as Wetipquin Creek or River, has its source in Wicomico County, Md., and flows in a generally westerly direction, emptying into Nanticoke River. Its length is about 5 miles. This stream is practically all tidal, its natural flow being insignificant. The drainage area is unknown. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The controlling depth in the creek was 8 feet and on the bar at the mouth 3- feet. The head of navigation was at Tyaskin. The length of the navigable portion was about three-fourths of a mile. Previous projects.-The original project was dated June 13, 1902. The amount expended prior to adoption of the existing project in 1907 was $10,158. For further details of previous project see page 1789 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 9 feet deep at mean low water and 120 feet wide from the 9-foot contour in Nanticoke River to the wharf at Tyaskin, with a suitable turning basin at the upper end. The length of the improved section is about 3,500 feet, and its lower end is at the 9-foot contour in Nanticoke River. The mean range of tide is 3 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4.1 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1906, is $6,462.39, exclusive of amounts expended un- der previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for an- nual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 682, 59th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The expenditures were $9.70 for maintenance, office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1911 and has been maintained in fair condition. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is 7 feet. The total expenditures on the existing project were $6,138.63 for new work and $17,579.25 for maintenance, making a total of $23,717.88. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is one open pile wharf served by this improvement about 100 feet long by 50 feet wide, privately owned and not open to general public use. It is considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appre- ciable difference in freight rates, but has afforded access for vessels requiring project depth. Oyster and fishing vessels, the number of which is practically unobtainable, frequently seek safe harbor here in rough and stormy weather. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to hold available funds until urgent necessity for further dredging arises. No estimate of addi- tional funds for 1920 is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned 494 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. goods, general merchandise, oysters, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 9 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ............... ....... 3,692 $133,466 1916......... ..... ... 6,781 $195,250 1914...................... 3,987 134,188 1917............ .............. 8,107 307,235 1915...................... 6,334 194,440 Financialsuimmrary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work_ ---------- -- ----------------- $16, 296. 63 Maintenance_ ---------------- - 17, 579. 25 Net total expended__ ---------------------------------------- 33, 875. 88 Total appropriations to date of this report-____ -37, __ _ 836. 94 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914- 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................. Expended for maintenance ................ .. $94662 2, 52510 $6,100.00 ...... $29.24 $9.70 Appropriated or allotted .......... .. ......... 6, 6...000. 00 100.00 3,000. 00 1, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------------__----------------- $2, 970. 76 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ _ 1, 000. 00 3, 970. 76 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 9. 70 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------------- 3, 961. 06 20. WICOMICO RIVER, MD. (A18). Location and description.-This river has its source in the north- ern part of Wicomico County, Md., flows in a generally southwesterly direction, emptying into Monie Bay, a tributary of Tangier Sound. Its total length is about 33 miles. It is tidal for over two-thirds its course, the remaining portion being through a flat country and having small flow. The drainage area is 74 square miles. The dis- charge is unknown. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The navigable channel, with a minimum depth of 8 feet, extended to within 2 miles of Salisbury. The ex- treme upper portion as far as the mill dam in the heart of the town was quite shoal and had an average depth of only 18 inches at low tide. The head of navigation was at Salisbury, and the length of the navigable portion was 23 miles. Previous projects.-The original project was dated June 10, 1872. The amount expended on it prior to adoption of the existing project in 1890 was $50,000. For further details of previous projects, see page 1789 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 9 feet deep at mean low water and of practicable width from the upper point of natural RIVERS AND HARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRIOT. 495 9 feet depth to the Salisbury milldam and a turning basin 360 feet by 650 feet, subject to certain requirements regarding necessary right of way and disposition of dredged material to be deeded to the United States free of cost. The length of section included in project is 3.4 miles, and its lower end is about 20 miles from the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is about 3 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4.4 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimated cost for new work, revised in 1913, is $50,200, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved esti- mate for annual cost of maintenance is $4,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of September 19, 1890, provided for the 9-foot channel to the foot of Main Street, Salisbury (H. Doc. No. 20, 51st Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1890, p. 950); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for an extension from the drawbridge to the Salisbury milldam and the turning basin (H. Doc. No. 569, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The expenditures were $9.29 for maintenance, office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was completed in 1914 and has been maintained in fair condition. The controlling depth at mean low water is 8 feet. The total expenditures on the existing project were $49,249.61 for new work and $36,581.60 for maintenance, a total of $85,831.21. Local cooperation.-The law of June 25, 1910, required that no part of the amount appropriated for new work ($24,000) for the extension from the drawbridge to the milldam in Salisbury should be expended until title to the land required for the necessary right of way and for the disposition of the dredged material was transferred to the United States free of cost. These conditions were fully ob- served, and approved by the Chief of Engineers April 29, 1911. Terminal facilities.-There are approximately 5,000 feet of solid bulkhead wharf served by this improvement, all privately owned, about 2,500 feet of which is open to general public use. It s consid- ered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appreciable difference in water rates, but railroad rates have been reduced. Since the improvement of the section between Main Street Bridge and the dam various industries have sprung up along the harbor front. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to hold available funds until urgent need for further dredging arises. No estimate for additional funds for 1920 is submitted. Recommended modifications of project.-Extension of project downstream to deep water in Monie Bay at an estimated cost of $17,100 has been recommended (see H. Doc. No. 1509, 63d Cong., 3d sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, fertilizers, general merchandise, lumber, oysters, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 8 feet. 496 REPORT OF- OHIEFR OF NGINEERS, U. S.. ARMY 1918. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913.................... 381,940 $18,652,356 1916................ .. 98,400 $3, 336,200 1914........ .................. 75,791 1,811,967 1917..................... 77,115 3,105,022 1915..................... 96,253 2,717,635 The decreased tonnage for 1917 was due largely to direct ship- ments of building materials, coal, etc., by railroad from factories and mines to sidings and yards. The decreased tonnage reported for 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917, compared with that for 1913, is due to the lesser amounts reported in the later years by the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co., which reported 18,108 tons for 1914, 17,430 tons for 1915, 17,436 tons for 1916, 15,474 tons for 1917, and 231,424 tons for 1913. The reports of the railway company were doubtless in error as to 1913 commerce, although by what amount can not be stated. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------ $99, 249. 61 Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 36, 581. 60 Net total expended _______________--________ 135, 831. 21 Total appropriations to date of this report ___ _______________- 142, 516. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.......... ..... .. 320.06 $1,646.62 ........ Expended for maintenance ............... 3,039.34 ............ 6,;212.87 $98.97 89.29 Total expended ...................... 3, 359. 40 1,646. 62 6, 212. 87 98.97 9. 29 Appropriated or allotted .................. ........ 6,000.00 ..... ..... 3, 000. 00 ........ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_________-____-__-- -_ $3, 694. 08 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 9. 29 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------- _________ 3, 684. 79 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 3, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919___------------- 6, 684. 79 21. MANOKIN RIVER, MD. (A19), Location and description.-This river has its source in Somerset County, Md., flows in a generally southwesterly direction, and emp- ties into Tangier Sound. Its length is about 22 miles. The tide ex- tends to Princess Anne, about 16 miles above the mouth. In its lower 8 miles it forms a broad estuary from 1 to 31 miles wide. The drainage area is 99 square miles. The discharge is unknown. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The depth near the mouth at the so-called mud flats was between 1 and 2 feet. These flats were about 2 miles wide, and made navigation impossible, except at high water. The RIVERS AND HARBORS-BALTIMORE, MD.,DISTRICT. 497 upper part of the river had a very fair depth and width. The head of navigation was at Princess Anne and the length of the navigable portion was 16 miles. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.--This provides for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide from Locust Point to Sharps Point, a distance of about 2J miles, the lower end of the section being about 5 miles above the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is 21 feet and the extreme tidal range is 4.4 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1907, is $42,103.99. No estimate for maintenance. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890 (H. Doc. No. 149, 51st Cong.. 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1890, p. 961). No map has been published. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.--he existing project was com- pleted in 1911 and has been only fairly well maintained. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is about 4 feet. The total expendi- tures on the existing project were $32, 788:05 for new work and $31,874.44 for maintenance, making a total of $64,662.49. In addi- tion to this, $2,000, appropriated by the act of June 3, 1896, was expended on the upper river, that act providing that this amount should be expended between Dashiells Creek and the Red Bridge or County Wharf, which is near the head of the river at Princess Anne and beyond the limits of the project. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are two solid bulkhead wharves, aggre- gating 160 feet in length, and two open pile wharves, 65 feet in length, served by this improvement. They are privately owned except one (40 feet in length) which is owned by Somerset County, Md. All are open to general public use and are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appreci- able difference in freight rates. Larger vessels than were formerly possible make trips through the channel. Proposed operations.-No estimate for funds for 1920 is submitted. The project has been completed and the cost of maintenance is con- sidered incommensurate with the benefits to commerce. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of canned goods, coal, fertilizers, lumber, oysters, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 6 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913....................... . 24,533 $639,772 1916................ 22,396 $639,610 1914 ........................ 18,569 398,250 1917 1.................... 5,316 122, 367 1915...................... 25,623 561,350 1 No further statistics could be procured, although usual efforts were made. 81116---ENG 1918--32 498 REPORT OF OCHIEF OF ENGINEEBS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work-- -------------------------------------- $34, 788. 05 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 31, 874. 44 Net total expended ---------------------------- 66, 662. 49 Total appropriations to date of this report--- ------- 66, 662. 49 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work... ..................................................... Expended for maintenance................ $4,962.75 $31.72 $5,100.00 .. ...... ...... Appropriated or allotted................ ......... 5, 000. 00 100.00 ................... 22. LOWER THOROUGHFARE, AT OR NEAR WENONA, DEAL ISLAND, MD. (A20). Location and description.--This is a tidal waterway, about 1- miles long and from one-eighth to one-half mile wide, extending from Tangier Sound, between Deal Island and Little Deal Island, Md. It is about 20 miles north of Crisfield Harbor, Md. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The width varied from one-eighth to one- half mile. There was a controlling depth of 2j feet. The head of navigation was at Wenona, about 3,000 feet from Tangier Sound. Previous projects.-The original project was dated March 3, 1881. The amount expended on it prior to beginning existing project in 1910 was $5,000. For further details of previous project, see page 1790 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 6 feet deep and 80 feet wide at mean low water from Tangier Sound to the wharves at Wenona, Deal Island, with widening at the angles and ends, so as to furnish anchorage basins. The length of the section included in the project is about one-half mile. The mean range of tide is 2.2 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1911, is $7,200, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1907) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $200. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 76, 60th Cong., 1st sess.) No map has been published. Operdtions and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1913 and has been maintained in fairly good condition. The controlling depth at mean low water is 5 feet. The total ex- penditures were $7,200 for new work and $100 for maintenance, a total of $7,300. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are approximately 200 feet of solid bulkhead wharves, privately owned, served by this improvement, and, open to general public use. These facilities are adequate for existing commerce. RIVERS AND HARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 499 Effect of improvement.-The. improvement has had no effect on freight rates, but the small boats which could use the channel before improvement only at high water now use it at all stages of the tide. Sailing vessels from Tangier Sound, the number of which is not practically obtainable, frequently seek safe harbor here in severe storms. Proposed operations.-It is proposed td expend funds available in removing shoals which were found by the last examination to have formed within the project limits, requiring the removal of 15,000 cubic yards of material. No funds are asked for 1920, as those avail- able are considered sufficient to maintain the channel in good condi- tion to that time. Recomomended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of crabs, cordwood, canned goods, general merchandise, oysters, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 6 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. .... [ I '~ 1913........... . ........ 15,208 $270,957 1916.................... 14,020 $296,560 1914...................... 12,584 217,030 1917.................... 12,379 341,950 1915...................... 13,580 218,430 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work _______ __ $12, 200. 00 Maintenance 00.00 1----------------------- Net total expended--------------------------------- 12, 300. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report-----------------------15, 300. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... $72.38 ............ Expended for maintenance ............. 89.43 $10.57 ...................... Total expended..................... 161.81 10.57 ...................... Appropriated or allotted .............................................................. $3,000.00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917_ $3, 000. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-----------------------------_ 3, 000. 00 23. CRISFIELD HARBOR, MD. (A21). Location and description.-This harbor is situated at Somers Cove, Little Annemessex River, which at this point is an estuary of Tangier Sound, on the east side of Chesapeake Bay, and is dis- tant 116 miles southeast of Baltimore Harbor and about 95 miles north by east from Norfolk Harbor. The harbor is about one-fourth mile square. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. 500 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Original condition.-The harbor had a controlling depth of 81 feet for a width of 400 feet. The head of navigation was at Cris- field, about 3 miles above the mouth of the river. Previous projects.-The original project was dated March 3, 1875. The amount expended on it prior to beginning of existing project in 1907 was $37,317.50. For further details of previous project, see page 1790 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water and 425 feet wide from the 12-foot contour in Tangier Sound to opposite Somers Cove Light, thence with a width of 266 feet to " above the railroad wharf, " and to provide an an- 'a chorage basin with depth of 10 feet at mean low water and width of 250 feet. The length of the section included in the project is about 2 miles. The mean range of tide is 2.6 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3.2 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1911, is $51,942, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1906) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $800. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 783, 59th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1914 and has been maintained in good condition. The controlling depths at mean low water are 12 feet and 10 feet. The total expenditures on the existing project were $50,422.54 for new work and $2,339.46 for maintenance, making a total of $52,762. Local cooperation.--None. Terminal facilities.-There are 1,430 feet of solid bulkhead wharves' served by this improvement, all privately owned; 1,030 feet of this wharfage is open to general public use. These facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no known difference in freight rates. Proposed operations.--No funds are available, and no estimate of funds for 1920 is submitted. The project has been completed and is in good condition. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, crabs, fish, general merchandise, lumber, oysters, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 10 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................. 300,194 $12,921,288 1916.................... 364,485 $5,916,170 1914..................... 320,190 5, 408, 425 1917.................... 306, 625 7, 337, 970 1915...................... 357,335 5,197,650 RIVERS AND HARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 501 The decreased tonnage in 1917 of 57,860 under that reported for 1916, is due principally to the falling off in the receipts in oysters on account of ice and the consequent diminution in the shipment of oyster shells; also in the receipts of sand and gravel due to lack of building and road construction. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work -------------------- $87,740. 04 Maintenance -------------------------------- 2, 339. 46 Net total expended------------------------------------- 90, 079. 50 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 90, 079. 50 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................... $2,660.54 $11.48. ............................... 2,327.98 Expended for maintenance ................ $11.48..... ........................ Total expended...................... 4,988.52 11.48.............. Appropriated or allotted.... ....................................................... 24. BROAD CREEK, MD. (A22). Location and description.-This is a tidal waterway, flowing through a low marshy region, the level of which is only slightly above high water. It connects Pocomoke Sound and Little Anne- messex River, Md. It flows in a generally northerly and southerly direction, and is about 21 miles in length. See U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The minimum usable low-water depth was about 1 feet. There was no definite head of navigation, but the ob- jective point was Crisfield, about 1 miles from the Little Annemes- sex end of the creek. The length of the navigable portion was 24 miles. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 6 feet deep and 100 feet wide at mean low water in the straight reaches, and 130 feet wide at the bends from the 6-foot contour in Broad Creek to the 6-foot contour in Little Annemessex River, a length of about 2 miles. The mean range of tide is 1.9 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $57,200. The latest (1911) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $200. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 269, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.--No field operations were in progress. The expenditures were $2,414.33 for maintenance- payment of proportion of office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1917 and has been maintained in good condition. The con- 502 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMIY, 1918. trolling depth at mean low water is 6 feet. The total expenditures were $28,227.19 for new work and $2,414.33 for maintenance, mak- ing a total of $30,641.52. Local cooperation.-The law required that no portion of the ap- propriation should be expended until the necessary right of way had been deeded and permission granted for the deposit of dredged material on the marsh at a sufficient distance to prevent its return to the creek, both free of cost to the United States. These require- ments were complied with, and approved by the Chief of Engi- neers March 12, 1914. Terminal facilities.--This is a cut-off channel on which there are no terminal facilities. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has had no effect on freight rates, but the boats, which formerly were delayed at low tide, are now able to use the waterway at all times. Proposed op'erations.-The project has been completed, and no estimate offunds for 1920 is submitted, as those available are con- sidered sufficient to cover that period. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of crabs, clams, fish, oysters, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 6 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913................... 56,632 $1,136,800 1916..................... 23,338 $463,020 .1914.................. ... 40, 026 944,450 1917....... .............. 29,180 800,000 1915..................... 13,503 314,300 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------- $28, 227. 19 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 2, 414. 33 Net total expended____________-___________________ 30, 641. 52 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------37, 200. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............. ..... ........ .. $4878. 78 $11,193.86 $12,121.50 ........ Expended for maintenance ............... ................................... $2,414.33 Appropriated or allotted............................................................. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended___---------------------------------$8, 972. 81 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance. 2, 414. 33 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------- -- ------------ 6, 558. 48 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities___-------------------------- .40 July , 191_8, balance available. ----------------------------------- 6, 558. 08 RIVERS AND HARBORS-BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 503 25. POCOMOKE RIVER, MD. (A23). Location and description.-This stream rises in the Great Cypress Swamp, partly in Delaware and partly in Maryland, and flows southwesterly, emptying into Pocomoke Sound. Its total length is about 50 miles. It is tidal for most of its'course, drains 170 square miles of flat, heavily timbered country, is tortuous, and has an aver- age slope of about 1.4 feet for 23 miles. Its source is 40 feet above tidewater. The discharge is unknown. See U. S. Geological Sur- vey maps, Maryland, Virginia, Snow Hill quadrangle. Original condition.-The upper portion of the river was very crooked and narrow at certain points, with a minimum depth of 4 to 5 feet to Snow Hill, the head of navigation. The length of the navigable portion was 30 miles. Previous projects.-The original project was dated June 18, 1878, modified August 5, 1886. Amount expended on original and modi- fied projects prior to beginning of existing one in 1896 was $20,500. For further details of previous projects see page 1789 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 9 feet deep at mean low water and from 100 to 130 feet wide from Shad Landing, Md., to Snow Hill, Md., a distance of about 4. miles, the lower end of the section being about 24 miles from the mouth of the river. The mean range of tide is 2J feet and the extreme tidal range is 3.7 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1895, is $14,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896 (Annual Report for 1895, p. 1167). No map has been published. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1904 and has been maintained in good condition. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is 9 feet. The total expenditures on the existing project were $14,000 for new work and $7,710.02 for maintenance, a total of $21,710.02. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are approximately 865 feet of solid bulkhead wharves, privately owned, served by this improvement, 700 feet of which are open to general public use. These facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made no appre- ciable difference in freight rates. Proposed operations.-No funds are available and no estimate for funds for 1920 is submitted. The project has been completed and is in good condition. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Cominercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, general merchandise, lumber, etc. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 6 feet. 504 BREPORt OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Shorttons. Value. 1913..................... 100,359 $5,045,321 1916................ ..... 32,552 $1,117,446 1914....... ......... ..... 33, 772 1,390,091 1917 _._... .. ..... 31,546 1, 331, 475 1915 ...................... 34,653 1,137,360 The decreased tonnage reported for 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917, compared with that for 1913, is due to the lesser amounts reported in the later years by the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway Co., which reported 16,225 tons for 1914, 12,970 tons for 1915, 9,910 tons for 1916, 12,272 tons for 1917, and 76,522 tons for 1913. The reports of the railway company were doubtless in error as to 1913 commerce, although by what amount can not be stated. Financialsumnmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work _ _ $34, 500. 00 New work-----------------------------------------$34, 500.00 Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 7, 710. 02 Net total expended--_______-------- ------------------ 42, 210. 02 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 42, 210. 02 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.......................................... .... .... Expended for maintenance........................ 14.47... . . Appropriated or allotted.... ................................................. 26. TWITCH COVE AND BIG THOROUGHFARE RIVER, MD. (A24). Location and description.-This is a tidal stream extending from Chesapeake Bay on the western to Tangier Sound on the eastern side of Smiths Island, Md. It flows through the center of the island in a generally northwesterly and southeasterly direction and is about 4 miles in length. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original conditions.-The minimum usable low-water depth was about 1 foot. As this waterway bisects the island, there was no definite head of navigation. The length of the navigable portion was 4 miles. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.--This provides for dredging a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water and 25 feet wide from Tangier Sound into Big Thoroughfare River, and one of the same dimensions around the point between said river and Tylers River. The length of the section included in the project is 1 mile, and its lower end extends into Tangier Sound. The mean range of tide is 1.7 feet and the extreme tidal range is 3 feet under ordinary conditions. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $2,900. The latest (1911) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $100. The existing proj- RIVERS AND IHARBORS--BALTIMORE, MD., DISTRICT. 505 ect was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H.Doc. No. 285, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1913, and has been maintained in good condition. The con- trolling depth at mean low water is 4 feet. The total expenditures were $2,900 for new work. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are two open pile wharves, privately owned, served by this improvement, both open to general public use. They are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has had no effect on freight rates, but the small boats which could use the channel before improvement only at high water now use it at all stages of the tide. Proposed operations.-No funds are available, and no estimate of funds for 1920 is submitted. The project has been completed and is in good condition. Recommended modifications of projects.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The general character of the commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of crabs, fish, oysters, and general merchandise. The limit of draft for loaded boats is 4 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913..................... . 3,309 $127,178 1916........ ............. 5,797 $273,250 1914...................... 5,049 195,408 1917:.................. 8,392 443,405 1915....................... 5,237 181,065 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work----------------------------------------- $2, 900.00 Maintenance Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 2, 900. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................... 423.77 $28.17 ........................ Expended for maintenance........................................................... Appropriated orallotted................ ............. ............ ............ CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP A. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ----------------- ----- --- $969,195.04 Maintenance-------------------------------- -------- 323, 206. 69 Net total expended -------- ---- -------- ---- 1, 292, 401. 73 Total appropriations to date of this report , 351, 969. 28 1------------------- 506 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............. .. . $28,092.01 $17,418.82 $14, 896. 71 $12.121.50.......... Expended for maintenance .. .... 33, 943. 02 25, 056.52 39, 692. 89 12.679. 50 $10, 916.41 Total expended...................... 62,035.03 I 42,475.34 54,589.60 24.801.00 10,916.41 Appropriated or allotted...... .......... I........... 51.600.00 6,000.00 I 25,500.00. 15,800.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_____ __ ______-____________ $51, 683. 96 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 15, 800. 00 67, 483. 96 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 10, 916. 41 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----------------________--------------- 56, 567. 55 July 1, 1318, outstanding liabilities_____________ _ ____________ .40 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $34,728.43 available only for maintenance----___---------- __---------------------------- 56, 567. 15 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 3, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919____________ 59, 567. 15 EXAMINATIONS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACTS APPROVED MARCH 4, 1915, AND AUGUST 8, 1917. Reports on preliminary examinations required by the river and harbor acts of March 4, 1915, and August 8, 1917, of the following localities within this district were duly submitted by the district engineer. They were reviewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, pursuant to law, and were transmitted to Congress and printed in documents as indicated: 1. Preliminnary examination of North Branch of the Susquehanna River, Pa. and N. Y., including flood prevention and consideration of any proposition for cooperation on the part of local or State inter- ests.-Report dated June 17, 1916, is printed in House Document No. 320, Sixty-fifth Congress, first session. As it was manifest that the improvement contemplated had no bearing upon the question of navigation it was not believed that the United States should take any part in this project even to the extent of making plans and estimates. It is believed, however, that since improvement is desired for the purpose of ameliorating floods, the question should be han- dled in the manner prescribed by the flood-control act of March 1, 1917. 2. Preliminary examination of Poplar Island Harbor, Md.-Re- port dated February 12, 1918, is printed in House Document No. 1041, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. The local engineer was also charged with the duty of making a preliminary examination and survey, provided for in the river and harbor act of July 27, 1916, of Elk River, Md., and reports thereon will be duly submitted when received. RIVERS AND IIARBORS-WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 507 IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. This district includes the western shore of Chesapeake Bay be- tween Holland Point on the north and Back River Point on the south, and all streams and their tributaries emptying into Chesa- peake Bay between these limits. The more important rivers are the Patuxent, Potomac, Anacostia, Rappahannock, York, Mattaponi, and Pamunkey. District engineer: Col.'W. L. Fisk, United States Army, retired. Division engineer: Col. W. L. Fisk, United States Army, retired. IMPROVEMENTS. [The letters and figures in parentheses after the titles indicate the group, and the nu- merical order in the group, to which the respective improvements belong for pur- poses of appropriation.] Page. Page. 1. Potomac River at Washington, 6. Aquia Creek, Va. (A6)....... 521 D. C. (Al).................507 7. Rappahannock River, Va. (B1) 523 2. Anacostia River, D. C. (A2).... 511 8. Urbanna Creek, Va. (B2)...... 526 3. Potomac River at Alexandria, 9. Harbor at Milford Haven, Va. Va. (A3).................. 514 (B3) ........... ..... .... 529 4. Potomac River at Lower Cedar 10. Mattaponi River, Va. (B4).... 530 Point, Md. (A4)... ..... 516 11. Pamunkey River, Va. (B5).... 533 5. Occoquan Creek, Va. (A5). ... 518 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE SEE PAGES 2287 TO 2307. POTOMAC RIVER, AT WASHINGTON, D. C.. AT ALEXANDRIA, VA., AND AT LOWER CEDAR POINT, MD.; ANACOSTIA RIVER, D. C.; OC-. COQUAN, AQUIA, UPPER MACHODOC, AND NOMINI CREEKS, VA. (GROUP A.) 1. POTOMAC RIVER AT WASHINGTON, D. C. (Al). Location and description.-The Potomac River is formed by the, junction of the north and south branches, about 21 miles below Cumberland, Md., and flows in a generally southeasterly direction about 286 miles to Chesapeake Bay, which it enters about 80 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Above Washington the river is nontidal, and is quite rapid; below Washington, a distance of 110 miles to its mouth, it is tidal. The harbor at Washington, D. C., is about 207 miles by water, in a southeasterly and northerly direction, from the harbor at Baltimore, Md., and about 200 miles by water, in a north- westerly direction, from the harbor at Norfolk, Va. The harbor, formed by the reclamation of flats in the Potomac River opposite the city of Washington, averages 950 feet in width and is 2 miles in length. In the section of river between Georgetown, D. C., and Cumber- land, Md., a distance of 195 miles, there is a fall of 609 feet, 182 feet of which is between Chain Bridge and Seneca, Md., a distance of 21 miles; 73 feet between Point of Rocks, Md., and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Dam No. 3, just above Harpers Ferry, W. Va., a distance of 13 miles; and the balance of the way the fall is quite uniform. 508 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. The average width between banks from Washington to the mouth is 3 miles. The drainage area is 20,000 square miles. The low-water dis- charge at Washington is about 1,000 second-feet, the high-water discharge 400,000 second-feet, and freshets occasionally cause a rise of 8 feet at this point. In the lower tidal reach, 110 miles, freshets have a relatively slight effect. They usually occur in the spring or fall. Washington is 110 miles above the mouth of the river. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 876. Original condition.-The river was obstructed by two bars, the lower near Giesboro Point, on which the minimum depth was 14 feet, and the upper, extending from the Highway Bridge 1 mile upstream in the Virginia Channel, with a minimum depth of 8 feet at mean low water. The depth in the Washington Channel along the city harbor front was about 10 feet and the width 150 feet; the depth in the Virginia Channel was 10 feet and the width 250 feet. The flats along the Washington front (including what is now Potomac Park) extended to the edge of the Virginia Channel, were largely bare at low water, and were considered an active agent in spreading malaria and other diseases. Georgetown Harbor was obstructed by danger- ous rocks. The Aqueduct Bridge was considered the head of naviga- tion for river traffic, but the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal extended navigation, with a depth of 6 feet, from Georgetown, D. C., to Cum- berland, Md. The navigable portion of the stream at this locality was 5 miles. Previous projects.-By an act approved March 2, 1833, Congress authorized certain channel works below Georgetown, D. C. The act of March 3, 1849, provided for a survey of the river, and the act of July 11, 1870, adopted the original project for improvement. The amount expended under these previous projects to 1882 was $339,475.21. For further details of previous projects see page 1791 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging the Virginia Chan- nel 20 feet deep and of sufficient width (now about 500 feet) to afford a low-water cross-sectional area of 25,000 square feet; for dredging the Washington Channel at least 20 feet deep; for the reclamation of the flats to 3 feet above the freshet elevation of 1877 by depositing the dredged material thereon; for the construction of a tidal reser- voir to periodically flush the Washington Channel; and for the con- struction of a training dike in the Virginia Channel, 7,207 feet long, of which 5,052 feet is riprap stone and 2,155 feet is earth. The area included, in the project extends from Giesboro Point, which is 108 miles from the mouth of the river, 5 miles upstream to the Aqueduct Bridge. The plane of reference is mean low. water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 3 feet; extreme, 4.5 feet; irregular, 7.5 feet. The estimate of cost, made in 1882, is $2,500,000 for new work, exclusive of the amount expended under the previous project. The latest (1917) approved estimate of cost for annual maintenance is $20,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 2, 1882 (S. Doc. No. 126, 47th Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1882, p. 980). The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1914, page 1890. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The embankment and levee around the basin behind the Virginia Channel training dike RIVERS AND HAfRBORS--WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 509 were raised and repaired for a length of 14,217 linear feet by placing 23,927 cubic yards of material. Soundings were taken in the Vir- ginia Channel, tidal gates, floating plant, storehouse, buildings, etc., operated and maintained, materials and supplies purchased prepara- tory to dredging the Virginia Channel, office maintained, etc. The work was done partly under public-notice order and partly by Gov- ernment plant and hired labor. The expenditures were $12,497.20 for maintenance, covering $1,100.81 for repairs to embankments back of training dike, $2,610.80 for operation and maintenance of tidal gates, floating plant, store- house, buildings, and care of property, $3,382.25 for purchase of ma- terials and supplies in preparation for dredging in the Virginia Channel, $2,477.78 for the operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle, and $2,925.56 for engineering, surveys, clerical, office and mis- cellaneous expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1913. There has resulted: Channels of project depth 4 miles long and about 500 feet wide in the Virginia Channel; 2J miles long and 400 feet wide in the Washington Channel, and an additional width along the west side of the Washington Channel of 350 feet, 18 to 20 feet deep; a tidal reservoir (111 acres in area) with inlet and outlet gates; the complete reclamation of Potomac Park (628 acres); the construction of 37,885 linear feet of sea wall; the building of 7,207 linear feet of training dike; the excavation of 19,792,754 cubic yards of material, and the building of 10,182 linear feet of levees containing 125,452 cubic yards of material behind the Virginia Chan- nel training dike, to inclose a basin for dredging spoils from Virginia Channel. Both the levee and the embankment behind the Virginia Channel training dike have been eroded from 1 to 6 feet by the freshet pass- ing through Little River and the top of the training dike pushed back by the ice jam. Extensive repairs are needed. The tidal gates are in good condition. The Virginia Channel has shoaled considerably, the controlling depth June, 1918, being 16.5 feet at mean low water. The controlling depth in the Washington Channel is 24 feet at mean low water. The controlling depth in the Potomac Channel below Washington is 23 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures on the existing project were $3,170,997.81, of which $2,455,831.43 covered new work and maintenance prior to March 3, 1899, and $715,166.38 for maintenance since March 3, 1899. Local cooperation.-The District of Columbia has built three mu- nicipal concrete wharves on the Washington Channel at a cost of about $50,000. Terminal facilities.-There are about 11,600 feet of water front along the Georgetown and Washington Channels, which may be con- sidered as developed for commerce. The wharves of the Georgetown Channel are, for the most part, bulkhead buildings of timber, stone, or concrete; such wooden pile wharves as do exist are narrow struc- tures extending but little beyond the bulkheads. In this section all vessels berth parallel to the bulkhead. In the Washington Channel the pier-and-slip system is used and vessels berth both at the ends and sides of the piers. As a rule, the 510 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. wharves are in very poor condition, except those municipally or Federally owned. There are 44 wharves along the Potomac River at Washington, D. C., 8 of which are publicly owned and used exclusively for public business; 8 are open to the general public on equal terms, and 28 are used by their owners or lessees for their own private business and are not open to general public use. Some of the wharves used by private parties are publicly owned but are under lease. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Co. has a lock at the mouth of Rock Creek for the pas- sage of their barges from and into the Potomac River. The terminal and transfer facilities,at Washington, D. C., are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-Deep draft vessels can now enter the Washington and Georgetown Harbors. Commerce has been facili- tated. It is reported that freight rates have been materially reduced. Through rates to Norfolk by water are less than by rail. Proposed operations.-It is expected that the available funds will cover the necessary maintenance work for the fiscal year 1919. It is proposed to dredge the Virginia Channel above the railroad bridge, now badly shoaled, to repair the training dike and levee behind same, damaged by the ice jam, and running ice, etc. The U. S. hydraulic dredge Talcott, which was to be used on this work, was diverted in May for war work under the Navy Department at Upper Machodoc Creek, Va. The available funds will be expended as follows: Operation of U. S. hydraulic dredge Talcott and attendant plant_ $15, 000. 00 Repair of levee behind training dike___________________________ 3, 500. 00 Operation and maintenance of tidal gates -- 2, 500. 00 Operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle_ 1, 800. 00 Care of property and plant__________________________________ 3, 000. 00 Repair of wharf at engineer reservation , 000. 00 1-------------------- Engineering, office, contingencies, etc. ---------------------- 4, 802. 19 Retained for maintenance during fiscal year 1920 4, 800. 00 1-------------- Balance available June 30, 1918_____________------------ 46, 402. 19 In view of the desired curtailment in prosecution of waterway improvements during the war period, no estimate is submitted for the fiscal year 1920, as it is considered that under the stress of neces- sity, the work contemplated at this locality may be omitted without serious consequences. General maintenance under conditions above noted will be covered by funds set aside from balances available for the fiscal year 1919, and the allotment of $5,000 from the river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is reported as 837,221 short tons, valued at $10,639,852; the principal items, in order of tonnage, being sand and gravel, coal, general mer- chandise, stone, gas oil, cordwood, lumber, and coal oil and gasoline. The entire commerce passed over the improved sections. About 20 per cent required the increased depth and width afforded by the im- provement. In addition to the above commerce, that of the Ana- costia River passed over the lower section of the improvement. The usual limit of draft for loaded boats for the principal items, and the proportion of the total tonnage pertaining thereto, is as RIVERS AND HARBORS---WASHINGTON, D. C., PISTRICT. 511 follows: Sand and gravel, 7 feet, 49 per cent; coal, 5- to 18 feet, 21 per cent; stone, 7 feet, 9 per cent; general merchandise, 144 feet, 5 per cent; gas coal and gasoline oil, 13 feet, 5 per cent. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short Value. Paen- Calendar year. Value. Passen- tons. gers. Short Value.ons. gers. 1913. ........ . 823,038 $12,141,079 855,507 1916.............. 815,941 $9,404,660 526,380 1914............. 812,284 11,321,910 696,700 1917............ 837,221 10,639,852 528,173 1915............... 741.170 10,138,231 644,249 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,042.24: New work----_ _.--- __---------------- ------------- $2, 795, 306. 64 Maintenance.--------------------------------------------- 715, 166. 38 Net total expended------------------------------------ 3, 510, 473. 02 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 3, 563, 475. 21 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................................ Expended for maintenance 1........ . $7, 060.87 $76,797.51 $19, 918.17 16, 091.23 $12, 497.20 Appropriated or allotted..........................30,000.00 .......... 32, 000.00 30,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended__________________________- $30, 243. 89 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__ 30, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918_____________-- 255. 50 60, 499. 39 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 12, 497. 20 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_-------------------------------- 48, 002. 19 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities , 600. 00 1-------------------------- July 1, 1918, balance available______ _ ___------------__-----46, 402. 19 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 5, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 _____________ 51,402. 19 2. ANACOSTIA RIVER, D. C. (A2). Location and description.-The Anacostia River rises in Maryland and flows about 20 miles in a southwesterly direction, emptying into the Potomac River at Washington, D. C., about 108 miles above its mouth. The upper 12 miles are nontidal, having a moderate cur- rent; the lower 8 miles are tidal. Its drainage area is 200 square miles. The low-water fluvial discharge at Bladensburg is about 10 second-feet, and the high-water discharge at the same place about 15,000 second-feet. The average fall per mile is about 15 feet. The average width between banks is approximately one-half mile. Freshets generally I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 512 1REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, TU.S. AR1MY, 1918. occur in the spring. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.--This portion of the river was from one-half to 1 mile wide; the channel was narrow, tortuous, and had a ruling depth of about 18 feet; between the channel and the shore were ex- tensive flats with depths of 1 to 4 feet, which were covered in sum- mer with aquatic plants. Sewage was discharged into the river and collected on the flats, causing offensive and unhealthy conditions. The head of navigation was Bladensburg, 84 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.-The river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, authorized an allotment of $20,000 for work in the Anacostia from the appropriation for improving the Potomac River at Wash- ington. A joint resolution of Congress, dated April 11, 1898, ap- propriated $2,000 for a survey of the river from its mouth to the District of Columbia boundary line. The amount expended under these previous projects to 1902 was $20,536.94, charged as new work. For further details of previous projects see page 1792 of Annual Re- port for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel from the mouth to Anacostia Bridge, 2 miles, 20 feet deep for a width of 400 feet, the depth then gradually decreasing to 6 feet at the bulkhead lines, and for depositing the dredged materials on the adjacent flats to an aver- age elevation of 7 feet above low tide, the reclaimed area to be sur- rounded by an earthen embankment to a height of 14 feet above low tide, protected by a masonry sea wall and provided with drainage through the embankment. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 3.0 feet; extreme, 4.5 feet; irregular, 7.5 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1898, is $1,218,525, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $6,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 13, 1902 (H. Doc. No. 87, 55th Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Re- port for 1899, p..1443). The latest published map is found in the Annual Report for 1914, p. 1890. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Sections A and B of the reclaimed flats previously under lease for agricultural pur- poses were turned over to the Signal Corps on November 1, 1917, as an aeroplane flying field for the period of the war. The Signal Corps in turn allotted a corner of section A to the Navy Department for seaplane landinig station. Section C was allotted to an agent of the Agricultural Department for development into war gardens and plans are under consideration to assign it to the Engineer depot. No expenditures were made and no funds are available. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project is 94 per cent completed, June 30, 1918. The channel was completed in 1917 for its entire length to project depth. In all, 8,882,184 cubic yards of ma- terials have been excavated and placed behind sea walls, partially reclaiming 460 acres of land. A sea wall 13,202 feet long was built, being completed in 1917. All works are in good condition. The controlling depth June, 1917, was 21 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures under the existing project were $843,463.06, $749,- 563.25 for new work, and $93,899.81 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-Noneunder this project Above the Anacostia Bridge, within the District of Columbia, the river is being improved RIVERS AND HARBORS--WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 513 and the flats reclaimed under a project which is paid for in equal parts by the United States and the District of Columbia. Terminal facilities.-There are 15 terminals on the Anacostia River, all of which are on the right bank, within a distance of about 2 miles of the mouth of the river. They are of the wooden pile and solid-fill bulkhead type. Two of these wharves are open to use by the general public, 3 are publicly owned and used exclusively for the public business, and the balance are owned or operated by private parties. The terminal facilities are considered sufficient for the present traffic, but will not be sufficient for the traffic which may reasonably be expected in the near future. Effect of improvement.-The largest vessels plying the Potomac can now reach the navy yard without difficulty. The additional facili- ties afforded have developed some traffic and have relieved congestion in other parts of the harbor. Proposed operations.-None. