i ANNUAL REPORT UPON ITIE IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY, AND IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY, IN CHARGK OK MA.IOU OF hNGINEEItS, BVT. LIEUT. COLONEL, U. S. A. ; BEING APPENDIX F I OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS FOR 1885. WASHINGTOi^: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1885. SEYMOUR DURST When you leave, please leave this hook Because has heen said "Ever thing comes t' him who waits Except a loaned hook." ANNUAL REPORT UPON THE IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY, AND IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY, IN CHARGE OF GEORQE L. GILLESPIE, MA.IOU OF tXGIKEEKS, BVT. LIEUT. COLONEL, U. S. A. ; BEING APPENDIX F OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS FOR 1885. WASHIXGTOX: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1885. 055 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/annualreportuponOOunit [EXTRACT FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.] Office of the Chief of Enoineers, Unites States Army, Washington, D. C, October 16, 1885. * * * # * # * IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY — DEEPEN ING GEDNEY'S CHANNEL THROUGH SANDY HOOK BAR, NEW YORK. Officer iu charge, Maj. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. 1. East Chester Creelx, New York. — The original condition of naviga- tion was, between Town Dock and Lock wood's, a draught of less than 7 feet at high water, through an intricate, crooked, and narrow chan- nel; a draught in the channel south of Goose Island rather more than 7 feet at high water ; and a dangerous reef of bowlders, &c., in close prox- imity to the course of vessels in passing the draw at Pelham Bridge. The originally adopted })roject, 1872, was for making a channel of 9 or 10 feet draught at high water from Town Dock to a point 3,000 feet above Lock wood's, which included the construction, not yet undertaken, of a tidal basin above Lockwood's. The modification of 1873 provided for the building of 5,800 feet of diking, partly on both banks, from Town Dock to the entrance, a dis- tance of 1^ miles, for the better maintenance of the improved channel. The project has since been supplemented by provision for deepening the channel from Town Dock to below Goose Island to afford 9 feet depth, mean high water. The estimated cost of the project was 8136,- 500. The range of tides at Town Dock is 7.1 feet, approximately. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $53,918.50. At that date the bowlders and gravel had been removed from the channel at entrance near Pelham Bridge; the channel on west side of Goose Island had been completed, 1,500 feet long, 125 feet wide, and 9 feet deep, mean high water; the channel between Goose Island and Town Dock had been opened, 2,000 feet long, minimum width 40-45 feet, widening to 90 feet at Town Dock ; and the cut through the meadow, 2,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 9 feet deep, had been excavated to Lockwood's, re- ducing the distance between those docks from 5,200 feet to 3,200 feet. No work had been done toward the excavation of the tidal basin above Lockwood's, the excavation of channel above Town Dock, nor toward the construction of the dikes below Town Dock. No work was done during the year. The amount that^can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, is $20,000, and, if appropriated, will be applied iu widening the channel below Town Dock to HO feet, and in building 1.500 feet of diking, partly on both banks, for maintaining the improved channel from the entrance to Town Dock. The special benefits to be derived from the improvement are the better maintenance of the im- proved channel and greater facilities afforded to vessels for reaching the IV REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. upper wharves of the river adjacent to East Chester, Mount Vernon, and otlier towns, whereby supplies may be brought and products shipped at less cost to the inhabitants of the valley. July 1, 1884, amount available ^yi 50 July 1, 1885, amount available 81 50 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 82, 500 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 20, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 1.) 2. Canarsie Bay, Neic Yorli. — The object of this improvement is to connect Canarsie Landing with the deep water of Jamaica Bay by a channel having a depth of 6 feet at mean low water, the original depth being only 4^ feet across the flats. The original project, adopted in 1879, contemplated the construction of an interior tidal basin by means of timber dikes, and no important amendments, alterations, or addi- tions thereto have been made. The range of tides is 4.6 feet, approxi- mately. The amount expended to close of fiscal year ending Jane 30, 1884, was $18,000, and at that time the channel from Jamaica Bay to Canarsie Landing was 3,000 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 6 feet dee]) at mean low water, and the north side was protected by a timber dike, starting at the entrance and running 1,000 feet westward towards the landing. By act of July 5, 1884, $5,000 were appropriated for continuing the improvement. It was applied in adding 50 feet to the north dike, for the better protection of the eastern end of dike, and in widening the channel at the entrance to 125 feet, at the western end of dike to 100 feet for a distance of 400 feet, and near the landing to 50-75 feet. The amount of material removed was 7,535 cubic yards. The channel has been well maintained during the year. The amount that can prof- itably be expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, is $25,000, which, if appropriated, will be applied to the exteneion of the north dike 250 feet, the construction of 300 linear feet of the projected south dike, and to the widening of the chann(;l to 100 feet across the flats adjacent to the landing. This improvement will better maintain the channel already improved, and will add materially to the navigable facilities of the harbor, whose industries have an estimated annual value of $1,500,000. Four or five hundred vessels of all classes, including yachts, are en- gaged in the fishing trade alone. July 1, 1884, amount available !^5, 000 00 July 1, 1885, amouut expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 4,513 26 July 1, 1885, amount available 486 74 r Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 65,000 00 I Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June30,1887 25, 000 00 1 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and I harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 2.) 3. tSJuepshead Bay, New Yorlc. — The original condition of the navi- gable channel was, for the entrance, a depth of little over 2 feet at mean low water, and for the interior channel not less than 4 feet, except at two narrow bulkheads across said channel. The originally adopted project (1879) was to deepen the entrance by means of converging jet- EIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. V ties, and to improve tbe interior channel by longitudinal dikes, so placed as in some instances to form tidal reservoirs for the scour of the chan- nel. The project was revised in 1881, and ])rovi(les for excavating' a channel at the outlet to connect the bay with Dead Ilorse Inlet and to dredge the interior channel. The range of tides is 4.5 feet, approximately. The amount exi)ended to close of fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $10,970.25. At that date an improved channel connected Sheei)shea(l Bay witli Dead Ilorse Inlet, which was 1,500 feet long, 40 feet wide, with 4 leet depth at mean low water. The ebb currents set well through the improved channel, and the improved depths have been maintained. The bar at the origijial en- trance, immediately eastward of the eastern end of Coney Island, is practically bare at lowest tide. By act of July 5, 1884, thf^ sum of $5,000 was appropriated for continuing the improvement. Proposals were opened September 17, 1884, for widening the improved channel to 60 feet by dredging, and a contract awarded, which expires October 15, 1885. The amount ex])ended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885,. was $55.92. No work of improvement was done during the fiscal year. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending- June 30, 1887, is $10,000, and, if appropriated, will be applied in en- larging the channel at the entrance to 100 feet and increasing its depth to 6 feet, mean low water, and also in opening a channel through the Shoal at the eastern end of the bay 2,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 6 feet deep. This is a small, sheltered harbor, used principally by fishing- vessels of light draught. The estimated value of the fishing industry is $1,000,000 annually, the principal market being Xew York City. Over 200 vessels are engaged in legitimate trade, while many pleasure boats frequent the harbor. The benefit to be expected from the improvement is greater facilities for vessels entering the harbor and greater en- couragement to an important commerce just developing. July 1, 1884, amount available 8"23 75 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 5, OGO 00 5,023 75 Julv 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of ou|standing liabilities July 1, 1884 55 92 July 1, 1885, amount available 4,967 83 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 84, 000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 10,000 00 Submitted in com])liance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 3.) 4. Sinnpa icanus InJet^ Xew Yorl\ — Theoriginal project, adopted in 1880, provides for the dredging of a channel 4,500 feet long, 100 to 150 feet wide, and 5 feet deep at anean low water from the 5-foot curve of the bay to the town of Babylon. The original navigable depth was 2 feet, mean low water. The range of tides is 1.1 feet, approximately. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $0,893.07, and at that date an improved channel existed 1,000 feet long and 75 feet wide and 5 feet deep at mean low water, connecting the long wharf with the 5-foot curve of the bay, and cuts around the wharf were made for the convenience of vessels using the inlet as a refuge during easterly gales. Xo work was done during the year, for want of REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINERRS, U. S. ARMY. funds. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, is $10,000, and, if appropriated, will be ap- plied in extending the improved channel 1,500 feet towards the town of Babylon, 75 feet wide and 5 feet deep, mean low water, so that vessels may have a better anchorage during easterly gales. The benefit resulting from the improvement will be increased pro- tection to vessels using the harbor during easterly storms, and in- creased facilities for vessels of deeper draught. Two hundred vessels engaged in the fishing trade constantly use the liarbor. The money A^alue of the commerce affected by the imi)rove- ment is estimated at $500,000 to $750,000 annually. July 1, 1884, amount available ^106 93 C Anjouut (estimated) required for completiou of existing project f33, 000 00 J Amount that can be profitably expended iu fiscal year ending- June 30, 1H87 10,000 00 ] Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 4.) 5. Cheesequalces Creel', Neic Jersey. — The original condition of the channel over the bar or shoal at the mouth gives a depth of 1 foot at mean Ioav water for about three-fourths of the length to be improved, and for the remaining portion a depth from 4 feet to 1^ feet at low water. The course of the creek is very crooked and requires to be straightened. The originally adopted project (1879) for the improvement was to close the old outlet with sheet-pile dike 532 feet long; to open a new outlet at right angles with the beach 1,600 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 5 feet deep, mean low water, and to sustain the banks by lateral stone jetties, each 1,500 feet long; to build a timber dike at mouth of Back Creek 200 feet long ; to dredge a channel between New Landing and Furman's Dock 400 feet long, 100 feet wid.e, and 4 feet deep ; to excavate a cut through the meadow 1,050 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, and to build a limber dike 1.000 feet long; to dredge a channel above Fur- man's Dock 400 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 4 feet deep ; to cut through the meadow 650 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, and to build a timber dike 300 feet long, and dredge a cut to Whitehead's Dock 1,500 feet long, 50 to 100 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. The distance from the mouth to the head of the projected channel is 3^ miles. The range of tifles is 5.1 feet at the entrance. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year endinef June 30, 1884, was $39,068.73. At that date the improved channel through the beach was 1,600 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 5 feet depth of water, mean low water, and was confined by parallel stone jetties located 200 feet apart between axis, the east jetty being 925 feet long, and the west jetty 995 fe^t long. The original outlet was closed by a timber bulkhead 532 feet long, erected o\\ the south side of the county -road bridge, and a new bridge, with a draw^-opening of 40 feet in the clear, was built over the improved channel near its western extremity. No work of improvement was done during the year. The improved channel and the accessory works of marntenance and l)rotection have remained unimpaired during the year. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, if appropriated, will be applied toward the main- tenance of existing improvements. The benefit to be expected is the encouragement given to commerce by keeping open a channel with a minimum dei)th of 5 feet, mean low water. The commerce of the river has not increased during the year. July 1, 1885, amount available 106 93 EIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. VII The average annual tonnage of exports and imports is 50,000 tons, wbicli has an estimated valuation of $200,000, approximately. July 1, 18S4, amount available ij^'M 27 July 1, l^do, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 29 75 July 1, 1885, amount available 1 52 {Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing i)rqject 50,000 00 Amount thatcan be profitably expended in fiscal yearending June 30,1887 5, 000 00 Submitted in compliance -vvitli requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 5.) 6. Passaic River above NeicarJx, New Jersey. — The present project was adopted in 1872, and ])rovides for the formation and maintenance, by means of dredging and training-dikes, of a channel varying in width from GO to 75 feet and feet deep at low water from Center street, New- ark, to the head of navigation at Dundee Dam, Passaic, a distance of 8J miles. The original navigable depth was only 2i feet low stage and the range of tides at Passaic City is 3 feet. The river is divided into pools, ha ving an average depth of 9 to 10 feet, by a series of bars named consecutively, up-stream from Newark, Middle, Lime Kiln, Belleville, Eutherford Park, and Holzman's bars. At all these bars the obstructing material consisted of indurated rock, bowlders, gravel, and sand, and the project required a channel to be cut through them with an average width of 60 feet, with training-dikes at Middle, Ruther- 'ford, and Bellvilie bars. The amount expended to the close of the fis- cal year ending June 30, 1884, was $120,128.16, and at that date the im- proved channel at Middle Bar was 1,400 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 7J feet deep, mean low water ; at Lime Kiln Bar, 2,370 feet long, 60 to 75 feet wide, and 7 J feet deep ; at Belleville, 2,300 feet long, 75 to 100 feet wide, and 7 feet deej) 5 at Rutherford Park, 2,900 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 6 feet deep, and at Holzman's Bar 1,300 feet long; 60 feet wide, and 6 feet^/leep, low stage. A small bar, without name, above Holzman's, had also l)een dredged to give a channel 300 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 6 feet deep. The amount expended during the year ending June 30, 1885, was $1,299.58, which includes outstanding liabilities, and was applied in widening the channel at Lime Kiln Bar to 75 feet, giving greater facili- ties for the navigation of the upper river. This im])rovement was be- gun June 10, 1885, and is still in progress ; 1,945 cubic yards of mate- rial were removed during the vear and deposited behind the Belleville dike. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal 3'ear ending June 30, 1887, if appropriated, will be applied to the opening of a channel 1,500 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 7 J feet deep, low stage, from Erie Railroad Bridge, Fourth avenue, Newark, to connection with the improved channel through lAIiddle Bar, which is required to meet the demands of commerce due to the continued extension up-stream of the city wharves. The original project of 1872, for which the estimate was $123,924, has been cnmi)leted, ami the desired results have been attained in accord- ance with the estimate. The improvement for which an appropriation is recommended for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, was not in- cluded in the project for 1872, and should be regarded as supplementary to that project. VIII REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. The navigation of the river is now practicable throughl^ut the year from Newark to Passaic for river boats drawing 5^ feet. At Passaic navigation is obstructed by the Dundee Dam, built by a company pos- sessing a State charter to build a canal from Passaic "to Dundee Lake, above th6 dam. It is not advisable to make projects for improving the river above the dam until the canal company is forced to carry out the terms of its charter hy the construction of a canal around the dam with 6 feet depth over the miter-sill. This question is now before the State courts. The obstruction offered by the dam compels the commerce orig- inating at Paterson to be carried hy rail or through the inferior Morris and Essex Canal. The combined manufacturing* interests located on the Passaic Eiver from Newark to Paterson are valued at $20,000,000. The benefit to be expected is the improved navigable facilities of the river, causing an increase of commerce and a diminution of expense to manufacturers and producers. July 1, 1884, amount available >;571 84 Amount appropriated* by act approved July 5, 1884 3. 000 00 3.571 84 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 ,$346 53 Julv 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities 953 05 1,299 58 July 1, 1885, amount available 2, -272 26 ( Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 5, 000 00 / Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and ( harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 6.) 7. Passaic River heloiv JS'eicarlc^ and removing shoals in N^etvarJc Bay^ Netv Jersey. — The project for this improvement was adopted in 1880 and revised in 1884. It provides for the formation and maintenance of a channel, by dredging and diking, 200 feet wide and 10 feet deep, mean low water, from the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge t^t Centre street, Kewark, to Newark Bay. The navigable depth at the beginning of the improvement was less than 7 feet, mean low water; the average range of tides at Newark being 4.7 feet. The project provides for 1,180 feet of diking in the river, and 12,000 feet in Newark Bay. None of the first and only 4,705 feet of the latter have been built. The amount ex- pended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881. was $122,991.47. At that date there was a completed dike at the entrance, running south into Newark Bay, 4,006 feet long, and the improved channel, affording 10 feet, mean low water, had been carried to Centre street, Newark, the upper limit of the project. At the entrance the channel width was 400 feet; thence to New York and Newark Bridge 200 feet, and thence to Centre street only 100 feet. The depth is sufficient for present purposes, but the widths are in- adequate for shipping. By act of July 5, 1884, $25,000 were appropriated for continuing the improvement. