and their consequences have added considerably to the cost of the work. For these reasons the estimates for the final cost of the work were raised in 1885 to $58,000, and now (1887) to $60,000. During the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1887, no work was done be fore October, 1886, on account of lack of funds. After that time $4,816.47, including outstanding liabilities, was spent in clearing the river of troublesome obstructions, in helping to build a steam boister for the combined use of this river and the Congaree. Up to June 30, 1887, a total of $32,782.10 has been spent in all upon this improvement, giving a thoroughly cleared 4-foot navigation at all stages of water from the mouth of the river 11 miles upward, and thence a fairly well-cleared 4-foot navigation over the rest of the river, 57 miles, to Camden. In consequence of this improvement a steam-boat Jine would have been permanently established upon the whole length. of the river, had it not been prevented by the obstructions offered by railroad bridges. After the improvement is finished its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. July 1, 1886, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $34.37 7,500.00 7,534.37 $4,039.47 777.00 4,816.47 2,717.90 22,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project......... (See Appendix M 17.) 18. Congaree River, South Carolina.-This river, prior to improvement in 1886, had a low-water depth of from 3 to 4 feet from its mouth 48 miles upward to the railroad bridge at Columbia, and thence a 1-foot low-water depth 2 miles further to its head; the navigation of the lower 47 miles from the mouth upward to Granby being blocked at all stages of water mainly by the South Carolina Railroad Bridge (without a draw) and secondly by sunken logs, snags, overhanging trees, and the navigation of the upper 3 miles above Granby being prevented by its swift current and numerous rock ledges and bowlders. Its commerce was therefore nothing. The original project of 1885 proposed for at least $30,000 to secure a thoroughly cleared 4-foot navigation below Granby at all stages of water, and estimated at $24,500 (not recommended for improvement at that time) the cost of a cleared 100 foot channel through the shoals above Granby. Now that the river has been roughly cleared over its entire length below Granby, and that there is no longer anything but the rock obstructions opposite Columbia to prevent the commerce of the Broad and the Saluda rivers from going down the Congaree River to its mouth, the upper portion of the river appears worthy of immediate improvement by the General Government. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, $4,890.81, including outstanding liabilities, has been spent in all upon this improvement, giv ing a fairly well-cleared 3-foot navigation at low water over the entire river below Granby. In consequence of this a steam-boat line would have been at once and permanently established over the whole length thus cleared had it not been prevented by the obstruction offered by the railroad bridge. After this improvement is finished its proper maintenance may cost from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $7,500.00 $3,899.85 4,890.81 2,609.19 47,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project..... (See Appendix M 18.) 19. Removing sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation. The wrecks of the brig Clio and steamer North Heath, in the Cape Fear River, below Wilmington, were examined and reported in 1886 as obstructing and endangering navigation. After the usual preliminaries, a contract was approved June 23, 1886, for the removal of both these wrecks within the following four months. Work was commenced by the contractor on July 14, and completed satisfactorily in September, 1886. The total cost of the removal of both wrecks was $7,852.08, all expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. The reclaimed wreckage was afterwards sold at public auction on October 23, 1886, for $656.15, and the receipts returned to the United States Treasury. In December, 1886, the wreck of the steamer Wave was reported as obstructing and endangering navigation in Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina. The usual preliminaries were begun, but before the date of opening the bid for the contract to remove this wreck the owner of the steamer appeared and removed it at his own expense. (See Appendix M 19.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF august 5, 1886. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Captain Bixby, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement. He was accordingly charged with and has completed surveys of the same. 1. Lockwood's Folly River, North Carolina.—(See Appendix M 20.) 2. Lumber River, North Carolina.-(See Appendix M 21.) 3. Mingo Creek, South Carolina.-(See Appendix M 22.) 4. Clark's Creek, South Carolina.-(See Appendix M 23.) 5. Little Pee Dee River, South Carolina.-(See Appendix M 24.) 6. Alligator River and other waters connecting Santee River and Bull's Bay, South Carolina.