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is reported as 226,911 short tons, valued at $15,178,588, the principal items, in order of tonnage, being gravel and sand, stone, brick clay,, powder and powder-making supplies and apparatus, coal, naval ordnance and supplies, oil, and brick. The entire commerce passed over the improved section, 17 per cent of which required the in- creased depth and the whole commerce the increased width afforded by the improvement. The usual limit of draft for loaded boats for the principal items and the proportion of the total tonnage pertaining thereto is as follows: Gravel and sand, 51 to 7 feet, 40 per cent; stone, 7 feet, 14 per cent; clay, 7 feet, 11 per cent; powder and powder-making sup- plies and apparatus, 12 to 21 feet, 10 per cent; coal, 7 feet, 8 per cent; naval ordnance and supplies, 12 to 21 feet, 7 per cent; oil, 13 feet, 4 per cent; brick, 6 feet, 2 per cent. Comparative statement. alendar year. Short tons. Value. gers. Calendar year. tons. Value. Pan- gers. 1913............ 358,919 $21,684,063 14, 071 1916.............. 326,707 $19,213,189 30, 380 1914............. 324,504 20, 702, 184 23, 919 1917............ 226,911 15,178,588 60,000 1915............. 277,787 19,430, 232 18, 465 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $645.12: New work ------------------------------------------ $770, 100. 19 Maintenance __------------------------------------------ 93, 899. 81 Net total expended---------------------------------864, 000. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report __----- 864, 000. 00 81116--ENG 1918-33 514 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1...... ........ $36,378.17 $39, 881.35 $38,032.10 $31,308.92 .......... Expended for maintenance ............. 13, 986.24 2,832.54 ............ 712.71.......... Total expended 1.................. 50, 364.41 42; 713.89 38, 032.10 32, 021.63 ....... Appropriated or allotted....... ... . .... ..... ........... 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 3. POTOMAC RIVER AT ALEXANDRIA, VA. (A3). Location and description.-Alexandria, on the right bank of the Potomac River, is 5 miles below Washington, D. C., and 105 miles above the mouth of the river. The river is described on page 507. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 560. Original condition.--It is reported that prior to 1889 a natural depth of 20 feet or more existed along the entire wharf front, but that during the freshet of June, 1889, an old steamboat hull sank near the upper limits of the city and diverted the currents which had swept past the city front, resulting in the formation of a bar of mud. The depths in Alexandria harbor just prior to improvement were about 10 feet at the upper end, 16 feet near the center, and 20 feet near the lower end. Previous projects.--None. Existing project.-This provides for a depth of 24 feet in front of Alexandria between the through channel and a line drawn 20 feet outside of the established pierhead line. This area is about 6,700 feet in length and averages 300 feet in width. The lower end of the improved section is 104 miles from the mouth of the river. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 3 feet; extreme, 4.5 feet; irregular, 6 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $116,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 1253, 60th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-A survey to restore a portion of the harbor line was made, data collected for the lease and sale of Battery Cove reclaimed land and plant maintained. The to- tal expenditures were $663.25 for maintenance. The work was done by hired labor. Conditions at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1912. The dredging of the harbor front was completed in 1911, 687,673 cubic yards being removed, of which 538,278 cubic yards were paid for. A retaining wall 2,730 feet long containing 8,033 cubic yards of cobblestones and 4,953 cubic yards of riprap was completed in 1912. The retaining wall was built across the mouth of Battery Cove at the lower end of the Alexandria water front to retain dredging spoils, which, together with 60,000 cubic yards deposited by private parties, reclaimed 46.57 acres of land. Urnder an agreement dated December 1, 1917, the Secretary of War, subject to congressional approval, leased for five years, with an option to buy for $70,000, the 46.57 acres of reclaimed land called RIVERS AND HARBORS---WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 515 Battery Cove, which is now the subject of litigation to establish title in the United States. This area has been developed as a shipbuild-. ing yard by the Virginia Shipbuilding Corporation, which holds a contract with the Emergency Fleet Corporation for the construc- tion of twenty 8,000-ton vessels. The controlling depths April, 1917, were 10 and 22 feet at mean low water, respectively, at the upper and lower portions of the im- provement. These depths are still considered sufficient for the pres- ent traffic during the fiscal year 1919. The total expenditures were $107,759.29, $95,214.52 for new work and $12,544.77 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal fccilities.-Alexandria has 18 regular shipping wharves or landings. Seven of these are wooden pile structures, generally in fair condition. The others are solid-fill bulkhead piers or bulkhead landings. Vessels berth at the ends of piers and in the slips. Five of the wharves are open to use by the general public; the balance are closed. The terminal and transfer facilities are considered ade- quate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-Deep-draft steamers and vessels can now enter this port, and the trade has been thereby increased. There has been no known effect on freight rates. Proposed operations.-The funds on hand' are insufficient to re- store the project channel, They will be retained for maintenance during the fiscal year 1919 as indicated below and the balance noted retained for minor maintenance during the fiscal year 1920. Dredg- ing will be done only at points on the improvement where ab- solutely necessary for essential industries. The available funds for the fiscal year 1919 will be expended as follows: Dredging _-___-_ $2,000.00 Surveys --------------------------------------------------- 400. 00 Operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle 6_________----_ 00. 00 Care of property and plant. .. Engineering office, contingencies, etc_ --- ----------- 650. 00 427. 77 Retained for maintenance during fiscal year 1920 -__________ 4, 077. 77 Balance available June 30, 1918_------------------- _ 8, 155. 54 In view of the desired curtailment in prosecution of waterway improvement during the war period, no estimate is submitted for the fiscal year 1920, as it is considered that under the stress of necessity the work contemplated at this locality may be omitted without serious consequences. General maintenance under conditions noted above will be covered by funds set aside from balances available for the fiscal year 1919. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is reported as 108,031 short tons, valued at $3,168,020, the principal items in order of tonnage being sand, phosphate rock, coal, pulp- wood, general merchandise, and fertilizer. The entire commerce, of which 39 per cent required the increased depth, passed over the im- proved sections. The usual limit of draft for loaded boats for the principal items and the proportion of the total tonnage pertaining thereto is: Sand, 516 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 6 feet, 21 per cent; phosphate rock, 19 feet, 13 per cent; coal, 5 feet, .12 per cent; pulpwood, 7 feet, 10 per cent; general merchandise, 6-14 feet, 9 per cent; and fertilizer, 5-10 feet, 9 per cent. Comparative statement. year. Calendar to s Short Vlue. Passen- Caiendar year. Short tons. Value. asse- gers.,tgars. Calendar year. tons. Value. e 1913............ 167,552 $3,332,884 12, 492 1916............ 113,552 $3,128, 708 10, 800 1914............... 182, 858 3,823,076 13, 625 1917............ 108,031 3,168, 020 129,393 1915............. 138, 660 3, 121,869 12,340 121,000 of these passengers ferried from Alexandria, Va., to Giesboro Point, D. C. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New' work ------------------------- $95, 214. 52 Maintenance----- ------------------------------------- 12, 544. 77 Net total expended --------------------------------- 107. 759.29 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 116, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... ... ....... ... ... ......... Expended for maintenance.... ........ .$1,549.84 $821.40 $916.47 $569.27 $663.26 Appropriated or allotted...................................................... ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ----------------------------- $8, 903. 96 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 663. 25 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- -----------. -------------- 8, 240. 71 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ..-.......--... ...... 85.17 July 1, 1918, balance available_ .--__----__----. ---------- 8,155. 54 4. POTOMAC RIVER AT LOWER CEDAR POINT, MD. (A4). Location and description.-Lower Cedar Point is a narrow point of land on the left bank of the Potomac River 62 miles below Wash- ington, D. C., and 49 miles above the mouth of the river. A branch channel extends from deep water in the river to a wharf on the down- stream side of the point, about two-fifths mile. The river is described under Potomac River at Washington, D. C. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The ruling depth to the wharf was 7 feet, and the width was insufficient for navigation. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep and 150 feet wide to Dills Wharf by the "west channel," with a turning basin at the wharf of the same depth, 300 feet wide and 400 feet long, the aggregate length of channel and turning basin being about two- fifths of a mile. The lower end of the improved section is 48 miles from the mouth of the river. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 1.8 feet; extreme, 2.5 feet; irreg- RIVERS AND ARBORS--WASHHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 517 ular, 4 feet. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1907, is $13,300. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910. (H. Doc. No. 918, 60th Cong., 1st sess.) The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1911, page 1450. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The work done was office work, an examination of the channel, and maintenance of plant by hired labor. The expenditures were $263.92 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1911. The channel has so contracted and shoaled that the controlling depth, June, 1918, was 9 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures were $15,199.97, $10,233.51 for new work, and $4,966.46 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None for the present project, but about 25 years before this project was adopted the channel was dredged to a depth of 10 feet by the Henry Bros., who owned Lower Cedar Point and fitted it up as a pleasure resort. Terminal facilities.-There is but one wharf at this locality. It is a substantial pile structure, open to use by the general public, and is considered to be sufficient for present traffic. Effect of improvement.-Vessels of 3 feet deeper draft can now land at the wharf, making it possible for boats of the Washington and Baltimore line to trade at this place, but there has been no known effect on freight rates. Proposed operations.-The funds on hand are insufficient to re- store the project channel. They will be expended in part for minor maintenance during the fiscal year 1919 and the balance noted re- tained for minor maintenance during the fiscal year 1920, as follows: Surveys __------------- $80. 00 Operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle--------------- 150. 00 Care of property and plant--------- ------------------- 200.00 Engineering, office, contingencies, etc--------------------------- 109. 03 Retained for maintenance during fiscal year 1920----------------- 530. 00 Balance available June 30, 1918------------------------ 1,069. 03 In view of the desired curtailment in prosecution of waterway improvement during the war period, no estimate is submitted for the fiscal year 1920, as it is considered that under the stress of necessity the work contemplated at this locality may be omitted without seri- ous consequences. General maintenance under conditions noted above will be covered by funds set aside from balances available for the fiscal year 1919. Recommended modifications of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is reported as 2,315 short tons, valued at $124,745, the principal items, in order of tonnage, being general merchandise, lumber, building materials, fertilizer, farm produce, cordwood, and live stock. The entire commerce passed over the improved section, all of which required the increased depth and width afforded by the im- provement. The commerce is carried in vessels with a draft of from 6 to 11 feet. 518' REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passen- gers. Calendar year. tons. Value. gers. 1913........... . 1,761 $108,630 295 1916.............. 2,134 $129,150 780 1914.............. 1,672 112,630 690 1917.............. 2,315 124,745 620 1915.............. 2, 698 141, 400 757 Financial summanry. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------ $10, 233. 51 Maintenance_------------------------------------------- 4, 966. 46 Net total expended ------- _----------------- 15,199. 97 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------- 16,300. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ......................................................... Expended for maintenance............... $1, 284.06 $37.50 $282.99 $31.50 $263.92 Appropriated or allotted................. ......................................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended___ ________________________ $1, 363. 95 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_- 263. 92 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ------------------------------ 1, 100. 03 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities -------------------- 31. 00 July 1, 1918, balance available____________________--__------- 1, 069. 03 5. OCCOQUAN CREEK, VA. (A5). Location and description.-OccoquanCreek is formed by the junc- tion of Bull and Broad Runs, about 5 miles southeast of Manassas, Va., and flows about 13 miles in a southeasterly direction, emptying into the Potomac River about 28 miles below Washington, I . C. The drainage area is about 609 square miles, and the discharge varies from 10 to 21,000 second feet. The section covered by the existing project is in the tidal portion of the stream. The average width between banks is approximately one-half mile. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The lower portion was obstructed by three bars, over which but 1.2 feet could be carried at low tide. Aside from these the creek was amply wide and. deep at low water to permit craft drawing 5 feet to proceed to Occoquan, the head of navigation, a distance of about 6 miles. Previous projects.-The first project for the improvement of the stream was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1873. The appropriation thereunder amounted to $25,000, all of which was expended by 1890. For further details of previous project see page 1792, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 150 feet wide through the outer bar and the lower 2,000 feet of Lower Mud bar; thence 100 feet wide through the re- maining three bars to Occoquan, 6 miles from the mouth; and the RIVERS AND HARBORS--WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 519 construction of riprap stone dikes 2,220 feet long at the upper three bars. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 2 feet; extreme, 3 feet; irregular, 5 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1907, is $64,000, exclusive' of amount expended on previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890 (H. Doc. No. 75, 51st Cong., 1st sess., modi- fied, and Annual Reports for 1890, p. 1089, and for 1891, p. 1254), and extended by the act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 190, 59th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in House Docu- ment No. 661, Sixty-third Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. An investiga- tion was made of the channels. No expenditures were made and no funds are available. Condition at end of fiscal year. The existing project, except the construction of a dike at Upper Mud Bar not considered necessary at present, was completed in 1911. Channels of project dimensions through five bars were completed in 1910, 436,981 cubic yards of ma- terial being excavated. Two stone dikes 2,220 feet long were com- pleted in 1911 by the placing of 7,827.6 cubic yards of riprap stone. The dikes are in fair condition. Several logs or snags require re- moval. Redredging is required in the section below the Railroad Bridge. The controlling depth in November, 1917, was 5 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures under the existing project were $80,999.41, of which $22,598.44 covers new work and maintenance to March 3, 1899, $21,828.70 is for new work, and $36,572.27 is for maintenance since March 3, 1899. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are ten landings on Occoquan Creek, only two of which are open to use by the general public. One of these landings is owned by the United States; the others are pri- vately owned. All landings are of the shore or solid-fill timber bulk- head type. The terminal.facilities are considered sufficient for the present traffic. Effect of improvement.--Vessels drawing 6 feet can now reach Occoquan at all times. Freight rates have been reduced. Proposed operations.-The funds allotted from the river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918, are insufficient to completely restore the project channel. They will be retained for maintenance during the fiscal year 1919, as indicated below and the balance noted retained for minor maintenance during the fiscal year 1920. Dredg- ing will be done only at points on the improvement where absolutely necessary. The available funds for the fiscal year 1919 will be expended as follows: Operation of U. S. hydraulic dredge Dalecarliaand attendant plant--.. $1, 800 Repair of dikes-----------------------------------------------200 Operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle _____________________ 400 Care of property and plant __----------------------___--____ 200 Engineering, office, contingencies, etc-------------------- - - 400 Retained for maintenance during fiscal year 1920-........ -- - 3, 000 Total_____________-------------- - -- 6,000 520 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. In view of the desired curtailment in prosecution of waterway improvement during the war period, no estimate is submitted for the fiscal year 1920, as it is considered that under the stress of necessity the work contemplated at this locality may be omitted without se- rious consequences. General maintenance under conditions noted above will be covered by funds set aside from balances available for the fiscal year 1919. Recommended modifications of project.-In House Document No. 661, Sixty-third Congress, second session, it is recommended that the present project be enlarged by providing a channel 150 feet wide and 8 feet deep from the mouth to Taylor Point, and thence 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep to the town of Occoquan, at an estimated cost of $43,000, and $800 annually for maintenance. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is reported as 33,745 short tons, valued at $256,485, the principal items, in order of tonnage, being coal, stone, brick, manure, piles, lumber, cement and lime, and railroad ties. The entire commerce passed over the improved section, all of which required the increased width and depth afforded by the improvement. The limit of draft for loaded boats was about 6 feet for 95 per cent of the total tonnage. Comparative statement. Calendar year. tons. te Value. Pe n- Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Pasen- gers. 1913...............57,580 $161,860 ......... 1916.............. 21,440 $218,665. 1914...............35,652 131,380 1,200 1917.............. 33,745 256, 485. 1915.............. 57,739 259,351 7 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work -- ----------------------------------------- $69,427. 14 Maintenance_ ------------------------- ----------------- 36, 572. 27 Net total expended-------------------------------- 105,999.41 Total appropriations to date of this report-__-- _----- - _ 111, 999.41 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............. ........................ - - ........... Expended for maintenance............... $1,707.68 $361.90 $129.20 $8,662.46 .......... Appropriated or allotted...... .............. ... ..... ............. .. 5. 00. ....... Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918-... $6, 000 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919- - --------- 6, 000 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of ex- isting project ----- ------------------------------------- 5,000 1 Exclusive of available funds. This is the estimated cost of construction of dike at. Upper Mud Bar, which is now not regarded as necessary. RIVERS AND HARBOS----WASHINGTON D. C., DISTRICT. 521 6. AQUIA CREEK, VA. (A6). Location and description.-Aquia Creek rises in Virginia and flows in a southeasterly direction for about 17 miles to the Potomac River, which it enters about 43 miles below Washington, D. C. The drainage area is 89 square miles and the discharge is small, data not available. The section under improvement is entirely tidal. The average width between banks is one-half mile. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 376. , Original condition.--The creek had a well-defined channel 60 to 200 feet wide and 2 to 17 feet deep from Whartons Landing, the head of navigation, as far down as the Narrows, a distance of 3 miles. From the Narrows to Thorny Point, 3 niles, the stream expanded into a bay 1,000 to 6,000 feet wide and 2 to 5 feet deep. Near Thorny Point the depth increased and a channel 6 to 7 feet deep was available to the mouth, about 1 mile. The total navigable length was about 7.5 miles. The discharge is very small except dur- ing freshets. Previous projects.-The first project was adopted by river and harbor act of June 10, 1872, and the expenditures thereunder amounted to $10,500. The second project was adopted by the act of September 19, 1890, and the expenditures thereunder amounted to $20,564.84, making the total expenditures under previous projects to 1912, $31,064.84. For further details of previous projects see page 1793, Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water and 60 to 100 feet wide from Coal Land- ing to the mouth, about 6 miles. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 1.6' feet; extreme, 2.2 feet; irregular, 4 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $21,400 exclusive of amount expended under previous project. The latest (1912) approved estimate for,annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 579, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. The total ex- penditures were $873.58, all for maintenance, being payment of out- standing liabilities from the previous fiscal year. Condition at end of fiscal year.--The existing project was com- pleted in 1914. Channels and turning basins aggregating 3.8 miles in length have been dredged. The excavation amounted to 175,107 cubic yards original dredging completed in 1914, and 38,591 cubic yards maintenance dredging completed in 1917. Two wrecks and six snags were removed in 1913. Two concrete beacons were built in 1913. The controlling depth, May, 1917, was 7 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures under the existing project were $25,500, $21,400 for new work and $4,100 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are no wharves or landings in the creek other than the remains of several timber and stone bulkheads. The only port, Coal Landing, where shipping is carried on, is open to 522 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. use by the general public. The waterfront is owned by private par- ties. A bulkhead wharf or landing should be built at Coal Landing, at the site of the present shore landing, to be at least 200 feet long. Effect of improvement.-Shipments have been greatly facilitated. It is understood that freight rates have been somewhat reduced. Proposed operations.-None. No funds are on hand or requested for the fiscal year 1920, as it is believed maintenance will be un- necessary. Reconmmended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar. year 1917 is reported as 8,145 short tons, valued at $71,305, the principal items in order of tonnage being lumber, pyrites, cordwood, pulpwood, coal, and railroad ties. The entire commerce, all of which required the increased depth and width, passed over the improved sections. The limit of draft for loaded boats for the. total tonnage was from 51 to 7 feet. Freights are much reduced by war conditions. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913....... .. . .... ..- 12,356 $89,409 1916........ .............. 20,703 $121.140 1914........ ............. 13,325 92, 595 1917......... .......... 8,155 71,305 1915........ ............ 11.424 79.020 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work _ $52, 464. 84 $----------------------------- Maintenance ------------------------------------ 4, 100. 00 Net total expended--- -- 56, 564. 84 Total appropriations to date of this report -------------------- 56, 564. 84 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... $15,205.01........ Expended for maintenance.............. ........... $100.00 .......... 3.126.42 8873.58 Appropriated or allotted. ................... ....... 100.00 ............. 4,000.00 ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended____________-____________-_ $873. 58 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_- 873. 58 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP A. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,687.36: New work_ -------------------- -------------------- $3, 792, 746. 84 Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 867, 249. 69 Net total expended______-__-- - ________-______ 4, 659, 996. 53 Total appropriations to date of this report ------------------ 4, 728, 339. 46 RIVERS AND HARBORS--WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 523 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 .. . . .. . . . . Expended for new work 1 . $51, 583.18 $39, 881.35 $38, 032.10 $31, 308.92 .. Expended for maintenance '............... 25,588.69 80,950.85 21,246.83 29,193.59 $14, 297.95 Totalgxpended .................... 77,171.87 120,832.20 50,278.93 60,502.51 14,297.95 Appropriated or allotted................... ............ 30,100.00 .......... 41, 000.00 30,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended__ _ _--____--________ ________ $41, 385. 38 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917- 30, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 _ __---------------_ 255. 50 71, 640. 88 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 1 14, 297. 95 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------------------------- 57, 342. 93 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities--------------------___ 1, 716. 17 July 1, 1918, balance available ---------------------------------- 55, 626. 76 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918_ 11, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919------------ 66, 626. 76 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ____-_______________________2 5, 000. 00 RAPPAHANNOCK, MATTAPONI, AND PAMUNKEY RIVERS, URBANNA CREEK, AND MILFORD I-AVEN HARBOR, VA. (GROUP B). 7. RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER, VA. (B1). Location and description.-The Rappahannock River rises in Vir- ginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and flows southeasterly about 212 miles to Chesapeake Bay, which it enters about 40 miles above Fort Monroe. The lower 70 miles, generally deep, averages 1 miles in width with the characteristics of a tidal estuary rather than of a river. The section under improvement is entirely tidal. The drain- age area is 2,700 square miles, and the discharge at Fredericksburg varies from 250 to 80,000 second-feet. Destructive freshets occa- sionally occur, usually in the spring, sometimes reaching 32 feet at Fredericksburg. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 534, 535, 536. Original condition.-The river was obstructed by nine bars be- tween Tappahannock and Fredericksburg with ruling depths of from 4 to 8 feet, and width of approximately 100 feet. Except for these bars there was a depth of 10 feet available from Fredericksburg, the head of navigation for large steamers, to the mouth, a distance of 104 miles. Smaller vessels could go to -Falmouth, 3 miles farther up. Previous projects.-The.first project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1871, and was modified in 1879. The expendi- tures under this project to 1905 were $310,645.83, of which $197,145.83 was for new work and $113,500 for maintenance. For further details of previous projects see page 1793 of Annual Report for 1915. Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. This is the estimated cost of construction of dike at Upper Mud Bar, Occoquan Creek, Va., which is now not regarded as necessary. 524 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Existing project.-This provides for securing a channel 12 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide between the mouth and Port Royal and 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide between Port Royal and Fredericksburg by dredging and the construction of 20,401 feet of crib and pile dikes and 1,906 feet of riprap stone dikes, tlhe latter being also designed to retain the excavated material deposited be- hind them. The length of section included in the project is 104 miles. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are Mean, 2.8 feet at Fredericksburg, 1.6 at Tappahannnock; extreme, 3.5 feet at Fredericksburg, 2.5 feet at Tappahannock; irregular, 6 feet at Fredericksburg, 5 feet at Tappahannock. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1905, is $171,000, exclusive of amount ex- pended under previous project. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $12,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1905 (Annual Report for 1906, pp. 1110-1113). The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1910, page 1364. Operations and results during fiscal year.--hannels 12,873 feet long were dredged through 6 bars, 146,893 cubic yards being exca- vated. In the protection of fills and dikes 11,391 linear feet of wattling were built, 5,913 willow slips planted, 1,693 linear feet of ditch cleaned, 119 linear feet of'tile drain laid and 1,019 linear feet of wire fencing built. Surveys of bars were made, and plant and office maintained. The work was done partly under public-notice order and partly by Government plant and hired labor. The expenditures were $22,471.35 for maintenance, covering $16,- 326.36 for operation and maintenance of dredge, $1,983.93 for pro- tection of fills and dikes, $1,806.82 for operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle, $2,354.24 for engineering, surveys, clerical, office, care of property and plant, and miscellaneous expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1910. A channel of project dimensions throughout the entire improved section has been obtained by the excavation of 955,- 409 cubic 'yards of material. In all 20,401 linear feet of timber dikes and 1,906 linear feet of riprap dike containing 3,625 cubic yards of riprap stone have been completed. The channels are in fair condition. The dikes, both timber and stone, are now in need of extensive repair, not only on account of lack of funds in the past but also from damage received by unusual ice conditions during the fiscal year. The controlling depth, March, 1918, is 10 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures under the existing project were $310,- 954.15, of which $217,487.20 covered new work and $93,466.95 cov- ered maintenance. Local cooperation.--None. Terminal facilities.-There are about 45 terminals on the Rappa- hannock River, generally pile structures in good condition, of which 29 are open to use by the general public, and 16 are for private use. On the upper section there are a great many minor or- shore landings for individual farms. Quite a number of grain chutes, also, exist, the banks being from 10 to 50 feet high. There are a sufficient number of terminals on this river to care for the present traffic. RIVERS AND HARBORS---WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 525 Effect of improvement.-The coastwise trade has been afforded access to the upper river. Freight and especially passenger service has been extensively facilitated, but the effect on rates is unknown. Proposed operations.-It is expected that the available funds will cover the necessary maintenance work for the fiscal year 1919. This is due to the economy effected in the use of Government plant during the fiscal year 1918. It is proposed to dredge only one of the upper six bars not covered by dredging during the fiscal year, 1918. Dredg- ing the other five bars will only be done when impassable by naviga- tion, and then only for limited areas. None of these bars have been dredged since 1909. The bar at Fredericksburg requires annual dredging. The available funds will be expended as follows: Operation of U. S. hydraulic dredge, Dalecarlia and attendant plant____ $5, 600 Repairing dikes----------------------------------------------2, 500 Protection of fills--------------------------------------------2, 000 Operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle_____- 500 1---------1, Care of property and plant_----------------------- 1, 800 Engineering office, contingencies, etc_____---------------------- - 1, 500 Retained for maintenance during fiscal year 1920 -- ______--- - 6, 200 Balance available June 30, 1918 ______________ - __-- - 21, 100 In view of the desired curtailment in prosecution of waterway im- provement during the war period, only a very limited estimate is submitted for the fiscal year 1920. Fredericksburg Bar at the head of navigation receives considerable deposits from freshets which prac- tically require annual removal. The item of dredging covers only Fredericksburg Bar and a few bars as are likely to develop shoals that retard navigation. The fills requiring brush and wattling pro- tection, the cleaning of drains, the operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle, the care of property and plant and engineering office and contingencies, will be covered by the balance retained from the available funds of the fiscal year 1919. It is proposed to use the funds requested for the fiscal year 1920 as follows: Operation of U. S. hydraulic dredge Dalecarlia and attendant plant ...-- $6, 000 The estimate is considerably smaller than the average for the past 5 years. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is reported as 147,922 short tons, valued at $7,008,459, the principal items, in order of tonnage, being pulp and cordwood, general merchandise, lumber, farm produce, oysters in shell, canned goods, railroad ties, and fish. About 75 per cent of the entire commerce passed over the improved sections, all of which required the increased depths and width afforded by the improvement. The usual limit of draft for loaded boats for the principal items and the proportion of the total tonnage pertaining thereto is as fol- lows :. Pulp and cordwood, 6 to 8 feet, 26 per cent; general merchan- dise, 8 feet, 14 per cent; lumber, 5 to 8 feet, 13 per cent; farm produce, 8 feet, 11 per cent; oysters in shell, 5 to 8 feet, 6 per cent; canned goods, 6 to 8 feet, 5 per cent. 526 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ABMY, 1918. Comparative statement. Calendaryear. Short Passen- Short Value. Passen- Value. tons.alendar year. gers. Calendar year. tons. Value. gers. 1913 ............. 251,070 $6,657,369 45,192 1916.............. 195,842 56,014,763 40,262 1914............... 206 939 6, 327, 305 44,631 1917.............. 147,922 7, 008, 459 64,543 1915.............. 233,161 6,458,344 40, 887 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $2,276.10: New work------------------------------------------ $414,633.03 Maintenance___--------------------------------------------- 206, 966.95 Net total expended_ _ 21, 599. 98 6---------------------------------- Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------- 43, 145.97 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work; ................. ..... ...... . Expended for maintenance 1........ 54, 486.09 $24,399.92 $4,354. 72 $3, 847.35 $22, 471.35 Appropriated or allotted ..... ..... ........ .. 13,000.00 ........... 30,000.00 10, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_______-- _________________ $34, 006. 24 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917_ 10, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 10 1------------------ 11. 44, 017. 34 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 1 22, 471.35 'July1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------- 21, 545. 99 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities___ ___-_____ -_________ 445. 99 July 1, 1918, balance available___________________-__ _ 21, 100. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance _______- --------------------- 6, 000. 00 8. URBANNA CREEK, VA. (B2). Location and description.-UrbannaCreek rises in Virginia, flows in an easterly direction about 5 miles to the Rappahannock River, which it enters about 18 miles above its mouth, and is mainly tidal. The average width between banks is one-fourth of a mile. The section covered by the existing project is entirely tidal. The drain- age area is 15 square miles, and the discharge is small, data not avail- able. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-There was a bar at the mouth over which the ruling depth was 6G feet, and there was a shoal within, the creek with a ruling depth of 7 feet; the width of the channel was about 100 feet. Except for these bars there was a depth of 10 feet avail- able as far as Urbanna Wharf, nine-tenths of a mile. Small boats could proceed 2 or 3 miles farther up. Previous projects.-None. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. SExclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS---WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 527 Eemisting project.-This provides for dredging a channel 150 feet wide and 10 feet deep, at mean low water, nine-tenths of a mile, through the outer and inner bars with a turning basin of the same depth at the head of steamboat navigation, and for jetties to protect the channel through the outer bar. The jetties are 2,612 feet long, one of riprap 1,895 feet long, and one of timber 717 feet long. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 1.5 feet; extreme, 2.5 feet; irregular, 4.5 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1897, is $70,000. The latest (1917) ppproved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879 (Annual Report for 1875, vol. 2, p. 139). It was modified in 1883, 1888, and 1897. The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1890, page 1070. Operations and results during fiscal year.-An examination was made of the channel and jetty. No expenditures were made and no funds are available. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1914. The jetties were finished in 1913; the dredging in 1914. A total of 216,359 cubic yards has been dredged; 452 linear feet of brush and oyster-shell dikes have been built; 1,895 linear feet of stone jetty have been completed by the placing of 3,937 cubic yards of riprap, and 717 linear feet of timber dike or jetty have been built. Redredging has been done in the channel and turning basin where shoaling occurred. The stone jetty and channel are in good condi- tion, the controlling depth, June 1918, being 10 feet at mean low water. The timber dike 717 feet long on the right side of the chan- nel originally covered with dredged material has been completely uncovered by storm action and is entirely eaten through by teredo, the outer 35 feet being washed away. The expenditures were $38,811.77 for new work and $27,688.23 for maintenance, a total of $66,500. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 16 wharves or shore landings, the wharves being the ordinary type of wooden pile structures. Four ,terminals are open to use by the general public. One, the County Landing, is publicly owned and operated as a free wharf. The termi- nals in this creek are.thought to be ample for the present traffic. Effect of improvement.-The steamboats of the line operating from Baltimore and Norfolk to the Rappahannock River can reach the wharf at Urbanna, and landings are made there three days a week, or two days from Baltimore and one day from Norfolk, while daily landings are made in the main river at West Urbanna, which is 2 miles from Urbanna. The service at Urbanna avoids this haul, but otherwise has no apparent effect on freight rates, rates to Urbanna and West Urbanna being identical. Proposed operations.-No funds are on hand. The present timber dike being entirely eaten through with teredo and in part washed away, the channel is in danger of rapid filling from easterly storms which have already well filled the cove formed by the timber dike, In view of the desired curtailment in prosecution of waterway improvement during the war period, only a very limited estimate is 528 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY'1918. submitted for the fiscal year 1920, which is to cover only temporary and partial rebuilding of the existing timber dike. It is proposed to 'use the funds requested for the fiscal year 1920 as follows: Operation of U. S. snagboat York-------------------------------- $1, 200 Purchase of material------------1------------------------------ 1, 050 Operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle----------------------- 500 Care of property and plant--------------------------------------- 300 Engineering office, contingencies, etc-------------------------------- 450 Total-------- ----------------------------------------- 3, 500 This estimate for maintenance is the original, as well as the first in 5 years for this dike, and its final replacement with stone similar to the present left-hand jetty should make future maintenance unneces- sary.. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is reported as 11,039 short tons, valued at $499,538, the principal items in order of tonnage being lumber, general merchandise, pulpwood, ice, farm produce, and coal. The entire commerce passed over the im- proved section, all being affected by the increased depth and width afforded by the improvement. The usual limit of draft for loaded boats for the principal items and the proportion of the total tonnage pertaining thereto, is as fol- lows: Lumber, 8 feet, 30 per cent; general merchandise, 10 feet, 15 per cent; pulpwood, 8 feet, 13 per cent; ice, 3 to 10 feet, 11 per cent; and farm produce, 10 feet, 8 per cent. Comparative statement. Calendar year. rt Value. P n- Calendar year. Short Value Passen- Shorto tons. Value. year. s gers. Calendar year tons . tons. . gers. gers. 1913.............. 18,295 $430,738 2,192 1916............. 16,817 $393,392 2,053 1914............. 14,560 369,578 2,034 1917 --..- ... . 11,039 499,538 2,299 1915.............. 16,527 339,861 2,647 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------ ------------------------------ $38,811. 77 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 27, 688. 23 Net total expended -------------------------------- 66, 500. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------66, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................ $1, 910. 87.. Expended for maintenance ................ 3,284.55 .. ......... $500.00................... Appropriated or allotted............. .. ....... ... $500.00........... ... ......... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance----------------- -- ---- $3, 500. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS--WASHINGTON, D. C.,, DISTRICT. 529 9. HARBOR AT MILFORD HAVEN, VA. (B3). Location and description.-Milford Haven is a tidal estuary or strait on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, about 35 miles from Fort Monroe. It lies between Gwynns Island and the main shore, having a southeast entrance connecting with Chesapeake Bay and a northwest entrance connecting with Hills Bay, at the mouth of the Piankatank River. It is about 4 miles long and half a mile wide. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 376. Original condition.-The haven was obstructed by bars at both the southeast and northwest entrances. *The former entrance had but 5 feet of water over the bar and was seldom used. The latter had a natural ruling depth of 7 feet. There was also a bar between Cricket Hill and Callis Wharf, with a ruling depth of 8 feet.' The channel varied from 100 to 200 feet in width, and, except at the bars, had a ruling depth of 10 feet. The length of the navigable portion before improvement was 4 miles. Previous projects.---None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water, with a minimum width of 200 feet, through the bars at the northwest entrance and between Cricket Hill and Callis Wharf, a distance of 1 mile, and for the construction of a stone jetty 1,183 feet long at the northwest entrance. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 1.3 feet; extreme, 2 feet; irregular, 4 feet. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1895 is .$12,500. The estimated cost was modified in 1909 to $27,500, to cover dredging through the bars at the northwest entrance and between Cricket Hill and Callis Wharf, and for construction of a jetty. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1899 (H. Doc. No. 299, 53d Cong., 3d sess., and annual report for 1895, pp. 1267-1270). It was modified by the river and harbor act of June 6, 1900, at an estimated additional cost of $5,000, and was again modified in 1908 (Annual Report for 1909, p. 1241). The latest published map will be found in House Document No. 299, Fifty-third Congress, third session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-An examination was made of the channel and jetty. No expenditures were made, and no funds are available. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1910. The material excavated at both bars, in a total length of 0.64 mile, amounted to 74,339 cubic yards. The jetty contains 2,496 cubic yards of riprap. All works are now in good condition. The con- trolling depth is 10 feet at mean low water. The expenditures were $24,568.25 for new work, and $3,673.94 for maintenance, a total of $28,242.19. Local cooperation.-None in connection with present project. In 1882 and in 1887 the Maryland Steamboat Co. dredged the channel at the northwest entrance to a depth of 8 feet. Terminal facilities.-There are 3 wharves of wooden pile construc- tion, all in good condition, one of which, only, is open to use by the general public. It is understood that there is considerable conges- tion at one of the wharves, due to lack of wharf and warehouse space. 81116--ENG 1918--34 530 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Effect of improvement.-Commerce has been facilitated. There has apparently been no reduction in freight rates. Proposed operations.-None. No funds are on hand or requested for the fiscal year 1920, as an examination in June, 1918, indicates that maintenance will probably be unnecessary. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is reported as 5,633 short tons, valued at $426,595, the principal items in order of tonnage being piles, general merchandise, farm produce, fish and crabs, gasoline and oils, and fertilizer. The entire commerce passed over the improved section, 70 per cent of which was affected by the increased depth and width afforded by the improvement. The limit of draft of loaded boats is from 6 to 10 feet. Comparative statement. Calendar year. ShortValue. Pa Calendar year. Value. gers. tons. gers. tons. lu gers. 1913........... 9,361 $516,683 1,644 1916.-........... 9,211 $503,163 1,570 1914............... 8,750 451,220 1,632 1917..-........... 5,633 426,595 1,753 1915 ............... 7,933 402,210 1,465 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $3,032.97: New work------------------------------------------- $24, 568, 25 Maintenance --------------------------------------- 3, 673. 94 Net total expended -------------------------------- 28, 242. 19 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------28, 242. 19 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. Expended for new work ......... . ...................... ............ Expended for maintenance 1 .. $1,776.70 ............ $300.00 ....... .... ..... . Appropriated or allotted ................... ........... . $300.00 ................. ............ 1Not deducting receipts from sales. 10. MATTAPONI RIVER, VA. (B4). Location and description.-The Mattaponi River rises in Virginia and flows in a southeasterly direction for about 120 miles to its junction with the Pamunkey River at Westpoint, Va., forming, the York River, and averages about one-fourth of a mile between banks. Above Dunkirk, 79 miles, the river is nontidal, having a moderate current; below that point, 41 miles, it is tidal. The drainage area is 800 square miles. The discharge varies from 50 to 20,000 second- feet. Freshets occur in the spring. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 504. Original condition.-There was an available depth of 10 feet as far as Walkerton, 28 miles. Between Walkerton and Aylett, 10 miles, there were seven bars with ruling depths of 2.4 to 3.8 feet. The width of the channel then in use was about 100 feet. 'The river RIVERS AND HARBORS-WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 531 was obstructed by wrecks, logs, snags, and overhanging trees. From Aylett to Guinea Bridge, 63 miles, the stream was narrow, with a slope of 2 to 3 feet per mile, and its only commercial use was for logging. Tidal action extends ordinarily as far as Dunkirk, 41 miles from the mouth. The head of navigation was Aylett. The length of the navigable portion was 38 miles. Previous projects.--None. Existing project.-This provides for the removal of snags, wrecks, and leaning trees below Guinea Bridge, 71 miles above Line Tree Bar, and the improvement of the bars below Aylett so as to give a depth of 51 feet at mean low water and a channel width of 40 feet. The length of the section included in the project is 101 miles, and the distance of the lower end of the improvement from the mouth of the river is 30 miles. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 3.9 feet at Walkerton, 2.9 feet at West- point; extreme, 4.5 feet at Walkerton, 2.9 feet at Westpoint; irreg- ular, 7 feet at Walkerton, 6 feet at Westpoint. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1875, is $34,059. The estimated cost was modified in 1892 to $72,100 to cover the removal of snags as far as Guinea Bridge. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual .cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880 (Annual Report for 1875, vol. 2, p. 166), and was modified by river and harbor act of July 13, 1892: The latest pub- lished map will be found in the Annual Report for 1910, page 1356. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The work consisted of snagging and redredging 3,945 linear feet of channel by the excava- tion of 39,308 cubic yards of material. An examination of the chan- nels was made, office work handled, and plant maintained. The work was done partly under public-notice order and partly by Government plant and hired labor. The total expenditures were $5,142.55, all for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1914. The channel from Aylett to the lower end of Line Tree Bar has been dredged through 13 bars aggregating 4.4 miles in length, 364,941 cubic yards being excavated. A longitudinal sheet pile dike, 2,297 feet long, has been built. Innumerable logs, snags, overhanging trees, and five wrecks have been removed. The dike is in good condition. Numerous overhanging trees, snags, etc., require removal. The controlling depth, June, 1918, was 6.9 feet at mean low water below Pointers Landing on Robinsons Bar, and 4.2 feet at mean low water between Pointers Landing and Aylett. The three bars below Pointers Landing will not require dredging during the fiscal year 1920. The controlling depths over the bars above Pointers Landing requiring dredging, observed June, 1918, were as follows: Bar. Last Controlling depth. Width. width dredged. Feet. Sale, lower ....... ......................................... 1913 5. 2 Narrow. wsalkupper........ .. ............... ................. 1913 4.2 Do6 Jones.........,... .................. ....... ... ..................... 1913 4.8 Aylett.....,......................................... 1913 5.8-6.8 Do. 532 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. The total expenditures were $111,323.97, of which $54,899.72 cov- ered new work and maintenance prior to March 3, 1899, and $56,- 424.25 for maintenance since March 3, 1899. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are about 47 landings, of wooden pile or crib construction, generally in a dilapidated condition, along this stream. Twenty-seven of these landings are open to use by the general public. The major, portion of these landings should be re- built, and an additional large wharf and storage yard should be established near Walkerton for the large quantity of wood, lumber, and ties brought to the vicinity from upriver.points in lighters, and transferred there to barges and sailing vessels. Effect of improvement.-Steamers can now make their calls at river landings without reference to the tide. Shipments have been facilitated, and it is understood that freight rates have been some- what reduced. Proposedoperations.-Thefunds available will suffice for snagging, plant maintenance, engineering, office, etc., during the fiscal year 1919, but will not cover dredging to project depth above Pointers Landing. The funds will be expended for maintenance during the fiscal year 1919 as follows: Operation of U. S. snag boat York ----------------------------- $1,000.00 Surveys-------------- ----------------------------- 300.00 Operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle-------------- -------- 550. 00 Care of property and plant ------------------------------------ 300. 00 Engineering, office, contingencies, etc------------------- ------- 250. 15 Retained for maintenance during fiscal year 1920----------- ---- 1, 270. 00 Balance available June 30, 1918-------------- 3, 670.15 In view of the desired curtailment in prosecution of waterway im- provement during the war period, no estimate is submitted for the fiscal year 1920, as it is considered that under the stress of necessity the work contemplated at this locality may be omitted without serious consequences. General maintenance under conditions noted above will be covered by funds set aside from balances available for the fiscal year 1919. Recommended modifications of project.-It has been recommended in House Document 861, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session, that the existing project be modified so as to provide for a channel 51 feet deep and 75 feet wide to Pointers, 33, miles above West Point, and for the removal of obstructions to Dunkirk, 41 miles above West Point, at an estimated cost of $7,000 and $2,000 per annum for maintenance. