the honor to report as follows concerning the piers, breakwaters, etc., built by the United States in aid of commerce or navigation, and used, occupied, or injured by corporations or individuals. The only work of the above nature now in my charge that will come within the purview of this order are certain of the piers in and about the mouth of Chicago River that have been built from time to time in aid to commerce and navigation. The conditions in relation to these are essentially the same as when reported upon by Major W. H. H. Benyaurd, December 19, 1884. I inclose herewith a tracing showing the location and extent of the piers built by the United States that are now occupied or used by corporations or individuals, with the names of the parties so occupying or using them. To catch the eye conveniently these cribs are tinted yellow. Prior to 1833 the Chicago River approached the lake near the present Illinois Central Railway lands, thence it turned south, and formed an outlet fully half a mile from its present mouth. The first improvement was commenced that year by makinga cut through the sand-bar that had been formed by the action of the waves produced by the northerly winds. This cut gave a straight outlet into the lake. About the same time a pier was constructed on the north side, beginning at a point on the line which is now the center of Pine street, and was about 1,000 feet in length. A pier was also constructed upon the south side of the river parallel to that upon the north side, a portion of which, however, was afterward removed and replaced by a crib structure further back. The two lines were continued eastward into the lake from time to time as appropriations were made therefor. East of the light-house on the north pier a portion of the crib-work was built by the city of Chicago. At some period the Illinois Central Railroad was allowed to cut through the south pier and construct slips A, B, and C, as shown upon the tracing. During all these years the process of accumulation has been going on behind these piers, and by various processes much valuable land has become available for commercial and manufacturing purposes. A large amount of capital is invested here in these interests. The shore-line has moved far into the lake and the natural features of the situation entirely changed. EXTENT OF CRIB-WORK OCCUPIED. The crib work on the north side of the river is entirely occupied by corporations and individuals, except the easterly 170 feet, which was built by the United States in 1859 for the foundation of the light-house. Commencing at the western end, the following is a list of occupants and the length of frontage occupied : On the south side the United States crib work, on the westerly end for a distance of 270 feet, has been partially replaced by a substantial stone dock, with fender piling, built by the city of Chicago; thence easterly to Slip A the United States work has been reinforced by piling backed with sheeting. The following is a list of occupants and the length of frontage ocen pied: The remaining portion of this south pier is reserved, as noted upon the tracing, for Government use. It is devoted generally to the storage of stone that is to be used for filling cribs. The superstructure of these occupied cribs is, with the exception of one or two places, in need of general repairs, but the substructure, so far as I can ascertain, is in good condition, and there is every reason to believe that if let alone it will remain so for an indefinite time. As an aid to navigation this work has accomplished well the object for which it was constructed, and since it is backed up by land now occupied by permanent buildings and industries it will continue to subserve this purpose equally as well as when first built, irrespective of the condition of the superstructure. No amount of money spent upon repairs to the superstructure of these cribs will be of any benefit to nav igation in Chicago River. If the parties owning the abutting land and using these cribs desire the superstructure to be repaired in and of their own interests and industries, they should be permitted to do this in their own way and at their own expense. The portion of the south pier reserved for Government use will before long need some repairs. This of course should be done at the Govern ment expense. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. II. HANDBURY, Major, Corps of Engineers. Chief of Engineers, U. S. A. Brig. Gen. J. C. DUANE, REPORTS OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL O. M. POE, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 1. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, Detroit, Mich., December 13, 1886. SIR Referring to section 4 of "An act making appropriations for the construction, repair, and preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes," approved August 5, 1886, and in accordance with directions conveyed by General Orders No. 6, |
