Abstract of proposals for rubble-stone for the extension of North Jetty, at entrance to Newburyport Harbor, Massachusetts, opened October 12, 1886, by Major L. G. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers.

Contract was awarded to Mr. Chas. H. Edwards, with the approval of the Chief of Engineers.

COMMERCIAL STATISTICS.

Commercial statistics for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887.

IMPROVEMENT OF MERRIMAC RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS.

The mouth of Merrimac River is about 15 miles northwest from Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Tide-water extends up it a distance of 19 miles to the foot of the "Upper Falls," about 13 miles above Haverhill, Mass. Seven incorporated cities and the largest mills in New England are directly interested in its improvement. The object of the improvement is to straighten, deepen, and widen the natural channel.

The rise or fall of the tide at the mouth of the river is 7 feet, and at Haverhill Bridge 4 feet.

ORIGINAL CONDITION.

The natural channel was narrow and crooked, and much obstructed by ledges, bowlders, and shoals. At mean low water vessels drawing not to exceed 7 feet could cross the bar, enter the river, and proceed to South Amesbury, about 6 miles above Newburyport.

PLANS OF IMPROVEMENT.

The original project, adopted in 1870, was modified and extended in 1874. It provided for a channel of navigable width, with the following

depth at high water of ordinary stages of the river: From the mouth near Plum Island Light to Deer Island Bridge, a distance of about 5 miles, 163 feet; from Deer Island Bridge to Haverhill Bridge (124 miles), 12 feet; thence to the foot of Mitchell's Falls (14 miles), 10 feet; through Mitchell's Falls to the head of the "Upper Falls" (2 miles), not less than 43 feet, while the mill water at Lawrence is running.

The cost of the modified project of 1874 was estimated to be $147,000. From July 11, 1870, to June 30, 1887, Congress appropriated for this work $170,500.

No map of the river has been published in the Annual Reports of the Chief of Engineers.

AMOUNT EXPENDED AND RESULTS TO JUNE 30, 1886.

The total amount expended to June 30, 1886, was $170,200.96, and the river channel had been improved in accordance with the modified project with the exception of the removal of the Boilers, upon which no work has been done.

The excess of expenditure over the estimate was caused by the removal of rock and other obstructions whose existence was unknown or whose removal was not contemplated when the original estimate was made, and by the making of surveys and examinations not provided for in the estimate.

OPERATIONS DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

No active operations have been in progress.

AMOUNT EXPENDED DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, AND RESULTS TO JUNE 30, 1887.

The amount expended during the last fiscal year was $9 for office expenses.

WORK REQUIEED TO BE DONE TO COMPLETE THE EXISTING PROJECT.

The project of 1870 and 1874 has been completed, with the exception of the removal of the Boilers. But from 1883-86, additional improvements were recommended as follows:

For the lower part of the river:

1. Remove sunken rocks and shoals from the falls above Haverhill at a cost of. $1,500 2. Remove "The Boilers," at Newburyport, to a depth of 5 feet at mean low water. They are estimated to contain 350 cubic yards, at $25

Contingencies

Total.

8,750

1,250

11,500

To extend the improvement so that the same depth of water as is now obtained through Mitchell's Falls can be carried to Lawrence (a distance of 5 miles from the head of the falls) was in 1882 estimated to cost for dredging through Gage's Shoal and Andover Bar and removing bowlders and ledges, $11,000, or for the improvement of the river from its mouth at Plum Island to Lawrence, Mass., a distance of 263 miles, would require an additional appropriation of $22,500.

OPERATIONS CONTEMPLATED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1888.

The balance available July 1, 1887, of $290.04 will be expended in inspecting the condition of the improvement from time to time. The

improved channel is in good order and meets all existing demands of commerce. No appropriation is recommended for the year ending June 30, 1889.

This work is located in the collection district of Newburyport, Mass., of which Newburyport is the nearest port of entry. The nearest light-house is the Plum Island Lights, and the Newburyport Upper Harbor Lights.

(Statistics included in the Newburyport Harbor.)

Money statement.

July 1, 1886, amount available....

July 1, 1887, amonnt expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886....

July 1, 1887, amount available...