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is re- ported as 77,163 short tons, valued at $908,108, the principal items in the order of tonnage being pulp and cordwood, lumber, railroad ties, farm produce, general merchandise and lime. About 22 per cent of the total commerce passed over the improved sections, 11 per cent of which was affected by the increased depth and width afforded by the improvement. The usual limit of draft for loaded boats for the principal items and the proportion of the total tonnage pertaining thereto, for the whole river, is as follows: Pulp and cordwood, 5 to 10 feet, 41 per cent; lumber, 5 to 10 feet, 40 per cent; railroad ties, 8 to 10 feet, 6 per cent; farm produce, 5 feet, 3 per cent. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 533 Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short Value. tons.ges. asn- Calendar year. year Short tons. Value. Passen- gers. 1913................ 73,277 $1,103,030 3,402 1916................ 84,164 $1,'069,764 2,095 1914......... .... 60,190 685, 693 3,040 1917.............. 77,163 908,108 1, 780 1915............... 52, 737 811, 030 2, 680 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $530.50: New work ---------------------------------- ----- $54, 899. 72 Maintenance - 56, 424. 25 1et total expended-------------------------------------111, 323. 97 Total appropriations to date of this report______________________ 115, 081. 31 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1..........$... 6 248.33 ............... 86, Expended for maintenance 1. .......... 6, 460.85 1,294. 80 $1,486.97 $1, 318.34 $5,142.55 Total expended 1..... ....... ... 12,709.18 1294.80 1,486.97 1,318.34 5,142.55 Appropriated or allotted. ......................... 7,000.00 ....... 0.00 ,00.. 2,000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------------------------$6, 899. 89 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917.... 2, 000. 00 8, 899. 89 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 5, 142. 55 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------------------------- 3, 757.34 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------------ 87. 19 July 1, 1918, balance available--------------------------------- 3, 670. 15 11. PAMUNKEY RIVER, VA. (B5). Location and description.-The Pamunkey River rises in Virginia, flows in a southeasterly direction for 130 miles to its junction with the Mattaponi River at Westpoint, Va., forming the York River. The upper 83 miles are nontidal and have a moderate current. The average width between banks is one-fourth of a mile. Its drainage area is 1,406 square miles and its discharge varies from 150 to 40,000 second-feet. Freshets rise 22 feet at Hanovertown, 52 miles above the mouth. The lower 50 miles, which include the entire section under improvement, are tidal. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 504. Original conditions.-A draft of 7 feet could be carried to Buck- land Bar. Between this bar and Bassett Ferry there were five bars, with ruling depths varying from 2 to 5 feet. The width of the channel was about 100 feet. There were additional bars in the 12 miles between Bassett Ferry and Hanovertown, the original upper limit of the improvement, and the river was also obstructed by wrecks, logs, snags, and overhanging trees. The head of navigation for all craft was Newcastle Ferry, 53 miles above the mouth. 534 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for securing a channel 7 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet wide between Bassett Ferry and the mouth of the river, a distance of 50 miles. The plane of reference is mean low water. The tidal ranges are: Mean, 2.9 feet at Westpoint, 4 feet at Newcastle Ferry; extreme, 3.5 feet at Westpoint, 5 feet at Newcastle Ferry; irregular, 6 feet at Westpoint, 7.5 feet at Newcastle 'Ferry. The estimate of cost for new work made in 1875 is $17,508. The estimated cost was modified in 1908 to $55,000 to cover increased depth and width of channel below Bassett Ferry. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880. (Annual Report for 1875, Part II, p. 162.) The project was modified in 1885 and 1908 partly by increasing the depth and width of channel below Bassett Ferry and partly by omitting the portion of the river above Bassett Ferry. The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1890, page 1074. Operations and results during fiscal year.--An examination of the channels was made, office work handled, and plant maintained. The work was done by hired labor. The expenditures were $792.53 for maintenance, of which $198.03 was an outstanding liability from the fiscal year 1917. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1913. Channels of project dimensions have been dredged, 91,884 cubic yards being excavated. Longitudinal sheet pile dikes aggregating 1,478 linear feet and permeable spur dikes aggregating 2,332 linear feet have been built. Innumerable logs, snags, over- hanging trees, and eight wrecks have been removed. The dikes are in good condition. Numerous overhanging trees, snags, etc., require removal. The controlling depth over the six bars which have con- siderably shoaled is as follows: Last Bar. dredg- nt-h. Width. ing. Feet. Bassett.... ... .. ..... ... .... ..... ...................... 1912 5.7 Carter Landing..................... .......... ................... ... (1) 5.5 Spring...... .............................................. 1909 5.8 Narrow. Piping Tree .................... .................................. 1909 5.8 Buckland ........................................................... ....... 1912 6.5 Do. Gregory ...................................................... ....... (1) 5.8 Do. 1Not previously. The controlling depth in June, 1918, was 5.8 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures were $65,440.95, of which $39,666.23 cov- ered new work and maintenance prior to March 3, 1899, and $25,774.72 for maintenance since March 3, 1899. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are about 28 wharves along the Pamun- key River, 20 of which are open to use by the general public. The wharves are generally of wooden pile construction, in fair condition.. The terminals of this stream are believed to be ample in number for the present and all future traffic. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WASHINGTON, D. C., DISTRICT. 535 Effect of improvement.-Vessels drawing 7 feet can now reach Bassett Ferry. Shipments have been facilitated. It is stated that freight rates have been reduced. Proposed operations.-The funds on hand are insufficient to restore the project channels required by navigation. They will be expended for maintenance during the fiscal year 1919 as follows: Operation of U. S. snag boat York-..______-.....-__ __- $1,300.00 Surveys of channels------- ---------------- ------------ 300. 00 Maintenance of U. S. tug Castle----------------------------- 450. 00 Care of property and plant------------------------------ 350. 00 Engineering, office, contingencies, etc. ------------------------ 393.36 Balance available June 30, 1918 ____- - ___-2, 793.36 -____ In view of the desired curtailment in prosecution of waterway improvement during the war period, only a very limited estimate is submitted for the fiscal year 1920, which is to cover minor main- tenance as follows: Operation of U. S. snag boat York------------------------------- $700 Operation and maintenance of U. S. tug Castle---------- ... __---- 450 Care of property and plant------------------ ---------------- 400 Engineering, office, contingencies, etc. ------- _____- 250 Total --- --------------- ---------- ---------- 1,800 This estimate is smaller than the average for the past five years. Recommended modiffications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Commerce for the calendar year 1917 is reported as 37,885 short tons, valued at $282,562, the principal items, in order of tonnage, being lumber, pulpwood, railroad ties, grain and lime. About 49 per cent of this commerce passed over the improved sections, all of which was affected by the increased depth and width afforded by the improvement. The usual limit of draft for loaded boats for the principal items and the proportion of the total tonnage pertaining thereto, for the whole river is as follows: Lumber, pulp- wood and railroad ties, 51 to 10 feet, 98 per cent. Much of this ton- nage has to be lightered from the upper and shallower reaches of the river, but exact information is not ascertainable. There is no passenger traffic on this river. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ...................... 36,990 $236,2571916..................... 42,894 $276,579 1914............. ... .... .. 35,703 194,953 1917...................... 37,885 282,562 1915 ......... ............. 47 004 212,343 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $500: New work--------------------------- --------------- $39,666.23 Maintenance ------------------------------------ 25, 774. 72 Net total expended----- -65, - 440. 95 Total appropriations to date of this report- ------ - 68, 320. 37 536 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1 .. .. .. .. .. . .. Expended for new work . . $837.22...................... Expended for maintenance 1........... .... 1,538.25 3399.40 $1,600.60 $1,328.05 $792.3 Total expended 1....................2,375.47 399.40 1,600.60 1,328.05 792.53 Appropriated or allotted .............. ........ . 2,000. 0 2, 000.00 3,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended---- __ $671. 95 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_, 3, 000.00 3, 671. 95 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 792. 53 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended._------------ -------------- 2, 879. 42 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities _ -------------------------- 86. 06 July 1, 1918, balance available___-- __-______----------2, 793.36 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance_--_- __--___-- __ -_ - 21, 800. 00 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP B. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $6,339.57: New work- ----------------------------------------- $572, 579.00 Maintenance ------------------ _--------_--------- 320, 528. 09 Net total expended--------------------893, 107. 09 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------921, 289. 84 Fiscal yearending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for maintenance 1............ 17,546.44 26, 094.12 38, 242.29 493. 74 $6, $28, 406. 43 Total expended 1.................... 26,542.86 26,094.12 8,242.29 6,493.74 28,406.43 Appropriated or allotted.......................... 22,800.00 .......... 36,000.00 15,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------__ -------- $41, 578. 08 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 15, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 _------------- - -11. 10 56, 589. 18 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 28, 406. 43 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------__ 28,182. 75 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_---__ --- - ______________ 619. 24 July 1, 1918, balance available ------------------------------- 27, 563. 51 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance -------------- 11, 300. 00 'Not deducting receipts from sale's, etc. 2Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS *AND HARBORS--NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 537 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEY MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACTS APPROVED MARCH 4, 1915, AND JULY 27, 1916. Reports on preliminary examinations and survey required by the river and harbor acts of March 4, 1915, and July 27, 1916, of the following localities within this district were duly submitted by the district engineer. They were reviewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, pursuant to law, and were transmitted to Con- gress and printed in documents as indicated: 1. Preliminaryexamination and survey of Little Wicomico River, Va.-Reports dated November 8, 1915, and June 6, 1917, with map, are printed in House Document No. 336, Sixty-fifth Congress, first session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. .. Preliminary examination of channel connecting York River, Va., with Back Creek to Slaights Wharf, with a view to securing a depth of 10 feet and widths of 200 and 100 feet, respectively-Report dated March 26, 1917, is printed in House Document No. 291, Sixty- fifth Congress, first session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. 3. Preliminary examination of Beach Creek, Va., with a view to increasing the dimensions of the channel to a depth of 6 feet and a width of 60 feet.-Report dated February 21, 1917, with map, is printed in House Document No. 330, Sixty-fifth Congress, first ses- sion. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. This district includes the southern part of Chesapeake Bay, Va., and the waters tributary thereto; Albemarle Sound, N. C., and its tributaries on the northern and western shores; and the intracoastal waterway between Norfolk, Va., and Beaufort, N. C., including that part of the waterway which lies south of Albemarle Sound. District engineers: Lieut. Col. J. P. Jervey, Corps of Engineers, to August 24, 1917; Maj. E. D. Ardery, Corps of Engineers, to Sep- tember 19, 1917; and Maj. Gen. Peter C. Hains, United States Army, retired, since that date. Division engineer: Col. W. L. Fisk, United States Army, retired. IMPROVEMENTS. [The letters and figures in parantheses indicate the group, and the numerical order in the group, to which the respective improvements belong for purposes of appropriation.] Page. Page. 1. Norfolk Harbor, Va. (Al) ..... 538 10. Waterway from Norfolk, Va., 2. Thimble Shoal Channel, Va. to the sounds of North Caro- (A2) ....................... 543 lina....................567 3. Channel to Newport News, Va. 11. Inland waterway from Norfolk, (A3). ..................... 545 Va., to Beaufort Inlet, N. C.. 569 4. James River, Va. (B1) ........ 549 12. Operating and care of the in- 5. Appomattox :River, Va. (B2)... 553 land waterway from Norfolk, 6. Pagan River, Va. (B3)........ 558 Va., to Beaufort Inlet, N. C.. 574 7. Nansemond River, Va. (B4)... 560 13. Blackwater River, Va. (C1) .. 575 8. Harbor at Cape Charles City, 14. Meherrin River, N. C. (C2). .. 577 Va................... .. 563 15. Roanoke River, N. C. (C3).... 579 9. Onancock River, Va......... 565 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR SEE PAGES 2309 TO 2335. 538 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. NORFOLK HARBOR AND CHANNELS, VA. (GROUP A). This improvement is divided into three subheads: (1) Norfolk Harbor, including the main channel of Elizabeth River and portions of the Southern, Eastern, and Western Branches; (2) channels lead- ing to Newport News from Hampton Roads; and (3) Thimble Shoal Channel in the southern end of Chesapeake Bay. 1. NORFOLK HARBOR (Al). Location and description.-Norfolk, Va., is 187 miles south of Bal-. timore, Md., and 30 miles from the entrance to Chesapeake Bay at Cape Charles and Cape Henry. The harbor consists of the Elizabeth River, a tidal estuary, and certain portions of the Eastern, Southern, and Western Branches. It is 15j miles long and varies in width from one-sixth mile to 2 miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Sur- vey chart No. 78. Original condition.-Commerce was hampered by bars opposite Sewalls Point, the mouth of the Western Branch, and in the mouth of the Eastern Branch, having minimum mean low-water depths of 21, 19, and 15 feet, respectively. The Western and Southern Branches had minimum low-water depths in the limits of the present project of 12 feet. The minimum width of the main channel between 18-foot contours was 450 feet; other channels were of varying widths. Previous projects.-The original project for Norfolk Harbor was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 14, 1876, and modified by the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884; project of June 30, 1885, river and harbor act of September 19, 1890; deficiency appropriation act of July 7, 1898; and river and harbor acts of June 13, 1902, March 3, 1905, and March 2, 1907. There have been no previous projects for the Eastern and Southern Branches. The original project for the Western Branch was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896. The amount expended on the original and modified projects prior to the commencement of operations under existing projects was $2,633,743.54, of which $2,561,704.27 was for new work and $72,039.27 for maintenance. For scope of previous projects see page 1795 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a main channel, 40 feet deep at mean low water, 750 feet wide, from Hampton Roads to the mouth of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, and 450 feet wide up this branch to the Belt Line bridge, a distance of 11.75 miles, except that in front of the navy yard the channel may be made 35 feet deep, for a width of 600 to 800 feet; thence 25 feet deep, 300 feet wide, and 1.5 miles long from the Belt Line bridge to a point 1,000 feet above the Virginian Railway bridge, and thence 22 feet deep, 200 feet wide, and 2 miles long to the Norfolk & Western Rail- way bridge, making a total distance of 15.25 miles; a channel in the Eastern Branch, 25 feet deep at mean low water, 500 feet wide, and 1 mile long from the mouth to the Norfolk & Western Railway bridge, thence 22 feet deep, 500 feet wide, and one-half mile long to the Campostella Bridge; a channel in the Western Branch, 1 mile long, 24 feet deep at mean low water, 300 feet wide from the 30-foot con- tour at the mouth to the first curve, and thence 200 feet wide to the first bridge, with a further widening on the north side of the en- trance to a depth of 16 feet; and an anchorage area on the west side RIVERS AND HARBORS--NORFOLK, VA., DISTRIOT. 539 of the main channel near Lambert Point of 64 acres, 35 feet deep at mean low water, and another of 45 acres, 12 feet in depth, near Pinners Point. The mean tidal range is 2.7 feet, and the extreme 3 feet. The ex- tremes of irregular fluctuation, due to combined effect of tides and wind, referred to mean low water are -2 feet and 7 feet. The latest (1917) approved estimate of cost for new work, ex- clusive of amounts expended under previous projects, is $2,446,440. There is no approved estimate of cost of annual maintenance of this improvement. - The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of July 5, 1884, provided for improvement of the Eastern Branch (Annual Report for 1885, p. 1015) ; the act of March 2, 1907, provided for the 30-foot channel and the removal of shoals at the mouth of the Eastern Branch (H. Does. Nos. 373 and 381, 59th Cong., 1st sess.); the act of June 25, 1910, provided for the 35- foot channel to the navy yard, the 22-foot and 25-foot channels in the Southern Branch, and the 30-foot anchorage area at Lambert Point (H. Doc. No. 551, 61st Cong., 2d sess.); the act of March 4, 1913, provided for the channel and entrance to the western Branch (H. Doc. No. 566, 62d Cong., 2d sess.); the act of August 8, 1917, provided for a 40-foot channel to the navy yard and for a 35-foot anchorage opposite Lambert Point, and a 12-foot anchorage near Pinners Point (H. Doc. No. 605, 63d Cong., 2d sess., and H. Doc. No. 140, 65th Cong., 1st sess.) For map showing these improvements, (see H. Doc. No. 605, 63d Cong., 2d sess.) Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging under con- tract with the Coastwise Dredging Co., on the east side of the chan- nel of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, just south of the Belt Line Railway bridge, which was in progress at the close of the last fiscal year, was completed, resulting in a channel 25 feet deep at mean low water over an area of about 317,000 square feet at this point, and involving the excavation of 63,082 cubic yards of ma- terial, of which 58,761 cubic yards were new work and 4,321 cubic yards for maintenance. With the funds provided by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, work was commenced on the proposed 40-foot channel between the Belt Line railroad bridge at the Nor- folk Navy Yard and Hampton Roads. The dredging, which was new work, was done by contract with DeWitt D. Barlow, chairman of the emergency dredging committee, and resulted in the excavation of 516,120 cubic yards of material. The dredging was done in sec- tions , to the proposed depth of 40 feet at mean low water, but no beneficial results were accomplished to the end of the fiscal year, as none of the sections had been connected. The total expenditure was $127,158.92, of which $118,039.52 was for new work and $9,119.40 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The previous projects, and the parts of the existing project adopted prior to the modified project authorized by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, had been completed, with the following results: From the Belt Line bridge above the navy yard to the ocean, a distance of 311 miles, a navigable channel not less than 400 feet wide and 35 feet deep at mean low water, completed in 1912 (this 35-foot 540 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. channel is within the limits of a 30-foot channel 600 feet wide from Hampton Roads to Lambert Point, a distance of 7 miles, and 800 feet wide from Lambert Point to the junction of the Eastern and Southern Branches, a distance of 3 miles, completed in 1911); in the Eastern Branch a channel 500 feet wide and 25 feet deep at mean low tide from the main channel to the Norfolk & Western Railway bridge, a distance of 1 mile, and thence with the same width and 22 feet deep at mean low water to the Campostella Bridge, a distance of one-half mile, completed in 1910; on the Southern Branch a navi- gable channel 300 feet wide and 25 feet deep at mean low water, from the Belt Line Railway bridge, 1.7 miles above the mouth, to a point 11 miles above; thence to the Norfolk & Western Railway bridge, a distance of 2 miles, 200 feet wide and 22 feet deep at mean low water, completed in 1911; on the Western Branch, a navigable channel 24 feet deep at mean low water and 300 feet wide from deep water in Norfolk Harbor to the first bend below the West Norfolk Bridge, a distance of three-fourths mile, and thence with the same depth and 200 feet wide to the bridge, a further distance of one- fourth mile, completed in 1914. The work on the 40-foot channel has not been carried to a sufficient extent to benefit navigation. The controlling depths at mean low water at the end of the fiscal year were as follows: From the ocean to Norfolk, 35 feet; in the Southern and Eastern Branches, 22 feet, and in the Western Branch, 24 feet. The project was estimated to be about 42 per cent completed. The total expenditure under the existing adopted project was $1,049,427.84, of which $1,025,490.38 was for new work and $23,- 937.46 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The total number of wharves, piers, etc., served by this improvement is about 165, with a total length avail- able for wharfage purposes of about 113,000 linear feet. Of this total extent available, about 1 per cent is publicly owned, located at the street ends of the city of Norfolk; about 19 per cent is owned or leased by the various departments of the Government; about 43 per cent is owned or controlled by railroad and steamship companies for terminals, for the handling of coal, freight and passenger traffic and storage, and the remaining 37 per cent for shipment and re- ceipt of various commodities, storage purposes, shipbuilding and repairing, and other manufacturing and commercial enterprises. To these may be added the ferry slips owned jointly by the city of Portsmouth and Norfolk County, which are used only by the steam ferries operating between Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Berkley, Va. The wharves and piers are of various types of construction, many of them having buildings or sheds, but a large proportion being uncovered. With the exception of parts of some of the wharves of the United States Navy Department, which are of concrete, and a few piers owned by corporations, which are partly steel construc- tion, all wharves served by this improvement are of pile and wooden construction. About one-third of the wharves are partly, or entirely, of fill, surrounded by a wooden bulkhead or apron; the remainder being open wharves. Vessels drawing 30 feet of water and of the maximum lengths constructed can be accommodated at several of the RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 541 larger piers. None of the existing wharves is literally open to gen- eral public use except those at the street ends of the city, mentioned above, which are open to all, without payment of wharfage; but many other wharves are largely used by the general public, on suffer- ance or by permission, either free or on the payment of wharfage. Additional wharfage facilities on a large scale are now in process of construction, both by Government agency and by private corpora- tions. There is railroad connection to the main terminals of the rail- roads entering Norfolk, and to all of the wharves and terminals there are either railroad or highway connections, except those on the upper part of the southern branch of the Elizabeth River. The majority of the wharves and piers are in good condition, and it is believed that the facilities on this improvement, with the additional facilities that will be afforded when the wharves now in process of construction are completed, will be adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has resulted in the use of deeper draft vessels and a diminution in lighterage expenses, and navigation has been rendered easier, safer, and better. The combined rail and water routes centering at Norfolk have resulted in lower freight rates between southern and eastern points. Proposed operations.-With the unexpended balance at the end of the fiscal year, amounting to $333,883.91, and the sum of $1,134,000 allotted from the river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918, it is proposed to dredge an anchorage near Lambert Point, and to con- tinue the work of excavating the 40-foot channel in Norfolk Har- bor, as follows: Widening the channel from Hampton Roads to the Norfolk Navy Yard for a depth of 40 feet, to such widths as the funds will permit, estimated at about 350 feet__--_------------ $1, 160, 383.91 Dredging anchorage of about 64 acres to a depth of 35 feet at mean low water opposite Lambert Point_ _____________---- 237, 500. 00 Engineering, supervision, inspection, etc.---------------------- 70, 000. 00 Total _____---- ---------------- 1, 467. 883. 91 It is proposed to do the above work by contract, or by Government plant and hired labor, whichever may be found most economical and advantageous to the United States, to continue operations from the beginning of the fiscal year. The estimated channel width which may be excavated with available funds may be considerably in- creased. The additional amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, is $250,000. The estimated cost of completing the Norfolk Harbor 40-foot channel, and dredging the anchorage at Pinner's Point, were based on controlling prices for labor and material in normal times. A con- servative estimate based on existing prices would be more than double that given. Due to this fact, it may be necessary to provide addi- tional funds for completion of the 40-foot channel and the an- chorage. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The tonnage and value of commerce were 13 per cent and 41 per cent, respectively, greater in 1917 than in 1916. The marked increase in value was the combined result of in- 542 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. creased shipments of articles of greater relative value, and the in- creased cost of all articles shipped. The principal articles of com- merce were coal, cotton, chemicals, foodstuffs, manufactured iron and steel, munition supplies, tobacco, and general merchandise. The cargoes of ships, as a rule, were made up of such a variety of articles that it is not practicable to give a summary of the percentages of different classes of freight carried in vessels of different draft. Dur- ing the year 51 steamers left this harbor drawing 30 feet of water or over, and several hundred drawing 27 feet and over. Comparative statement. Calendar Passen- 1 Calendar Short tons. Value. Passen- year. Short tots. Value. gers. year. Short tons gers.' 1913....... 21,362,698 1914.........19,848, 658 $963,226,289 1,084,106,750 4,302,523 5369,661 1916......30,746,348 1917.......34,870,321 $2,727,679,768 4,119, 087,948 9,571,312 11, 340,470 1915......... 21,712,166 2,042,335,814 9,165,072 1Includes passengers carried on steam ferries operating between Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Berkley, Va. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $822.14: New work ---------------------------------------- $3, 587,194. 65 Maintenance------------------------ ------------------ 95, 976. 7 Net total expended---------------------- 3,683, 171. 38 Total appropriations to date of this report_ ......... - 5, 151, 055.29 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 I 1918 fr new Expened 1... Expended for new work 1.................. 1........... $122, 856.74 $26,222.33.......... $505.06 $118,039.52 Expended for maintenance .... 26, 837.09 7, 078.17 $4, 720. 64 3, 805.14 9,119.40 Total expended 1.... ... ..... 149, 693.83 33,300.50 4, 720. 64 4, 310.20 127,158.92 Ap propriated or allotted .................. 10, 000. 00 421, 85. 22 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended 39, 430.61 $----------------- Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 414, 000. 00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved March 4, 1915 7, 585. 22 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 __________ 27.00 461. 042. 83 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year :1 For new work .___-________-- -__-______- $118,039. 52 For maintenance --------------------------- , 119.40 127, 158. 92 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--------------------------- 333, 883. 91 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities ------------- 39, 150. 23 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted con- tracts-__ _-_-_-_ _____-__ -_ -- 269, 227. 92 308, 378.15 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 543 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $10,241.58 available only for maintenance_---------------------------------------- 25, 505. 76 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 ------------------------------------- 1,134, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_____ --- 1, 159, 505. 76 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ------------------------------------ 898, 500. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work____ __-__________________- -- _ 1250, 000. 00 2. THIMBLE SHOAL CHANNEL, VA. (A2). Location and description.-Thimble Shoal lies in the channel be- tween Hampton Roads and the ocean, and is 20 miles northeast of the center of Norfolk Harbor, extending southeasterly 5 miles from a point 1 miles east of Thimble Shoal Lighthouse toward the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The minimum usable depth was 30 feet at mean low water for a minimum width of 4,350 feet. The depth was insufficient for most naval vessels using the channel. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 5 miles long, 750 feet wide, and 40 feet deep at mean low water. Under or- dinary conditions the mean tidal range is 2.5 feet and the extremes 2 and 3 feet. The extremes of irregular fluctuation, due to combined wind and tides, referred to mean low water, are -2 feet and 7 feet. The approved estimate of cost of the project for new work is $2,392,560. There is no approved estimate of cost of annual mainte- nance of this improvement. A project for 35-foot depth and 500 feet wide, at a cost of $666,000, was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 551, 61st Cong., 2d sess). An increase in depth to 40 feet for a width of 750 feet was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917 (H. Doc. No. 140, 65th Cong., 1st sess.). Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredgingby Govern- ment plant and hired labor was commenced in December, 1917, and was in operation at the end of the fiscal year. The dredges employed on this work were the U. S. dredges Navesink, Galveston, and Caucus, which were hired from other engineering districts. The work done by these dredges during the fiscal year resulted in the re- moval of 1,003,095 cubic yards of material from the site of the pro- posed 40-foot channel- between Hampton Roads and the ocean. The total expenditure during the fiscal year, including office expenses, in- spection, care of plant, etc., in connection with dredging operations, amounted to $113,078.49, and was for new work. Condition at and of fiscal year.-The project adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910, was completed in 1914. Work was commenced on the modified project adopted by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, but operations had not progressed sufficiently at the end of the fiscal year to secure any benefits to navigation. The 1 Exclusive of available funds. 544 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. modified project is about 33 per cent completed. The controlling depth is 35 feet at mean low water. The total expenditure under the existing adopted project was $447,101.87 for new work. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The commerce of Norfolk Harbor and New- port News, Va., is directly benefited by this improvement. For de- scriptions of the terminal facilities for these points, see this head under " Norfolk Harbor (Al)," and "Channel to Newport News, Va. (A3)." Effect of improvement.-Transportation by water has been ren- dered easier, better, and safer, especially for deep-draft vessels in rough weather. It has not been practicable to determine the effects of the improvement on freight rates. Proposed operations.-With the available balance at the end of the fiscal year, amounting to $303,033.82, and the sum of $406,000 allotted from the river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918, it is proposed to continue the excavation of the Thimble Shoal 40-foot channel as follows: Completing the deepening of the present channel through the shoal between Hampton Roads and the ocean to 40 feet for its full width of 500 feet: Operation of three seagoing dredges, 12 months, at an esti- mated monthly cost of $45,000------------------------ $540, 000. 00 Operation of one seagoing dredge, 9 months, at an estimated monthly cost of $15,000-------------------- -------- 135, 000. 00 Engineering, supervision, and contingencies---------------------34, 033. 82 Total------- ------- ---------------------------- 709, 033. 82 It is proposed to continue the work by the use of Government plant and hired labor during the fiscal year. The amount that can be profitably expended during the year end- ing June 30, 1920, is $250,000. This estimate was baSed on controlling prices for labor and mate- rial in normal times. A conservative estimate based on existing prices would be more than double that given. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce passing through the channel . is the foreign and outside coastwise traffic of both Norfolk and New- port News, and consists of foodstuffs, chemicals, agricultural imple- ments, cotton, coal, manufactured iron and steel, steel billets, tobacco, canned goods, forest and agricultural products, and a great variety of other articles. It is not practicable to state what part of the total traffic of the above ports passes through this channel. A con- siderable portion of the total is included in the traffic for Chesa- peake Bay. * Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work.. $------------------ $447, 101. 87 Maintenance Total appropriations to date of this report------------------- 1, 242, 000. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS--NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 545 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................... $98,963.08 $2.75 ................ ........ $$113, 078.49 Expended for maintenance.................. ........ ....................... ..... Appropriated or allotted............................ .. .................. . 486,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-_-_-_------------------ $15, 976. 62 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 486, 000. 00 501, 976. 62 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work... 113, 078. 49 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -------------- ____388, 898. 13 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------- 85, 864. 31 July 1, 1918, balance available ___-___-- - ___- - ___ 303, 033. 82 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 406, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919---------- 709,033. 82 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project_ --- -------------------------------- 834, 560. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920 for new work_- ___ -- _____--- -__ _--- 000.00 _1250, 3. CHTANNEL TO NEWPORT NEWS, VA. (A3). Location and description.-The channel to Newport News, which is 10 miles west of Norfolk Harbor, connects deep water in James River with Hampton Roads. The improvement made under the project of 1902 followed the deep-water channel south of the Middle Ground Light. The channel at present under improvement is a straight cut north of this light. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Sur- vey chart No. 78. Original condition.--The channel to Newport News was 25 feet deep at mean low water for a minimum width of 2,500 feet, and was ndt sufficiently deep for commercial or naval vessels. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted June 13, 1902. The amount expended thereunder prior to the commencement of operations under the existing project was $237,500, of which $225,000 was for new work and $12,500 for maintenance. For scope of previous project see page 1795 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for dredging a channel 600 feet wide, 35 feet deep at mean low water, and 31 miles long through the shoal north of Middle Ground Light. Under ordinary conditions, the mean tidal range is 2.7 feet, and the extremes 2.1 and 3.0 feet. The extremes of irregular fluctuations, due to combined wind and tides, referred to mean low water, are -2 feet and 7 feet. The esti- mated cost of this project, exclusive of amount expended on previous project, was $465,000 for the first channel-400 feet in width and $270,000 for the additional width of 200 feet; total, $735,000. The estimate of cost of annual maintenance is $15,000. The project for the first channel 400 feet in width was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 550, 61st Cong., 2d sess.); the increase in width to 600 feet was authorized by ' Exclusive of available funds. 81116--ENG 1918--35 546 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,r U. S. ARMY 1918. the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917 (H. Doec. No. 605, 63d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging by the U. S. Government dredge Caucus and hired labor was carried on from April 18 to May 5, 1918, and consisted in the removal of 14,763 cubic yards of material, at a total expenditure of $1,617.97 for maintenance. Conditions at end of fiscal year.-The previous project, and the part of the existing project adopted prior to the modifications of project authorized by the river and harbor act of August 8, 1917, were completed in 1912, resulting in a channel to Newport News 400 feet wide and 35 feet deep at mean low water. No work has been done on the modified project authorized by the river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917. The controlling depth at mean low water at the end of the fiscal year is 35 feet in the north channel and 30 feet in the south channel. The total expenditure under the existing adopted project was $473,842.43, of which $471,304.42 was for new work and $2,538.01 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-No conditions were imposed by law at the time of the adoption of the project, and there has been no cooperation. Terminal facilities.-There is 1 publicly-owned pier at Newport News, which is the property of the city, and is open to general pub- lic use. All of the other piers and wharves served by this improve- ment are owned by private corporations or companies. The docks pertaining to the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. are now under the control of the Government, due to war conditions. They include 7 large piers, some of which have launching ways for small vessels, and others for larger vessels, up to the largest battle- ships, 3 dry docks, and a number of piers with wide slips between them for handling freight. The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway piers, 10 in number, consisting of 4 covered and 6 uncovered piers, also under the control of the Government, due to war conditions, are used for export and import freight, as well as for dumping coal into vessels. These piers have a depth of 30 to 32 feet at mean low water. There are 2 privately owned piers in addition to those above enumerated, 1 of which is open to general public use on equal terms, and 1, owned by a corporation engaged in making marine repairs, is reserved for the use of the owners. Physical connection by rail exists between the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway and that company's docks and the shipyard docks, but no others. All of the docks are con- nected with the street system of Newport News. The facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-Larger and deeper draft vessels have been able to use the channel, and transportation by water has been ren- dered easier, safer, and 4etter. It has not been practicable to deter- mine the effect of the improvement on freight rates. Proposed operations.-Withthe available balance on June 30, 1918, amounting to $16,157.57, and the sum of $400,000 allotted from the river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918, it is proposed to com- plete the channel to Newport News to its full project dimensions, as follows: RIVERS AND HARBORS--NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 547 Excavating a channel 600 feet wide, 35 feet deep at mean low water, and 31 miles long through the shoal north of Middle Ground Light_________ -- ---------- -- $396, 157. 57 Engineering, supervision, and contingencies----- ------------ 20, 000. 00 Total -------------------------------------------- 416, 157. 57 It is proposed to do the work by contract, or by Government plant and hired labor, to begin operations as soon as necessary prepara- tions can be made, probably about October 1, 1918, and to complete the work within 10 months. On the above basis the estimated monthly expenditures will be $40,000. No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as the amount that has been appropriated is sufficient to complete the project, and no maintenance work is considered as among the probable requirements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The tonnage and value of the commerce for 1917 were practically the same as for 1916.. The principal articles of water-borne commerce for the calendar year 1917 comprised coal, canned goods, grain, forest products, wearing apparel, foodstuffs, miscellaneous oils, horses and mules, projectiles, steel billets, ores, and a variety of other articles. About 78 per cent of the total tonnage consisted of coal shipped from this port. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value.. Passen- Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passen gers. gers. 1913.......... 4,721,726 $221, 350,331 251,510 1916............. 6,403,608 $398, 765, 216 300,500 1914... ....... 5638,589 181,252,300 241, 199 1917............ 6,259, 774 404, 821,473 395,83 1915.......... 7,327,932 438,965,405 298 800 The cargoes of ships, as a rule, were made up of such a varietty of articles that it is not practicable to give a summary of the different classes of freight carried in vessels of different draft. During the year 33 steamers left this port drawing 30 feet of water and over. Financial sunmmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work _--------------- $696, 304. 42 Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 15, 038. 01 Net total expended ___--------------------------- 711, 342. 43 Total appropriations to date of this report ----- _______-___ 1, 127, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 .1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work... Expended for maintenance................ $162.85 $322.07 $385.25 $49. 87 $1,617.97 Appropriated or allotted............................ ......... ... ..................... 548 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --__- -________------- $17,775. 54 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- nance-----....----------- ----------------------- 1, 617.97 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------- 16, 157. 57 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 ------ ----------------------------------------- 400,000.00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_--------- 416, 157. 57 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP A. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $822.14: New work--------- ------------------------------ $4, 730,600.94 Maintenance_ .__ ,............----------............. . 111,014. 74 Net total expended -------------------------------- 4,841, 615.68 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------ 7, 520, 555. 29 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended,for new work 1................ 5221, 819.82 $26, 225.08 ........... $505 06 $231,118.01 Expended for maintenance 1.... .. 26,999.94 7, 400. 24 5,105.89 3, 855. 01 10, 737. 37 Total expended i1............ ..... 248,819.76 33,625.32 5,105.89 4,360.07 241,855.38 Appropriated or allotted.....;............ ..... .......... ............. 10, 000.00 907, 585.22 July 1, 191T, balance unexpended________-___ - -_- 73,182.77 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 ----------------------------------- 900, 000. 00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Mar. 4, 1915-------------------------------------------------- 7,585. 22 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918____________-----27.00 980, 794. 99 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work---------------------------$231, 118. 01 For maintenance_______________________-- _ 10, 737. 37 241, 855. 38 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ________.___-________ 738, 939.61 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_______________ $125, 014. 54 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted con- tracts__ 269, 227. 92 394, 242. 46 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $10,241.58, available only for maintenance ---------------------- ___ _ 344, 697. 15 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 -- --------------------------------------------- 1, 940, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal,year ending June 30, 1919-_ _---- 2, 284, 697.15 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ------------------------------------- 1, 733, 060. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work__ _____----------------- 1500, 000. 00 I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2.Exclusive of availale funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS---NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 549 JAMES, APPOMATTOX, PAGAN, AND NANSEMOND RIVERS, VA. (GROUP B.) 4. JAMES RIVER, VA. (BI.) Location and description.-This river, a tidal stream, is formed by the junction of the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers, in Botetourt County, Va., flows easterly 320 miles, and empties into Hampton Roads at Newport News, Va. The portion under improvement ex- tends from its mouth to Richmond, a distance of 103.8 miles, which is the length of the tidal reach. The drainage, area is 9,700 square miles, of which 6,870 square miles are above Richmond. The low- water discharge at Richmond is estimated at 1,000 second-feet, and the maximum, for a gage height of about 29 feet above low water, at 200,000 second-feet. Navigation is interfered with by floods higher than 12 feet above mean low water. In the 14 miles between Rich- mond and Dutch Gap the slope at low water is 0.014 foot per mile; below Dutch Gap there is apparently no slope at low water. During two very high freshets the observed slope between Richmond and Dutch Gap was about 0.81 foot, and in the next 6.8 miles below 0.61 and 0.65. foot. The width between banks varies from about 5.68 miles at Rocklanding Shoal, 89 miles below Richmond, to about 500 feet at Richmond. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The channel was obstructed by various natu- ral and artificial obstacles, particularly in the reach extending about 20 miles below Richmond, where it was narrow and tortuous. The excavation of Dutch Gap Canal had not been completed, by which work subsequently the channel was shortened 5 miles. The mini- mum usable low-water depth was 7 feet. The head of navigation for steamers was at Richmond. Rafting and logging were and still are possible for three-fourths mile above the head of navigation for steamers. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 11, 1870. The amount expended by the United States on the original project prior to the commencement of operations under the existing project was $763,000, including $23,- 000- appropriated in 1836 and 1852. There is no record showing how much of this amount was expended for new work and mainte- nance. For further details of previous projects, see page 1797 of An- nual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for the formation by regulation and excavation of a channel from the mouth to Richmond 22 feet deep at mean low water and a width of 400 feet from the mouth to City Point, a distance of 71.8 miles; thence to Drewrys Bluff, a dis- tance of 25 miles, a width of 300 feet; thence to Richmond, a dis- tance of 7 miles, a width of 200 feet; and between the lower city line of Richmond and the head of navigation at the docks, a distance of 3,300 feet, 200 feet wide, together with a widening of the channel at Richmond to 400 feet for a distance of 600 feet to form a turning basin. The proposed dimensions of channel where regulation works are used are 200 and 300 feet wide by 22 feet deep at mean low water. The works are sheet piling spurs and training dikes revetted with stone. The total length of river now included in the project is 103.8 550 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. miles, of which 20 miles immediately below Richmond are being improved both by regulation and dredging and the remainder by dredging alone at such points as require it. The mean tidal- ranges under ordinary conditions for different parts of the river are as fol- lows: Mouth, 2.5 feet; Jamestown, 1.85 feet; City Point, 2.8 feet; Dutch Gap, 3.5 feet; Richmond, 3.9 feet. Following are the extreme ranges under ordinary conditions at the same localities: Mouth, 2.1 feet to 3 feet; Jamestown, 1.6 feet to 2.3 feet; City Point,.2.3 feet to 3.2 feet; Dutch Gap, 2.9 feet to 3.9 feet; Richmond, 3.2 feet to 4.2 feet. The ordinary fluctuations of stage at Richmond due to floods are 6 to 12 feet above mean low water. The extreme fluctuations are 16 to 28.6 feet. The flood heights below Richmond diminish rapidly. The extremes, according to'available information, are about 11 feet lower at Dutch Gap, 14 miles below, and 17 to 18 feet lower 20 miles below. The original approved estimate of cost of the project, exclu- sive of amount expended on previous project, was $4,500,000 for new work. As modified by extensions, the latest approved estimate, ex- clusive of amount expended under previous project, is $5,374,943.15, for new work. No estimate was made in the approved project or its extensions for maintenance. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of July 5, 1884, provided for the excavation of a channel 22 feet deep at mean low water from the mouth to Rich- mond (S. Doc. No. 147, 47th Cong., 1st sess.); the act of June 13, 1902, provided for extending the improvement to the head of naviga- tion at the Richmond docks (H. Doc. No. 234, 56th Cong., 1st sess.); the act of March 3, 1905, provided for forming a turning basin by widening the channel at Richmond (H. Doc. No. 234, 56th Cong., 1st sess.). For the latest published map of the river, see House Docu- ment No. 1131, Sixth-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No new work or work of maintenance was carried on. The expenditure amounted to $9,864.91 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The character of work done under the existing project and previous projects has consisted in dredging in the upper 6J miles of the portion of the river under improvement, in the upper 3 miles of which extensive rock excavation was done; dredging on 3 of the 6 shoals from 7 to 21 miles below Richmond, and on 7 shoals between City Point and the river's mouth. Regula- tion works have been constructed for maintaining the channel for 62 miles immediately below Richmond, and' on the 6 shoals above referred to. The project was about 50 per cent completed June 30, 1917. The result of the work is a channel from Hampton Roads to the city wharf at Richmond, a distance of 103.5 miles, having a minimum depth of 18 feet at mean low water, except on Rocklanding Shoal, where the bottom is soft and the controlling depth in October, 1917, was 161 feet at mean low water. The regulation works, com- prising dikes and jetties constructed of sheet piling revetted with riprap, are generally in fair condition, although nearly all of this class of work requires further revetting. The work remaining to be done to complete the project would consist in deepening the channel from its present depth of 18 to 22 feet at mean low water and widen- ing parts of the channel between City Point and Richmond to the project widths of 200 and 300 feet. The total expenditure under the RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 551 existing project amounted to $2,385,005.46 for new work and $118,539.15 for maintenance, a total of $2,503,544.61. The expendi- ture for maintenance is for the period subsequent to March 3, 1899, prior to which no account was kept of this item. Local cooperation.--The only work done on James River for the benefit of the public with funds supplied by sources other than Con- gress was by the city of Richmond. On account of the records of the extent and location of the above work being incomplete, it is not practicable to separate the expenditure for dredging approaches to wharves from that for channel excavation. The aggregate expendi- ture by the city reported for the above purposes amounts to about $889,000. This amount was expended voluntarily. Terminal facilities.