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, was $18,291.41, including outstanding liabilities. At that date the dike at the entrance was 4,705 feet long; the im- proved channel through the shoal in Newark Bay was 2,000 feet long, 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep, mean low water; at the entrance to the river the width was 400 feet for 500 feet, thence to New York and Newark Bridge 200 feet, and thence to Centre street 100 feet only. RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. IX The removal of the sboal in Xewark Bay has added greatlj' to the facilities for iiavifiatiii' June 30, 1884, was 8193,912.19. At that date there was convenient navigation, to boats and vessels drawin<>- 5 to G feet, to Seabright on the south branch and to Eed Bank on the north bank at all stages of the tide, and to boats drawing not more than 4 feet to Branchport. Since the suspension of the imprgvement, in 1883, these dei)ths have been reduced J to 1^ feet by shoal formations in both branches and in the main stem below the Highhmds, and it is certain that the imi)roved channels cannot be main- tained until Dike C, projected for the right bank of the north branch, is c()m})leted. work was done during the year. The amount which can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending eJune30, 1887, if appropriated, will be api)lied in completing Dike G a length of 1,940 feet, and in deepening and enlarging the existing ch;innels in both branches, and at the entrance below Crane Point, to full 300 feet, afford- ing feet, mean low water. The benefits arising from these improvements will be the better main- tenance of the channels and a more convenient navigation of the river for the steadily increasing commerce which is attracted there by the prosperous growth of the country tributary to the Shrewsbury J-tiver. Tlie annual tonnage of the river is estimated at over 500,000 tons, with an estimated valuation of $3,000,000. The estimated valuation of improved propert}^ affected by the imi)rovement is over 8(3,000,000. Four steamboats and 1,300 sailing vessels do the carrying trade. July 1. 1384, anioiint available !B587 81 July 1, 1885, amouut expeuded during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding , liabilities July 1, 18ci4 * 10 61 July 1. 1885, amount available 577 20 r Amount (estinnited) re([uired for completion of existing project 50,000 00 J Amount that can be prolitablv expended in liscal year ending June 30, 1887 50,000 00 j Submitted in compliance witli requirements of section 2 of river and 1^ harbor acts of 18()() and 1867. (See Appendix F 9.) 10. Eahicay River, Kew Jersey. — The present project was adopted in 1878, and contemplates a channel 8 feet deep at high water, and vary- ing in width from 125 to 100 feet from Bricktown up to Main Street Bridge, in the town of Kahway, a distance of 5 miles frouj the mouth. The original depth in shoalest i)laces before improvement was 4, feet, mean high water. The range of tides is 4 feet at Milton Avenue Bridge. The estimated cost of imi)rovement was $GG,250. The a'nount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was 830,799.30. At that date the improved channel, having 7 to 8 feet depth at mean high water, was carried from Edgar's Dock to Milton Avennt' Bridge, 2,900 feet long and 50 to 100 feet wide, and thence, through both draws. 50 to 100 feet wide and 850 feet long, to Chamberlain's Dock. ^s"o work of improvement was done during the year. The commerce of the river has not increased over that of last year, when the imports and exports were estimated at 50,000 tons. The town of liahway, afthe head of navigation, is an important manu- facturing town of 8,000 inhabitants. Manufactures and trade are now much dei)ressed. As t^iie stream artbrds ample dei)ths of water for the few vessels which use it, no appropriation is asked for continuing the improvement for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. July 1. 1884, amount available 8-200 70 July 1. 1885, amount available i 200 70 XII REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project S'29, "250 Oi> Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and I harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See At)pendix F 10.) 11. Elizabeth River ^ N'ew Jersey. — The improvement of this rivev was- commenced in 1879, in accordance with the authorized project, which contemplates the formation of a channel 60 feet wide and 7 feet deep at mean high water from the mouth of the river to the head of navigation at Stone Bridge, at the Broad Street Crossing, a distance of 2J miles. The original depth in shoalest part before improvement was 3 feet, ap- proximately, mean high water. The range of tides is 3 feet, ap])roxi- mately, at Stone Bridge. The amount expended up to close of fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $26,398.36, and the improved channel, 7',200 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 7 feet deep, mean high water, was carried to near Bridge Street Bridge in the town of Elizabeth. No work of im- provement was done during the year. The stream has all required navigable facilities for small sailing vessels and canal barges which use it. The annual tonnage of the river is 30,000 tons. Xo appropriation is asked for continuing the improvement during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. July 1, 1884, amount available sBOl 64 July 1, 1885, amount available 601 64 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 16, 160 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 11.) 12. Wpoclhridge CrteJc, New Jersey.— The project for this improvement, adopted in 1878, provides for dredging a channel 80 feet wide, 12 feet deep, mean high water, and 4,800 feet long from the entrance to Town Dock, a distance of 2 miles, and for the construction of a timber dike on left bank below Town Dock 516 feet long. The original depth at the en- trance was 9^ feet, mean high water, and at Town Dock 6^ fe^t. The range of tides is 5 feet, approximatel}'. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884,was $19,000, and the improved channel had been carried, 50 to 80 feet wide and 12 feet deep, mean high water, to Cutter's Glay Dock ; and thence to Valentine's Dock it has a width of 25 feet only. No work was done during the year. The practical result of the improvement is a navigable channel from the entrance to Cutter's Dock §0 to 80 feet wide, 2,800 feet long, and 12 feet deep at mean high water ; and thence to Valentine's Dock 25 feet wide, 800 feet long, and 12 feet deep, and thence to above Town Dock 80 feet wide, 1,200 feet long, and 9 feet deep, mean high water. The timber dike on left bank below Town Dock, 516 feet long, was also built. The amount that can be profit- ably expended during the year ending June 30, 1887, if appropriated, will be applied in making the improved channel uniformly 80 feet wide and 12 feet deep, mean high water, from below Valentine's Dock to Town Dock. The advantages to be expected from the improvement are increased facilities for the navigation of the upper reach of the river, where extensive manufactories of clay products are located. The average tonnage of the creek for a series of years is 120,000 tons, which has an estimated annual valuation of $1,000,000. The vessels which use the river number 1,200, and have a maximum draught of 10 feet. KIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. XIII Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $10,000 00 Amount that can be protitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. 10, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1806 and 1867. (See Appendix F 12.) 13. Manasquan Birer^ iVezr Jersey. — The ])rosent project was a(loi)te(l iu 1879, and has for its object the oj)eiiin.u' of a direct cliannel-way across the beach, and protectinfi' the same from the dow of the tidal currents between the river and the ocean, so as to obtain and maintain a suitable depth for the passage of vessels similar to those now em- ployed on the basins of the river above its mouth, and for coasters of light draught, the original depth on the outer bar varying from 1 foot to l.i> feet, mean low water. The original ])roject contemplates the con- struction of a north jetty 1,G00 to 2,000 feet long, a south jetty oOO to 1,000 leet long, and the dredging of the inner basin 2,000 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 5 feet deep, mean low water, at an estimated cost of $72,000. The range of tides is 3 feet, approximately. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $39,000. At that date the improvement consisted of a north jetty, built of creosoted timber, 1,515 feet long, and of a south jetty 475 feet long. The channel embraced between the jetties was 200 feet wide and G feet deep, mean low water. The least water on the outer bar was 3 to 3^ feet, mean low water, and in the inner harbor 4 to G feet, mean low w;>ter. No work of improvement was done during the year. The amount expended during the year ending June 30, 1885, was nothing. ' The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, if appropriated, will be applied towards the re- moval of the shoal at the mouth of the inner harbor, and the extension of both jetties 300 feet each. By this im}nx^vement it is expected that the dei)th of water on the bar will be increased to 4 feet, mean low water, and that the local commerce will be developed. The country drained by the Manasquan is estinuited at 80 square miles; the farms are fertile and productive, and the commerce is and has been small only because producers have no convenient port for shipments. f Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project §33, 000 I Amount that can be protitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887.. 25, 000 ] Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor I acts of 1866 and 1867, (Jree Appendix F 13.) 14. Rarihin Bay, Ncic Jersey. — The present project was adoj)ted in 1880. and provides for the oi)ening by diedging of a channel through the shoal to the eastward of Seguine Point, Stat<^n Island, 8,000 feet long, 300 feet wide, and 21 feet deep, mean low water. It was revised in 1884 so as to provide for a channel 4,000 feet long, 300 feet wide, and 21 feet deep, around Ward's Point, leading to Perth Aml)()y, and again iu 1885 so as to give 15 feet, mean low water, to South Amboy in a channel 4,500 feet long and 300 feet in width. The least depth on the shoal east of Seguine Point before the im- provement began was only 14J feet, mean low water, and the existing depths over the sluTals in the channel leading to Perth Amboy and- South Amboy are 19 feet and 12i feet, respectively. Tlie range of tides at Pertli Amboy is 5.1 feet. The amount ex- pended to June 30, 1884, was $98,308.84. At that date the improved channel across the shoal east of Seguine Point was 8,000 feet long, 21 XIV REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. feet deep, mean low water, and 240 feet wide, except at the western end, for the last 2,000 feet, where it was only 200 feet wide. The depth was sufficient for vessels drawing 20 feet at all stages of the tide,* but was not wide enough for convenient navigation hy sailing vessels. Tlie amount available Jul}- 1, 1884, was $1,6;)!. IG. By act of July 5, 1884, $20,000 were appropriated for continuing the improvement. During the fiscal year 112,657 cubic 3-ards of material .were re moved (of this amount 2,403 cubic yards were illegally dumped by contractor and not paid for), by which the original x)roject w^s completed. A sur- vey made in May, 1>=85, showed that the full depth of 21 feet, mean low water, existed everywhere for a width of 200 feet. Along the axis, but beyond that width, near the center of the cut, the channel bad been narro wed by the leveling of the sides of the cut by the action of tidal currents. At the entrance the width of 300 feet was well maintained, but the average width of channel across the shoal was only about 250 feet. The amount that can be profitably expended during the year, if ap- propriated, will be applied in removing the shoals in the improved channel due to tidal action ; in opening a channel 4,000 feet long, 300 feet wide, and 21 feet deep, mean low water, around Ward's Point on the approach to Perth Amboy ; and in opening a channel from Great Beds Light to South Amboy, 4,500 feet long, 300 feet \yide, and 15 feet deep,, mean" low water. These improvements, supplementary to the original project, are ren- dered necessary for the accommodation of the large and increasing traffic through the main channel in Raritan Bay, and in the two branches leading to the Am boys, both for the local commerce of the bay and for that which goes south through the Raritan River, and the Delaware and Raritan Canal, which starts at New Brunswick and connects with the Delaware River at Trenton. The annual tonnage of the Raritan Bay Channel to the Amboys, and the Delaware and Raritan Canal, for freight actually carried, is over 7,000,000 tons, and has an estimated valuation of $37,(327,332. The improvements will give greatly increased facilities to deep-draught vessels for reaching the wharves at the Amboys, and to light-draught vessels and steamers for entering the Raritan River. The number of vessels engaged in this commerce is estimated at 16,000. July 1, i884, amount available . ., 81, (391 16 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 20. 000 00 •21. im 16 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 *J0, 966 46 July 1, 1885, amount available T'24 70 {Amount (estimated) required for com])letion of existing revised project. 114, 000 00 Amounttbatcan be profitably expended infiscalyearending Juue30, 1887. 114, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 14.) 15. Raritan River., New Jersey. — The project originally ado])ted in 1874 had for its object to dike and dredge at the Stakes and 3liddle Ground and to remove other shoals up to ^^ew Brunswick, so as to make a channel 200 feet wide, affording 10 feet depth at mean low water, from the mouth to New Brunswick, a distance of 12 miles. It was modified in 1881 so as to provide, in addition, the opening of RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. XV South Chaunel 13,000 feet loiio^, 100 feet wide, and 5 J feet dee]>, iiieau low water, starting near Kearney's lower dock, south of the Stakes,'' following the riglit bank closely to Wliitehead's lower dock, and thence l)assing to the main channel through an opening in the dike at the lower end of Crab Island. The original condition of the navigation was an intricate cliannel at the Stakes of 7 feet at mean low water and of G. L feet on the .Middle Ground, and of 7 to 8 feet at mean low \vater upon the other shoals as far up as New Brunswick. The range of tides at New Brunswick is 5.50 feet. The total amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, was 8129,922.90. The work of improvement had been carried progressively up-stream from the mouth, and at that date the dredged channel at the "Stakes," 2 J miles from South Ambo}', was 1,000 feet long, 200 feet wide, iuid 12 feet deep, mean low water, except for a short distance at the lower end, "where the depth was only 9 feet; and the protecting dike on the left bank had been bui't for a length of 1,097 feet. At the " Middle Ground." 2 miles above, the dredged chaunel was 5,300 feet long, 130 feet wide, and 12 feet deep, mean low water, and the projected dike on the right bank had a completed length of 10,595 feet, and on the left bank 2,600 feet. By the construction of these dikes the river, which was originally 1,(300 to 3,400 feet wide, was contracted to a width of 800 feet ; the alignment of the deep-water channel was made direct, and the formation of shoals was prevented by the protection given to the banks. At Rocky Reach, near Whitehead's Sand Dock, where the obstructions consisted originally of a rock}^ ledge covered with bowlders, clay, gravel, and sand, the im- proved channel, opened by drilling, blasting, and dredging, was 1,000 to 1,100 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 12 feet deep, and the south channel liad been opened 1,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 5^ feet deep. The work of improvement had not been carried above Rocky Reach further than to remove loose bowlders from difiterent i)arts of the channel from Rocky Reach to the canal entrance, of which the estimate to May, 1880, was 38,106 cubic yards. So far as improved the channel meets the wants of the large commerce of the river, but in the upper reach, near New Brunswick, shipping experiences many delays on account of shoal water. By act of July 5, 1884, the sum of $35,000 was appropriated to con- tinue the improvement. The amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, was $20,482.87, and was apjdied in opening a channel from Acken's Wharf behind the dike at the " Stakes" 500 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 6 feet deep, mean low water, to the main chau- nel ; in opening channel 100 feet long, 120 feet wide, and 9 feet deep across shoal, which had formed during the winter opposite Bishop's dock, and in the continuation of the improvement at Rocky Reach by drilling, blasting, and dredging the reef, by which the improved chan- nel was made 1,000 to 1,100 feet long, 180 feet wide, and 12 feet deep, mean low water. Three hundred feet of the tenth or last cut was also excavated, aud when carried across Jthe reef will complete the project there. Thedikes at the Stakes" and at the middle ground were injured by floating ice during the early spring. Estimates for the repairs were approved but no work was done. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending- June 30, 1887, if approi)riated, will be applied, in accordance with pro- ject, in dredging 100,000 cubic yards of material from the shoals from XVl REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. Martin's Creek to above Martin's Dock, and in blasting and dredging 5,000 cnbic yards of solid rock from the channel above Martin's Dock. Tliese improvements will extend deep navigation a distance of 2 miles, and diminish existing delays at the shoals at low tide. The annual tonnage of the river which passes through the canal is 3,955,318 tons, and of the river proper is 9,204,637 tons. The money value of the commerce benefited by the improvement is estimated at $40,000,000. The benefit to be expected from the improvement is that accruing to a large local commerce between New Jersey and New York, and to that extensive inter-State commerce which exists between New York and the States to the southward which are reached by the Delaware and Earitan Canal. July \, 1884, amount available $739 88 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, ld84 35, 000 00 35,739 88 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 |20, 482 87 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities 4,529 60 25,012 47 July 1, 1885, amount available 10,727 41 r Amount (estimated) required for completion, of existing project 1,648,662 05 I Amounttliatcanbeprolitablyexpendedinfiscalyearending June 30, 1887 100,000 00 I Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and I b arbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 15.) 10. Mattawan Creel% Wew Jersey/. — The project for this improvement was adoi)ted in 1881, the object being to afford a channel 100 feet wide ard 4 feet deep, mean low water, from the mouth to Winksou's Creek, and thence to head of navigation at Long Branch Eailroad crossing, 75 feet wide and 4 feet deep, a distance of 2 miles from the entrance, at an estimated cost of $33,120. The original depth was 2 feet, mean low water, in a narrow channel, and it was not therefore available for commerce. The range of tides is 4.7 feet. The amount expended to close of year ending June 30, 1884, was $21,000. No work of improvement was done during the year. There is now an improved channel affording 4 feet de])th, mean low w^ater, 00 to 100 feet wide from the entrance to a point GOO feet above the Bi ick Factory, and thence 30 to 50 feet wide to the head of navigation al Mattawan. The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal 5 ear ending June 30, 1887, if appropriated, will be used in mak- ing the improved channel 75 feet wide and 4 feet deep, mean low water, to the head of navigation. This improvement will make the navigation of the river much more conv^enient, and will materially increase the commercial importance of Mattawan. The area drained by the river and particularly benefited by the im- provement contains 50 square miles and a population of 9,000 souls. The average tonnage carried for a series of years is 130,000 tons, which has an estimated valuation of over $2,000,000. r Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $12^120 00 J Amountthat can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1887. 