of 20 feet, about $500,000, both of which were omitted from the original estimate of 1874. The excavation cannot be undertaken economically with a small appropriation. July 1, 1886, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 $4, 129. 71 60,000.00 64.129.71 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886.. $43, 831.81 July 1, 1887, outstanding liabilities.. 12,019.62 55,851.43 8, 278.28 July 1, 1887, amount available.. Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 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 Q Q 1.) 1,590, 074. 00 500,000.00 2. Redwood Harbor, California.-The improvement at Redwood City is intended to give a channel 3 feet deep at low water over a distance of 6,000 feet near the town, which has hitherto been bare at low water and has permitted the small vessels engaged in the commerce of the port to pass only at high tide. The Government dredge began work on April 25, and continued it to the end of the fiscal year. It dredged over 2,900 feet of channel, giving a depth of about 23 feet at low water, removing 19,000 cubic yards. The available funds are sufficient to employ the dredge during the month of August. The appropriation asked for is intended to continue and complete the work as originally projected. Bids were invited with the intention of putting the work under contract, but the Government dredge being available, the bid was declined, it being to the advantage of the United States to do the work with its own appliances. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 July 1, 1886, amount available.... $3,000,00 5, 000, 00 8,000.00 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of $2,935. 16 4.544.24 July 1, 1887, amount available ... 3,455.76 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... 7,400.00 7,400.00 harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix Q Q 2.) 3. Survey of San Francisco Harbor, San Pablo and Suisun bays, Straits of Carquinez, and mouths of Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.-The survey of San Francisco Harbor and the interior bays was not undertaken during the year for the reason that Coast-Survey parties were found to be in the field on Suisun and San Pablo bays and it was not thought desirable to go over the ground covered by them. The survey of San Francisco Harbor, which has not been begun by Coast Survey parties, is to be commenced during the present summer by the Engineer Department. There were no expenditures during the year. (See Appendix Q Q 3.) 4. Removing sunken vessels obstructing or endangering navigation.-The British steamer Escambia, loaded with 3,000 tons of freight, foundered on San Francisco Bar, June 19, 1882, in about 6 fathoms of water. She settled in the sand, so that in 1884 there was a depth of 53 fathoms over her. Within the past year, as little as 13 feet was found in one place. The portions now dangerous, or likely to become dangerous, to vessels are now being removed under contract. The exposure of the position is so great that in some months it is impossible to work upon the wreck. During the year about 226 tons were recovered and delivered on a wharf in San Francisco. Of this amount, 197.1375 tons were sold at public auction, producing $3,949.88, which sum was turned into the Treasury. The expenditures during the year were $9,422.54. While it has not been practicable to estimate the amount to be removed, as soon as there seems to be no reason to apprehend danger from the parts remaining the contract will be closed. (See Appendix Q Q 4.) IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBORS OF WILMINGTON AND SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. Officer in charge, Maj. W. H. H. Benyaurd, Corps of Engineers. Supervising engineer, Col. G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers. 1. Wilmington Harbor, California. The present project is intended to secure a depth of 15 feet at low water. When the improvement was begun in 1871 there was a depth of about 1 foot at the entrance, but. the work has resulted in securing a greatly increased depth and width of channel. While for a very short distance only the depth is about 10 feet at low water, the remainder of the interior channel shows a depth of 12 feet and over. Vessels drawing 15 feet can now enter the harbor and unload at the wharves. The additional increased depth intended is to be obtained by dredg ing and by enlarging and extending the jetties, the intention being to carry on these operations together. The favorable terms of a contract entered into for dredging from the interior channel enabled an additional contract to be made for stone for the west jetty. These operations will be carried on during the coming season. Future appropriations will be expended in dredging operations and in extending the west jetty. The total amount appropriated for this harbor is $780,000, and the amount expended, including outstanding liabilities, is $766,355.94. 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, outstanding liabilities July 1, 1887, amount available... $1,395.60 75,000.00 76, 395.60 $4,681.54 58,070.00 62,751.54 13, 644. 06 $175,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. (See Appendix R R 1.) 2. San Diego Harbor, California.-The project for this improvement was made in 1875, and the work was completed in 1876, the object being to prevent the filling up of the harbor by material brought down by the San Diego River during flood stages. The work consisted in cutting a new water-way, so as to cause the river to empty into False Bay, and in building a levee across the old channel near its entrance into the harbor. The amount appropriated since 1875 is $81,000, and the amount expended $80,888.81. The general condition of the work is good, but it is in need of certain repairs. July 1, 1886, amount available.. $548.55 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886..... 437.36 July 1, 1887, amount available..... 111. 19 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 R R 2.) 1,000.00 3. Surveys of San Diego Harbor, Newport Harbor, and San Luis Obispo Harbor, California, provided for in section 1 of the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886.-An examination of the harbor of San Luis Obispo, with a view to the establishment of a breakwater at or near Whaler's Reef, was made in January last, and the report thereon was transmitted to Congress and printed in Senate Ex. Doc. No. 81, Fortyninth Congress, second session. The surveys of the harbors of San Diego and Newport were completed in May. The reports thereon will be duly submitted to Congress when received. 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.... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix R R 3.) $5,000.00 3, 383. 41 1,616, 59 EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 5, 1886. The required preliminary examination of the following locality was made by the local engineer in charge, Colonel Mendell, and reported by him as worthy of improvement: 1. San Pedro Bay near the entrance to Wilmington Harbor, with a view to establishing an outer harbor for the protection of deep-draught vessels, California. Maj. W. H. H. Benyaurd, Corps of Engineers, has been placed in charge of the necessary survey, the report of the results of which will be submitted when received. IMPROVEMENT OF ENTRANCE TO HUMBOLDT BAY; OF SAN JOAQUIN, MOKELUMNE, SACRAMENTO, AND FEATHER RIVERS, AND PETALUMNA CREEK, CALIFORNIA. Officer in charge, Capt. A. H. Payson, Corps of Engineers. Supervising engineer, Col. George H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers. 1. San Joaquin River, Stockton and Mormon sloughs, California.— The project was originally adopted in 1877, the object being to obtain by dredging a channel 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep at low water in the tidal parts of the river below Stockton, and to cut off the points at certain sharp bends. This was modified in 1881 to seek the maintenance of a channel 9 feet deep at low water and 100 feet wide through Stockton Slough and the tidal river below; a channel 4 feet deep at low water and 80 feet wide in Mormon Slough to Miller's Warehouse; the straightening of the river below mouth of Stockton Slough by cut-off's at certain sharp bends; and the temporary improvement of the lowwater channel of the Upper San Joaquin by removal of snags, scraping of bars, and construction of wing-dams. The tidal portions of the river below Stockton in their natural condition afforded a channel of practicable width and 6 feet depth at low water. The upper river to Hill's Ferry was only navigable for boats drawing 2 feet during 6 to 7 months in each year. The amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $105,633.93 in dredging and $33,847.79 in snagging and temporary measures in the upper river. During the year ending June 30, 1887, there was expended in dredg ing, by contract, below Stockton the sum of $4,984.98, and in the snagging on the upper river the sum of $413.74. The channels below Stockton can only be maintained by annual dredging, and as this has not been systematically carried on they have now practically reverted to their natural condition, with probably some deterioration above the mouth of Stockton Slough. The cut-offs have maintained themselves and have been of substantial benefit to navigation. The extension of this plan to two more elbows below Stockton Slough is advisable. The sums available and asked for are to be applied to continuing the improvement. 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 Amount (estimated) required for completion of project, exclusive of dredging and snagging.. $518.28 18,750.00 19, 268.28 5,398.72 13, 869.56 139,000.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 40,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix S S 1.) 2. Mokelumne River, California.-The present project for improvement was adopted in 1884, and has for its object to clear the river of snags and overhanging trees from the mouth to Benson's Ferry, or pos sibly a short distance above. The natural channel in this part of the river had depths of from 5 feet to 10 feet at low water, but was badly obstructed by snags and overhanging trees. The amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $8,457.48 in snagging, which resulted in a safe channel for boats from the mouth up by the north fork to Benson's Ferry. 8872 ENG 87-21 During the year ending June 30, 1887, there has been expended, also in work by the snag-boat, the sum of $2,503.10, resulting in a practicable and safe channel by the south fork up to Benson's Ferry. With the appropriation asked it is proposed to keep in good order the channels already established by such work of the suag-boat as may annually become necessary. The project requiring annual work, no estimate for completion can be submitted. July 1, 1886, amount available... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886.. $42.52 2,500.00 2,542.52 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886... 2,503. 10 39.42 2,000.00 July 1, 1887, amount available ..... 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 S S 2.) 3. Sacramento and Feather rivers, California.-The project was adopted in 1874, with the object of temporary improvement of the low-water channel by wing-dams and scraping and removal of snags and trees. This was modified in 1879 to provide for the construction of a snagboat and barge for the further prosecution of the work. Up to June 30, 1886, there had been expended $255,607.24, of which $43,554 was for the building of snag-boat and barge and $212,053.24 in actual construction upon the river and maintenance of plant. During the year ending June 30, 1887, there was expended in work on the river $22,596.11, of which $2,735.94 was for repairs of snag-boat, and in addition $42,074.09 was expended in construction and outfit of dredge, and $521.59 in collection of information for proceedings against hydraulic mines. The channel of the Sacramento River before improvement offered depth of 3 feet as far as Jacinto and 24 feet above that to Chico Landing, but these depths were not available on account of snags. The result of work has been to secure safe channels with these depths above the mouth of the Feather, and a marked decrease in accidents to navigation and rates of insurance. The river below the mouth of the Feather has deteriorated since improvement began from the inflow of detritus from the mines, but last year, though the river was practically at the extreme low stage of 1885, the 4-foot channel which we now seek to maintain was only interrupted at two points for a few days in September, and restored by scraping and a temporary dam. The lack of funds resulting from the failure of the last river and harbor bill will limit the work of the boat this summer to a season of about six weeks, and considerable inconvenience for the navigation below the Feather may be expected in September and October, for which we shall be unable to apply a remedy. The snag-boat is now in her seventh season and will need hereafter extensive annual repairs, while a new boat will have to be built, probably within 5 years, if the work is to be continued. With the sums available and asked for, it is proposed to continue the work as before with the snag-boat. The work being an annual necessity, no estimate can be given for a final completion. |