The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-27

The annual report Of Capt. Harry lay
lor, corps OF United States engineers VINO
has charge or TIE work of improving the
waterways in Washington laaio anu
Montana cotnains large amount OF IN
formation, of interest To the people OF the
states named. The report was Forwarded
some time ago 10 the Washington Clsy
authorities and printed copies are now III
circulation. That part OF the report WIZ"
is of most interest to Seattle people re-
lates to the Lake Washington canal ~
way OF Smiths cove and Lake Union
Capt. Taylor has the following 10 say con-
corning it:
LAS no money has been available Tor
work on detailed plans. no consideration
has been given them. II is probable diat
the title to all the required land viii ne
transferred TO the United States within
few months and actual construction can
be commenced as soon as proper detailed
plans are prepared. This will he an IN
dertaking of some magnitude and. II work
Is commenced in advance Of the completion
OF such plans. there is a possibility of a
change being required during the con-
struction. making unnecessary expense
and eventually delaying the completion or
the sBEh. SUCH GUnSIuttdAtuu NaS AAso
given the project in a general way m
duces me to believe that a complete revi-
sion of the project and estimated cost
should be made before work is commenced
As soon as the money becomes available
detailed plans will be prepared. The
amount of money that can protitably be
spent upon this Improvement during the
next fiscal year depends upon the time ao-
tual construction can be commenced IL
tS nr1st IA ~IS in
can be probably expended in addition 20
the amount on hand"
Referring to the Improvement OF the har-
Dor at Everett. Capt Taylor's conclusions
are:
NO material benefit has resulted from
the work done thus far. and none will
/ result until the channel has been dredged
through the fats from deep water outside
10 deep water inside. Uaiil the dixie is
backed up with the dredged material. re-
pairs viii be necessary with every appro-
priation- Therefore, the longer the work
is in completing the longer will the hene-
fits to be received from it be delayed and
the more the work will cost The cost of
the materials used in the dixie was about
, the same as heretofore but owing 10 the
greater average depth of water in which
the dixie was built the cost per linear foot
of dixie was considerably greater. This
year, as last the work was done In very
satisfactory manner, at very reasonable
prices. Last year in my annual report
referred TO the fact that all the low bids
for the work were by local firms, and
spoke OF it as an evidence of the earnest
ness of the people of Everett In regard 10
the prosecution Of the improvement of
their harhor. This year the contract went
to an outside firm, but local bidders were
close competitors. and the scale of prices
set last year. | believe, had much 10 do
with the low bids received this year. An
appropriation of s15o,0oo is recommended as
the amount which can be proiitahly eX-
pended on the project during the fiscal
year ending June 30. 1889. The dixie Will
be repaired and added TO from time to time
as may be necessary. and the dredging
continued so to give such relief TO ship
ping as the funds will permit. The amount
expended in the Improvement during me
fiscal year ending June So lS9', was Wy
go a. leaving a balance OF sial" uheS-
pended"
OF the .2s available for the i'm
provement of swinomish slough at the be-
ginning of the fiscal year, SO, ef55f had
been expended up 30 June 80 last. Capt
Tayfor's conclusions and recommends
tons regarding the work are:
''The work done the past year com
pletes the work contemplated by the
project as far as La Conner. the principal
able Immediate benefit is derived from the
work already done; but as all the work
SO far done has been on, the southern half
OF the slough. no benefit is derived by
boats having their destination north cf
La Conner. The route through Deception
pass and around the west side of f1dalgo
island Is a particularly dangerous one, rs
the island is high and cuts off the wind
to such an extent that a severe wind may
be blowing outside and but little Intma-
ton OF IL felt on the inside. At certain
stages the tide running through Decep-
ton pass resembles a mountain torrent
more than a tidal flow. On the ehb this
tide running into west wind raises a
dangerously heavy sea. A boat once
started through the pass cannot turn
back but must so through and meet
whatever sea there may he on the out
side. II IL therefore very desirable that
the slough be fully opened with the least
delay practicable. and 1t is recommended
that the full amount 70 complete the
project he appropriated. Work in accord
ance with the project witt ne extended
north Of ia Conner IS fast as available
funds permit
Capt Taylor says that the improve
ments already made in the harbor n
Olympia are sufficient IA accommodate
the class Of boats running 10 that city.
but that If vessels of deep draft are 10 he
accommodated. y VIII be necessary 70
continue the work For this ne sees no
immediate necessity. bat suggests that
se0 con more might he probably spent m
making some further improvements 50 ~
to maintain thu depths already obtained
An appropriation Of s25 e0 Is recon-
nended 70 keep the sna Qhoat az work on
the rivers flowing into the Sound
An additional appropriation Of s21eDO 10
I l,s expended in improving me Upper CO.
ir=Af4 and GY1I Ffs
commended and 8 e0a eaeh for the Cow
ltz and Chenalis rivers