The U. S. dredge Frantende, began, August 18, the work of redredging the channel between the piers and to deep water in the lake, to restore the project depth of 16 feet at low water. This work was continued until December 19, when the dredging plant was laid up for the winter, this being completed December 24, 1908. 36,070 cubic yards, scow measure, of sand, mud, etc., were removed from the channel at an everage cost per yard of 10.63 cents, a total cost of $3,834.24. A survey of the channel dredged in 1908 was made in April and May, 1909, when it was found that it had deteriorated so that the limiting depth was 15 feet at low water. To restore the channel to its project depth of 16 feet at low water will require the excavation of about 40,000 cubic yards of sand, silt, etc. The necessary funds have been allotted and this work will be done during the season of 1909. During the winter the two material scows were hauled out and rebuilt, and repairs made to the derrick scow and dredge Frontena. April 13, 1909, work was resumed upon the east pier and continued until May 12, when it was suspended for lack of funds. Up to the time of suspension of work, 150 linear feet of concrete superstructure were placed on cribs sunk in 1908, and the old wooden superstructure on the piers north of concrete was repaired where necessary. There was expended during the fiscal year $36,500.41, all for maintenance. It is proposed, with the funds required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1911, to reconstruct with concrete superstructure 1,736 feet of the piers and to maintain project depth in the entrance channel. The dredge now in use in this district is 17 years old. While still capable of doing good work, it is believed she has passed the period of maximum efficiency and must sooner or later be replaced by a new machine. Besides the work of maintaining project depths in the harbor channels, there is considerable other use for an auxiliary dredge, including dredging sand and gravel for concrete for repairs to piers and breakwaters, for which latter work the present boat is well adapted, but for which she cannot be spared. Recent experience also tends to show that the Government work in this district does not receive the benefit of competitive bids when proposals are invited for dredging by contract. It is believed, therefore, that it would be to the advantage of the Government to own and operate a second dredge. It is proposed that she shall be a dipper dredge and it is estimated that with two dump scows this new plant will cost about $50,000. She could be used to advantage in connection with any new work authorized at Charlotte or Ogdensburg and later, perhaps, may possibly be available for use elsewhere. An appropriation for this new plant is recommended for favorable consideration by Congress. Estimate of additional funds required. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1911, for maintenance of improvement, exclusive of the balance unexpended July 1, 1909.. Submitted in compliance with requirements of sundry civil act of June 4, 1897, and of section 7 of the river and harbor act of 1899. $80,000 Arrivals and departures of vessels for the year ending December 31, 1908. Total arrivals and departures (tonnage 2,795,377). Amount of revenue collected, year ending December 31, 1908. Value of exports, year ending December 31, 1908.. Greatest draft of vessels.... Enrolled tonnage, port of Charlotte.. Articles. .feet.. .gross tons.. Receipts by lake. [Net tons.] 1,990 873, 814 $2,716. 45 $86, 732 $1,601, 267 161 1,590 QQ 2. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT PULTNEYVILLE, NEW YORK. The work of repairing the superstructure of piers was begun, with hired labor, November 28, 1908, and continued to December 16, when work was suspended. The superstructure of both piers was put in fair condition, at a total cost of $677.31; 11,190 feet b. m. of hemlock timber and plank were used in making these repairs. It is proposed, with funds available, to make minor repairs to the piers where necessary, and no further estimate of funds is made. The commerce of Pultneyville Harbor is insignificant. Arrivals and departures of vessels for the year ending December 31, 1908. . QQ 3. IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOR AT GREAT SODUS BAY, NEW YORK. REPORT OF OPERATIONS. The work of repairing the superstructure of the east and west piers, and east breakwater, was begun, with hired labor, October 22, and continued to November 27, 1908, when work was suspended. The superstructure of both piers, and the east breakwater, was put in fair condition, at a total cost of $996.95; 27,668 feet b. m. of hemlock timber and plank were used. Work was resumed May 13, 1909, when the concrete plant was transferred to Great Sodus Harbor from Charlotte. The work of tearing out the old wooden superstructure on both east and west piers, and replacing it with concrete of the same form as that used at Charlotte and Little Sodus harbors, was begun. At the close of the fiscal year 240 feet of old superstructure had been torn out and 120 feet partly torn out, 30 feet of concrete superstructure placed and blocks set for 30 feet more, 190 cubic yards concrete made. The old cribs have been strengthened by bolting posts to the side walls, and placing iron rods from face to back walls. The channel has deteriorated to a limiting depth of 11 feet at low water and will be restored to project depth during the season of 1909. Estimate of additional funds required. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1911, for maintenance of improvement, exclusive of the balance unexpended July 1, 1909.... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sundry civil act of June 4, 1897, and of section 7 of the river and harbor act of 1899. $55,000 APPROPRIATIONS. For previous projects (as listed in H. Doc. No. 421, 57th Cong., 2d sess.). $475, 646. 80 March 3, 1899.. June 13, 1902.. June 13, 1902 (allotment). March 3, 1905 (allotment). March 2, 1907............ Received from other sources.. Total.... CONTRACTS. No contracts in force. 14, 000. 00 5,000.00 1,250.00 1,588.00 50,000.00 1.00 547, 485.80 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Arrivals and departures of vessels for the year ending December 31, 1908. Total arrivals and departures (tonnage, 81,564). Decrease of tonnage, 1908 under 1907.. Amount of revenue collected, year ending December 31, 1908. 361 Value of exports, year ending December 31, 1908.. Greatest draft of vessels.... Enrolled tonnage... None. IMPROVING HARBOR AT LITTLE SODUS BAY, NEW YORK. REPORT OF OPERATIONS. At the beginning of the fiscal year work was in progress upon the project for replacing with concrete all of the timber superstructure of the west pier, and 461 feet of the east pier, at an estimated cost of $70,000, the work to be done by hired labor and the United States plant. During the season of 1908 there were put in the west pier five deck sections of concrete superstructure, each 30 feet long, and one section 26 feet long. In the east pier there were made five deck sections of 30 feet each, making a total of completed work in both piers of 326 linear feet. In addition to the above work, 60 linear feet of the old superstructure of the east pier were torn out, and the back-wall leveling for concrete blocks placed. The work during the entire season was greatly hampered by the extremely high level of Lake Ontario, which had the effect of considerably increasing the cost of the work. The cost of the work done per linear foot was $36.06. |