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23d CONG. 1st SESS.]

Documents accompanying the President's Message.

30th October. Additional contracts were made in June last for different parts of the road, as far as the 157th mile. Upon examination, it was found that between the 150th and 157th mile, the country is extremely broken, and the travelling not only difficult but dangerous; it was, therefore, deemed advisable to contract for this part of the road this year, and to postpone until the next, the portion between the 132d mile, where the contracts of last year terminated, and the commencement of the broken district. This has been done.

Office of the Chief Engineer.-Besides the current business of the office, the nature of which remains the same as heretofore, a number of the works under the department have received my personal attention. In the course of the year, I made, in accordance with the regulations, a tour of inspection, embracing the Cumberland road in the States of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio; the harbor improvements on the south shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario; and the works of fortifications at Hampton roads, Pea Patch island, New York harbor, and

Road from Detroit to Saginaw.-The contracts enter-Narragansett roads. ed into last year for the construction of the Saginaw road will have been complied with, it is believed, before the termination of the present fall. Twelve additional contracts, for making eight miles of this road, ending with the first half of the 65th mile, were made last June. They provide for the completion of that part of the road by the 1st of September next, and no doubts are entertained of the contractors being able to comply with their engagements on this and the Chicago road.

Road from La Plaisance bay to meet the Chicago road from Detroit.-Twenty-seven miles of this road have been put under contract; four miles were completed on the 30th September; eight were expected to be finished by the 30th ultimo. The contractors are laboring on twelve more, and hopes are entertained that all will be done by the 31st January next.

Road from Detroit to the mouth of Grand river.-On ten miles of this road, the first class of operations, con sisting of clearing and grubbing, excepting on one mile, will be completed by the close of the season. The appropriation now asked for is intended for the continuation of the plan at present adopted.

Road from Detroit to Fort Gratiot.-This road was put under contract last season to its termination, and would have been completed before the close of this, had not some sections of it been under water for a great portion of the time, thereby preventing their being worked upon. It will, however, be made passable by the end of the

year.

Northern boundary of Ohio.-The officer charged with collecting data preparatory to the adjustment of this line, has been engaged with an assistant in a reconnoissance to determine the stations and points where the more important instruments are to be used, and to ascertain more accurately the extent and nature of the duty required by the law creating this service. This was deemed necessary before ordering all the instruments; and accordingly, complete sets of observations were made for the determination of the latitude and longitude at and near the four principal points, viz. on Gull or Ship island, in Lake Erie; at the north point of Maumee bay or Bay point; the south bend of Lake Michigan; and near the same parallel on the Mississippi.

Military Academy.-This institution continues to prosper, and, for more particular information respecting it, I beg leave to call your attention to the report of the Board of Visiters, herewith, marked H. An appropriation was made at the last session of Congress for the erection of two buildings much needed at the academy. One is for a place of divine worship, the other for the exercise of the cadets, in the winter and in times of bad weather generally. On drawing up plans, it was found that they would exceed the amount appropriated; and it was, therefore, deemed proper to defer their erection till the facts could be submitted to Congress, and its further action in the matter be had. An estimate, exhibiting the difference of cost, will be submitted.

Board of Engineers.-The members of the Board of Engineers have been engaged in making inspections of the various works in the vicinity of their respective stations, in addition to the specific duties with which they are individually charged.

In conclusion, I would respectfully renew the sugges tions offered in my previous reports, that the means of the department are entirely inadequate to meet the numerous calls upon it for officers. Permit me, therefore, to call your attention again to the subject of an increase of the present corps of engineers, agreeably to the plan heretofore recommended; it is deemed a measure of indispensable necessity for the public interest. All of which is respectfully submitted.

Hon. LEWIS CASS,

C. GRATIOT,
Br. Gen. and Chief Engineer.

Secretary of War.

ERIE, (PA.) October 18, 1833. SIR: In compliance with the erders and regulations of the Engineer department, the following report, in relation to the public works of internal improvements on the south shore of Lake Erie, is most respectfully submitted. Black Rock harbor, N. Y.-The money which has been applied to the works this season, has been principally in procuring stone for the mole on Bird island, and in repairing the traverse pier. No report has been made by the superintendent of the progress and condition of the works. I have been informed that a plan has been made out for enlarging or extending the works, and sent to Colonel Totten, the cost of which is estimated at $20,000. Information through that channel to the department may be expected.

