Abstract of contract for improving harbor at Fairport, Ohio, in force during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888. [Contract with Kerr, Stang & Gillmore, of Lorain, Ohio, dated March 16, 1887, for extension of east pier and repairs.] Contract time for completion extended to September 30, 1887. K K 12. IMPROVEMENT OF ASHTABULA HARBOR, OHIO. The original project for the improvement of this harbor was adopted n 1826, at which time there was a depth of only 2 feet of water on the bar. This project has been modified from time to time in order to meet the demands of commerce and increased draught of vessels navigating the lake. It provided for piers running out into the lake to 12 feet depth of water, whereas the present design is to carry them out to 16 feet depth, and to excavate channel through bar and between piers to secure 17 feet in depth. Before operations were commenced rock was encountered at 7 to 9 feet below water-surface, extending across the channel in the form of a wide reef, which required blasting and dredging for its removal in order to secure the present depth of 15 to 16 feet. The present project was continued during the fiscal year under appropriation of August 5, 1886, and the majority of funds expended in rock excavation from channel. OPERATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. The act approved August 5, 1886, appropriated for this harbor the sum of $30,000. A project was submitted for its expenditure, which was approved; it provided for repairs and excavation. In December, 1886, proposals were invited for the rock excavation to the extent of available funds. A contract was executed with Messrs. Carkin, Stickney & Cram, of East Saginaw, Mich., dated January 20, 1887, for doing the required excavation at the rate of $2 per cubic yard for rock, and 90 cents per cubic yard for sand, gravel, etc. This work was not commenced until June, 1887, as the contractors determined to dredge the shale rock in place as well as the loose material. A powerful dredge was built expressly for the work, and with it operations were begun June 6, 1887, and continued until funds were exhausted. Good success was experienced in dredging the shale rock. The contractors applied for and obtained an extension of time in which to do the work, and as expected they removed all the material that the available funds ($21,000) would pay for by the end of September, 1887. About 12,731 cubic yards (scow measurement) of ledge-rock, shale, loose rock, stones, gravel, etc., were dredged and removed under the contract. A good 17-foot channel was made through rock-bar in lake, beyond end of piers, 160 feet in width and about 350 feet in length. A good 163-foot channel was made, 50 feet in width, between the piers in the rock bottom and for full length of piers. The payments made under the contract with Carkin, Stickney & Cram exhausted the appropriation of August 5, 1886, and left no means of doing some necessary dredging called for in spring of 1888. Under the revised estimate the sum of $50,250 is required to complete the existing project, all of which amount can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890. The piers should be extended as soon as possible, to check the recurrence of the bar forming at end of pier. The rock excavation should also be completed as early as possible, to make the full-width channel available. Dredging for the temporary relief of this harbor is almost annually needed, as the harbor is much frequented by the largest class of vessels. After these improvements have been accomplished the removal of the piers can be attended to. The total amount appropriated for this harbor to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, is $402,401.21, all of which has been expended. An abstract of contract is transmitted herewith. Ashtabula Harbor is in the collection district of Cuyahoga, Ohio. There is a fixed white light of the fifth order, varied by flashes, on the west pier. Fort Porter, N. Y., 120 miles distant, is the nearest work of defense. For the eleven months ending May 31, 1888, the amount of revenue collected was $277.80. The imports, consisting of iron ore, lumber, and limestone, amounted in value te $5,272,560; the exports, consisting of coal and coke, amounted in value to $1,526,870; for the eleven months ending May 30, 1888. Nine hundred and five vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 746,625 tons, entered, and 951 vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 783,750 tons, cleared, during the elevea months ending May 31, 1888. Of vessels entering or clearing, the largest cargo was 2,460 tons of iron ore, and the deepest draught was 16 feet. Money statement. July 1, 1887, amount available. $19,057.58 July 1, 1883, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1887.... 19.057.58 Amount appropriated by act of August 11, 1888.. 25,000.00 (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1890 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. 25,250.00 25, 250.00 Abstract of contract for improving harbor at Ashtabula, Ohio, in force during the fis.a year ending June 30, 1888. Contract with Carkin, Stickney & Cram, of East Saginaw, Mich., dated Janus) 20, 1887, for rock excavation and dredging. Rate paid: For solid rock excavation, $2 per cubic yard, place measurement; for loose rock, stones and gravel, $2 per cubic yard, scow measurement; for sand a mud, 90 cents per cubic yard, scow measurement. Contract time for completion extended to September 30, 1887. Contract completed and closed, and final payment made March 24, 1888. KK 13. IMPROVEMENT OF CONNEAUT HARBOR, OHIO. The project of the improvement of this harbor was adopted in 1829, and the bar at the mouth of Conneaut Creek was dry at low stages of water when the original improvements were commenced. Operations were carried on during the years 1829 to 1832, and from 1836 to 1838, inclusive, which comprised the construction of piers 125 feet apart running out from shore to a depth of 