Abstract of proposals for dredging harbor of Plattsburg, N. Y., opened at Burlington, Vt., Brevet or Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Brigadier General and Chief of Engineers, Office of the Chief of Engineers, Washington, D. C. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following annual report of operations upon the breakwater at Burlington, Vermont, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. At the close of the last fiscal year, the work of extending the breakwater to the northward by cribs had been commenced, with favorable prospects of completing about five hundred feet during the working season. As was anticipated the work uninterruptedly continued through the season; the completion of one crib per month being about the usual average. By the end of September four of the six cribs had been carried to a height greater than the depth of water and placed in position. During the following month the other two were successfully located. The cribs were each eighty feet in length with one exception; this was constructed one hundred feet long to make up an even five hundred feet for the season's operations, and was settled as easily and successfully as the others. No accident occurred with any of them, except a slight careening of one which had been placed just before a severe blow, and which had not received sufficient ballast to hold it firmly. No permanent injury to the structure was sustained, though to provide against a repetition of this difficulty the following cribs were temporarily planked over, and a considerable weight of stone placed upon this deck, and allowed to remain until a large proportion of the ballast had been put in. The line selected for the new work makes an angle with the north half of the old breakwater of 152 degrees. The depth of water averages thirty-one feet at low water; the structure will therefore be thirty-eight feet high, which, added to a settlement of four feet, makes the entire height of new breakwater forty-two feet. During the month of November considerable work upon the superstructure was accomplished, but owing to the early setting in of winter the contractors desired to suspend further operations until spring, leaving the structure about two feet below the proper level. I was willing to allow time for thorough settle ment before finishing, and, therefore, consented to this delay. The delivery of stone went on, however, until January, when all the cribs were filled to the height to which they had been constructed. It was estimated that about $30,000 of the appropriation would be left after completing the five hundred feet commenced, and the question presented itself of continuing work during the following season under the existing contracts, or to readvertise the work for new proposals. The good conduct of the present contractors and their reasonable prices, on the one hand, and the uncertainties of receiving proposals in time to resume operations in the spring, on the other, decided me to recommend the continuance of the work with these gentlemen to the extent of the available funds. This recommendation was approved by the department, and the work has been resumed, and is now progressing favorably under the old contracts. Two cribs, each eighty feet long, will be constructed this summer, and the superstructure of the whole completed, making an addition in all of six hundred and sixty feet. Project for continuing the improvement of the harbor.-A survey of the harbor, with a view to an extension of the old break-water, was made by Brevet Brigadier General C. B. Reese, major Corps of Engineers, in the summer of 1866. His report recommended an additional protection to the northern wharfage, which was then being largely extended, and an additional breakwater in that direction of fifteen hundred feet was then decided necessary to meet the requirements of the increasing commerce of this port. No extension in a southerly direction was then thought necessary. The recommendations contained in this report were concurred in by the board of engineers, which subsequently examined the subject, and appropriations were made for carrying on the improvement of the harbor in the water front lying south of the wharfage, but (owing to difficulties regarding its title unnecessary to discuss in this report) it could not be improved, and it was this which prevented an extension of the wharfage in that direction, and consequently made any further southern extension of the breakwater apparently unneces sary. During the last year, however, the difficulties obstructing the improvement of this portion of the water front have been removed, and preparations on a large scale are now going on for building extensive docks, warehouses, and machine shops, along the whole available extent of this front. The citizens interested in these improvements are extremely urgent in expressing their wishes for the same protection from the violence of the lake that has been accorded to their neighbors north of them. This matter is referred to by me to indicate the importance of this part of the harbor compared with the north end, and to show the probability, as well as the justness, of an effort looking toward additional appropriation for the harbor, beyond those required to complete the extension now in progress, and which has received the approval of the department. The subject is deemed worthy of study, and perhaps of sufficient importance to receive the consideration of a board of engineers, should the action of such board be necessary to secure the approval of the department to any project of improvement in this direction. The construction of the northern extension is, however, of the first importance, and appropriations are ugently requested, at least of sufficient magnitude to prevent a total interruption in the progress of the work until this part of the harbor is properly protected. The following statement from the collector of customs for this district, together with the additional statistics derived from other sources, exhibits (approximately) the commercial importance of this harbor: CUSTOM-HOUSE, DISTRICT OF VERMONT, Collector's Office, Burlington, Vt. August 21, 1869. DEAR SIR: In reply to yours under date 6th instant, the following statement is submitted, which is as nearly correct as time will allow: Number of arrivals and departures of vessels of all kinds to and from the port of Burlington, Vermont.. Total tonnage of said vessels Value of foreign imports into the district of Vermont.. 