The daily gazette., 1875-10-27
Rivers and Hdrbors-Operd-
tiOns on the Peninsula.

has already been given in the Sun in
in regard to rivers, harbors,, &C., in
the States of Maryland, Virginia, West
Virginia, North Carolina and the
District of Columbia, is furnished from
the reports of Coils Craighill and Albert
to Gen Humphreys, chief of the engi-
neer corps. The reports contain q
retrospect of the operations of the last
fiscal year. and estimates of the
amounts required for the ensuing fiscal
year.
Elt R'cer.-On June 23. 1874, an
appropriation of s., 600 was made for
the improvement of this river near
Elkton. 1t was expended in building
a dyke 900 feet long in the right side
of the channel, 1,100 feet below the
bridge. A channel twenty five feet
wide and six feet deep at mean low
water was also dredged in front Of the
dyke. This was the worst place in
the river, having on part Of it less
than twelve inches of water. The
dredged channel was found in tolerable
condition in the spring of 1875, but
there were still shoals between it and
the town on which not more than two
and half feet can be carried at low
water. A further appropriation OF
So, 600 was made March 3, 1875. 1t
was determined to dredge a channel
forty feet wide and SIX feet deep at
mean low water for half mile below
the bridge, and to make basin for
turning near the bridge. But one bid
was received for this, which was too
high. 1t is expected soon to make ar.
rangements for the necessary dredging
at q lower rate. 1t will require $2O. c "
to complete the work as estimated
which amount is asked for.
Chester Rirer near Kent Island Mar.
ro,cs. - An appropriation Of 500, ,000
was made for this work in 1874. Moth.
ing was done until May, 1875, when
proposals were received for removing
the causeway and dredging q channel
| through the narrows, width TO be one
| hundred feet and depth seven feet at
mean low water. The work was
assigned to W. II. Beard. The con-
tract stipulates for completion this
year. The bridge intended to replace
the causeway has been commenced
under the supervision of the authori-
ties of Queen Anne's and Talbot coun
ties, ana at their expense. Progress
has been poor, but is expected to be
better in future; 5000 is estimated as
necessary for the next year.
| Wicomlco Rtrer.-On June 90, 1874, 50,
307 80 was appropriated for the improve.
ment of Wicomico river, near Salisbury
The Wicomico county having built 6
portion OF the dikes, proposals for dredg
ing were called for and the contrac'
Iawarded to the lowest bidder, Mr.. Par
bsons. The channel was to be made fift.
feet wide and i've feet deep at mean loV
water. The plan of o oerations first adep
ted by the contractor failed. Winte
came on, with the ice and high winds
He resumed work in April on anothe
Iplan, which has been successful. Th
work of dredging as far as contracted TO
| will probably be completed in October
| 1875. 1t is proposed to expend the new
appropriation of S, 900 made last Marcel
in diking AMI dredging. Twenty thou
sand dollars is asked for the next year
There is unusual filling during freshet
in this river, owing to the large amour
of sawdust thrown out from the mill
aud suffered to enter the stream. Whil
this continues $4,000 per annum will b
required to keep the channel clean afte
the SO, 900 appropriated. II the suppl,
, of sawdust was shut off, as it should be
J only S2, 500 per annum would be needed
for repairs of damages by freshets, deca
of dikes, &c. Appended are the statistic
of the trade of Salisbury during the yea
1871 Capital engaged in merchandise
$325, 900; annual sales of merchandis,
81 200, 900; shipments of lum Der, SOC, 90
feet; do. cordwood, 5000 cords: shipment
of railroad ties, 6,0O0; shipments of graf
60, ,000 bushels; sales of fertilizers, 30
tons; sales of oyster shells for lime, 8
500, 300 bushels; number of vessels trad
ing from the town, 20; aggregate tonnag
| $50 tons; sales of berries and fruit, $40
900; sales of garden truck and vegetabl,
1900; manufactured 2,25o, 900 straw
berry baskets, 200 strawberry crate
1000 peach boxes and an immense nun
Der Of boxes for canned fruits. Larg
quantities of virgin growth of timbe
q lies to the eastward, and this is its ma
ural outlet to market These figures al
furnished by Mr.. Parsons.
Crisfeld Hdrtor.-The Improvement
there proposed consisted in dredging
1channel twelve feet deep at mean 10
water accross the bar near Somers Gov
light to and past the railroad wharf {
Cristield; to be four hundred feet vic
, on the outer course. and after the tur
r at the light decreasing to one hundrs
t and fifty feet width at the wharf. tt
s total cost was estimated at s37 .3l7. whic
was appropriated last March. The VOL
Twas awarded to G.. II. Ferris, at Is; cen
per cubic yard, to begin May, 1875, al
completed December 80, 1875. Work W
commenced May II, and to July 1901
? cubic yards of material were excavat.
and deposited in the place selected.
further appropriation is asked for.
There was no work done at the follo'
ing Maryland harbors by reason of Co
gress refusing to make the appropriate
I'd requested; Susquehanna, at Havre
Grace, Northeast river. Cambridge, Ws
tan and Queenstown. The engineer
charge renews tho recommendations
appropriations made last year.