Amount in treasury June 30, 1869 Less amount withheld in accordance with contract for dredging until completion of work Available June 30, 1869 Amount required for the year ending June 30, 1871 .. $20,000 00 21, 280 06 5,972 13 15, 307 93 SURVEY OF CONNECTICUT RIVER FROM HARTFORD TO ITS MOUTH. I made an examination of the bar at the mouth of this river in July, 1868, and the result is exhibited on the accompanying sketch. It is estimated that, in order to secure a depth of eight feet at mean low water on this bar, one hundred feet in width; it will be necessary to remove a prism of five thousand cubic yards. It is certain that no permanent results would be obtained here by dredging, but it is probable that this depth could be maintained by the periodical use of a scraper. No amount is estimated for this work beyond that offered in previous reports, viz., $70,000, as the improvements most needed on this river are the removal of the bars and protection of the banks below Hartford, detailed in my report, dated January 11, 1868. In regard to the points especially called for by the circular, I have the honor to report as follows: 2d, $70,000 is requested to excavate a channel two hundred feet wide and eight feet deep at low water, and an annual appropriation of $10,000 to maintain it; 3d, $70,000; 4th, Middletown district; 5th, Middletown, Connecticut; 6th, $18,848 49; 7th, same as previous reports; 8th, 9th, and 10th, none during the year; 11th, amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, from appropriation for "examinations and surveys on the Atlantic coast" Amount required for the year ending June 30, 1871 $229 06 70, 000 00 REMOVAL OF MIDDLE ROCK, NEW HAVEN HARBOR, CONNECTICUT. The work on this rock was suspended on the 21st of September, 1867, owing to the appropriation being nearly exhausted. The results of the survey were communicated to the department in my report, dated January 28, 1868. To complete the removal of this rock to the depth originally proposed I have estimated $10,000. The complete removal of the obstructions at the mouth of this harbor requires not only the removal of Middle Rock, but also that of Southwest Ledge, and two rocks intermediate between the two, and any plan for the improvement of the harbor should contemplate the removal of all these. On the Southwest Ledge there is six and a half feet at low water, and on the other rocks thirteen feet and fourteen feet, respectively. The total amount now estimated for removing these rocks is $65,000. In regard to the points especially called for by the circular, I have the honor to report as follows: 1st, removal, by blasting, to a depth of seventeen feet at low water; 2d, Middle Rock, $10,000; Southwest Ledge, $30,000; intermediate rocks, $25,000; total, $65,000; 3d, $30,000; 4th, New Haven district; 5th, New Haven; 7th, same as previous reports; 8th, 9th, and 10th, none during the year; 11th, amount on hand and available June 30, 1868 Available June 30, 1869 ... Amount required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871.. SURVEY OF BRIDGEPORT HARBOR, CONNECTICUT. $250 56 250 56 30,000 00 A resurvey of this harbor was made last year, in compliance with instructions from the Chief of Engineers, dated Headquarters Corps of Engineers, Washington, April 20, 1868. No plan was submitted for any works for the improvement of this harbor. In regard to the points especially called for by the circular, I have the honor to report as follows: 11th. Amount expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1868, from appropriation for examinations and surveys on the Atlantic coast $1,208 28 IMPROVEMENT OF WESTPORT HARBOR, CONNECTICUT. Nothing has been done in this harbor, as the appropriation, $2,500, is entirely insufficient to accomplish the improvement desired. An additional amount of $10,000 is estimated for the completion of the work. In regard to the points especially called for by the circular, I have the honor to report as follows: 2d, $10,000; 3d, $10,000; 4th, Fairfield, Connecticut, district; 5th, Bridgeport, Connecticut. 11th. On hand June 30, 1868.... Cash received during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869.. Expended during fiscal year ending June 30, 1869.... $610 66 3.99 614 65 74 75 539 90 1,550 00 Amount available June 30, 1869... 