Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-11-20


of the coming session, is an appendix
containing the report of the report of
General G. Weitzel, Corps Of Engineers,
relating to the work of river alfd harbor
improvements under his charge for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1875; of which
the Detroit Free Press gives the follow
ing extracts, most of which will be of
interest to our readers,
General Weitzel details the work which
has been done on the st. Mary's Falls
Ship Canal. He says that since the be-
ginning of the work ON the new locks
$S35,000 has been appropriated for the
improvement of the st. Mary's River and
the St. Mary's Ship Canal. Of this
amount about $4,000 has been diverted
for the improvement of the river and en-
largement and improving the canal
There remains 100000 TO be appropri-
ated for them in order to come up TO the
original estimate. He recommends, for
the sake of economy in prosecuting the
work, that the sum of 100000 be appro-
priated for the fiscal year ending JUNE
so, 1877. The amount available July. 1,
1875, was S602, ,99G.4o, but all of this, eX-
cepting that required for contingent ex-
penses, is under contract, and therefore
not really available for other work.
The work at Cheboygan during the
year consisted in continuing the excava-
ton across the bar. TO complete this
work in permanent manner some re-
vetment will be necessary to the bank
after the channel is dredged. General
Weitzel estimated the amount for its
completion, in his last annual report, at
100000. Fifteen thousand dollars of this
amount was appropriated by Congress at
its last session. He recommends that the
remaining $4,000 be appropriated at once
for the sake of economy, and says that
the importance of the work fully war
rants the appropriation of the sum
named.
In the improvement of the Au Sable
River harbor S1,519.73 was expended
during the fiscal year ending June 80,
1879. To Keep the harbor open would
! require an expenditure of $35.750.
though it is said there will be little, if
any, use of doing this work unless indis
yiduals and corporations are restrained
from Obstructing the channel of the
river in the lawleSS manner in which they
have done heretofore. General Weitzrl
says that unless steps dire taken by the
| local or state authorities to prevent these
acts, he cannot reccommed m appropria-
ton to continue tllis Improvement. but
only ask for $500 to keep existing works
in repair.
In the Improvement of Saginaw River
work has been dcne principally in the
dredging OF Carrollton bar. About 81
0O0cubic yards will have to be removed
to give Il channel eighty feet wide.
About 1000 feet more of revetment than
already contracted for will be necessary
to complete the work. An appropria-
tion of $1,000 is recommended.
Nothing had been done at the report
toward the Improvement of Sebewaing
River, for which an appropriation of
$4,000 was made in March last An error
in the specifications was the cause of the
delay. No further appropriation seems
to be necessary.
In relation to the harber Of refuge OIL
Lake Huron, it is said that at the close of
the fiscal year there were in place twen-
ty-four cribs. giving total length Of
,4S5 feet Of breakwater. The breakwa-
ter has already pl owed of great benefit to
navigation; and, as the masters of vessels
are gradually getting better acquainted
with its location and the depth OF water
inside, every succeeding storm will find
larger numbers seeking shelter. On the
18th OF June, 1875, there were sixteen
vessels lying behind the breakwater,
safely sheltered from storm, i'm smooth
water. Had this work not existed these
vessels would have been compelled to
run back sixty-four miles to seek shelter
| in the St. Clair River. An appropria-
tiOn of 100000 is recommended for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1877.
| Of the improvement of the st. Clair
River, at the mouth of black River, it is
said that until the effect of the work
which has been done and which will be
done under the last appropriation can be
seen, there seems to be no necessity for
any further appropriation.
General Weitzel, as soon as he receives
the report from surveying party which
has made reconnaissance, will submit a
project for improving the junction of the
Pine and st. Clair Divers, and, if it is ap-
proved, will proceed to execute the work
as soon as possible
The balance remaining on hand will be
sufficient to keep the st. Clair Flats Ship
Canal in repair and pay the custodian for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1876.
General Weitzel has transmitted copies
of several letters with regard to the i'm
provement of the Detroit River. No
operations which he could perform in the
American waters, except with sum ap-
proXimating half million dollars or
more, would be of any benefit until some
arrangements can be made with the Ca
madam Government. Without these
nothing further can be done, and Gen.
eral Weitzel says he cannot estimate for
any further appropriation. There was
availahIa Inl,r 1s4 1879 Col 75A o2