47th Congress, ) SENATE, t Ex. Doc. 7 ir ' 
 
 1st Session. J j jf 0 25 * 
 
 COLUMBIA LIBRARIES OFFSITE 
 
 AVERY FINE ARTS RESTRICTED 
 
 AR01 498223 
 
 LETTER 
 
 THE SECRETARY OF WAR, 
 
 TRANSMITTING 
 
 A communication from the Chief of Engineers, dated the 14f/< inst., covering 
 copy of report from Col. John Newton, Corps of Engineers, with accom- 
 panying map, upon the completion of the surrey of Harlem Hirer, Xeir 
 York, and through Harlem Kills to the East Eiver, New York. 
 
 DECEMBER 19, 1881. — Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be 
 
 minted. 
 
 War Department, 
 Washington City, December 1G, 1881. 
 The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the United States 
 Senate, for the information of the Committee on Commerce, a communi- 
 cation from the Chief of Engineers dated the 14th instant, covering copy 
 of report from Col. John Newton, Corps of Engineers, with accompany- 
 ing map, upon the completion of the survey of Harlem River, New York, 
 and through Harlem Kills to the East River, New York, made in com- 
 pliance with the requirements of the river and harbor act of March 3, 
 1881. 
 
 ROBERT T. LINCOLN, 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 The President pro tempore 
 
 of the United States Senate. 
 
 Office of the Chief of Engineeks. 
 
 United States Army, 
 Washington. D. C, December 1 1. L881. 
 Sir: To comply with the requirements of the river and harbor act of 
 March 3, 1881, I have the honor to submit herewith a copy of a report 
 to this office from Col. John Newton, Corps of Engineers, of the com- 
 pletion of the survey of Harlem River. New York, and through Harlem 
 Kills to the East River, with accompanying map. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 EL G. AVlircilT, 
 Chief of Engineers, Brig, and Bvt. Maj. Gen. 
 Hon. Robert T. Lincoln. 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
2 
 
 SURVEY OF HARLEM RIVER. 
 
 completing survey of harlem river and through the har- 
 lem kills to the east river, new york. 
 
 United States Engineer Office, 
 
 New York, October 8, 1881. 
 
 General: I have respectfully to report upon "completing survey of 
 Harlem liiverand through the Harlem Kills t<> East River." as directed 
 by the harbor and river act March .'>, 1X81, and To subjoin estimates lor 
 the proposed channel through the Harlem Kills. 
 
 The object of improving the channel through the Harlem Kills is to 
 form a shorter and more convenient passage from the Harlem into the 
 East River, than by following the course of the former to the present 
 junction of the two rivers south of Ward's Island. 
 
 The proposed pier and bulkhead lines are laid down on the tracing 
 sent herew ith, leaving between these a channel way of 300 feet in width. 
 
 ESTIMATES FOR CHANNELS 300 FEET -WIDE, 3,400 FEET LONG, AND FOR 18, 15 AN D 18 
 FEET IN DEPTH AT MEAN LOW- WATER. 
 
 For a depth of 18 feet : 
 
 Removal of mud, sand, gravel, &<•., 238,400 cubic vards, at 7."> cents (178, 800 
 
 Removal of rock, 275,800 cubic yards, at $12 3,309,600 
 
 Total 3,488,400 
 
 For a depth of 15 feet : 
 
 Removal of mud, sand, gravel, &C., 210,300 cubic yards, at 75 cents $157,725 
 
 Removal of rock, 170,557 cubic yards, at $12 2,046,684 
 
 Total 2,204,400 
 
 For a depl b of 1'-' feel : 
 
 Removal of mud, sand, gravel, &c.. 172,300 cubic vards, at 7."> cents $129,225 
 
 Removal of rock, 86,000 cubic yards, at $12 1 1,032, I 
 
 Total 1,161,225 
 
 It is possible that a more elaborate Survey than the funds devoted to 
 the object warranted might diminish the estimate for rock excavation by 
 proving the existence of large amounts of loose stone which could be 
 removed at a much diminished cost. 
 
 For vessels propelled or towed by steam the channel might be reduced 
 to a width of 200 feet at a proportionate diminution of cost. 
 
 Itis thought that the depth of 15 feet would be sufficient, at all events, 
 such depth would prove a great benefit to navigation. 
 
 Respect fully submitt ed . 
 
 JOHN NEWTON, 
 Colonel of Engineers. 
 
 Brig. Gen. II. (i. Wright, 
 
 Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. 
 
OVl //I t-<4 Q o X TO