Buffalo harbor, N. Y.-The public works for securing the harbor at Buffalo have the appearance of great strength and durability. The importance of this port may be learned from the collector of the customs. The schedule of shipping belonging to this port, and the amount of exports, will show the great amount of business transacted. The whole front wall of the mole on the south side of the harbor, together with the coping and flagging, are completed. The new light-house on the mole head is complete in every part. An estimate of funds required for 1834 accompanies this report.

Dunkirk harbor, N. Y.-This harbor is formed by two points projecting into the lake; the western pier extends into the lake 416 yards; for extending the pier 158 yards further, and constructing the eastern breakwater, an estimate accompanies this report. The works which have been already constructed stand well and in good condition; the piers are all filled in with stone, level with the top timbers, based upon solid rock, and planked. The pier has been extended this season 113 yards. This harbor has at its entrance 12 feet of water, and from 12 to 15 on the anchorage.

Presqu' Isle harbor, Pa.-The north breakwater of this harbor is now connected with the main land of the peninsula, and filled in with brush and stone; it has been extended this season 400 yards. The stone in the piers have settled about two feet on an average, the planks have been taken off, and the piers filled to a level with the top timbers, and replanked as far as the old ones would answer; the whole will be covered as soon as plank can be obtained. The depth of water has been increasing in the channel every year from the commencement of the

Documents accompanying the President's Message.

[23d CONG. 1s SESS.

works; 12 feet of water may be carried the whole length ter, a greater depth than could have been wished, as of the channel to the entrance of the bay, and then 9 greater quantities of stone are required to fill in the piers, feet to the borough pier, which is 1 mile from the en- and to secure them in their place against the effect of the trance. This harbor is capacious when compared with current. Large quantities of stone and brush are requi others on this lake, and very important to the country. red to be placed on each side of the piers the whole length, It is the most suitable point for a naval station on the to give them additional strength. Estimates are theresouth shore of the lake. These works, as soon as practi-fore made out, and accompany this report. cable, should be placed on a permanent footing. In 1830 Cleaveland, Ohio.-The piers at this harbor extend into a breach was made through the south pier at its junction the lake 525 yards, giving a depth of water in the chanwith the south breakwater; but as no serious injury has nel of eleven and a half feet at its shoalest place. This been felt, and the channel has continued good, it has re-harbor is one of great importance; it must, from its local mained in the same situation ever since. A deep basin has, situation, be the great centre for business on the lake however, been worn in the channel, and the standing shore for the State of Ohio. The Erie and Ohio canal work endangered by being undermined. Colonel Totten, enters this harbor, extending 330 miles to Portsmouth, at of the engineer corps, recommends its being filled in the mouth of the Scioto river. The quantity of business without delay. The appropriation will be only sufficient transacted at this place is shown by the collector of the to secure the other part of the works, leaving this until customs in a document herewith transmitted. Large further appropriations are made. To strengthen these quantities of stone and brush are required to secure and works, large quantities of stone and brush are required to strengthen these works. An estimate for that purpose is be placed on each side of the piers and breakwater, the made out, and accompanies this report. whole length, to prevent them from being undermined, and the sand from being driven through by the current and waves. An estimate is made out for this purpose, likewise for closing the breach at the junction of the south breakwater and pier, and filling in the deep basin worn by the current surrounding this breach. The breach at the head of the peninsula, (five miles from the entrance,) which was mentioned in my last annual report, has been thoroughly examined by Colonel Totten, and it is presumed that some plan will be recommended to prevent its increase.

Conneaut creek, Ohio. These piers extend into the lake 415 yards. The depth of water in the channel at its shoalest place is eight and a half feet. The stone in the piers have settled very considerably, and must be filled in even with the top timbers. Some large stone are required around the head of the piers, and on the outside, mixed in with brush. An estimate of the expense ac companies this report. 202 yards of pier have been constructed since the 30th of September, 1832. A simple dredging machine has been built this season for deepen. ing the channel, which is now in operation, and doing well, removing from six to eight cords per day of hard clay pan.