12 feet of water in the lake, and dredging. The design was to afford a depth of 12 feet of water through the bar and into Conneaut Creek, the harbor of Conneaut. Works of improvement have progressed with more or less interruptions and suspensions, no work having been done from 1832 to 1836, from 1839 to 1844, from 1845 to 1852, and from 1852 to 1866. No work has been done during the last six fiscal years ending June 30, 1888, and none is contemplated this season, as there are no funds available. It was recommended in 1880 that improvements should be made at this harbor as follows: Renewing 800 feet of old east pier, at $30 per foot. Total.... $24,000 7,900 3, 190 35, 090 But as no appropriations for carrying out these repairs and renewals have been made, the piers, etc., have been almost entirely destroyed, and it will require an expenditure of at least $50,000 to restore this harbor to the condition proposed in 1880, when the foregoing estimate was made; and a still larger sum will be needed to put this harbor in condition to meet the present requirements of the lake vessels if the harbor is used by such. Unless the facilities for transportation by land to and from this harbor should be materially augmented, any outlay for the improvement of the harbor is injudicious. Considerable sums have heretofore been expended in preserving the harbor and its improvements, without drawing private or incorporate enterprise in its direction; therefore, the harbor has heretofore been regarded by citizens and corporations as of questionable advantage as a commercial outlet to and from the lake. Preparations are in progress by the Shenango and Allegheny Railroad Company for extending their line of road to Conneaut for a lake terminus. With a line of railroad from the coal regions of Pennsylvania, this harbor will doubtless be much frequented by lake vessels of the larger class and render extensive improvements necessary. The width between piers will have to be increased, thereby requiring the removal of what now remains of the old east pier and the construction of a new pier about 50 feet to the eastward. The west pier will need extensive repair and renewal, and considerable dredging will be required; all of which it is approximately estimated will cost about $90,000. The total amount appropriated for this harbor up to the close of the present fiscal year was $112,629.39, all of which has been expended. The estimated cost in 1880 for completing the existing project was $35,090, which is now increased to $50,000, on account of the deterioration in eight years, and further increased to $90,000 if the harbor is reconstructed to meet the present requirements of the lake vessels; which latter amount could be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, in accordance with the estimate as amended. As the last river and harbor bill, approved August 5, 1886, made no appropriation of funds for this harbor, no work was practicable, and the piers and revetment have further deteriorated. The piers are in very bad condition, breaches having been made in both, so that the stream now finds an outlet through the east pier, causing a bar, dry at low water, near entrance at end of piers. Unless some considerable expenditure is soon made for the repair of the piers they will be entirely wrecked and the harbor destroyed. Conneaut is in the collection district of Cuyahoga, Ohio. There was a fixed white light of the sixth order at the end of the west pier; this light has been moved upon to the bank on account of the dilapidated condition of the pier. Fort Porter, N. Y., 105 miles distant, is the nearest work of defense. The amount of revenue collected during the eleven months ending May 31, 1885, was $15.95. During the eleven months ending May 31, 1885, the value of the imports was $80, and of the exports $125. Ten vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 36 tons, entered, and twelve vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 395 tons, cleared during the eleven months ending May 31, 1885. The deepest draught of vessels entering or clearing was 63 feet. There have been no commercial reports for the fiscal years 1886, 1887, and 1888. The ex-deputy collector reports that the collector's office was abolished August 10, 1885. Money statement. $35, 090 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.... APPENDIX L L. IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBORS OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, AND DUNKIRK, BUFFALO, WILSON, OLCOTT, AND OAK ORCHARD, NEW YORK, AND OF NIAGARA RIVER, NEW YORK. REPORT OF CAPTAIN FREDERICK A. MAHAN, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1888, WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE WORKS. 1. Erie Harbor, Pennsylvania. 2. Dunkirk Harbor, New York. 3. Buffalo Harbor, New York. 4. Niagara River, New York. IMPROVEMENTS. 5. Wilson Harbor, New York. EXAMINATON AND SURVEY. 8. Tonawanda Harbor and Niagara River, New York, between Black Rock and Tonawanda, with a view to a 16-foot channel. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith my annual reports of works of river and harbor improvements in my charge during the year ending June 30, 1888. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A. F. A. MAHAN, Captain of Engineers. LL I. IMPROVEMENT OF ERIE HARBOR, PENNSYLVANIA. Object. The object of this improvement is twofold: 1. To protect the harbor from the severe winds that sometimes come from the east and northeast. 2. To obtain and maintain a channel between the harbor and the open lake 16 feet deep and of navigable width. Project. The project as originally prepared in 1823 and approved in 1824 provided for closing all the eastern end of the harbor by means of a breakwater on which should be left an opening 200 feet wide, and for extending to deep water in the lake two parallel piers, one on either side of this opening. This project is substantially in force at the present time, except that the piers are 350 feet apart. ENG 88-127 |