B 3.

$299.04

9.00

290.04

IMPROVEMENT OF IPSWICH RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS.

Ipswich River empties into Plum Island Sound about 9 miles south of Newburyport, Mass., and the same distance west of Cape Ann. The object of its improvement is to widen, deepen, and straighten the natural channel from the mouth of the river to the town of Ipswich, a distance of 3 miles. The mean rise or fall of the tides is 8.4 feet.

ORIGINAL CONDITION.

The river is navigable from its mouth to the wharves at Ipswich, a distance of 3 miles. The entrance to Plum Island Sound is about 2 miles east from the mouth of the river. Six feet depth at mean low water can be carried over the bar at the entrance of the sound, and between the bar and the mouth of the river is a good anchorage, with from 3 to 5 fathoms of water. From the mouth of the river up to "Barras Turus," a distance of 2 miles, there is an unobstructed channel at least 60 feet wide and 4 feet deep at mean low water. From Barras Turns to the Ipswich town wharves the channel was narrow and crooked, and had in some places but 13 feet depth at mean low water,

PLANS OF IMPROVEMENT.

The original project of improvement was submitted December 6, 1875. It proposed a channel 60 feet wide and 4 feet deep from Barras Turns to the town wharves, at an estimated cost of $25,000.

On November 5, 1883, the original project was divided into three partial projects.

1. By the removal of the ledges at Heard's Point and opposite Nabby's Point to a depth of 2 feet at mean low water, a continuous practicable channel of that depth would be attained at a cost of $15,900.

2. By dredging the shoals at "Labor in Vain" and "The Shoals," a channel could be obtained 4 feet deep at mean low water, and 60 feet wide, at a cost of $2,200.

3. The channel could be straightened by making a cut across "Barras Turns," and building a jetty to close the old channel, at a cost of $6,900. The total amount appropriated to June 30, 1887, is $2,500, by the act of August 5, 1886.

No chart of the river has been published in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers.

OPERATIONS DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

On August 26, 1886, a project was submitted for the expenditure of the appropriation of $2,500, act August 5, 1886.

This project was to dredge a channel 60 feet wide and 4 feet deep at mean low water, through the shoals known as "Labor in Vain" and "The Shoals," or the second of the partial projects of 1883.

This was approved by the Secretary of War September 6, 1886. Specifications and advertisement were prepared and issued, and bids opened October 19, 1886. The proposals received will be found in the annexed table.

A contract was entered into with Mr. Thomas Symonds, on November 8, 1886, to dredge 7,000 cubic yards at 314 cents, scow measurement. And a supplemental agreement with the same person was made June 10, 1887, to remove by days' labor certain bowlders developed by the dredging.

AMOUNT EXPENDED DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AND RESULTS TO JUNE 30, 1887.

During the last fiscal year $2,253.21 were expended. A channel through "Labor in Vain" was cut 450 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 4 feet deep at mean low water. Through "The Shoals" a channel was cut 800 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 4 feet deep at mean low water, and small shoals were removed at the bend of the river below Nabby's Point and at Heard's Point. The full projected width of channel was not obtained, for the reason that bowlders and logs were encountered while dredging, and the expense of their removal was not provided for in the estimate.

A total of 4,665 cubic yards were dredged under the contract, which was satisfactorily completed June 20, 1887.

WORK REQUIRED TO BE DONE TO COMPLETE THE EXISTING PROJECT.

The channel through "The Shoals" must be widened to 60 feet, the ledges at Heard's Point and opposite Nabby's Point must be removed, and the cut through Barras Turns Flats and its deflecting jetty must be built.

OPERATIONS CONTEMPLATED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1888.

The small balance available July 1, 1887, will be expended in making such examinations from time to time as will determine the condition of the improvement.

To complete the improvement as projected would require the appropriation of $22,500. But it is believed that all reasonable demands of the existing commerce will be fully met by enlarging the cut through "The Shoals" to 60 feet width, and connecting the 4-foot hole above Heard's Point with deep water below by a cut 60 feet wide, 4 feet deep at mean low water, and about 250 feet long, which it is estimated will cost $2,500, An appropriation for this purpose is respectfully recom