Black river, Ohio.-These piers are extended into the lake 417 yards, with an opening of 200 feet; the shoalest place in the channel is seven and a half feet. The works stand well; the stone in the piers have settled nearly two feet on an average; a quantity of stone is required to fill them even with the top timbers. A deposite of stone and brush on the outside of the piers would give additional strength to the works, and prevent the sand, which is constantly accumulating, from being driven through the piers. This being effected, a brush would be formed alongside the piers, and thereby a strong barrier erected for the preservation of the works. The western pier has been extended this season 30 yards; filled in with stone and planked, and 150 yards of the eastern pier, which was in an unfinished state, have been completed. The eastern pier is to be extended 30 yards further, agreeably to the original plan. A dredging machine has been constructed for deepening the channel, by removing the hard clay pan at its bottom, and is now in operation, and works to good advantage.

Huron harbor, Ohio.-The depth of water in this harbor at its shoalest place is eight feet; the works are in good condition; some considerable stone will be required for filling the piers where they have settled even with the top timbers, and quantities of stone and brush on each side of the piers to give strength to the work, and prevent the sand from being driven through the piers into the channel. The entrance to this harbor is only 140 feet: this is too narrow for safety. If these piers were extended into the lake 200 feet further, on an angle that would give an additional width of 100 feet, the entrance into the harbor would be more safe, and damage less frequent. An estimate for repairing and extending these works accompanies this report.

Ashtabula, Ohio.-These piers extend into the lake 428 yards; if they were extended 150 feet further, and spread so as to give additional width at the entrance, greater safety would be given to vessels entering the harbor, especially when the wind and waves are high. A rock lies across this channel, about 200 yards from the head of the pier, extending 200 feet in length, six and a half feet below the surface of the water, and the whole width of the channel. The machinery for cutting up this rock was in operation when last there, and worked to good advantage. The superintendent informs me the It gives me much pleasure to communicate to the dechisel has again failed, but he is in daily expectation of partment the result of the experiments made in cona very substantial one from Pittsburg. I am fully in the structing harbors on the south shore of Lake Erie. The belief, notwithstanding the bad success this season, that extending of parallel piers from the mouths of rivers the plan is a good one, and that the rock will be remo- across the beach and sand bars into the lake, has exposed ved at a less expense than on any other plan suggested. the sand to the action of the current, by the force of An estimate accompanies this report for extending the which the bars have been removed, and in no instance piers, and for filling in where the stone have settled. has it failed, unless interrupted by rock and clay pan, of Cunningham's creek, Ohio.-This is an open pier, ex-giving sufficient depth of water for the largest class of tending into the lake, and bridged. The appropriation of $500 last winter appears insufficient to complete the work or pier head: more money will be required. The pier head was constructed on a larger scale than the plan laid down, and more stone and timber were required than was called for by the former statement. An estimate for completing this pier and enlarging the works accompanies this report.

Grand river, Ohio.-These piers extend into the lake 480 yards, and will admit vessels drawing 12 feet of wa.

vessels navigating the lake, thereby rendering it easy to obtain a safe harbor at any of the given points. It was problematical at the commencement of these works what would be the result of the first operation, but experience has shown that, could the effects have been foreseen, the same plan would have been pursued; of course, no money has been lost in experiments. These works will be kept in repair, and strengthened by enlarging the base on each side the piers with brush and stone, and obtain in a few years a stable foundation. To secure this most important

23d CONG. 1st SESS.]

Documents accompanying the President's Message.

end, they will require constant watchfulness and annual appropriations, but small when compared with national advantages. Beacon light-houses to all the harbors on the south shore of Lake Erie are required for the safety of navigation. Estimates have been heretofore made out, and transmitted to the department.

Very respectfully,

Your most obedient and humble servant, JOSEPH D. SELDEN, Agent. Brig. Gen. C. GRATIOT, Chief Engineer.

At Big Sodus bay, the movement of sand and gravel on the shoal between the west T, and the shore adjacent to the light-house, make it desirable to extend the west T about 100 yards, and the east T about fifty yards, which will involve an expense of $8,000, as the estimates exhibit.

