Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-07-26

The annual report Of Capt. Harry Tay.
lor. in Charge Of engineer improvements
in the state OF Washington, has just been
received by the war department at Wash.
ington, D. G. Speaking Of the Grays
Harbor improvement, Capt. Taylor says:
"At the heginning of the year the con-
tractor was actively at work carrying OH
the various classes of work required under
the contract. All classes OF work were
pushed until October 3, 1899, when pile
driving in the trestle was suspended for
the season. The foundation work con-
tinued until mattresses were completed
to the end Of the trestle in the early part
of November. Rock dumping continued
until November Is, 1899, when severe
swells damaged part Of the trestles so
badly as to cause temporary suspension
of this work. The trettle was repaired
and rock dumping resumed and continued
internationally until December 10, when
al! active work was suspended. On
March l, this year, the overhauling and
repair OF the plant was begun, pile driving
was resumed March Is, mattress con.
struction soon thereafter and rock dump
ing April 2. On account OF the shortage
of piles comparatively slow progress was
made until May l, when an ample supply
was on hand. For the next ten days
very rapid progress was made. On May
% storm of most unusual severity oc.
Cured, which destroyed 432 feet Of the
trestle. carried the pile driver into the sea
and did other damage. The pile driver
was recovered in the Harbor and towed
to the wharf, taken out Of the water, re.
built and was again at work June 8.
Since that time all branches Of the work
have been actively carried on.
1.-THE progress during the year was very
satisfactory, the contractor having at all
times been considerably ahead Of the
contract requirements in regard to the
amount OF work done, and he showed at
all times disposition to do all the work
possible. The total amount earned by
him during the year was 1872, 48O. During
the year trestle construction has pro-
crossed at the rate of about iorty.eight feet
a day. At the end Of the year the trestle
was being carried across the channel
which had developed since the ietty was
originally planned. In this channel
depths as great as twenty.nine feet at
mean low water were found. Great diff.
Guilty was experienced in sinking side
mattresses in this depth Of water. Sew.
eral Of the mattresses were lost, and it
was difficult to get any Of tho mattresses
in their proper places. For these reasons
side mattresses were omitted in this sec.
ton Of the jetty, and the central jetty
was increased to four feet in thickness
and thirty feet in width. This form OF
foundation allows the mattress work to
proceed rapidly, reduces loss and appears
to give satisfactory results. During the
preceding year various forms OF founda'
ton were used. Observations point to
the conclusion that in shoal water the
cheapest and best form Of foundation Is a
central mattress three feet thick and
twenty feet wide, a side mattress on each
side. The enrockment during the year
has followed the completion OF the mat
tresses as rapidly as possible. During
the latter part OF May and all Of June
trestle construction has been carried on
in water deeper than any which was
supposed to exist at the time the project
was made. This will increase the amount
Of rock necessary to complete the jetty
very materially.
During June survey OF the bar and
vicinity was made. This survey shows a
material improvement in the channel
across the bar. There are two channels
across the bar, in which there is a depth
ct eighteen feet. Two years ago the
greatest depth in any channel across the
bar was fourteen feet. Immediately south
Of the jetty and near the inner end there
has been considerable accumulation OF
sand. About mile south Of the jetty,
however, there appears to be material
wearing away of the sand. In the last
two years the four fathom curve has APP
preached the shore in places as much as
1900 feet, and the five fathom curve has
approached about the same distance.
Along the line Of the jetty about two
years ago there was only six feet Of water
where now there is over twenty.four feet,
and in one place the thirty-foot curve
approaches very close to the line Of the
jetty.