9, 000 00 I Submitted in compliance witli requirements of section 2 of river and harbor L acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 16.) RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. XVII 17. Key port Harbor^ New Jersey. — The present project was adoi)ted in 1873, and provides for a cbanuel 200 feet wide, 4,700 feet long, and 8 feet deep at mean low water, from Key port Wharf to the 8-foot curve, mean low water, of Raritan Bay. The original condition of the navigable channel was a depth of only feet, mean low water, and was hot, therefore, available for commerce at half tide. The range of tides is 4.7 feet, ai)proximately. The amount expended to June 30, 1884, was $20,172.06. At that date there was an improved channel 4,700 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 8 feet deep, mean low water, except for a short distance on the inside, where the width was only 160 feet. The amount that can be profitably expended during the year ending June 30, 1887, if appropriated, will be applied so as to give the im- proved channel a uniform width of 200 feet throughout, and also to re- move any deposits that may have caused shoalings since the work of improvement was suspended in 1883»- The gross tonnage of the vessels using the channel is estimated at 1,800,000 tons, having an estimated valuation of $5,000,000. Three steamboats and over 100 sailing vessels, with a tonnage vary- ing from 15 to 100 tons, do the carrying trade of the harbor. Over one hundred and fifty thousand passengers were carried by the steamers during the year. The benefit to be expected from the improvement for which an appro- priation of $10,000 is recommended is a more convenient navigation of the improved channel, whose existing width on the inside is insuffi- cient for easy handling of vessels. July 1, 1884, amount available $1, 302 94 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 320 75 July 1, 1885, amount available 982 19 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 10,000 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 10, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 17.) 18. South River, Neic Jersey. — The project for this improvement was adopted in 1880. The original condition of the navigable channel was a false direction of the canal mouth, with a depth there of 3^ feet at mean low water; thence up to Little Washington, depths varying from 3.1 to 11.6 feet at mean low water; thence to Bissett's Brick-Yard, depths varying from 2.8 to 10.1 feet at mean low water, and thence to Old Bridge, depths varying from 2.1 to 12.5 feet at mean low water. There are several sharp bends above Little Wasliington, where it will be expedient to straighten the course occasionally by cuts. The originally adopted project, which has not been modified, was, to change the outlet of the river below Pettit's, to < ike and to dredge in order to obtain 8 feet atme^n low water up to Little Washington; thence to straighten the course, dike and dredge up to Bissett's Brick-Yard in order to obtain 6 feet at mean low water, and, finally, to straighten tbe course, dike and dredge to Old Bridge, in order to obtain 4 feet at mean low water. The range of tides is 5 feet approximately. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $55,617.37. At tbat date the several dikes projected for the improvement of the canal and of the South Kiver below Washington, AP F II XVIII REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. aggregating 5,896 feet in length, were completed, though not entirely filled with stone, and the artificial cut-off called Little Ditch," near Washington, was closed. No part of the channel either in canal or in the river proper had been deepened by dredging. No work of improvement was done during the year The amount that can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, if appropriated, will be used in deepening the canafj whose banks have been protected by dikes, and in removing the shoals in South River below Washington, abreast of Dike "F," so that vessels drawing 8 feet may reach Washington at low tide. The commerce of the river amounts to 397,000 tons annually, with an estimated valuation of $1,852,000. It is composed chiefly of brick, coal, lumber, fertilizers, fruit, and general merchandise. It is expected that the completion of the improvement will consider- ably increase the tonnage of the river by the encouragement given to the erection of new manufactories. July 1, 1884, amount available $382 63 July 1, 1885, amount available 382 63 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 138, 695 00 Amounttbat can be profitably expended in fiscalyear ending June 30, 1887 25, 000 00 Submitted in compliance witb requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix F 18.) 19. Gedney^s Channel, New York Harbor. — The present project was adopted in 1884, and provides for the formation of a channel through the shoal in the west end of Gedney's Channel 4,000 feet long, 1,000 feet wide, and 28 feet deep, mean low water. The original condition at the entrance was a navigable channel with a minimum width of 1,200 feet, in which the maximum depth on the bar was 24 feet, mean low water, approximately, and the minimum depth 23.7 feet, mean low water. The first approi^riation for the improvement of the channel was made by act of July 5, 1884, ax)propriating $200,000. It was not based on any prcA^ously approved project, nor had the War Dei)artment been previously directed to make a survey of the channel with the view of submitting i)lan and estimates for its improvements. To determine the condition of the lower baj^ and that of the several channels over the bar, a sur^vey of the entrance from Coney Island to Sandy Hook, ex- tending eastward to the 12-fathom curve and westward to the " west bank" was directed by the Secretary of War, August 5, 1884, on the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers after reference to, and favor- able report from, the Board of Engineers for Kiver and Harbor Improve- ments. The survey was begun in August, 1884, and completed in No- vember, 1884, and the illustrative chart was transmitted to the Chief of Engineers accompanied with a report in which it was recommended that Gedney\s Channel be improved by opening a cut through the obstruct- ing shoal in the west end 4,000 feet long, 30 feet deep, mean lov>^ water, and of a width dependent on the price bid for removal of material. The re])()rt and estimates were re/erred to the Board of Engineers, who ap- proved the general project, but limited the depth to be gained to 28 feet, mean low water. Their suggestions were directed to be carried out, and on January 15, 1885, sealed proposals, solicited by public advertise- ment, according to law, were opened and a contract awarded. The contractor began work on March 24, 1885, and continued operat- ing until May 13, when he notified the officer of engineers in charge of KIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. XIX the work that he found it impracticable to deepen the channel by the methods he used, and asked that the contract be canceled. Proposals again invited were opened June 23, 1885, and a new con- tract awarded July 31, 1885. No diminution in depth has occurred in the channel during the year, and vessels drawing 22 feet can pass through the channel at low stage when the sea is quiet. The average range of tides at Sandy Hook is 4.8 feet. It is x)roposed to apply the appropriation in this way because Congress specifically designated Gedney's as the one to be improved. If the act had been worded differently so that the money could have been applied in improving the bar at the entrance without specific ref- erence to any one channel, no work would probably have been begun in Gedney's Channel, but measures would have been proposed for the construction of permanent works of improvement, which would have based the deepening of the water over the bar upon works of contraction at the entrance. In this connection the Board of Engineers for Fortifica- tions and for River and Harbor Improvements made a report December 23, 1884 (which was transmitted to the House of Representatives and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 78, Forty-eighth Congress, second session), upon the general subject of obtaining a depth of 30 feet over New York Bar. Their views are entitled to careful consideration, and although additional study as well as experience will be necessarj^ to define in all their detail the precise dimensions and other features of the work of construction necessary for the permanent improvement of the bar, yet sufiicient is known to justify this office in recommending a large api)ro- priation, not less than $1,000,000, for the commencement of a i)erma-«., nent improvement. With regard to the improvement of Gedney's Channel, ordered by Congress, and which can be undertaken at the preseig; time by the means of some form of dredging, no additional es- timate is submitted on account of the purely experimental nature of the undertaking. The amount reported below as expended during the fiscal year end- ing June 30, 1885, was for surveys, engineering, and inspection. Amouut appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 $200,000 00 July 1, 1885, amount expended during tiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 $13,480 65 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities 50 00 13,530 65 July 1, 1885, amount available 186,469 35 (See Appendix F 19.) 20. Eemoving sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering naviga- tion. — The contractor for removal of the wreck of steamer Nankin, lying in the Swash Channel at the entrance to New York Harbor, con- tinued work during the year under his contract, and removed 375 tons of iron, making the total removed since he began work 805 tons. The amount of iron yet to be removed is 200 tons, approximately, and of ballast 100 tons. The contract was extended to August 1, 1885, by the Secretary of War January 10, 1885, without change in the stipulation that monthly payments shall be nmde to the contractor proportionate to the quantity of iron removed, and that the aggregate of the advance payments shall not exceed $27,000, the gross sum which shall be paid to the contractor for whollj' removing the wreck, in accordance with the original con- tract, dated July 19, 1883. XX . REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. The total of the advance payments made to the contractor to date is $8,087.40, the retained percentage of which is $1,665.60. The wreck is embedded in 5 to 8 feet of sand, and there is a depth of 23 to 25. feet of water over it at mean low water. As it lies on the west side of the axis of the channel, it will not be a dangerous obstruction to navigation so long as it is properly buoyed. It is expected that the wreck will be entirely removed before the close of the present summer. (See Appendix F 20.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF JULY 5, 1884. The following locality was examined by the local engineer in charge and not recommended for improvement : 1. Baldwin River ^ New Yo7% at Baldwin Station, to connect with Long Beach. — The report on this examination was transmitted to Oongress and printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 71, Forty-eighth Congress, second session. (See also Appendix F 21.) And it ai^pearing, after preliminary examination by the local engineer, that the locality was worthy of improvement by the Greneral Govern- ment, Major Gillespie was charged with and completed the survey of — 1. Eudspn Kiver, on the Netc Jersey side, from Weehawlcen to Bercpen Point, Hudson County, Neiv Jersey, with a vieiv to deepening the water at the wharf on that side. — (See Appendix F 22.) * « * * « * * t APPENDIX F. IMPEOVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY— DEEPENING GEDNEY'S CHANNEL THROUGH SANDY HOOK BAR, NEW YORK. BEPORT OF MAJOB GEORGE L. GILLESPIE, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, BVT. LIEUT. COL. U. S. A., OFFICER IN CHARGE FOR FISCAL YEAR END- ING JUNE 30, 1885, WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE WORKS. IMPROVE^rENTS. 1. East Chester Creek, New York. 2. Cauarsie Bay, New York. 3. Sbeepshead Bay, New York. 4. Snmpawanus Inlet, New York. 5. Clieeseqnakes Creek. New Jersey. 6. Passaic River above Newark. N. J. 7. Passaic River below Newark, and re- i moving slioale in Newark Bay, N. J. 8. Cbaunel between Staten Island and New Jersey. 9. Sbrewsbnry River, New Jersey. 10. Rabway River, New Jersey. 11. Elizabeth River, New Jersey. 12. Woodbridoe Creek, New Jersey. 13. Manas(iuan River, New Jersey. 14. Raritan Bay, New Jersey. 15. Raritan River, New Jersey. 16. Mattawan Creek, New Jersey. I 17. Keyport Harbor, New Jersey. 18. Sonth River, New Jersey. 19. Gedney's Channel, New York Harbor. 20. Removing sunken vessels or craft ob- structing or endangering naviga- tion. EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS. 21. Baldwin River, New York, at Bald- i 22. Hudson River on the New Jersey win Station to connect with Long side, from Weeliawken to Bergen Branch. > j Point, Hudson County, N. J., with a j view to deepening the water at the I wharf on that side. United States Engineer Office. ^'elO York, July 31, 1885. General : I have the honor to transmit herewith the annual reports for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, of the improvements of rivers and harbors and for surveys which have been in my charge. Very respectfully', your obedient servant, G. L. Gillespie, Major of Engineers, Bvt. Lieut. CoJ.j U. S. A, Brig. Gen. John Xewton, Chief of Engineers J U. S. A. 47 E 737 738 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. F I. IMPROVEMENT OF EAST CHESTER CREEK, NEW YORK. The original condition of navigation was, between Town Dock and Lockwoods, a drauglit of less than 7 feet at high-water, through an in- tricate, crooked, and narrow channel ; a draught in the channel south of Goose Island rather more than 7 feet at high water, and a dangerous reef of bowlders in close proximity to the course of vessels in passing the draw at Pelham Bridge near the entrance. The project originally adopted in 1872 and modified in 1873 included the improvement of the river extending from Pelham Bridge to Lock- woods a distance of 2^ miles, so as to provide 9 feet at mean high water, at an estimated cost of $136,500. It provided for the removal of bowlders and gravel from the draw of Pelham Bridge, for the making of a channel of 9 to 10 feet depth at high water on the west side of Goose Island 1,500 feet long and 125 feet wide, the dredging of a chan- nel from Town Dock to the first bend in the river about 1,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 9 feet deep, high water, and its extension up stream as far as Lockwoods by the excavation of a cut through marsh meadow and rock 2,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 9 feet deep, and the excavation of a cut and tidal basin above Lockwoods 3,000 feet loug, 100 feet wide, and 9 feet deep. The modification of 1873 consisted of proposed timber dikes to confine the channel on both banks from above Town Dock to near Pelham Bridge, of which the aggregate length was 5,800 feet. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $53,918.50. The first appropriation was made by act of March 3, 1873. Work was suspended June, 1884, owing to an exhaustion of funds, at which date the bowlders had been removed from the channel near Pelham Bridge, the channel on west side of G oose Island had been completed, the channel between Goose Island and Town Dock had been opened 2,000 feet long, minimum width 40 to 45 feet, widening to 90 feet at Town Dock, and the cut through the meadow and rock had been excavated to Lockwoods, re- ducing the distance between the docks from 5,500 feet to 3,200 feet. No work has been done on the formation of the tidal basin projected above Lockwoods, on improvement of channel above Town Dock, nor on the dikes to confine channel from the Town Dock to the entrance. The gen- eral level of the banks is that of high water, the currents are sluggish, and the channel is subject to deposits which cause shoals. The portion of the river almost exclusively used by shipping is from Town Dock to the mouth. The channel opened immediately below the dock, which was excavated in 1883-'84, has a minimum improved width of only 40 to 45 feet. This is scarcely sufficient for vessels, and should be widened everywhere to a least width of 80 feet, and for its better maintenance training-dikes are considered necessary, as the modified project provides. The appropriation of $20,000, which is recommended for continuing the improvement, will be applied, if appropriated, in widening the chan- nel below Town Dock to 80 feet, by the excavation of 10,000 cubic yards of material, and in building 1,500 feet of diking, partly on both banks for maintaining the imi)roved channel. This work is in the collection district of New York. Nearest port of entry, New York. Nearest light-house, Stepping Stones. Fort Schuyler is the nearest fort. Amount of revenue collected during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885,$126,183,873.57. APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 73[> The amount of commerce benefited by the improvement does not dilfer from the esti- mate of $5,500,000 appearing in last year's report. Original estimate 11136,500 00 Amount appropriated from March 3, 1873, to June 14, 1^84 54,000 00 Amount expended to June 30, 1885 53, <»1« 50 Money sfatonciit. July 1, 1884, amount available S'^^l 50 July 1, 1885, amount available 81 50 f Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing ])roject 8-2, 5(i0 09 ! Amount that can be ])rofitably expended in tiscal year ondiuL!: June 30,1887 '20,000 0§ ) Submitted in compliance with requirements of section vJ of river and harbor acts of 18l)() and 1807. F 2. IMPROVEMENT OF CANARSIE BAY, NEW YORK. The object of this improvement is to connect Canarsie Landing with, the deep water of Jamaica Bay by a channel having a depth of G feet at mean low water, the original dei)th across the fiats being only 4J feet. The project for the improvement, which contemplated the forjna- tion of a tidal basin by a system of dikes, was adopted in 1879, at an estimated cost of $88,000. The range of tides is 4:.6 feet. The amonnt available July 1, 18Si, was nothing. At that date there was an im- proved channel across the flats separating Canarsie Landing from the main channel throngh Jamaica Bay 3,000 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 6 feet deep, mean low water, which was protected on the north side by a timber dike 1,000 feet long. The dike, 3,350 feet long, projected for the south side of the channel, has never been commenced, for want of the necessary means. Sealed proposals were invited July 29, 188J:, by public advertisement in the usual way, for dredging and diking the channel from Cauarsie Lauding to Jamaica Bay, and on the 17th of Se])tember, 1884:, the contract was awarded to Henry Du Bois' Sons for dredging at 35 cents per cubic yard and at 829.37 per linear foot for the dikiug. Work under this contract commenced October 9, and was completed November 6 ; 7,535 cubic yards of material were removed and 50 feet added to the dike on the east end. At the close of the contract the channel was 125 feet wide at the entrance, diminishing to 50 feet wide at Canarsie Landing, and had everywhere a minimum depth of feet at mean low water. When the ice which had formed in the harbor dur- ing the winter, began to flow out in the spring, large masses were carried over the dike, and several of the piles were displaced, and the wa ling- timbers crushed. These damages will be repaired during the the com- ing season, at a cost not exceeding $100. The sum of $25,000 is recommended for continuing the improvement during the year ending June 30, 1887, and, if appropriated, will be ap- plied towards the construction of 300 feet of the dike projected for the south side of channel, tlie extension eastward of the north dike 250 feet, and the widening to 100 feet of the western end of the channel near Canarsie Landing. Canarsie is essentially a fishing harbor, but is also used as a resort by numerous yachts, schooners, and sloops engaged iu other enterprises. Oysters, clams, codfish, and bluefish to the value of $1,500,000 annually are shipped from the harbor to the New York mar- 740 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, V. S. ARMY. kets, and during the summer season two steamboats make regular daily trips to and from Rockaway Beacb, carrying from 40,000 to 50,000 pas- sengers. It is estimated that the capital invested ex^^eds ^35250,000. The success attained by the application of previous appropriations gives assurance that the project of improvement will give the relief an- ticipated of its execution. This work is in the collection district of New York, whicL is tlie nearest port of en- try. Nearest lighthouse is Fort Tompkins Light, and the nearest fort Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor. Amount of revenue collected at the port of New York during the year ending June 30, 1885, was $126,183,873.57. Original estimate ? S88, 000 00 Amount appropriated to July 5, 1884 23,000 00 Amount expended to date 22,513 26 Money statement. Amount appropriated by act approved July 5. 