-The river's cominerce pertaining to Rich- mond is handled in the basin of the former James River & Kanawha Canal, known as Richmond Dock, and at 9 wharves at and in the immediate vicinity of the city. Below Richmond the improvement is served by 43 wharves, Richmond Dock belongs to the city and is open to public use on very moderate terms. The dock is 3,450 feet long, 75 to 150 feet wide, and about 15 feet deep. It is entered from the river through a masonry lock. The lock has a lift of 15 feet. Its chamber is 351 feet wide and has a length available for vessels of 168 feet. Of the 9 Richmond wharves, 7 are private and 2, be- longing to the city, are free to public use. With one exception, viz, the Southern Railway wharf, which is of stone, all of the James River wharves are pile and timber structures. Richmond Dock and the Richmond wharves are- adjacent to spur tracks or sidings connecting with the main lines of railroads. The two city wharves have a total frontage of 735 .feet, and have no physical connection with railways. Seven of the private wharves at and just below Rich- mond have a total frontage of 2,045 linear feet, and generally are equipped with either telpherage or steam machinery for the handling of freight. Of the 43 wharves farther downstream 24 are private and 19 open to public use. None has appliances for facilitating the handling of freight. With the exception of three public wharves with railroad connections, all are remote from railroads. The loca- tions and descriptions of the wharves having railroad connections are as follows: At City Point, 32J miles below Richmond, connect- ing' with a branch of the Norfolk & Western Railroad and having a frontage of about 700 feet with available depths of 15 to 20 feet; at Claremont, 58 miles below Richmond, connecting with a branch of the'Southern Railway, with a frontage of 270 feet and available depths of 7 to 19 feet; at Scotland, about 68 miles below Richmond, coniiecting with the Surry, Sussex & Southampton Railway, having a frontage of 70 feet and an available depth of 11 feet. The remain- der of the wharves have frontages of 40 to 130 feet with depths of 7 to 18 feet. The basin at Richmond and the wharves at the city and between it and the river's mouth are adequate for the river's commerce. Effect of improvement.-The work has been beneficial in permit- ting the use of larger and deeper-draft vessels and in reducing the cost of water transportation of lumber, fertilizer material, coal, and other articles carried in sailing vessels and barges. In many cases the freight rates on commodities transported by steamers are the same as rail rates. 552 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS U. S. AR1MY, 1918. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to hold the balance of funds available at the end of the fiscal year until the work for which it has been proposed to expend it under the approved subproject can be done on more favorable terms than at present, unless in the mean- while the work should become absolutely necessary in the interest of commerce. No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as the un- expended balance of appropriations is believed to be sufficient for the immediate prospective needs of commerce. Recommended modifications of project.-Under date of May 11, 1916 (see H. Doec. No. 1131, 64th Cong., 1st sess., with maps), there was recommended legislation modifying the existing project for im- provement of James River, Va., so as to provide for a channel 18 feet deep at mean low water, following the line of the present channel and with present widths between Richmond and City Point, except for 0.6 of a mile at Richmond, where the widths should be 200 feet in the channel and 400 feet in the turning basin, and a width of 400 feet below City Point, at an estimated cost of $450,000, includ- ing the cost of maintenance during the work. References to published articlesnot previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-In 1917 the traffic exceeded that of 1916 by about 221,480 short tons, or about 37 per cent. The value of the commerce of 1917 was only about 6 per cent greater, as the articles in which there were increases have lower values than others in which there were decreases. At Richmond there was a decrease in tonnage of about 23 per cent, resulting principally from reductions in the quantities of anthracite coal and forest products. The probable ex- planation of this is that the traffic was to some extent diverted to the railroads on account of the scarcity of vessels, and the corresponding increases in their charter price. For points below Richmond there was a tonnage increase of about 63 per cent. This resulted princi- pally from the increase in output of munition material and of sand, gravel, and forest products for construction purposes. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Passen- gers.- Calendar year. Short Short Value. Passen- Passen- 1913.......... . 592,165 $33,523,461 43,097 1916............. 593,775 $67,011,046 68,094 1914.............. 452,950 32,813,435 37, 842 1917............ 715,255 70,944,786 49,488 1915............ 526,468 51,899,046 81, 839 The proportions of the principal classes of water-borne commerce in 1917, the classes of vessels employed in their carriage, and the usual draft limits of the vessels are approximately as follows: Usual limit Percent of loaded Class of freight carried. Class of vessels. of total draft of tonnage. vessels (feet). General merchandise........................................ Steamers.......... 13 12 to 14 Do. ......... .......................... ......... ......... ..... do............ 6 6to 8 Sandand gravel .................................... Barges.............35 5 to Forest products................ ... ................... ........ Barges and sailing 13 5 to 14 vessels. Munition material........................ .......... Barges............ 20 & Oils and gasoline................... ... ....... ,....do............ 7 8 to 14 Anthracite coal....... . ..... ............... ........ do............ 1 , 9 to 12 RIVERS AND HARBORS---NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 553 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $376.75: New work--------------------------------------$3, 148,005.46 Maintenance ---------------------------------------- 118, 539. 15 Net total expended ----------------------- 3, 266, 544. 61 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------- 3, 496, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30.' 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................ $141,495.65 $10, 300.35 $49, 204.36.. Expended for maintenance 1 ............. 19,696.18 6,420.75 ........... $8, 760. 03 $9, 864. 91 Total expended ... ...... ..... ... 1 .83 16, 721.10 49, 204.36 8,760.03 9,864.91 Appropriated or allotted........... ............... 50,000.00 ............ 190,000.00 56,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ------------------------ $183, 809. 80 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 56, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918 ---------------- 10. 50 239, 820. 30 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- nance ----------------------------------------------- 9, 864. 91 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended- ------------------------ 229, 955. 39 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities______________________ ___- 329. 59 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $10,000 available only for maintenance __--------- ___----------- 229, 625. 80 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project-----------------------------------2 2, 751, 000. 00 5. APPOMATOX RIVER, VA. (B2). Location and description.-This river, a tidal stream, rises in Ap- pomattox County, Va., flows northeasterly 137 miles, and empties into the James River at City Point, Va. The portion under im- provement extends from its mouth to Petersburg, Va., a distance of 11 miles, which is the length of the tidal reach. The drainage area is 1,565 square miles, of which 1,325 square miles are above Peters- burg. The low-water discharge at Petersburg is estimated at 248 second-feet, and the maximum for a gage height of 17.1 feet above mean low water is roughly estimated at 35,000 second-feet. The river's width between banks is 0.8 mile at the mouth and 200 feet at Petersburg. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The channel was narrow, tortuous, obstructed by shoals, and about three-tenths mile longer than at present, or about 11.3 miles. The minimum usable low-water depth was about 31 feet. The head of navigation for all purposes was at Petersburg. Previous projects.-Priorto the adoption of the original project the sum of $22,500, appropriated in 1852, was expended in making an elaborate survey of the river below Petersburg. The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3,. 1871, and modi- fied in 1893. (Annual Report for 1893, p. 1336.) The amount ex- kNot deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. 554 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. pended on the original and modified projects adopted prior to the existing project, including the amount expended on the survey of the river below Petersburg, was $553,016.04, of which $494,420 was for new work and $58,596.04 for maintenance. For further details of previous projects, see page 1799 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a navigable channel 80 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean high water between Petersburg and Point of Rocks, 31 miles above the river's mouth, a distance of 7 miles; for a diversion channel 200 to 300 feet wide and 21 miles long for delivering the discharge of the river into the old channel below Petersburg; for a diversion dam at the head of the navigable chan- nel; for about 1.7 miles of levees in the low grounds between the diversion and navigable channels; for a highway bridge and a rail- way bridge across the diversion channel; and for other work inci- dental to the diversion channel. Under ordinary conditions the mean tidal range is 2.9 feet and the extremes 2.4 feet and 3.3 feet. There are no records available of the heights of stage due to ordinary floods. These are estimated at 6 to 8 feet above mean low water at Petersburg, where the extremes are from 15.6 to 17.1 .feet. The au- thorized limit of cost of new work for the diversion channel is $260,000. The estimated cost of the navigable channel was $23,000 for new work and $3,000 annually for maintenance, exclusive of amount expended on previous project. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The acts of June 13, 1902, and March 3, 1909, provided for work pertaining to the diversion scheme (H. Doc. No. 139, 56th Cong., 2d sess.) ; the act of June 25, 1910, provided for enlarging the navigable channel to 80 feet wide by 12 feet deep at mean high water between Petersburg and Point of Rocks and maintenance of the channel and the diversion works at Petersburg (H. Doc. No. 952, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest map of the river is in the last- mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No new work was done. An expenditure of $505.77 was made for maintenance, of which $291.67 covered the cost of an examination for determining the ex- tent of freshet deposits in the navigable channel, and $214.10 was for making an examination for obtaining necessary data for esti- mating the cost and extent of work required for completing the diversion project. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project for the general im- provement of the river was completed in 1912 by the dredging of the navigable channel. The channel is now considerably obstructed by bars formed of freshet deposits. The controlling depth is at Petersburg. At the last examination in February, 1918, it was 6 feet at mean low water, or 91 feet at mean high water. The diver- sion plan was about 94 per cent completed in 1912 when the diver- sion dam was broken by a freshet. The calendar years in which the different classes of work of the diversion project were completed and the present condition of the works, are as follows: Diversion channel completed in 1911. Slight freshet deposits have formed near its upper extremity. The highway bridge was completed in 1904. It is being maintained by the city of Petersburg. The railroad bridge was completed in 1908. It is maintained by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The levees separating the diversion chan- RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 555 nel from the navigable channel were completed in 1911. They are in good condition. The diversion dam was constructed to an ele- vation of 9 feet in 1909. It was broken by a freshet in March, 1912, since which time no work has been done on the diversion project. There remains to complete the project the construction of the dam above the head of the navigable channel and a conduit extending from the diversion channel to the navigable channel at Petersburg. The total expenditures are as follows: Under project for general improvement, $15,215.95 'for new work and $13,493.22 for mainte- nance, a total of $28,709.17; under diversion project, $243,931.21 for new work and $273.96 for mnaintenance, a total of $244,205.17. Loca4 cooperation.-The only work known to have been done on the river for the benefit of the public with funds supplied by sources other than Congress was by the city of Petersburg. The total amount reported expended by the city since 1866 is approximately $1,578,620. The expenditure was voluntary, and is understood to have been for channel improvement. As the city's records are in- complete, this amount can not be verified. Terminal facilities.-All wharves and terminals served by the Appomattox are situated on the river front at Petersburg. The wharves constitute a continuous timber bulkhead on piling, and have an aggregate length of about 2,450 feet with present available depths of 5 to 6 feet at mean low water. About 900 linear feet of the wharf frontage belonging to the city, and 700 linear feet be- longing to corporations and individuals, are open to the public at moderate wharfage charges. The remaining 850 linear feet belong to corporations and individuals and are for private use. A railroad siding, extending for almost the entire length of the wharf front, furnishes a means of transfer between the wharves and the rail- roads. None of the public wharves are provided with mechanical appliances to facilitate the handling of freight. The terminal fa- cilities are considered adequate for the present river commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has made navigation safer and easier, and has resulted in more favorable freight rates to and from Petersburg. Proposed operations.-At the end of, the fiscMl year there was available for maintenance work under the general improvement the sum of $14,973.09 and for the completion of the diversion project at Petersburg $4,748.17. The river and harbor act of July 18, 1918, appropriated the sum of $50,000.for this work. Of this sum it is proposed to expend the sum of $16,000 for completing the diversion project at Petersburg and to apply the balance, viz, $34,000, to maintenance work in the main channel, according to the following schedules: For completing the diversion project at Petersburg, consisting of the construction of the dam and a conduit from the diversion chan- nel to the navigable channel------------------------------ $18, 748. 17 Engineering, supervision, and contingencies___--------------------- 2, 000. 00 Total --------------------------------------------- 20,748.17 For maintenance dredging, to restore the channel as near to its project dimensions as the available funds will permit----------43, 973. 09 Engineering, supervision, and contingencies--------------------- 5, 000. 00 Total ------------------------------- 48, 973. 09 556 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. It is proposed to do the above work by contract or by Government plant and hired labor, whichever may prove to be most economical and advantageous to the United States; to carry on both classes of work simultaneously; to commence work about October 1, 1918; to prosecute the work at an average monthly cost of about $11,000; and to complete the entire work in about six months. Due to war condi- ,tions, the above estimates of times of beginning and completion and rate of progress can be considered as only roughly approximate and depend upon conditions of labor and material supply and available plant. No estimate is submitted for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, as the amount available is considered sufficient for maintenance of the general improvement for that period, and the amount provided for the diversion project is estimated to be sufficient for its com- pletion. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The aggregate tonnage of commerce for 1917 exceeded that of 1916 by 250,837 short tons, or about 294 per cent. There was an increase in shipments of 260,000 tons of sand and gravel, or 433 per cent, and a decrease in miscellaneous articles and commodities usually carried on the river of 9,163 tons, or about 3.61 per cent. The cause for the above increase was the great demand for these materials for construction purposes. The principal cause for the above decrease was that but one of the two steamers usually plying on the river was used, and only for 10 months of the year. The probable reason for not fully employing the boats was that they could be used to better advantage elsewhere. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short Value. ssn- Calendar year. Short Valu Passen- tons. gers. .tons. gers. 1913 ............. 33,252 $1,036,840 (1) 1916.......... 85,110 $5,094,994 (1) 1914 .............. 40,172 1, 364,186 () 1917....... ..... 335,947 3,353,962 2,009 1915............. 46,600 3,318,908 (1) 1 Unknown. The proportion of the principal articles of water-borne commerce in 1917 and the usual draft limits of vessels are approximately as follows: Usual limit Per cent of loaded Class of freight carried. Class of vessels. of total draft of 1 tonnage. vessels (feet).. Fertilizer............... .................... .... Barges........... 0.5 5 to 7 Merchandise....................... ....... ........... Steamers.......... 2.7 6 to 7 Miscellaneous ............................... ..... ..... . ... . . ........ . .. ........... . . . .. . do...........1.5 6 to 7 Sand and gravel 1. .... Barges............. 95.3 5 to 7 1 251,021 tons of sand and gravel were shipped via James River to Norfolk, and 68,979 to Petersburg. RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 557 Financial sumnary. GENERAL IMPROVEMENT. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work--------------------------------------- --- 509, 635. 95 Maintenance---- ------------------------------------ 72, 089. 26 Net total expended _--_---------------------- --- 581, 725. 21 Total appropriations to date of this report-_--------------- 630, 698. 30 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.... ...... ............................................... Expended for maintenance................ $126.22 $3, 723.92 $3, 445.75 $750.86 $291.67 ........................................ Appropriated or allotted....... .................. 10,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----- ------------- _________ $5, 264. 76 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 10, 000. 00 15, 264. 76 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 291. 67 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended -- 14, 973.09 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918___ 34, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending Junre 30, 1919------------48, 973. 09 DIVERSION PROJECT AT PETERSBURG. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work-------- -------------------------------- $243, 931.21 Maintenance ------------------------------ -273. 96 Net total expended-- -------------------------------- 244, 205. 17 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 265, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................. $145.46......... ................. ............ Expended for maintenance................ ....... $10.00 $49.86 $214.10 Appropriated or allotted....................................-.......................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended---------------------------- $5, 008. 93 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 214. 10 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended____----------------- ----- 4, 794. 83 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------- 46. 66 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance___---- ___ 4, 748. 17 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918___ 16,000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919------------__ 20, 748. 17 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR APPOMATTOX RIVER, VA. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------------- -------------------- $753, 567.16 Maintenance ---------------------------------------- 72,363. 22 Net total expended ------ -------------- ___ 825, 930. 38 Total appropriations to date of this report -------------------- 895, 698.30 558 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 I I I - -- -c Expended for new work ..................... 145.46 Expended for maintenance ................ 126.22 $3, 723.92 $800. 72 $505.77 -i . - - F -f Total expended................... 271.68 3,723.92 3,455.75 800.72 505.77 Appropriated or allotted........................ .I--.........-......................... 10,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended___________________________ $10, 273. 69 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__ 10, 000. 00 20, 273.69 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 505. 77 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended________----- -- _----- 19, 767. 92 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------------46. 66 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $4,784.17 available only for maintenance______---------__- - _ 19, 721. 26 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918----------- ------------------------------------ 50, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919------_____ 69, 721. 26 6. PAGAN RIVER, VA. (B3). Location and description.-This river, a tidal stream, rises in Isle of Wight County, Va., flows.northeast 10 miles, and empties into. James River. The portion under improvement extends from its mouth to Smithfield, Va., a distance of 5 miles. The length of the tidal reach is about 8 miles. The width between banks varies from 250 to 4,800 feet. It has a drainage area of about 76 square miles. The discharge at high and low water is not known. The channel di- mensions are comparatively large, and floods are negligible. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Originalcondition.-Fourobstructing bars limited the usable mean low-water depth to 4. feet, from the mouth of the river to Smithfield, and the channel for the entire reach was narrow and tortuous. Thee head of navigation for steamers was at Smithfield, 5 miles above the mouth. Rafting and logging were carried on 3 miles above Smith- field, making a total navigable length of 8 miles. Previous projects.-Previous projects were adopted by the acts of June 14, 1880, and of March 3, 1905. The amount expended on projects prior to the commencement of operations under the exist- ing project was $20,671.01 for new work. For scope of previous proj- ects see page 1798 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing pr.oject.-This provides for widening the channel at Smithfield and at a bend one-half mile below Smithfield and for the dredging of the points of abrupt bends in the existing channel, so as to give a channel 5 miles long, 10 feet deep, and 40 feet wide from Smithfield to the mouth. Under ordinary conditions the mean tidal range is 2.6 feet. No data for extreme ranges of tides are available. The total approved estimate of cost for new work, exclusive of amount expended on previous project, is $4,600. The latest ap- proved estimate o.f cost of maintenance is $1,000 annually. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 397, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). For latest published map see House Document No. 591, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. RIVERS AND HABBORS--NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 559 Operationsand results during fiscal year.-No new work was done during the fiscal year. An expenditure of $29.28 was made, cover- ing an examination of the river and office expenses, and was for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1910. The controlling depth at the end of the fiscal year was 10 feet at mean low water. The total expenditure under the existing project was $6,629.28, of which $4,600 was for new work and $2,029.28 for maintenance. Local cooperation.--None. Terminal facilities.-There are 18 wharves or landings on this river, of which 16 are at and near Smithfield, Va., and 2 at Battery Park, about 4 miles below Smithfield. All of these wharves are wooden structures. One wharf at Smithfield is publicly owned and is open to general public use, the remaining wharves enumerated be- ing privately owned. Nine of the privately owned wharves are open to general public use upon the payment of wharfage charges, al- though business is in practice almost entirely restricted to the Old Dominion Steamship Co.'s steamboats and small boats owned or leased by farmers and used in times when there is congestion of traffic. to supplement the movement of freight by the steamship com- pany's boats. No wharves have railroad connection. The wharves at Smithfield are connected with the street system of the town, which is maintained in fairly good condition. There is also a fairly good road leading to the wharves at Battery Park. The facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-As a result of the improvement naviga- tion has been rendered safer and better, and vessels of a greater draft can be used. It has not been practicable to determine the effects, if any, on freight rates. Proposed operations.-With the funds available necessary exami- nations will be made; and if required, shoals will be removed. No estimate for additional funds is made, as the funds on hand are sufficient to maintain the improvement to June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-Since the adoption of the existing project the Chief of Engineers has recommended a channel 80 feet wide and 10 feet deep at mean low water up to Smithfield, at an estimated cost of $25,000 for new work and $2,000 per annum for maintenance. (See H. Doc. No. 591, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The articles carried on Pagan River dur- ing 1917 were coal, peanuts, and miscellaneous merchandise. The aggregate tonnage for 1917 was about 47 per cent less than for 1916 and the value about 32 per cent less. This was probably principally the result of the withdrawal from service of one steamer which for- merly made daily trips on the river. Each of the articles of c'om- merce above named required a draft of about 7T feet. Comparative statemient. year. tons. gers. tons. gars 1913.............. 58,951 $14,076,617 63, 798 1916............. 35,473 $8,323.900 56,340 1914............. 52, 858 12, 758,124 61, 874 1917............. 18, 834 5, 650, 200 38, 766 1915.............. 49,194 12 089,700 57, 815 560 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Finanrialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work---------- -------------- ------------------ $25, 271.01 Maintenance ------------------------------------------- 2, 029. 28 Net total expended ----------------------------- 27, 300. 29 Total appropriations to date of this report ___ _____------_ 29, 271. 01 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916. 1917 1918 Expended for new work ................. ... ...... ......................... Expended for maintenance ................ .......... 52,000.00 ............ ........ . ...... 29.28 Appropriated or allotted............................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended________$__________________- $2, 000. 00 -June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 29. 28 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_ --- _. ----- ___-.---.__ 1, 970. 72 7. NANSEMOND RIVER, VA. (B4). Location and description.-This river, a tidal stream, rises in Nansemond County, Va., flows in a northerly direction 25 miles, and empties into Hampton Roads. The portion under improvement ex- tends from its mouth to Suffolk, Va., a distance of 18 miles. Definite data are not available as to the length of the tidal reach, which extends for a considerable distance above Suffolk. The width be- tween banks varies from 150 to 9.500 feet. It has a drainage area of about 262 square miles. The discharge at high and low water is not known. Floods are negligible. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.--The channel was narrow and crooked, and the controlling depth at mean low water was about 4 feet. The head of navigation, for all purposes, was at Suffolk, 18 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.--The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1873, and modified by the act of June 18, 1878. The expenditure on original and modified projects prior to the commencement of operations under the existing project was $37,000, of which $30,000 was for original work and $7,000 for maintenance. For scope of previous projects, see page 1797 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for procuring a channel by regu- lation works and dredging 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water from the head of navigation to the mouth of the Western Branch, a distance of 7.37 miles, and the excavation of a turning basin at Suffolk Bridge, 200 feet square; pile spurs and training walls at the mouth of the Western Branch; also for securing by regu- latioy and dredging a channel of the same depth and from 200 to 400 feet wide, 8.3 miles long, from the Western Branch to Town Point, 2.3 miles above the mouth. The mean tidal ranges under ordinary conditions for different parts of the river are as follows: Suffolk Bridge, 3.4 feet; Newmans Point, 2.8 feet. The extreme ranges under ordinary conditions at the same localities are as follows: Suf- RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 561 folk Bridge, 2.8 to 4 feet; Newmans Point, 2.3 to 3.3 feet. The ap- proved estimate of cost, exclusive of amount expended on previous project, $152,500. No estimate of cost of maintenance has been approved. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888 (Annual Report for 1887, p. 1001). For map, see H. Doc. No. 1246, 62d Cong., 3d sess. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No new work was done. An expenditure of $6.08 was made, in connection with an examina- tion and for office expenses, etc., and was for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-Operations in 1910 and prior years resulted in giving a channel 80 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water from the mouth of the river to Suffolk, a distance of 18 miles, and a turning basin at Suffolk. Considerable shoaling and a further decay of training walls is noted. The controlling depth on the improvement is 11 feet at mean low water. The project is estimated to be about 45 per cent completed. The total expenditure under the existing project was $60,521.56, of which $42,677.11 was for new work and $17,844.45 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-At Suffolk. Va.,there are four small privately owned wharves and one long, continuous wharf, divided into three portions, two of which are private wharves and one is a public wharf, open to general public use. Between Suffolk and the mouth of the river there are about 11 wharves of pile and openwork construction, all of which are privately owned, but are open to general public use upon the payment of wharfage. The only wharf on this stream that has rail connection is the one controlled by the Norfolk & Western Railroad at Suffolk. The wharves at Suffolk are connected with the streets of that town, which are in fair condition.' At the wharves along the river are ordinary county roads, in fair condition except during bad weather. The facilities are considered adequate for ex- isting commerce. Effect of improvement.-Navigation has been rendered easier, bet- ter, and safer. It is believed that the existence of the navigable channel gives Suffolk more favorable rail rates. Proposed operations.-With the unexpended balance at the end of the fiscal year, amounting to $8,478.44, it is proposed to repair the dike on the Western Branch, remove snags, etc., from the navigable channel, and to dredge shoals as may be found necessary to maintain a channel 75 feet wide by 11 feet deep at mean low water. No esti- mate for additional funds is submitted, as the funds on hand are sufficient to maintain the improvement to June 30, 1920, for a width of 75 feet and a depth of 11 feet. These dimensions being considered ample for present and prospective commerce, it is not proposed to submit an estimate for carrying the project to its full dimensions at this time. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The water-borne commerce during the cal- endar year 1917 consisted principally of brick, coal, fertilizer, lum- ber, oysters, lime, and oyster shells. The tonnage for 1917 was about 5 per cent less than for 1916. The value for 1917 was about 5 per 81116--ENG 1918----36 562 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. cent greater than for the preceding year, due to the increased cost of most of the articles shipped over this waterway. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short Value. ssen- Calendar year.. Value. n- tons. gers. tons. Value. gers. 1913............. 88,821 $2,369,860 3,685 1916.......... 38, 721 $472,410 ... 1914.............. 81, 738 554,865 2, 305 1917.............. 36,822 495,966... 1915.............. 50, 351 570,738......... The more important articles of commerce of 1917 were carried in vessels with drafts ranging from 4 to 91 feet. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------------------------------------- $72,677. 11 Maintenance-- -------------------------------------- 24, 844. 45 Net total expended__-- --------------------------- _ 97, 521. 56 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 106, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............... .................... .. ........ Expended for maintenance .............. 3, 717.14 $527. 75 $258.07 $103.31 $6.08 Appropriated or allotted .................. .................................. .. 6, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended________----- _---------------_ $2, 484. 52 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917.... 6, 000. 00 8, 484. 52 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance. 6. 08 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_---___------------------ 8, 478.44 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP B. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $376.75: New work------- ------------------------------ $3, 999, 520. 74 Maintenance- ____________ ___ __ 217, 776. 10 Net total expended----------------- -_ -4, 217, 296. 84 Total appropriations to date of this report_---------------- 4, 527, 469. 31 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916' 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1............ $141,641.11 $10,300.35 $49,204. 36.. Expended for maintenance 1........... 23,539.54 12,672.42 3,713.82 $9, 664.06 $10, 406.04 Total expended,1.................... 165,180.65 22,972.77 52, 918.18 $9, 664.06 10, 406.04 Appropriated or allotted....................... 50, 00.00.......... 190,000.00 72,000. 0 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVES AND HARBORS----NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 568 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------- ------------- $198, 568. 01 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 ------------------------------------------------- 72, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918---------------- - 10. 50 270, 578. 51 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for main- - - -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - tenance 10,406.04 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended --------------------------- 260, 172. 47 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities---------------------------- 376. 25 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $25,233.33 available only for maintenance ------------------------------------ 259, 796. 22 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 --------------- --------------------- 50,000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919------------ 309, 796. 22 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project_-----------------------------------22,751,000.00 8. HARBOR AT CAPE CHARLES CITY, VA. Location and desecription.-This harbor is on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay, 151 miles south of Baltimore, Md., and 37 miles northeast of Norfolk, Va. The harbor proper is an artificial one, about 560 by 900 feet. The harbor is tidal. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Originalcondition.-Cape Charles City Harbor was a small creek, with a bar between its mouth and Cherrystone Inlet having only a slight depth of water. Shoals also existed in Cherrystone Inlet. Two channels connected Cherrystone Inlet with Chesapeake Bay, the one south of Old Plantation Light having a mean low-water depth of 14 feet. Previous project.--None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging channels through Cherrystone Inlet and bar 16 feet deep at mean low water and 100 feet and 200 feet wide, respectively, the dredging of an entrance chan- nel 100 feet wide and 16 feet deep at mean low water, the dredging of the harbor, 11 acres in area, to 14 feet deep at mean low water, and the construction of stone jetties on each side of the entrance harbor. Under ordinary conditions the mean tidal range is 2.4 feet the lo and the extremes 2.0 and 2.7 feet. The total approved estimate of the cost of the project for new work is $142,340. No estimate of the cost of maintenance has been approved. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890 (H. Doc. No. 29, 51st Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report for 1890, p. 971). For latest published map see H. Doc. No. 524, 64th Cong., 1st sess. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.--The existing project was com- pleted in 1909. The controlling depth in the harbor at the end of the fiscal year was 14 feet at mean low water. The total expenditure was $144,740.05, of which $105,533.68 was for new work and $39,206.37 for maintenance. 2 Exclusive of available funds. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 564 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY,, 1918. Local cooperation.-Before the commencement of work of im- provement by the Federal Government the work of the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad Co., modified by subsequent shoal- ing and narrowing, had provided a harbor 11 acres in area and 11 feet deep at mean low water, an entrance channel 1,700 feet long, 80 feet wide, with a minimum depth of 10 feet, a bulkhead north of the entrance 470 feet long and *one south of the entrance 370 feet long. This company has also constructed 750 feet of jetty. No record of cost is available. Terminal faciiities.-There are 5 wharves and 2 transfer slips in the area covered by this harbor, with a total available length for wharfage of about 1,500 feet, of which 1, a small platform, is con- trolled by the United States Government, and the remainder are the property of the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad Co. Of the wharves belonging to the railroad company 2 are open to general public use without charge, under certain restrictions imposed by the railroad company, and the others are used exclusively by the railroad company for landing passengers, baggage, and freight, coal- ing tugs, and in loading and discharging freight cars from car floats. The Government wharf is used for landing reserves from Cherry- stone naval base. Rail connection exists between the wharves and the main line of the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad. Fairly good roads connect the docks on the northern side of the harbor with< the streets of Cape Charles City. The traffic is very much congested, and the facilities are not adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The work has promoted the safety of traf- fic, especially in rough weather. It has not been practicable to deter- mine the effect, if any, of the improvement on freight rates. Proposed operations.-In view of the recommended abandonment of this project, due to the fact that it is privately owned, and that practically all of the commerce is tributary to the railroad company which owns it, no new work or work of maintenance is proposed at this time, and no estimate for additional funds is submitted. Recommended modification of project. Under date of October 8, 1915, the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, approved the recommendations of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and recommended that legislation be enacted authorizing the aban- donment of the project for the improvement of Cape Charles City Harbor, Va. (See H. Doc. No. 524, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce during the year consisted principally of cotton, fruit and vegetables, lumber, oil, pig iron, sugar, and miscellaneous articles. The aggregate tonnage for 1917 was about 3 per cent less than for 1916, and the value about 19 per cent less. The number of passengers showed an increase of about 50 per cent. Comparative statement. alendar year. Value Pen Calendar year. Value. tons. gers. tons. gers. 1913......... 3,021,344 $83,278, 268 181,879 1916...... --.. 3, 993. 894 $405, 549, 777 204, 226 1914............2,780,352 116, 395, 251 174, 861 1917.. ...... 3,862, 044 329,764, 034 300, 000 1915............ 3,093,388 203, 418, 929 182,058 RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 565 The principal articles of commerce in 1917 were carried in vessels with drafts ranging from 7 to 14 feet. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $250: New work------------------------------------ $105, 533. 68 Maintenance ------------------------------------- 39, 206. 37 Net total expended ---------------------------- 144, 740. 05 Total appropriations to date of this report --------------- 145, 000.00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.. .. $ 20, 485.44.. Expended for maintenance 1.. . . .. 4, 667 34 $1. 50 $71 21................... Total expended 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... 25,152.78 1.50 71.21.... ............ Appropriated or allotted .... ... . ............................. 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --------------------------- $259. 95 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _ ---------------------------- 259. 95 9. ONANCOCK RIVER, VA. Location and description.-This river, a tidal stream, rises in Accomac County, Va., flows in a westerly direction about 6.5 miles, and empties into Chesapeake Bay. . The portion under improvement extends from the mouth of the river to Onancock, Va., a distance of 5 miles, which is the approximate length of the tidal reach. Thr width between banks varies from 3,000 feet at the mouth to 400 feet at Onancock, Va. The drainage area and discharge at high and low water are not known. Floods are inconsiderable. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 78. Original condition.-The channel, although free from obstructions, had several short and abrupt turns, and the minimum usuable depth at mean low water was only 4 feet. The depth over a bar at the mouth of the stream was 5 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation was at Onancock, 5 miles from the mouth. Previous projects.-The original project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879. A modification was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890. The amount expended on original and modified projects prior to the commencement of oper- ations under the existing project was $20,511 for new work. For scope of previous projects, see page 1799 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project. This provides for dredging a channel across the outer bar, a distance of 1,000 feet, 200 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water, and for straightening the river channel by cutting off projecting shoals to a depth of 7 feet at mean low water. Under ordinary conditions the mean tidal range is 1.7 feet, and the extremes 1.5 and 2 feet. The total approved estimate of the cost of the project for new work, exclusive of amount expended on previous project, is $13,500. The total approved estimate of the cost of annual main- tenance is $1,000. 566 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 652, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). For latest published map, see page 902 of Annual Report for 1894. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1911. The controlling depth at the end of the fiscal year was 7 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation is at Onan- cock. The total expenditure under the existing project, was $13,- 059.12, of which $13,038.02 was for new work and $21.10 for main- tenance.- Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are four small timber wharves on this stream, with a total wharfage space of about 940 linear feet. All of these wharves are privately owned, but are open to general public use upon the payment of wharfage. There are no railroad connections with any of the wharves. The wharfage facilities are believed to be adequate for the small amount of commerce on the river. Effect of improvement.-Navigation has been rendered easier and safer by this improvement. It has not been practicable to ascertain the effect, if any, of the improvement on freight rates. Proposed operations.-With the funds available, necessary exami- nations will be made, and if required, shoals will be removed. No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as the available balance is sufficient for maintenance until June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The water-borne commerce during the calendar year 1917 consisted chiefly of agricultural products, canned goods, coal, fish and oysters, and miscellaneous articles. The aggre- gate tonnage for 1917 was approximately the same as for 1916. The total value of shipments increased about 67 per cent on account of the increase in value of the principal articles shipped. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short Value. Passen- Calendar yea Short Value. Passen- tons. . gers. alendar year. tons. gers. 1913 .............. 52,025 $2,955,319 3,256 1916.............. 17,588 $1,916,812 3,774 1914.............. 18,755 1,177,636 4,731 1917......-...... 16,630 3,213,550 3,774 1915 ............. 21,046 1,641,325 4,336 The usual linmit of loaded draft of vessels for the various classes of commerce carried was about 7 feet. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ----------------------------------------- $33, 549. 02 Maintenance ---------------------------------------- 21. 10 Net total expended ---------------- 33, 570. 12 Total appropriations to date of this report-- --------------- 35, 011. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS--NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 567 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work .................. ................... .................. Expended for maintenance ............ .... ......... $21.10............. ... ........ Appropriated or allotted.................. ....... ....... .................. ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ----------------------------- $1, 440. 88 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------- 1, 440. 88 10. WATERWAY FROM NORFOLK, VA., TO THE SOUNDS OF NORTH CAROLINA. Location and description.-This water route extends south from Norfolk, Va., to Albermarle Sound, N. C., and consists of 7.6 miles of waterway in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, 2.9 miles in Deep Creek, 22.4 miles in the privately owned Dismal Swamp Canal, 4.3 miles in Turners Cut, and 31.5 miles in the Pasquotank River, a total distance of 68.7 miles between Norfolk and Albermarle Sound. It connects with Pamlico Sound via Croatan Sound. All of the streams named except the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and the Dismal Swamp Canal are included in the project. The Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River is a tidal stream, while the other parts of the route are nontidal streams with feeble cur- rents. The Dismal Swamp Canal contains two locks, each 250 feet long and 39 feet wide. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 10. Original condition.-Priorto the adoption of the existing project this waterway had been maintained by private interests, and the channels had been allowed to deteriorate so that the controlling depth was only 21 feet at mean low water. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for dredging the following chan- nels: Deep Creek, Va., 3 miles long; Turners Cut, N. C., 3.8 miles long; through a shoal in the Pasquotank River, N. C., near Ship Yard Bar, 1,800 feet long; and through a bar in Croatan Sound near Croatan Lighthouse, 1,200 feet long. A width of 100 feet and a depth of 10 feet at mean low water are the project dimen- sions of all the channels named except that in Croatan Sound, which was to be 200 feet wide and 12 feet deep at mean low water. The project also included the cutting of points at sharp bends in the.Pasquotank River and the protection of banks in Turners Cut with sheet piling. In Deep Creek and the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River the mean tidal range under ordinary conditions is about 3 feet and the extremes 2.3 and 3.2 feet. The extremes of irregular fluctuation in these two streams due to combined effect of tides and wind, referred to mean low water, are about 2 feet and 7 feet. The remaining sections of the waterway are nontidal, and not subject to flood. There are, at times, however, variations of 1 to 2 feet in level, due to wind. The latest approved estimate of cost for new work is $274,310. There is no approved estimate of cost for annual maintenance. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act ap- proved March 3, 1899 (H. Doc. No. 317, 54th Cong., 1st sess., and 568 BEPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Annual Report for 1896, p. 1086; and H. Doc. No. 131, 55th Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Report for 1899, p. 1485.) The latest published map- is found in House Document No. 391, Sixty-second Congress, second session. • Operationsand results during fiscal year.-No new work was done. The debris left from a wrecked bridge on the waterway was re- moved, and logs, stumps, piles, and shoal places removed from Turners Cut for restoring the project depth. The work was done by Government plant and hired labor. The total cost of the work done, including expenses of inspection, supervision, etc., amounted to $3,962.32, and is chargeable to maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1903. Since that date parts of the channel have deteriorated, and the controlling depth on certain of the improved channels at the end of the fiscal year was 9 feet at mean low water. The channel in Croatan Sound has entirely disappeared, but the natural channel has a controlling depth of 9 feet at mean low water, which is also. the controlling depth through the Dismal Swamp Canal. The total expenditure was $271,940.77, of which $251,196.46 was for new work and $20,744.31 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-No conditions requiring local cooperation were imposed by law, and no cooperation has been rendered other than the building of the Dismal Swamp Canal, a link in the route, by a private corporation, which also improved portions of Deep Creek and Turners Cut prior to the adoption of the project. Terminal facilities.-The northern end of this waterway is in Norfolk Harbor, Va., the terminal facilities of which are described under this heading in the report on that improvement. There are three small privately owned wharves on the Dismal Swamp Canal, viz, at Deep Creek, Va., Wallaceton, Va., and South Mills, N. C., all of which are open to general public use, without charge. At other- points along the canal there are about seven small private warehouses, all of which are reported to be in bad condition, but which are occa- sionally used, without charge for wharfage, by passing boats, for unloading supplies and loading farm products. There are three small private landings along the Pasquotank River, between the south end of the canal and Elizabeth City, which are free to general public- use. At Elizabeth City, N. C., there are 18 wharves, 4 of which are publicly owned, and are open to general public use, and 14 of which are privately owned, of which latter 8 are open to general public use upon the payment of wharfage, and 6 are for private use only. Below Elizabeth City there are 2 privately owned wharves on the east bank of the Pasquotank River, which are open to general public use upon the payment of wharfage. All wharves on this waterway are either of the bulkhead type or open pile work. The Norfolk South- ern Railroad has 'physical connection with its wharves at Elizabeth City. The other wharves at Elizabeth City are all connected with the street system of that city. No other wharves along the waterway have physical connection with railroads; but are reached by ordinary county roads. The facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has resulted in the use of larger and deeper draft vessels. It has not been practicable to. RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 569 ascertain what effect, if any, the improvement has had on freight rates. Proposed operations.--With the funds available, necessary exami- nations will be made and, if required, shoals and snags will be re- moved. No estimate for additional funds is made, as the mainte- nance of this waterway, at the present time, is not considered of suffi- cient importance to justify the expenditure of any funds in addi- tion'to the balance available on July 1, 1918. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-Forthe calendar year 1917 the commerce on this improvement consisted principally of cement, coal, fertilizer, forest products, and miscellaneous articles. The tonnage and value of the commerce for 1917 was about 29 per cent less and 67 per cent more, respectively, than in 1916. The marked increase in values is due to the increased cost of production, and the general advance in price of all merchandise. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913 ..................... 336, 626 $4,493,357 1916 .................... 383,446 $10,987,651 1914 ............. ....... 374,260 4, 587,236 1917 ................ 271,788 18,302,176 1915..................... 413,679 10,310,650 The usual limit of draft for loaded vessels for all classes of com- merce ranged from 5 to 9 feet. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work_-- -------------------------- ------ $251, 196. 46 Maintenance -_________-- - _______-- - 20, 744. 31 Net total expended------------ --------- ----------- 271, 940. 77 Total appropriations to date of this report__--_----___ 272, 870. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ... ....................... ....................... Expended for maintenance................. $4,196.00 $211.32 $78.84 $32.08 $3, 962.32 Appropriated or allotted................ .... ...... 5,000.00................ ............ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended- -------- $4, 891. 