In 1892 $100,000 was appropriated for the improvement of the river and pass, and contracts were accordingly let for the construction of a jetty upon the east side of the channel across the bar in the Gulf, and for the construction of a revetment to protect a channel to be dredged through the bar at the head of the pass. Bids were invited for the dredging, but none were received which were deemed reasonable, and accordingly this work will be done by the Government dredge. The revetment will be about completed in July and dredging will commence at once. The east jetty has only been built out a distance of 1,104 feet from the shore, owing to very unfavorable weather. The amount expended on this work during the year ending June 30, 1893, was $9,898.35. The improvement when completed will be of considerable benefit to commerce, and, besides the deepening of the water across the bar in the Gulf, will permit vessels to enter the pass for refuge during stormy weather. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. 425,000.00 350, 000. 00 13. IIarbor at Sabine Pass, Texas.-Originally there was scarcely 6 feet depth of water on the bar at the entrance to Sabine Pass, and as the bar was composed of very soft mud all efforts to maintain a channel through it of 12 or 16 feet depth by dredging were unavailing. In 1882 a project for the improvement of this entrance was approved. It provided for the construction of jetties on either side of a channel connecting the deep water of the pass with that of the Gulf. The estimated cost of this improvement was $3,177,606.50. Since the approval of this project there has been appropriated $1,448,750. A total of $1,319,848.48 had been expended to June 30, 1892, of which sum $999,848.48 was expended under the present project. The east jetty has a total length of 17,100 feet, 16,650 feet of which has been raised to 2 feet above mean high water. The outer 450 feet is foundation work only. The west jetty has now a length of 12,840 feet, 6,609 feet of which has been raised to 2 feet above mean high water, and the remainder is only built to the level of mean low water and is incomplete. In the beginning the jetties were built of alternate layers of brush and stone, but the rapid disappearance of the brush led to the adoption of the present method, which is, first to lay a brush mat and then build a riprap structure on this reaching 2 feet above mean high water. The material between the jetties is not easily eroded by the currents, and accordingly dredging has been resorted to to expedite the deepening. At present a dredged channel 16 feet in depth extends through the center of the channel span to within 1,500 feet of the end of the east jetty. This channel would have been extended clear through to the 16-foot curve of depth in the Gulf if unfavorable weather had not • prevented. A considerable deepening of the channel has occurred from natural scour, and the manner in which this material has been carried clear of the entrance confirms the belief that a channel dredged beyond the extremities of the jetties will not be obliterated for some time. At mean low water there is now an unobstructed channel into the pass of over 11 feet. Vessels, however, enter and leave safely drawing 2 feet more than this, owing to the very soft material composing the bar. The amount expended on this work during the year ending June 30, 1893, was $208,745.31. July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.. July 1, 1893, balance available 25, 769. 19 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project .... 1, 728, 856. 50 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix S 12.) - 1,000,000.00 14. Sabine River, Texas. When the improvement of the river was commenced there was a depth of 3 feet on the bar at its mouth and also above the town of Orange. Logs, snags, etc., above here interfered with navigation. To June 30, 1889, there had been appropriated for this work $34,700, of which $30,760.39 had been expended. In 1880 a channel 6 feet deep and from 70 to 100 feet wide was dredged through the bar. In 1881 several small cuts, to avoid bends obstructed with logs, were made above Orange. An examination above Orange showed many snags in parts of the channel, and a project was prepared and contract entered into for the expenditure of the remaining balance in closing both branches of Old River at the head of the Narrows with pile, brush, and earth dams, to throw all the water in the useful channel, and removing the obstructions, such as snags, overhanging trees, etc. The smaller Old River channel was closed and most of the piles driven for the larger dam, when a sudden rise in the river washed out many piles in the latter. The river remaining so high that satisfactory work could not be done, the contract was extended to the next lowwater season. Work was resumed in September, 1890, and the dams finished, as projected, in December following, completing the project. The dredged channel over the bar at the mouth is somewhat obstructed by snags, logs, etc., but the depth is now sufficient for the present demands of commerce. The amount expended on the improvement of this river to June 30, 1892, was $34,613.12. Under provisions of the river and harbor act of September 19, 1890, an examination of this river from Sabine Lake to Sudduths Bluff was made and a project submitted providing for the removal of obstructions from the river between these points, at an estimated cost of $10,000. July 13, 1892, Congress appropriated $5,000 for improving Sabine River up to Sudduths Bluff, Texas. A snagging plant has been contracted for, and work under this ap propriation will be commenced July 1, 1893. The amount expended during the year ending June 30, 1893, was $181.92. After the obstructions in the river between its mouth and Sudduths Bluff are removed about $2,000 will be required annually to keep the stream in navigable condition. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended Amount appropriated by act approved July 13, 1892. June 30, 1893, amount expended during fiscal year........ $86.88 5,000.00 5,086.88 181.92 July 1, 1893, balance unexpended July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts July 1, 1893, balance available Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1895 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867 and of sundry civil act of March 3, 1893. (See Appendix S 13.) 4,904.96 4,500.00 404.96 5,000.00 5,000.00 15. Neches River, Texas.-Before this river was improved the bar at its mouth had only 3 feet of water over it, and navigation was obstructed between Yellow Bluff and Bevilport by snags and fallen trees. The project adopted for the improvement of this river called for the dredging of a channel over the bar at its mouth and the removal of obstructions from the river between Yellow Bluff and Bevilport. To June 30, 1892, $33,000 had been appropriated for this work, of which $28,842.16 had been expended. In 1880 a channel was dredged through the bar at the mouth of the river 5 feet deep and 30 to 60 feet in width. In 1882 the river between Yellow Bluff and Bevilport was cleared of obstructions. The bar at the mouth had again shoaled, so that at extreme low water there was only a navigable depth of about 3 feet. The channel was again dredged to a depth of 5 feet by the Government dredge, which had been at work at Calcasieu Pass, and the work was completed in April, 1889, since which time no work has been done. The improvement will not be permanent, as the bar will re-form. July 1, 1892, balance unexpended. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended (See Appendix S 14.) $4, 157.84 4, 157.84 16. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navi gation. Two coal barges sunk in Bayou Teche, one near Franklin and one near Jeannerette, La., forming obstructions to the navigation of this stream, were authorized to be removed, and the work was accomplished in May, 1893, without expense to the Government. (See Appendix S 15.) EXAMINATIONS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 13, 1892. The preliminary examinations of the following localities, required by act of July 13, 1892, were made by the local engineer, Maj. James B. Quinn, Corps of Engineers, and reports thereon snbmitted through the division engineer, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers. 1. Homochitto River, Mississippi, from its mouth to the Louisville, New Orleans and Texas Railroad Bridge.-Maj. Quinn submitted report of examination under date of December 7, 1892. He considers the river worthy of improvement within the limits specified; but it is the opinion of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 140, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix S 16.) 2. Harbor of refuge on Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, most suitable point at or near entrance into the old and new basins.—Maj. Quinn submitted report of examination under date of December 10, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the locality is worthy of improvement by the General Government. No survey is necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 138, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix S 17.) 3. Bayous Black and Terrebonne, with a view of connecting them between Southdown Plantation and Houma, La., and opening a shorter and safer inland water route from the Mississippi Valley, via Berwicks Bay, to Texas and Mexico.-Maj. Quinn submitted report of examination under date of December 16, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the United States. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 158, Fiftysecond Congress, second session. (See also Appendix S 18.) 4. Sabine River from Sudduths Bluff, Texas, to Logansport, La.Maj. Quinn submitted report of examination under date of December 8, 1892. It is his opinion and that of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the river within the limits named is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 139, Fiftysecond Congress, second session. (See also Appendix S 19.) 5. Channel through Sabine Lake from Sabine Pass to mouths of Sabine and Neches rivers, Texas.-Maj. Quinn submitted report of examination under date of December 10, 1892. He considers the improvement worthy of being undertaken; and it is the opinion of the division engineer, concurred in by this office, that the channel is in some degree worthy of improvement by the United States. Maj. Quinn estimates. the cost of a survey necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement at $2,500. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 146, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix S 20.) 6. Neches River, Texas, from its mouth to Shooks Bluff.-Maj. Quinn submitted report of examination under date of December 22, 1892. He considers the river worthy of improvement below the mouth of Angelma River; and it is the opinion of the division engineer, concurred in by by this office, that Neches River up to the junction of the Angelina is worthy of improvement by removal of snags and overhanging trees. No survey is necessary for preparation of project and estimate of cost of improvement. The report was transmitted to Congress and printed as House Ex. Doc. No. 156, Fifty-second Congress, second session. (See also Appendix S 21.) SECURING MOUTH OF BAYOU PLAQUEMINE, LOUISIANA, FROM FURTHER CAVING. This work was in the charge of Capt. John Millis, Corps of Engineers; Division Engineer, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers. Bayou Plaquemine was formerly an outflowing branch of the Mississippi River, but the levee system on the west bank of the Mississippi was carried across the head of the bayou in 1865. It is now proposed to improve and deepen the bayou and establish navigable connection between it and the Mississippi by a system of locks at the head of the bayou. The west bank of the Mississippi at this point was formerly subject to rapid caving, threatening the site of the proposed locks. The project adopted for the improvement contemplates a system of submerged spur dikes, built of timber, brush, and stone. They run out at right angles to the general direction of the bank line, and are placed at intervals of about 900 feet. Up to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, there had been expended $53,731,61. Five of the dikes had been finished. The completed work of protection now extends to a distance of 2,500 feet above and 1,500 feet below the site of the proposed locks, and within this distance the caving of the bank has been arrested. Some repairs are necessary to the completed bank protection. These repairs will be made during the coming season with funds and material now on hand. During the year $4,032.35 was expended on this work, leaving an unexpended balance, July 1, 1893, from the funds allotted to this improvement, of $27,085.46. The money statement is consolidated with that for the general improvement of Bayou Plaquemine, Louisiana, page 244. (See Appendix T.) IMPROVEMENT OF CERTAIN RIVERS AND HARBORS IN TEXAS. This district was in the charge of Maj. Charles J. Allen, Corps of Engineers, to February 8, 1893, and of Maj. A. M. Miller, Corps of Engineers, since March 21, 1893, with Lieut. William C. Langfitt, Corps of Engineers, under their immediate orders, and in the temporary charge of Lieut. Langfitt from February 8 to March 21, 1893; Division Engineer, Col. C. B. Comstock, Corps of Engineers. 1. Entrance to Galveston Harbor, Texas.-The obstructions to deepwater navigation at this harbor have been the outer and inner bars. On the former the natural depth was 12 feet and on the latter about 13 feet, both at mean low tide. The present project for improvement at this locality was adopted in 1874, modified in 1880, and again modified in 1886, the object being to deepen the channels so as to admit sea-going vessels of the deepest draft. The projects prior to 1874 related to dredging operations on a small scale. The projects of 1874 and 1880 contemplated construction of jetties to deepen the channels on the bars; the former with a view to a depth of |