1884 $5,000 00 Julv 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 4,513 26 July 1, 1885, amount available 486 74 f Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 65, 000 00 J Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 25, 000 00 J Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and hart)or acts of 1866 and 1867. Abstract of xyroimsal for improving Canarsie Bay, New York, opened September 17, 1884, by Maj. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. Names of bidders. 1 I Eli j .all Braiuard 2 Heuvy Du Bois" Sons* 3 Atlantic Dredging Company Prices bid for dredg- ing per cubic yard. Cents. Prices bid for dike complete, per linear foot. $16 90 29 37 Omitted . . Date of com- mencement. October 1, 1884 Omitted Omitted Date of com- pletion. June 30, 1885. June 1, 1885. Omitted. * Lowest bid. Contract awarded to Henry Du Bois' Sons, with the ai^proval of the Chief of Engi- neers. F3. IMPROVEMENT OF SHEEPSHEAD BAY, NEW YORK. The project for this improvement was adopted in 1879, and provided for deei^ening the entrance by means of converging jetties, and for im- proving the interior channel by longitndinal dikes so placed as in some instances to form tidal reservoirs for the scour of the channel. The project was revised in 1881 so as to provide under certain contingencies for the opening of a cut to connect the bay with Dead Horse Inlet, 1,650 feet long and 100 feet wide, affording 6 feet mean low water; for revet- ing the banks of the cut, and for dredging the interior channel to the extent of 40,000 cubic yards, the estimated cost of the supplementary APPENDIX F REPOKT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 741 improvement beiog $34,200. The range of tides is 4.5 feet approximately. At that date there was a channel connecting; Sheepshead Bay with Dead Ilorse Inlet 1,500 feet long, 40 feet wide, with a minimum depth of 4 feet at mean low water, while at the original entrance by the chan- nel around the easterly end of Coney Island the bar was practically bare at lowest tide. No work of improvement has been done on the inside. Sealed proposals were opened Septembef 17, 1884, for enlarg- ing the improved channel by dredging, and the contract was awarded to the Atlantic Dredging Company, the lowest bidders, at 13.J cents per cubic yard. The autumn was unfavorable for work, and as the con- tractors were under contract with private parties for making imi)rove- ments on the Coney Island side of the bay, and were arrauping a plant for that special enterprise which would be adapted to the Government work, they were permitted to delay the commencement of their con- tract until their new plant was perfected. At the close of the fiscal year the contractor had not been able to commence work, owing to the failure on the part of the machinists to perfect his plant, and his contract was extended to October 15, 1885. The improved channel has been maintained unimpaired throughout the year, and has given great satisfaction to the shipping of the bay. The owners of the Coney Island shore have under consideration the erec- tion of a bulkhead near the low-water line along the entire eastern shore of the bay from the new causeway to near Mount Pleasant. When this improvement is made the bay will be deepened by dredging, and the material which is excavated will be thrown behind the bulk- head and graded. This will render unnecessary any longitudinal dikes Through the inner bay to train the ebb currents, and will make the bay more available than it now is. The sum of 810,000 is recommended for the year ending June 30, 1887. If appropriated it will be applied in widening the improved channel to 100 feet, and in deepening it to 6 feet mean low water, and also in opening a channel through a shoal at the eastern end of the bay 2,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 6 feet deep. Over 200 vessels of small draught engaged in legitimate trade fre- quent the harbor, and clams, oysters, and bluefish are shipped to Xew York markets at an estimated annual value of $1,000,000. This work is in the collection district of New York, which is the nearest port of entry. Nearest light-house Fort Tompkin's Light, and nearest fort Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, Amount of revenue collected duriug the Hscal year endiug Juno 30, 1^85, $1'>2G,183,873.57. Original estimate $100, 000 00 Amount appropriated to July 5, 1884 - l(i,(>00 Of Amount expended to June 30, 1885 11.03-2 17 Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount available .?'i3 75 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 5, WO 00 r>, 0-J3 75 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 1 55 92 July 1, 1885, amount avatlable 4,0G7 83 — ■* ii.— f Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing i)roject 84,000 00 1 Auuiuntthatcaubeprofitablyexpendedin tiscalyearending June30, 1887 10,000 00 j Submitted iu com]diance with requirements of section 2 of river and L harbor acts of 1860 and 1867. 742 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. Ahatract of proposals for improving Sheepshead Bay, New York, opened September 17, 1884, hy Maj. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. o 3 Xaraes of bidders. Prices bid for dredg- ing l)er cubic yard. Date of com- mencement. Date of com- pletion. Kemarks. 1 1 1 Joliii McDerinott r. .. Cents. 57 39 241 46J 13i Omitted Omitted June 30, 1885 Omitted Gu aran tor's j ustification not in accordance with specifications. Lowest bid, made with- out condition. 3 ' Elijah Brainard 4 ' Edgar M. Payn .... 5 j Atlantic Dredging Comically.. Oct. 1, 1884 During fall.. Omitted June 30, 1885 June 30, 1885 Omitted . . The contract was awarded to the Atlantic Dredging Company, the lowest bidders, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. F4. IMPROVEMENT OF SUMPAWANUS INLET, NEW YORK. The project for tliis improvement was adopted in 1880, and has for its object to open a channel 4,500 feet long, 100 to 150 feet wide, and 5 feet deep at mean low water, from the 5-foot cnrve of the bay to the town of Babylon. The original navigable depth was 2 feet mean low water. The range of tides is 1.1 feet approximately. The amount available July 1, 1884, for continuing the improvement was nothing. At that date there was an iuiproved channel from the bay to a short distance inside the wharf, 1,000 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 5 feet deep at mean low water. No work of improvement was done during the year. Vessels which use this inlet are much exposed at anchorage near the entrance during easterly gales, but if the improv^ed channel were carried further inland, so that they might reach a quiet anchorage in a natural bay 1,500 feet from the entrance, the usefulness of the inlet would be much enhanced for a large nnmber of fishing vessels of small draught. Baby- lon is a wealthy town, with a population of 5,000. Capital invested in diversified industries is estimated at $3,000,000, approximatelj^ Two hundred vessels engaged in fisljing in Great South Bay use the inlet. One steamer, during eight months in the year, makes regu- lar tri[)s daily to and from Fire Island, and carries usually 20,000 to 25,000 passengers during the season. The sum of $10,000 can be profit- ably ex[)ended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, and, if ap- propriated, will be applied in extending the improved channel towards the town of Babylon, a distance of 1,500 feet, in a cut 75 feet wide and. 5 feet deei), mean low WHter. The amount of commerce to be benefited by the improvement is estimated at $500,000 to $750,000. This work is in the collection district of New York, which is the nearest port of ftntry. Nearest light-house is Fire Island, and the nearest fort is Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor. Amount of revenue collected during the fiscal year ending June 30, 18^.'), 1126,18:3,87.3.57. Original (istimate (revised) 840,000 00 Amouni ai)propriated 7,000 00 Amount expiended to June 30, 1885 6,893 07 APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 743 Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount available $106 93 July 1, 1885, amount available 106 93 C Amount (estimated) required for corapletiou of existing project 33, 000 00 J Amounttliatcaubeprofitably expended iu fiscal yearendiug June 30, 1887 10,000 00 I Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. F5. IMPROVEMENT OF CHEESEQUAKES CREEK, NEW JERSEY. The project for this improvement, adopted in 1879, provides for cliang- iug; the outlet into a direction at right angles with the beach, closing the old outlet by a sheet-pile dike532 feet long, dredging channel through the beach 1,000 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 5 feet deep, mean low water, and constructing lateral stone jetties to confine the new channel, each. 1,500 feet long; for constructing timber dike at mouth of Buck Creek, 200 feet long; for dredging from New Landing to Furnuin's Dock a channel 400 feet lojig, 100 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, cutting through meadow 1,050 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, and building timber dike 1,000 feet long; for dredging above Furman's Dock a chan- nel 400 feet long, 100 feet wide, 4 feet deep, cutting through meadow 650 feet long, 100 feet wide, 4 feet deep, and building timber dike 300 feet long ; and for dredging a channel to Whitehead's Dock 1,500 feet long, 50 to 100 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. The distance from mouth to head of navigation, to which project extends, is 3 J miles. The range of tides at the entrance is 5.1 feet. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $39,068.73. All improvements have been n)ade at the entrance, aiul, at that date, the old outlet was closed by the sheet-pile dike, the new outlet was dredged 1,600 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 5 feet deep, and the two confining jetties had been built — the eastern jetty being 925 feet long, and the western 995 feet. No work of improvement was done during the year, as there were no funds. A recent examination was made of the harbor, and it was found that the improvement had been in nowise impaired since work was suspended. The channel still maintains its depth of 5 feet, mean low water, and the sheet-pile dike which closes the original entrance was not injured by ice. The stone jetties are well consolidated by shell-fish. The improved channel and entrance alfords ample facilities for the existing commerce of the creek, and no appro]niation is needed at this time to continue the improvement. An ap[)ropriation of $5,000 is rec- ommended to provide means for repairing damages to existing im- provement by collisions with A essels or by the action of ice. The ex- ports of the creek consist princi]ially of potter's clay and molding-sand, oysters, fish, and vegetables, and the imports of general nunchandise, lime, and compost. The.anhual tonnage is 50,000 tons. It is stated that about five hundred vessels, with an average draught of 5 feet, use. the harbor during the year. The annual value of the commerce is esti- mated at 8200,000, approximately. This work is in the collecti'on district of Amboy, N. J. ; nearest i^ort of entry, Perth Amboy, N. J. ; nearest liglit-liouse. I'rince's Bay; nearest fort is fort at Sandy Hook, N. J. Amonnt of reveune collected during the tiscal year was ^57,800.6r». Original estimate (revised) 1.. §90,000 00 Amount appropriated to date 40,000 00 Amonnt expended to June 30, 1885 39, 998 43 744 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount available |31 27 July 1, 1885, amount exnended (luring fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 29 75 July 1, 1885, amount available I 52 f Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 50, 000 00 I Amount that can be profitablj^ expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1887 5, 000 00 I Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and [ harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. F 6. IMPROVEMENT OF THE PASSAIC RIVER ABOVE NEWARK, NEW JERSEY. The proposed improvement was adopted in 1872, and provides for the formation and maintenance by means of dredging and training-dikes of a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at low water, from Clark's Spool Factory Dock, Newark, to the head of navigation, a distance of 7 miles. The project was modified in 1884 so as to extend the improvement to Centre Street Bridge to connect with the improvement of the lower river, the original navigable depth being 2J feet, approximately, low stage. The. obstructing bars are known as Belville, Rutherford Park, and Holzman's bars, and the character and extent of the works of im- provement for the securing of a navigable channel through them aftbrd- ing 6 feet depth at low stage are described in detail, page 538, Annual Rei)ort of Chief of Engineers, 1880, Part 1. It may be stated generally that the bars are from 1,300 to 3,000 feet feet long, measured along the channel, and the width of improved chan- nels are from 60 to 75 feet. At Belville Bar a great part of the material was composed of indurated sandstone and shale, and when removed was formed into a training-dike 2,000 feet long, rising to high water. On the left bank, just above Midland Eailroad Bridge, similar material was encountered at Rutherford Park Bar, and it was likewise used, when removed, to form a training-dike on the left bank 2,850 feet long and part of another on the right bank, the projected length of which was 1,950 feet, although only about 500 feet was completed. The river embraced by these two dikes is 240 feet wide. The material at Holz- man's Bar was bowlders, overlying sand, and gravel, and when removed was deposited above high water, on the left bank. The improved chan- nel is here 1,350 feet long, 50 to 60 feet wide and 6 feet deep. In 1883, the channels over the foregoing bars being free from bowlders and dan- gerous obstructions, the improvement of the bar below Midland Railroad (now Montclair and Greenwood Lake Railroad) was begun. This bar is IJ miles above Center street, Newark. In this reach there are really two shoals, separated by deep pools, one just above Clark's Si)ool Fac- tory Dock, known as Middle Bar, and the other just below the Midland Railroad Bridge, known as Lime Kiln Bar. At the first, the improved channel was opened 1,400 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 7 J feet deep, low water, and at the second, 2,370 feet long, 60 to 75 feet wide, and 7J feet deep. The material was sand and gravel and bowlders, and when removed was de[)osited behind the Belleville Dike. The 3,150 feet of diking on the right bank appearing in the project for improving these shoals has not been begun. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, w^as $120,428.16. Sealed proposals, in- APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 745 vited by public advertisement, were opened September 18, 1884, and the contract was awarded to Richard Parrott, the lowest bidder, at 49 cents per cubic yard. Owing to the lateness of tiie season and the inclement weather which prevailed during the early winter and late spring, work was not com- menced till June 10, 1885. The chjinnel at Linie Kiln Bar was widened to 75 feet, and that at Middle Bar will also be widened to 75 feet under the existing contract. The amount of material removed was 1,945 cubic yards, all of which was deposited behind the Belleville Dike. The im- I)roved depths over all the shoals improved have been well maintained, and no complaints have been heard from the captains of the boats. The depth in the pools varies from 9 to 10 feet, low stage. The estimate for ''limited improvements," under the plan of 1872, was $123,924. The plans have been executed and the desired results have been attained at a cost of $120,774.09. The diking projected in the estimate for Middle Bar was not built, as has been stated, but an equivalent diking, included in the estimate of 1872 for "extended improvements," was built, as herein stated, at Belleville and Kutherford Park bars. Since 1872, the Lime Kiln and Middle bars, adjacent to Newark, have grown slightly, and commerce has demanded, owing to the growth of tlie city of Newark, a greater depth than feet low water to the' old Midland Kailroad Bridge. The channel through these two last bars has in consequence been given a depth of 7.J feet, low stage, and it is advisable and recommended that the channel with this increased depth be extended 1,500 feet to the Erie Kiiilroad Bridge at Fourth avenue, Newark. This will require the ex- cavation of 10,000 cubic yards of material at a cost of $5,000, and the estimate of 1872 for limited improvements will be increased to f 129,000. The extension of the city's bulkheads for solid filling seems to render unnecessary the construction of the dike projected for Middle Bar. No action, so far as known, has been taken toward the erection of a dam across the river at Belleville to protect the interests of water-supply at Jersey City, nor has anything definite been determined by the court relative to the obligation of the Dundee Canal Company to open the navigation of the river above Dundee Dam by the construction of the canal around the dam. The country along this river is largely devoted to manufacturing purposes. It is progressively improving in popula- tion and vested properties, and the principal towns where manufacto- ries are located are Newark, Belleville, Passaic, Dundee, and Paterson. The money invested is estimated at $20,000,000. The range of tides at Passaic is 3 feet approximately, and the latest examinations show that the foundation of Dundee Dam is 6.3 feet above the level of mean high water. The amount recommended for continuing the improvement for the fis- cal year ending June 30, 1887, is $5,000, and will be applied towards the opening of a channel 75 feet wide and 7J feet deep, low stage, from Erie Kailroad Bridge, at Fourth avenue, Newark, to connection with the im- proved channel through Middle Bar, a distance of 1,500 feet. This improvement is in the collection district of Newark, which is the nearest port of entry. Nearest light-honse Passaic Light. Fort Tompiiins is tlie nearest fort. Amount of revenue collected during the year ending June 30, 1885, was $5,664. Original estimate for limited improvements, 1872 ^123, 92A 00 Original estimate (revised) 129,000 00 Estimate for extended improvenu^uts, 1872 251,34'J 00 Amount appropriated to July 5, 1884 124,000 00 Amount expended to June 30, 1885, exclusive of outstanding liabilities. . 120, 774 69 746 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. Money statement July 1, 1884, amount available $571 84 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 3,000 00 3,571 84 Julv 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 18!^4 $346 53 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities 953 05 1,299 58 July 1, 1885, amount available 2,272 26 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30,1887 5, 000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. Abstract of proposals for improving Passaic River, New Jersey, ahove Newark, opened Sep- tember 18, 1884, by Maj. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. Names of bidders. J. H. Staats John McDermott ^ Morris and Cumings Dredging Company. Richard Parrott t Frank Pidgeon Prices bid for dredging per cubic yard. $0 55 54 Date of commence- ment. Within two weeks af- ter signing contract. Omitted Omitted Omitted Date of comple- tion. Three weeks af- ter commencing. June 30, 1885. Thirty days after commencing. Omitted. Omitted I Omitted. * Justification of guarantor irregular $5 per ton for bowlders weighing over one-half ton. t Lowest bidder. Contract awarded to Richard Parrott, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Trade has been much depressed for the past year, but the commerce of the river has remained practically the same as stated in last year's report. Reference is invited to statistics on page 739, Annual Report, Chief of Engineers, 1884, Part I. F7. IMPROVEMENT OF PASSAIC RIVER, BELOW NEWARK, AND REMOVING SHOALS IN NEWARK BAY, NEW JERSEY. The project for this improvement was adopted in 1880, and provides for the formation and maintenance, by means of dred^^ing and a system of training-dikes, of a channel 200 feet in width and 10 feet in dei)th at mean low water from the Pennsylvania liailroad Bridge, Center street, Newark, to Newark Bay, the original navigable depth being 7J feet at mean low water. The range of tides at Newark is 4.T feet, approximately. The project was revised in 1884, so as to extend the improvement south- ward into Newark Bay, by the construction of 8,000 feet of diking in extension of the existing dike at the mouth of the river and the opening APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 747 of a channel 2,000 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 10 feet deep, low stage, through the shoal in Newark Bay, abreast of Passaic Light. Up to oiiue 30, 1884, the amount expended on the project was $122,901.47. Seale'd proposals, invited by public advertisement, were opened Sep- tember 17, 1884, and the contract was awarded to Messrs. H. J)u Bois's Sons, the lowest bidders, for buihling 700 feet, more or less, of diking in Newark Bay, at 818 i)er linear foot, and for dredging 70,000 cubic yards, more or less, of material from the bay, at 10 cents per cubic yard. Work uiider the contract was begun November 13, 1884, an,d l)y the 15th of May, 1885, 009 feet of the diking were completed and filled with stone, making the aggregate length of the dike extending from the mouth of the river into Newark Bay, abreast of Elbow Beacon, 4,705 feet. Work under the contract for dredging was extended to September 1, 1885. L^pto June 30, 1885, 34,509 cubic yards of material were removed from the shoal in Newark Bay, immediately south and east of Passaic Light, making the channel 2,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 10 feet deei), mean low water. All the material removed will be deposited be- hind the dike. The dike, at a point about 2,000 feet from the shore end, was injured by ice-jams early in the spring of 1885. The repairs, which will be made under a written agreement with the present contractors, will include 6,000 feet B. M. of oak sheathing, furnishing and driving 50 piles, pulling into place and bolting 250 piles, rejdacing 800 feet B. M. of i)ine walling timbers, and supplying 400 cubic yards of stone. The commerce of the river is now so large that it has been found im- perative to provide 10 feet depth, mean low water, in a narrow channel, as early as possible, from the lower Newark Bay to the city wharves at Newark. The small appropriations available have not been sufficient to give everywhere the full channel width of 200 feet required by the project, nor to begin any of the diking projected for the protection of the banks or the contraction of the channel, except at the entrance. The small width of 100 feet to which the channel has necessarily been limited in places has caused a slight deterioration of depths by the leveling and wearing (>f the banks ot the cats, which would have been avoided had the cuts been made wider, and the total cost of execution of the origi- nal project would have been reduced. Now that 10 feet at low stage can be carried to the city, it will be advisable to begin some of the dike- work for the better maintenance of the im])roved channel. The dike at the entrance should be extended south through Newark Bay, beyond Passaic Light, a distance of 4,000 feet, and northward at the shore-end, by a light structure to protect the banks, for a distance of 1,000 feet. Four thousand feet of the dike projected for the left bank between zinc works and the toll bridge (page 537, Annual Keport Chief of En- gineers, 1880, Part I), opposite Point No Point, should also be Iniilt, and the channel along its front should be widened 50 feet and deepened 2 or 3 feet. The estimated cost of these necessary improvements is 8125,- 000. An a])])ropriation of 8125,000 is 'recommended. The river is used princij)ally by vessels drawing over 10 feet. Twenty-two thousand ves- sels passed the draw of the New York and Newark liailroad Bridge dur- ing the year. The city of Newark has a population of over 150,000 souls, 1,400 manufacturing establishments, employing 40.000 hands, and the total annual product of the diversified industries is estimated at 870,000,000.. The annual tonnage of the river is estimated at 1,200,000 tons. It is »— 748 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. transportation of the freights originating at Newark, Passaic, and Pat- erson, and great liberality should be shown by the General Government in its improvement and maintenance. So far as they have advanced the improvements have been of great benefit to the cities on itS banks, and, notwithstanding the great depression in trade felt everywhere, the tonnage of this important river has not been materially diminished. Passaic River is in the collection district of Newark, which is the nearest port of entry; nearest lifjht-house, Passaic Li<^ht. Fort Tompkins is the nearest fort. Amount of revenue ^collected during the fiscal year ending Juno 30, ldd5, $5,664. Original estimate for diking and dredging $232, 875 00 Revised estimate, 1884 353, 875 00 Amount appropriated to iuclude act of July 5, 1884 148,000 00 Total amount expended to June 30, 1885 (exclusive of outstanding liabili- ties) 139,679 59 Money statement, July 1, 1884, amount available - $8 53 Amount ax)propriated hy act approved July 5, 1884 25, 000 00 25, 008 53 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 1.. $16,688 12 July 1, 1885, outstanding lialjilities 1, 609 29 18, 297 41 July 1, 1885, amount available 6,711 12 f Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (revised 1 1884) , 205,875 00 { Amountthatcan be profitably expendedinfiscalyearending June 30, 1887 125,000 00 I Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. Abstract of proposals for improving Pa&saic River helow Neivaric, N. J., opened September 18, 1884, hy Maj, G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. Names of bidders. Price bid I Price bid for for dredging, dike complete, per cubic i per linear yard. foot, Date of com- mencement. Date of com- pletion. Morris & Cumings Dredging Company. Kicbard Parrott John S. Howell* Waldo Danfortb . , Eli jah Brainard and Thomas H. Benton. Henry Du Bois' Sonst. Stenben A. Kelly Edgar M. Payn Frank C. Somers William H. Morton J Thomas Potter Frank Pidgeon Cents. 20 26 No bid 15| 18^ 10 17 2 $27 00 24 00 21 97 22 75 16 7.5 18 00 19 00 24 90 No bid 10 00 24 50 25 91 Omitted January 1, 1885. Omitted Omitted. Omitted June 15, 1885. Omitted October 8, 1884 Omitted Omitted Omitted 20 days after contract is awarded. Omitted Omitted | Omitted Omitted I Omitted I June 1, 1885. June 30, 1885, June 1, 1885. May 30, 1885. June 30, 1885. Juno 30, 1885. Omitted. Guarantee not dated. t Lowest bid. + Guarantee incomplete. Contract was awarded Henry Du Bois' Sons, the lowest bidders, with approval of Chief of Engineers. APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 749 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. The following is an extract from letter of Mr. E. L. Joy, secretary of the Newark Board of Trade, in reference to the benefit accruing to the river by reason of the im- provement made : "Careful ini^niry shows a consequent nidnction in the freight rate of If) per cent., with increased tonnage. Of course, there will be further reduction in rates. Certain kinds of coal, especially thos(; used by our gas^-works, are now laid down at our docks at the same rates as to New York, which was never the case before t he i)ast yenr. Ves- sels in sonui instances are still obliged to unload in New York the freight destined for Newark, but it is believed the completion of the work as uroposed will give to New- ark the trade belonging there." F 8. IMPROVEMENT OF CHANNEL BETWEEN STATEN ISLAND AND NEW JERSEY. The first survey for tliis improvement was made in 1872, and the re- port, with chart and estimates, submitted February, 1873. The plans were revised in 1875, and again in 1880, when the jnesent system of im- provement was adopted, the navigable depth at that time being 9^ to 10 feet mean low water. The approved project provides for the formation of a channel 400 feet wide, 100 feet on either side of the axial line to have 13 feet depth at mean low water, and the residue only 12 feet, with deflecting dikes on both sides if the channel cannot otherwise be maintained. The range of tides is 4.7 feet, approximately. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $92,204.62. Sealed i)roposals, invited by public advertisement, were opened Sep- tember 17, 1884, for removing deposits in the channel, and the con- tract was awarded to Messrs. Brainard and Benton, the lowest bidders, at 20 cents per cubic yard, measured in scows. The contractors began work October G, and completed their contract on December 20. The amount of material removetl was 44,953 cubic yards. The channel east of Shooter's Island, connecting with the western end of Kill Von Knll, was widened to 350 to 400 feet and deepened to 14 feet, mean low water, and the channel at the corner stake light was widened on the north side, so as to give a full width there between the 13-foot curves of 400 feet, with a depth of 13 feet, mean low water, the width along the axis being 200 feet, and the depth 14 feet, mean low water. At other points east and west of the stake light, the channel width between 12-foot curves is less than 400 feet. The obstructions by deposits, which occur in the improved channel, are first observed in the vicinity of the stake light, where the fiood currents arriving by Arthur's Kill meet those arriving by Kill Yon Kull, and it seems impossible to prevent such deposits except by the construction of Bike B, provided for in the project, on the south side (see chari", page 090, lieport Chief of Engineers, 1881, Parti). The construction of this dike was recommended in last annual report, and the recommendation is re- iterated in this. The exact length of dike required cannot be given, but it is estimated that the minimum length is 2,000 feet, and that it will cost $25,000. An appropriation of $35,000 is recommended for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, and, if appropriated, will be applied in the construction of dike B, and in removing any deposits which may have taken place in 750 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. the channel since the work of improvement was suspended. This is an exceedingly important channel, and the depths which have been gained by the improvement should not be allowed to decline. It is used by all the vessels which transport the commerce originating at Elizabethport, N. J., and' also by all the vessels, steamers, boats, barges, and tows which go to the several rivers tributary to Arthur's Kill, or which pass from New York Harbor southward through the Delaware and Karitan Canal. The tonnage of the channel last year, notwithstanding the wide-spread depression in trade, was 16,000,000 tons. The tonnage of coal and iron and other freiglit from Elizabethport is estimated at 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 tons annually, and the total anmial tonnage through the Staten Island Channel is estimated at 10,000,000 tons, with an esti- mated valuation of $00,000,000. Over 100,000 vessels pass through the channel between isew York and Elizabethport annually, and the number of i)assengers carried is estimated at 75,000 to 80,000. These figures show that the maintenance of deep water in this channel has a national importance. The last annual report contains a detailed statement of the commerce benefited by this improvement, to which reference is invited, as the conditions are unchanged. This work is in the collection district of New York, which is the nearest port of entry. Nearest light-house, Bergen Point Light, and the nearest fort, Fort Tomp- kins. Amount of revenue collected at port of New York during fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, was $1-^6,183,873.57. Original estimate $185,705 00 Amount appropriated to July 5, 1884 104, 000 00 Amount expended to date 103,602 53 Money statement, July 1, 1884, amount available fil, 795 38 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 10,000 00 11,795 38 July 1, 1885, amount expended, during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 11,397 91 July 1, 1885, amount available 397 47 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 81,705 00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscalyear ending June 30, 1887 35,000 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. Abstract of j^roposaJs for improving channel between Staten Island and Xetc Jersey, opened September 17, 1884, by Maj. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. Ol der of opeu-| ing bids. 1 Names of bidders. Prices bid for dredging and per cubic yard. Date of— i Commencement. | Completion. 1 2 3 4 Elijali Braiuai d and Thomas H. Benton Morris & Cumings Dredging Company Cents. 36 20 27 27 Omitted : June 30, 1885. October 1,1884.. I Juue 30, 1885. Omitted 1 January 1, 1885. Omitted j December 31, 1884. Contract was awarded to Messrs. Elijah Braiuard and Thomas H. Benton, th« lowest bidders, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. APPENDIX F REPOKT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. IMPROVEMENT OF THE SHREWSBURY RIVER, NEW JERSEY. The project for this improvement was adopted in 1879, and provides for the formation of a channel 6 feet deep, mean low water, from the en- trance to Oceanic Wharf on the Xt)rth Branch, 4.1 miles, and to Branch- port on the South Branch, 5 miles. The orirovements, which began in 1870, are lostered by the Government, the commerce of the river steadily increases, and producers are more and more benetited in way of appreciation of property and depreciation of freight charges, all inuring to the general prosperity of the country drained by the river. Red Bank, on the North Branch, has a population of 3,000 souls, and the amount in vested in improved property is estimated at over $2,000,000. Long Branch, Branchport, and other small settlements lying upon and adjacent to the South Branch, have a permanent population of over 5,000 souls and invested property of $4,500,000 valuation. The tran- sient population during the summer, autumn, and winter is variable, but it is estirrated at over 150,000. An appropriation of $50,000 is recommended to continue the improvement, and if appropriated will be applied in deepening the North Branch by dredging and in building 1,400 linear feet of diking on the south side of that channel below Bar- ley Point ; in deepening the South Branch to Seabright ; in maintaining the channel below Highlands Bridge, and in widening, deepening, and maintaining the channel across the bar at the entrance to the main stem below^ Crane Point. This river is in the collection district of Perth Amboy. New York is the nearest port of entry; nearest light-house, Navesink Light; and the nearest fort is fort at Sandy Hook. Amount of revenue collected during the fiscal year endiug Juue 30, 1885/ $57,800.05. Original estimate (revised) $244,500 00 Amount appropriated 194, 500 00 Amount expended to date, including outstanding liabilities 193, 922 80 Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount available $587 81 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 ^. 10 01 July 1, 1885, amount available 577 20 C Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 50, €00 00 J Amountthat can be profitably expeudedinfiscal yearendiug juue 30, 1887 50,000 00 ] Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and I harbor acts of 1806 and 1867. APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 753 COMMEHCIAL STATISTICS. The statistics for this river are unchanged, practically, from last year's report, in which it is stated that the imports, consisting of oysters, lumber, hardware, coal, cement, and general buikling material, had a valnatitui of :!l,6r2,000,and the exports a valuation of ^l.:i97,UU0. Number of sailing ves>els. sl.i^OO. F 10, IMPROVEMENT OF RAH WAV RIVER. NEW JERSEY. The existing project, adopted in 1878, provides for the formation of a channel 100 to 125 feet wide and S feet, mean liigli water, extending from Bricktown up to Monroe Street Bridge, in the town of Eahway, at the head of navigation ; distance, 5 miles from month. The original depth in the shoalest places before improvement was 4 feet, mean high water. The range of tides is 4 feet, approximately, at Milton Avenue Bridge. The amount expended to the close of tlie fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $36,799.30. At that date the improved channel from Bricktown to Milton Avenue Bridge was opened 2,900 feet long, 50 to 100 feet wide, 7 to 8 feet deep, and the east channel, 50 feet wide, af- fording 7 to 8 feet, mean high water, which passes the east draw of Milton Avenue Bridge, was completed to Chamberlain's Dock, a dis- tance of 850 feet, and the west channel, which passes the west draw, was completed to 100 feet above the lower end of Brewster's Dock. The combined width of these two channels, which are continuous above the bridge, is 100 feet. The commerce of the river, which amounts to 50,000 tons annually, consists, principally, of general merchandise, coal, lumber, and brick. Eahway, at the head of navigation, has a popula- tion of 8,000 souls, and is an important manufacturing town, though its growth of late years has been languid. The stream is subject to spring freshets, which transport considerable quantities of gravel and silt, and the shoaliugs in the improved channel are particularly noticeable in the bend upon which the town of Kahway is situated. As small sailing craft and canal barges alone use the upper portion of the river, for which ex- isting depths of water are ample, no appropriation is recommended for further improvements. This work is in the collection district of Perth Amboy, N. J., which is the nearest port of entry. The nearest light-house is Prince's Bay Light, and Fort Tompkins is the nearest fort. Amount of revenue collected during the fiscal year ending June 30, 18S5, §.o7,>00.65. Original estimate §66, '250 00 Amount appropriated 37,000 00 Amount expended 36, 799 00 Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount available §'200 70 July 1, 1885, auiount available 200 70 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 29,'2o0 00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of lc66 and 1867. 48 E 754 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Mr. William Chamberlain writes in reference to the cooimerce of the river as fol- lows : " There is uo r.hange in our imports or exports since last report. The dredging of our river 'has compelled tbe railroad companies to give us ti 't: rates at Rahway, which we could not induce them to give ns before; hut at times freights are cheaper by river. The difference now on coal is 30 cents per ton by bujing coal coming by river. The dredging is a great benefit to us all." F II. IMPROVEMENT OF ELIZABETH RIVER, NEW JERSEY. The project for this improvement, adopted iu 1879, x)rovides for the formation, by dredging, of a channel 60 feet wide and 7 feet deep, mean high water, from the month of the river to the head of naviga- tion. Stone Bridge, in the city of Elizabeth, a distance of 2f miles. The original depth in shoalest part, before improvement, was only 3 feet, mean high water. The range of tides at Stone Bridge is 3 feet, approx- imately, and at entrance 4.7 feet. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $26,398.36, and at that date the improved channel, 7,200 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 7 feet deep, mean high water, had been carried to near Bridge Street Bridge, in the town of Elizabeth, j^o work of improvement was done during the year. The tonriage of the stream has not changed materially from last year, when it was estimated at 30,000 tons. The vessels which use it belong- to the smaller class of sailing vessels, or are canal-barges of about 4 feet draught. The sewers of the city, which empty directly into the stream, are the immediate cause of a great part of the shoaling in the upper reach. The principal imports of the river are lumber, coal, lime, bary tes, hemp, and general merchandise, and constitute nine-tenths of the total river tonnage. The original i)roject is completed so far as the present wants of com- merce require, and the stream now attbrds ample depth of water for all the vessels or boats which use it. Xo appropriation is asked to continue the improvement during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. Elizabeth is in the collection district of Newark, N. J. ; nearest light-house, New- ark Bay ; and the nearest fort is Fort Tompkins. Amount of revenue collected dur- ing the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, $5,664. Original estimate $43, 160 00 Amount appropriated : *27, 000 00 Amount expended 26,398 36 Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount available.. $601 64 July 1, 1885, amount available 601 64 ( Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 16, 160 00 Submitted iu compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. F 12. IMPROVEMENT OF WOODBRIDGE CREEK, NEW JERSEY. The project for this improvement was adopted in 1878, and provides for dredging a channel 80 feet wide, 12 feet deep, mean high water, and 4,800 feet long, from the entrance to Town Dock, a distance of 2 miles, APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. and for the construction of a timber dike on left bank below Town Dock, 51G feet long. The original dei)tli at the entrance was 9J feet, mean high water, and at Town Dock Gi feet, mean high water. The range of tides is 5 feet, a])|)roximately. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was 8li),000. At that date the improved channel, U,8()() feet long, oO to 80 feet wide, and 12 feet deep, mean high water, had been carried to beyond Cutter's Dock, and thence to Valentine's Dock, 800 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 12 feet deep. From Valentine's Dock to beyond Town Dock the channel is 1,200 feet long, 80 feet wide, and 9 feet deep, mean hiiili water. The timber dike on left bank below Town Dock was built. If the channel near the head of navigation, extending from below Valentine's Dock to above Town Dock, be made uniformly 80 feet wide and 12 feet deep, mean high water, all the navigable requirements of shipping will be supplied. Tlie amonnt available for continuing the improvement July 1, 1884, was nothing. Xo work was done during the year. This river is the most im- portant tributary of Arthur's Kill, with which it is easily accessible, and its commerce, which yields 120,000 tons annually, consists of the products of large manufactories of fire-brick, sewer-pi])es, tiles, and ordinary brick ; also of coal and general merchandise. The cla.y beds abntting on the stream are extensive and valuable. Vessels of all classes, with a maximum draught of 10 feet, numbering, it is estimated, 1,200, navigate the river constantly, and carry on a trade valued at $1,000,000 annually. An appropriation of $10,000 is recommended for expenditure during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, and if ap])ropriated will be applied in widening and deepening the channel in the upper reach of the river from below Valentine's Dock to above Town Dock, near the town of Woodbridge. Woodbridge Creek is iu the colleotiou district of Perth Ainboy, X. J., which is the nearest port of entry ; nearest liany, of ]S'ew York, at 16 cents per cubic yard. Work was begun under the contract Sep- tember 25, and was completed December 13. The amount of material removed was 112.057 cubic yards ; of this amount 2,403 cubic yards were illegally dumped by contractor and not paid for. When work was sus- pended, winter was at hand, and it was not possible to make a thorough examination of the channel to determine whether any shoaling had taken place in the parts which had been improved, but it was believed that the project had been completed and that there was everywhere in the channel a full width of 300 feet, and a full depth of 21 feet, mean low water. In May a careful survey was made and it was found 758 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. that while the projected depth of 21 feet existed, the width was not uni- fortnly 300 feet. The ebb aud flood currents both set across the line of the channel, and the effect near the center has been to level down the sides of the cut, which were carried to 5 to 6 feet below the bed of the bay, and to arrange them in easy slopes. This formation of easy slopes narrowed the channel to 200 feet near the center, bat nowhere in the cut is there a less depth than 21 feet, mean low water, for a width of 200 feet measured along the axis. The average width of the channel is over 250 feet. The cut is well buoyed and has given great satisfaction to commerce. After leaving Prince's Bay the deep-water chann(61 trends to the south- west and finally enters Arthur's Kill by two small tortuous paths around Ward's Point, Staten Island. A long shoal separates these two narrow channels. The eastern channel close to Ward's Point is the better one, and has a least depth of 19 feet, mean low water, but the entrance is very narrow and the channel crooked. By the excavation of 150,000 cubic yards of material a channel 300 feet wide and 21 feet deep may be opened from Great Beds Light to beyond Ward's Point, so that vessels drawing 20 feet may reach the coal docks at Perth Am boy without re- gard to tides. This is an important improvement, and its execution is earnestly recommended. From Great Beds Light to the docks at South Amboy there is a depth of 12^ feet, mean low water, only. The excava- tion of 150,000 cubic yards will make a channel 4,500 feet long, 300 feet wide, and 15 feet deep, low stage. This imi)rovement is very much needed for the heavy tugs which tow the barges uf) the Raritan River to the entrance to the Delaware and Karitan Canal at Kew Brunswick, and for the large vessels seeking the wharves at South Amboy. The annual tonnage of the Raritan Bay Channel for freight actually trans- ported between Perth Amboy and South Amboy and New York is esti- mated at over 7,000,000 tons; it is carried in 16,000 vessels and steam- eis, and has an estimated valuation of $37,627,332 annually. It is esti- mated that the shoaling in the improved channel off Seguine Point since the work began in 1881, due partly to the leveling of the sides of the cut, which were steep, amounts to 80,000 cubic yards. To give this channel the full projected width of 300 feet, with 21 feet depth, and to open the channels to Perth Amboy and to South Amboy, will require the removal of 380,000 cubic yards of material, at an estimated cost of $1 14,000. An appropriation of $114,000 is recommended for the execution of these improvements. This work is in the collection district of Perth Amboy, which is the nearest port of entry ; nearest light-house, Prince's Bay ; and fort at Sandy Hook is the nearest fort. Amount of revenue collected during the liscal year ending June 30, 1885, |57,8U0.65. Original estimate (revised 1885) $-234,000 00 Amount appropriated to July 5, 1884 120, 000 00 Amount expended to date 119, 274 80 Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount available $1,691 16 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 20, 000 00 21,691 16 July 1. 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of oufstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 20, 966 46 July 1, 1885, amount available 724 70 ( Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 114,000 00 I Amountthatcanbe))rofitabIy expenfledinfiscalyearendingJune30, 1887 114,000 00 j Submitted in comphance with requirements of section 2 of river and t harbor acts of 1866 ami 1867. . APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 759 Abstract of proposals for improving Earitan Bay, New Jersey, opened SejJtemher 18, 18b4, by Maj. G. L. GiUeapie, Corps of Engineers. Ko. Names of bidders. Price bid for dredging ner cubic yard. Date of commencement. Date of comple- tion. 1 3 Cents. 1C§ *16 20 Within twenty days after signing contract. Omitted De«omber31, 1884. .. . December 31, 1884, Omitted. January 1, 1885. Atlantic Dredjiiiig Corupaiij- Morris &. Cuniiugs Dredging Company. . . do do * Lowest bid. Contract vras awarded to the Atlantic Dredging Company, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. I am indebted to Mr. D. C. Chase, superintendent Delaware and Raritan Canal Steam Towing, for the following statement of the conmierce of Raritan Bay : Shipments : Products of mines and quarries tons. . 1, '■^.V^, 643 Merchandise do . . . :U9, 109 Total freight do . . . 2, -201 , 752 Value of freight $16, 105, 332 Number of vessels 15, 558 Valne of vessels . $21 , 552, 000 Tonnage of vessels tons.. 4,915,600 Total tons shipped from Perth Amboy do. .. 7, 127, 352 Total valuation of commerce during year $37,627,332 F 15. IMPROVEMENT OF RARITAN RIVER, NEW JERSEY. The project originally adopted in 1874, bad for its object to dike and dredge at the Stakes and Middle Ground, and to remove other shoals up to New Brunswick, so as to make a channel 200 feet wide, affording 10 feet depth at mean low water from the mouth to Xew Brunswick, a dis- tance of 12 miles. It was modified in 1881, so as to provide, in addition, for the opening of South Channel, 100 feet wide andoj feet deep, mean low water, from near Kennej's lower dock south of the Stakes, following the right bank of the river to Whitehead's lower dock, and thence to connection with the main channel through an opening in the dike abut- ting upon Crab Island. The length of the projected South Channel was 13,000 feet. The works of improvement, which were begun in 1878, were designed to be carried progressively up stream from the mouth. The improvement at the &hoal called the Stakes," 25 miles from South Amboy, consists of a creosoted pile dike 7 feet wide, filled with stone, and built to mean Jiigh water, beginning just above the month of Root Creek on the left bank, and running down-stream a distance of 4,097 feet. This dike, known as Ko. 3, was completed in 1879. The dredged channel, over the adjacent shoals, 4000 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 12 feet deep, mean low water — except for a short distance at the lower end where the depth gained was only 9 feet — was completed in 1879. The amount of material removed, according to inspector's reports, was 760 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. 268,315 cubic yards. Two miles from the " Stakes " occurs another shoal called the " Middle Ground." lu this reach the improvements which were made in 1879, 1880, and 1881, consist of a dredged channel 5,300 feet long-, 130 feet wide, and 12 feet deep, of a creosoted dike 10,595 feet long, built in sections 5.J and 7 feet wide, on the right bank extending from Crab Island to 900 feet below the upper end of Dike No. 3, and of a smaller dike on the left bank opposite Crab Island in a bend of the river 2,000 feet long. B^^ the construction of these dikes the width of the river is contracted to 800 feet, the alignment of the channel is main- tained, and the formation of shoals prevented by the protection given to the banks against destructive action of the currents. The amount of material dredged, according to inspector's reports, was 159,641 cubic yards. The next obstruction occurs at a shoal called Eocky Reach abreast of Whitehead's Sand Dock, and 2J miles above Crab Island. It is a reef of rocks, 1,000 to 1,100 feet long, covered with sand lying in the middle of the river. Work of drilling, blasting, and dredging was begun here in 1879 and has continued with many intermissions to date. The amount expended up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, was $409,440.12, and at that date the project was completed from the mouth to Rocky Reach, except that the channel at the Middle Ground was dredged to 130 feet width only, leaving 70 feet to be dredged to complete project ; and the South Channel was completed to a distance of only 4,000 feet, leaving 9,000 feet to be dredged to complete project. At Rocky Reach the channel had been opened 1,000 feet long, 140 feet wide, and 12 feet deep, mean low water ; 20 additional feet had been blasted and the larger fragments of rock remove(J to a depth of 12 feet. Work was resumed August 9 with the Government drill-scow, in drill- ing and blasting the ninth cut through the reef, and was continued un- interruptedly to the close of navigation, December 27, 1884, when work was suspended. At that date the blasting of the ninth cut, 1,100 feet long, was com- pleted, and the larger fragments raised by the scow, and all projecting points of rock in the eighth cut reduced. On the 1st of October a pri- vate dredger was chartered at $4.40 per hour for each and every hour worked, after soliciting bids by circular letter, and was put to work to dredge from the eighth cut all the loose fragments that could not be raised by the drill-scow. This work is now in progress, and at the close of the year the channel was 1,000 to 1,100 feet long, ISO feet wide, and 12 feet deep ; 300 feet in length of the tenth or last cut was excav^ated, and when carried across reef will complete the project there ; 2,200 cubic yards of broken stone had been removed and deposited in the dikes at the entrance to South River, and 45,034 cubic yards of broken stone, small fragments, and sand have been dredged and deposited upon the bank, above high water, adjacent to the improvement. On the 29th September authority was received to give relief at Car- man's (now Acken's) Wharf behind Dike Xo. 3, at the Stakes, in -consideration of that water-front having shoaled, owing to the con- struction of the dike, by opening a channel from the wharf through the opening of Dike No. 3 to main channel, 500 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 6 feet deep, mean low water. This work was completed in May, and the dredger was then removed to Bishop's Dock to open a channel, authorized by Dei)artment letter of April 9, 1885, throngh a shoal which had formed there during the winter, 100 feet long, 128 feet wide, and 9 feet deep, mean low water, in order to give immediate relief to commerce on the first opening of the canal in the spring. With the exception of this last-mentioned work no improvement has been made by the Government above Rocky Reach Shoal at Whitehead's Sand Rarit/XN River Nevf Jersey ■from SqjTcville to NewTirunswicTv prepared tindei" direction car M^.e.L.GillesDie ct.rpa of uii(;Vs B-rt. I.ient.Ooa.US.A, APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 761 Dock further than to remove loose bowklers from the channel as high up as New Brunswick, for which the estimate to May, 1880, was 38,406 cubic yards. The amount of money available June 30, 1885, will.be suf- cient, it is estimated, to complete the project at Rocky Reach. An appropriation of $100,000 is recommended for continuing the im- provement, and, if appropriated, will be applied in dredging 100,000 cubic yards of material from the shoals from below Martin's Creek to above Martin's Dock, in accordance with a])proved project, which pro- vides for 10 feet, mean low water, above Whitehead's Dock, and for drilling, blasting, and dredging 5,000 cubic yards of solid rock frotn the obstructing reef above Martin's Dock. The tonnage of the river and canal for the past year, appearing in the accompanying pai)er on nom- mercial statistics, is 13,219,955 tons. This is a notable exhibit of the commerce which is benefited by the improvement, and emphasizes the claim which the river has for further improvement. The improved depths which have been secured since 1879 have been well maintained, and the navigation of the river, so far as it has been improved, has been without obstruction. The amount of commerce benefited by the improvement is estimated at $40,000,000 annually. This work is in the collection district of Amboy. Nearest port of entry, Perth Anibov; nearest light-house, Raritan Bay. Amount of revenue collected during the year ending June 30, 1885, $57,800.65. Original estimate $2,093,()62 05 Amount appropriated to July 1, 18H5 445,00!) 00 Amount expended to June 30, 1885, exclusive of outstanding liabilities. 429,922 99 Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount available $739 88 Amount appropriated by act approved July 5, 1884 35, 000 00 sr., 739 88 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884 $20,482 87 July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities 4,529 60 25,012 47 July 1, 1885, amount available 10,727 41 1 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 1,G48, 6o2 05 j Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1887 100, 000 00 "I Submitted in compliance with requirements of section 2 of river and V harbor acts of 18G6 and 1867. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Attention is respectfully invited to the following extract from letter of Mr. D. C. Chase, superintendent Delaware and Raritan Canal Steam Towing, inclosing statis- tics of the Raritan River : New York, June 24, 1885. Sir : I respectfully forward tabulated statements of the commerce and its valua- tion of the Raritan River. * * * Beiug fully conversant with the Raritan River, New Jersey, as superintendent of steam towing for the Delaware and Raritan Canal, the canal being the connecting link for all inter-State commerce by water for all points south of New York, and has its outlet at New Brunswick, 12 miles above the mouth of the Raritan River, I therefore have daily information in regard to the condition of the Raritan River, which enables me to say that the navigation of the Raritan River since the United States Government commenced the improvement has been greatly benefited, as we are now enabled to reach a point on the river within 2 miles of New Brunswick with steamers drawing 9 feet of water and having a number of boats in tow, at any.stnge of thetiiie; (and itis absolutely necessary tbat the improvement should be contiuuetl.) Before the improvement was begun this was an impossibility ; our steamers, with their heavily laden barges m tow, being compelled lor hours to wait on the tide fully 8 miles down tin* river l)elow New Brun> fves- ob > ge of ver. © fl .2 £ cs Shippers. aluatio freight. imber of sels. 3 c3 iluation o sels. mnage of sels. )taltonna Raritan Ri ir^ « 5 cs o o o > > R H« H Delaware and Raritan Ca- No. Feet. Tons. Tons. $25, 446, 724 14,186 7 $15, 854, 474 2, 837, 200 3, 955,318 $41, 301. 198 South Aniboy 10, 000, 000 17, 236 5 to 15 25, 854, 000 1, 723, 600 3, 982, 453 35, 854, 000 South River and Canal 723, 500 1, 740 5 to 8 870, 000 348, 000 518, 800 ],.593, 500 New Brunswick Dock 100, 000 775 5 to 9 3, 100, 000 155, 000 166,112 3, 200, 000 500, 000 1, 000 4 to 15 2, 000, 000 125, 000 221, 500 2, 500, 000 C. & W. Whitehead 50, 000 700 5 to 8 350, 000 70, 000 120, 000 400, 000 Middlesex Fire-Brick Company 25, 000 150 5 to 7 125, 000 14, 250 24, 233 150, 000 Roberts Brothers 16, 000 50 5 to ^ 2, 500 5, 000 7, 400 18, 500 Phoenix Brick Company ... 75, 000 300 4 to 5 150, 000 30, 000 54. 500 225, 000 Ridgway & Brother 35, 000 120 5 to 6i 60, 000 12, 000 22, 000 95, 000 F. A. Ostrander 30, 000 40 5 to 12 40, 000 10, 000 19, 000 70, 000 Raritan-River Company .. 