55 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 3, 962. 32 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended __________________________- 929. 23 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_______________-------- _______ _ 141. 67 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance ___- _______-- 787. 56 11. INLAND WATERWAY FROM NORFOLK, VA., TO BEAUFORT INLET, N. C. Location and description.-This improvement provides for an in- land water route approximately paralleling the Atlantic coast be- tween Norfolk, Va., and Beaufort Inlet, N. C., a distance of 186 570 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. statute miles. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 10. With the exception of four land cuts, which connect existing watercourses, the route lies in natural waterways. Beginning at Norfolk, Va., it follows successively the southern branch of the Eliza- beth River, Va., the Virginia Cut of the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal, North Landing River, Va., and N. C.; Currituck Sound, N. C.; Coinjock Bay, N. C.; the North Carolina Cut of the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal; and North River, N. C., to Albemarle Sound, a distance of 63.5 miles. The route then crosses Albemarle Sound from the mouth of North River, N. C., to the mouth of the Alligator River, N. C., a distance of 12.9 miles. Between the southern shore of Albe- marle Sound and the mouth of the Neuse River, N. C., it follows suc- cessively the Alligator River, N. C.; a proposed land cut to Rose Bay, N. C.; and Pamlico Sound, N. C., a distance of 72.6 miles. Between Pamlico Sound at the mouth of Neuse River and Beaufort Inlet, N. C., the route follows the existing waterway via Neuse River, Adams Creek, Adams Creek Canal, Core Creek, and Newport River to Beaufort Inlet, N. C., a distance of 37 miles. With the exception of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, the Adams Creek Canal, Core Creek, and Newport River, which are tidal streams, the watercourses followed are nontidal, with very sluggish currents, which are due principally to the in- fluence of winds. The width between banks of the various streams in the project is very variable, the widest being 4 miles wide and the narrowest 200 feet wide. Original condition.-At the time of the adoption of the present project the following improved channels existed on the different sec- tions of this improvement: Between Norfolk, Va., and Albemarle Sound, N. C., a channel with a minimum depth of 8.5 feet at mean low water and from 50 to 90 feet wide on the bottom; between Albe- marle and Pamlico Sounds, N. C., a channel with a minimum depth of 10 feet at mean low water and with a minimum width of about 100 feet, but by a route different from that followed by this project, and between Pamlico Sound and Beaufort Inlet, N. C., a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water and with a minimum width of 90 feet. A tidal lock 40 feet wide and 221 feet long, with a lift of 2.5 feet at mean low water existed near Great Bridge, Va., upon the portion of the waterway between Norfolk, Va., and Albemarle Sound, N. C. Previous projects.-No project covering the entire waterway con- templated by this improvement has existed before, but separate projects have existed for the improvement of most of the water- courses embraced in the present project. The river and harbor act of March 3, 1873, provided for the improvement of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, upon which a total of $40,000 was expended for new work. North Landing River, Va. and N. C., was improved at a cost of $47,607.65 for new work and $7,892.35 for main- tenance under a project adopted in the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879. Currituck Sound, Coinjock Bay, North River, and North River Bar, N. C., were improved at a total cost of $142,500, under a project adopted in the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, and subsequently modified by the river and harbor acts of June 14, 1880, and March 3, 1881. The river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, consolidated the separate projects under one project, upon which $61,988 was expended for new work and $44,912 for maintenance. RIVERS AND HARBORS---NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 571 The total expended on the above four projects prior to the adoption of the present project was $292,095.65 for new work and $52,804.35 for maintenance, a total of $344,900. The portion of the waterway between Pamlico Sound and Beaufort Inlet, N. C., is at present under the Wilmington, N. C., engineer district, and is being improved under a project adopted in the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907, and known as the "Inland water- way from Pamlico Sound to Beaufort Inlet, N. C." Existing project.-This provides for an inland waterway with a depth of 12 feet at mean low water between Norfolk, Va., and Beau- fort Inlet, N. C., a distance of 186 miles, with bottom widths varying between 90 feet in land cuts to 300 feet in wide waters. The water- way is nontidal, except in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and in Beaufort Inlet, N. C. In the Southern Branch the mean tidal range under ordinary conditions is 2.7 feet and the ex- tremes 2.3 and 3.2 feet. The extremes of irregular fluctuation, due to combined effect of tides and wind, referred to mean low water, are -2 and 7 feet. In Beaufort Inlet, N. C., under ordinary condi- tions the mean tidal range is 2.6 feet and the extremes 2.3 and 3.2 feet. The original estimate of cost of the project for new work, exclusive of amount expended on previous project, was $5,400,000. The latest approved estimate of cost is $5,297,180 for new work, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects, and $85,000 for annual maintenance. (H. Doec. 1136, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 391, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917, provides: That the route of the waterway may, in the discretion of the Secretary of War, be modified (H. Doc. No. 1478, 63d Cong., 3d sess.) and the act of July 18, 1918, authorizes the Secretary of War to " make such minor changes in the location of the waterway as he may deem advisable in the interests of navigation." The latest published map is found in House Docu- ment No. 1136, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-Dredging both by Gov- ernment plant and by dredges under contract was carried on during the year on portions of the inland waterway between Norfolk, Va., and Albemarle Sound, N. C., where widths and depths of channels were less than those called for by the approved project. Dredging with the Government dredge Currituck, operated with hired labor, was limited to operations during April and June. The dredging contract which was in force at the close of the last fiscal year, for the removal of about 5,000,000 cubic yards of material, has been prosecuted throughout the year and is now 82.96 per cent completed. During the year 108,789 cubic yards of material were removed by Government plant operated with hired labor, resulting in 0.33 mile of completed channel; and 1,186,351 cubic yards were removed under contract, resulting in 4.45 miles of completed channel. The average cost of the work done by Government plant was $0.2025 per cubic yard, place measurement. The average contract cost was $0.2217 per cubic yard, the bulk of this dredging being estimated by place measurement. The Government snag boat Roanoke did snagging in connection with dredging operations, removing snags and logs from those sections proposed to be dredged by Government plant. Sur- veys were carried on in connection with dredging operations, the 572 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. quantities dredged were computed, and the necessary gages were maintained and read. The total expenditures were $342,905.65 for new work. Conditionat end of fiscal year.-Of the approved project, 39.95 per cent has been completed, resulting in the removal of 13,184,033 cubic yards of material and the completion of 45.42 miles of channel hav- ing the project depth of 12 feet at mean low water. The bottom width of 13.83 miles of this completed channel is 90 feet; of 3.93 miles is 125 feet; of 25.67 miles is 250 feet; and of 1.99 miles is 300 feet. The maximum depth available throughout the year over the shoalest part of this improvement is 8.5 feet at mean low water. In order to complete the project 19,815,967 cubic yards of dredging, cov- ering a distance of 81 miles, remains to be done. The total expendi- tures under the existing project is $2,591,464.15, of which $500,000 was for the purchase of the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal, $2,087,- 864.15 for new work, and $3,600 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The north end of this waterway is in Norfolk Harbor, the terminal facilities of which are described under this heading in the report on that improvement. Following is a list of the other wharves on the waterway: At Great Bridge, Va., at the northern end of the Virginia Cut, one wharf and warehouse; on the Virginia Cut, two wharves with warehouses; at Munden, Va., one wharf and warehouse; on Currituck Sound, one wharf and ware- house; on the Carolina Cut, two wharves with warehouses; and on North River, three small wharves. All of the above wharves and warehouses are privately owned. The wharves are of the bulkhead and open-pile work type and the warehouses are simple wooden struc- tures. All are understood to be open to general public use upon the payment of wharfage. Physical connection with railroads exists only at Munden, Va., the terminus of the Currituck Branch of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad. No highways lead to the different parts of the waterway, except where public roads touch the stream. The facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-The work done up to the present time has rendered navigation easier, quicker; and safer upon the improved parts of the waterway, but the improvement has not progressed suf- ficiently to have any effect on the amount of commerce. It has not been practicable as yet to determine its effects on freight rates, but the abolition of tolls, which went into effect on May 1, 1913, should in time result in lower rates. Proposed operations.-At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918, there was an available balance, exclusive of outstanding liabilities and contract obligations, of $149,725.37 for expenditure under this project. The river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918, appropriated $500,000 for this work, making a total of $649,- 725.37 available for expenditure upon the improvement. It is in- tended to expend the money' available for completion of the part of the inland waterway which lies between Norfolk, Va., and Albemarle Sound, N. C., and for making surveys, etc., as follows: Operations under contract: To complete dredging in the North Landing River, Va____ __ $15, 948.69' To complete dredging in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, Va----- ----------- --------------------- 237,780. 00' Total----- ------------- ------------------------ 253, 728. 69, RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 578 Work with United States plant: To complete dredging of Virginia Cut, including cost of removal of logs, etc___ _ ______________ $41, 800. 00 To complete dredging in North Landing River, Va., including cost of removal of logs, etc--------- 211, 000.00 To remove old lock, west end of Virginia Cut___- 40, 000. 00 To complete survey and secure options on land be- tween Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds ---------- 11, 000. 00 Acquirement of land required for improvement of South Branch of Elizabeth River ________-- 15, 000. 00 318, 800. 00 Engineering, supervision, and contingencies___---- 77, 196. 68 Total -------------------------------------------- 649, 725. 37 It is proposed to commence the work to be done under contract, pro- vided the necessary arrangements can be made for doing the work, about November 1, 1918, to prosecute it at an average rate of ex- penditure of about $25,000 per month, and to complete it in about 10 months. This is a very rough estimate of the time of beginning and rate of progress, due to the prevailing conditions in the matters of labor and material, and available plant, resulting from the war. If arrangements can not be made for doing this work by contract, it is proposed to perform the necessary dredging and work incidental thereto by the use of Government plant and hired labor. It is proposed to prosecute the work to be done by Government plant and hired labor according to the following schedule: Operation of U. S. Dredge Currituck, 20 months, at $12,000 per month_ $240, 000 Operation of U. S. snag boat Roanoke, 10 months, at $1,280 per month- 12, 800 Survey, 5 months, at $2,200 per month--------------------------- 11, 000 Removal of lock, 4 months, at $10,000 per month-------------------- 40, 000 It is proposed to commence the operations above outlined as soon as practicable after the beginning of the fiscal year, and to prosecute the work uninterruptedly until completed. The dredge Currituck and the snag boat Roanoke were at work at the close of the fiscal year, and work will be continued by these items of plant without interruption It may be found more advantageous to construct a by-pass around the old lock at the west end of the Virginia Cut than to remove the lock. Should such a change be found advisable further authority will be obtained before proceeding with the work. Due to war conditions, no estimate is submitted for beginning con- structive operations on the part of the waterway between Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, N. C. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-See this head under " Operating and care of the inland waterway from Norfolk, Va.,,to Beaufort Inlet, N. C." Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $15,295.43: New work-------------- ----------------------- $2, 879, 959. 80 Maintenance-- ----------------------------------- 56, 404. 35 Net total expended --------------------------- 2, 936, 364. 15 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------- 3, 744, 400. 00 574 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.................. $63, 463.34 $647, 153.84 $454, 379.87 $579, 718.64 $342, 905.65 Expended for maintenance 1............. 339. 91 4, 533.78 3, 600. 00 ............... .. Total expended 1 ...... 6.............. 63,803.25 651,687.62 457, 979.87 579, 718.64 342, 905. 65 Appropriated or allotted............. .......... 400,000.00 ......... 1,000,000.00 100, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended__------------------------------ $538, 508. 94 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 100, 000.00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918----------------- 12, 432. 56 650, 941. 50 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for new work 1 342, 905. 65 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------------------------ 308, 035. 85 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities-----------------$13, 925. 30 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts 144, 385. 18 158, 310. 48 July 1, 1918, balance available-------------------------------- 149, 725. 37 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 ------------------------------------------------------- 500, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending. June 30, 1919 ----------- 649, 725. 37 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project-------2--------------------------------- 1, 897, 180. 00 12. OPERATING AND CARE OF THE INLAND WATERWAY FROM NORFOLK, VA., TO BEAUFORT INLET, N. C. The improvement for which report is made under this caption forms part of the project for " Inland Waterway from Norfolk, Va., to Beaufort Inlet, N. C." See pages 569 to 574, where general infor- mation'can be found. The work carried on is the operation and main- tenance of that part of the waterway which lies between Norfolk, Va., and Albemarle Sound, N. C., and includes a tidal lock, 11.1 miles of land cut canal, and 46.4 miles of improved channels in natural waterways. This portion of the inland waterway from Norfolk, Va., to Beaufort Inlet, N. C., has been operated and main- tained under the permanent indefinite appropriation since April 30, 1913, the date of purchase by the United States of the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal from the Chesapeake & Albemarle Canal Co. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The tidal lock at Great Bridge, Va., and the three highway bridges owned by the United States and crossing the waterway, were operated continuously during the year. The raft inspection station on North River, which was in operation at the beginning of the fiscal year, was discontinued on March 9, 1918. There were 3,387 lockages at the Great Bridge lock during the fiscal year. A total of $16,655.92 including liabilities at end of year but not those of preceding year, was expended, of which $15,099.66 was for operating and maintenance, and $1,556.26 was for new plant, supplies, etc. Condition at end of fiscal year.--The part of the waterway between Norfolk, Va., and Albemarle Sound, N. C., has a controlling depth Z Exclusive of available funds. 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. RIVERS AND HARBORS--NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 575 of 8.5 feet at mean, low water throughout the year. This minimum stage pertains to the low-water depth in the miter sills of the tidal lock at Great Bridge. This lock has.a usable width of 39 feet and a usable length of 220 feet. The Great Bridge tidal lock and 11.1 miles of canal and appurtenant canal property and plant were purchased from the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal Co. for $500,0000 on April 30, 1913. The total expenditures on this work from the permanent indefinite appropriation are $93,527.68. Proposed'operations.-The waterway, bridges, and plant pertain- ing to operation will be operated and maintained under the allot- ment from the permanent indefinite appropriations provided by section 6 of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1899. Commercial statistics.-Forthe calendar year 1917 the principal articles of commerce were coal, fertilizer, gasoline, oil, agricultural and forest products, grain, and miscellaneous food and other mer- chandise. The tonnage and value of commerce passing through this waterway in 1917 were 4 per cent and 83 per cent, respectively, more than in 1916. Comparative statement. Calendar year. o Value. n- Short Calendar year.. Value. Psen Sort Vautons. Pgers. tons. gers. 1913-14 1.......... 258,441 2 $4, 000, 000 6, 582 1916 a............. 141, 029 $4, 044, 446 6, 296 1914 3. ... 229,047 3, 228,537 7, 531 19178 ........... 148, 134 7, 404,681 6,851 1915............. 158, 644 4,316,776 7,547 1Statistics reported for fiscal year ended June 30,1914, instead of for a calendar year, as the property had not been operated as a free waterway long enough to give the data for a calendar year. 2 Estimated. Based on values for 1914. = Statistics for calendar year. The tonnage in 1917 was carried in vessels usually loaded to the drafts given in the following table: Usual Usual Per cent limit of Per cent limit of Class of freight carried. of total loaded Class of freight carried. of total loaded tonnage. draft of tonnage. draft of vessels, vessels. (Feet). (Feet). Coal............... ......... 16 5% to 8. Potatoes..................... 6 5 to 6j. Grain..... .... ......... 1 5j to 8. Staves.................... 4 5j to 8. Logs, lumber, and piling... 48 5- to 8. Miscellaneous ........... 24 5 to 6j. Oils ......... ............... 1 5 to 6j. BLACKWATER RIVER, VA.; MEHERRIN AND ROANOKE RIVERS, N. C. (GROUP C). 13. BLACKWATER RIVER, VA. (Cl). Location and description.-This river, a nontidal stream, rises in Prince George County, near Petersburg, Va., and flows in a gen- eral southeasterly direction for 80 miles, where it unites with the Nottoway River to form the Chowan River, which empties into Albemarle Sound. The portion under improvement extends from its mouth to Franklin, Va., a distance of 13 miles. The average width between banks below Franklin, Va., is 200 feet. The drainage area and discharge at high and low water are unknown. It is a sluggish stream, and carries very little sediment. 576' REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Original condition.-The channel was about 7 feet deep at mean low water from the mouth to Franklin, Va., but navigation was hampered by obstructions and short bends. Above Franklin the channel dimensions were considerably less. The head of naviga- tion was usually referred to as being at Franklin, Va., about 12 miles above the mouth, but the stream had, as at present, a depth of 3 feet at mean low water to Burdette, Va., about 13 miles farther up- stream, making a total navigable length of about 25 miles. Previous projects.-The original and only project aritedating the present project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 18, 1878. A total of $14,000 was expended under this project for new work. For scope of the previous projects, see page 1802 of Annual Report for 1915. 'xisting project.-This provides for clearing the 13 miles of river below Franklin, Va., of obstructions, so as to afford a condition of easy navigation for boats of 7-foot draft. The stream is nontidal. The portion of the river under improvement is subject to freshets of short duration, causing rises of 3 to 4 feet, but the general stage of the river remains for the greater part of the time at the elevation of Albemarle Sound, with which it connects. The latest approved estimate of cost for new work, exclusive of amount expended on pre- vious project, is $8,000. There is no approved estimate of cost for annual maintenance. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 177, 59th Cong. 1st sess.). There is no published .map of this improvement. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The existing project was com- pleted in 1908. The ruling depth to Franklin, Va., is 7 feet at mean low water. The total expenditures under the existing project was $5,734.09, of which $2,144.33 was for new work and $3,589.76 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is a wharf and warehouse at Franklin, Va., and three small wharves with warehouses between this point and the mouth of the river. All of these are privately owned, but are open to the general public on equal terms. Physical connection between rail and water carriers exists only at Franklin, Va., where the Sea- board Air Line has a track on the wharf. The streets of Franklin connect with the wharf at that point, and at the other landings are ordinary country roads. The facilities are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-Navigation has been rendered easier and safer. It has not been possible to ascertain what effect, if any, the improvement has had on freight rates. Proposed operations.-With the funds available, necessary ex- aminations will be made and, if required, shoals and snags will be removed. No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as the avail- able balance is sufficient for maintenance until June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The principal articles of water-borne com- merce for the calendar year 1917 were cotton, fertilizer, peanuts, and miscellaneous merchandise. The aggregate tonnage for 1917 was RIVERS AND HARBORS-NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 577 approximately the same as for 1916. The value for the former year was about 100 per cent greater than for the latter, due to the in- crease in value of all products shipped. Comparative statement. alendar year. Value. Passen- Calendar year. Value. sers tons. gers. tons. gers. 1913............... 4,148 $384,291 530 1916............. 3,893 $314,883 358 1914.............. 3,821 371, 869 480 1917......... ..... 3, 712 633,900 425 1915............. 3, 622 337,.880 408 The usual limit of draft for loaded vessels for all classes of com- merce was from 3 to 7 feet. Fina0qcialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $15: New work__ $16, 144. 33 Maintenance ------------------------- 3, 589. 76 Net total expended---------------------------------------19, 734. 09 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------22, 000. 00 Fiscalyear'ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................... ........ ............. .......... Expended for maintenance 1............... $2, 203.88 $1.10........... .... Appropriated or allotted................... .. .......... ........... ........... 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended ---------------------------------- $2, 265. 91 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------------- 2,265. 91 14. MEHERRIN RIVER, N. C. (C2). Location and description.--This river rises in Lunenburg County, Va., flows in a southeasterly direction a distance of about 100 miles, and empties into the Chowan River, N. C., at a point about 39 miles above Albemarle Sound, N. C. The portion under improvement ex- tends from its mouth to Murfreesboro, N. C., a distance of 12 miles. Currents are generally feeble. The average width between banks below Murfreesboro is 250 feet. The drainage area and discharge at high and low water are not known. See United States Geological Survey, Winton quadrangle, North Carolina. Original condition.-The channel was about 80 feet wide and 7 feet deep at mean low water from the mouth of the river to Murfrees- boro, but it was badly obstructed by logs, sunken trees, and shoals. Above Murfreesboro the channel was narrower, more tortuous, and the obstructions more numerous and dangerous. The head of navi- gation was usually considered as being at Murfreesboro, 12 miles above the mouth, but small boats used the river, as at present, as far as Princeton Landing, 5 miles farther upstream, making a total navi- gable length of 17 miles. 81116--ENo 1918 37 578 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Previous project.-The original and only previous project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 2, 1883. The amount expended under this project was $4,584.53 for new work. For scope of previous project, see page 1802 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for the removal of shoals, sunken logs, snags, and other obstructions, so as to make the river safely navigable for vessels of 7 feet draft between the mouth and Murfrees- boro, a distance of 12 miles. The entire stream is nontidal and, ex- cept during freshets, its water surface rises and falls according as the winds raise or lower the water level of Albemarle Sound. Freshets cause variations of water level of from 3 to 4 feet in the navigable portion of the river. The latest approved estimate of cost for new work, exclusive of amount expended on previous project, is $6,000. There is no approved estimate of cost for annual maintenance. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (H. Doc. No. 137, 59th Cong., 1st sess.). For latest map, see House Document No. 112, Sixty-third Congress, first session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.--The existing project was com- pleted in 1908. Shoals, sunken logs and snags, and overhanging trees, which interfered with navigation, have been removed, and there is now available between Murfreesboro and the mouth of the river throughout the year a depth of 7 feet below mean low water. A total of $5,596.92 has been expended under the existing project, of which $1,932.88 was for new work and $3,654.04 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are five small pile wharves, with roughly constructed wooden warehouses, on this river, two of which are at Murfreesboro, N. C., and three between this point and the mouth of the river. All of these wharves are privately owned but are open to general public use on equal terms upon the payment of wharfage. There are no railroad connections with any of the wharves, but 'oidinary county roads extend to all of the landings. The wharfage facilities are considered adequate for existing com- merce. Effect of improvement. -Navigation has been rendered easier and safer. It has not been practicable to ascertain the effect, if any, of the improvement on freight rates. Proposed operations.-With the funds available, necessary exami- nations will be made and, if required, shoals and snags will be re- moved. No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as the avail- able balance is sufficient for maintenance until June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce carried on this stream is principally freight originating on or destined to railroads making connections with river boats and consists principally of fertilizer, peanuts, and logs. There were increases in all of the articles usually carried on the river, and the total tonnage and value for 1917 were 66 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively, more than for 1916. The greatest increase was in the item of logs, which exceeded the ton- nage of 1916 by 100 per cent. RIVERS AND HARBORS--NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 579 Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. gers. Calendar year. Value. - tons Value. gers. 1913. . . ..... .. 20,056 $1,550,025 11,849 1916............ 30,937 $1,360,005 7,733 1914... ..... .... 16,640 1,447, 130 7,000 1917 ............ 51,380 2,134,515 6,269 1915.............. 23,836 1,354,428 11,039 The usual limit of draft for loaded vessels for all classes of com- merce was from 41 to 7 feet. Finanoialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting re- ceipts from sales, etc., amounting to $10: New work ------- ------- ---- $6, 517. 41 Maintenance--------------------------------------- ---- 3, 654. 04 Net total expended ---------------------------- 10, 171. 45 Total appropriations to date of this report-----------------------13, 084. 53 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work........... ...................... Expended for maintenance 1.......$... 1,749.19 .. Appropriated or allotted............... .............. ........ 2,500.00........ I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-------------------------------- $2, 913. 08 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended------------- ------------------ 2,913. 0S 15. ROANOKE RIVER, N. C. (C3). Location and description.-This stream is formed by the junction of the Dan and Staunton Rivers at Clarksville, Va., and flows south- easterly for 198 miles into Albermarle Sound, N. C. The portion under improvement extends from Weldon, N. C., to the mouth, a distance of 129 miles. It has a drainage area of 9,200 square miles, an average low-water discharge of 1,400 and an average high-water discharge of 15,000 second-feet. Freshets are violent, but of short duration. Ordinarily the current is moderate. The average width between banks is 330 feet. The stream is nontidal. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 10. Original condition.-The controlling depth from the mouth of the river to Hamilton, N. C., a distance of 6 miles, was 10 feet at mean low water. From Hamilton to Weldon, N. C., a distance of 67 miles, the controlling depth was from 2 to 3 feet at mean low water, but the channel was obstructed by shoals, snags, sunken vessels, and overhanging trees. The head of navigation for all purposes was at Weldon, N. C., 129 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for removing obstructions be- tween the mouth and Hamilton, a distance of 62 miles, so as to fur- nish a channel adequate for vessels navigating the North Carolina 580 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. sounds, and by dredging, snagging, and regulation, securing a chan- nel with a least width of 50 feet and a depth of 5 feet at mean low water from Hamilton to Weldon, a distance of 67 miles. The stream is nontidal. The rise and fall of the river, resulting from freshets, is from 10 to 30 feet for 60 or 70 miles below Weldon, but this fluc- tuation diminishes toward the mouth, the variations in water level being from 1 to 3 feet in the last 15 or 20 miles. The latest ap- proved estimate of cost for new work is $269,000. There is no ap- proved estimate of cost for annual maintenance. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1871 (S. Ex. Doc. No. 23, 42d Cong., 2d sess., and Annual Report for 1872, p. 726). For latest published map see page 1110, Annual Report for 1890. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is 80 per cent com- pleted. War obstructions and some shoals have been removed, and the channel has been cleared of logs and snags between the mouth of the river and a point about 5 miles below Weldon. The following are the controlling depths throughout the year: Between the mouth and Hamilton, a distance of 62 miles, a minimum depth of 10 feet at mean low water, and between Hamilton and a point 2 miles below Weldon, a distance of 65 miles, a minimum depth of 3 feet at mean low water. The head of navigation is at Weldon. The total ex- penditures are $243,891.84, of which $227,074.12 was for new work and $16,817.72 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 9 wharves at Plymouth, N. C., and 2 between this point and the head of navigation, all of which are of the open pilework or bulkhead type, with warehouses. There are also about 20 warehouses between the mouth of the river and the head of navigation. All of the wharves and landing are privately owned, except one of the wharves at Plymouth, which is publicly owned. All are open to general public use, on equal terms, except 3 of the wharves at Plymouth, which are private wharves. Direct physical connection between railroads and water carriers exists only at Plymouth, where the Norfolk-Southern railroad tracks extend to the company's wharf. The Atlantic Coast Line also enters Plymouth, and has indirect rail connection with the Norfolk-Southern water terminals. Ordinary county roads, the condition of which varies with the season of the year, lead to all landings. The facilities on this stream are considered adequate for existing commerce. Effect of improvement.-Navigation has been rendered easier and safer. It has not been practicable to determine the effect, if any, of the improvement on freight rates. Proposed operations.-With the funds available necessary exami- nations will be made and, if required, maintenance work by dredging and snagging with Government plant and hired labor will be done. No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as the available bal- ance is sufficient for maintenance until June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-'Forthe calendar year 1917 the commerce on this improvement consisted of cotton, fertilizer, logs, lumber, peanuts, and miscellaenous articles. The commerce shows a falling RIVERS AND HARBORS--NORFOLK, VA., DISTRICT. 581 off of 9 per cent in tonnage, and 12 per cent in value, respectively, from that of 1916. Comparative statement. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. 1913........ ....... 74,322 $2,984,560 1916.................. 86,807 $2,322, 986 1914..................... 72,421 2,144,249 1917..................... 78,736 2, 039,16F 1915 ...................... 88,295 2,226,858 The usual limit of draft of loaded vessels for all classes of com- merce was from 5 to 9 feet. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,361.50: New work__---------------------------------------------- $227, 074. 12 S. Maintenance-----------------------------------------------16, 817. 72 Net total expended------------------------------------- 243, 891. 84 Total appropriations to date of this report ________----- - 248, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work........................ ............ ..... ............. Expended for maintenance ............... ........ .............. 65.42 ..............- Appropriated or allotted................ ............... .............................. $2, 50. 0, July 1, 1917, balance unexpended 2, 108. 16 $------------------ Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 2, 500. 0O July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_--------------------------------- 4, 608. 16 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP C. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,386.50: New work------------------------------_ $249, 735. 8G Maintenance----- ------------------------------------------ 24, 061. 52 Net total expended ----------------------- --- 273, 797. 3& Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------283, 584. 53 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1018 Expended for new work ............................. ...... ........... ..... Expended for maintenance 1............... $3,953.07 $1.10 $65.42 .............. ...... Appropriated or allotted ..................... .. .. ........... .. .......... $2,500.00 $2,500.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended______________________________ $7, 287. 15 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__ 2, 500. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ______________________________ 9, 787. 15 EXAMINATIONS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACTS APPROVED JULY 27, 1916, AND AUGUST 8, 1917. Reports on preliminary examinations required by the river and harbor acts of July 27, 1916, and August 8, 1917, of the following localities within this district were duly submitted by the district engineer. They were reviewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 582 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. and Harbors, pursuant to law, and were transmitted to Congress and printed in documents as indicated: 1. Preliminary examination of Willis River, Va.-Report dated February 26, 1917, is printed in House Document No. 303, Sixty- fifth Congress, first session. The improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. 2 Preliminary examination of Northwest River, Va. and N. C.- Report dated January 16, 1918, is printed in House Document No. 1137, Sixty-fifth Congress, second session. The. improvement of this locality by the United States is not deemed advisable at the present time. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS Ili' THE WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. This district includes river and harbor improvements in central and eastern North Carolina from the mouth of Roanoke River, Albe- marle Sound, to Little River, S. C., near the State line, embracing the watersheds of all rivers in North Carolina which empty into the sounds thereof, or the Atlantic, Ocean within the limits stated. District engineer: Maj. A. E. Waldron, Corps of Enoineers, to September 30, 1917, and Mr. Robt. C. Merritt, since that date. Division engineer: Col. Walter L. Fisk, United States Army, retired. IMPROVEMENTS. IThe letters and figures in parentheses after the titles indicate the group, and the numeri- cal order in the group, to which the respective improvements belong for purposes of appropriation.] Page. Page. 1. Scuppernong River, N. C. (Al).. 582 16. Inland waterway, Beaufort to 2. Manteo (Shallowbag) Bay, N. C. Jacksonville, N. C. (B4)....... 619 (A2).......................... 585 17. Harbor at Morehead City, N. C. 3. Waterway connecting Swan Quar- (BS)......... ............. 622 ter Bay with Deep Bay, N. C. 18. Beaufort Inlet, N. C. (B6)....... 625 (A3)................ ........ 537 19. Harbor of Refuge at Cape Look- 4. Pamlico and Tar Rivers, N. C. out, N. C ..................... 628 (A4)........................588 20. Cape Fear River, N. C., at and 5. Fishing Creek, N. C. (A5)-.....- 592 below Wilmington (Cl)........ 629 6. South River, N. C. (A6)........... 593 21. Cape Fear River above Wilming- 7. Bay River, N. C. (A7)........... 595 ton, N. C. (C2)................ 634 8. Neuse River, N. C. (AS)........ 597 22. Northeast (Cape Fear) River, N. 9. Smiths Creek, N. C. (A9)....... 600 C. (C3)... ..................... 638 10. Swift Creek, N. C. (Al0)-...... 603 23. Black River, N. C. (C4)......... 640 11. Contentnea Creek, N. C. (All).. 605 24. Operating and care of Locks and 12. Trent River, N. C. (A12)....... 607 Dams Nos. 1 and 2, Cape Fear 13. Inland waterway from Pamlico River, N. C.................... 643 Sound to Beaufort Inlet, N. C. 25. Shallotte River, N. C........... 644 (Bl)................ .. 611 14. Harbor at Beaufort, N. C. (B2).. 614 15. Waterway connecting Core Sound and Beaufort Harbor, N. C. (B3)....................... 617 TOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WORK IN THIS DISTRICT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, SEE PAGES 2337 TO 2385. MANTEO (SHALLOWBAG) BAY, SCUPPERNONG, PAMLICO, TAR, SOUTH, BAY. NEUSE, AND TRENT RIVERS, FISHING, CONTENTNEA, SWIFT, AND SMITH CREEKS, AND WATERWAY CONNECTING SWAN QUARTER BAY WITH DEEP BAY, N. C. (GROUP'A). 1. SCUPPERNONG RIVER, N. C. (Al). Location and description.-This river rises in the center of a peninsula between Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. It flows in a RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C. DISTRICT. 583 general northerly direction, making a long bend eastward to the town of Columbia, then turning westward again until it flows into Albemarle Sound. Its length is about 30 miles and its drainage area is about 182 square miles. There are no lunar tides. The current is sluggish, the fall per mile beiig very small. The width of the stream between Columbia and the mouth varies from 60 feet to 3,000 feet. The discharge of this stream depends on prevailing winds and is impossible to measure. (See United .States Coast and Geo- detic Survey chart NQ. 1228.) Originalcondition.-There was a depth of about 5 feet at mean low water across the bar at the mouth. The upper portion was ob- structed by logs, snags, stumps, overhanging growth, and by abrupt bends. Spruills Bridge, was the head of navigation for steamers-23 miles from mouth. Logging and rafting could be carried 1 mile farther. Previous project.-Adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1879. Amount expended $8,000. For further details of previous project see page 1802 of Annual Report for 1915. Ewisting project.-This provides for a channel 3,400 feet long, 150 feet wide, and 9 feet deep at mean low water across the bar at the mouth. This is a nontidal stream, the oscillations of the surface being controlled by the winds which cause ordinary variations of 1 foot. The extreme range of wind tides is 5.1 feet, as determined by one year's tide gage readings. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1909, is $14,000, exclusive of amount expended under pre- vious project. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,500. This project was authorized by the act of June 13, 1902, (H. Doc. No. 131, 56th Cong., 2d sess.). For map of this river, see House Document No. 1196, Sixty-second Congress, third session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The expenditures for the year amounted to $199.86, all for maintenance, and were for col- lecting commercial statistics and office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project has been completed. In June, 1918, a channel 9.2 feet deep and 80 feet wide existed on the bar at the mouth; thence to Cross Landing, 14 miles above, a good open channel of 7 feet, free from obstructions; thence to Spruills Bridge, 9 miles farther, 7 feet at mean low water, but the river is in many places narrow and crooked and obstructed by overhanging trees on the banks and by logs and snags in the channel. The head of navi- gation is at Spruills Bridge, about 23 miles from the mouth. The expenditure on the existing project, exclusive of the amount expended under previous project, has been $13,248.68 for new work and $12,- 651.32 for maintenance, a total of $25,900. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The wharves on the portion of this river un- der improvement number 26, of which 9 are below Columbia, 11 at Columbia, 3 near Cross Landing, and 2 at Spruills Bridge. They are all of timber construction with pile foundation, and generally have plank decking. They have a frontage varying from 3 to 286 feet, the total frontage being 1,512 feet. All are private and, except those pertaining solely to the lumber interests, are open to all water carriers free of charge. The existing facilities are considered ade- quate for the present commerce. 584 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Effect of improvement.--The improvement has had the effect of reducing freight rates and enabling deeper-draft vessels to use the river. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the funds available as follows: Operating U. S. dredge Croatan three-fifths month, at .$3,500-----... $2, 100. 00 Superintendence, collecting commercial statistics, etc---------------- 827. 05 Total__-------------------- --- - 2, 927. 05 No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modification of project.-It has been recommended that this project be modified to secure an available channel depth of 10 feet and a channel width of 150 feet across the bar at the mouth; thence 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep to Columbia; thence 40 feet wide and 8 feet deep to Spruills Bridge; thence 30 feet wide and 7 feet deep to the highway bridge near Cherry, and the construction of a turning basin near Cherry, at an estimated cost of $31,800 for first construction and $1,000 annually for maintenance. (H. Doc. 1196, 62d Cong., 3d sess., with map.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for 1917 amounted to 9,065 tons, valued at $679,829. Commerce to the extent of 8,095 tons, valued at $628,907, passed over the improved sections. All of the commerce was carried by gas, sail and steam boats, and flats, drawing from 3 to 6 feet, except timber, which was rafted. The principal items of commerce were cotton, cotton seed, general merchandise, fer- tilizer, fish, potatoes, and timber. There was no change in the char- acter of the commerce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The decrease in ton- nage is due principally to the decrease in shipments of agricultural lime; the increase in value is due to the increased shipments of groceries and Irish potatoes and also to the increased value of commodities. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Pas- Pas- Calendar year. Short value. Srs. Calendar year. sengers. value. sengers. tons. tons. Value. tons. tons. Value. 1913........ 30, 073 $382,622.50 450 1916............. 10,443 $433,036.20 970 1914 ............... 27,224 355,370.50 578 1917............. 9,065 679,829.40 700 1915.............. 9,448 389,478.30 737 Financial suummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $251: New work------------------------------------ $21, 248. 68 Maintenance -- --------------------------------- 12, 651. 32 Net total expended-...........- -------------------- 33, 900. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report- _--------------------- 37, 400. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 585 Fiscal year ending June.30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work... -- --... - - Expended for maintenance 1---...-.....-.... $2,741..65 $115.75 $1,,572.18 $337.08 $199.86 Appropriated or allotted.............. ............ 21,900.00 -------....------- ....... .. 3,500.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2The allotment was $2,900, but $1,000 was transferred to Trent River, N. C., A pr. 12, 1918. July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance______________ $2, 927..05 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 3, 500. 00 4, 699. 86 Deduction on account of transfer to Trent River, N. C__________ 1,000. 00 3, 699. 86 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 199. 86 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_____ ________________________ 3, 500. 00 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_ _____ _____ ________ 572. 95 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance______________ 2,927. 05 2. MANTEO (SHALLOWBAG) BAY, N. C. (A2). Location and description.-Manteo Bay or Shallowbag Bay, formed by a natural indentation of the shore line, is situated on the north- eastern side of Roanoke Island, N. C. Elizabeth City, N. C., the near- est town, is 45 miles to the northwest, and Norfolk, Va., lies 90 miles north by west. The length and width of the bay are very small, being about a mile wide by 14 miles long. The bay is nontidal; variations in the water level are due to winds. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1229. Original condition.-About 5 feet was the maximum draft that could be carried into the bay at mean low water. Manteo was the head of navigation, 1 mile from entrance. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at mean low water from the entrance to the town of Man- teo, 1 mile. The variations of the water surface are due to winds, such variations seldom exceeding 1 or 2 feet higher or lower than the mean stage. By examination of one year's tide gage readings at Manteo the extreme range of wind tides is 5.1 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $13,750. The latest (1908) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 906, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The expenditures for the year were $168.67, all for maintenance, and were for collecting commercial statistics and office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1911. A channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep exists from Roanoke Sound to the town of Manteo. The head of navigation is at Manteo, 1 mile from the entrance. The expenditure on the existing project has been $10,503.18 for new work and $8,346.82 for maintenance, a total of $18,850. 586 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U.. S. ARMY, 1918. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The wharves on the portion of this harbor under improvement number 17. All but one are of timber construc- tion, with pile foundation. They have a frontage varying from 3 to 510 feet, the total frontage being 837 feet. All are private and all but two are open to all water carriers free of charge. The existing facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has had the effect of allowing larger and safer boats to use this bay. It has, however, had no effect on freight rates. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be applied to su- perintendence and office expenses. No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modification of project.-It has been recommended that this project be modified to the extent of providing an approach channel 7 feet deep and 100 feet wide, with a small basin in front of the marine railway, and thence a channel or basin of the same depth and 200 feet wide to the upper limits of ,the town of Manteo, at an estimated cost of $28,000 for first construction and $2,000 annually for maintenance, provided no expense shall be incurred by the United States for acquiring any land required for the purpose of this im- provement. (H. Doc. No. 864, 63d Cong., 2d sess., with map.) References to published articles, not previously reported.-.None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 9,820 tons, valued at $1,177,683, all of which passed over the improved sections in gas, sail, and steam boats drawing from 3 to 5 feet. The principal items were fish and general merchandise. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improvement. No lines were established or abandoned during the year. The increase in tonnage and value is due to the increased value of fish, causing better business. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Pas- Pas- Calendar year. sengers. Calendar year. alue. sengers. tons. tons. 1913.............. 8, 867 $576, 404 7, 368 1916......... ... 9, 021 $662, 472 8,148 1914............... 11,888 503,531 9,864 1917 ............. ....... 7,000 1915 .............. 12,110 557 551 7,382 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $73.74: New work---------- ------------------------------- $10, 503. 18 Maintenance------------------------- ---------------------- 8, 346. 82 Net total expended -------------------------- ------------- 18, 850. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report-___----- - __ 19, 250. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 587 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work...-------------------------------- Expended for'maintenance 1.............. $321.96 $12. 63 $1,773.92 2$5,020.01 $168.67 Appropriated or allotted ............................ 2,000.00 2,000.00 500.00 . 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Increased $73.74 o. er amount reported last year on account of receipts from sales hal ing been deducted July 1, 1917, balance unexpended _ -- $68. 67 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917----- 500, 00 568. 67 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance----- 168. 67 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--- 400. 00 3. WATERWAY CONNECTING SWAN QUARTER BAY WITH DEEP BAY, N. C. (A3). Location and description.-This waterway is a cut 5,500 feet long through the narrow neck of marshland just west of Swan Quarter Bay, on the north side of Pamlico Sound, near the mouth of Pam- lico River. Washington, N. C., is 45 miles westerly on Pamlico River and Belhaven, N. C., is 25 miles northwesterly on Pungo River. There is no lunar tide in this locality. See U1. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 1231. Original condition.-A small cut, having a minimum width of 25 feet and a minimum depth of 2 feet at mean low water and about 0.6 of a mile long, existed. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for securing by dredging a chan- nel 5,500 feet long, 50 feet wide at the bottom, and 6 feet deep at mean low water. Variations in the water surface due to winds sel- dom exceed 1 or 2 feet above or below mean stage. From observa- tions covering a period of four years the extreme range of wind tides is 8.3 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1907, is $14,575. The latest (1907) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $900. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 445, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). For latest printed map see page 1734 of the Annual Report for 1912. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The expenditures for the year were $2,002.57, all for maintenance, and were for the con- struction of the motor dredge tender Manteo and office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1911. A channel 50 feet wide and 4.9 feet deep at 'mean low water exists over the entire length of the waterway. The expenditure on the existing project has been $8,550.98 for new work and $5.350.77 for maintenance, a total of $13,901.75. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are no wharves along this waterway and none are needed. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to provide a safer and shorter route between Swan Quarter and Pam- lico River points and has lessened freight rates. 588 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Proposed operations.-The funds available July 1, 1918, will be sufficient for collecting commercial statistics and main office expenses to June 30, 1920. No work is proposed for the fiscal years 1919 ant 1920, and no estimate is submitted. Recommended modification of project.-None. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-- The commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 11,948 tons, valued at $801,038, all of which passed over the improved section in gasoline and sailboats drawing from 2 to 5 feet. The principal items of commerce were cotton, cotton seed, coal, live stock, grain, and general merchandise. There was no change in the character of commerce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The total tonnage is practically the same as for the previous year. The increase in value is due to the increased value of commodities. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Passen- Short Value. gers. Short Value. gers. tons. tons. 1913 ............... 5, 841 $302,504 1,706 1916............. 12,577 $596,607 2, 00 1914................ 7,820 403, 547 1,850 1917. ............ 11,948 801,038 2, 80 1915............... 12,726 473,181 1,200 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work------------ ------------------- - - $8, 550. 98 Maintenance ---------- --------------------------------- 5, 350. 77 Net total expended-------------------------------------- 13, 901. 75 Total appropriations to date of this report------------------------ 14, 575. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work... ............................. Expended for maintenance ............. $103.65 $229.60 $1,878. 34 $76. 94 $2, 00257 Appropriated or allotted.............. .................... . ............ July 1, 1917, balance unexpended _____________________________ $2, 675. 82 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 2, 002. 57 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended____________________________ 673. 25 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_____________________________ 539. 63 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance________________ 133. 62 4. PAMLICO AND TAR RIVERS, N. C. (A4). Location and description.-The two names are applied to the same river, it being known as the Pamlico below Washington, N. C., and as the Tar above that point. This stream rises in Person County, flows in a general southeasterly direction for 217 miles, and empties RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 589 into Pamlico Sound. The stream has a drainage area of about 3,608 square miles. The Pamlico River is 38 miles long. There are no lunar tides. At Tarboro, 49 miles above Washington, the minimum recorded flow is 170 second-feet; the average about 2,000 second-feet; and the maximum 14,600 second-feet. The current is sluggish in the portion affected by winds, becoming more rapid above Greenville, 22 miles above Washington, as the fall between this point and Tarboro is 0.43 foot per mile. The stream is about 4 miles wide at the mouth, 1 mile at Washington, 300 feet at Greenville, and 220 feet at Tarboro. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 537. Original condition.-The river was obstructed by war blockades, sunken logs, snags, stumps, and sand shoals so that the governing low-water depths were 5 feet to Washington and perhaps 1 foot to Tarboro, to which place navigation by steamers was practicable dur- ing freshet stages only. About 3 feet could be carried to Tarboro during about eight high-water months per year, January to August, inclusive. The length of portion navigable for steamboats was 86 miles and for rafting 94 miles. Previous project.-The first improv ement of this stream was undertaken under authority of river and harbor act of July 4, 1836. For further details of previous project, see page 1803 of the Annual Report for 1915. The amount expended on this project was $15,000. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water and 200 feet wide up to Washington; 6 feet deep and 75 feet wide to Greenville; 20 inches deep and 60 feet wide to Tarboro; thence to clear the natural channel above Tarboro to Little Falls. The length of section under improvement is 87 miles, extend- ing from a point 4 miles below Washington to Little Falls. The stream is nontidal;. variations in the water surface at Washington, due to prevailing winds, seldom exceed 2 feet. The extreme range of the flood or freshet stage for the upper section is 20 feet at Tar- boro. For the lower section, observations covering a period of 4 years show an extreme range due to winds of 8.3 feet. The esti- mate of cost for new work, revised in 1914, is $228,550, exclusive of amount expended under previous project. The latest (1917) ap- proved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $10,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of August 14, 1876, authorized a channel of 9 feet from the mouth to Washington; the river and harbor act of May 3, 1879, provided for the section of the river between Washing- ton and Tarboro (H. Doc. No. 68, 45th Cong., 3d sess.) ; the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907, authorized changing the depth between Washington and Greenville (H. Doc. No. 342,-59th Cong., 2d sess.); the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912, covered the latest modifica- tion of the portion between Washington and Greenville (H. Doc. No. 270, 62d Cong., 2d sess.) The latest published map is in the last-mentioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The river between Washington and Shiloh Mills was thoroughly snagged and put in good condition between October 9, 1917, and November 26, 1917, by the U. S. hoister Contentnea at a cost of $1,623.73. She removed from the channel 109 large logs, 22 stumps, 90 snags, 144 sawlogs, 22 trees, 5 cords of brush and small snags, and 1 wreck, and cnt and 590 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. hauled back 74 trees from the banks. This work was done at a unit cost of $3.47 per obstruction. Other expenditures were $613.80 for main office, expenses and collecting commercial .statistics. The total expenditures were $2,237.53 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1915. A channel 200 feet wide and 10 feet deep exists from the mouth to Washington. There has been some deterioration in the dredged channel to Greenville, so that the limiting dimensions are now 3.5 feet in depth and 40 feet in width. Between Greenville and the mouth of Fishing Creek the stream is clear of snags and navigable stages of from 3 to 5 feet are generally available for four to six months during the winter season from October to May. The expen- diture on the existing project, exclusive 'of the amount expended under previous project, has been $286,680.73 for new work and $63,818.30 for maintenance, a total of $350,499.03. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The wharves on the portion of this river un- der improvement number 72, of which 50 are along the waterfront at Washington, 1 on Castle Island in front of town, 2 across the river from town, 8 between Washington and the mouth, and 11 between Washington and the mouth of Fishing Creek. They are generally of timber construction with pile foundation. They have a frontage varying from 8 to 410 feet, the total frontage being 4,800 feet. Of those at Washington, 44 are private, with a frontage of 3,949 feet; 3 are owned by the railroads, with a frontage of 260 feet; 2 are owned by the city, with a frontage of 282 feet; and 1 is owned by the United States, with a frontage of 188 feet. The city wharves are open to use by all water carriers free; the railroad wharves are open to all on equal terms; vessels are usually permitted to tie up at the private wharves when not in use by the owners. The city acquired 150 feet of frontage with a view of building a public terminal, but this site is now leased to private parties. The existing facilities are not con- sidered adequate at Washington, Greenville, or Tarboro. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to lower freight rates and to allow vessels of deeper draft to reach Washington, N. C. Above Washington it has provided a more eco- nomical and convenient way for the handling of. farm products, fertilizer, etc. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be used for the maintenance of the project, as follows: Operation for U. S. hoister Contentnea, 4 months (September and October, 1918 and 1919), at $700_ - __ $2, 800. 00 Operation of U. S. pipe line dredge Croatan, 1 months (February and March, 1920), at $3,500 --------------------- __ 5, 250. 00 Superintendence, etc_____-------------------__ 1,213. 97 --------------------------- Total_ __- 9, 263.97 No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 197,308 tons, valued at $5,021,557, of which 152,647 tons, talued at $4,699,067, passed over the improved sections. Coal, RIVERS AND HIARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 591 fertilizer, fertilizer material, gravel, and lumber, amounting to 76,163 tons, valued at $1,182,670, were carried in barges and schooners drawing from 6 to 9 feet; 46,649 tons of general merchandise, farm and water products, etc., valued at $3,540,903, were carried by sail, gas, and steam boats, drawing from 2 to 5 feet; 74,496 tons of tim- ber, valued at $297,984, were rafted or carried on flats drawing from 2 to 7 feet. The principal items of commerce were farm and water products, general merchandise, fertilizer, fertilizer material, lumber, and timber. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improvement. No lines were established or aban- doned during the year. The decrease in tonnage was principally in lumber and timber, barges and schooners not being available to handle the lumber. The decrease in the timber was due to the fact that a great part of the timber at water points has already been cut and mill men are now compelled to get more of their timber by rail. The increase in value was due to the increased value of com- modities. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Passen- Shortons. Value. gers. tons. Value. g 1913.322, 364 $5, 429, 622 3,832 1916.............. 278, 888 $4, 309,521 10, 000 1914............. 288, 827 3, 635, 611 4, 680 1917.............. 197, 308 4, 699, 067 9, 000 1915............. 286, 716 3,937,502 8,000 Financialsunmmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,311.15: New work --------------- $301, 680. 73 Maintenance ------------- ____ 63, 818. 30 Net total expended--------------- 365, 499. 03 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------- 374, 763. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended fornew work 1............. Expended for maintenance i............... $77, 065.10 319. 80 $19,050.83 $16, 466.24.. 24,822. 22 12,272.15 28, 129.36 $2,237. 53 1 Total expended ... ................ 77384.90 77 23,873.04 28,738.39 8,129.36 2,237.53 Appropriated or allotted. . . . ... 54,300.00 ............ 5,900.00 - 4,500.00 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2Increased by $5.50 for 1915, $2.50 for 1916, and $3 for 1917 over amounts reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------------__------------------ $1. 50 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917____ 4, 500. 00 4, 501. 50 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance___ 2, 237. 53 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended,_______________-____ __ 2 263. 97 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 _ __ 7, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_------_____ 9, 263. 97 592 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 5. FISHING CREEK, N. C. (A5). Location and description.-This stream rises in Warren County, N. C., flows for about 120 miles in a general southeasterly direction, and empties into Tar River 56 miles above Washington, N. C. The stream has a drainage area of about 857 square miles. The current is rapid, the fall being about 1 feet per mile. The discharge is not known. The average width between banks is from 40 to 120 feet. See United States Geological Survey sheet Tarboro. Original condition.-The stream was badly obstructed by masses of fallen timber, overhanging trees, and snags, and was navigable by rafts only a few miles above the mouth. Depth was about 4 feet at ordinary stages; width, 40 to 100 feet. Coffields Bridge, 21 miles from the mouth, was the head of navigation. Logging and rafting could be carried on for some distance above. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel with a minimum width of 40 feet and a minimum depth of 20 inches at low water by the removal of logs, snags, trees, etc., from the mouth to Wilmington and Weldon Railroad bridge, 40 miles above. The length of sec- tion under improvement is 40 miles. There is no lunar tide on this stream. The water surface varies from a minimum depth of 6 inches at extreme low water to 20 feet during high freshet stages. The ordinary low-water season is from April to September; freshet stages generally prevail during the period from February to April and from June to August. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1896, is $22,750. The existing project was authorized by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890 (H. Doc. No. 32, 51st Cong., 1st sess.), as amended in 1896 (Annual Report for 1893, pp. 1377-1380). The latest published map is in the last mentioned report. Operationsand results during fiscal year.-No field work was done during the year, and no expenditures were made. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The modified project for work up to the railroad bridge was completed in 1901, since which time work has been confined to maintenance below Coffields Bridge, 21 miles above the mouth. The stream is obstructed by a hickory tree, 3 feet in diameter, at a point 2 miles above the mouth, and in poor to bad condition above this point. Navigable stages of from 3 to 5 feet are generally available for four to six months during the winter season from November to May. The expenditure on the existing project has been $22,715.10 for new work and $8,632.85 for mainte- nance, a total of $31,347.95. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are no wharves on this stream. Freight is handled from convenient landing places where the bank is suffi- ciently high for the purpose. The existing facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to allow the residents along the lower section of the stream to handle their farm products, fertilizer, etc., more economically and con- veniently. The new work has had no effect on freight rates. RIVERS AND IHARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 593 Proposed operations.-None. Recom mended modifications of project.-The abandonment of this project has been recommended to Congress. (See H. Doc. No. 1277, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 1,297 tons, valued at $15,960, all of which passed over the improved sections. Cottonseed meal, cotton seed, and fertilizer to the amount of 247 tons, valued at $11,760, were carried by a steamer drawing 3 feet; the timber was rafted. The commerce con- sisted of cotton seed, cottonseed meal, fertilizer, and timber. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The increase in tonnage and value was due to the fact that the only boat navigating this waterway was out of commission the greater part of the year during the period the water was high enough to operate. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Short tons. Value. 1913...................... 2,459 $23,820 1916....712 $8,700 1914...................... 1,096 10,751 1917.... 1,297 15,960 1915...- 1915 ....................... 2, 450 2,450 34, 926 34,926 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ---------------------------------------- $22, 715. 10 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 8,632. 85 Net total expended__ ---------------------------------- 31, 347. 95 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------32, 347. 95 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work............... ... .... ...... ............. Expended for maintenance............... $2,387.20 $891.02 $889.06 $285.41.......... Appropriated or allotted ................................ . 11,597.95 ............. 1,000.00 ......... 1Reduced by $402.05 transferred to Trent River, N. C., Apr. 12, 1918. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended-------------- $1, 402.,05 Deduction on account of transfer to Trent River, N. C.------------- 402. 05 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended 000.00 1-------------------------- 6. SOUTH RIVER, N. C. (A6). Location and description.-The stream rises in Beaufort County, N. C., and flows in a general northeasterly direction for 13 miles, emptying into Pamlico River about 12 miles above its mouth. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 537.) This stream has a 81116--ENG 1918--38 594 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. drainage area of about 48 square miles. The current is sluggish, the fall being very small. The width between banks varies from 50 feet to 4,000 feet. The discharge of the stream depends on prevailing winds and is impossible to measure. Original condition.-A channel 7 feet deep at mean low water ex- tended about 61 miles above the mouth and a 6-foot channel to a point near Aurora, 8 miles above the mouth, with slightly less depth through a narrow and tortuous channel, thence to Idalia, the head of navigation, 2 miles above Aurora. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a dredged channel 7 feet deep and 100 feet wide at mean low water, with necessary widening at channel bends, from the head of the 7-foot channel to the town of Aurora; thence 7 feet deep and 50 feet wide at mean low water to Royal; thence 7 feet deep and 35 feet wide at mean low water to Idalia, with increased width on curves. The length of section under improvement is about 4 miles, the lower end being about 61 miles from the mouth. This is a nontidal stream and the variations in the water surface, due to winds, seldom exceed 1 or 2 feet above or below mean stage. From observations covering a period of 4 years, the extreme range of the wind tides is 8.3 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1912, is $22,092.20. The latest (1912) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,300. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 25, 1910, provided for the section below Aurora (H. Doc. No. 954, 60th Cong. 1st sess.) ; and the act of March 4, 1913, provided for the sections above Aurora (H. Doc. No. 1095, 62d Cong., 3d sess.). The latest published map is in the last-men- tioned document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The expenditures for the year, $159.68, all for maintenance, were for collecting commercial statistics and office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.--The project was completed in 1913. There has been some deterioration in the width of the channel, and 7.3 feet can be carried to Idalia. The expenditure on the exist- ing project has been $12,452.02 for new work and $1,450.88 for main- tenance, a total of $13,902.90. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The wharves on the portion of the river under improvement number 12, of which 4 are below Aurora, 5 at Aurora, 2 at Royal, and 1 at Idalia. They are all of timber construction with pile foundation. They have a frontage varying from 2 to 760 feet, the total frontage being about 1,100 feet. All are private and gen- erally open to all water carriers free of charge. The existing facili- ties, if kept in good repair, are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to allow deeper-draft vessels to use this stream, thus lessening the cost of handling timber, which is the chief commodity shipped over the section improved. Proposed operations.-The funds available July 1, 1918. will suffice for the necessary work of maintenance to June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously report'ed.-None. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C.) DISTRICT. 595 Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 31,141 tons, valued at $452,907, of which 6,714 tons, valued at $91,298, passed over the improved sections. Lumber, to the amount of 9,720 tons, valued at $102,060, was carried by barges and schooners drawing from 6 to 8 feet; 17,562 tons of timber, val- ued at $70,248, were rafted; 3,859 tons of general merchandise, farm products, etc., valued at $280,599, were carried by gas and sail boats drawing from 2 to 4 feet. The principal items of commerce were cotton, cotton seed, timber, potatoes, and lumber. There was no change in the character of commerce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The decrease in tonnage and increase in value was due to the falling off of ship- ments of timber, a commodity of low tonnage value, and to the in- crease in the shipments of cotton, potatoes, etc., commodities of a high tonnage value. The increase in value was also due to the in- crease in value of practically all commodities. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Paen- Calendar year. Passen- Passen- Short Value. gers. Short gers. tons. Value. Value. 1913............... 61 985 $540, 565 1,500 1916.............. 33,102 $298,286 1, 200 1914 ............... 45,070 277,125 1.800 1917 ............. 31,141 452,907 1, 400 1915................ 34,643 219,932 1,000 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ------------------------------------------ $12, 452. 02 Maintenance ----------------------------------------- 1, 450. 88 Net total expended ---------------------------------- 13, 902.90 Total appropriations to date of this report--------------------- 16, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................. $6,873.52 ... Expended for maintenance.............. ............ $77.86 $965.70 $51. 98 $159.68 Appropriated or allotted................ ........ ........ ................... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended- ---------------------- _ $2, 256. 78 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance__ 159. 68 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------------- 2, 097. 10 7. BAY RIVER, N. C. (A7). Location and description.-This stream, lying wholly in Pamlico County, N. C., rises in the peninsula between Pamlico and Neuse Rivers and flows about 20 miles in an easterly direction to Pamlico Sound. The discharge depends on prevailing winds and is impossible to measure. It has a drainage area of about 153 square miles. The 596 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. current is sluggish. The fall is very slight. The average width be- tween banks is from 100 feet to 3 miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 144.2 Originalcondition.-A 10-foot channel existed from the mouth for a distance of 11 miles. From the head of the 10-foot channel to Bay- boro, 6 miles above, the channel was obstructed by several shoals, over which from 6 to 7i feet could be carried through narrow and crooked channels at ordinary stages of water. Bayboro was the practical head of navigation for "steamers, though logging and raft- ing could be carried on for about 1 mile above. f revious projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a dredged channel 10 feet deep and 150 feet wide at mean low water from deep water up to a point 3,500 feet below Stonewall, and thence 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep at mean low waterto Bayboro. The length of the section under improvement is 6 miles, the lower end being 11 miles from the mouth. This.is a nontidal stream with little slope. Variations in the water surface, due to winds, seldom exceed 1 or 2 feet above or below mean stage. Observations covering a period of 4 years show that the ex- treme range of wind tides is 8.3 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1909, is $21,000. The latest (1909) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 583, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). A small map of Bay River is printed in House Document No. 810, Sixty-third Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The expenditures for the year, $105.54, all for maintenance, were for collecting commercial statistics and office expenses. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1914. Some deterioration in width has occurred and 9 feet can be carried to Bayboro at mean low water. Logging and rafting can be carried on for about 1 mile farther. The expenditure on the exist- ing project has been $22,729.76 for new work and $3,170.24 for main- tenance, a total of $25,900. Local cooperation.--None. Terminal facilities.-The wharves on the portion of this river under improvement number 18, of which 6 are at Vandemere, 5 at Stonewall, and 2 at Bayboro. They are all of timber construction, with pile foundations. They have a frontage varying from 2 to 128 feet, the total frontage being about 600 feet. All are private and generally open to all water carriers free of charge. The existing facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce at all places except at Bayboro, where a public wharf is needed. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to allow vessels of deeper draft to reach Bayboro, lessening the cost of freight rates by barge and schooner. Proposed operations.-The funds available July 1, 1918. will suf- fice for the necessary work of maintenance to June 30, 1920. RecommLended modification of project.-None. References to published articles not previous reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for 1917 amounted to 13,748 tons, valued at $423,451. The commerce passing over the improved sections for the calendar year 1917 anlounted to 10,920 tons, valued at RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTO'N, N, C., DISTRICT. 597 $368,070. Fertilizer material and lumber to the amount of 5,070 tons, valued at $90,110, were carried by schooners and barges draw- ing from 6 to 9 feet. General merchandise, farm and water products, etc., to the amount of 2,978 tons, valued at $310,541, were carried by gasoline and sailboats drawing from 3 to 4 feet. Timber to the amount of 5,700 tons, valued at $22,800, was rafted. The principal items of commerce were cotton, cotton seed, fertilizer, fertilizer ma- terial, general merchandise, farm and water products, lumber, and timber. There was no change in the character of the commerce as; a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The decrease in tonnage and value was; due principally to the closing down of the oyster canning factory at Vandemere for a part of the season. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. yePassen- gers. Calendar year. Short Passer geahe Short tons. Value. to tons. Value. 1913............. 16, 047 $376,983 1,200 1916... 19, 896 $430, 442 90( 1914............. 8, 089 139,122 1,150 1917 .............. 13, 748 423, 451 950 1915............... 18, 746 399,143 675 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work----------------------- ------------------------- $22, 729. 76 Maintenance-_-------- ------------------- 3, 170. 24 Net total expended--------------------------------------- 25, 900.00 Total appropriations to date of this report----------------------- 26, 900. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................ .. $1729.76... ............ Expended for maintenance........... ................ $2.50 $107091 $1, 926.69 105.54 Appropriated or allotted........................... _ .. 2,900.00 ............ 1,000.00.. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended.-------------------------------. $1, 105. 54 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance-_ 105. 54 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-------------------------------- , 000. O0 8. NEUSE RIVER, N. C. (A8). Location and description.-Neuse River rises in the northern part of North Carolina and flows in a southeasterly direction until it reaches Kinston; thence northeast to mouth of Contentnea Creek; thence southeast to a point 20 miles below Newbern; thence north- east until it flows into Pamlico Sound. Its total length is about 350 miles. This stream has a drainage area of about 5,608 square miles. At Smithfield, about 150 miles above the mouth, the minimum flow is 75 second-feet, the average about 1,000 second-feet and the maximum 598 REPORT OF CHIEF' OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 7,850 second-feet. The current is rather sluggish in the portion affected by winds, becoming more rapid above Maple Cypress, as the fall between this point and Goldsboro is 0.61 foot per mile. The width between banks at the mouth is about 5 miles, at New Bern 1* miles, at Kinston 200 feet, and at Goldsboro 150 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic'Survey chart No.538. Original condition.-There is considerable uncertainty as to the conditions existing prior to 1878, when improvement was begun. Before the Civil War, and probably for some time afterwards light- draft steamers made more or less regular trips as high up as Smith- field, the head of navigation, 150 miles above the mouth, but the low-water depth probably did not exceed 2 feet, and the stream was obstructed by snags and after the Civil War by war blockades. Length of navigable portion, 150 miles. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 300 feet wide and 8 feet deep at dead low water below New Bern, and 200 feet wide and 8 feet deep at dead low water at New Bern; 4 feet to Kinston, and, during nine months of the year 3 feet to Smithfield, to be obtained by dredging and snagging. Length of the section included in the proj- ect, about 150 miles. The stream is nontidal, variations in the water surface at and below New Bern, due to prevailing winds, seldom exceed 2 feet above or below mean stage. The extreme range of flood, or,freshet, stage for the upper section of the river is 17 feet at Selma. Tide gage readings at New Bern, covering 4 years, show the extreme range of wind tides to be 8.3 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1902, is $24,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $8,000. This project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 18, 1878, as extended in 1879, provided for the, portion of the river above New Bern (Annual Report for 1872, pp. 734-741, and Annual Report for 1879, pp. 708-710); the act of June 13, 1902, provided for the portion at and below New Bern (H. Doc. No. 317, 54th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the Annual Report for 1897, page 1394. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The river was snagged between New Bern and a point 81 miles above by the U. S. hoister Contentnea from January 23. 1918, to April 18, 1918, at a cost of $1,750.95. She removed 143 large logs, 38 stumps, 102 snags, 26 saw- logs, 65 trees, and 20 feet of old jetty from the channel, and from the banks cut and hauled back 138 trees, at a cost of $3.29 per obstruction. Other expenditures amounted to $327.72 for office expenses and col- lecting commercial statistics. The total expenditures were $2,078.67 for maintenance. Conditionat end of fiscal year.-The improvement above New Bern is completed to the practical limit of the existing project. The per- centage of completion of the project as stated is uncertain, as it is impracticable to obtain and maintain the depths stated by dredging and snagging. At dead low water 8 feet can be carried to New Bern; at mean low water, 4 feet to Maple Cypress, 25 miles above; 21 feet to the mouth of Contentnea Creek, 31 miles above New Bern; and 1 foot to Seven Springs, 75 miles above New Bern. The river above Maple Cypress is navigable only on freshet stages of 3 to 4 feet, RIVERS AND HIARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 599 which prevail for six to eight months during the winter season, from October to May. The channel is 300 feet wide below New Bern, 200 feet wide at New Bern, and 50 feet wide above. The expenditure on the existing project has been $369,399.45 for new work and $73,290.77 for maintenance, a total of $442,690.22. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 49 wharves on this stream, of which 9 are below New Bern, 28 at or near New Bern, 8 at Bridgeton, and 4 below New Bern. They are all of timber construction with pile foun- dation. They have a frontage varying from 3 feet to 828 feet, the total frontage being about 4,100 feet. Of those at New Bern, 22 are private, with a frontage of 2,330 feet; 4 are owned by railroads, with a frontage of 207 feet; 1 is owned by the city, with a frontage of 60 feet; and 1 is owned by the United States, with a frontage of 210 feet. The city wharf is open to use by all, but is inadequate for com- m.erce and is used only by small boats. Railroad wharves are open to use by all on equal terms, and vessels are usually permitted to tie up at private wharves when not in use by owners. The existing facilities are not considered adequate at New Bern. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to reduce freight rates and to open up a more economical and con- venient way to ship farm products, fertilizers, etc. Proposed operations.--The funds available will be used for the maintenance of the project and will be exhausted by November, 1919, as follows: Operation of U. S. hoister Contentnea, 3 months (January-March, 1919), at $700 -- --- --------- -- $2, 100.00 Operation U. S. pipe line dredge Croatan, 1 month (November, 1919), at $3,500 ------------- 3, 500. 00 Superintendence, etc ---------- 1, 459. 78 7,059.78 It is proposed to apply the amount estimated for the fiscal year 1920 to maintenance, snagging, and dredging as follows: Operation U. S. pipe line dredge Croatan, 2 months (April and May, 1920), at $3,500 ------------------- $7, 000. 00 Superintendence, etc ---------------------- 500.00 7, 500. 00 Recomimended modifications of project.-None. References to publishaed articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the year 1917 consisted of 296,543 tons, valued at $7,079,078. Tonnage to the amount of 222,128, valued at $6,020,012, passed over the improved sections of this river. Barges and schooners drawing from 6 to 9 feet carried 156,628 tons, valued at $2,502,189, of coal, cement, fertilizer, fertilizer material, plaster, and lumber; 54,634 tons of general merchandise, farm, and water products, etc., valued at $4,235,865, were carried by gas, sail, and steam boats drawing from 3 to 5 feet; 85,281 tons of timber, valued at $341,024, were rafted. The principal items of com- merce were cotton, cotton seed, coal, fertilizer, fertilizer material, gen- eral merchandise, potatoes, lumber, and timber. There was no change in the character of commerce as a result of the improvement. One boat line was established, but was later abandoned. No other 600 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. line was established or abandoned during the year. The decrease in tonnage and increase in value was due to the falling off in shipments of a low ton rate and to the increase in some commodities of a high ton rate. The increase in value was also due to the increased value of commodities. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Passn- Short Value. Short Value. tons. .tons. 1913................. 443, 957$7,023,987 3,170 1916. ............. 415,013 $6, 761,957 7,000 1914 ............... 333,833 4,805,197 2, 253 1917.............. 296, 543 7, 079, 078 7, 500 1915.............. 429,590 6,240,511 950 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,258.33: New work--------- ----------------------- -- $369, 399. 45 Maintenance ----------------------------- 73, 290. 77 Net total expended ----------------------------- 442, 690. 22 - Total appropriations to date of this report---- _________- ___ 449, 750. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1... ............. .. $.. 867.73 $21, 283.25 .... ..... Expended for maintenance 1............... $3, 439.44 22,509.20 215,369.82 2$i0,1692.32 $2, 078. 67 Total expended 1 .................... 3, 439.44 3,376.93 36, 653.07 10, 692.32 2, 078.67 Appropriated or allotted .............................. 45, 500.00 .......... 2,000.00 2,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended __________ __ .. $138. 45 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 ____ 2, 000. 00 2, 138. 45 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance__ 2, 078. 67 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_____________________-___-__ _ 59. 78 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918___ 7, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 _________ 7, 059. 78 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance___ _______________________ _ 7, 500. 00 9. SMITHS CREEK, N. C. (A9). Location and description.-Smiths Creek rises in Pamlico County, flows in a general southerly direction, and empties into Neuse River at the town of Oriental, 25 miles southeasterly from New Bern, N. C. It is about 5 miles long, but navigable only 2 or 3 miles above its mouth. This stream has a drainage area of about 24 square miles. 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Increased $11.60 for 1915, $75.05 for 1916, and $213.35 for 1917, over amount reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. 8 Exclusive of ava,lable funds. RIVERS AND IHARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 601 The discharge depends on prevailing winds and is impossible to measure. The current is sluggish. The fall is very slight. Average width between banks is about 100 feet. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Sirvey chart No. 538.) Originalcondition.--A 10-foot channel, not less than 100 feet wide, existed from the Neuse River to one of the wharves in Oriental, but was very crooked at the entrance to Neuse River. The interior har- bor was very narrow and obstructed by large mud flats in front of the town, and 5 or 6 feet was the maximum draft that could be car- ried to most of the wharves. The entrance was obstructed by two shoals overlapping each other. A small shallow bay just east of the mouth of the river extended back into the town. Length of navigable. portion was, and is: For steamers, 3 miles; for rafting, 4 miles. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for the excavation of a basin in the small bay located in the center of the town of Oriental and just inside the mouth of the creek to a depth of 10 feet at mean low water, and removing several lumps and projecting points in the entrance channel. Variations in the water level, due to winds, seldom exceed 2 feet above or below -mean stage. Observations of four years' dura- tion show that the extreme range of wind tides is 8.3 feet. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $16,250. The latest (1910) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 774, 6 1st Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operationsand results during fiscal year.-No work was done dur- ing the year, and no expenditures were made. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is about 92 per cent completed. At mean low water a channel 8.9 feet Ieep and 100 feet wide is available at the mouth. The average depth of the basin is about 9 feet. The expenditure on the existing project has been $14,471.80 for new work and $254.24 for maintenance, a total of $14,726.04. Surveys made in 1914 showed that 41,000 cubic yards of material would have to be excavated to complete the project. It is known that some deterioration has taken place in the last four years, so that it is now estimated that at least 50,000 cubic yards would have to be removed. In addition to this, the bulkhead built by local interests has disappeared and would have to be entirely rebuilt. Local cooperation.-The project for improvement, as adopted by Congress, provided that local interests should construct the bulkhead included in the plan (H. Doc. No. 774, 61st Cong., 2d sess.) and con- vey to the United States the right to deposit the excavated material behind it; provided, further, that local interests should construct at least one public wharf of adequate facilities, the use of which was to be open to all on equal terms. A bulkhead was constructed and the conveyance of the right to deposit excavated material behind it was accepted by the Chief of Engineers August 15, 1912. This bulkhead failed to hold the excavated material, and dredging operations had to be suspended before the project was completed. Local interests have taken no steps to strengthen the bulkhead. The town of Ori- ental executed an agreement (approved by the Secretary of War Jan. 19, 1911) to establish and maintain in perpetuity a public 602 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. wharf with adequate shipping facilities and to permit all water craft to use.the said wharf on equal terms for reasonable rates of compen- sation. A wharf has been built in accordance with this agreement. About $7;000 was expended by local interests on the above struc- tures. Terininal facilities.-There are 17 wharves in this harbor, all of timber construction with pile foundations. They have a frontage varying from 6 to 86 feet, the total frontage being about 600 feet. All are privately owned but are generally open to use by the public when not required by the owners. The town of Oriental executed an agreement (approved by the Secretary of War, Jan. 19, 1911) to establish and maintain in perpetuity a public wharf. In accordance with this agreement a bulkhead of wooden sheet piling was con- structed at the north end of the dredged area. This bulkhead is at present in a dilapidated condition and incapable of being used as a wharf. The existing facilities are not considered adequate. The bulkhead should be put in good condition and a public wharf pro- vided.' Effect of improvement.-The improvement, being incomplete, has had no effect. Proposed operations.-None. Recommended modifications of project.-The abandonment of this project has been recommended to Congress. (See H. Doc. No. 59, 64th Cong., 1st sess.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the year amounted to 11,904 tons, valued at $322,943, all of which passed over the improved sections. Fertilizer, to the amount of 753 tons, valued at $26,355, was handled by barges drawing about 8 feet; 2,812 tons of lumber, valued at $29,526, were carried by flats drawing from 4 to 6 feet; 3,642 tons of timber, valued at $14,568, was rafted; the balance of the com- merce, amounting to 4,687 tons, valued at $252,494, was carried in sail and gas boats drawing from 2 to 4 feet. The principal items of commerce were cotton, cotton seed, fish, fertilizer, general merchan- dise, lumber, oysters, potatoes, timber, and vegetables. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improve- ment. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The increase in tonnage and value was due principally to the in- creased production of potatoes and vegetables on farms situated on the river near Smiths Creek, and to the establishment of a planing mill at Oriental; the increase in value was also due to.the increase in the value of commodities. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Passen- Short alue. gers. Short Value. rs. tons. tons. 1913.......... 2,935 $116,788 ..........1916.............. 9,416 $153,678 1,200 1914.............. 3,545 185,417 590 1917............. 11,904 322,943 1,800 1915............... 5,896 145,928 950 RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 603 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work --------------------- ------------------ $14, 471. 80 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 254. 24 Net total expended----------------------------------14, 726. 04 Total appropriations to date of this report ____________---16, 250. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work.................. ..... ....................................... Expended for maintenance............... $95.75 $146.49 $12.00......... ... Appropriated or allotted................... ... .... 1,400.00.. . July 1, 1917, balance unexpended______________________________ $1, 523. 96 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ------------------------------- 1, 523. 96 10. SWIFT CREEK, N. C. (A10). Location and description.-Swift Creek has its source in the swamps of Pitt County, about 5 miles south of Greenville, N. C. It flows southeasterly 43 miles and empties into Neuse River 7 miles above New Bern, N. C. This stream has a drainage area of about 316 square miles. The current is sluggish. The fall is very small. The average width between banks is about 150 feet. The discharge depends on prevailing winds and is impossible to measure. The rise of water level due to floods sometimes causes considerable currents. The maximum flood height at Vanceboro is about 12 feet. See U. S. Geological Survey sheets New Bern, Vanceboro, Ayden, and Winter- ville. Original condition.-'The creek was in good condition for 6 miles above its mouth, having an average width of 100 feet and least low- water depth of 10 feet. In the next 6 miles to Vanceboro the least low-water depth was 5 feet and width from 50 to 150 feet, averaging about 80 feet. This section was crooked, with three bad bends, and was badly obstructed by logs, snags, etc., and overhanging trees. Vanceboro was the head of navigation for steamers; rafting could be carried about 3 miles farther. Previous projects.--None. Existing project.-This provides for clearing the channel from the mouth to Vanceboro, 12 miles, of snags and overhanging and leaning trees. The rise of water level, due to prevailing wmds and floods, reaches its maximum height at Vanceboro of about 12 feet. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1909, is $1,600. The latest (1909) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $500. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 360, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). No map of this creek has ever been published. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The U. S. hoister Contentnea thoroughly snagged the stream between the mouth and Vanceboro at a cost of $462.83. She removed from the channel 35 large logs, 8 stumps, 28 snags, 15 saw logs, 3 trees, and l cords of small snags, and from the banks cut and. hauled back 4 trees. This work was done between April 19, 1918, and May 10, 1918, at a cost of $4.89 per obstruction. Other expenditures were 604 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. $161.99 for main office expenses and collecting commercial statistics. The total expenditures amounted to $624.82 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1910 at estimated cost. A channel 5 feet deep at mean low water, with a minimum width of 50 feet, is available to Vanceboro, the head of navigation. The expenditure on the existing project has been $1,600 for new work and $2,124.82 for maintenance, a total of $3,724.82. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 8 wharves on this stream, of which 5 are at Vanceboro. They are of timber construction, 4 with pile foundations and 4 of log bulkheads. They have a frontage varying from 6 to' 86 feet, the total frontage being about 240 feet. All the wharves are private and are open to all water carriers free of charge when not in use by owners. The existing facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to open up a convenient and economical way for handling of farm prod- ucts, etc., and has had a beneficial effect on freight rates. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be applied to snagging with the U. S. hoister Contentnea. No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal ^year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commvercial statistics.-The commerce for the year 1917 amounted to 21,948 tons, valued at $336,685, all of which passed over the im- proved sections. General merchandise, farm products, fertilizer, lumber, etc., to the amount of 3,273 tons, valued at $262,155, were carried by steamers drawing from 3 to 4 feet; 18,675 tons of timber, valued at $74,700, was rafted. The principal items of commerce were cotton, cottonseed meal, fertilizer, general merchandise, lumber, and timber. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The commerce for the year is practi- cally the same as for the previous year. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Passen- Short Value gers. Short Value. gers. tons. tons. 1913............. 27, 781 $197, 030 279 1916............. 21,781 $324,309 400 1914.............. 15, 652 153, 585 350 1917.............. 21,948 336, 685 525 1915............... 15,572 111,826 350 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work-------_ ------ _ $1, 600. 00 Maintenance 124. 82 2-------------------------- Net total expended---- ---- ---------- - 3, 724. 82 Total appropriations to date of this report-- ---------------- 4, 100. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 605 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended fornew work.................._...... .......... I........... I ........ ... Expended for maintenance................ $864.86 $106.84 $185.48 $314.52 $624.82 Appropriated or allotted................... ............ 500.00 ............ 1,000.00.......... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended __---_______ ____-- ____$1, 000. 00 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance__ 624. 82 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended___________ __--________-_ 375. 18 11. CONTENTNEA CREEK, N. C. (All). Location and description.-Contentnea Creek rises in Wilson County,. N. C., flows in a general southeasterly direction and empties into Neuse River about 32 miles above New Bern, N. C. Its length is about 144 miles. This stream has a drainage area of about 1,184 square miles. The current is rapid, the fall being about two-thirds of a foot per mile. The discharge is unknown. Average width be- tween banks is 100 feet. See U. S. Geological Survey sheets Ayden, Falkland, Kinston, and Wilson. Original condition.-This stream had a depth of about 3 feet during nine months of the year from its mouth to Stantonsburg, the head .of navigation, 63 miles above the mouth, but was obstructed throughout its entire length by fallen timber, sand shoals, and over- hanging growth, and was navigable for shallow-draft craft only dur- ing the higher freshet stages of about three to six months of the year. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for clearing the stream of ob- structions so as to obtain from its mouth to Stant6nsburg a depth of not less than 3 feet during the higher stages about nine months of the year. The section under improvement is from the mouth to Stantonsburg, 63 miles. The stream is subject to freshets, rising 11 feet above low water at Snow Hill and Stantonsburg, 32 and 63 miles above the mouth, respectively. Boating stages are generally available from January to June and intermittently during the re- mainder of the year. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1887, is $77,500. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,500. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881 (H. Doc. No. 85, 46th Cong., 3d sess., and Annual Report for 1881, p. 1010). The latest published map is on page 1014 of the Annual Report for 1887. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The United States hoister Contentnea thoroughly snagged this stream between the. mouth and a point 16 miles above, from December 8, 1917, to January 10, 1918, at a cost of $797.23. She removed from the channel 47 large logs, 9 stumps, 34 snags, 16 saw logs, and 15 trees, and from the banks removed 2 cords of brush and 26 trees, at a cost of $5.35 per obstruc- tion. The hoister also snagged Little Contentnea Creek from the mouth to Ridge Spring, placing this tributary of Contentnea Creek in good condition. Between January 10 and 19, at a cost of $150, or $1.92 per obstruction, she removed from the channel 36 snags, 11 stumps, 22 logs, 1 saw log, and 8 trees. Other expenditures were 606 REPORT OF CHIEF OF- ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. $95.06, and were for main and field office expenses, and collecting commercial statistics. The total expenditures amounted to $1,042.29 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1896. Since that time work has been confined to maintenance, prin- cipally below Fools Bridge. A channel free from obstructions and 3 to 4 feet deep exists on freshet stages, which prevail from 6 to 8 months during the winter season, from October to May, from the mouth to Fools Bridge, 42 miles above. Above that point the stream is in poor condition. The expenditure on the existing project has been $64,394.56 for new work and $21,585.34 for maintenance, a total of $85,979.90. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There is one wharf on this stream. Freight is handled from convenient landing places where the bank is suffi- ciently high for the purpose. The existing facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to open up a more convenient and economical way to dispose of farm products and to receive fertilizer, saving a long haul by wagon to and from the railroads. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be used for the maintenance of the project by snagging, as follows: Operation of 'U. S. hoister Contentnea, three months, at $700_____ $2, 100. 00 Superintendence, etc______________________--____ 120. 10 2, 220. 10 No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The total commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 6,072 tons, valued at $119,796. All of the com- merce passed over the improved sections. All commerce was carried in steamers drawing from 3 to 4 feet, except timber, which was rafted. The principal items of commerce were cotton, cotton seed, cottonseed meal, fertilizer, and timber. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The decrease in tonnage and value was due to the small shipments of cotton and cotton seed, as the water was too low for boats to operate for a large part of the year. The decrease was also due to the falling off in shipments of timber. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Calendar year. Short tons. Value. Short tons. Value. 1913...................... 8,684 $196,320 1916.................... 7,447 $148,150 1914.................... 7,669 108,523 1917........ .......... .. . 6,072 119,796 1915 ................-- .. 9,607 146,975 RIVERS AND IHARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 607 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $419.15: New work------------------------------------------------$64, 394. 56 Maintenance-----------------------------------------------21, 585. 34 Net total expended----------------------- 85, 979. 90 Total appropriations to date of this report---------------------- 88, 200. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work------------------ ------------ Expended for maintenance 1... ......- $1.... 382. 44 $1, $964.93 2 $1,079. 11 $1, 010. 72 $1, 012. 29 Appropriated or allotted ......... .......... 1,000. 00 3,000.00 1,000.00 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2Increased 117.15 over amount reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended _ _______________-- _---_ $62. 39 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 1, 000. 00 1, 062.39 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 1, 042. 29 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended___ ______ _________-_ 20. 10 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918___ 2, 200. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_ __________ - 2, 220. 10 12. TRENT RIVER, N. C. (A12.) Location and description.-The stream is formed by the junction of Beaver Dam and Tuckahoe Creeks, in Jones County, N. C. It flows for 80 miles (about 40 miles in an air line) in an easterly direc- tion through Jones and Craven Counties and at New Bern empties into the Neuse River, being its principal tributary. This stream has a drainage area of about 657 square miles. The current is sluggish. The discharge of the stream depends on prevailing winds and is impossible to measure. The fall is very slight. The width between banks varies from 80 feet to 3,000 feet. Near the mouth the water level varies about 2 feet under normal conditions, according to pre- vailing winds. At Trenton the stream is subject to freshets of from 5 to 15 feet. See U. S. Geological Survey sheets, New Bern and Trent River. Original condition.