—(See Appendix M 25.) Of the following the preliminary examination is only partially completed. The final report from the officer in charge is reserved until further examination is made. 1. Yadkin River, from South Carolina line to the Narrows, North Carolina. 2. Catawba River, North Carolina. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS ON THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA, AND PART OF THE ATLANTIC COAST OF FLORIDA. Officer in charge, Col. Q. A. Gillmore, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders First Lieuts. F. V. Abbot and O. M. Carter, Corps of Engineers. 1. Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.-The work of improvement in progress of construction since 1878 comprises two jetties, composed of riprap stone resting upon a foundation mattress of logs and brush, with a mattress hearting wherever deemed advantageous. The two jetties spring, respectively, from Sullivan's and Morris islands, and converge on curves in such manner as to cross the bar on parallel lines at a distance of about 2,900 feet from each other. The object of the work is to establish and maintain an improved channel across the bar of not less than 21 feet navigable depth at mean low water, where heretofore the available low-water depth has usually not exceeded 11 feet. The estimated cost of the project is $3,000,000. The following work is reported to have been done during the past fiscal year: North jetty. An additional foundation was laid for a length of 2,136 feet over the central portion of the jetty which crosses "Drunken Dick Shoal," which had settled more or less. The log and brush mattresses used were 90 feet wide, loaded with 18 inches of stone. In addition, enough stone was deposited over the middle 20 feet of this mattress work to raise the jetty nearly up to the level of low water. South jetty. Where this jetty crosses the deep pocket, east of the main ship-channel, 2,680 linear feet of additional apron was laid south of the work, to stop the scour produced by the overpour at ebb tide. The mattresses placed increase the width of the original bottom course about 60 feet. They were loaded with 18 inches of stone. Along this same section of the jetty it was raised for a length of 601 feet by depositing along the middle 30 feet about 2,700 cubic yards of riprap stone. For a length of 207 feet, beginning at a point about 14,000 feet from the shore end, about 550 cubic yards of stone were distributed over the middle 36 feet of the jetty, for the purpose of strengthening and preserving the work already done, which is here almost up to low water and much exposed to breakers. The expenditures from the beginning of operations under the existing project to June 30, 1886, were $1,294,945. During the last fiscal year the sum of $104,401.49, including outstanding liabilities, was expended. No extension of the jetties seaward was made during the year. Measured along their axes, the outer end of the bottom course of the north jetty is located 14,327 feet from its shore end on Sullivan's Island; that of the south jetty, 16,440 feet from the present shore end on Morris Island. No material changes in the condition of the jetties are reported. It appears, however, that the shore end of the south jetty, between the high and low water lines of the beach of Morris Island, has suffered some damage during the year. In the vicinity of the jetty the shoreline has not changed materially, while at some distance both north and south of it the beach is still washing away. On Sullivan's Island, for considerable distances on either side of the shore end of the north jetty, the high-water line has remained about stationary. The engineer officer in charge reports that no noteworthy changes. have taken place in the condition of the area between the seaward portions of the jetties, where the new ship-channel will be located. This is ascribed to the fact that the most of the work of the season was directed to the preservation and strengthening of the older portions of the jetties and could influence but slightly, if at all, the development of an improved channel. Further progress in the widening of Hog Island Channel, in the inner harbor, has been observed, and the engineer officer in charge repeats the recommendation made in former reports that funds be supplied for building suitable works to prevent or reduce the excessive width of the channel at its western entrance. The two spur-jetties, built in 1884 for the protection of a portion of the shore of Mount Pleasant are stated to be in good condition. They form part of a system of works required for protecting the whole length of shore-line in the vicinity, and until they are built caving of the bluff will probably continue. Attention is called by the engineer officer in charge to the evils and dangers resulting from the irregular and inadequate appropriations made for this important work. Of the estimated aggregate cost of the work it appears that only 5 per cent. has been provided annually, since the project was adopted. His reasons for urging regular annual appropriations of at least $500,000 are clearly stated and are commended to the consideration of the Department. It is intended to expend the balance on hand on July 1, 1887, in continuing the work of strengthening and raising the seaward portion of both jetties. The appropriations made by Congress for this improvement aggregate at present $1,482,500. The total expenditures have been $1,399,346.49, including outstanding liabilities. July 1, 1886, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5. 