A 2. HEADQUARTERS CORPS OF ENGINEERS, Washington, D. C., December 9, 1868. GENERAL: In compliance with the request of the Hon. T. W. Ferry, member of Congress, and with your approval, Brevet Colonel J. B. Wheeler, corps of engineers, was directed in June last to make a survey of the harbor of Charlevoix, Michigan, and submit a plan for its improvement, with an estimate of the cost, &c. The survey has been completed and the report presented, a copy of which is herewith submitted. The estimated cost of the improvement of the harbor is, in round numbers, $200,000, and Colonel Wheeler remarks that "from the location of the harbor, and the width of channel that we are obliged to adopt in improving it, I am of the opinion that the interests of commerce do not require this place to be made a harbor of refuge." The views of Colonel Wheeler are concurred in. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Brig. Genl of Engineers, Commanding. Major General J. M. SCHOFIELD, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, October 28, 1868. GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith a tracing of the map made of Charlevoix Harbor, with a plan and estimates of the cost of improving this harbor, prepared under the instructions from the headquarters of the corps of engineers, of June 18, 1868. This survey and the estimates were made under my direction by M. T. Casgrain, who has compiled all the information necessary to a full understanding of the advantages and the difficulties of improving this harbor, in the accompanying report. It will be seen from this report that it will be possible to improve a channel only one hundred feet wide, and to do this the estimated cost will be $198,044 14-nearly $200,000. From the location of this harbor, and the width of channel that we are obliged to adopt in improving it, I am of the opinion that the interests of commerce do not require this place to be made a harbor of refuge. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major of Engineers and Brevet Colonel. Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Eng's, Com'g Corps of Eng's, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. OFFICE UNITED STATES ENGINEERS, Milwaukee, Wis., August 19, 1868. COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report and estimates on Charlevoix Harbor, (Pine River,) Michigan, from the survey made, through your orders, between July 10 and 16, 1868. PINE RIVER. This river empties itself in Lake Michigan, between Little and Grand Traverse Bays. It is a narrow and shallow stream which connects the waters of Round and Pine Lakes with those of Lake Michigan. From mouth of river to Round Lake is one third (3) of a mile in length, and an average width of seventy-five feet; the depth of water varying from two (2) to six (6) feet; this two (2) feet depth being in the rapids near its mouth, and extending some six hundred feet. The bed of the river is sand, marl, gravel, and clay, mixed together, and stone. From the foot of Round Lake to the entrance of the river into Lake Michigan there is a fall of one foot and sixty-two hundredths (1.62.) VILLAGE OF CHARLEVOIX. This small village is situated on the south side of the river. Charlevoix is the county seat of Emmet County, which is fast being settled. Its population is six hundred and thirty (630) inhabitants. It has a post office, two stores, two hotels, a school-house, and a steam saw mill. A pile pier extending some nine hundred feet in the lake was erected by private parties, some three years ago, for the purpose of supplying the lake propellers with cord-wood. The whole of the land bordering on Pine Lake being chiefly timbered with beech and maple, affords special advantages for a considerable wood trade. The soil is rich, being a sandy, calcareous loam, of considerable uniformity. Winter wheat is the staple crop at present, and does well. The peculiar mildness of the fall weather is favorable to its growth, and the snow, which covers the young plant in this region, insures the crop against winterkilling. Fruit, such as apples, pears, peaches, and grapes, grown in more temperate climates, are cultivated here with great success. ROUND LAKE Is a small sheet of water half a mile in diameter, with a depth of from thirty (30) to sixty (60) feet. Extensive farms have been cleared along its shore, which present a fine appearance. The head of Round Lake is connected with Pine Lake by a narrow, tortuous, and shallow stream some three-fourths (3) of a mile in length, about one hundred (100) feet* in width, and a depth of four (4) feet. The bed of the river is sand, marl, clay, gravel, and stone. There is a fall of nearly two (2) feet between Pine and Round Lakes, forming a current of about five miles an hour. PINE LAKE Lies about one mile east of Lake Michigan, and runs easterly. It is fifteen miles long, and two wide. Six miles from its mouth, on the south side of it, is an arm running southward eight miles, and an average width of half a mile. There is a saw mill at the head of Pine Lake, and a small tug plies upon it. The shores of the lake are rolling, the timber mostly beech and maple, interspersed with elm, hemlock, fir, and some pine. Farms are being cleared up about it; cottages and green fields begin to decorate its margin, adding artificial beauty to the natural loveliness of its surroundings. Pine Lake stands nearly four (4) feet above Lake Michigan. Its waters are clear and very pure, navigable for vessels of all classes. Its depth varies from sixty (60) feet to one hundred (100) feet free from shoals and bars. PRESENT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE MOUTH OF RIVER. These consist only of a pile pier which was built some three (3) years ago. It extends into Lake Michigan to the depth of twenty (20) feet, and is nearly nine hundred (900) feet long. It