By the accompanying sketch, it will be seen that Point Charles is connected with the main land by a narrow isthmus. From causes that have most probably originated in the reaction of the waves about the Sodus piers, the northeastern projection of Point Charles, and the shore

Office of Improvement of Navigation, Genesee river and continued therefrom to the isthmus, have been much

Big Sodus Bay.

abraded. Before the piers were commenced, the rolling of the sea expended its force upon the Long Point beach within the bay. Since the works have been constructed, the reacting waves from the sides of the piers have commingled themselves with the currents that set east or

GENEVA, N. Y. October 6, 1833. Annnual report of the state of the works constructing, under the law of Congress, for the improvement of the navigation of Genesee river, and for removing obstructions at the entrace of Big Sodus bay, on Lake On-west, as the winds have influenced them, and expended some of their force upon Light-house point and Point tario, New York, for the year ending the 30th Sep- Charles, the latter being affected, because the prevalent tember, 1833. winds are from the west. Light-house point has been protected by a pier, which, although too small, evidently shows its good effects in protecting the shore there. I propose a similar protection at Point Charles; and as this promontory lies immediately adjacent to the low part of the narrow isthmus, I propose that a range of small piers, 6 feet by 4, be made to cover the northeast point, and extend to the isthmus, and thus effectually protect that shore, and prevent a breach through to the bay, which is now seriously threatened, and which, if permitted, might change the channel from the lake into the bay. By an estimate, it will be seen that that work would cost $8,000.

The materials used in the construction of these works, to wit, timber, iron, and stone, and the form of the piers, to wit, a succession of cribs united, being the same as those used and applied in previous years, they need not be again described in this place, save a reference to the plans.

At Genesee river the quantity of work accomplishing and to be finished this year, (1833,) amounts to 28 piers or cribs, each 30 feet in length and 20 feet wide, sunk and extending from the existing range of piers into the lake at the mouth of the river, in a depth of 12 feet water, the extreme crib being 30 feet square, the average height of these cribs from the bed of the lake to the top of the piers being 17 feet. The whole length of the piers, including that to be finished this year, amounts to 4,712 feet. At Big Sodus bay, there have been constructed and sunk, during the same time this year, 27 similar cribs or piers, of the dimensions of 30 feet by 18, in 12 and 13 feet water, the cribs averaging a depth of 18 feet from the bed of the lake to the top of the pier. The whole length of the piers, including that to be finished this year,

amounts to 5,378 feet.

Conformably to what has been stated in previous annual reports upon the removal of obstructions at Sodus bay, I now proceed again to refer to that subject. The bed of the lake between the piers at the entrance of this harbor is sand, gravel, and pebbles, forming just below the surface a hard pan, a connexion aided in its formation by a deposite of iron, and is of a thickness between one and three feet; through this pan I have been in the habit of driving piles, consequently the pan can be broken through, and enough of it turned over and taken away to secure a channel for a navigation of fourteen feet of water where the least depth is now nine feet. The machinery which I recommend to apply to this work, is to be driven by a twenty-horse-power steam engine, acing upon an iron plough running in an iron frame attached to iron axletrees and iron wheels, to be moved over the bed of the channel by gauging the plough to the requi

The works at both harbors standing firmly, and answering the purposes for which they are erecting. So far as the nature of the respective beds of the lake have effected; that at Genesee river being moveable sand, is cleared away from 7 to 12 feet, the depth of 14 feet being the object required; and that at Sodus bay, being sand and gravel and pebbles, has been washed off from 7 to 9 feet, the depth of 14 being also the object here re-site depth; and after running out one furrow, and dredg quired.

The expenditures for materials and workmanship from the appropriation of $15,000 for each harbor, are exhibited in the accounts and vouchers in the Engineer department.

