made it desirable for that purpose, it may be inferred that the contemplated improvements, when made, will be permanent for a long time to come. In conformity with the desire expressed by those interested to establish a landing for large vessels in Rock Hall Harbor which would be nearer the town than the present landing in Swan Creek, a channel 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep at mean low water has been estimated for, and is here with presented as a project of improvement. This channel is to extend from the 10-foot depth in Swan Creek Inlet to about the site of the former old pier in the harbor. The total length of the cut is about 5,650 feet. The bottom is principally soft and sticky blue mud. It is supposed that the proposed depth of 10 feet is ample for the largest bay steamers and for the larger class of sailing vessels. The remaining area of the harbor can be used, as now, by the smaller fishing and oyster boats. It remains to refer to the desired channel across Swan Point Bar, of which mention is made in the latter part of the preliminary report. The results of the survey show that the general conditions for dredging such a cut are not as favorable as was previously anticipated. A subsidiary channel across the bar could not be found, but there are several slight depressions about 6 inches lower than the average depth over the crest, which is 2 feet below mean low water. The survey has further developed the fact that Swan Point is now much farther south of its location in 1845, and that it has grown since that year in an almost due southerly direction a distance of about 1,100 feet. As was previously stated, this is the only change noted in comparing the present chart with that of the Coast Survey of older date. It can not be said whether this growth is a periodical or á gradual one, nor can it be foretold with any degree of certainty when and where it will reach its limit of extension. It is sufficient to record that at present its annual movement southward is about 24 feet, and that it may eventually reach, if not arrested by artificial works, any cut madé across Swan Point Bar. For the sake of direction only, the proposed cut, as shown on the accompanying chart, is located in range with the Brewerton Channel, leading out of the mouth of the Patapsco River, on the opposite side of the bay. It is of little consequence which direction across the bar is adopted, as in any event no currents prevail here that can be depended upon to keep a dredged channal open, whether the cut is artificially inclosed or not. The frequent passage of vessels, particularly of steamers, would perhaps do more to prevent it from filling up again than anything else that could be devised. The length of this cut as proposed is about 1 mile. Its width and depth are the same as proposed for the harbor proper, viz, 100 feet and 10 feet, respectively. The distance between Baltimore and this portion of the Kent County shore would be reduced nearly 9 miles by this channel, and not only Rock Hall, but other landings on the adjacent shore, would be benefited if it were made. This portion of the project is, however, only indirectly related to the improvement of Rock Hall Harbor, and the estimate is herewith given parenthetically, and is: 80,000 cubic yards of dredging, at 20 cents per cubic yard; total cost, $16,000. The proposed project for the improvement of Rock Hall Harbor is a channel 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep at mean low water from the channel in Swan Creek Inlet to the old pier in the harbor. The estimate is: 47,565 cubic yards of dredging, at 20 cents per cubic yard, $9,513. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Gen. Wм. F. SMITH, A. STIERLE, Assistant Engineer. United States Agent. Ballast, dumping of, in approaches to New York Baltimore Harbor, Md., improvement of. Barren River, Ky., operating and care of lock and Bartholomew Bayon, La. and Ark., improvement of.. Bay City, Wash., construction of bridge across Bay Ridge Channel, New York Harbor, improve- Bayonne, N. J., modification of harbor lines in front 6790-1 Boston, Pa., construction of bridge across Youghio- Bourne, Mass., construction of bridge across L'ohas- Brady, Agatba (canal boat), removal of wreck of.. Bridges across navigable waters, construction of. Bridges obstructing navigation. Bristol Landing, Md., construction of bridge across Broadkiln River, Del., improvement of. Brooklyn, N. Y., bridge obstructing Newtown Creek, Brooks Slough, Wash., construction of bridge of Browneys Island, Me., removal of wreck off. 39 533 Browns Creek, N. Y., improvement of 83 727 Bruce (bark), removal of wreck of.. |