-A fair 6-foot channel was available to Pol- loksville, 18 miles above the mouth, and the stream was fairly clear to Lower Quaker Bridge, 27 miles above the mouth. Above this point it was so badly obstructed that it was only navigable for small flat- boats during high freshets. Lower Quaker Bridge was the practical head of navigation, though logging and rafting could be carried on as far as Trenton, 38 miles above the mouth. Previous projects.-The first improvement of this stream was un- dertaken under authority conferred by the river and harbor act ap- proved March 3, 1879. It was modified in 1885, 1887, 1889, and 1896. 608 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMIY, 1918. *The amount expended on all the above projects was $70,905.40 for new work and $27,104.99 for maintenance, making a total of $98,- 010.39. For further details of previous projects see page 1803 of the Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 8 feet deep at dead low water at New Bern, a channel of 6 feet deep at dead low water over Foys Flats, and a channel 50 feet wide and 4 feet deep at low water to Trenton. The length of section included in the project is 38 miles. Near the mouth the water level varies about 2 feet, under normal conditions, according to prevailing winds. Observations, covering a period of four years, show that the extreme range of wind tides is 8.3 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1908, is $39,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous proj- ects. The latest (1908) approved estimate for annual cost of main- tenance is $2,000. At Trenton the stream is subject to freshets of from 5 to.15 feet: The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of June 13, 1902, provided for the work at New Bern (H. Doc. No. 121, 56th Cong., 2d sess.) ;joint resolution No. 22, approved March 4, 1907, covered the section at Fort Flats; the act of June 25, 1910 provided for the work in the upper section of the river (H. Doc. No. 1471, 60th Cong., 2d sess.). For latest' printed map see page 1318 of the Annual Report for 1895. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The United States hydraulic dredge Croatan removed from Foys Flats, between 4 and 7 miles above New Bern, from a cut 4,375 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 10 feet deep, a total of 41,095 cubic yards of material at a cost of $8,036.69, or a unit cost of 19.5 cents per cubic yard. Other expendi- tures were $441.17 for main-office expenses and collecting commercial statistics. The total expenditures amounted to $6,970.80 for main- tenance. Conditionat end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in Sep- tember, 1914. In June, 1918, a channel 9.3 feet deep at mean low water existed over Foys Flats to Polloksville, and a depth of 3.7 feet was available to Trenton. The expenditure on the existing project, exclusive of the amount expended under previous projects, has been $39,411.48 for new work and $9,802.30 for maintenance, a total of $49,213.78. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 51 wharves on the portion of this stream under improvement, of which 31 are at or opposite New Bern, 5 are at or near Polloksville, and 3 are at Trenton. They are all of tim- ber construction with pile foundation. They have a frontage varying from 21 feet to 739 feet, the total frontage being about 7,600 feet. All of the wharves are private. The railroad wharf at New Bern is open to all on equal terms; the remaining wharves are generally open to all water carriers free of charge. The existing facilities are con- sidered adequate except at New Bern. Effect of improvement.-The improvement has had a favorable effect on freight rates and affords a convenient and economical way for the handling of farm products, etc. It also affords transporta- tion facilities to the town of Trenton, which has no other outlet except by wagon. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, N. 4., DISTRICT. 609 Proposed operations.--The funds available will be used for the maintenance of the project by snagging and dredging, as follows: Operation of United States hoister Contentnea, 2 months, at $700___ $1, 400. 00 Operation of United States pipe-line dredge Croatan,one-half month, at $3,500------ ----------------------------------------- 1,750. 00 Superintendence, etc--------------------------------------------- 270. 82 3, 420. 82 No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.--None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The total commerce for the year 1917 amounted to 120,440 tons, valued at $5,414,980, all of which passed over the improved pections. Lumber, fertilizer material, coal, and lime to the extent of 22,707 tons, valued at $323,472, was carried in barges and schooners drawing from 6 to 9 feet; 42,002 tons of timber, valued at $168,008, were rafted; 47,464 tons of general merchandise, farm and water products, etc., valued at $4,871,696, were carried by gas, sail, and steam boats drawing from 5 to 7 feet, and by flats draw- ing from 3 to 5 feet; 3,692 tons of lumber, valued at $38,766, were carried by steamers drawing 4 feet and by flats drawing from 3 to 5 feet. The principal items of commerce were cotton, cotton seed, fer- tilizer, general merchandise, lumber, and timber. One boat line was established during the year, but was later abandoned. No other lines were established or abandoned during the year. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improve- ment. The decrease in tonnage and increase in value is due to the falling off of shipments of commodities of low-tonnage value, such as lumber and timber, and to the increased value of commodities. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Passen- Short Value rs. Short Value. gers. tons. tons. 1913............... 179,772 $4,345,258 263 1916.... ........ 161,446 $4,637,168 2,000 1914.............. 137, 409 2, 731,447 1,439 1917............ 120, 440 5,414, 980 125 1915............ . 183,611 3,578,289 1,608 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1,019.19: New work - ----------------- --------------------- $110, 316. 88 Maintenance---- --------- ------------------------ 36, 907. 29 Net total expended ------------------------------- 147, 224. 17 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- . 152, 152. 05 81116--ENO 1918-----39 610 REPORT OF CHIEF oF ENGINEERS, U. 8. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1 1916 1917 1918 Expended work1.............. . fernew $1,371. 96 672.87 ............ .. Expended for maintenance i............. 652.41 1,373.13 83.7 $27.63 66,90.80 1 . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. Total expended t 2, 024.37 2,046.00 830.74 627.63 6,970.80 Appropriated or allotted..... ........... .......... 8, 402.05 2,000.00 .......................... 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended..------------------- _-- _ $496. 63 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917. .. 4,000. 00 Amount transferred from Scuppernong River, Fishing Creek, and Inland Waterway, Beaufort to Jacksonville------------------- 4,402.05 8, 898. 68 June 80, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance___ 6, 970. 80 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----------- ----- 1, 927. 88 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_-- - --------.. 507. 06 -1,1-.------ July 1, 1918, balance available, only for maintenance---------------- ...... 420.82 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918... 8,000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_--_--------_ 8, 420.82 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOB GROUP A. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $4,332.56: New work ------------- ---------------------------- $960, 063. 14 Maintenance ------------------------- ------------ ---- 237, 583. 64 Net total expended--------------- -- 1, 197, 646. 78 Total appropriations to date of this report----1,--------------- 231, 688.00 Fiscal yetr ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1 . . . .. . . . . . .. . Expended for new work ..... $87,040.34 $20, 591. 43 $37,749.49 ........... .... Expended for maintenance '........... 12,309.16 s 11,252. 16 237,899.41 '628,472.66 $15, 590.43 Total expended 1................... 99,349.50 31,843.59 75, 648.90 28,472.66 15,590.43 Appropriated or allotted................. 1,000.00 115,097.95 ............ 12,900.00 19,902.05 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. =Increased by $17.10 for 1915, $194.70 for 1916, and $290.09 for 1917 over amounts reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. $ Reduced by $1,402.05 transferred to Trent River, Apr. 12, 1918. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended------------ __-_ - -___ __ $11, 931. 65 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ 15, 500. 00 Amount transferred--------------------------------------- 4, 402. 05 31, 833. 70 Deduction on account of $1,000 transferred from Scuppernong River and $402.05 from Fishing Creek to Trent River, N. C_-----_ - 1,402. 05 30,431.65 June 80, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance__ 15, 590. 43 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended.. -------------- --- - - 14, 841. 22 July 1, 1918, outstandinig liabilities_-.------------ ---- ..- 2, 619. 64 RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 611 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $10,697.62 available only for maintenance-----------------------$12, 221. 58 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918 ------------------------------ 19, 200. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919-------------1, 421. 58 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance --------------------------------- 17, 500. 00 BEAUFORT AND MOREHEAD CITY HARBORS, BEAUFORT INLET, WATERWAY FROM PAMLICO SOUND TO BEAUFORT INLET, WATER- WAY CONNECTING CORE SOUND AND BEAUFORT HARBOR, AND INLAND WATERWAY BEAUFORT TO SACKSONVILLE, N. C. (GROUP B). 13. INLAND WATERWAY FROM PAMLICO SOUND TO BEAUFORT INLET, N. C. (Bi). Location and description.-This waterway connects Adams Creek (a tributary of Neuse River) with Core Creek (a tributary of New- port River). The length of the waterway from the 10-foot mean low-water contour in Adams Creek to the 10-foot mean low-water contour in Newport River is about 18 miles. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 147. Original condition.-A low-water depth of about 5 feet could be carried from the 10-foot contour in Adams Creek to near its head; from the head of Adams Creek to the head of Core Creek, about 3 miles, was across dry land; from the head of Core Creek to its mouth the creek was practically bare at low water; and from the mouth of Core Creek to the 10-foot contour in Newport River the low-water depth averaged about 6 feet. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep at low water, Beaufort datum, from Pamlico Sound to Beaufort Inlet, via Adams and Core Creeks, said channel to have a minimum bottom width of 90 feet through dry land with side slopes of 1 to 2J, a mini- mum bottom width of 125 feet, with side slopes of 1 to 3 through nar- row parts o' the creek and river portions, and a minimum bottom width of 250 feet, with side slopes of 1 to 3 in wide parts of the creeks and sounds. A highway bridge was also to be constructed over this waterway. Length of section included in this project, from the 10- foot mean low-water contour in Adams Creek to the 10-foot mean low-water contour in Newport River, about 18 miles. This waterway is also now included in the 12-foot project for "Inland waterway from Norfolk, Va., to Beaufort Inlet, N. C." There is a lunar tide of 3.5 feet range at the Core Creek end of the waterway and a wind tide of 2.9 feet at the Adams Creek end, neither having an appreciable effect north or south, respectively, of Hookers Landing. Observa- tions made in 1907 show the extreme range of lunar tides at the Core Creek end to be 4.8 feet. The result of four years' observations has been to show 8.3 feet as the extreme range of wind tides at the Adams Creek end of this waterway. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1906, is $550,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $8,000. 1Exclusive of available funds. 612 .REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907 (I. Doc. No. 84, 59th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The drawbridge over this waterway was operated and maintained during the year, the cost being, for operation, $1,392, and for maintenance and supplies, including care of plant at Newbern yard, $327.52. Supplies for Governmnent plant were purchased at a cost of $339.80. Surveys of the right of way and field office expenses amounted to $408.52, while main office expenses and the collection of commercial statistics neces- sitated the expenditure of $313.56. The total expenditures were $2,757.90 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1911. In June, 1918, the controlling depth was 8.4 feet at mean low water. The expenditure on the existing project has been $502,078.63 for new work and $37,112.79 for maintenance, a total of $539,191.42. Local cooperation.- None. Terminal facilities.-Thereare eight wharves on this waterway, all of timber construction with pile foundations. They have a frontage varying from 6 to 170 feet, the total frontage being about 400 feet. All are privately owned and one is open to all water, carriers on equal terms; vessels are usually permitted to use the others free of charge when not required for owners' use. The existing facilities are con- sidered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to reduce freight rates. It has also caused the establishment of a regular barge line between Philadelphia, Pa., and Charleston, S. C., and a gas-boat line between Norfolk, Va., and Beaufort and More- head City, N. C., and several regular lines between Newbern and points south of the waterway. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the available funds for the year 1919 as follows: Operating Core Creek drawbridge, 24 months, at $125 _- $3, 000. 00 Maintenance of drawbridge, 24 months, at $83.33_--------- _ 2, 000. 00 Operating United States dredge Croatan, December, 1918, and Janu- ary, 1919, 2 months, at $3,500_--------------------- --------- 7, 000. 00 Superintendence, etc------------------ --------- ,1, 180. 08 Total. ----------- ------- ---------- 13, 180. 08 It is.proposed to apply the amount estimated for the fiscal year 1920 to maintenance of the project by dredging, as follows: Operation United States pipe-line dredge Croatan, 2 months (May and June, 1920), at $3,500 per month------------------------------ $7,000 Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 79,561 tons, valued at $2,394,613, all of which passed over the improved sections. Coal, cement, fertilizer material, lumber, plaster, and railroad iron, amounting to 52,561 tons, valued at $692,070, was carried in barges drawing from 8 to 9 feet; 25,167 tons of general merchandise, farm and water products, etc., valued at $1,695,211, were carried by gas and sail boats drawing from 2 to 5 feet; 1,833 tons of timber, valued at $7,332, were carried on scows RIVERS AND HARBORS---WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 613 drawing from 3 to 6 feet." The principal items of commerce were coal, cement, fertilizer material, general merchandise, lumber, and oysters. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improvement. The barge line between Philadelphia, Pa., and points south of Beaufort Inlet, which passed over this waterway, was discontinued during the year. The decrease in ton- nage and value was due to the barge line being discontinued. Dur- ing the calendar year 1917, incident to the construction by the United States of the breakwater at Cape Lookout, a total of 218,179.95 tons of stone, valuid at $431,996, moved over this waterway, which is not included in the above statement. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Passen- Short geShort .Value. Value. tons. tons. 1913... ............ 57, 457 $1, 285, 394 2, 500 1916............ 140, 408 2, 598, 441 3,000 1914.............. 41,617 1,055, 078 1,407 1917 ............. 79,561 . 2,394,613 2,000 1915 ............. 140,093 2,162,199 1,600 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $3: New work-----------------------------------------$502, 078. 63 Maintenance ------------------------------ ------ 37, 112. 79 Net total expended--------------------- ------------- 539, 191. 42 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 552, 500. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work........................................ Expended for maintenance 1.............. $7, 410.70 $2, 117.92 8, 182. 50 $9. 255.65 $2, 757.90 Appropriated or allotted.................. 600.00 12,400.00 ........... 7,500.00 15,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_------------ ---------------- $1, 066. 48 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__- 15, 000. 00 16, 066. 48 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance_ 2, 757. 90 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------------------------- 13, 308. 58 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities-- ----------------- ---------- 128. 50 July 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance 1--------------3, 180. 08 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance------------------------------ 8 7, 000.00 I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. s Increased $1.50 over amount reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. * Exclusive of available funds. 614 'REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 14. HARBOR AT BEAUFORIT, N. C. (B2). Location and description.-This harbor is located just inside Beau- fort Inlet. * Cape Fear is about 93 miles to the southeast. Cape Lookout is 8 miles east, and Norfolk, Va., is about 225 miles by ocean route to the north. The harbor is formed behind barrier beach op- posite Beaufort Inlet. The general dimensions are 1 miles by 1 miles. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 420. - Original condition.-The erosion at Fort Macon and Shackleford Points caused serious deterioration of the inside channels and threat- ening deterioration of the bar channel. The governing low-water depth is said to have been 15 feet on the bar and 2 feet at Beau- fort, N. C. Previous projects.-The first improvement of the harbor was under- taken under authority of act of Congress of July 4, 1836, and $5,000 was expended, all for new work. For further details of previous projects see page 1803 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for the stopping of erosion at the inlet by jetties and sand fences at Fort Macon and Shackleford Points and other shore protection; for a channel 100 feet wide and 7 feet deep at mean low water from deep water inside the inlet to Beaufort, and for a channel 60 feet wide and 10 feet deep at mean low water from Beaufort to the Pamlico Sound-Beaufort Inlet Waterway by way of Gallants Channel, and the excavation of a turning basin in front of Beaufort. The distance from the inlet to the upper end of Gallants Channel is about 5 miles. The average rise of tide is 2 feet at Beaufort and 3 feet at the inlet. As shown by observations made in 1907, the extreme range of tides is 4.8 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1909, exclusive of amount expended under previous projects, is $190,676. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $6,000. The existing project was authorized by the following river and harbor acts: The act of March 3, 1881, provided for the erection of jetties and the securing of a 9-foot channel (Annual Report for 1881; p. 1013), as amended in 1890 (Annual Report for 1890, p. 1134), to provide for a 7-foot channel to Beaufort; the river, and harbor act of 1 arch 2, 1907, authorized repairs to existing jetties at Fort Macon Point and additional jetties and shore protection; the act of Jne 25, 1910, provided for the 10-foot channel to the inland waterway and the turning basin at Beaufort (H. Doc. No. 511, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). For latest map of Beaufort see House Document No. 1108, Sixty-third Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The U. S. hydraulic dredge Croatan removed from the Bulkhead Channel, from a cut 250 feet long 100 feet wide and 11 feet deep at mean low water, a total of 4,160 cubic yards of material, at a cost of $1,636.42, or a unit cost of 39.3 cents per cubic yard. Other expenditures were $556.53 for main office expenses, payment on dredge tender Manteo, and collecting commercial statistics. The expenditures amounted to $1,963.30 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project has been completed. The jetties and sand fences at Fort Macon and Shackleford Points have stopped erosion at the places. The limiting depth in the Bulk- head Channel is 5.5 feet; in Gallants Channel, 8.2 feet; and in the RIVERS AND HARBO RS-WILMINGTON, N. 0., DISTRICT. 615 channel in front of Beaufort, 9.5 feet, all at mean low water. The expenditure on the existing project, exclusive of the amount ex- pended under previous projects, has been $175,717.76 for new work and $76,225.63 for maintenance, a total of $251,943.39. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 46 wharves contiguous to this har- bor, all of timber construction, with pile foundation. They have a frontage varying from 3 to 200 feet, the total frontage being about 1,200 feet. One at Beaufort is a city wharf, consisting of a slip at the foot of a street, 48 feet wide. One at Pivers Island and one at Fort Macon are owned by the United States. The remaining wharves are privately owned. The city wharf is open to use by all without charge; the Government wharves are not generally open to public use; the private wharves are generally open to use by all water car- riers when not in use by the owners. The existing facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to allow boats of deeper draft to reach the wharves at Beaufort, which made possible a regular line of boats between Norfolk, Va., and Beaufort, N. C., and caused a reduction of freight rates. Proposed operations.-The funds available will be exhausted September 30, 1919, as follows: Operating U. S. dredge Croatan-- July, 1918, two-fifths of a month, at $3,500------------------ $1,400. 00 February, 1919, two-fifths of a month, at $3,500__-----_____--1, 400. 00 September, 1919, 1 month--------------------------------3, 500. 00 Superintendence, etc ------------------------------------ 1, 123. 76 Total ----------------------- -- ------------- 7, 423. 76 It is proposed to apply the amount estimated for the fiscal year 1920 as follows: Operating U. S. dredge Croatan during October, 1919, 1 month-..... $3, 500. 00 Recommended modiflcations" of project.-Improvement has been recommended with a view to providing a suitable turning basin and anchorage area in front of the town of Beaufort to the extent of excavating to a depth of 10 feet at mean low water the triangular area shown in solid lines on map accompanying House Document 1108, Sixty-third Congress, second session, at an estimated cost of $15,900 for first construction and $1,100 annually for maintenance. Reference to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the calendar year 1917 consisted of 147,771 tons, valued at $3,878,258, of which 107,505 tons, valued at $2,976,444, passed over the improved sections. Coal, cement, fertilizer material, and lumber, amounting to 52,291 tons, valued at $679,920, were carried in barges drawing from 8 to 9 feet; general merchandise, farm and water products, oils, etc., to the amount of 95,480 tons, valued at $3,198,338, were carried in gas and sail boats drawing from 2 to 6 feet. The principal items of commerce were coal, cement, fertilizer mate- rial, farm and water products, and lumber. There was no change in the character of commerce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established during the year. The barge line plying between Philadelphia, Pa., and points south of Beaufort Inlet, which 616 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. passed over the waterway, was discontinued during the year. The decrease in tonnage was due principally to the barge line being dis- continued. This line handled lumber and other commodities of a low tonnage value. The increase in value was due to an unusually large catch of fish, large crops, and to the increased value of com- modities. During the calendar year 1917, incident to the construction of the breakwater at Cape Lookout, a total of 218,179 tons of stone, valued at $431,996, passed over this waterway, which commerce is not in- cluded in the above statement. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Passn- tons. Values.gShort tons. Value. 1913......... ... 85 423 $2, 400,015 .......... 1916.............. 193,871 $3,501,353 12,000 1914 .............. 68,241 1,921,877 8, 500 1917 ............ 147,771 3,878258 10,000 1915............... 169,712 2, 948,604 ' 9,000 Financialsztmmvary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting.to $727.50: New work --------------------------------------- $180, 717. 76 Maintenance 6, 225. 63 7--------------------------- Net total expended ________-------__ --- 256, 943. 39 Total appropriations to date of this report-.... .____--- -___-- 265, 476. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1................ ........... $1,017.12 ...................... Expended for maintenance 1.............. 810, 464. 28 1,447.38 $11,961.12 2$5,896.09 $1,963. 30 Total expended 1.. .................. 10,464.28 2, 464.50 11,961.12 5,896.09 1,963.30 Appropriated or allotted................ ......... 22,000.00 ...................... 3,800.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended____- __ ___________--------------- $2, 695. 91 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 3, 800. 00 6, 495. 91 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance _ 1, 963. 30 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended__-__ ____________--______- 4, 532. 61 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_ _____________________ $229. 65 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts... 879. 20 1,108. 85 July' 1, 1918, balance available only for maintenance ---------- 3, 423. 76 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 4, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919-------------7, 423. 76 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance- ------------------ - ---- 3, 500. 00 SNot deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Increased by 50 cents over amount reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. ' Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 617 15. WATERWAY CONNECTING CORE SOUND AND BEAUFORT HARBOR, N. C. (B3). Location and description.-This is a tidal waterway 21 miles long which connects the waters of Beaufort Harbor in front of the town of Beaufort with the waters of Core Sound by an improved channel by way of Taylors Creek. New Bern, N. C., is 43 miles northwest of Beaufort; Southport, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, is 120 miles to the southwest, and Norfolk is 200 miles north. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 420. Original condition.-The depth along the route of this waterw'ay was originally not over 1 foot at mean low water, a considerable por- tion being bare at that stage. Small boats made use of it at high tide. Previous projects.--None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel with an available depth at mean low water, Beaufort datum, of 5 feet and a bottom width of 40 feet. The length of the section under improvement be- tween 5-foot contours is 21 miles. The average rise and fall of tide at Beaufort is about 2.5 feet. The extreme range of tide at the Beaufort end is 4.8 feet, while at the Core Sound end it is probably 4 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $30,000. The latest (1911) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913 (H. Doc. No. 546, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The United States hydraulic dredge Croatan, working from November 12 to November 17, 1917, removed, from a channel 700 feet long, 80 feet wide, and 7 feet deep at mean low water, a total of 4,561 cubic yards of mate- rial. This was done at a cost of $659.71, or a unit cost of 14.5 cents per cubic yard. Other expenditures were $775 for outstanding lia- bilities on June 30, 1917. The total expenditures amounted to $1,434.71 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in April, 1915, for the estimated cost, and all work since that date has been for maintenance. A channel 40 feet wide and 4.7 feet deep was available in June, 1918. The expenditure on the existing project has been $20,000 for new work and $5,553.76 for maintenance; a total of $25,553.76, from United States funds. In addition thereto $10,000 was expended from funds contributed by local interests. Local cooperation.-This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913, subject to the conditions set forth in House Document No. 546, Sixty-second Congress, second session, which provided that the work should not be undertaken until local interests contributed $10,000 therefor. This condition was complied with June 29, 1914. Terminal facilities.-There are four wharves along this waterway,. all of timber construction with pile foundations. They have a front- age varying from 16 to 60 feet, the total frontage being about 200 feet. All are privately owned, but are generally open to use by the public when not required by the owners. The existing facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. 618 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS U. S. ARMY, 1918. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to provide a shorter and less exposed route for the commerce between Core Sound and Beaufort and points west. Proposed operctions.-The funds available will be expended in dredging with Government plant to restore the channel to project dimensions. No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended motification of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for 1917 amounted to 26,463 tons, valued at $1,364,808, all of which passed over the improved sections. Fertilizer fish to the amount of 9,400 tons, valued at $37,600, was carried by gasoline boats drawing from 4 to 6 feet. The remainder of the commerce was carried by gas and sail boats drawing. from 1 to 4 feet. The principal items of commerce were cotton, fish, fish oil, fertilizer, general merchandise, oysters, and potatoes. No change in character of the commerce resulted from the improve- ment. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The increase in tohnage and value was due to the increased catch of fish and to a more general use of this waterway by fish dealers at Morehead City; the increase in value was also due to the increased value of commodities. Comparative statement. Commerce Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Passen- Short Vle gers. Short Value. gers. tons. Vtons. 19131............. .. ................ 1916............. 18,401 $683,052 4,000 19141 ............ ................... .. 1917.............. 26,463 1,364,808 6,000 1915............ 13, 452 8382,. 936 2, 000 1 The calendar year 1915 is the first year that any statistics were collected for this waterway. Previous to 1915 the only commerce passing over the sections now improved was fertilizer fish and its products, which passed over the extreme eastern portion from one factory situated on the waterway. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work ----------------------------------------- $20, 00.00 Maintenance ---------------------------------- -------- 5, 553. 76 Net total expended ------------ ---------------------- 25, 553. 76 Total appropriations to date of this report ------------------- 27,600. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new worke........................I $20,000.00 ........... .Expended for maintenance...................... ,2000. 00 767. 45 1, 351.60 $1,434.71 Total expended.................................. 22,000.00 767.45 1,351.60 1, 434.71 Appropriated or allotted.......................... 2,000.00 900.00 2, 000.00 700.00 In addition to this amount, $10,000 was expended from funds contributed by local interests. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 619 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----- -------- ----------- $780. 95, Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917____ 700..00 1, 480. 95 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance __ 1, 434. 71 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_-------------------------------- 46. 24 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918___ 2, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919-------------2, 046. 24 16. INLAND WATERWAY,' BEAUFORT TO JACKSONVILLE, N. C. (B4). Location and description.-This waterway comprises what was formerly known as " New River, N. C., including inland waterways between Beaufort Harbor and New River, and between New River and Swansboro." The easternmost portion of this waterway, that portion formerly known as "Waterway between Beaufort Harbor and New River, N. C. (i. e., portion between Beaufort and Swans- boro)," extends in a westerly direction from Beaufort to Swansboro, through the waters of Bogue Sound, a shallow sheet of water some 25 miles long and from 1 to 3 miles wide. Beaufort is 43 miles east of Newbern, N. C., and 225 miles south of Norfolk, Va. This section is tidal. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 147 and 148. The portion between Swansboro and New River is about 22 miles long and extends in a generally southwesterly direction by tidal channels through the marshes. The third section is New River, which body of water lies wholly within Onslow County. It flows in a general southerly direction for 52 miles and empties into the Atlantic Ocean through New River Inlet about midway between Cape Lookout and Cape Fear. This stream is partly tidal, the tide having a reach of 31 miles above the mouth, there being practically no fall in this length. It has a drain- age area of about 492 square miles. Its current is sluggish. The dis- charge is not known. The width from Jacksonville to the mouth varies from 100 to 10,000 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart, No. 442. Original co'ndition.-The improvement of this waterway began in 1886. At that time the portion between Beaufort and Swansboro had a governing low-water depth of 18 inches; the portion between Swansboro and New River had tortuous tidal channels winding through the marine marsh between the mainland on one side and the barrier beach on the other, the governing low-water depth being 6 inches; the governing low-water depth for New River was 4 feet to JackSonville and the channel was narrow and circuitous, especially around Wrights Island and Cedar Bush marsh. Tar Landing; 8 miles above Jacksonville was the practical head of navigation, though rafting and logging could be carried on for some distance above this point. Previous projects.--The river and harbor acts of July 4, 1836, March 3, 1837, and July 3, 1838, appropriated $50,000 in all for the improvement of New River, and additional improvement was sub- sequently authorized by the river and harbor acts of August 2, 1882, March 8, 1905, and June 25, 1910. The river and harbor act of Sep- tember 19, 1890, authorized the improvement of the portion between 620 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARIMY, 1918. New River and Swansboro, and the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, authorized the improvement of the portion between Swansboro and Beaufort Harbor. The amount expended prior to the adoption of the existing project in 1917 was $198,706.92 for new work and $52,728.48 for maintenance, a total of $251,435.40. For further de- tails of previous projects see page 1803 of Annual Report for 1915; an4 page 585 (for New River), page 587 (for waterway between New River and Swansboro), and page 589 (for waterway between Beaufort Harbor and New River, that is, portion between Beaufort and Swansboro), Annual Report for 1917, which have since been consoli- dated and rendered previous projects for inland waterway, Beaufort to Jacksonville, N. C. Existing project.- This provides for a channel 100 feet wide and 3 feet deep at mean low water between Beaufort and Swansboro; thence 40 feet wide and 3 to 4 feet deep at mean high water to Craig Point, thence 40 feet wide and 3 feet deep at mean low water, via Salliers Bay, Howards Bay, and New River to Jacksonville, a total length of about 70 miles. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1916, is $5,202, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1916) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $4,600. The tidal range varies from 3 feet at the inlets to 1 foot at points between. The tidal range for New River varies from 3J feet at New River Inlet to 1 foot at the head of the marshes and nothing at Tar Landing, 31 miles above. At the Beaufort end of this water- way the extreme range of tide is 4.8 feet. At the various inlets between Beaufort Inlet and New River Inlet the extreme range of tides is probably from 3 to 4 feet. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917 (H. Doc. No. 1775, 64th Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The U. S. dredge Croatan removed 37,062 cubic yards of material from Gales Creek Shoal, about 7T to 8 miles west of Morehead City, at a cost of $8,449.34. This work resulted in a .channel 2,250 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 6 feet deep. The unit cost was 22.8 cents per cubic yard. This dredge also did some work for various parties, removing 52,499 cubic yards of material, at a cost of $5,549.88, all of which has been reimbursed to this appropriation. This appropriation has also been reimbursed $1,529.75 for work done in June, 1917, for private parties, $774.30 of which was outstanding July 1, 1918, and paid /during this fiscal year. A refundment of 50 cents on account of over- payment was also received. Receipts from rental of this dredge and plant during this fiscal year amounted to $3,588.88. Other expenditures were $9,323.15 for construction of the motor dredge tender Manteo and $866.58 for main office expenses and col- lecting commercial statistics. The total expenditures amounted to $18,692.16 'for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is 96 per cent com- pleted. To complete the project it will be necessary to remove 57.800 cubic yards of material from the cut via Howards and Sal- liers Bay. The project depth of 3 feet at mean low water is avail- RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 621 able between Beaufort Harbor and Swansboro, though there has been some deterioration in the width at several places. Between Swansboro and New River there has been some deterioration in the channel near Browns Inlet. No work has been done on the cut via Howards and Salliers Bay, but a tortuous channel having a depth of about 3 feet at mean low water is available via New River Inlet and the Western Channel to Jacksonville. The expenditure on the existing project, exclusive of the amount expended under previous projects, has been $4,605.66 for maintenance. Local cooperation.-The local interests at Jacksonville, N. C., ex- pended about $300 in 1910 in dredging a cut-off immediately below the town. Terminal facilities.There are 87 wharves along this waterway, of which 12 are at or near Jacksonville and 23 are at or near Swans- boro. They are all of timber construction with pile foundations. They have a frontage varying from 1 to 132 feet, the total frontage being about 2,000 feet. One at Jacksonville and one at Swansboro is owned by the respective towns, 2 at Camp Glenn by the State, and 1 at Bogue Inlet by the United States. The town wharves are open to use by all without charge, and the remaining wharves are gener- ally open to public use when not required by the owners. The exist- ing facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to allow the regular passage of deeper-draft boats, thereby causing a reduction in freight rates to a large territory without railroad facilities. Proposed operations.-The funds available June 30, 1918, will be expended as follows: Operation of U. S. dredge Croatan, 2 months, at $3,500------------$7, 000. 00 Superintendence, etc ------------------------------------ 927. 53 Total _ 927. 53 7--------------------------- No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-'None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 90,271 tons, valued at $1,226,748, all of which passed over the improved sections. Lumber to the amount of 12,130 tons,. valued at $127,365, was carried on flats drawing from 3 to 6 feet; timber and crossties to the amount of 52,612 tons, valued at $238,950, were rafted; 25,529 tons of general merchandise, farm products, and water products were carried by gas and sail boats drawing from 2 to 6 feet. The principal items were farm and water products, lumber, crossties, and timber. There was no change in the character of com- merce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the, year, The tonnage is practically the same as for the previous year; there was an increase in the amount of tim- ber transported, but a decrease in the amount of lumber. The in- crease in value was due to the increased values of commodities. 622 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. PasserC- Fassen- Calendar year. gers. Calendar year.Passen- Short Value. Value. ger tons. tons. 1913.............. 86, 876 $1, 071,390 4, 800 1916.............. 90, 751 $1, 113, 263 16, 550 1914............... 72, 064 696,244 6,004 1917............. 90, 271 1,226, 748 16, 000 1915............... 71, 733 781,276 7, 550 Financial uwmnmary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $4,814.93: New work-------------.......--- ---------------- $198, 706. 92 Maintenance ---.-------------------------------------- 57, 334. 14 Net total expended----------------------------------256, 041.06 Total appropriations to date of this report -- -- -- _______-- -265, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1............ .. . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,311.99 $6, 734. 49 $8, 48,. 16 $80.25............ Expended for maintenance 1 3,918.69 7,380. 60 s 9,391.44 12,173.42 $18, 692.76 Total expended 1................ 6,230.68 14,115.09 17,874.60 12,253.67 18,692.76 6 00 Appropriated or allotted................................. 50,300.00 ............ , 0.00 ........... July 1, 1917, balance unexpended.- ------------------ $22, 562. 82 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918- -------------- 3, 588. 88 26, 151. 70 Deduction on account of transfer to Trent River, N. C ------------ 3, 000.00 23,151. 70 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 118, 692. 76 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ----------------------- ---- 4, 458. 94 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_------------------ $75.24 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts---.. 956. 17 1, 031. 41 July 1, 1918, balance available ----------- _----_----- .----- 3, 427. 53 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 4, 500. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919--- ... ... 7, 927. 53 17. HARBOR AT MOREHEAD CITY, N. C. (B5). Location and description.--This harbor is situated on the northern shore of Bogue Sound. Newbern, N. C., the nearest city of impor- tance, is about 43 miles by inland waterway to the northwest. Nor- folk, Va., to the north, is about 225 miles by ocean route and 200 miles by inland waterways. The harbor is formed behind an island of marsh. Its general dimensions are about 1,000 feet by 4,000 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 420. 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. s Increased $1 over amount reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. * Reduced $3,000 from amount reported last year due to transfer to Trent River. RIVERS AND OBWBOS--WILMINGTON, . C., DISTRICT. 623 Original condition.-There was a shallow channel, nearly dry at low water, on which the wharves of the city were built, which con- nected with deep water in Bogue Sound. Boats drawing over 1 foot or 1J feet could not navigate the channel at low tide. Previos projects.--None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 10 feet deep at mean low water, Beaufort datum, beginning at a point 2,000 feet westward of Beaufort Harbor and extending up to the wharves at Morehead City, for a distance of 3,800 feet, the lower 2,800 feet hav- ing a width of 100 feet and the upper 1,000 feet a width of 200 feet. The average rise of tide is about 2.5 feet. One year's observations show that the extreme range of tides is 4.8 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1910, is $19,000. The latest (1910) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. This project was'authorized by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 649, 61st Cong., 2d sess.). For latest map see House Document No. 1022, Sixty-third Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The expenditures for the year, all for maintenance, totaled $1,161.55, and were for harbor line survey, office expenses, and construction of motor dredge tender Manteo. Condition at end of fiscal year.--The project was completed in 1913. A mean low water channel 10 feet deep and 100 feet wide ex- isted in June,-1918, from deep water 2,800 feet toward the town, thence a channel of the same depth and 200 feet width up to the wharves of the city, 1,000 feet. The expenditure on the existing project has been $20,291.58 for new work and $8,108.42 for mainte- nance, a total of $28,400. .Local cooperation.-The project for improvement, as adopted by Congress, provided that local interests should construct a bulkhead 500 feet in length in front of Morehead City, and cause to be con- veyed to the United States the right to deposit between said bulk- head and the shore the material excavated from the channel; and provided further that local interests or the town of Morehead City should provide at least one wharf of adequate facilities, the use of which to be open to all on equal terms. These conditions have been complied 'with. Approximately one-half mile of concrete sheet-pile bulkhead was built at a cost of about $30,000, and the conveyance of the right to deposit excavated material therein was accepted by the Chief of Engineers on June 19, 1912. The town of Morehead City executed an agreement (approved by the Secretary of War Jan. 19, 1911) to establish and maintain in perpetuity a public wharf with adequate shipping facilities and to permit all water craft to use the said wharf on equal terms for reasonable rates of compensation. In accordance with this agreement a wharf, costing approximately $1,200, was built and is being maintained. About $5,000 has been expended by local interests in dredging to extend the improved channel. Terminal facilities.-There are 27 wharves contiguous to this har- bor, all of timber construction with pile foundation. They' have a frontage varying from 5 to 65 feet, the total frontage being about 500 feet. One is a city wharf, a pile structure at the foot of a street with a frontage of 50 feet. It is open to use by ill without charge. The remaining wharves are all privately owned but are generally open 624 REPORT OF C1IEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. to use by all water carriers without charge when not in use by the owners. The existing facilities are considered adequate for the present commerce. Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to allow boats of deeper draft to reach the wharves at Morehead City, which made possible a regular line of boats between Morehead City, N. C., and Norfolk, Va., and caused a reduction of freight rates. Proposed operations.-The funds available July 1, 1918, will suffice for superintendence and the necessary work of maintenance until June 30, 1920, as follows: Operation United States dredge Croatan, January, 1920, 1 month------ $3, 500 Superintendence, etc., 2 years, at $500---------------------------- 1, 000 Total ------------------------------------------------ $4, 500 No estimate for additional funds is submitted, as available funds will be sufficient for the necessary work of maintenance to June 30, 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articlesnot previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for 1917 amounted to 27,680 tons, valued at $1,110,237, all of which passed over the improved sections in gas and sail boats drawing from 2 to 5 feet, with the ex- ception of crossties, which were rafted. The principal items were farm and water products, oils, ice, and crossties. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improve- ment. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The increase in tonnage and value was due principally to operation of an oyster cannery at Morehead City during the whole season. This cannery only operated a part of the season during the previous year. The increase in value was also due to the increased value of commodities. During the calendar year 1917, incident to the construction by the United States of the breakwater at Cape Lookout, a total of 218,179 tons of stone, valued at $431,996, moved over this waterway, which commerce is not included in these sta- tistics. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Passen- Passen- Calendar year. n- Calendar year. gers. Short value. . Short V gersalue. tons. tons. Value. tons. tons. Value. 1913............. 14, 824 $951,812 6, 000 1916.............. 20, 434 $933,688 12, 000 1914 .............. . 17, 828 869, 005 8, 000 1917............. 27, 680 1,110, 237 10, 000 '1915 ............. 12,363 678,606 10, 000 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $1: New work __,------------------------------------------ $20, 291. 58 Maintenance ------------------------------------------- 8, 108. 42 Net total expended .... ------------ - 28, 400. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report ---------------- 32, 900. 00 RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 625 Fiscal year ending Jlme 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.... . $1,131.15 ........................ ........ Expended for maintenance 1.............. 2 $92.61 $5, 256. 17 $1, 599.09 $1,161.55 Appropriated or allotted ................. .......... 800.00 3,3,800.00 .. 2,600.00 2,000.00 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2Increased $1 over amount reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ __-----_- __----------__- $1, 161. 55 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 2, 000. 00 3, 161. 55 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance__ 1, 161. 55 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended _______,____ _____________ 2, 000. 00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918___ 2, 500. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919_------- 4, 500. 00 18. BEAUFORT INLET, N. C. (B6). Location and description.-BeaufortInlet connects Beaufort Har- bor with the Atlantic Ocean and is about 3 miles from the town of Beaufort. It is about 1 miles wide. Cape Fear is about 93 miles to the southwest; Norfolk, Va., is about 225 miles by ocean route to the north. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 420. Original condition.-There was a minimum depth on the bar of about 12 feet at mean low water. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a channel 300 feet wide and 20 feet deep at mean low water, Beaufort datum, across the bar, to be obtained by dredging. The length of this channel is 11,500 feet. The average rise of the tide is 2.5 feet at Beaufort and 3.5 feet at the inlet. From automatic tide gage readings of over three years, the extreme range of tides is 7.9 feet. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1903, is $45,000. The latest (1903) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $15,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 3, 1905 (H. Doc. No. 563, 58th Cong., 2d sess.). For the latest map see House Document No. 1454, Sixtieth Congress, second session. Operations and results during fiscal year.-None. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1910. The work since then has been for maintenance. Some shoaling in the dredged channel has occurred, and at the close of the year a depth of 15 feet was available, with widths of 200 to 300 feet. The expendi- ture on the existing project has been $44,484.24 for new work and $78,015.76 for maintenance, a total of $122,500. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are no wharves on this improvement, and none are needed. Effect of improvement.---As the result of this improvement a regu- lar barge line between Philadelphia, Pa., and Charleston, S. C., has been established. This should have decreased freight rates, but other considerations operated to increase them. 81116---ENo 1918-- 40 626 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Proposed operations.-The funds available July 1, 1918, will be exhausted by June 30, 1919, as follows: Operation United States dredge Cape Fear three months, April, May, and June, 1919, at $4,300---------- ----------------------- $12, 900 Superintendence, etc------------- ------------------ 1, 100 Total--- ------------------- 14, 000 It is proposed to apply the amount estimated for the fiscal year 1920 to maintenance dredging on the bar, as follows: Operation United States dredge Cape Fear three months, April, May, and June, 1920, at $4,300-------- ----------------------- $12, 900 Superintendence, ,etc.--- -- --------------------------------- 1,100 -- Total----------------------------------------- ------- 14,000 Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.--None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for 1917 amounted to 86,516 tons, valued at $845,651,.all of which passed over the improved sec- tion. Coal, cement, fertilizer material, lumber, and plaster, to the amount of 41,766 tons, valued at $575,901, were carried by barges drawing from 8 to 9 feet; 44,750 tons of fish, valued at $269,750, were carried by gasoline boats drawing from 3 to 6 feet. The items of principal tonnage were coal, fish, and lumber. There was no change in the character of commerce as a result of the improvement. The barge line between Philadelphia, Pa., and points south of Beau- fort Inlet was discontinued during the year. The decrease in tonnage and value was on account of the barge line between Philadelphia, Pa., and points south of Beaufort Inlet being discontinued. During the calendar year 1917, incident to the construction by the United States of the breakwater at Cape Lookout, a total of 218,179 tons of stone, valued at $431,996, moved through this inlet, which commerce is not included in the above statement. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. ng s.Calendar year. Pas- Short sengers. Short sengers. tost tons. Value. on. tons. Value. 1913........... ... 27,275 $466,716 ....... 1916.............. 173,117 $1,274,231 ........ 1014.............. 23,754 292,074 .'. 1917............. 86,516 845,651........ 1915............... 119,585 1,112,937.. Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918: New work_ --------------------------------------- $44, 484, 24 . .. Maintenance------------------ ------------------------ 78, 015. 