572 Al^NUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1916. 



which the records show to be materially increasing in commerce. 

 Most of these streams have depths of 20 feet or over and furnish ship 

 channels of considerable importance. In general, the tendencies on 

 the other rivers in this vicinity is to a decrease in commerce. 



The Mystic Eiver was originally 14 feet deep in its lower portion, 

 of about two miles, but was increased in depth to 25 feet by the pro- 

 visions of the project of 1899, at a cost of $136,000. The latest proj- 

 ect, that of 1910, provides for an increase to 30 feet depth, at an 

 additional cost of $172,000. The commerce of the river was originally 

 incorporated in that of Boston Harbor, but in 1905 was 2,841,007 

 tons; 1910, 3,245,630 tons; and in 1912, 3,671,242 tons, valued at 

 $16,000,000, 90 per cent of which was coal. This harbor is fairly 

 representative of those of its kind in this region and shows present 

 tendencies. 



Providence Eiver is only about 8 miles long, but is an estuary 

 of much importance. Its original channel depth of less than 9 feet 

 is now deepened to 25 feet, and the area of deep anchorage enor- 

 mously increased. The latest projects, those of 1910 to 1913, provide 

 for a 30-foot depth of channel and a deepening of the anchorages, at 

 a total estimated cost of about $1,500,000. A new restriction, how- 

 ever, is now included; that before work can be begun the State of 

 Rhode Island and city of Providence shall complete their proposed 

 public terminals and other harbor works, at a cost of $2,000,000. 

 Already the Government has spent $1,324,000 on previous work. 

 The commerce in 1895 was 1,643,700 tons; 1900, 2,823,308 tons; 1905, 

 2,259,173 tons; 1910, 3,814,982 tons; and 1913, 4,585,364 tons. Com- 

 merce by water is chiefly coal. The requirements of the United States 

 Government that local interests shall share in the expense of harbor 

 work is a new and increasing feature of great interest. 



The Hudson was one of the earliest rivers of the country to be 

 improved by the Government. Work began even before 1822 by the 

 State of New York, at which time the Erie Canal was opened, and 

 in 1823 the Erie and Champlain both emptied into the pool created by 

 the State dam at Troy, finished about that year. In the beginning 

 the river was shallow in places and not over 4-foot depth existed 

 over some shoals. Work by the United States began in 1834. At 

 present a channel exists that affords a 39-foot draft from the sea up 

 through the harbor of New York to the city wharves in the lower 

 portion of the river and from there 30-foot depth can be found up- 

 stream for 93 miles and 24-foot for 24 miles farther. The upper 

 stretch of 39 miles is limited to 9-foot draft except between Albany 

 and New Baltimore, where 11 feet is available. This work has been 

 completed many years and has cost about $5,500,000. The newest 

 project, that of 1910, provides for 12-foot depth in the upper 39 

 miles, necessitating a new lock and dam near the old State dam and 



