Assuming these prices to be correct, the cost of the work will be $2,790,907, as shown in detail by the estimate hereto annexed. In this connection, it should be stated that not more than fourteen feet of water can be carried into a majority of the lake harbors at the ordinary stage of water, and, therefore, in order that the full depth of a twenty-foot channel may be useful, the lake harbors would need the correspondingly deepening. In making the estimate for the work at the lime-kilns, the chan nel was located in the best position. This brings it partly in Canadian waters. If this is considered an objection, it can be thrown wholly into American waters, but its cost would be increased sixty per cent. thereby, making total cost $3,930,901. Very respectfully, your obedient servants, C. B. COMSTOCK, Major of Engineers and Bvt. Brig. Gen. G. WEITZEL, Major of Engineers and Bvt. Brig. Gen. Brig. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. ESTIMATE. Ship-canal at Saint Clair Flats. Dredged cut, 7,775 feet long--116, 928 cubic yards, at 25c.... Lake Saint Clair. Dredged cut, 25,000 feet long-673,800 cubic yards, at 35c. Lime-kilns. $29, 232 235, 830 266,578 Rock cut, in 18 feet of water, 2,100 feet long-63,333 cubic yards, at $30...... 1,899, 990 Mouth of Detroit River. Dredging, at intervals for 15,000 feet-211,116 cubic yards, at 50c... 105,558 2,537,188 Add 10 per cent. for contingencies...... 253,719 Total.... 2,790,907 Add 60 per cent., if rock-cut at lime-kilus is wholly in American waters.... 1,139,994 1st Session. No. 82. BERWICK BAY, LOUISIANA. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, IN ANSWER TO A resolution of the House of December 8, 1873, in relation to the examina tion of the channel in Berwick Bay, at the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, within the State of Louisiana. JANUARY 27, 1874.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, January 26, 1874. The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the House of Representatives a report of the Chief of Engineers of the 22d ultimo, from which it appears that it will cost about $5,000 to make the examination of the channel in Berwick Bay, at the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, in the State of Louisiana, directed by the resolution of the 8th ultimo. He therefore concurs in the suggestion of the Chief of Engineers that the examination be postponed until after the passage of the river and harbor act. WM. W. BELKNAP, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, SIR: The officer in charge of river and harbor improvements in the district embracing Berwick Bay reports that to make the examination called for by the accompanying resolution of the House of Representatives will cost about five thousand dollars. The means of making this examination are not provided by the resolution, and as the appropriation from which the funds are generally de rived for this purpose, viz, "" surveys and examinations, and contingen; cies of rivers and harbors," is now reduced to about twenty thousand dollars, it is respectfully submitted whether, under the wording of the resolution, it is not proper to postpone making the examination until the passage of the river and harbor act, which, it is presumed, will pro vide the means for making examinations and surveys ordered by Congress during the present session. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. A. HUMPHREYS, Brigadier-General and Chief of Engineers. The remoral of the north pier of the old railroad bridge of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad at Davenport, Iowa. JANUARY 27, 1874.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, The Secretary of War has the honor to submit to the House of Representatives, for the consideration of the Committee on Commerce, a letter of the Chief of Engineers and accompanying papers, in reference to the removal of the north pier of the old railroad bridge of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad at Davenport, Iowa. WM. W. BELKNAP, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, SIR: The accompanying copy of a communication of the 15th instant, with inclosures, from Col. J. N. Macomb, Corps of Engineers, in ref. erence to the reinoval of the north pier of the old railroad bridge of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad at Davenport, Iowa, is respectfully submitted. A petition signed by the Hon. C. C. Washburn and others for the removal of this pier was referred from the War Department to this office in October last for report, and in reply thereto a letter was submitted from Colonel Macomb, expressing the opinion that the pier should be removed, for the reason that it was a serious obstruction to navigation. This opinion of Colonel Macomb was concurred in by me, and reeived the approval of the Secretary of War. Colonel Macomb was accordingly informed that the removal of the north pier of the old bridge was authorized. It appears from his letter of the 15th instant (herewith) that upon calling the attention of the authorities of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company to the matter, they declined to remove the pier, for the reason that the United States, having intervened to prevent its removal while they were engaged in that work, has relieved them from further obligation in the matter. |