2,089 90 Amount required for the year ending June 30, 1871 ...... $10,000 00 Amount in treasury PLYMOUTH BEACH, MASSACHUSETTS. The sum of $76 61 was transferred to me on June 1, 1869, by Brevet Major J. A. Smith, Corps of Engineers, being the balance on account of the appropriation for "repairs of harbors on the Atlantic coast," applicable to the improvement of this beach. The following is a copy of a statement furnished me by Major Smith, of the operations during the last fiscal year: In the summer of 1866 nearly $8,000 was expended in the construction of new work and in repairs. Other work was added by the State in 1867, at an expense of about $2,000. These works were then deemed sufficient to resist any action of the sea, but a storm in the autumn of 1867 carried away some of the more exposed portions, and a second occurring the subsequent winter, when tides were highest, carried away about a thousand linear feet of the strongest portion of the work, besides doing other damage, leaving the northern portion of the beach, adjacent to the main entrance of the harbor, entirely unprotected from the open sea, save by some remaining portions of a work completed in 1832, and the beach itself so much reduced as to be entirely submerged at extreme high tides for a length of one thousand five hundred feet. The sand was such that while a slight action of the sea would raise the beach, the prevailing winds and heavier seas would drive the sand into the channel, and it was evident that a severe storm would not only seriously injure the beach thus unprotected, but also the main channel, and leave it entirely exposed to further encroachments. On the last of August, 1868, a letter was received from the Engineer Bureau, giving information that about $7,000 would be made available for expenditures upon the beach. It was considered absolutely essential to do as much as possible before the fall and winter storms set in. Advertisements were issued for proposals for building the work. One class to be a substantial crib-work of timber, covered with plank and filled with stone; the other to be the old triangular work. No proposals were received until past the middle of September. Two proposals only were received, both of which were rejected, as they were deemed too high, with the further reason that it would be nearly impossible to complete contracts in time to do the work before winter would compel its suspension. Lumber was immediately ordered for the work, and a small force employed until the arrival of further materials. Adverse winds detained the lumber (from Bangor, Maine) nearly three weeks, so that no very active operations could be commenced until the middle of October. A vessel and crew was then hired to freight ballast for the cribs, and after being several days out without doing anything, was lost in a storm. Other vessels were employed, but the prevalence of storms and winds made progress both slow and expensive. Two hundred linear feet of substantial crib-work of timber, covered with plank and filled with stone, were completed, the crib being placed in a trench about two feet deep, and the plank on the seaward side being driven deep to prevent the sea from undermining the work. One crib one hundred feet in length was placed in position, but a storm in the night, before it could be loaded, drove it away and lost some of the timber. One hundred and seventy-six linear feet of triangular work, similar to that before used, were completed in a trench three and a half feet deep, and filled with sand. A break in the old work, fifteen linear feet, was filled with solid timber triangles and filled with stone; and one hundred linear feet of work consisting of posts set four feet deep, covered both sides with plank two feet high. One entire crib one hundred feet long was framed and a second partly done, which could not be put in position owing to the unusual inclemency of the season and the attendant expense. For this reason considerable material was left which could not be utilized. Through the courtesy of Mr. Leavitt Robbins, of whom the timber was purchased, the timber and tools were allowed to remain upon his premises, with the understanding that any expense or trouble to himself would be reimbursed in case of future appropri ations. On the 30th of June, 1869, I visited Plymouth and examined the beach, finding the works for its preservation in an unfinished condition, and the beach greatly exposed to the action of the sea. I will submit as early as practicable a project and estimate for the preservation of this beach, upon which depends the existence of the harbor of Plymouth. I inclose herewith abstract of proposals, with names of bidders, for this work. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Engineers, Washington, D. C. Abstract of proposals for construction of breakwater at Plymouth beach, Mass. ENGINEER OFFICE UNITED STATES ARMY, Newport, Rhode Island, January 23, 1869. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit herewith a tracing, giving the hydrography of Bridgeport Harbor, Connecticut, from a survey made during the past season; also a report of Captain A. H. Holgate, United States engineers, in relation to the harbor. From this map and report, and careful study of the changes going on in the harbor, I do not find it necessary to recommend at this time the construction of any works for the improvement of this harbor. The channel and harbor facilities are essentially as good as is shown by the survey of 1837. The channel, at its present depth, is an artificial one made by dredging. That it remains unchanged as to depth is evidence that no serious injury has been sustained. It will be time enough to expend money for the improvement of this harbor when the channel is found to be inadequate to the necessities of commerce, and then dredging must be resorted to. The construction of groins on the beach to the east of the harbor, referred to in Captain Holgate's report, would check the movement of sand by the flood tide, until the intervening spaces were filled up, but I would not recommend their construction until the necessity is more apparent than at present. The construction of a breakwater at the mouth of the harbor, on the line A B, survey of 1868, as has been suggested, would contract the water-way, and effect such changes in the currents as might be of serious injury. I submit, therefore, no estimate for the improvement of this harbor. It is very doubtful in my mind whether there is any permanent remedy for the evil anticipated by those interested in the harbor. The effect of storms on the sandy bottom of a shoal harbor is necessarily to shift the channel more or less, and if it should be found in future that the channel is not maintained by the action of the tidal current, it will be necessary to excavate it, as was formerly done. In compliance with Headquarters Circular, dated July 29, 1868, furnishing the "joint resolution of Congress approved July 27, 1868, in relation to surveys and examinations of rivers and harbors," I submit a copy of a letter from Captain John Brooks, collector of customs at Bridgeport, containing all the facts called for by the resolution. The object of this resolution is as stated, to prevent the application of the public moneys, excepting where such improvements shall tend to subserve the general commercial and navigation interests of the United States. The extent to which these general interests will be subserved by any improvement of Bridgeport Harbor is very small; at all events, not sufficient to warrant the expenditure of public money, unless the necessity is urgent and the remedy apparent. The trade there is entirely local. The harbor is not needed as a harbor of refuge, as Black Rock Harbor, a few miles to the westward, is much more accessible and commodious. The following information, called for by Headquarters Circular, dated June 10, 1868, is submitted: 1st, no essential changes are discovered in the channel since former surveys; 2d, no plan for the improvement has been made, none being deemed necessary at present; 3d, -; 4th, Fairfield collection district; 5th, New Haven, Connecticut; 6th, $37,945 66; 7th, number of vessels arriving from foreign ports during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1868, 71; tonnage, 9,242; average, 116 tons. Number cleared for foreign ports in same period, 67; tonnage, 8,793; average, 130 tons. Number of arrivals and departures of vessels engaged in coasting trade in same period is estimated at 2,000, tonnage 140,000. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. C. HOUSTON, Major of Engineers, Bvt. Col. U. S. A. Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Commanding Corps of Engineers, Washington, D. C. NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, December 19, 1868. SIR: In obedience to your order, dated Newport, Rhode Island, August 11, 1868, I have the honor to report that I have visited Bridgeport, Connecticut, as occasion has demanded, and have carefully observed the progress of the survey made by Mr. George Beckwith, surveyor. This survey has been delayed somewhat, perhaps, because Mr. Beckwith, being city surveyor, cannot find time to attend properly to other duties. Doubtless, also, adverse winds, tides, and the inexperience of his assistants have contributed to retard his progress; I am still awaiting his report. I have received some useful information from Captain John Brooks, collector of the port at Bridgeport, and have tested, as far as possible, by actual experiments, his opinions and experience of the directions, velocities and results of the tidal currents, both ebb and flood, and have found them almost invariably correct. The survey of the present year will, I think, show no material change in the depth of the water in the channel leading to Bridgeport Harbor proper, or in the outer harbor, during the past twenty years, or since the survey of Lieutenant Blake. Experienced pilots and sea-faring men have feared that the harbor of Bridgeport is in danger of being filled up and destroyed. In order to |