7,090 We have no data from which to make a report of domestic commodities received and shipped from this port. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The above report is for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. Statement of miscellaneous articles received at this port during the year. It is expected that these items will be largely increased during the coming year. Amount required for permanent completion of the present extension, (840 feet,) based upon the cost of the work now in progress Amount to be profitably expended during next fiscal year. $150,000 00 75,000 00 $14,745 78 46,181 32 60, 927 10 48, 912 16 Balance on hand June 30, 1869... Amount required for year ending June 30, 1871... 12, 014 94 $75,000 00 The breakwater is situated at Burlington, Vermont, in the collection district of Vermont, fifty-three miles from Fort Montgomery, Rouse's Point, New York, the nearest fort. There are two lights upon the breakwater, and a light-house carrying a Fresnel light of fourth order, situa ted upon Juniper Island, three and a half miles distant. Abstract of contracts for material and labor for constructing the breakwater at Burlington, Vt Respectfully submitting the foregoing report, I am, general, your obedient servant, J. W. BARLOW, Captain of Engineers and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel U. S. A. Brevet Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS, Office of the Chief of Engineers, Washington, D. C. APPENDIX H. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Davenport, Iowa, September 20, 1869. GENERAL: The following is a report of progress made in the works of river improvement, &c., under my charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, with an account of the steps taken for the prosecution of the work during the present working season and the probable progress that will be made therein. At the beginning of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, I was conducting works under the following appropriations, with the available means as set opposite to them: 1. Survey of western and northwestern rivers 2. Dredge and snag-boats on Mississippi River. 3. Dredge and snag-boats on Wisconsin River. 4. Removing snags and boulders from Minnesota River. 5. Surveys for military defenses, Gettysburg... 6. Repair, preservation, &c., of river and harbor works.... $13,723 33 15, 336 93 37, 148 04 17,916 26 4,500 00 26, 000 00 In the spring of 1869 I also received the following additional allotments: Surveys for military defenses, Gettysburg. priated in February, 1869. Repair, preservation, &c., river and harbor works, appro $5,000 00 36,000 00 The following is the amount disbursed during the fiscal year, including taxes reserved: 1. Survey of western and northwestern rivers 2. Dredge and snag-boats on Mississippi River 3. Dredge and snag-boats on Wisconsin River. 4. Removing snags and boulders from Minnesota River.. 5. Surveys for military defenses, Gettysburg 6. Repair, preservation, &c., of river and harbor works... $12, 369 38 15,336 93 15, 523 12 17, 916 26 6, 032 65 29, 159 81 96, 328 35 The following is the amount available from each appropriation for work under my charge at the beginning of the present fiscal year: 1. Survey of western and northwestern rivers.. 2. Dredge and snag-boat on Wisconsin River.. 3. Removing snags and boulders from Minnesota River .. 4. Surveys for military defenses, Gettysburg 5. Repair, preservation, &c., of river and harbor works. 6. Du Luth and Bois Fort Reservation road 7. Bridge at Rock Island... $1,354 00 21, 624 92 724 07 3,467 35 32,840 19 10, 000 00 700, 000 00 770,010 53 The following estimates are for additional amounts that will be needed during the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1871: For surveys on the Mississippi River, from Winona to La For completing maps of surveys already made For dams to close up channel injurious to navigation of For operation of snag-boat on Wisconsin River For improving navigation of Wisconsin River, by means of For completion of removal of snags from Minnesota River. $10,000 00 10,000 00 5,000 00 36, 000 00 15,000 00 15, 000 00 100,000 00 15,000 00 300, 000 00 I will now give an account of the work done under each appropriation, and the reasons for which additional appropriations are asked. 1. UNDER APPROPRIATION FOR SURVEYS OF WESTERN AND NORTHWESTERN RIVERS. During the last fiscal year, the surveys were confined to the sites of the new bridges which had been built since 1866, and a partial resurvey of the old bridges, to determine what changes had taken place. This was done as part of the duty assigned me of collecting information in relation to bridging the Mississippi between St. Louis and St. Paul. A survey was also made of Dubuque harbor and Alton harbor, which was useful not only in making a plan for preventing the injury caused by sand-bars, but in helping us to understand the general laws governing the movement of these impediments to navigation. It is believed our surveys on the Mississippi and Wisconsin are now nearly sufficient to decide upon the best plans of improvement according to the money which may be supplied. It is very desirable, however, to complete the Mississippi survey down as far as La Crosse, as our surveys have not been carried below Winona, and there are very shoal places in this intermediate distance of thirty-four miles. Now while we have all the boats and materials on hand, and experienced men in our service, this work can be done much more economically and better than hereafter, and I have estimated for $10,000 to do this, and complete the |