76 Net total expended---------------------------------- 122, 500. 00 Total appropriations to date of this report-------------------- 136,500. 00 RIVERS AND HIARBORS--WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 627 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for maintenance ............. $1,358.61 $11,670.93 x$16,820.30 $10,176.26 ......... Appropriated or allotted....... ......................... .... 20,000.00 10,000 .00 $14, 000.00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917-... $14, 000 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended ------------------------------ 14, 000 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance_-------------________- - ' 14, 000. 00. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP B. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $5,546.43: New work----------------- -- ------------------- $966, 279. 13 Maintenance-------__-------____________ 262, 350. 50 Net total expended ---- --- 1, 228, 629. 63 Total appropriations to date of this report____-- ________ 1, 266, 976.00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1............ $3,443.14 $27,751.61 $8, 483.16 $80.25 ......... Expended for maintenance 1............ 23,152.28 2 24,709.44 2 52, 378.98 2 40, 452.11 $20, 010. 22 1 Total expended ................... 26, 595.42 52, 461.05 60,862.14 40, 532. 36 2',010. 22 Appropriated or allotted.. ............... 600.00 3 90,500.00 20,900.00 28, 100.00 35,500.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended --------------------------- $28, 267. 71 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917_ -------------------------------------------------- 35, 500. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918___-- -- ___ 3, 588. 88 67, 356. 59 Deduiction on account of transfer of funds to Trent River, N. C___ 3, 000. 00 _ 64, 356. 59 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for maintenance 26, 010. 22 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended_-----------_-__-____ __-_ - 38, 346. 37 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities____ ____ - -_____$433. 39 July 1, 1918, amount covered by uncompleted contracts___ 1,835.37 2, 268. 76 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $32,650.08 available only for maintenance -----------------------------. -36, 077. 61 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918-- ------- ----- --------- 13------ 18, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919----------- 49, 077. 61 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for maintenance-------------- ----------------- 24, 500. 00 12 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. Increased by $2.50 for 1915, $1for 1916, and 50 cents for 1917 over amounts reported last on account of receipts from sales ha ins 1 ccn dcdiclcd. 8 TPeduction on account of tranfcr 4 Exclusive of available funds. of funds to Trent Rix er, N. C., $3,000. 628 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 19. HARBOR OF REFUGE, CAPE LOOKOUT, N. C. Location and description.-CapeLookout is the middle of the three prominent capes on the coast of North Carolina. Cape Hatteras is about 74 miles to the northeast and Cape Fear about 95 miles to the southwest. Wilmington, N.. C., is 125 miles distant by water in a southwesterly direction, and Norfolk, Va., is 225 miles northerly. The harbor, which is 11 by 11 miles, is formed by a natural indenta- tion of the shore line and by a breakwater. See United States Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 147. Original condition.-A triangular-shaped area of beach projected into the ocean in a southerly direction for about 3 miles and formed the cape. This area was connected with the general line of the coast by a narrow neck of land on the eastern side of the triangle, and the body of water extending behind the western point of the triangle formed the harbor of Lookout Bight, into which vessels drawing 15 feet could enter at mean low water. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for a harbor of refuge inclosing by means of a rubble-stone breakwater 7,050 feet long an area of 575 acres, of 30 feet or more in depth at mean low water. The mean range of tide is 3.7 feet. Automatic tide-gage readings of over three years show 7.9 feet as the extreme range of tides. The esti- mate of cost for new work, made in 1912, is $3,526,600. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $20,000. TI s project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 528, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in the project document. Operations and results during fiscal year.--The breakwater, shore connection, and stone-sand fences were extended by the depositing, under contract, of 46,227.4 tons of stone, at a cost of $91,530.25, or a unit price of $1.98 per ton. A temporary light was established and maintained by hired labor at a cost of $57.74, and steps were taken for the erection of a permanent acetylene gas buoy to mark .the entrance to the harbor. The cost of maintaining and extending the sand fences amounted to $930.35. Inspection, superintendence, and surveys cost $5,364.40, while main office expenses amounted to $2,272.42. Tide and wind okservations and surveys were made by the inspection force, which also maintained and extended the sand fences. The expenditures were $191,631.64 for new work and $3,154.71 for maintenance, a total of $194,786.35. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project is 53 per cent com- pleted. To complete the project the breakwater should be extended 2,200 feet. From the shore line to a point 4,800 feet offshore the breakwater is now showing above low water. The controlling depth at the entrance is 42 feet. The expenditure on the existing project has been $1,363,798.72 for new work and $3,154.71 for maintenance, a total of $1,366,953.43. * Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are two wharves in this harbor of timber construction with pile foundations. They have a frontage of about 6 feet each. One is owned by the United States and the other by a small fish factory. They are generally open to use by small boats without charge. The existing facilities are considered ade- quate for the present commerce. RIVERS AND IEARBORS--WILMINGTON, N. 0., DISTRICT. 629 Effect of improvement.-Although the improvement is not yet completed, a total of 58 vessels used the harbor as a place of refuge during the calendar year 1917, as follows: Steamers_ -------- ----------- 26 Lightship-------------------1--- Barges------------ ----- 8 Tugs-- 66-------------- Schooners ------------------ 7 Fishing smacks -------- 3 Yachts------------------------ 2 Torpedo boats- ---------- 5 Proposed operations.-The funds available will suffice for the nec- essary work of maintenance to June 30, 1920, and, due to war condi- tions, no additional funds are requested at this time. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-This harbor was used only as a harbor of refuge, hence no commercial statistics are given. For the number of vessels using the harbor as a harbor of refuge, see the list of vessels given under paragraph " Effect of improvement" above. Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $45: New work__--------_________---------------------------_ $1, 363, 798. 72 Maintenance_____________________________ 3, 154. 71 Net total expended____________ ________------------- 1, 366, 953. 43 Total appropriations to date of this report___________________ 1, 400, 000. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ............ Expended for maintenance 1.. .............. $4,673.00 2517, 816.43 $470,156.81 2$673,863.76 8191, 631.64 3,154.71 Total expended 1................... 4,673.00 17,816.43 470,156.81 673,863.76 194,786.35 Appropriated or allotted.................. ...... 600,000.76 ............ 1 Not, deducting receipts from sales, etc. = Increased by $42 for 1915 and 50 cents for 1917 on account of receipts lrom sales having been deducted. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_________________________ $227, 832. 92 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work ____________------ __-- __ $191, 631. 64 For maintenance_________________________ 3, 154. 71 194, 786. 35 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended____________________________ 33, 046. 57 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities___ 1________________ 180.30 July 1, 1918, balance available- -____-_________________ - 32, 866. 27 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project___________________________ ____ 12, 126, 600. 00 NORTHEAST, BLACK, AND CAPE FEAR RIVERS, N. C. (GROUP C). 20. CAPE FEAR RIVER, N. C., AT AND BELOW WILMINGTON (Cl). Location and description.-CapeFear River is formed by the con- fluence at Haywood, N. C., in Chatham County, of the Deep and Haw Rivers. It flows in a southeasterly direction and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Fear, near the southern extremity of the State. Its total length is about 400 miles. The improvement of the river is divided into two parts--the section above Wilmington and the section at and below Wilmington. The stream is partly tidal, 1Exclusive of available funds. 630 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the tide having a reach of 70 miles. It has a drainage area of about 350 square miles. This does not include the drainage area of Cape Fear River above Wilmington, 7,167 square miles, or of Northeast River, 1,600 square miles. The average discharge at ebb tide is about 160,000 second-feet. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 424 and 425.) Original condition.-The river had three bar entrances, with least depth as follows: About 9 feet at the Baldhead Channel, 9 feet at the Rip Channel, and 10 feet at New Inlet Channel, these bars being, respectively, 9, 6, and 2 miles below the point which was then the head of the river delta. From the head of this delta up to Wil- mington, a distance of 21 miles, there were several shoals, with a least depth of 7 feet at low water. Previous projects.-The first improvement of this stretch of the river was undertaken under authority of the river and harbor act of March 2, 1829. Additional improvements were subsequently au- thorized by river and harbor acts of July 22, 1854; July 11, 1870; March 3, 1873; June 23, 1874; September 19, 1890; June 13, 1902; and March 2, 1907. The amount expended on these projects was $4,625,614.67 for new work and $602,614.25 for maintenance, making a total of $5,228,228.92. For further details of previous projects, see page 1804 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-The existing project provides for a channel 26 feet deep at mean low water, 300 feet wide in the river, and 400 feet wide on the ocean bar, with an anchorage basin at Wilmington 2,000 feet long, 900 feet wide at the upper end, and 1,100 feet at the lower end, with approaches 1,500 feet long at both ends. The length of the section of the improvement under this appropriation is about 30 miles, the upper limit being at Hilton Bridge (Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line Railroads) on Northeast Cape Fear River, 1l miles above its mouth. The average rise of the tide is 4.5 feet at the ocean bar, 3.5 feet at Keg Island, and 2.5 feet at Wilmington. The extreme range of tides is about 6.7 feet at the ocean bar, 5.7 feet at Orton Cove, and 4.1 feet at Wilmington. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1911, is $572,940, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1911) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $80,000. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912 (H. Doc. No. 287, 62d Cong., 2d sess.). The latest published map is in Annual Report for 1914, page 2018. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The work consisted of dredging on the ocean bar and in the river channels with Government plant and hired labor. From the ocean bar 203,235 cubic yards of sand and mud were removed. From the river channels 167,137 cubic yards of sand and mud were removed. As a result of the year's work the ocean-bar channel has been maintained, and now has a project depth of 26 feet for a width of from 280 to 400 feet, the same as at the beginning of the year. The work on the river channels has been confined to maintenance entirely and has consisted of restoring portions of these channels where shoaling has occurred to project width and depth. The upper reach of Snows Marsh Channel has been increased in depth from 23 feet to 26 feet over a length of 1,904 feet near its upper end. United States plant did some work for private parties on this river, the cost of which amounted to RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. 0., DISTRICT. 631 $16,518.88, which amount has been or will be reimbursed the Govern- ment. The expenditures on Government work amounted to $63,909.60 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-A channel of uniform depth of 26 feet at mean low water has been dredged, with a width of 280 to 400 feet on the ocean bar and 150 to 300 feet in the river channels to Wilmington. The present project is about 87 per cent completed. The anchorage basin at Wilmington has been dredged to 26 feet depth. A mean low-water depth of 26 feet exists from Wilmington to the ocean, excepting in a portion of the upper reach of Snows Marsh Channel, where it has shoaled to 23 feet. Dams have been built across the mouth of the river, known as New Inlet, and across the breach from the river to the ocean between Smiths and Zekes Islands, these dams being known as New Inlet Dam, completed in .1881, and the Swash Defense Dam, completed in 1888, respectively. New Inlet and Swash Defense Dams are in good condition. About 13 per cent of the present project remains to be completed and con- sists entirely of dredging. The expenditure on the existing project, exclusive of the amount expended under previous projects, has been $487,658.14 for new work and $592,249.31 for maintenance, a total of $1,079,907.45. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are 73 wharves of all classes at Wil- mington. The city owns seven, constructed of timber at street frontages, and these are generally in poor condition. They are open to all free of charge. Their total frontage is 350 feet. The Seaboard Air Line Railway Co. has three wharves-one with a frontage of 628 feet (including slip) with a total floor area of 62,314 square feet, one with 1,106 feet frontage (including slips), and one with a frontage of 961 feet (including slips). They have a total frontage on the river of approximately 1,850 feet and about 1,150 feet of improved wharves and slips. Their warehouses are equipped with modern mechanical appliances for transferring cargo from vessels. At the northern end of the'city the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co. has wharfage as follows: One with 980 feet frontage and one with 133 feet frontage. For a distance of 806 feet farther south this frontage includes a slip 62 feet wide, cohtaining one general freight wharf with 144 feet frontage, one coal dock with 60 feet frontage, and one oil dock having 175 feet frontage. The balance of river frontage is covered with railroad tracks extending to the river. These wharves are equipped with modern cargo-handling devices. Still farther south there is a wharf with 237 feet frontage and two warehouses, leased to wholesale merchants. On the west side of the river there is a wharf with sheds. In addition to the above this company owns three old wharves with a frontage of 430 feet, in bad condition and not actively in use. The wharf of the Wilmington Compress & Warehouse Co. has a frontage of 436 feet, is in first-class condition, and is equipped with a Hunt elevator for unloading fertilizer and with warehouses pro- vided with distributing tracks. The War Department (Engineer Office) has a wharf with 302 feet frontage, and the Treasury Department (Coast Guard Service) one with 336 feet frontage. 632 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Wharves well equipped with transfer facilities are those belonging to the Springer Coal Co. and the Champion Compress Co. The Clyde Line Steamship Co. has a wharf of 175 feet frontage, with a large warehouse. The Stone Co., J. W. Brooks, and D. L. Gore, all whole- sale grocers, have adequate wharves. There are several wharves be- longing to companies dealing in naval stores. The public frontage is used by private parties in some cases as private wharves. The principal wharves and warehouses are in good to fair condition. The public wharves and dockages are in poor condition. .The use of the railroad wharves is limited by rules adopted after consultation with, and approval of, the Interstate Commerce Com- mission. It practically limits their use to water carriers transacting business with the railroads, terms of use being the same to all such carriers. The Wilmington Compress & Warehouse Co. is the only actual wharfinger in Wilmington. The rates of this company for wharfage, handling, and storing merchandise are fixed and equal to all, but are controlled solely by the company. In general, private wharves may be tied to by carriers and used in a minor way when not required by occupants, and such usage is free. It is believed that the privately owned terminals at Wilmington are adequate at the present time for the commerce through this port. Below Wilmington the wharves number 30, of which 4 are at Fort Caswell, and 13 are at Southport. They are all of timber construc- tion, with pile supports and plank decking. They have a frontage varying from 1 to 226 feet. One wharf, belonging to a fertilizer factory, is equipped with an elevator and two derricks operated by an engine. Seven of the wharves in the vicinity of Southport are owned and used by the various departments of the Government. They are in fair to good condition. The remainder, all privately owned wharves, are in poor condition, but the more important ones are still serviceable. All wharves below Wilmington, except those at Fort Caswell, are free to water carriers when not needed by the owners. It is believed that these terminals are adequate for the needs of water transportation. (See pp. 670 to 675, H. Doc. No. 226, 63d Cong., 1st sess.) Effect of improvement.-Vessels coming to Wilmington are much larger than formerly, the average tonnage in 1886 being 421, while in 1915 the average was 1,462. The increase in tonnage has caused a corresponding decrease in freight rates. Proposed operations.-The funds available for the fiscal year 1919 will be exhausted about April 30, 1919. It is proposed to apply about $95,000 of the amount to the maintenance of the dredged channels as provided in the project, and the balance to widening .and deepening the present dredged channels to project width and depth. It is pro- posed to do the work by hired labor and Government plant as esti- mated below: Operating and repairs: Seagoing dredge, July 1, 1918, to Mar. 31, 1919, 9 months, at $5,000 ------------------------------------------ $45, 000. 00 Pipe line dredge Henry Bacon, Dec. 1, 1918, to Apr. 30, 1919, 5 months, at $12,000 ------ - ------ 60, 000. 00 Officee expenses, superintendence, surveys, etc --------------- -9, 663.67 Total ------ _---------- --- - 114, 663. 67 RIVERS AND HARBORS---WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 633 It is proposed to apply the amount estimated for the fiscal year 1920 to maintaining the ocean bar channel and the river channels up to Wilmington. It is proposed to do the work with Government plant and hired labor. Recommended modifications of project.-It has been recommended that this project be modified to secure a channel across the ocean bar 30 feet deep at mean low water, and 400 feet wide, at an estimated cost of $303,625 for new work and $95,000 annually for maintaining this channel and the present 26-foot channel in the river (H. Doc. No. 746, 65th Cong., 2d sess.). References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 477,863 tons, valued at $33,147,578, all of which passed over the improved sections. The foreign commerce amounted to 115,586 tons, valued at $12,465,158, and consisted of cotton, fertilizer material, beans, molasses, crossties, milk, pig iron, rice and rice flour, being carried by steamers drawing from 18 to 25 feet and schooners drawing from 16 to 20 feet. The coastwise commerce, amounting to 233,313 tons, valued at $15,829,173, consisted of cotton, general mer- chandise, lumber, molasses and naval stores and was carried by steamers drawing from 14 to 20 feet, schooners drawing from 3 to 5 feet, and barges drawing from 10 to 23 feet. The internal com- merce and the commerce passing over Wilmington Harbor consisted of general merchandise, farm produce, naval stores, lumber, fish oil, fish scrap, timber, etc., amounted to 128,964 tons, valued at $4,853,245, . and was carried by steamers, gas boats, and flats drawing from 2 to 6 feet. A small amount of timber was carried on flats; the remainder was rafted. The principal items of commerce were cotton, fertilizer, fertilizer material, fish oil and scrap, general merchandise, gasoline, kerosene, lumber, molasses, naval stores, and timber. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned dur- ing the year. The decrease in tonnage and value was due principally to the falling off in foreign shipments caused by the war. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year. Pagers. Short gers. Short gers. tons. Value. tons. Value. 1913.............. 773 610 $46,736,713 38, 070 1916.............. 521.530 $34,310,564 37,000 1914.............. 792,304 28,682,163 32,728 1917............. 477,863 33,147,578 48,420 1915............... 709,570 46,538,404 30,000 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $40,965.78. New work ------------------------------------------- $5, 113, 272. 81 Maintenance -------------------- -- 1, 194, 863. 56 1-------- Net total expended---------------------- --------- 6, 308, 136. 37 Total appropriations to date of this report --------------- 6, 426, 168. 92 634 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1........... $343,709.35 $131,421.12 $34,336.86 $26,681.72 ......... Expended for maintenance 1...............80,000.00 2 80,635.43 2115,720.84 295,153.50 $63, 909.60 Total expended 1.. ............... 423,709.35 212,056.55 150,057.70 121,835.22 63,909.60 Appropriated or allotted..................... ....... 265,000.00 .............. 135,000.00 115,000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended_ _ ________------- $35, 281. 86 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917___ 115, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918______------------- 1,660. 29 151, 942. 15 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year for mainte- - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - nance 63, 909. 60 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended----------------------------- 88, 032. 55 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_ -- _____--____-----_3, 368. 88 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $49,663.67 available only for maintenance ----------------------- ------------------ 84,663. 67 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 30, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919______ ____ 114, 663. 67 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project ---------------------------------------- 815, 000. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work and for maintenance---------------- 8100, 000. 00 21. CAPE FEAR RIVER ABOVE WILMINGTON, N. C. (C2). Location and description.-For description of river see preceding report on Cape Fear River, N. C., at and below Wilmington. This is partly a tidal stream. Length of tidal reach above Wilmington is about 39 miles. Above Smileys Falls, about 27 miles above Fayette- ville, the slope is very great, having a fall of 27 feet in 31 miles. Below Smileys Falls the slope is gentle, averaging less than 3 inches per mile, but from there to about 45 miles below Fayetteville the banks are high and the stream narrow, causing a very great freshet rise, amounting occasionally to 55 or 60 feet at Fayetteville. Low- water stages prevail about three months of the year. The current is fairly rapid on the upper section and sluggish on the lower section. The discharge at Fayetteville is about 200 second-feet in extreme droughts up to 350,000 second-feet in high freshets. Original condition.-The river was navigable during about nine months of the year as far as Fayetteville. During low-water season, however, numerous shoals over the upper 66 miles of the river be- tween Wilmington and Fayetteville gave a depth of only 12 to 14 inches. In addition the upper 75 miles was badly obstructed by sunken logs, overhanging trees, snags, etc. The remainder of the river was generally navigable the year round by vessels drawing about 3 feet of water, but even this section contained many snags and logs. 1Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. sIncreased by $635.43 for 1915, $720.84 for 1916, and $153.50 for 1917, on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. 8 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 635 Previous projects.-The first improvement of this section of the river was undertaken under authority of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881. The river and harbor act of June 13, 1902, author- ized the first slack-water project. The amount expended previous to adoption of the existing project in 1910 is $149,119.19 for new work and $8,177.67 for maintenance, a total of $157,296.86. For further details of previous projects see page 1805 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.--This existing project provides for a navigable depth of 8 feet at low water from Wilmington to the head of navi- gation at Fayetteville, 115 miles above, by the construction of two locks and dams, and by the dredging of river shoals between Wil- mington and Fayetteville. The two locks are as follows: Distance Distance Maximum Location. from Wiling- above available aie Lift. Wilming- mouth. dimen- ton. sions. Miles. Miles. Feet. Feet. Lock and Dam No. 1........... Kings Bluff ...... 39 69 200 by 40 8 Lock and Dam No. 2 .............. Browns Landing. 71 101 200 by 40 12 Avail- able Char- Percent- depth on acter of Kind of Type of construc- age of Estimated sils atr founda- dam. tion. comple- cost. owat sills low tion. tion. water. Feet. Lock and Dam No. 1.......... 9 Sand.... Fixed... Lock concrete, 99+ $467,179.57 timber crib; dam, rock filled. Lock and Dam No. 2.... .... 9 ... do.... ... do.... Concrete lock, 98+ 547, 628.12 dam, rock filled. The tide ranges from 2 feet at Wilmington to 1 foot at Lock No. 1, Kings Bluff, N. C., 39 miles above. The extreme range of lunar tides is 4.1 feet at Wilmington and 1.5 feet at Kings Bluff. The maximum variation due to floods ranges from 70 feet at Fayette- ville to 3 feet at Wilmington. The estimate of cost for new work, revised in 1917, is $1,131,000, exclusive of amounts expended under previous projects. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $8,000. The project was adopted by the river and harbor act of June 25, 1910 (H. Doc. No. 890, 60th Cong., 1st sess.). For latest published map see page 1130 of the Annual Report for 1896. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The work was carried on by Government plant and hired labor. At Browns Landing, Lock and Dam No. 2, the placing of capstones on, and depositing of riprap in and below the dam was completed. In the line of the upper wing wall 54 steel piling were driven. The upper and lower wing walls of the lock were completed. The dredge Ajax and land derricks pulled the steel piling from the cofferdam. The hydraulic dredge Henry Bacon and snag boat Gen. H. G. Wright deposited 7,820 cubic yards of said in the back fill behind the land wall of the lock. The reserva- tion was cleaned up. At Kings B1lff, Lock and Dam No. 1, the hydraulic dredge Henry Bacon placed 15,250 cubic yards of sand in 636 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. the back fill behind the land wall of the lock. The expenditures were $47,061.12 for new work and $1,983.74 for maintenance, a total of $49,044.86. Condition at end of fiscal year.-Locks Nos. 1 and 2, at Kings Bluff and Browns Landing, N. C., respectively, are completed with the exception of paving the back fill behind the land walls of the locks to protect the fill during periods of high water and the dis- mantling of the remainder of the plant at Browns Landing and its transportation to Wilmington. The entire project is 92 per cent completed. To complete the project the channel between Browns Landing and Fayetteville will have to be dredged to the project low- water depth of 8 feet. There is also some snagging necessary over this portion of the stream. The controlling low-water depths are 8 feet from Wilmington to Browns Landing, with the exception of the shoal at PridgensLanding, where the low-water depth is 7 feet, and 3J feet to Fayetteville. The expenditure on the existing project, ex- clusive of the amount expended under previous projects, has been $1,022,670.35 for new work and $52,781.85 for maintenance, a total of $1,075,452.20. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-There are nine wharves between Wilmington and Fayetteville. They are generally of timber construction, with pile foundations and plank decking, but a few consist of stone or log bulkheads, supporting earth fills. They have a frontage varying from 29 to 255 feet, the total frontage being about 700 feet. The height of the landing above water varies from 2 to 8 feet. Two of the wharves are equipped with 36-inch gauge track. One fertilizer wharf is equipped with two Hunt elevators of 350-ton capacity. Two wharves are equipped with derricks, one of which is a Govern- ment wharf and one is a private wharf. Except for the wharves of the fertilizer works at Navassa and the Government wharf at Kings Bluff, the wharves and warehouses are generally in poor condition. One fertilizer wharf is strictly private. The remainder are open to all water carriers free of charge when not needed by the owners. A public wharf pjrovided with storage facilities, equipped with me- chanical devices for handling freight, and having track connection with the railroad is needed at Fayetteville. Otherwise, water ter- minals appear to be adequate for existing and prospective commerce. (See pp. 669 and 670, H. Doc. No. 226, 63d Cong., 1st sess.) Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to permit boats drawing 7 feet to go 71 miles above Wilmington at all times, while formerly they could go only 39 miles. There has been no effect on freight rates. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to spend part of the funds available for the fiscal year 1919, as follows: Paving back fill at Locks Nos. 1 and 2, including some fill yet to be made--..---_-------- _____ -- _ __$10,000. 00 Dismantling plant and transferring same to Wilmington, N. C., and cleaning up site at Browns Landing, Lock No. 2-----------------5, 712. 13 Operating snag boat 'Gen. Completing repairs to snag boat Gen. H. G. Wright_ -- IIH. G. Wright, Sept. 1, 1918, to June 30, 1919, 10 months, at $1,200 ------------------------------ 302. 19 12, 00. 00 Office expenses and superintendence --- 2,214, 11 22.--------------- 30, 228. 43 RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 637 It is proposed to spend the amount estimated for the fiscal year 1920 ($30,000) in operating the pipe-line dredge and United States dredge Ajax between Browns Landing and Fayetteville. Recommended modifications of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the calendar year 1917 amounted to 77.151 tons, valued at $1,889,526. Commerce to the amount of 69,823 tons, valued at $1,806,351, passed over the im- proved sections. Fertilizer material to the amount of 7,228 tons, valued at $83,175, was carried by steamships drawing about 18 feet. The remainder of the commerce was carried by small steamers drawing from 3 to 4' feet, and by lighters towed by gas boats. A small amount of tim- ber was carried on lighters, the balance was rafted. The principal items of commerce were cotton, cottonseed, fertilizer, fertilizer ma- terial, general merchandise, lumber and timber. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improve- ment. No lines were established or abandoned during the year. The decrease in tonnage was on account of the falling off in the shipments of timber and fertilizer material. The increase in value was due to the increased value of commodities and to the increased shipment of lumber. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Passen- Passen- Calendar year. gers Calendar year. gers Short Value. carried. Short carried. tons. tons. 1913............... 154,797 $3,485, 373 2, 919 1916............. 100,846 $1,661,425 4,511 1914 ............... 167,720 2,824,254 1,317 1917.............. 77,151 1, 889, 526 3,906 1915............... 100,030 1,675,002 2, 500 Financial summary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $37333.02. New work ---------------------------------------- $1, 171, 789. 54 Maintenance------------------------------------------ 60, 959. 52 Net total expended_-- , 232, 749. 06 1----------------------------- Total appropriations to date of this report-- , 304, 432. 23 1----------------- Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1.......$.... 163,496.28 $286,922.88 $191,508.18 $187,160.97 $47, 061.12 Expended for maintenance ..... ....... 6, 926.32 2 5,363.13 28,571.57 2 1, 878.28 1,983.74 Total expended 1.. ............... 170,422.60 292,286.01 200,079.75 189,039.25 49,044.86 Appropriated or allotted ............. ........... 1 249,000.00 98,000.00 87,000.00 10,000.00 I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Increased by $84 for 1915, $462.47 for 1916, $228 74 for 1917, over amount reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended______ $22, 714. 55 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved March 4, 1915__ 10, 000. 00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year----- - ------- 36, 013. 48 68, 728. 03 638 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year:1 For new work------------------------------ $47, 061. 12 For maintenance- __---------------- 1, 983. 74 $49, 044. 86 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended-______ ------------------- 19, 683. 17 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities_-__-__-________------ 1, 394. 74 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $2,076.30 available only for maintenance- --------------------------------------- 18, 288. 43 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved July 18, 1918__ 52, 000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919--------- 70, 288. 43 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project----------------------------------------51, 000. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work-------------------------------- 2 30,000. 00 22. NORTHEAST (CAPE FEAR) RIVER, N. C. (03). Location and description.-NortheastRiver rises in the northern part of Duplin County and flows 130 miles in a general southerly direction, emptying into the Cape Fear River at Wilmington, 30 miles above its mouth. This stream has a drainage area of about 1,600 square miles. It is partly tidal. The length of tidal reach, mouth to a short distance above Bannermans Bridge, about 50 miles. The dis- charge of this stream is not known. The current is rather sluggish, being about 2 miles per hour. The fall is about 2 inches per mile. The average width between banks is about 200 feet. See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart 150. Originalcondition.--A draft of 6 feet could be carried up 48 miles to Bannermans Bridge at lowest stage. From Bannermans Bridge, 55 miles up to Kornegays Bridge, the river was so shallow that its navigation was dependent upon freshet stages. Freshets were liable to occur at any time, but during the summer months low stages usually prevailed. Above Bannermans Bridge it was badly obstructed by snags and overhanging trees. Hallsville, 88 miles from the mouth, was and is the head of steamboat navigation, and Kornegays Bridge was and is the head of navigation for rafting. Previous projects.-None. Existing project.-This provides for the-clearing of the natural channel for small steamers to Hallsville and for pole boats to Korne- gays Bridge. Total length of section, 103 miles. The tide ranges from about 2 feet at the mouth of this stream, but decreases to nothing a short distance above Bannermans Bridge. The upper por- tion is subject to freshets of from 8 to 12 feet. The extreme range of lunar tides is 4.1 feet at mouth, 2.5 feet at Castle Hayne, and 2 feet at Smiths Bridge. The maximum variation due to floods is 3 feet at mouth, 8 feet at Kornegays Bridge, and 13 feet at Bannermans Bridge. The estimate of cost of new work, made in 1889, is $30,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. This project was adopted by the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890 (H. Ex. Doc. No. 35, 51st Cong., 1st sess., and Annual Report Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. 2 Exclusive of available funds. RIVERS AND HARBORS-WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 639 for 1890, p. 1181). The latest published map is in the House docu- ment just referred to. Operations and results during fiscal year.-No operations were car- ried on during the fiscal year. The expenditures were all for main- tenance, and amounted to $187.35, covering main-office expenses and the collection of commercial statistics. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1896. The river is in good condition up to Hallsville. Above that point the river is badly obstructed. Six feet of water can be carried to Ban- nermans Bridge and 3 feet to Grooms Bridge during all stages. Above Crooms Bridge the river is so shallow that navigation is pos- sible only when the water is up. The expenditure on the existing project has been $10,687.96 for new work and $31,383.88 for main- tenance, a total of $42,071.84. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-The wharves on the portion of the river under improvement by the United States number 21, of which 5 are just above Hilton Bridge, 6 at or near Castle Hayne, 1 at Rocky Point Ferry, 4 near Bannermans Bridge, and 2 near Smiths Bridge. The wharves are of timber construction, generally with pile supports and plank decking. They have a frontage varying from 5.5 to 327 feet, the total frontage being about 1,400 feet. The height of deck- ing above water varies from 3 to 10 feet. Seven wharves are pro- vided with warehouses. Three wharves are equipped with tracks for handling lumber, heavy machinery, and crushed rock. Three fertilizer wharves are equipped with Hunt elevators of 400-ton capac- ity. They are generally in good or fair condition. All the wharves are open to water carriers free of charge when not used by the owners. The water terminals are considered adequate. (See p. 668, H. Doec. No. 226, 63d Cong., 1st sess.) Effect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to open up a more convenient and economical way to handle farm products, fertilizer, etc., and has been one cause of large lumber mills being established on the river. Proposed operations.-It is proposed to apply the funds available as follows: Operating United States hoister Black, 6 months, at $600 per month_ $3, 600. 00 Superintendence, etc_________________ - ________________ 528. 16 4, 128. 16 No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year 1920. Recommended modifications of project.-Improvement of this river has been recommended to secure an available channel depth of 22 feet and a channel width of 150 feet, increased at entrances and on curves, from Hilton railway bridge to a point 21 miles above same, at an estimated cost of $50.750 for first construction and $3,000 annually for maintenance, provided local or other interests will con- tribute one-half of the cost of first construction. (H. Doec. No. 1356, 62d Cong., 3d sess., with map, and H. Doec. No. 802, 63d Cong., 2d sess., with map.) References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for the year amoluntedl to 67,756 tons, valued at $1,253,369, of which 36,627 tons, valued at 640 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. $862,477, passed over the improved section. Fertilizer material to the amount of 18,881 tons, valued at $321,900, was carried by steam- ships drawing 16 feet and by flats drawing 5 feet. The remainder of the commerce was carried by steamers drawing from 3 to 4 feet and by lighters towed by gasoline boats. A small part of the timber was carried on flats; the balance was rafted. The principal items of com- merce were cotton, cotton seed, fertilizer, fertilizer material, general merchandise, lumber, peanuts, shingles, and timber. There was no change in the character of commerce as a result of the improvement. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The decrease in tonnage was due principally to the decreased receipts of low-grade fertilizer material. The increase in value was due to the increased value of commodities and to the increased shipments of lumber and general merchandise. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Passen- Calendar year.Passen- gers. gers. Tonnage. Value. Tonnage. Value. 1913............... 123,170 $1,848,558 1,370 1916.............. 81,247 $1,064,329 1,379 1914............ 128,518 2,116, 210 824 191............67,756 1, 253, 369 2,000 1915 ....... 68,116 1,263,962 871 Financialsummary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $243.83: New work------------------------------------------- $10, 687. 96 Maintenance------------------------------------------ 31, 383. 88 Net total expended----------- ----------------------- 42, 071. 84 Total appropriations to date of this report__---------------------- 46. 200. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work ....................................... . . . . . . . . .. . . . ............ Expended for maintenance 1 .. $3, 257.87 $3, 093.73 $105.89 2 $1,931.97 $187.35 Appropriated or allotted .......................... 2,500.00 ............ 3,000.00 3, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended __-----------------------------$1, 315. 51 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 .-- 3, 000. 00 4, 315. 51 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance- 187. 35 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended---------- ---- --------------- 4, 128. 16 23. BLACK RIVER, N. C. (C4). Location and description.-Black River rises in Sampson County, flows 175 miles in a general southeasterly direction, and empties into Cape Fear River 14 miles above Wilmington and 44 miles above the mouth. This stream has a drainage area of about 1,547 square miles. I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. SInoressed by 50 cents over amount reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. RIVERS AND HARBORS---WILMINGTON, N. C., DISTRICT. 641 It is tidal for some distance above Point Caswell, 24 miles above the mouth. The discharge is not known. The current is rather sluggish, being about 2 miles per hour. The fall is about 2 inches per mile. The average width between banks is about 150 feet. Original condition.-There was a natural channel cleared fairly to Point Caswell and roughly to Lisbon, with governing low-water depths of 2+ feet to Point Caswell and 1.5 feet to Lisbon. Clear Run, 66 miles from the mouth, was the head of steamboat naviga- tion, and Lisbon, 8 miles above, was the head of navigation for rafting. Previous project.-None. Existing project.-This provides for clearing the natural channel and banks to Clear Run, 66 miles, and cutting off sharp bends. The tidal range is about 1l feet at the mouth and decreases to nothing 30 miles above. The low-water stages prevail usually from May until August, inclusive; during the rest of the year the stage is about 5 to 8 feet higher, but the periods of high and low water are by no means the same every year. The extreme range of lunar tide is 2.3 feet at the mouth and 1.2 feet at Point Caswell. The maximum varia- tion due to floods or freshets is 5 feet at the mouth, 15 feet at Point Caswell, and 19 feet at Clear Run. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1893, is $13,000. The latest (1917) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $2,000. The existing project was adopted by the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886 (Annual Report for 1885, pp. 1145-1154, as amended by Annual Report for 1893, p. 1407). No map of this stream has ever been published. Operatione and results during fiscal year.-No snagging operations were carried on during the fiscal year. The U. S. hoister Black was repaired. Expenditures amounted to $746.19 for maintenance. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The project was completed in 1895, since which time the expenditures have been for maintenance only. The river is in fair condition, the governing low-water depths being 5 feet to Point Caswell, 2 feet to Hawes Narrows, 32 miles above the mouth, and 1l feet to Clear Run. The expenditure on the existing project has been $12,358.40 for new work and $24,649.66 for maintenance, a total of $37,008.06. The head of steamboat navi- gation is at Clear Run, 66 miles from the mouth. Local cooperation.-None. Terminal facilities.-No wharves exist on this river. Boats use natural landings, or prepare landings by smoothing out the rough- ness and irregularities of the banks. No terminals are deemed neces- saffect of improvement.-The effect of the improvement has been to open up a more convenient and 'economical way to handle fer- tilizer, general merchandise, and farm products, and has been one cause of lumber mills being established along the river. Proposed operations.-Itis proposed to apply the funds available as follows: Operating U. S. hoister Black, 4 months, at $600 per month---------- $2, 400. 00 Superintendence, etc________________ ___ 347.49 Total ____-_--- - - - - - ____-____ - -- 2,747. 49 81116---ENG 1918- 41 642 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. SS.ARMYi 1918. No additional appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year 1980. Recommended modificatione of project.-None. References to published articles not previously reported.-None. Commercial statistics.-The commerce for 1917 amounted to 21,681 tons, valued at $471,091. ,All commerce passing over this stream uses the improved sections. Timber to the amount of 7,476 tons, valued at $29,904, was rafted. The remainder of the commerce was carried by steamers and lighters drawing from 2 to. 4 feet. The principal items of commerce were basket bottoms, cotton, live stock, general merchandise, lumber, and timber. There was no change in the character of the commerce as a result of the improve- ment. No boat lines were established or abandoned during the year. The decrease in tonnage was principally in timber due to millmen getting more of their timber by land; the increase in value was due to the increased value of commodities. Comparative statement. Commerce. Commerce. Calendar year. Calendar year. or V Pas- sengers. Calendar year. Short Pas- sengers. Shorb tons. . Value. tons. Value. Value. 1913.............. 41,065 $466,399 1,255 1916.............. 23,241 $315,772 125 1914................ 20,178 320, 798 800 1917...............21, 681 471,091 579 1915 .............. 22, 534 312,255 175 Financial sum4ary. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deducting re- ceipts from sales, etc., amounting to $243.34: New work ---------------------------------------- $12, 358. 40 Maintenance ------------------------------------------ 24, 649. 66 Net total expended___ __________________________-_ 37, 008. 06 Total appropriations to date of this report___,____- ____________ 39, 800. 00 Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work................... i............................ ..... Expended for maintenance 1.............. 1, 069.65 $19.35 81, 402.66 $1,136.29 $746.19 Appropriated or allotted ................... ............ 2,000.00 ............ 50000 2,000.00 1 Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. July 1, 1917, balance unexpended______________-___________ $1,538. 13 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917__ 2, 000. 00 3, 538. 13 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year, for maintenance_ 746. 19 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended___-------------------------_______ 2, 791. 94 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities------------------------------- 44. 45 July 1, 1918, balance available, only for maintenance---- ..... 2,747. 49 RIVERS AND HARBORS--WILMINGTON, I. C., DISTRICT. 643 CONSOLIDATED. FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR GROUP C. Amount expended on all projects to June 30, 1918, after deduct- ing receipts from sales, etc., amounting to $78,785.97: New work -------------------.- - $6--------------- $6, 308, 108. 71 _ Maintenance ------ ______- ----- 1, 311, 856. 62 Net total expended-------------- 7, 619, 965. 33 'otal appropriations to date of this report------------------- 7, 734, 601. 15' Fiscal year ending June 30. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Expended for new work 1-....... . . .... -$ $507, 205. 63 $418, 344.00 $225, 845.04 $213, 842.69 $47, 061.12 Expended for maintenance 1.. -......... 91, 253.84 2 89,111.64 2 125,800.96 2100,100.04 66, 826.88 Total expended 1... - -..... .... . 598, 459.47 507, 455.64 351,646.00 313,942.73 113, 888.00 Appropriated or allotted.............. ... .. ... 518, 500.00 98,000.00 226,500.00 130, 000.00 July 1, 1917, balance unexpended----------- --------------- $60, 850. 05 Amount appropriated ,by river and harbor act approved Aug. 8, 1917 ---------- --------------------------------------- 120, 000. 00 Amount allotted from river and harbor act approved Mar. 4, 1915_ 10, 000.00 Receipts from sales, etc., during fiscal year 1918--------- 87, 678. 77 228, 523. 82 June 30, 1918, amount expended during fiscal year: For new work----------------------------$47, 061.12 For maintenance --------- ----------------- 66, 826. 88 113, 888. 00 July 1, 1918, balance unexpended--------------------------- 114, 635. 82 July 1, 1918, outstanding liabilities---------------------------- 4, 808. 07 July 1, 1918, balance available, including $58,615.62 available only for maintenance------- ------------------------------ 109, 827. 75 Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved ----- 82,000. 00 Amount available for fiscal year ending June 30, 1919----------- 191, 827. 75 Amount (estimated) required to be appropriated for completion of existing project- ---------------- ---------------------- 366, 000. 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, for new work and for maintenance 30, 000. 00 1---------------- 24. OPERATING AND CARE OF LOCK AND DAM NO 1, CAPE FEAR RIVER, N. C. The improvement for which report is made under this caption forms part of the project for Cape Fear River, N. C., above Wil- mington. (See pp. 634 to 638 of this report, where general informa- tion regarding the improvement can be found.) The completed locks and dams have been operated and maintained under the permanent.. indefinite appropriation since November 1, 1916, for lock No. 1, and' March 1, 1918, for lock No. 2. Operations and results during fiscal year.-The work during the year was carried on at Lock No. 1 by Government plant and hired labor throughout the entire fiscal year, and at Lock No. 2 since August 25, 1917. The U. S. snagboat en. H. G. Wright was used in towing I Not deducting receipts from sales, etc. s Increased $719.43 for 1915, $1,183.31 for 1916, and $382.74 for 1917, over amounts reported last year on account of receipts from sales having been deducted. SExclusive of available funds. 644 REPORT OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, 1918. 400 tons of gravel to Lock No. 1 to be stored on the bank and used in case of emergency. The lockmaster's houses at Lock and Dam No. 1 were painted. Repairs were made to gate-operating device at Lock No. 1. Sediment was removed from around gates at both locks. The lockmaster's houses at -Lock and Dam No. 2 were also painted. The U. S. dredge Ajaar removed approximately 3,000 cubic yards of sand and mud from the lock chamber at Lock No. 2 and ,about 1,000 cubic yards of material from lock chamber at Lock No. 1. The expenditures amounted to $10,597.04. Condition at end of fiscal year.-The locks, together with abut- ments and dams are in good condition and have been completed with the exception of paving fill behind land wall at both locks to pre- vent movement of sand during freshet stages. A fairly cleared natural channel, with controlling low-water depth of 7 feet, exists from Wilmington to Browns Landing, 72 miles above, from observa- tions which were made in February, 1918. The amount expended is $17,607.72. Proposed operations.-The locks and dams will be operated and maintained under allotments from the permanent indefinite appro- priation provided by section 6 of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1909. Commercial statistics.-For commercial statistics for the Cape Fear River above Wilmington, N. C., see page 637. 25. SHALLOTTE RIVER, N. C. Location and description.-Shallotte River is a small stream in Brunswick County, N. C., rising in the large swamp country between Cape Fear and Waccamaw Rivers, known as Green Swamp. The stream is about 30 miles long and flows in a southerly direction into the Atlantic Ocean at a point about 20 miles west of the mouth of the Cape Fear River. This stream is tidal and has a drainage area of about 30 square miles. The action of the tide is felt over all its length. The discharge is not known. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey chart No. 150.) Original condition.-The channel depth on the ocean bar was about 3 feet at low water and 7 feet at high water. From the bar to a point 21 miles above there was a 5-foot low-water channel; the next 10miles was badly obstructed by mud flats and oyster rocks, over which there was about 1 foot depth at low water. From this point to the town of Shallotte, 5 miles farther up, the river was narrow and crooked and the low-water depth varied from 2 to 12 feet. The town of Shallotte, 9 miles from the mouth, was the head of navigation. Previous project.-The river and harbor act approved March 2, 1907, appropriated $3,000 to be expended on this river. This appro- priation not being based on any survey and estimate, the report sub- mitted to and approved by the Chief of Engineers for this appro- priation became the project. Under this project $3,000 was spent. For further details of previous project see page 1806 of Annual Report for 1915. Existing project.-This provides for securing a channel 4 feet deep at mean low water, with bottom width of 36 feet, from the mouth to Whites Landing, 8 miles above, including the straightening of the channel by making six cut-offs and the construction of a turning basin at Whites Landing. The river is tidal, the rise and fall varying from 5 feet at the mouth to 3 feet at the town of Shallotte. The RIVERS AND HARBORS---WILMINGION, N. C., DISTRICT. 645 extreme range of lunar tides is 6 feet at the mouth and 4 feet at Shallotte. The estimate of cost for new work, made in 1912, is $9,845, exclusive of amount expended under previous project. The latest (1912) approved estimate for annual cost of maintenance is $1,000. This project was adopted by' the river and harbor act of March 4, 1913. (H. Doc. No. 721, 62