It was my expectation last year that it would not be necessary to extend the pier work of these improvements any further into Lake Ontario than will be finished in the present year. Some changes in the form of the shoals near the piers, and a movement of sand towards their extremities, make it necessary to extend the piers some. what further, to wit, at Genesee river, the movement of the shoal near the west pier has occasionally deposited at the end of the pier, but the deposite has not been permanent. To insure safety in this matter, an addition of 200 yards of pier will insure a fourteen feet water navigation, which will involve an expense of $15,000. Such have been the advantages to the navigation by these piers, that it is the general wish to make the channel safe and easy for any depth not exceeding 16 feet of water, which would involve an expense of $7,500, in addition, as the estimates exhibit.

ing out the excavation, to regauge the plough to the ad. ditional depth for another furrow, until the channel is opened to five feet below the present surface, on a line of 500 yards in length, and 20 yards wide, which would leave banks on either side of the channel 80 yards wide, a pan sloping up to the base of the piers.

The accompanying plan will show the construction of the plough, and the estimates will show that the expense of this work will be 14,000 dollars for the first year, and 6,000 dollars for the second year. In my opinion, the work can be done in two years.

When these harbors were commenced, they were deemed experiments. To produce a conviction of their practicability and usefulness, the cheapest and most tem porary materials have been applied; the result has been thus far satisfactory. The material chiefly used at Gene see river and Sodus bay has been timber secured by iron bolts and oak treenails, and ballasted with stone. This work below the surface of the water will endure a great length of time; but that which is above water, and alternately wet and dry, must of necessity decay in a few years. To render, therefore, these works permanent, it

Documents accompanying the President's Message.

wil re necessary to apply a t.ucture of stone above low

water.

In observing the action of the waves upon structures intended to impede their motion, I do not think that slopes form the best breakwaters, because they serve to lead the surge. Perpendicular walls aid better to resist the action of waves than slopes, for in such cases I have noticed that the violence of the coming surge is in part expended upon the retreating volume of water that is below the surface adjacent to the upright wall of timber, so that the force of the wave is at least divided between the "undertow" and the face of the structure.

[23d CONG. 1st SESS.

4th. Prosecuting the construction of be stoi e mole for the protection of the west pier. This is under contract to Mr. H. I. Cary, of this place, to the extent of the ap propriation, to be completed this fall. The season has been boisterous to an unprecedented extent. There has been on an average this summer (or since the contract was made) scarcely six days in a month in which scows could go out with stone. In consequence of this, it will be late before the contract will be completed; but as the principal part of the stone which remains to be delivered is to be placed above the water, and can be lifted over the pier with cranes, even in rough weather, I confidenting draught of “profile No. 1," two irregular lines drawn across the profile of the mole, represent sections of the present mole as it will be when the stone contract is com. pleted. The upper one represents a section any where between the pier head and the counterfort, (marked C,) which is the part most exposed to injury; the lower one represents a section any where from that point to the west end of the pier.

I would therefore recommend that the works at Gene-ly anticipate its completion this fall. In the accompanysee river and Sodus bay be permanently secured by perpendicular walls of stone constructed upon the present piers, commencing below the lowest stage of water, and extending four feet above the surface of high water; using stones of large dimensions for the faces exposed to the waves, clamping them together with copper; using small stone for the inside faces, and filling the space between the faces with fragment stones, and covering the whole with large stone. The quarries on Genesee river and near Sodus bay can afford an abundance of materials. I subjoin an estimate for such a work at both harbors. 1,000 cords of building stone, in lengths of not less than four feet, at $7

800 cords, not less than 2 feet, at $5, 3.000 cords of fragment stone, at $3, 20,000 pounds copper bolts, at 25 cents, Workmanship and contingencies,

For Big Sodus bay,

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The greater facility of procuring stone upon Genesee river would diminish the item of stone $4,000, so that the expense for Genesee river would be

Agreeably to your directions, I visited Buffalo in July last, for the purpose of collecting such information in regard to the public works in that harbor, as might be applicable to the construction of similar ones in this harbor, $7,000 where I met, by appointment, Colonel Totten, then in4,000 specting those works. It is in accordance with his sug. 9,000 gestions that I have prepared the accompanying estimates 5,000 and drawings of works which are deemed necessary for 13,500 the permanent security of this harbor.

$38,500

$34,500

Respectfully submitted. J. G. SWIFT, Agent. Gen. CHAS, GRATIOT, Chief Eng. Washington, D. C.

OSWEGO, October 9, 1833.

