Morning journal and courier., 1880-01-27
New Haven Harbor.

fOrt-The Leading Features of the EmterprfSe-TheR Report of the Chief of Engineers
 New Haven harbor is at last to be provided with breakwater, and the work of building it will be commenced in a short time, as soon as the season assumes settled weather.
 A petition for breakwater was sent to Con gress by the Chamber of Commerce in 1874. It was backed not only by the Chamber, but by other strong support, including the Harbor Commission and the city, through its repre- sentatives. As result, extensive surveys for 8 location were made by several boards of en- gineers, underline direction of the War depart is located at New London, and whose district includes New Haven harbor. The last board of engineers sent to investigate the harbor and the breakwater comprised such we'll known officers as Major General Tower, Major General Newton of Hell Gate fame, and Gen. eral Abbott. These gentlemen came to the conclusion that it was for the best interests of New Haven harbor, the coast shipping and the immense traffic through Long Island Sound, that breakwater be constructed. They reported to the authorities at Washing ington, and recommended the outer location, that from Southwest ledge to Quixe's ledge. As an alternative they also named an interior line for 8 breakwater. This is the way the matter stood when the last committee went to Washington. The committee comprised Hon. N. D. Sperry, Hon. Henry G. Lewis and Charles H. Townsend. They arrived in Washington last Wednesday, and spent the balance of the week there, and arrived home late Saturday night.
 About one year ago @ similar committee went to Washington upon the request of Con gressman James Phelps, and through his aid an appropriation of $45, 1000 for the break water was made in spite Of serious opposition from the South and West.
 The Government remaining, however, in active on the subject, and loss of the appro- priation already made impending, United States Senator Platt and Congressman Phelps communicated with Mayor Bigelow and ex- Mayor Lewis, and the last>oommittee visited Washington, the result being as above stated.
 The plan which has been settled upon pro- vides practically for two breakwaters-one from Southwest Ledge, on which is the new lighthouse, to Quixe's Ledge, this being the eastern portion the other the western, com mencing at Ludington's Rock, three-quarters of mile W. $. W. of the new lighthouse, and running about mile and half in south westerly direction. The main channel is there not interfered with. The eastern part, that from Southwest Ledge to Quixe's Ledge, will be built first. This will occupy several years time. The other portion will be built probably later. The surveys have been very thorough and accurate. The location of this breakwater is upon 8 natural ledge of rocks which run in shore, and at low tide they are only covered by water at depth of from ten to twelve feet. This natural bed of rocks will prove strong and substantial anchorage for the breakwster, and will save an enormous expense, which would incur if located else- where for killing, which would have to be used in large quantities to make suitable foundation This breakwater alone will cost nearly $2O0, 900 as estimated.
 These breakwaters will protect vessels sheltered thereby from all winds from the south, southeast and southwest, and the water will be ample inside for the largest vessels. The depth will be from four to five fathoms at low water at one part and three and half to four fathoms at low water at the other. The plans provide also for jetty running from Sandy Point southwesterly, the same to prevent the sands from the West Haven side from washing into the harbor.
 General Wright, Chief of Engineers, the head of the United States Engineering de- pertinent, is Connecticut man, hailing from Clinton. He is of great ability in his profes- sion, evidenced by his high official posi- tion, and he is also eminently qualified, as shown from the fact that he has officially made inspection of all the principal break waters and Notifications of Europe. He is 8 West Point graduate and was appointed from this district. Years ago he was clerk in this city at the stores of William Fl. Elliott and Mir. Redfeld, which are recollected by many of nur n1d Inh Ia ar7ah interest in this enterprise. From his report just issued, being the annual report of the United States Engineering department, that for the year just passed, we take the follow ing:
 IMPROVEMENT OF NEW HAVEN HARBoR.
 During the fiscal year 250, 900 cubic yards of material were dredged from the main ship channel above Fort Hale. The channel was excavated to width of 300 feet and depth of 16 feet at mean low water.
 The commercial importance of New Haven is represented as justifying increased harbor facilities, the present ship channel not being adequate to the growing commerce Of the city. The officer in charge, with that view, has sub mitted the following estimate
 To deepen the channel from Long Wharf to the ~ oo. To widen the 16 foot channel below Long Wharf To make I Channel through Fort Hale Bar, 500 1'0O0
 feet wide and 16 fest deep ep.......-....... 35,CO0
 lu AI. $SUUUU
 And he estimates that $15O, 900 can be proftably expended during the next fiscal year for this dredging, and for continuing the construction of the breakwater authorized by act of March 3, 1879, as follows
 For dredging in ship channel. ........$ 5O,00O % July is4s, amount s1asble s2ssii 6i OO Amount appropriated by act ap-
 71,944 62
 year. 24,1s2 12
 s47,8l2 50 Amount that can be prOatably expended in
 fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, for break
 water, revised at this office. SIS, 900 %
 Subsequent appropriations will have to be made to carry out the work proposed. In February next a committee will have to visit Washington and go before the Committee on Commerce and urge a'further appropriation. This will have to be done from time to time until the improvement is completed.
 By the location of these breakwaters it is said that the currents and eddies have been so thoroughly studied and understood that when constructed the flow of the tide, in and out of the harbor, will be the means of relieving the channel of moveable sands and refuse matter which now accumulates at the mouth of the harbor.
 The committee are unanimous in speaking in the highest terms of the attentions and ser- vices of Senators Platt and Eaton and Congress men Phelps ana walt. They nave manifested great zeal and earnestness in accomplishing this highly desirable and important improve ment.
 From the appendix to the Memorials, Re- ports and Statistics Concerning the Improve ment of New Haven Harbor," we take the fol- lowing on the subject in hand In the early part of 1879 public attention was again called in New Haven to a subject which had for some time been in the minds of many of its citizens, the necessity of the permanent i'm provement of the harbor. The result was, after public and private discussion, the pass age by the Common Council of the city, on the Fist of January, of the joint resolution ap- pended, by which the appointment of com mittee to consist of three citizens, two Alder men and two Councilmen were authorized. This committee consisted on the part of the citizens of the Hon. N. D. Sperry, the Hon. H. G. Lewis and Charles Fl. Townsend, Esq; on the part of the Board of Aldermen, of MeEsrs. George M. Harmon and Wm. Fuller and on the part of the Board of CounciImen, of Messrs. M. F. Tyler and George R. Cooley. Of this committee, MT. Townsend went al most immediately to Washington and the rest followed on the 4th of February. The pam phlet, of which this is an appendix, has been prepared to show the demands of the city from business point of view, and its relative