affords ample accommodations for the present shipping interests. An attempt was made to open a straight cut eight (8) feet deep across the narrow sand beach, as shown by the line A B on the accompanying sketch, and thus effect a change in the river channel; but owing to the nature of the ground, which is clay and gravel, with scattered bowlders, it was found very expensive, and finally abandoned. The amount of wood shipped from this point last year was fifteen thousand (15,000) cords; at $3 50 per cord = $52,500. PROPOSED PLAN AND ESTIMATES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF CHARLEVOIX, PINE RIVER HARBOR. In consequence of the narrow, tortuous, and shallow channel of this river and the hard material to be excavated, together with the bold sand banks which border its sides, it was deemed necessary to limit the width of the channel to 100 feet. The plan and estimates made and submitted are based on this width, and consist in constructing two parallel piers, extending each 640 feet into Lake Michigan to the depth of 14 feet, and from the eastern extremity of the south pier, with a radius of 410 feet, continue the cribwork 224 feet to the base of the sand-hills at A. The outer end of each pier to have a crib 32 feet by 25 feet by 20 feet. Dredge a channel 100 feet wide to a depth of 12 feet, and protect both sides of it with close piling. This close piling to commence at the inner end of the crib-work and to extend to the entrance into Round Lake. A.-Estimated cost of one crib, 32 feet by 25 feet by 20 feet. 3,353 feet square timber, at 20 cents per lineal foot.. 288 feet 3-inch plank, board measure, at $15 per M. 3,938 pounds iron bolts, at 10 cents per pound. 6 pounds iron spikes, at 10 cents per pound. 89 cords of stone, at $16 per cord.. 10 cords of brush, at $2 50 per cord Labor of framing and placing, 3,353 feet, at 20 cents per lineal foot. Add 10 per cent. for contingencies... $670 60 4 32 393 80 60 1, 424 00 25.00 670 60 3, 188 92 318 89 3,507 81 B.-Estimated cost of one crib, 32 feet by 20 feet by 17 feet. 2,368 feet square timber, at 20 cents per lineal foot. 288 feet 3-inch plank, board measure, at $15 per M. 3,554 pounds iron bolts, at 10 cents per pound 6 pounds iron spikes, at 10 cents per pound 56 cords of stone, at $16 per cord. $473 60 4 32 355 40 60 896 00 63 cords of brush, at $2 50 per cord Labor of framing and placing, 2,368 feet, at 20 cents per lineal foot... Add 10 per cent. for contingencies... $16 88 473 60 2,220 40 222 04 2, 442 44 C.-Estimated cost of constructing 1,504 feet of crib-work, or 47 cribs, for improving Charlevoix Harbor. 20 cribs, at $2,442 44 for north pier. 25 cribs, at $2,442 44 for south pier.. 2 cribs, at $3,507 81 for outer ends of each pier.. Total cost of crib-work $48, 848 80 61, 061 00 7,015 62 116, 925 42 D.-Estimated cost of close piling 2,466 feet, to protect the river banks from abrasion. For 2,712 piles, 25 feet long-67,800 lineal feet, at 10 cents per lineal foot... For 4,932 feet capping 12 inches square, at 20 cents per lineal foot.. For 9,864 feet capping 6 by 12 inches, at 10 cents per lineal foot.... For driving 2,712 piles, at $3 each... = $6, 780 00 986 46 986 40 8, 136 00 = €3,444 688 80 12 inches long = = 5,337 For 246 cross-ties, 14 feet long, 12 inches square For 2,712 iron bolts, 14 inches square, 30 inches long For labor of framing and bolting 13,308 feet, at 20 cents per lineal foot .... It was found impossible to determine the precise quantity of hard and soft materials to be excavated in the river and give correct estimates for each. All the earth above water, or dry dredging, is estimated at thirty cents per cubic yard. Below water, taking both the soft and hard material, fifty cents per cubic yard is assumed as a fair price. Separate estimates for each of these are herewith given. 6 E.-Estimated cost of dredging the harbor of Charlevoix, Michigan, to place the proposed crib piers, dredge a channel between them, and deepen the river from Lake Michigan to Round Lake a uniform depth of twelve feet. To excavate 26,860 cubic yards in Lake Michigan to place 47 cribs, and dredge a channel 100 feet wide between them, at 50 cents per cubic yard....... To excavate 46,881.32 cubic yards to enlarge the river to a width of 100 feet, and deepen it 12 feet, at 50 cents per cubic yard To excavate 20,336.51 cubic yards of earth above water, at 30 cents per cubic yard ....... Add 10 per cent. for contingencies..... F.-Recapitulation of estimates. To build 1,504 feet of crib-work as per estimate C....... Total cost.... $13, 430 00 23, 440 66 6, 100 95 42, 971 61 4,297 16 57, 268 77 $116, 925 42 23, 849 77 57, 268 77 Respectfully submitted. 198, 044 14 W. T. CASGRAIN. APPENDIX B. Extract from the annual report of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Farquhar, corps of engineers, upon the lake harbor improvements in his charge. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 1, 1869. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following annual report of operations for the works of harbor improvements under my charge for the year ending June 30, 1869. In obedience to paragraph 3, Special Order No. 152, dated headquarters Corps of Engineers, Washington, D. C., November 10, 1868, I relieved Brevet Colonel J. B. Wheeler, major corps of engineers, of the charge of the works of harbor improvements at the harbors of St. Josephs, South Haven, Grand Haven, Muskegon, White River, Pentwater, Père Marquette, Manistee, and Aux Becs Scies, Michigan. By virtue of paragraph 5 of the same order, First Lieutenant E. A. Woodruff, corps of engineers, was assigned to duty under my immediate orders. In all cases, the general plans for the improvement of the several harbors, submitted by Colonel Wheeler and approved by the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, have been carried out. |