6.-SURVEY OF THE HARBOR OF FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. This survey was authorized by the act of Congress approved March 3, 1873, and was, as stated in the act, made with a view to the removal of rocks from this harbor. This survey was conducted by my assistant, Mr. J. P. Cotton, civil engineer, and his report, with a map, is submitted herewith, to which special attention is invited for complete details of the work. The survey extends along the harbor front about 1,500 feet, between Rodman's wharf and Brown's wharf, and out to the curve of 14 feet depth at mean low water. The most obvious obstructions in this space are bowlder rocks of all sizes up to several tons' weight; but besides these the surface on which they lie is too shoal and requires dredging. We have made an estimate for the removal of the rocks and the dredging separately, and also for a few dolphins to mark out the channel when improved and to guide and aid vessels in getting in and out. The improved channel thus to be provided is to be 12 feet deep at mean low water, and 100 feet wide at the narrowest parts, widening out at each end, where it joins the main channel. Fall River City is a most important commercial place, and too well known to need special mention here. It is a port of entry, and the amount of revenue collected in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, was $212,491.42. Very respectfully, G. K. WARREN, Major Engineers, Brt. Maj. Gen., U. S. A. ENGINEER OFFICE UNITED STATES ARMY, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report on the “survey of the harbor of Fall River, Massachusetts, for the removal of rocks therefrom," made in accordance with your instructions: In July I visited Fall River and conferred with the parties who had been instremental in having this survey ordered, to learn their idea of the obstructions. From this conference and a reconnaissance I found that a survey of that part of the harbor between Rodman's wharf and Brown's wharf, and the curve of 14 feet depth at mean low water, would include all the obstructions and would be all that was necessary to determine the improvements to be considered. The field-work of this survey was commenced on the 5th and completed on the 15th of September. The survey extends along the harbor front about 1,500 feet, and out to 14 feet depth at mean low water. It was conducted in the usual manner by running a line along the shore. Important buildings and wharves were located by angles and distances. Inaccessible points were fixed by angles taken at each end of a measured base line. The position of every station used as an instrument station that had been fixed by triangulation was verified by repeating all of the angles of the triangle. All of the soundings were located by the intersection of lines of sight from each end of a base line on shore, the angle that these lines made with the base being measured with a transit. When I went to Fall River to commence the survey I expected to find an established low-water plane with a known reference to the city levels. I consulted the city engineer and the engineer of the water-works, but neither of them knew anything about the low-water plane, and the city engineer was quite sure that no observations had been made by the city. I then did what seemed best in view of the short time I should be engaged on the survey, and that was to observe the high and low waters during the progress of the work, and from those days when the tides were least disturbed by winds or storms to establish an approximate mean low water. On three days of good weather the high-water readings were 6.0 feet, 5.9 feet, and 5.8 feet; the corresponding low waters were 1.7 feet, 1.0 feet, and 0.9 feet. Mean sea level from these readings was 2.35 feet on the gauge, and the mean rise and fall for these three days 7.1 feet. The mean rise and fall given by the United States Coast Survey is 4.7 feet. The observations taken were at the time of spring tides, but the difference in rise and fall is too great to be charged to this alone. I have, however, assumed that mean sea level on those days was the same as that of the United States Coast Survey, and from it have subtracted one-half the rise and fall as given by the Coast Survey for mean low water, and to this plane have reduced the soundings. The depth of that part of the harbor surveyed varies from 6 to 14 feet at mean low water. The bottom, which is of gravel with bowlders and a small amount of sand, is in many places covered with bowlders varying in size from "pavers" to two tons' Weight, and an occasional one of several tons. The shoalest portion, which lies in a line about west-southwest from the south side of Massasoit-Mill wharf, is known as "the ledge." The outer point of this shoal is buoyed in about 12 feet at mean low water to warn vessels passing up