creasing to 73 feet in rock, the channel to have a minimum width of 50 feet where confined in rock, increasing to 60 and 75 feet where the material is less expensive to remove. This last project is estimated to cost $175,000. The following appropriations have been made for the improvement of this river: The total expenditures on the improvement of the river up to June 30, 1892, have been $194,404.12. These expenditures have resulted in giving a channel through the rocky bed of the river 5 feet deep and 40 feet wide in the narrowest parts, where before the depth was only from 6 inches to 2 feet. The upper end of the channel at Dover has been deepened to 7 feet at mean low tide for a length of 1,200 feet, with widths varying from 100 feet to 140 feet. Portions of the channel above and below Clement's Wharf, of a total length of 600 feet, have also been dredged to the same depth. The expenditures during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, have been $29.88. No work was done during the year just ended. Proposals for dredging, under the appropriation of July 13, 1892, were opened November 16, 1892, and again February 20, 1893, but the bids each time were regarded as high and all were rejected. The improvements in the navigation of the Cocheco have been of great benefit to the people of Dover and the vicinity. In the item of coal alone, it is reported that not less than 35,000 tons are supplied annually, at a saving of 50 cents per ton, which could not have been done had no improvement been made. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project $595.88 15,000.00 15, 595.88 29.88 15, 566. 00 25.00 15, 541.00 135,000.00 50,000.00 | Abstract of proposals for dredging in Cocheco River, New Hampshire, November 16, 1892. Abstract of proposals for dredging in Cocheco River, New Hampshire, February 20, 1893. HARBOR OF REFUGE AT LITTLE HARBOR, NEW HAMPSHIRE. At the instance of members of the Marine Society, and the Board of Trade, and other citizens of Portsmouth, a survey of this harbor was made in 1882 by Col. George Thom, Corps of Engineers. The improvement desired at that time was to have the channel of entrance opened to a depth of 9 feet at mean low tide for a width of 100 feet, and to have the inner basin enlarged to a width of 300 feet for a length of about 700 feet, and the dredged channel and basin protected by a rubblestone breakwater. The estimated cost of the project was $33,000. The act of Congress of July 5, 1884, directed a preliminary examination and survey to be made with a view to its improvement as a harbor of refuge. This examination was made in the latter part of the year 1884, and an enlarged project submitted for the improvement, the estimated cost of which was $150,000. The former project was not regarded by the district engineer as sufficient to accomplish satisfactory results, and the latter he regarded as too costly to justify the Government in undertaking it. The former project, however, was adopted in 1886, and its execution entered upon. In 1887 the engineer recommended that the project be enlarged, as the old project did not seem to meet the needs of those interested. A new project was therefore suggested, providing for the construction of two breakwaters, one on the north side and the other on the south side of the entrance, and the dredging of an anchorage behind them of about 49 acres to a depth of 12 feet at mean low tide. The estimated cost of the enlarged project was $235,000. The act of 1888 made an appropriation of $20,000 for the work on the enlarged plan. Before the improvement was undertaken the depth of water in the harbor was only about 6 feet at low tide, and the anchorage was small in area and exposed to the full force of the sea, which is heavy when the winds are strong from the northeast. The object of the improvement is to form a harbor of refuge for small coasters and other vessels that get caught outside and are unable to get into the harbor of Portsmouth on account of the strong ebb tide which sets out to sea. It is said that a number of wrecks have occurred which need not have happened if such a harbor had been in existence. The following appropriations have been made: August 5, 1886 August 11, 1888 $10,000 20,000 40,000 30,000 The total expenditures up to June 30, 1892, were $42,422.83. The results accomplished up to that date were the dredging of a part of the area intended for anchorage ground under the new project and the partial construction of the breakwater on the south side of the entrance. The expenditures during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, have been $3,068.03. Work on the breakwater on the south side of the entrance, under contract with George Willett Andrews, was commenced in July, 1892. The contractor opened a quarry in the vicinity of the work, but has made but little progress, only 6,096 tons of stone having been deposited to the close of the year. Proposals for dredging were opened October 3 and November 16, 1892, but each time all the bids were rejected, the prices being consid ered high. The work was again advertised, and a contract was made February 24, 1893, with Moore & Wright, of Portland, Me., for dredg ing a channel about 2,600 feet long, 200 feet wide, and 12 feet deep at mean low tide. Work was commenced May 22, 1893, and at the close of the fiscal year the contractor had dredged about 47,500 cubic yards. There is no commerce, properly considered as such, in Little Harbor. The work is intended as a harbor of refuge, and will doubtless be used only in case of necessity by small coasters which can not reach Portsmouth Harbor in northeasterly storms. July 1, 1893, balance unexpended.. 54, 509. 14 $662.67 July 1, 1893, amount covered by uncompleted contracts.... 52, 963. 29 July 1, 1893, balance available Amount (estimated)required for completion of existing project.. 53, 625.96 883.18 135,000.00 25,000.00 No. Abstract of proposals for dredging in Little Harbor, New Hampshire, October 3, 1892. Abstract of proposals for dredging in Little Harbor, New Hampshire, November 16, 1892. Abstract of proposals for dredging in Little Harbor, New Hampshire, February 13, 1893. Alternative bids for hire of dredging plant to do this work were invited at the same time, but none were received. Contract made with Moore & Wright, February 24, 1893. ENG 9346 Abstract of contracts for improving Little Harbor, New Hampshire, in force during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893. REMOVING SUNKEN VESSELS OR CRAFT OBSTRUCTING OR ENDANGERING NAVIGATION. During March, 1892, the lime-laden schooner Isabel Alberto was sunk in the southern part of Rockland Harbor, Maine, constituting an obstruction to navigation. Under the provisions of the act of June 14, 1880, a contract was made with Enoch Townsend for removing the wreck for the sum of $865. The work was commenced early in August, 1892, and was completed by the 12th of the same month. The total cost in connection with this wreck was $879.59. December 26, 1891, the Huntress, a small schooner laden with coal, was wrecked on Browneys Island, to the southwestward of Moosabec Reach, Maine. During a gale two days later the wreck drifted off the island and sank in deep water, where her masts constituted a dangerous obstruction to navigation. An allotment of funds was made under the provisions of the act of June 14, 1880, and on July 8, 1892, the masts were taken out. The total cost in connection with the wreck was $92.80. A 22. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF CHANNEL NEAR HARDYS POINT, BELOW PEMBROKE, MAINE. [Printed in House Ex. Doc. No. 104, Fifty-second Congress, second session.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, D. C., December 5, 1892. SIR: I have the honor to submit the accompanying copy of report, dated October 1, 1892, by Lieut. Col. Peter C. Hains, Corps of Engineers, of the results of preliminary examination of channel near Hardys Point, below Pembroke, Me., made to comply with requirements of the river and harbor act approved July 13, 1892. Lieut. Col Hains is of opinion that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the General Government, and I concur in his views. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. S. B. ELKINS, THOS. LINCOLN CASEY, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, |