National Republican., 1883-07-31
RIVER AND uARBon DEMANDS.


Abstracts OF the Reports OF Engineers in
Charge OF the Work on the Delaware
and schuyIkiI-The Delaware Break
water.
The reports Of the engineers in charge of
the improvements on the Delaware and
susquohanna rivers, on the Massachusetts,
harbors, and on the rivers in West Virginia
and Kentucky were received at the engineers
Office of the War department yesterday.
For the Improvement of the Delaware
river, between Trenton, N. j., and Brides
burg, Pa, the engineer in charge reports that
S35, 900 can be used with advantage during
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1855. The
total amount appropriated for this work to
Juno 30, 1883, was $4,000, of which sum
$4,000 was appropriated by the act of Aug.
2 1852. Of this sum $sS, ia have been ex-
pended, leaving So S2G available July 1, 1888.
The engineer in charge of the improve
mcnt of the Delaware river below Brides
burg in his report says: whether this por-
ton of the Delaware river IL ever perma-
nently improved by works of construction,
or whether the policy in the future will be
to keep open the cuts which are now in pro-
cess of construction, the existing project of
making these cuts at the several points now
in hand must first be executed"
With regard to the different portions of
the work ON the river, he recommends us fol-
lows:
Five Mile Point That tho channel past tho
upper end of Petty's island, begun in 1851 be
widcned to IL feet at mean low water, and
that an appropriation of $1,000 be made for
this purpose.
Petty's Island Bar. That 1000 be appro-
priated for the removal of this bar.
Smiths Island Bar. That $4,000 be appro-
priated for expenditure at this point. He re-
ports that during the past year the channel
excavated from Camden toward Shackamaxon
street, Philadelphia, in 1Ss0-'sl was badly
filled up.
Shoal near Greenwich. He reports that
nothing has been done at this point during the
past fiscal year, it being deemed more inn
portont to spend the money elsewhere. He
recommends no appropriation for work here.
The Horseshoe. For keeping this part of
the river clear of ico he recommends: "a
dixie or bulkhead from Gloucester to near
Eagle Point, somewhat ilattening the curve Of
the river and following approximately the
| fifteen feet curve on the coucavo side, would
be an efficient means of keeping the ice in
motion, as its smooth surface would afford no
hold for the floating ice, and the depth of
water would prevent grounding" He recon-
mends no appropriation, however, for this
work.
Muffin bar. He recommends an appropria-
tion of at least $4,000 for continuing the i'm
| provemcnt here.
| Bulkhead Shoals. He recommends an ap-
preparation of $4,000 for continuing the work
ut this point
| Dan Baker Shoals. He reports that $4,000
| could be profitably expended at this point
during the fiscal year ending June 80 1885.
Ice Harbor. He reports that, in his judg-
mcnt, the utmost liberality should be eXer-
cised in making appropriations for this por.
nf httlt Hn
The aggregate sum ommended to be ap.
| propriated for work at the above mentioned
points is $4,000, which sum the engineer
thinks can bo prOtitably expended during the
next fiscal year. The appropriations to date
for this portion of the work aggregate $671,'
000 of which sum S136,000 was appropriated
by the act of August, 1852. The amount al
ready expended is $5l9,760, leaving $l2l,2
available July l, 1888.
For the improvement of the Delaware river
at schooner Ledge the engineer in charge
recommends an appropriation of $4,000 foi
the next year The total appropriations fol
this work TO date arc $4,000, of which S40
600 was appropriated by the act of August
1882 Total expenditures to date of report
Sl62,i32, and amount available July l, 1888
$I56S.
For the improvement of the Delaware rive
. near Cherry Island flats the engineer recon
mends an appropriation of 100000 for us'
| during the next year. Amount already ap
Z propriated for the work 100000, of whicl
100000 was appropriated by act of 1882
Amount expended, S356,316 amount avail
able July /, 1853, $i3,6sl.
For the Improvement of Wilmington har
Dor, Delaware the engineer estimates tina
Sl9l,3S4 will be required to complete tn,
work. Of which sum he thinks $4,000 can b
proftably expended during the next flsca
year.
Amount already appropriated, SlS3,O0O, o
which $4,000 was appropriated by the act o
1882; amount expended, $179l96; amour
available July l, 1888, S3,S04.
Improvement of the Schuylkill river, Penn
sylvania. The engineer in charge think
100000 can be probably expended during tn
next fiscal year. Amount already appropri
ated for the work. $325,000, of which $500
was appropriated the act of 1882; amount eX
pended, S299,799; amount available July
1883, $29,220
Improvement of the Delaware breakwate
harbOr Delaware. The engineer estimate
that $550000 will be required to complet
this work, and reports that of this sur
$250,000 could be proftably expended mex
year. The act of 1882 appropriated SIPS, ,0OI
and $iS,295 was available July l, 1888.
, Construction of an iron pier in Delawar
bay, near Lewes, Delaware. The act of 1ss
: appropriated $4,000 for continuing the worl
Tho total appropriations for the work ar
$36S,500, of which $362733 have been OK
pended leaving $5,767 available July, 1SSt
The engineer estimates that $4,000 vii
place the work in good order