and down the Taunton River. To the north of this shoal there is from 8 to 14 feet of water, obstructed only by an occasional bowlder, some of them rising as much as five feet above the bottom. None of these bowlders are bnoyed, and the location of but few of them is well enough known to enable them to be found readily. One opposite the Fall River Coal Company's wharf, on which several vessels have struck within the past two years, could not be pointed out with sufficient definiteness to enable me to find it without considerable search. The removal of all the bonlders, and the dredging out of the shoal would be necessary to auswer fully the demands of navigation interests. I have estimated for a channel 100 feet in width and 12 feet deep at mean-low water, to run nearly parallel with the wharfs of the Massasoit Mills and Fall River Coal Company, and 50 feet from them; from the southwest corner of the Massasoit Mill wharf to carve to the southwest, and gradually increase in width until the 12-foot curve is reached, where it is to be 300 feet wide; from a point opposite the wharf of the Fall River Coal Company, it is to curve to the northwest, and to be 300 feet in width where it joins the 12-foot curve. This channel properly buoyed, I think, will meet the preseat wants, and prevent many, if not all of the disasters now so frequent. Instead of using buoys I would put in dolphins along this channel, at intervals of about 100 feet, and alternate sides; these would answer the double purpose of marking the chanLei and serving to warp to in adverse winds. The depth of channel estimated for is as great as could be obtained without largely Ireasing the estimate, and it is thought that this depth, (12 feet,) with the rise of file (4.7) will admit any vessel likely to be engaged in coastwise trade for some time to come. My reasons for locating the channel 50 feet from the front of the wharfs are: 1st. There are often several vessels lying at a wharf waiting to discharge; if the channel was immediately in front of the wharves it would, in such a case, be partially blocked, and questions as to the right of way would be constantly arising. 24. The foundation of some of the wharves is on the present bottom; should the depth alongside be increased there would be danger of undermining and throwing hem down. There is now in a large part of the proposed channel 12 feet of water at mean-low Water, where all that is required is the removal of the scattering bowlders. It is tought that most of these bowlders can be weighed with proper apparatus. There was bat one found that will require to be blasted. The cost of removing these bowlders it is difficult to estimate. In sounding, only a all number of those that will have to be removed were found, and the size of only the larger ones of those found were estimated. If the improvement is made the proposed channel should be buoyed, and all the bowlders within its limits taken up. This could be done only with the aid of divers. I estimate the cost of removing the bowldfrom the proposed channel at $10,000. The dredging of the channel to 12 feet depth at mean-low water will require the removal of 30,400 cubic yards. Dredging at the wharves in Fall River costs about $1 per cubic yard, and I think this can be done at that price. I have collected the following data concerning the amount of merchandise received and shipped during the year ending November 1, 1873, at the wharves in that part of the harbor of Fall River included in this survey: Value of merchandise carried by Providence steam-packet, $5,000,000; number of arrivals and departures exclusive of the steam-packet, about 700; number that have struck on the obstructions, 45. Of this number about one-half received serious damage. One loaded with lime ran on a rock at high-water, and when the tide fell she keeled over and filled. The lime caught fire and the vessel and cargo were nearly a total loss. So many vessels have struck during the past two years that it is difficult to charter vessels to bring coal here. Fall River Harbor possesses extra facilities for navigation. It is a part of Mount Hope Bay, an arm of Narragansett Bay, and is seldom obstructed. The bay is wide so that vessels can beat up to town. Fall River in 1870 had about 27,000 inhabitants and is increasing in population very rapidly. It now ranks first in the United States in the extent of its cotton manufacturing interest. It is a port of entry. The amount of revenue collected during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1873, was $212.491.42. Accompanying this report is a map on a scale of 100 feet to 1 inch, of that part of the harbor surveyed, with the wharves north and south in dotted lines taken from the city map. Mean low water, to which the soundings on this map were reduced is-feet below the top of ring bolt in the cap of Slade's wharf, about 60 feet from the northwest corner on the north side. I was assisted in this survey by Clarence L. Howes and Wm. F. Hill, civil engineers. Respectfully submitted. G. K. WARREN, J. P. COTTON, Civil Engineer Assistant in charge of Survey. Major of Engineers and Bvt. Maj. Gen., U. S. A. 7.