20, 000 120 5 to 15 120, 000 18, 000 34, 000 140, 000 Raritan Hollow Brick Company 124, 000 160 7 to 15 240, 000 40, 000 72, 000 364, 000 American Fire-Proof Brick Thomas Acken & (com- 15, 000 20 7 to 10 50, 000 4, 000 6, 000 65, 000 pany 5, 000 14 5 to 10 7, 200 800 4, 800 12, 200 Edgar &. Compton 5, 000 30 6 to 10 15, 000 I 500 8, 500 20, 000 Edgar "^IE. 707 fuller study of the physics of the harbor might su<>*j2:est an entirely different pian. in fact, the report contains a reference to a i)r plan of improvement consisting of a rii)rap jetty springing from Coney IsUmd and extending outward towards Sandy Hook entrance so as to contract the entrance to o mih^s or less. The hirge inner bays, called Lower Sandy Hook, and Karitan I 'ays, are, with tlieir tributaries, the combined tidal re^^erv^oir, which principally furnishes the water for the maintenance of deep water over the bar, and the observations taken at the entrance indicated that the direction of greatest ebb velocity and the region of greatest flood was on the south side of the entrance, close to Sandy Hook. Contraction, it was suggested, would probably take place, therefore, on the north side. The project for deepening Gedney^s Channel by dredging, to comi)ly with the requirements of the act of July 5, 1884, was approved by the Secretary of War after reference to the Board of Engineers, who, in their report of December 23, 1884, rec- ommended the depth in the improved channel to be limited to 28 feet, mean low water, and gave an outlined i)lan for the permanent improve- ment of the bar without reference to Gedney's Channel, of which the estimated cost was $5,000,000 to $6,000,000. (See Keport of Board of Engineers, page 783 of current Report of Chief of Engineers, United States Army.) Sealed proposals, invited by public advertisement in the usual way, were oi)ened 12 o'clock noon, Thursday, January 15, 1885, and the con- tract was awarded to Mr. Roy Stone. The specifications stated that no special kind of i)lant would be obligatory, but that a contractor, propos- ing to U8e any device other than large and powerful steam-dredgers or pumps, would be required to give ])ositive evidence that his special de- vice was capable beyond question of doing the work expeditiously and satisfactorily, and was not simply experimental in its operations where practicability was to be determined at Government risk and expense. It was early known that Mr. Stone proposed bidding upon the work, and that his method contemplated the displacement during ebb tide of the material in situ by the action of forcible water-jets, utilizing the tidal currents for its transportation seaward into deep water; and the following language, appearing in the specifications, was prepared with special reference to such a method : Contractors who maybe allowed to use methods which rely upou jets of water to displace the material, aud upou the curreuts to transport it seaward, will receive paymeut ouly after the full depth re([uired by these speciticatious shall have been ob- tained uniformly iu the channel of the required widtli carried entirely across the ob- structing- shoal. The application of this last method is liable to heap up in one place material which has been displaced iu another, and the action may, by reason of cross- currents, be so active as to reduce the depth of the channel undergoing improvement below what now exists, and possibly to close the entrance temporarily to vessels of deep draught. The engineer iu charge will reserve the right to suspend at any time or to wholly discontinue the use of such a device, should, in his judgment, the prog- ress of deepening the channel by this method, after a fair trial, prove slow, irregular, and without promise of ultimate success, and in the event of such suspension or dis- continuance, no allowance will be made to the contractor for expenses incurred, until he has succeeded by other methods in gaining the required improvement, at which time payment will be made according to the terms of the contract. Should the con- tractor, however, delay beyond tliirty days in su])plying new plant, or in making positive provision for its delivery upon the site within a reasonable time, his contract will be annulled, with the penalties provided by the law governing such cases. As Mr. Stone's metliod had never had any known application upon a sea-bar, a copy of his proposal is here inserted: I propose to open a channel, as required by the specifications for deepening Ged- ney's Channel, to a depth of 26 feet at mean low water, and to a width of 200 feet, for the sum of $60,000, payable when such above specified channel shall be completed, using a steamer of not less than 500 horse-power, ec^uipped for hydraulic plowing. 768 EEPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. I propose to begin work within tw»^aty days from siguinjj a contract for said work, observing the roqnirements of said specifications as to shoals arising from snch ex- cavation. I propose further, if required by the United States, to widen said channel to the extent of 200 feet additional, and of the same depth, for $'^0,000, payable on completion of such additional width of channel, and while this widening is in pro- cess to keep the finished channel staked and lighted, so that it may be followed by day or night, and to maintain its depth by removing on notice any shoals that may form in it, said work to be done according to said specifications. I propose also, if required, to widen said channel not exceeding 200 feet, in addi- tion to the 400 feet hereinbefore provided for, to the same depth, for 1^5500 per foot in width, and an additional 200 feet in width, if required, for |550 per foot in width, payable in each case upon completion of the additional width required, maintaining and marking the finished channel as before ; provided, that if at any time during the progress of the work an excessive deposit by waves or currents renders it impracti- cable to obtain or maintain to the full depth any portion of such proposed channel by diligent use of the proposed method of operation, no penalty shall be incurred be- yond the loss of compensation for such uncompleted portion. Roy Stone. The bid of Mr. Stone was in reality not the lowest, but it was thought to be the most acceptable, because he proposed to open a channel 200 . feet wide, with 28 feet depth, mean low water, entirely across the shoal before any of the other bidders would be ready to commence, and be- cause the press of the city, presumably expressing the opinion of the mercantile bodies interested in the shipping of the port, was strong in its advocacy of the hydraulic method. There was also another impor- tant reason for allowing the hydraulic method to be tried. It was not at all certain that the excavations taken from the channel, by whatever device used, would not be replaced by material brought in by wave action during and after an easterly storm, a problem not yet solved. If dredgers were employed, to which payments were made on measure- ment of material actually removed, the Government would, on the sus- pension of operations for any cause, have incurred an expense propor- tionate to the amount of material removed, whereas, by the employ- ment of the hydraulic method tht3 Government would incur no expense unless the channel were opened for a definite width and depth across the shoal, and the contractor would be held responsible, besides, for any shoalings which the application of his method might occasion in the channel. For the foregoing reasons the contract was awarded to Mr. Stone, by the terms of which the contractor agreed to open a channel entirely across the shoal at the western end of Gedney's Channel, 480 feet wide and 28 feet deep, mean low water; but it was expressly stipu- lated that if he failed to complete his contract by June 1, 1885, it would be annulled, and that no compensation would be paid to him for money or labor expended by him, in addition to what might have already been paid to him in accordance with the terms of the contract. The contract was dated February 7, 1885. On the 24th day of March the contractor began with his hydraulic plows, and continued at work, with many in- terruptions, due to imperfections in his plant and its appliances, till 26th of April, at which time the plows were discarded by the contractor and an induction pipe substituted. It appeared from frequent sound- ings, taken as the work progressed, that the material loosened by the plows and carried forward by the ebb currents was all brought back by the flood currents to nullify the contractor's operations for deepening the channel. By the use of the induction tube the contractor hoped, by absolutely raising the material through the tube, inclined to an angle of 45 degrees to near the water-surface, to put it in a condition for more effective transportation by the currents. It is believed that but little of the shingle was carried through the tube, and that the dis- coloration of the water noticed in the wake of the vessel came chiefly from the sand stirred by the induction. This modification of the plant APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLE81UE. 7G9 was not more successful in its application than the hydraulic plow, and the contractor, finding" it im])ossible to deepen the bar, notwithstanding the favorable conditions under which his devices were used, threw up his contract on the 14th of May and withdrew from the work. A de- tailed description of the plant used by the contractor, i)repared by Mr. A. Doerflinger, assistant engineer in charge, is given herewith: The Hteainer Osceola, to which was attached the device known as the marine i)low, is a propeller, 120 feet in length, 28 feet beam, 11 feet dran<;ht,, and 600 horse-power. She was originally built for towing purposes, and was chartered and fitted out by the contractor especially for the work of deepening Gedney's Channel. In th(^ engine- room, forward of her own engines, were four Worthington duplex pumps, each fitted with an 18^-inch steam-cylinder, and a 14-inch diameter water-cylinder with 10-iucb stroke, and a capacity of 1,250 gallons per minute each. Connected to these punjps, on each side of the boat, by a universal joint, was a discharge-tube 10 inches in diam- eter, each tube receiving the discharge of two pumps. These tubes were 54 feet long, and had an inclination fnmi forward to aft of ab(mt 45 degrees while at work, and could be raised or lowered at will by a hoisting engine located on the stern of the boat. Each of the discharge-tubes terminated at the lower end in two 2-inch noz- zles which threw jets of water forward and upward, diverging from each other at an angle of about 45 degrees. The water pressure at the nozzles was said by the con- tractor to be 150 ])ounds per square inch. When the tubes were lowered and the boat moved forward the water-jets would cut furrows into the bottom, and throw a portion of the material displaced up into the overlying stratum of water, thence to be carried seaward by the current. The plowing operations were conducted only during the ebb tide. The induction-tube, used after the plows were abandoned, consisted of an iron pipe :^0 inches in diameter and 40 feet jn length, open at both ends. It was fast- ened to the starboard side of the boat, nearly amidship, by ropes passing over pulleys in an A frame. The other end was bell-mouihed and 5 feet wide, and could be raised and lowered by the hoisting engine on the stern of the l)oat. A number of curved wrought-iron springs were aitached to the bell-mouthed extremity, so that when low- ered to the bottom any obstruction might be passed over without injury to the tube. Running longitudinally along the outside of the larger tube, and securely fastened to it, were two iron injection-pipes 6 inches in diameter. Their extremities were of copper, and had an upward curvature and taper to a 2-inch nozzle, which entered the larger pipe on opposite sides, the point of entrance being 7 feet from the lower e nd or bell-mouth. Through these pipes streams of water were injected, which met in ■ the axis of the large tube 7^ feet from the point of entry ui)wards. The water thus injected, at the rate of 1.250 gallons a minute for each pii)e, ascended through the large tube and induced an upward current, causing the water in contact with the bottom, as well as the loose surface sand, to rise in the tube, from the ujiper end of which it emerged about 6 inches below the water-surface. Two of the W>g o o • wo A o «M O 2 fcr a a £ fcc 3 « ft -^a 2: ftx •piqsaoudo^ X'' ■uotjaodojd pa ^ 2 ^ P ^ 5 *.2 a g o6= "5= bt O p ® 22pfe = § ^ P « O . * ■B a ^« 0«M P 4^ ft ■se- P ft •BAiOOS ntpaansBaui '\v.i -JdJTJCajO IBAOcd -9a joj pjBJi: oiqtiD a9d 9DUJ p p « a o P P • 1^ p P -r 1/ B- <: S Pi (i; to a o Q •s ^ epiq ! 9nin9do jo J9pJ0 i 772 KEPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. 'IS ctf 1 at- 2q C O) c B 1^ a ■^So .2 "a a ^ =a ■ .2 .g 5 21 its II -rH OJ TO X x.2.9 ^'^ So ■ p ® >5 ::a ^S2'§- ^3 5 -2 C3 2 ci® p pie P q P 3 a £ o o _ p P >20 P_P cu p I? 2 O S=ip.; fat o . JOJ piq Mp- P cS ft £ OH-- p S p.£ ce o (c ea 1-5 •JBSOd ■Old .;o .laquin^ APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 773 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. The following is a copy of letter received from the collector of customs, port of New York, furuishiiig statistics with reference to the commerce of the harhor : Custom-House, Np:w York City, CoUcctor'8 Office, July 1885. Sir : As requested in your favor of the 3d instant, it gives me pleasure to furnish the statistical information you desire for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885 : Total receipts from all sources $126, 18:5, 87"3 57 Value of imports 380, 075, 748 00 Value of imports for interior ports 1<), 833, .562 00 Value of imports in transit 16, 042, 18;^ 00 Value of domestic exports 334,729,775 00 Value of foreign exports 9,796,534 00 Value of merchandise in bond June 30 21, 485, 0S5 00 Value of specie (imports) 6,314,264 OO Value of specie (exports) 14,656,718 00 Tonnage. Foreign vessels entered, 4,130 - 4,7*29,283 Foreitfu vessels cleared, 4,031 4,670,360 American vessels from foreign ports, 1,691 930,444 American vessels for foreign ports, 1,273 770,105 Coastwise vessels entered, 1,913 1, 761, 'MS Coastwise vessels cleared, 3,076 ^ 2,2-80,063 Very respectfully, E. S. Hedden, CoUecior. 'Bvt. Lieut. Col. G. L. Gillespie, U. S. Engineer Office. DEEPENING GEDNEY'S CHANNEL THROUGH SANDY HOOK BAR, NEW YORK. Office of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, Washington, D. C, Decemher 26, 1884. Sir : The river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, contains the following : Deepening Gedney's Channel through Sandy Hook Bar, New York -§200, 000 With the view to preparin^j a project for its application a survey was deemed necessary, and the result is shown iu the accompanying report and map submitted hy Maj. G. L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers. This project was sent to the Board of Eugineers for Fortifications and for Kiver and Harbor Improvements, who remark in regard to it as follows : While not expecting large results from dredging here, yet, as the appropriation is specitically confined to this channel, the Board recommend that an attempt be made to secure a channel there 28 feet deep and of such width as the appropriation will pay for, by one of the numerous methods of dredging. If before ihe whole appropriation were expended experience should show that the dredged channel rapidly tilled up, the work might be stopped by the Secretary of War, the contractor being properly remunerated. It will be seen that the Board approves Major Gillespie's project, and its views in the matter are concurred in by me. As this is a new work, the project is respectfully recommended for approval. In connection with this subject the Board of Eugineers has discussed 774 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S' ARMY. and proposed a project for the permanent improvement of the entrance to the harbor of New York, which will be submitted in another com- munication at an early day. Very respectifully, your obedient servant, John G. Parke, Acting Chief of Engineers. Hon. Egbert T. Lincoln, Secretary of War. Approved. Egbert T. Lincoln, -'■Secretary of War. War Department, December 27, 1884. letter of the chief of engineers. Office of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, Washington, D. 0., January 8, 1885. Sir: Eeferring to my communication of the 26th ultimo, submitting- report and map of the recent sur^^ey made by M ij. Gr. L. G-illespie, Corps of Engineers, in connection with the work for "deepening Gedney's Channel through Sandy Hook Bar, New York,-' under the appropriation of $200,000 provided therefor by the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, and to the fact stated therein that the Board of Engineers for Fortifications and for Eiver and Harbor Improvements, in considering- Major Gillespie's project, had discussed and proposed a plan for perma- nent improvement of the entrance to New York Harbor, I have now the honor to submit a copy of Major Gillespie's report and of the report of the Board of Engineers to whom it was referred, and to commend the same to careful consideration, with the remark that the length and height of the jetties may be more exactly determined during the actual construction by observation of the effects produced. In view of the great importance of the subject, and its bearing upon the interests of navigation and commerce, not only with reference to the city of New York, but to the whole country, I venture to suggest that the reports may prove of value to the Committee on Elvers and Harbors, and accordingly beg to recommend that they be transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives for the information of that committee. A copy of my communication of the 26th ultimo is also herewith. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, John Newton, Chief of Engineers^ Brig, and Bvt. Maj. Gen Hon. Egbert T. Lincoln, Secretary of War. project of major g. l. gillespie, corps of engineers. United States Engineer Office, JS^eiv York, December 6, 1884. General : I have the honor to transmit by to-day s mail a tracing of the chart of the survey of part of the lower bay. New York Harbor, made in compliance with the recommendation of the Board of Engineers, APPENDIX V REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 775 New York City, July 28, 1884, and to submit a project for the deepening of Gedney's Channel, for which an ap])roi)riation was made, act July 5, 1884. The survey was commenced Au<^ust 21, anf Engineers^ Bvt. Maj. Gen., U. S. A. [Second indorsement.] Office of the Board of Engineers, New York, December 23, 1884. Kespectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers with report of the Board of this date. J. C. DUANE, Colonel of Engineers , Bvt. Brig. Gen., U. 8. A., President of the Board. A. — Statement sliowing the commerce and shipping of the port of 2^iv York, the value of im- ports and exports, tonnage and number of vessels entered, cleared, 4^c., at different periods from 1825 to 1884. Years. Value of im- ports. Value o] ports ex- Total number of vessels entered. Tonnaae of vessels entered. Total number of vessels cleared. Tonnage of vessels cleared. •c ! ^ a ^ d .1 u a d 'S o ^ . 1825 $49, 639, 174 35, 624, 070 60, 440, 750 111, 123, 524 233, 692, 941 315, 200, 022 539, 386, 776 465, 117, 630 $35, 259, 261 19, 697, 983 34. 