To complete the improvement of this harbor both piers should be extended, the north 512 feet, and the south 608 feet, beyond what is proposed for this season's work, which would cost $70,000. The sharp angle on the south side of the channel should be cut away as indicated in the accompanying sketch, and the channel bank should be reveted; which would cost $9,000. On the sketch the finished work is shown in black, the proposed work for this season in red, and the work for which a new appropriation must be made, if it is to be done, in blue. Manistee is in the collection district of Michigan, and nearest port of entry is Grand Haven. The nearest light-house in operation is at Grand Point au Sable, twenty miles south of Manistee. Statement of vessels entered and cleared Manistee Harbor, in the district of Michigan, during the year 1868, showing the numbers, tonnage, crew, and cargoes. During the past fiscal year the north pier was extended 128 feet, and the superstructure of the south pier was completed. During the present season it is proposed to carry out the north pier, which work will exhaust the amount on hand for improving this harbor, $32,590 26. Abstract of contract for improving harbor at Père Marquette-Patrick M. Danaher. Timber.-Pine 12 inches square, per lineal foot.. Piles.-Elm or Norway pine, per lineal foot... For plank and scantling, per 1,000 feet, (board measure) For stone, per cord, (128 cubic feet). For brush and slabs, per cord, (128 cubic feet). For framing, including placing, filling, and sinking of cribs, and leveling bottom, per lineal foot of timber used in construction For driving piles, per lineal foot of pile driven $0 121 08 18 00 041 13 98 1 49 14 12 This is a most important harbor, and when the improvements proposed by Colonel Wheeler shall have been completed, will be the best harbor of refuge on east shore of Lake Michigan between Grand Haven and Traverse Bay. All of the slab pier on the south side of the entrance to the harbor should be removed and dredged out to the red line shown on accompanying sketch. This would cost $52,000. After the funds for this season's work were allotted there was no time for advertising, so a contract was made with Patrick M. Danaher, who has been the actual contractor for all the previous work done at this harbor at the above prices. Père Marquette is in the collection district of Michigan. The nearest port of entry is Grand Haven, and the nearest light-house is at Grand Point au Sable. Statement of vessels entered and cleared at Père Marquette, and showing the number and kind of import and export from June 1, 1868, to June 30, 1869. The number of arrivals and departures is about 600, including sail and steam. The work done during the past fiscal year was the extending of the south pier 256 feet, and dredging 22,632 cubic yards of earth from between the piers. In consequence of there being no north pier the channel filled up during the winter, so that there was only a depth of water six feet last spring where ten was reported last autumn. The citizens at their own expense dredged out a channel last spring to a depth of ten feet, and there is now building a north pier 600 feet in length, as shown in blue in accompanying sketch. To complete the improvement of this harbor the south side of entrance, where the revetment is of slabs, should be dredged away as far as shown by red line in the accompanying sketch. This would cost $40,000. Owing to want of time for advertising, this work, except the furnishing of stone, was let at an open letting. Robert Rogers is the contractor for the season's work at the following prices, which are very reasonable: Abstract of contract for improving harbor at Pentwater, Michigan—Robert Rogers, contractor. For furnishing and framing timbers and bolting, and putting in place, per thousand, board measure, $17. For furnishing piles and capping pieces, driving piles, and putting on capping pieces, per pile used in construction, $4. For furnishing piles and putting them in pier, per cord, $1 50. For taking stone from place of deposit and putting them in pier, per cord, $2 50. Abstract of bids received and opened June 4, 1869, for furnishing stone at Pentwater. The contract for furnishing the stone was awarded to C. Fitzsimons, at $12 89 per cord. During the gales of last fall and winter the south pier suffered severely. The superstructure for 32 feet from outer end of pier was carried away, and the adjoining superstructure much damaged. The whole pier has settled very badly, and will require considerable work and expense to repair it. These necessary repairs, together with the building of 600 feet of pier on north side, form the proposed work for the season, and will exhaust the balance yet unexpended on July 1, 1869, ($25,297 55.) Pentwater is in the collection district of Michigan, and the nearest port of entry is Grand Haven, sixty miles distant. The nearest lighthouse is at Grand Point au Sable. Statement of vessels entered and cleared Pentwater Harbor, in the district of Michigan, during the year 1868, showing the numbers, crews, tonnage, and cargoes. MOUTH OF WHITE RIVER, MICHIGAN. No work except the driving of a few piles was done during the past fiscal year. * * * * This harbor is in the worst condition of any under my charge. During the winter much of the new channel has been filled up. Until the channel through the new cut is dredged out and the pier to protect it is built, commerce is greatly impeded. None but vessels drawing less than six feet can enter White Lake. It is proposed for this season's work to dredge out the channel to a depth of ten feet, and protect it by pier carried out to the six-feet curve, and early next spring to complete the pier extension to the twelve-feet curve. Should the weather be good, the north pier may be carried out to the twelve-feet curve during the coming autumn. A pile driver is now being built for this harbor, and will be completed early in August. It is believed that this work can be done more economically by hired labor, worked under the immediate supervision of the officer in charge of the work, than by the contract system, the materials being purchased in open market. So far the prices paid for material have been more than ten per cent. less than any prices obtained by advertising for proposals, besides securing a much better class of materials. The amount on hand and in the United States treasury available for this work will be entirely exhausted during the present fiscal year, and to fully complete this harbor, giving a channel at least twelve feet deep, . and extending the piers to the fifteen-feet curve, will require an additional sum of $50,000, which amount can be profitably expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. White River is in the district of Michigan, and the nearest port of entry is Grand Haven. The nearest light-house is at Muskegon, twelve miles distant. Statement of vessels entered and cleared White River Harbor, in the district of Michigan, during the year 1868, showing the numbers, tonnage, crews, and cargoes. Two cribs (32 feet by 20 feet) were placed on the north pier extension, and one (32 feet by 32 feet) on the end of south pier, and the superstructure on both piers completed. The contracts for this season's work were let to Hasbrouck & Conro for timber and iron bolts, and to Granville D. Jennings for framing and stone. Abstract of bids received and opened January 10, 1869, for improving harbor at Muskegon, Michigan. *"Putting stone in cribs" constitutes a part of the labor of "framing," and the cost thereof is to be included in the total cost of framing. † Per cubic yard. Abstract of bids received and opened February 23, 1869, for improving harbor at Muskegon. Abstract of contracts for improving harbor at Muskegon, Michigan. Stone, per cord. $11 98 13 45 14 50 14 00 18 00 14 49 13 76 12 90 13 95 Price. $0 13 4 11 12 90 During the present working season the north pier will be extended 320 feet, and the south pier will be filled with stone ballast. A break where the south crib pier joins the slab pier will be repaired. It will be necessary to repair the slab piering interior of the crib pier, to do which the slabs should be removed to one foot below the water surface, and a crib superstructure should be built, which will cost $28,000. Unless this work is done there will be continual trouble arising from breaches, and consequently filling up of the channel between the piers. The slab pier burnt down to the water's edge in some places, which renders a breach all the more likely. As to the further extension of the piers into the lake, I would respectfully suggest that before making any extension the effect of the present season's work be observed. The bars move out as fast as the piers are extended. Muskegon is in the collection district of Michigan, and the nearest port of entry is Grand Haven, twelve miles south. It has a small light-house, with lights of sixth order. Statement of vessels entered and cleared Muskegon Harbor, in the district of Michigan, during the year 1868, showing the number, tonnage, crews, and cargoes. |