Gen. C. GRATIOT, Chief Engineer, Washington, D. C.: SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith my monthly and quarterly returns due at this time, and, also, my annual report of the progress of operations since the 1st of January, 1833; prior to which time I have no data left me by the former agents on which to found a narrative. The operations, since I took charge of the work, are comprised in the following particulars, viz.

1st. Repairing the damages sustained by the west pier last winter. In doing this, I followed the plan suggested in Captain Smith's letter of the 15th April last, and referred to in mine of the 22d of April.

2d. Completing the counterfort to the east pier, (marked B in the accompanying sketch of the piers,) which was built up nearly to the water's edge last fall by Lieut. Tompkins.

Sd. Building the counterfort, (marked A,) to support that part of the west pier which was injured last winter. This is completed now, with the exception of planking. I have purposely delayed completing it, in order to give the man who furnishes the stone for filling it (who is also the contractor for supplying stone for the mole) an opportunity of furnishing them as they come from the quarry with the large stone, by which means I get them cheaper than I could if the quarry had been worked on purpose for them, but principally for the purpose of letting it get perfectly and firmly settled before building the part above water.

For securing the present structures, $38,569, the amount of the estimate for finishing the mole according to "profile No. 1," is required. The rock botom precludes the use of piles, and makes it necessary to have a more extended base. This mode is deemed a perfect security as long as the timber remains sound; but to make it permanent, the estimates for finishing the west pier, according to "profile No. 3," are submitted.

I also forward an estimate and plan for the foundation of a light-house, to be placed at the entrance of the har bor. I presume the drawing will sufficiently explain the manner in which it is proposed to build it. The crib work is intended to be filled up with broken stone and fine gravel, and grouted. The estimate for the lighthouse itself is founded on the actual cost of the one at Buffalo, and therefore the different items are not enumerated.

The reasons for selecting the end of the east pier for the location of the light-house, are-1st, the water is not so deep there as at the end of the west pier, and the bottom is better, being flat rock, as far as I have been able to ascertain. (There is a quantity of loose stone on some part of it, which it will be necessary to remove before a thorough examination can be had.) 2d. It is more accessible in bad weather; and, 3d, there are five acres of ground and a house, belonging to the United States, for a light-house keeper, on this side, and near the pier.

It is proposed to get the lime-stone estimated for at Chaumont bay, near Sackett's harbor, by contract, and the other stone from the quarries heretofore worked adjacent to the pier. These quarries are on the State lands, and I have obtained from the State the exclusive privi lege of quarrying stone in them for the public works. I would therefore suggest that it will probably be cheaper for me to work these quarries myself, than to get these stone by contract, for I can work them as cheap as a contractor can, and what would be his profits in one case, would be saved to the Government in the other. this the advantage of having every thing done just in the manner, and at the time it is wanted to be done, which can never be the case with a contractor.

Add to

The information which you directed me to obtain respecting the tonnage of the port, &c. will be forwarded in

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23d CONG. 1st SESS.]

Documents accompanying the President's Message.

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Brig. Gen. CHARLES GRATIOT,

Chief Engineer, Washington City: SIR: In compliance with the tenor of a letter from the Engineer department, of June 24, I have visited and in. spected the following works of harbor improvement on the shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie, namely, Oswego, Big Sodus bay, Genesee river, Black Rock, Buffalo, and Dunkirk, in the State of New York; Erie, in the State of Pennsylvania; Conneaut creek, Ashtabula creek, Cunningham's creek, Grand river, Cleaveland harbor, Black river, and Huron river, in the State of Ohio. And in fur ther compliance with that letter, I have now the honor to submit the following report on the actual condition of those works, severally, and on the amount of funds required to complete each according to the present plans, or according to such modifications of them as may seem proper to attain the end contemplated in constructing

these works."

with) vary in their width at top, according to their situation, from 24 to 27 feet. They are built of side and central timbers, running longitudinally, and connected by numerous cross ties; the sides next the lake and the top being covered with planks, and the interior space being filled with stones. A number of buttresses, similar in construction to the piers, have been placed against the inner side of the harbor piers, to strengthen them against the shock of waves; and, with a similar object, stones have been thrown against the lake side of the west harbor pier, so as to form a mass, rising next the pier, near to the surface of the water, and having a base of from twice to twice and a half the altitude.

