Abstract of bids for material for improving Vicksburg Harbor, opened December 23, 1887.

Contracts were made with W. L. Killebrew, of Memphis, for brush and stone, and with Elisha Evins, of Memphis, Tenn., for braces and stringers. Piles were bought in open market.

The dam and dike were constructed by day's labor, the plant belonging to the United States being used.

Work was begun on February 1, and suspended and plant returned to Wilson's Point on April 16, 1888. At this time the dam was finished and the dike for a distance of 4,000 feet, all that was expected this season. A gap was left in the dike 100 feet wide to accommodate steamers. In this report and on map the dam and dike are called Dikes Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.

During the construction of Dike No. 1 and Dike No. 2, much delay was caused by the tardiness of the contractors, and both brush and stone had to be purchased in open market to avoid a great increase of expense. In both cases, however, the price paid was the same as the contract price, so that no deductions were made on this account from the contractor. An increase in the tow bill was, however, deducted from the contractor's estimate.

During the progress of the work the following was the average force employed: January, 13 men; February, 101; March, 114; April, 50. The force in January was employed in repairs to plant. The following plant was also used: 1 steamer, 2 quarterboats, 22 barges, 6 pile-drivers, 4 flats, 10 skiffs, and 2 yawls.

The Dike No. 1 was constructed of three parallel rows of piles, driven in each row 8 feet apart. The distance between the rows was 5 and 11 feet. Each row was fastened longitudinally by stringers spiked and wired, and braces connected the three rows similarly fastened. These were placed near the top of the piles and also about halfway between the top and surface of the ground. The space between the rows 5 feet apart was filled with fascines of brush, with stone ballasting to hold it in position. The brush forms about five-sevenths of the filling and stone two-sevenths; in addition, both these rows were woven or wattled with brush. This dike now stands at an elevation to top of piles of 45 feet on Vicksburg gauge, about 3 feet higher than the average level of De Soto Island. It is in good condition, except that the heavy filling has settled, and the dam must eventually be still further raised.

Dike No. 2, intended rather as a screen, was lightly built of one row of piles 8 feet apart and wattled. This row was then braced to a second row 16 feet distant, in which the piles were 16 feet apart. Stringers are used in each row, and every second pile in first row braced to a pile in second row. Two breaks have occurred in this dike or screen, one caused by drift and the other by a steamer. It will be necessary to extend this dike some 2,000 feet further. The material dredged has been placed along the base of the dam and dike, and it is hoped that as the canal is dredged to gradually build earthen dams of the material.

The cost of Dike No. 1 was $20,388.86, or $7.28 per linear foot. The cost of Dike No. 2 (or screen), $6,858.70, or $1.71 per linear foot.

Dredging was begun on March 13, the river not having reached a sufficiently high stage until that date. The dredge has been constantly at work since, and has removed to May 31, 140,877 cubic yards, measured in situ. I inclose herewith drawings showing the work done to date.

The contractor was ordered to excavate to 18 feet on gauge at Vicksburg, giving land side slope the same as the bank had before deposit, about two-fifths, and on the

island side one-fifth, with bottom width of 100 feet; up to June 1 two cuts have been made the full length of the canal, giving a width of 75 feet. The sides have held a steeper slope than the one proposed thus far. After the completion of the dike work, and during dredging, the river rose steadily until it reached an elevation of 44.2 feet on gauge, April 26. It then fell rapidly until May 22, when it stood at 27 feet; since this time it has risen slowly, standing on June 1, 32.5 feet.

During the rise constant and careful observations were made on the currents in the area inclosed by dikes. Early in the rise a current came in at the proposed mouth of the canal, bringing the sediment-laden water of the river, but was not found further in than the compress. With extreme high water this current increased in velocity, and could be traced to Dike No. 1. No current could be detected through the gap left in Dike No. 2, except that due to wind. Much drift, however, came into the harbor this way.

After the water came to a stand, the pulsation due to the eddy at the mouth of the canal was noticed, and later on a falling river, the current set outward. All of these currents were more powerful than required for merely filling and emptying the basin.

The following deposits were found to have taken place on the canal site during the past year:

making a total fill over the site of the proposed canal of 51,158 cubic yards.

After the works are complete and the dikes made, if possible, water-tight, I do not think the deposit will be much in excess of my calculations, say between 26,000 and 27,000 cubic yards per year.

Obstructions that were not known to exist have been discovered on the line of the canal, such as wrecked barges, which will have to be removed.

I would recommend that a dredging outfit be purchased out of the next appropriation, as it will be needed annually and the dredging can be done cheaper in that way than by contract.

No work has been done at Delta Point, but several slips have occurred in the bank above the revetment, and it will be necessary to extend the work up-stream if the channel remains as it is. To make this point secure the bank should be protected above the mouth of the Yazoo River.

A reference to the map will show that a long line of bank is now caving above the revetment heretofore built. Four caves have taken place, as shown. These pockets have filled during the high water, but extensive caving along this whole line of bank may be looked for during the next low-water season.

Herewith is a financial statement and an itemized statement of cost.

Detailed statement of cost of dikes.

DIKE NO. 1 (2,800 FEET LONG, THREE ROWS PILES, FILLING, ETC.).

DIKE NO. 2 (4,000 FEET LONG, TWO ROWS PILES WATTLED, ETC.).

Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1890 200.000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1566 and 1867,