Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. 3,000.00 3,000.00 Abstract of proposals for constructing a pile dike and dredging at the mouth of Goshen Creek, New Jersey, opened March 10, 1897, by Maj. Č. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers. Contract (dated March 15, 1897) entered into with Frank C. Somers. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Arrivals and departures of vessels for the years ending December 31, 1895 and 1896. During the past fiscal year 3 wrecks have been removed under the authority of the act of Congress approved June 14, 1880. In May, 1896, the two-masted schooner Palestine, with a cargo of oysters, struck on the outer bar of Great Egg Harbor Inlet, New Jersey, sprung aleak, and sank in the channel. The wreck being considered a dangerous obstruction to navigation, its removal was recommended. In May, 1896, while entering Great Egg Harbor Inlet, New Jersey, the three-masted schooner Alice Bell, with a cargo of ice, was sunk in the channel. The wreck being considered a dangerous obstruction to navigation, its removal was recommended. Under date of September 5, 1896, a contract was entered into with Somers S. Van Sant for removal of the above wrecks for the sum of $265. The removal of the wrecks was completed in September, 1896. In October, 1896, the barge Our Little Harry, loaded with sand, was sunk in the channel of the Delaware River opposite the eastern end of · League Island. The wreck being a dangerous obstruction to navigation, its removal was recommended. Under date of January 28, 1897, a contract was entered into with John L. Mills for removal of the wreck for the sum of $627. The work was completed in March, 1897. In September, 1895, the three masted schooner Lottie K. Friend, with a cargo of coal, was sunk in Delaware Bay, in collision with another vessel, about 14 miles west from Ship John Light. The wreck being considered a dangerous obstruction to navigation, its removal was recommended. Under date of February 18, 1897, a contract was entered into with Thomas Poynter and Elijah D. Register for the removal of the wreck for the sum of $1,100. The work of removal of this wreck has not yet been completed. The amount expended during the past fiscal year upon removal of wrecks is $1,403.58. Abstract of proposals for removal of wrecks of schooners Palestine and Alice Bell, lying in Great Egg Harbor Inlet, New Jersey, opened August 31, 1896, by Maj. C. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers. Contract (dated September 5, 1896) entered into with Somers S. Van Sant. Price. $737 1,374 1,785 724 265 Abstract of proposals for removal of wreck of barge Our Little Harry, lying in the Delaware River opposite the eastern end of League Island, opened January 20, 1897, by Maj. C. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers. Contract (dated January 28, 1897) entered into with John L. Mills. Price. $640 629 735 627 Abstract of proposals for removal of wreck of schooner Lottie K. Friend, lying in the Delaware River near the foot of Bombay Hook Point Shoal, opened February 8, 1897, by Maj. C. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers. Contract (dated February 18, 1897) entered into with Thomas Poynter and Elijah D. Register. In progress. CONTRACT IN FORCE, WITH NAME OF CONTRACTOR, DATE OF APPROVAL, OF BEGINNING WORK, AND EXPIRATION. With Thomas Poynter and Elijah D. Register, of Lewes, Del., dated February 18 and approved February 27, 1897, for the removal of the wreck of the schooner Lottie K. Friend. To be commenced on or before February 25, 1897, and completed on or before April 25, 1897, which time was extended to July 25, 1897. G 14. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF BARNEGAT BAY, NEW JERSEY, [Printed in House Doc. No. 115, Fifty-fourth Congress, second session.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, SIR: I have the honor to submit the accompanying copy of report, dated October 31, 1896, by Maj. Charles W. Raymond, Corps of Engi neers, upon preliminary examination which the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896, directed to be made of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, "between Mantoling [Mantoloking] and Bay Head.” Major Raymond is of the opinion that the waterway under examination is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. While the cost of improvement desired would be small, the conditions are not such, in my opinion, as to warrant the carrying out of such work at the expense of the United States. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. P. CRAIGHILL, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers. Hon. DANIEL S. LAMONT, Secretary of War. REPORT OF MAJ. C. W. RAYMOND, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: In compliance with instructions contained in Department letter dated June 16, 1896, I have the honor to submit the following report upon a preliminary examination of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, between Mantoling and Bay Head, in accordance with a provision of the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896. The name Mantoling is not found on any of the maps, but it is presumed that the point referred to is the small town of Mantoloking, which is on Barnegat Bay, 2 miles south of Bay Head, and is shown on the accompanying sketch.* This locality was examined under my direction during September, 1896, by First Lieut. Spencer Cosby, Corps of Engineers. The following extracts from his report, dated September 9, 1896, give full information concerning the character and commerce of the locality and the extent of the improvement desired: Barnegat Bay itself is a shallow body of water extending along the eastern coast of New Jersey. The town of Bay Head is at its northern extremity, and at its other extremity, 20 miles or more to the south, it merges into a number of smaller bays and thoroughfares. It is of varying width, averaging, perhaps, 2 miles, and is separated from the Atlantic Ocean only by a long, narrow tongue of sand from 200 to 1,000 yards wide. Barnegat Inlet is the only break through this, and provides a navigable waterway from the bay to the ocean. At the southern extremity of the bay there is also a connection with the Atlantic through Little Egg Harbor and New Inlet, 22 miles south of Barnegat Inlet. Oysters, clams, and fish of various kinds are found in the bay in great abundance and are fished for and transported by a large number of small sailing boats, few of *Not printed. which draw over 4 feet of water. These boats also carry considerable quantities of hay and occasionally lumber, vegetables, and small quantities of other merchandise. This constitutes about all the commerce of the bay, though a large number of small pleasure craft also ply its waters. That part of the bay covered by the present examination is the extreme northern part between Bay Head and the bridge which crosses from the mainland to Mantoloking. From this point to Barnegat Inlet there is a good channel for small boats with a least depth of 4 feet at mean low water. The bridge at Mantoloking has a draw 40 feet wide, with ample depth through it. From here to Herring Island, a mile to the north, the bay has a width of from one-fourth to one-half mile. There is a passage 100 yards wide on each side of the island, and then to Bay Head the bay is greatly widened by the Metedeconk River, which flows into it from the west. The commercial interests of this locality, present and prospective, do not appear to be of sufficient magnitude to justify any expenditure for its improvement, especially as further expenditures for maintenance would doubtless be necessary in the future. I am therefore of the opinion that the waterway under examination is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. W. P. CRAIGHILL, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. G 15. C. W. RAYMOND, Major, Corps of Engineers. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF TUCKERTON CREEK, NEW JERSEY, AND FLATS AT MOUTH THEREOF. [Printed in House Doc. No. 123, Fifty-fourth Congress, second session.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, D. C., December 3, 1896. SIR: I have the honor to submit the accompanying copy of report, dated November 16, 1896, by Maj. Chas. W. Raymond, Corps of Engineers, giving the results of a preliminary examination of Tuckerton Creek and flats at mouth thereof, New Jersey, made to comply with the terms of the river and harbor act of June 3, 1896. Major Raymond expresses the opinion that this stream is worthy of improvement by the General Government, and I concur with him to the extent of advising a survey, estimated to cost $400, upon the results of which a more reliable opinion can be formed as to the scope of the improvement justified by the commerce involved. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. DANIEL S. LAMONT, W. P. CRAIGHILL, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers. Secretary of War. REPORT OF MAJ. C. W. RAYMOND, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Philadelphia, Pa., November 16, 1896. GENERAL: In compliance with instructions contained in Department letter dated June 16, 1896, I have the honor to submit the following report upon a preliminary examination of Tuckerton Creek, New Jer |