APPENDIX Q Q. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE OSWEGO, NEW YORK, DISTRICT. REPORT OF COL. W. L. FISK, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1909. IMPROVEMENTS. 1. Harbor at Charlotte, New York. 4. Harbor at Little Sodus Bay, New York. 5. Harbor at Oswego, New York. (For letter of transmittal see Appendix P P.) Q Q 1. IMPROVING HARBOR AT CHARLOTTE, NEW YORK. REPORT OF OPERATIONS. At the beginning of the fiscal year the work of reconstructing crib substructure and replacing the timber superstructure with concrete was underway with hired labor, the work being carried on in the manner described on page 1942, Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1906. Work was continued in 1908 to December 24, and then suspended for the winter. During the season of 1908 four cribs, each 100 feet long, and one crib 60 feet long, were built and sunk in the east pier. Concrete superstructure was built on 501 feet of cribs sunk in the east pier during the season of 1907 and on 310 feet of cribs sunk in 1908, making a total of 811 feet of new concrete superstructure made in the east pier in 1908. 58 feet of timber superstructure were torn out of the west pier under the fog signal house and replaced with concrete superstructure. The cost per linear foot of tearing out old cribs and superstructure and replacing with new cribs with concrete superstructure was $58.90. This cost includes repairs and upkeep of plant, but nothing for depreciation. The total number of cubic yards of concrete made was 2,118.75, and the cost of concrete was $6.26 per cubic yard. The U. S. dredge Frontenac began, August 18, the work of redredging the channel between the piers and to deep water in the lake, to restore the project depth of 16 feet at low water. This work was continued until December 19, when the dredging plant was laid up for the winter, this being completed December 24, 1908. 36,070 cubic yards, scow measure, of sand, mud, etc., were removed from the channel at an everage cost per yard of 10.63 cents, a total cost of $3,834.24. A survey of the channel dredged in 1908 was made in April and May, 1909, when it was found that it had deteriorated so that the limiting depth was 15 feet at low water. To restore the channel to its project depth of 16 feet at low water will require the excavation of about 40,000 cubic yards of sand, silt, etc. The necessary funds have been allotted and this work will be done during the season of 1909. During the winter the two material scows were hauled out and rebuilt, and repairs made to the derrick scow and dredge Frontenac. April 13, 1909, work was resumed upon the east pier and continued until May 12, when it was suspended for lack of funds. Up to the time of suspension of work, 150 linear feet of concrete superstructure were placed on cribs sunk in 1908, and the old wooden superstructure on the piers north of concrete was repaired where necessary. There was expended during the fiscal year $36,500.41, all for maintenance. It is proposed, with the funds required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1911, to reconstruct with concrete superstructure 1,736 feet of the piers and to maintain project depth in the entrance channel. The dredge now in use in this district is 17 years old. While still capable of doing good work, it is believed she has passed the period of maximum efficiency and must sooner or later be replaced by a new machine. Besides the work of maintaining project depths in the harbor channels, there is considerable other use for an auxiliary dredge, including dredging sand and gravel for concrete for repairs to piers and breakwaters, for which latter work the present boat is well adapted, but for which she cannot be spared. Recent experience also tends to show that the Government work in this district does not receive the benefit of competitive bids when proposals are invited for dredging by contract. It is believed, therefore, that it would be to the advantage of the Government to own and operate a second dredge. It is proposed that she shall be a dipper dredge and it is estimated that with two dump scows this new plant will cost about $50,000. She could be used to advantage in connection with any new work authorized at Charlotte or Ogdensburg and later, perhaps, may possibly be available for use elsewhere. An appropriation for this new plant is recommended for favorable consideration by Congress. Estimate of additional funds required. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1911, for maintenance of improvement, exclusive of the balance unexpended July 1, 1909.. Submitted in compliance with requirements of sundry civil act of June 4, 1897, and of section 7 of the river and harbor act of 1899. $80,000 Arrivals and departures of vessels for the year ending December 31, 1908. Total arrivals and departures (tonnage 2,795,377)... Amount of revenue collected, year ending December 31, 1908. Value of exports, year ending December 31, 1908. Greatest draft of vessels.... Enrolled tonnage, port of Charlotte. 1,990 873, 814 .feet.. .gross tons.. $2,716. 45 $86, 732 $1, 601, 267 161 1,590 QQ 2. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT PULTNEYVILLE, NEW YORK. The work of repairing the superstructure of piers was begun, with hired labor, November 28, 1908, and continued to December 16, when work was suspended. The superstructure of both piers was put in fair condition, at a total cost of $677.31; 11,190 feet b. m. of hemlock timber and plank were used in making these repairs. It is proposed, with funds available, to make minor repairs to the piers where necessary, and no further estimate of funds is made. The commerce of Pultneyville Harbor is insignificant. Arrivals and departures of vessels for the year ending December 31, 1908. |