The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-10-12

River ImprOvements.-The following ex-
tracts are from the United States Engin-
GERS report to be submitted to Congress in
December:
Improvement of the Susquehanna Rice,'
6eloao Haore De Grace, Md.-At the close
of the year ending June 30th, 1871, opper-
ations were in progress, under the authori-
ty granted, to use the meteral of the old
movable deflector, and such money as
might be available for the purpose, for the
construction of a fixed wooden DYKE or de-
Hector, to concentrate the flow of the river,
as had been proposed and partially accom-
plished by the temporary movable structure
built in the autumn Of 1868. The dyke
was projected to consist of piles driven
about five feet apart, braced by sloping
piles behind them and bolted to them, the
whole connected by strong double cap
pieces, between which three-inch planks
were to be closely driven, forming a nearly
water-tight barrier. This work was car
ried to length of 5000 feet by the end of
October, 1871, when operations were sus-
pended.
AS was Anticipated, this structure, con-
sisting entirely of wood, was somewhat in
.iured by the ice of winter and the freshets
of spring, but its advantageous influence
has been clearly demonstrated, and the
opinion has been confirmed as to the pro-
priety of replacing it by permanent struc-
ture, for which an appropriation of $50, 900
is recommended. The wooden deflector
will be repaired as far as the limited avail
able funds will permit.
The improvement is in the collection
district of Baltimore, which is the nearest
port of entry; it extends from opposite
'oint Concord light to Spesutia Island.
Improvement Of North East Ricer-U nder
a C. al from Congress for information. an
exam ,ination of this river was made in
April, 1872, and report submitted under
date o. April 8,1S72. An appropriation of
$40, 900 was made June 10th, 1872, which
it is pro posed to expend in 1872 in making
a cham Ell from point about 4, 500 feet
from the town of North East to that town,
about sixty feet wide at bottom, and five
feet deep ut mean low-water, and, if posi-
BILE, to ext end it with less width to Alex
ander's MiH, about 1000 feet further
North East is in the collection district of
Baltimore, lut no record is kept of vessels
arriving and departing. This is thriving
place and growing in Importance. There
were no proposals called for during the
year. and no contracts or expenditures
Available for year ending June 80, 1873,
$4,000. No further appropriation needed
Assistant Engineer N. II. Hutton. in his
report to Col. Craighill, at Baltimore, April
9th. 1872, says:
The town of North East is situated on
tho river of that name, about five miles
above its debouche, into Chesapeake bay,
at its head. 1t is also on the line of the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
railroad, about forty-siA miles from Balti-
" nd Ia
North East, unite here to form the North
East river. The town now contains an
extensive sheet and bar iron mandatory,
fire brick and tile factory, grist and saw
mills; and the river, for three miles above
the town, affords water power sufficient for
tho establishment and operation of manu-
factories, &C., of considerable extent and
value-the total fall in that distance being
little over $50 feet.
The North East river at the town has a
width of about $50 feet and depth of
about feet; it rapidly expands in width,
until at its mouth it measures 1 miles
across, with depth of from to 10f feet at
low water. Immediately below the town
an extensive shoal is formed, having at low
water on it depth of less than two feet,
which etfectually cuts off access to the
town by water. From all the information
could gather it is the desire of the people
of this section to obtain channel six feet
deep at low water through this shoal in
order that the mills already established and
those in contemplation may receive their
crude supplies of coal, iron, timber and
cotton by water. To effect this object will
require the excavation of channel about
1000 yards long, and assuming a width
of % yards as sufficient. this would cost
between $4,000 and $4,000. The bottom
is generally quite soft, and one excavation
would be easy of execution.