Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

recommendations and will repay perusal The
extent of the commerce of New Haven is
shown also in the figures of Collector Nor
throp.
By act of Congress approved March 8, 1879,
$15, 900 was appropriated for the improve
ment of this harbor. With this sum It was
proposed to extend the 16 foot channel from
Long Wharf to the Steamboat Wharf dis
tance Fof 2, 300 feet, making the width as
near 800 feet as possible with the means APP
propriated.
Proposals were accordingly invited by ad-
vertisement and bids were opened August %,
1879.
The contract was subsequently, awarded to
the lowest bidders, Messrs. 81. N. and A. J..
Beardsley, of Bridgeport, Conn, at 90 cents
per cubic yard for material excavated and de-
posted outside Round Reck Reef, distance
of miles from the dredging AS the Messrs.
Beardsley proposed to commence to work in
the spring of 1880, nothing under this con-
tract was accomplished until the 22d of
March, when work began and continued
through the months of April, May and June.
The contract not having been entirely COM
p1eted an extension of time until
July 81, 1880, has been granted. All the ap-
p1iances used were of good quality, and the
rate of progress considering the distance to
which the material had to be towed, was very
satisfactory. At the close of the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1880, 125, 800 cubic yards of
material had been removed under this con-
tract.
This Improvement has resulted in securing
a channel nearly three hundred feet wide
with depth of sixteen feet at mean low
water, from Fort Hale to the Lower Bridge
above the Steamboat Wharf.
The increased depth is of great service to
the shipping interests as it affords a much
easier access to the upper harbor than be-
fore existed There is a pressing demand
for more width, as the passage;way to the
wharves is often obstructed by vessels at an
Choir 1t would be well to widen the main
channel to four hundred feet as recommend
ed last year through this part of the harbor
and still greater width at the bend opposite
Long Wharf should be given which would
tend to straighten the channel at this point
and relieve difficulty now felt by vessels in
passing between the east bank and the head
of this wharf.
The sum of $3.50 appropriated by act
of Congress, approved June II, 1880, is to
be applied to the improvements above de-
scribed. which accomplished, it is believed
that this part of the harbor will be in very
fair condition It is not expected, however
that the improvements will be entirely per-
manent as the large mud-fats to the eastward
will necessarily wash more or less, and cause
deposit in the dredged area. The causeway
and heavy piers of Tomlinson's bridge,
which cut off the free movement of the
tides, prevent the complete filling or empty
ing of the tidal reservoir above, and thus in
terfere with the natural securing effect of the
currents. It is possible. therefore, that
small appropriations will be needed at inter
walls of few years to remove the deposit,
due to these causes besides the accumula-
ton arising from the city sewers.
The proper authorities should take in hand
the question of modifying Tomlinson's bridge
SO as to permit an unobstructed movement
of the tides to and from the reservoir above
With the channel made sixteen feet deep
from Fort Hale to the city wharves, and of
sufficient width for the present interests of
navigation, it becomes necessary to improve
the condition of the bar Just below Fort
Hale.
In the last annual report it was recon-
mended to attempt an Improvement here by
dredging at an estimated cost of 1886, 900,
making the width 500 feet and the depth 16
feet at mean low water.
1t was at the same time thought that to in
sure the permanence of such an excavation a
contraction of the channel by means of jetty
to act as training wall extending south from
Sandy Point would be advisable. The ex-
pense of such work led me to recommend
another trial of dredging before resorting to
the past year reports have been received in
regard to the effects produced by southerly
storms which confirm the belief that sand
and loose material is driven northward along
the west shore below Sandy Point. This
material works up to and above this point,
causing the growth of the sand spit beyond,
but is often carried by the cross current set
ting over towards Morris Cove and distribu-
ted in the main channel below Fort bale,
where the present bar exists.
In view of these conditions 1 think it
would be advisable to make further exam
ination of this part of the harbor to ascer-
tain more exactly the nature of the material
which is distributed by the shore current,
and that upon which it may be desirable to
construct jetty.
Current observations should be taken at
the same time.
Upon the completion of the necessary ex-
animation report and recommendations for
the completion of the 16-foot channel through
the Fort Hale bar will be submitted AS it is
essential that the Improvement be continued
during the next fiscal year, and as this work
forms part of the project adopted for max
ing a 16-foot channel from Long Island
Sound to Tomlinson's bridge, it is recon.
mended that an appropriation be asked fol
the next fiscal year to tae amount of $50,-
600, which can be proftably expended either
in dredging or in the construction of jetty,
or both as may be deemed most advantage
Gus.
New Haven is the port of entry for the collection
district of New. Haven; the amount Of revenue col
lected during the year ending June 3d. 1880, was
$457, 861.74.
There is lighthouse on Southwest Ledge, at the
mouth the harbor. Fort Hale, two miles below the
city, on the east shore, commands the channel
MONEY STATEMENT.
July 1, 1879, amount available. .s17,s12 so
Amount appropriated by act ap-
proved June IA 1880 ...,. 15, 900 90
f' '-0 --s82, s12 sc
July 1, $780, amount expended
during fiscal year S,2l5 81
July l, 1880, outstanding liabili-
ties 49, Observation-Disclosures. 4,sO6 60
--- 1901 81
July l. $780, amount available. ......... 1870 81
Of existing project -. e.... 6o,6Oo OC
Amount that can be probably expended in
fiscal year ending June 80, 1882. $4,000 90
Commercial statistics of the port of New Haven
Conn, for the fiscal year ending June so, 1880.
Through the courtesy of Prof. Cyrus Northrop
Collector the following statement has been received