264, 080 52, 712, 789 145, 555, 449 254, 137, 208 425, 193, 099 329, 555, 635 \ ■ 280, 179 314,715 527, 594 1, 249, 337 1, 973, 812 2, 971, 924 7, 429, 802 5, 658, 650 263, 430 243, 285 408, 768 982, 478 1,678, 905 3, 093, 186 7,611,282 5, 423, 70O 1830 *i,382 ' 1840 1850 18G0 1870 1880 1884 1,443 512 1,882 : 1,281 2,952 1 1,499 2,142 ; 2,691 2,366 5,775 1,870 1 4,197 1, 067 1,379 2, 026 1, 594 1,743 1, 442 503 1,230 1, 376 2, 729 5, 641 4, 094 *Thi8 number probably includes both American and foreign vessels. Tears. American — sail. Foreign — sail. American — steam. Foreign — steam. Maximum tonnage of single vessel. Draught of aver- age vessel. Amount of duties collected from all sources. nS - westward as sand is moved to it, the motion of its 18-foot curve amountin*:;- to 800 feet between 1835 and 1881. (2) Whenever heavy waves are breakino- on the ocean face of the bar and on tlie bar the disturbance of the water causes th(^ tiner materials to be held in suspension as sediment. This action be(;omes small at considerable dei)ths, and its o'reatest etfecr for waves of moderate hei^»iit is in moderate depths. It takes up the sand at such depths, but wlien this sand settles in deep water, waves of the same height have not the power again to move it. The resultinplication to the Secre- tary of War for another extension of his contract to September 1, 1885. After a careful consideration of the subject an extension to August 1 was granted, on condition that the contractor should i)rovide by April 1, 1885, a plant and crew of skilled men which would meet with the approval of this office. The spring was inclement and stormy, and it was not practicable for the contractor to resume work until the 17th of April. After that date he labored continuously during good weather, and landed upon the wharf at Fort Lafayette during May and June several schooner loads of iron, having an estimated gross tonnage of l(iO tons. The estimated amount of iron which has been removed under the original contract and its several extensions is 805 tons; the residue of the wreck consists of 175 feet of the keel, portions of the sides and bulkheads weighted with ballast, and all embedded 5 to 8 feet in the sand. The contractor made arrangements early in June with the Atlantic Dredging Company by which he secured the services of a large grap- pling dredge for the removal of the ballast and for uncovering and. ripping up the sides of the wreck. These operations were quite suc- cessful, and enabled the contractor to get at the wreck better than be- fore, and to use his explosives to better effect. The weight of the iron unremoved is estimated at 200 tons, approximately, and that of the ballast 100 tons. It is probable now that he will complete the removal before the close of the summer, but it is expected that he will need another extension of his contract. The wreck has now 23 to 25 feet depth of water over it at mean low tide, and as it lies on the west side of the axis of the channel it is not a dangerous obstruction to commerce so long as it is properly buojed. The iron on hand at Fort Lafayette weighs 518, tons, approximately, and when sold will probably realize $4,000 to $5,000. Money statement. July 1, 1884, amount available Amount allotted during liscal year $4,314 26 5,000 00 9,314 26 July 1, 1885, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of outstanding liabilities July 1, 1884/ July 1, 1885, outstanding liabilities $8,000 95 50 00 8, 050 95 July 1, 1885, amouut available 1,263 31 APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEUT.-COL. GILLESPIE. 789- F 21. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF BALDWIN RIVER, AT BALDWIN STA- TION, TO CONNECT WITH LONG BEACH, NEW YOK»K. Baldwin Kiver, known on the Coast Survey cliarts as Parsona^^e Creek, is an unimportant tidal slough communicating on the north si(le with the eastern end of Hempstead Baj^, south shore of Long Island, ^Tew York. It lies on the west side of the village of I>aldwin, 21 .;i miles east of Long Island City, by the Long Island llailroad, and is 1 mile, ai)proxi- luately, in length. Within the corporate limits of the town it is closed by a timber dam to sup])ly water-power to a saw and grist mill. From the dam the stream, which is there 12 to 20 feet wide, winds with many sinuosities through a salt marsh, which is overflowed at extreme high tides, and debouches into a somewhat enlarged estuary connecting with the bay. The bed of this stream throughout its whole length is bare at extreme low water, except in a few places where the original course has been changed and the bed deepened artificially. The entrance is choked by a wide shoal of sand which has no defined channel througli it, the water being barel}' half a foot deep at mean low water. From the mouth of the river through Hem])stead Baj to New Inlet, the sea connection be- tween Long Beach and Jones Beach, the distance is 3 miles, approxi- mately, and the navigable channel is very narrow, having a variable width of 30 to 50 feet, approximately, and a depth varying from 4 to 12 feet, mean low water. The average range of tides is 2J to 3 feet; with a northwesterly wind it is reduced to H to 2 feet, and with an easterly- wind is sometimes in- creased to 5 to C feet. No vessel drawing over 4 feet can conveniently navigate Hempstead Bay at mean low water. A sketch of the bay and the river, derived from Coast Survey charts and other surveys, accompanies this report, which contains all that is essential to a compliance with the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884. No new survey is necessary. The stream has little or no commerce, and is seldom used, except by small tishing- boats of 20 tons approximately. The few fishing-boats which nse this end of the bay resort chiefly to Lott's Creek, on the east side of the village, whence their clams, oj^sters, and fish are taken to the railroad depot for shipment to the New York market. I send herewith, also, copy of a letter from Mr. Baldwin referring to the commer(;ial importance of the river. It appears from this letter that the country tributary to the eastern end of the bay contains 15,000 souls, and that 200 fishermen are engaged in the fishing trade. The amount of fish shipped is not given, but is surely very limited. The persons interested in the improvement desire that the river be straightened and widened tliroughout, and be deepened so as to atlbrd a channel, say 30 feet wide and 3 feet deep, at mean low water, from Eldred's Dock to the bay proper. The length of the cut to be made will be 2 miles, approximately, and the width will be twice the existing width of the river. It is estimated that this improvement will recpiire the excavation of 40,000 cubic yards of material at an estimated cost of $20,000. On the completion of the improvement it is proposed to construct a 790 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. small steamboat to ply between Baldwin ville and the sea beaches, and to do the general carrying trade of the bay. The bay is shoal, tilled with many shoals and marsh islands, and the trade is insignificant. After carefully considering every phase of the subject, I am com- pelled to state, as the law requires, that in my judgment Baldwin River is not worthy of improvement." It has no commerce, and the improve- ment would but slightly change its present status. Baldwin River is in the collection district of New York. Nearest port of entry New York City; nearest light house is Fire Island light-house, "^0 miles to the east- ward, and the nearest fort is Fort Hamilton, New York Harlbor. Eespectfully submitted. G. L. Gillespie, Major of Eyigineers^ Bvt. Lieut. Col., V. ^. A. United States Engineer Office, New YorA-, October 4, 1884. letter ol' ml!. fijaxcis b. baldwin. Queens County Tkeasuher's Oeeice, Long Island City, L. /., September 27, 18»4. DeaI! Sik : You will please pardon me for my delayed answer to your letters, as they were received in my absence, as I have been away some days. The length of improvement needed to Baldwin's River is about I-g^ miles long, one- half thereof in Parsonage Cove, and at the head Hempstead Bay to Baldwin's River, and the other half thereof to tlie said Baldwin's River. The cove is wide enough, but only 1 foot deep at low tide. The river is deep enough, but too narrow for vessels of 25 tons. What we need is 3 feet of water at low tide in the cove, and the river made 30 feet wide. The number of people intended to be benefited by such improvement is about 15,000. Exports are oysters, clams, fish, also farm produce, such as potatoes, cabbage, and all other vegetables and garden produce. Imports: Coal, manure, lumber, and all kinds of building materials ; also all kinds of goods such as general-assortment stores keep, groceries, hardware, dry goods. &c. There are about three hundred men employed in the oyster business living within 2 miles of Baldwin's river, besides a large number of men in the fishing and clam business living in that vicinity. Francis B. Baldwin. Maj. G. L. Cillespie, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, U.S.A. F 22. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF HUDSON RIVER FROM WEEHAWKEN TO BERGEN POINT, NEW JERSEY. Tbis survey is thought to be simply an extension of the survey di- rected by river and harbor act, March 3, 1881, "From a poiut between Ellis Island and the docks of New Jersey Central Railroad to a point between Kobbin's Reef Light and Constable Hook in waters of New York Bay, New Jersey," and that directed by river and harbor act, Au- gust 2, 1882, of "North River in front of Jersey City and Hoboken, to determine what is necessar}^ to permanently deepen the channel on the New Jersey side." The report on the first survey was submitted December 28, 1881 APPENDIX F REPORT OF LlEUT.-rOL. GI1J.E8PIE. 701 (page 719, Part I, Report Chief Engineers, 1881*), and on the second, February IG, 1884. They cover that part of ISTew Jersey shore embraced between Ilobo- ken and Constable Point. To com])ly witii the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, it will only be necessary to extcMul previous surveys to Weehawken on the one side, and to Bergen l^oint on the other, with a repetition of the cross-section soundings at stations 1 to 8 on Hudson River, between New York City and Jersey City, to note the changes which have occurred since survey of 1883. On account of the intimate commercial relations existing between the two great commercial ports of New York City and Jersey City within the limits of the required survey, the river is worthy of improvement, and the work is a i)ul)lic necesvsity. 1 won hi therefore recommend that the survey be authorized from Hoboken u])-stream to \Veehawken, and from Constable Point west- ward through Kill Von KuU to Bergen Point, together with new sound- ings at tlu' eight cross-section stations in Hudson River between New- York City and Jersey City. Every tlescription of sail and steam craft constantly uses the lower river, and the survey will in consequence be subject to many interrup- tions and delays, causing loss of time and entailing great expense. It is estimated that a satisfactory survey, illustrated by proper charts, will cost the sum of $1,800. An application is respectfully made for the allotment of that sum. Allotment asked for, $1,800. Respectfully submitted. G. L. Gillespie, Major of Engineers, Bvt. Lieut. Col., U. S. A. IGNITED States P^ngineer Office, Sew YorA', September 15, 1884. survey of hudson river from weehawken to bergen point, new jersey. United States Engineer Office, New York, February 27, 1885. Sir : In compliance with river and harbor act of July 5, 1884, I have the honor to submit herewith my report on the survey of " Hudson Riv^er, on the New Jersey side, from Weehawken to Bergen Point, Hud- son County, New Jersey, with a view to deepening the water at the wharf on tliat side.'' As the interests centered along the shore line embraced in the sur- vey are not everywhere identical the report, for convenience, is divided under three heads, and each will be discussed separately. (1) HUDSON RIVER, WEST SIDE, FROM WEEHAWKEN TO PAULUS HOOK. Two surveys of late years have been made by the Engineer Depart- ment, covering almost the entire front of this section; one in 1874, ex- tending from Castle Point to Bedloe's Island, and the other in 1883, in front of Jersey City and Hoboken, including a duplication of the sound- 792 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. ings of the five cross-sections of the river established during the first survey, with three additional cross-sections extending to Fort Wash- ington. Under the act of July 5, 18per bay, the eastern margin of which is dehned by Ellis Island, Bedloe's Island, and Eobbins Keef. Its width north of Bedloe's Island is \ miles, and south of that island, 2^ miles. The bed is composed chiefly of mud, sand, gravel, and bowlders, but between Oyster Island and Caven's Point, on the mainland near the center line of the shoal, there is an underlying bed of rock, whose upper surface at the highest i)oint is G feet below mean h)w water, and whose width east and west varies from 4,500 feet to 0,000 feet. The projecting shore improvements at and above Paulus Hook, and the dei)Osits of city dumpings up to 1871, but now suspended, have occasioned diminished depths over the Hats, but not in any manner to interrupt or interfere with any commercial interest located upon the eastern shore of Bergen Neck. AVhile the formation of a deej) rthannel across the Hats has been strongly advocated by interested parties for the alleged purpose of shortening the distance to Newark Bay, it is believed that the main object desired to be attaiued by the improvement is the appreciation of property on Bergen Neck fronting the upper bay, by lessening the dis- tance out from the shore to which piers would be required to be built for the accommodation of deep draught vessels. To render some of the shore property available for shipping, two transverse cuts have been opened by private i)arties across the shoal to deep water; one at Pamrapo 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep, mean low water, by dredging, and one at Caven's Point 100 feet wide and 20 feet deep, mean low water, by dredging and blasting. These iuiprovements were rendered necessary owing to the restric- tions im])osed at the time of their execution by the adopted pier head line on that front. The pier-liead line has since been extended farther out by the riparian commissioners, to the edge of a proposed inner channel 500 feet wide, but no tangible relief will be given to the prop- erty-holders by the act of the commissioners unless that inner chaunel should be opened, for the length of piers to reach the main channel will still be so great as to make their construction both im[)racti(,'able and un})rofitable. The general commerce of the port does not demand at this time any change in existing facilities on the west side in the vicinity of Jersey 794 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY. Flats. The main channel, from Robbin's Eeef to Paulus Hook, has everywhere between the 24-foot curves, mean low water, of opposite banks an av^erage width of about 1 mile, providing not only convenient approaches to the shipping wharves, docks, and basins mi Jersey City, New York City, and Brooklyn, but commodious anchorage for all the vessels which arrive. As a private enterprise, it will be admitted that the flats may be con- verted into ])rofitable basins for shipping- and storing merchandise whenever the inner wharves prove inadequate to the wants of com- merce. In the mean while, if the west shore propert^'-holders wish to hasten the improvement of their property by making their wharves accessible to vessels of a larger class than now go there, they can do so by build- ing long piers or excavating long oi)en cuts to the main channel, or by first establishing a pier-head line and tlien excavating in front of it an inner channel of sufticient width for shipping. The long piers will ob- struct tidal flow, and are therefore objectionable, and the same may be said of the extensions of the bulkhead lines, which diminish the tidal capacity of the upper bay. As. has been said, these are private enterprises, and will have to be done at private expense, and will call for no action on the part of the General Government other than prohibitive action against any special construction which threatens to injure the present navigable condition of the upper bay. The chart shows the limiting line for solid filling which I recommended. (3) KILL VON KULL FROM CONSTABLE POINT TO BERGEN POINT. This is the shortest connection between the upper hay of New York Harbor and Newark Bay, and is the eastern channel by which the tide- water enters Newark Bay and its tributaries, the western channel being Staten Island Sound. It is 2J miles long from Constable Point to Bergen Point Light-house ; the greatest width between banks is 2,400 feet, and the least is 1,600 feet, the maximum width between 18 feet curves of the two banks is 1,700 feet, and the minimum width 875 feet, the maximum depth at mean low stage is 54 feet, and the minimum depth near the axis is 32 feet. In general both shores are bold and tenacious, and the channel straight. On the north shore at the Beacon near Constable Point, and at Bergen Poiut liglit, there are rocky reefs which contract the water-way and obstruct the flow of the tides, but with this exception the channel is an excellent one with steep foreshores, giving deep water close in shore. The tide which arrives from the east by way of Kill von Kull divides to the eastward of Shooter's Island; the greater branch advances up the bay following the 'western shore of Bergen Neck, while the lesser branch follows the northern shore of Staten Island until it meets, near the corner stake light, the tide through Staten Island Sound, when it is deflected northward into the bay. The depth of water in the main channel through Newark Bay leading to Newark, as well as that in the Staten Island channel leading to Elizabethport, is dependent upon the capacity of Newark Bay and its tributaries as a tidal reservoir, and any obstructions, natural or artificial, in the tidal conductors which prevent the free flow of the tides into the reservoir will injure those channels in direct proi)ortion to the degree of obstructions encountered. As those channels have been under improvement, with notable success, by the General Government since 1872, anything which tends to impair APPENDIX F REPORT OF LIEl T.-COL. GILLESPIE. 795 their usefulness, and wbicli is capable of correction, should receive earnest condemnation. The rocky reefs at the entrance to and outlet of Kill von KuU are important obstructions to tidal tlow and should be removed to the extent required, but the princi])al feature which 1 think calls for special notice is the bulkliead line, lately adopted by the riparian com- missioners for the north shore of the chanuel. The Board of Engineers api)ointed for the examination and revision of pier and bulkhead lines in New York Harbor projected in 1878 a pier-head line on the south side of the channel, which would protect in the most careful and judicious manner the channel on that side against contraction by injurious extension of piers. Altiiough they had no authority to locate corresponding lines on the north shore they doubtless considered that an expression of opinion was expected from them relative to the north-shore lines, and they there- fore indicated upon their chart the lines they would have adoi)ted for that shore had they been so emi)owered, with the explanation that such lines naturally originated with the consideration of tlie channel, and were recommended as a limit to encroachment on the channel from that side.'' Had the riparian commissioners for New Jersey adopted these proposed Ijnes, which give a channel-way at the eastern entrance to the Kill a width of 1,250 feet, and a cross-sectional area at mean low water of 30,250 square feet, their action would have been contirmed by me. But the commissioners of New Jersey rejected the lines proposed by the' Board of Engineers for New York, and have adopted in their stead lines which, if constructed, will materially contract the channel through the Kill, to the manifest injury not only of that channel but also of the navigable channels now under improvement through Newark Bay. According to these adopted lines the channel is contracted to a least width of 000 feet onlv, with a least cross-sectional area of 23,747 square feet. The pier-head lines to which I give my approval are indicated in full black lines, and those of the riparian conjmissioners for New Jersey in broken lines. The rocky ledges exterior to the recommended lines should be re- moved to a depth of 10 feet, mean low water. This will require the dredging of 190,000 cubic yards of sand, gravel, and bowlders, and the blasting and dredging of 90,000 cubic yards of rock, at a total estimated cost of' $1,090,000. As this improvement is not of local interest simply, it may well be l^rovided for by a specific appropriation by Congress. That part of the State of New Jersey embraced in the survey is in the collection district of New Y^ork City; nearest port of entry is New York; the nearest fort is on Bedloe's Island, New York Harbor, and the nearest light-house is on Kobbins' lleef, upper bay. New York Harbor. The amount of revenue collected at the ])ort of New York for the year ending June 30, 1884, was $135,093,152.62. The amount of commerce interested in tliis im])rovement is exceedingly large and difdcult of estimate. It may reach 8100,000,000 annually. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. L. Gillespie, Major of Enqineers^ Brt. Lieut. Col, U. S. A. To the Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.