The effect of these works, just described, is to give a capacious harbor, perfectly safe in all winds, of easy access, and deep channel and anchorage.

During the present year, the operations on the harbor erecting the buttress a so as to occupy all the space bemust be confined to finishing the buttress marked b; tween the buttresses c and d, in consequence of the force of the sea having curved in the pier opposite this space; repairing some other damages done to this pier, and addof the west pier: all these matters involving an expendiing to the quantity of stone thrown against the lake side ture of about $8,000.

tion of the harbor is complete, much remains to be done Although the development of the works for the formato give them present stability, and still more to give them storms, upon the west pier, have been already noticed; permanency. The effects of the sea, urged by violent I may here remark, once for all, in relation to a "pro-whole mass of the pier, in one place, bent inward. All planks were torn off, timbers displaced, and even the ject for keeping them in good order and repair after they further action of this sort must be prevented by adequate shall be finished," which I am required to submit, that no better mode has occurred to me than to commit them repairs will be called for, and these annual repairs will provision in the first place, otherwise extensive annual severally, when finished, to the supervision of the col become more and more difficult and expensive. A large lector of the customs, inspector of the revenue, or light-deposite of stones has been made on the outside of the house keeper, with instructions to report, at stated times, as to their condition; to keep a strict eye to their preservation from wanton injury or depredation; to apply immediate repairs to slight injuries, and to notify the department promptly of all serious accidents. An increase of salary accompanying these new duties would give them an attractive character, and insure their faithful

observance.

Very respectfully,

Your most obedient servant,

JOSEPH G. TOTTEN,

Lieut. Col. Eng., Brevet Colonel. Oswego harbor, N. Y.-The mouth of the Oswego river is an open roadstead, having no shelter from the dangerous winds which blow from the northern quarter-all winds from west, round through the north to northeast, driving the waves directly into the roadstead.

Two opposite, low, sandy points make out from the shores at the immediate embouchure, narrowing the channel somewhat, and affording a partial shelter within. This sheltered space is, however, very circumscribed, quite shallow, and the access to it against a current that is, at times, rapid; so that this inner space very imperfectly answers the purpose of a harbor.

To obtain a quiet and sufficiently capacious anchorage, a pier, beginning about 1,200 feet from the mouth of the river, has been run out from the western shore, first north 230 feet, then north about 55 degrees east, 1,155 feet, to the channel. The channel being 250 feet broad, a pier to the east thereof continues on the prolongation of the west pier (N. 55 E.) 644 feet, and thence, in a southeasterly direction, 222 feet, to the shore near old Fort Oswego. These may be designated harbor piers. From near the eastern extremity of the west harbor pier, and at right angles thereto, a channel pier runs a distance of 126 feet into the lake. These piers (see plan here

west harbor pier, but as the top of this mass scarcely reaches to the surface of the water, the wave, rolling up the slope, impinges with great violence upon the whole of the upright and uncovered portion of the pier. The wave should either be carried by the slope towards the top, and sometimes, no doubt, over the top, or the pier should be raised so high, the outer surface being every where sloped, that the wave cannot reach the top. The first should be the preparatory, the second the ultimate profile of the pier. These profiles are marked in the drawing No. 1 and No. 2. To give to this pier the form of No. 1, will cost, by the estimate of the agent,

The entrance to the harbor is now but little benefited by the light-house on the hill near Fort Oswego. This leads vessels towards, but does not show the entrance into, the anchorage. Either of two modes may be adopted: a beacon or small light may be placed at the entrance, and both this and the present light be kept up, or a lofty, permanent light-house may be constructed at the pier, abandoning the old one. From the actual condition of the latter, this mode may, in all respects, be the most economical.

The position for a light-house will be just within the terminating buttress, at the western end of the east harbor pier. (See plan.) A permanant foundation for this light-house, enclosed by strong pier work, according to the drawing herewith, is estimated to cost

A permanent light-house, in all respects like the one at Buffalo, erected on this foundation, is estimated at

$38,569 00

4,651 45

5,500 00

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