Evening journal., 1896-11-13
new HARBOR OF REFUGE.
SPECIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED
COVERING THE WORK.

SPECIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED
COVERING THE WORK.
PROPOSED BREAKWATER TO BE
ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE
MAIN CHANNEL. JUST INSIDE
ENTRANCE TO THE DELAWARE
BAY.
Specifications have just been issued
covering the details of the cOnstruc-
tion of the new breakwater, or harbor
of refuge, at the entrance to Delaware
bay. proposals for the construction of
which will be opened at the office of
Major c. w. Raymond, United States
engineer in Philadelphia, at noon on
! December 10.
The work involves an expenditure of
more than s4,6O0,OOO and the con-.
struction OF the immense breakwater
! Is expected to cover a period of five
/ years, at least The site OF the pro-
| posed breakwater is the line of least
depth along the eastern branch OF the
shoal known as the Shears, situated on
the west side of the main ship channel,
just inside of the entrance to Delaware
bay. The site is about two and one
fourth miles north of the Delaware
( Breakwater, three miles from the gov
ernment pier, at Lewes, Del, and
about ten miles from Cape May. AL
though the specifications require that
work shall begin not later than May ],
1897, the commencement and progress
of the work depends on future appro-
priations by Congress, but as the prac-
tice in the past, in the case of contin-
uing appropriations, has been to pro-
vide the money as fast as needed, little
doubt is expressed but that the work
will not lag on account of the lack of
money. as was the case with the Della
ware Breal1water.
The time of completion is fixed at
! December 81, 1901, depending as has
just been stated, on the appropriations
made by Congress. After the begin
ming of work, however. the contractor
may continue, whether funds are at
any time available or not, waiting for
his pay until money appropriated The
government was directed by Congress,
in authorizing the work. not to pay
more than 25 per cent. of the amount
authorized to be expended in any one
year. This will limit the amounts to
be expended on the work each year
to not more than S1,l6C $50, which,
however, viii probably be enough to
keep any ordinary contractor in avail
able funds.
The last River ana Harbor act au-
/ thorized the secretary Of war to enter
/ into a continuing contract for the ma
| terial and work necessary to complete
/ the harbOr of refuge, to be applied for
as appropriations may be made from
! time to time, not to exceed, in the ag
/ gregate, 81 4,660;000.
1t is proposed to form the break
water by the deposit of random stone
to the level of low water, and by the
| construction of a superstructure
thereon by the erection of outer and
inner walls of very heavy stones, the
interior space to be filled with rubble.
The total length of the breakwater will
be about 5000 feet The depth at low
water along the site of the work varies
from thirteen to fifty-three feet The
approximate amount OF stone required
for the construction of the break
water as estimated by the commission
which formed the plans is 1,2lO,665
tons of 1000 pounds for the substruct-
ure, and 173.745 tons for the super
structure, making the enormous total
Of 1884, ,410 tons of stone.
The specifications require that hard
!
and that at least one-third Of the total
amount by weight in each load must
consist of stones each weighing at least
two tons. An additional third must
consist of stones weighing at least 600
pounds, and no stone shall weigh less
than 100 pounds. The stones must
. have angular shapes, and boulders or
parts of boulders will not be accepted.
The stones for the outer and inner
walls of the superstructure must weigh
not less than 5000 pounds each.
During the year ending December 81
1897, at least 100000 tons of stone must
! be deposited. and during each subse-
auent year at least 2S0,O00 must be de
posted, provided, in both cases, the
funds are available to pay for the
work
Proposals are required to be accom-
panied by the guarantee of two re-
sponsible parties, each Of whom shall
Justify in the sum Of S250,000, and the
successful bidder will be required to
give bonds, with approved security, in
the sum of 100000. In order to induce
the contractor to expedite the work
= and live up to his contract, the specif-
r cations provide that in case the
amount of stone placed in the break
2 water shall exceed in any one year the
amount required-2S0, 600 tons-the ex-
cess is to be paid for at the rate Of 10
per cent. more than the bid. In case
the contractor fails to deposit as much
stone as required during one year the
deficiency, when deposited, is to be
: paid for at two-thirds of the price bid.
O fsrr A u