LL 7. REMOVING SUNKEN VESSELS OR CRAFT OBSTRUCTING OR ENDAN-. GERING NAVIGATION. Sloop Peri in North Branch of Chicago River near Fullerton avenue. The wreck of this vessel was reported as an obstruction to navigation by the department of public works of the city of Chicago, which stated that it was abandoned and that the owners could not be located. The wreck was raised, found worthless, and destroyed at a total cost to the United States of $251.51. Schooner barge H. A. Richmond, owned by R. F. Conway Company, in the Main Branch of Chicago River near Rush Street Bridge. The wreck of this vessel was reported as an obstruction to navigation by the department of public works of the city of Chicago. The wreck having been formally abandoned, it was raised, found worthless, and was then sunk in Lake Michigan in 50 feet depth of water in such way as to no longer interfere with navigation, at a total cost to the United States of $817.77. APPENDIX M M. IMPROVEMENT OF ILLINOIS RIVER, AND CONSTRUCTION OF ILLINOIS AND MISSISSIPPI CANAL, ILLINOIS. REPORT OF MAJ. C. S. RICHÉ, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1907. IMPROVEMENTS. 3. Illinois and Mississippi Canal. 1. Illinois River, Illinois. 2. Operating and care of La Grange and Kampsville locks, Illinois River, and approaches thereto. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith annual reports upon works in my charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1907. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. A. MACKENZIE, C. S. RICHÉ, Major, Corps of Engineers. Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. M M 1. IMPROVEMENT OF ILLINOIS RIVER, ILLINOIS (A) BELOW COPPERAS CREEK. During the fiscal year the work has consisted of inspection of the river throughout its navigable length, especially at bridges, removal of snags, repairs to plant and fleet, and dredging bars. The matter of establishing harbor lines at Peoria, Ill., has been discussed by Peoria interests at various times for many years past. The encroachments upon the river channel at that point, and the gradual filling of the original channel at critical points with refuse and solid matter led to complaints and investigation. On December 18, 1906, a public hearing was held at Peoria, local interests having been invited to attend. Lines were surveyed and agreed upon, along the city front, on both sides of the river. Tracing and description of such harbor lines were approved by the Secretary of War. The pile driver belonging to the Illinois River fleet was loaned at a rental of $5 per day, three days to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company, and three days to Schultz-Baujan Company, under special authorities, and the proceeds deposited to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States. Department permit was issued in February for a new wagon bridge across the river at Utica, to replace the bridge carried out by flood in June, 1906. A ferry operating under Department authority has accommodated the local traffic in the meantime. Ten dump cars, being of no further use on this improvement, were sold at public sale March 29, 1907 (E. D. 38302–62), for $300, and proceeds deposited to credit of the appropriation. The water over the bar at the foot of Hurricane Island having become shoal, a channel 200 feet wide was dredged through the bar, 8,243 cubic yards being removed. Seven round trips of inspection were made between Grafton and La Salle, and 119 snags removed from or near the channel. The dredge Apache, towboat Fox, 1 quarter boat, 3 dump scows, and 2 barges were transferred to the Mississippi River for work on Rock River pool of Illinois and Mississippi Canal. In view of the appropriation of March 2, 1907, for $50,000 for improving Illinois River from Copperas Creek to La Salle, work under which will be carried on with the same plant as is used on the lower river, repairs to boats and the building of three new scows has been planned and lumber ordered for that purpose. Repairs were made during the year to 3 dredges, 2 steamboats, 1 pile driver, 3 quarter boats, 3 barges, 2 dump scows, and 5 skiffs. During May, 1907, the steamer Col. A. Mackenzie, belonging to the Mississippi River Improvement, made a trip up the Illinois River to La Salle, removing 114 snags, besides wrecks, leaners, stumps, and other obstructions. The navigation of the Illinois River annually increases in importance, and more supervision is required from year to year. The conflicting interests of boat owners and bridge owners become more apparent with the gradual deterioration of old wagon bridges and the demands of trolley lines for new crossings. The towns in the valley generally oppose the demand for modification and repair of bridges, on the ground of expense, and as such towns are, in general, already heavily bonded, their reluctance to undertake bridge repairs or replacements is to be expected. The growing agitation for a deep waterway through the Illinois Valley has perhaps raised the hopes of the marine interests and made them more critical of existing conditions, but it is unquestionable that at certain points on the river, as at Peoria, the convenience and facility of river navigation have in the past, been sacrificed to some extent in the furtherance of city, railroad, and private purposes. This has resulted in conditions which will in the future require careful adjustment between navigation interests and vested interests, especially in the matter of bridges The Illinois River is well adapted to improvement by reason of slope and nature of river bed. The State of Illinois, through its legislature, has exhibited great interest in the promotion of a waterway from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River through this valley. In such an improvement there would be involved three distinct results, the extension of navigation, the disposal of the sewage of Chicago, and the development of an enormous water power. While possibly any one of these three objects is not sufficient at present to induce State action in the matter, the combined weight of the three furnishes a strong argument to the advocates of such a waterway. The number of arrivals and departures of vessels to and from St. Louis via the Illinois River during the calendar year 1906, and the tonnage carried by such boats, shows an increase of fully 50 per cent over the preceding year. This tonnage is but a small portion of the total river traffic. FROM COPPERAS CREEK TO LA SALLE. The first appropriation for this stretch of the river was made by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907, thus definitely placing the whole river from its mouth to La Salle under United States jurisdiction. Project for the improvement was approved by the Department April 6, 1907, the appropriation of $50,000 to be expended for the general purpose of securing and maintaining a depth of 7 feet at low water of 1901, with 200 feet width. Surveys have been made to determine points where dredging is required, and plant is being prepared for such dredging. The steamer Col. A. Mackenzie, in May, 1907, included this portion of the river in its trip of snagging and inspection, removing snags and obstructions as far as the stage of water would permit. PROPOSED APPLICATION OF FUNDS. It is proposed to apply the available funds on both divisions of the river, and the additional appropriation recommended for the river from its mouth to Copperas Creek, to securing and maintaining a navigable channel of 7 feet depth and 200 feet width from the mouth of the river to La Salle, to maintaining and rebuilding plant, removing snags and other obstructions, and making such local surveys as may become necessary from time to time. Money statements. BELOW COPPERAS CREEK. July 1, 1906, balance unexpended__ $31, 589. 58 300.00 Amount received from sale of plant. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project 142, 000. 00 ENG 1907-122 COPPERAS CREEK TO LA SALLE. Amount appropriated by river and harbor act approved March 2, 1907– $50,000.00 June 30, 1907, amount expended during fiscal year, for works of improvement July 1, 1907, balance unexpended_. July 1, 1907, outstanding liabilities. July 1, 1907, balance available__ 1,500. 48 48,499. 52 500.00 47, 999. 52 Arrivals and departures of steamboats and barges at St. Louis, Mo., via Illinois River, calendar year 1906. OPERATING AND CARE OF LA GRANGE AND KAMPSVILLE LOCKS, ILLINOIS RIVER, AND APPROACHES THERETO. These locks and dams have been operated and maintained under the indefinite appropriation provided by section 4 of the river and harbor act of July 5, 1884. |