-SURVEY OF POINT JUDITH LAKE, RHODE ISLAND. This survey was made in accordance with the act of Congress for rivers and harbors approved March 3, 1873. This survey was specially conducted by my assistant, Mr. C. R. Mather, civil engineer, and his report in detail, and a map on a scale of 200 feet to the inch is sent herewith. This lake, usually called pond, is one of several formed by a sand beach thrown by the waves between Point Judith and high-land lying west of it. It is about 3,000 feet average width, and 20,000 feet long, receiving the drainage of an area of about twenty-five square miles. The level of the pond at the time of the survey was about 44 feet above mean low water in the ocean. The water in the pond is mostly fresh, and escapes at nearly all times of tide through a narrow crooked outlet through near the western side of the pond. At very high tides and high waves salt water finds its way into the pond through the outlet and over the low ground contiguous to it. This opening, I believe, is never entirely closed by the beach sand, though it has narrowed so much that large fish do not enter it as numerously as in former times. There is probably no danger of its ever closing, as the head of water and the area drained are sufficient to always find an outlet. From the 6-feet curve in the ocean to where the pond is 6 feet deep is a distance of 7,500 feet, and if a canal and lock were practicable this would be the length of the canal required to give 6 feet depth. If it were practicable to establish a permanent outlet, so as to allow the tide to enter the pond freely, and preserve its mean level the same as the ocean, the pond would be lowered 4 feet, and the distance from the curve of 6 feet depth in the ocean to the same depth in the pond would become 8,000 feet, and this would represent the length of the canal to be cut. This latter arrangement would render the pond valuable for raising oysters, and for such fish as prefer salt water estuaries, but the fresh water pond is probably more valuable for the herring fishery. To secure any artificial enlargement of the outlet, extensive stone jetties would be required on each side to prevent the opening being filled with the sand, and even these, unless of very great extent, would be of doubtful effect, for the beach is composed of shifting sand, exposed to the full force of the ocean waves. The village of Wakefield is situated at the head of this pond, and if Vessels of moderate draught could be made to reach it, the people would be much benefited, but the cost of making suitable works to effect this would be so great that nothing but the commerce of a great city like New York would justify the attempt. There an artificial harbor costing millions could be afforded, and only under its shelter could the beach be kept permanently open. I therefore submit no estimate for improve ment. Very respectfully, G. K. WARREN, Major Engineers, Brt. Maj. Genl., U. S. A. ENGINEER OFFICE UNITED STATES ARMY, Newport, R. I., December 19, 1872, SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith a report upon a survey and examination of the southern portion and outlet of Point Judith Pond, Rhode Island, together with the suggestions for establishing navigable communication with the pond and ocean. In accordance with your instructions I repaired with the party in my charge to Point Judith Pond, on August 2, 1873, and commenced the survey of the pond and outlet on August 4, 1873, completing it on the 27th of that same month. Before describing the survey proper I will endeavor to give an outline of the position and extent of the pond, together with some description of its feeders and watershed. The Point Judith Pond lies in a comparatively large basin, being bounded on the east by that crest of hills running northward along the west shore of Narragansett Bay, and turning inland near Narragansett Pier, and bounded on the west side by that slope of country running to the westward which forms the east side of the watershed of the Pawcatuck River, and the numerous ponds located on the southern shore of Rhode Island. The southern limit of the pond commences at a distance of some 2,000 to 4,000 feet from the ocean, and extends northward about four miles, to within one half of a mile of the village of Wakefield. It here narrows practically to a brook, known as the Saugatucset River, which extends northward some five miles, having for feeders two small branches named Indian River and Rocky Brook. The Saugatucset and branches drain that portion of the country lying some five |