1886.... $55.00 187,500.00 July 1, 1887, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886.. July 1, 1887, amount available... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.......1, 525,000.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889..... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix N 1.) 750,000.00 2. Wappoo Cut, South Carolina.-Wappoo Cut is a narrow, tortuous, tidal stream, separating James Island from the mainland, and connecting Stono and Ashley rivers. The project of improvement submitted by the engineer officer in charge contemplates the establishment of a straighter channel, 6 feet deep and 90 feet wide at low water, at an estimated cost of $34,000. In its unimproved condition only 2 to 4 feet could be carried over the principal shoals at mean low water. The plan of improvement comprised dredging at the entrance from Ashley and Stono rivers and through a portion of the cut; a cut-off through the marsh about 2 miles from Ashley River, closing three small tidal branches; and the construction of a short jetty at both the Stono and Ashley rivers. Four appropriations, aggregating $28,000, have thus far been made by Congress for this improvement, of which the last, amounting to $5,000, was made by act approved August 5, 1886. The first three appropriations were expended in improving Elliott's Cut, or the westerly section of Wappoo Cut; in making a solid cut through the marsh of the neck of the bend known as Devil's Elbow, and in deepening the tortuous channel between these places. Some dredging was done on the bar at the entrance from Ashley River. A dam was built across the tidal branch named Pompey's Cut, and a number of snags and overhanging trees were removed. The total expenditures to June 30, 1886, were $22,968.40. Nothing was done during the past fiscal year beyond a survey of por tions of Wappoo Cut. The navigable channel was found to be in a tolerably fair condition, showing everywhere low-water depths of from 51 to 6 feet, although deficient in the required width. It was deemed best to reserve the last appropriation of $5,000, until shoals should re-form, as the amount did not seem to warrant undertaking the other works still needed in conformity to the existing project. It seems that the work which was chiefly done in the defective westerly portion of Wappoo Cut has resulted in a considerable increase of its navigable depth, while the full width contemplated has not yet been obtained. The engineer officer in charge expresses the opinion that the original estimate must be increased, owing to delays and deterioration of work caused by insufficient and irregular appropriations. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, is $22,999.63. July 1, 1886, amount available. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886...... July 1, 1887, amount available...... $31.60 5,000,00 5, 031.60 31.23 5,000.37 10,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... (See Appendix N 2.) 3. Ashley River, South Carolina.-Ashley River is about 40 miles in length and runs in a generally southeasterly direction. At its mouth the city of Charleston occupies the left bank. The plan of improvement comprised: (1) The removal of a shoal at a place named Accabee, about 8 miles above the city of Charleston, where, according to a survey made in 1873, there was then only 9 feet of water at low tide; and (2) The removal of a shoal just below the Wando Phosphate Works, where only 6 feet of water was found at low tide. It was proposed to increase the draught of water over these shoals by dredging to a depth of from 10 to 11 feet at mean low tide, at an estimated cost of $5,000. Of four appropriations made by Congress for this work, the first three, aggregating $4,500, were expended in improving the river at the places indicated, obtaining low-water depths of from 10 to 11 feet on widths of from 100 to over 200 feet. This satisfactory condition of the river has continued during the past fiscal year, for which reason the last appropriation of $1,000, made by act approved August 5, 1886, was held in reserve until it should appear expedient or necessary to expend it. Although the improved reaches of the river have not suffered any deterioration, the engineer officer in charge thinks that it is doubtful whether the better depths now existing can be maintained solely by the scouring power of the current. He expects that dredging will be needed from time to time, unless works of contraction are built. |