REPORTS ON TORONTO HARBOUR. 



29 



It will be observed that a large item in the above estimate is 

 involved by the proposed enlargement of the present entrance to a 

 full width of 600 feet of deep water; that although 400 feet might 

 suffice and reduce the first cost about three thousand pounds, yet 

 the increased and permanent advantages resulting from the en- 

 larged entrance, would I am inclined to think warrant the addi- 

 tional expenditure. Since you do not at present require detailed 

 plans and estimates of the proposed works, I have deemed it un- 

 necessary to prepare them. I may, however, again refer to the 

 fact that I have in my possession charts and other documents 

 bearing upon the question before you, and although they are the 



bases upon which the opinions now submitted have been formed, 

 as they have been prepared at great labour and expense, and are 

 of some value to me, I have refrained from attaching them to this 

 Report. 



If, however, you should desire to examine them, I shall be most 

 happy to attend at any appointed time, and submit them to your 

 inspection. 



I have the honour to be, Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



SANDFORD FLEMING. 

 Toronto, May 4, 1S54. 



REPORT 

 ON THE MEANS TO BE ADOPTED 



EOR THE 



PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT 



OF THE 



HARBOUR OF TORONTO, 



BY KIVAS-TULLY, ESQUIRE, PROVINCIAL SURVEYOR. 



[The Third Premium of Fifty Pounds teas awarded to the author of 

 this Report.~\ 



The opinions of the several professional and scientific persons 

 who have previously written on this subject, are so widely differ- 

 ent, that, to discuss each separately, would far exceed the limits 

 of a report of this description, and which, for all practical pur- 

 poses, cannot be considered necessary. The present intention, 

 therefore, is to condense the subject as much as possible, consistent 

 with a due explanation of the means to be recommended, founded 

 on the most reliable data. 



It is proposed to divide the report into two heads, one on the 

 Preservation, the other on the Improvement of the Harbour ; 

 the expense necessary for preserving the Harbour, as it will be 

 shown, being far less than that which may be required for its im- 

 provement. 



Previous to entering on the discussion of the subject, it is neces- 

 sary to remark, that the construction and extension of the Queen's 

 "Wharf was the most advisable course that could be followed here- 

 tofore, both for the preservation as well as the improvement of the 

 Harbour, and must be a source of much satisfaction to those who 

 recommended its construction originally, and were afterwards in- 

 strumental in carrying the project out — to think that, up to the 

 present time, there has been no useless expenditure, a result that 

 cannot always be avoided even by the most experienced persons. 



1st. The preservation of the Harbour. 



In order to form a correct opinion, it is necessary to inquire 

 into the causes of the original formation and increase of the Pen- 

 insula, forming its southern boundary. 



Sir Richard Bonnj'castle, in his report in 1834, in reference to 

 this subject, states — 



" The Peninsula, opposite the southern face of the city of To- 

 ronto, appears to me a much more ancient formation than is gene- 

 rally imagined; it is composed of sand in various states of cohe- 

 sion, the surface being usually disintegrated, and increasing only 

 in firmness aud tenacity as it increases in depth. It is probably 

 one of the many ridges of the bottom of the vast Lake, which existed 

 before the present Ontario and Erie were formed out of its drainage, 

 nor has the shape of the Peninsula materially altered for a vast 

 length of time. 



" The French entered the basin, and fancied it a river, when they 

 first explored the country under the guidance of Hennipen, and 

 the oldest surveys show little or no difference in its outline. 



" It is not necessary, however, with the object at present in 

 view, to enter into a geological description, to prove that the Pen- 

 insula was made during the sedimentary deposition of the tertiary 

 periods ; but it is useful to that purpose to ascertain that it is not 

 comparatively new, or in the constant habit of receiving great ac- 

 cessories to its bulk and extension." 



These opinions, written twenty years ago, besides being corro- 

 borated by later authorities, have been proved to bo correct by 

 recent examination. 



A superior set of boring irons were constructed for the purpose 

 of ascertaining the substratum of the Peninsula, and in order to set 

 the question for ever at rest. 



The first and second trials were made at Gibraltar Point, and the 

 same result was obtained in both instances, namely, sand and gravel 

 in alternate layers, three feet in depth from the surface of the 

 water, and finding, after considerable labour, with four persons 

 working the boring irons, that no greater depth than three feet 

 could be obtained, a specimen of the substratum was procured with 

 the shell augur, and found to be blue clay, or hard pan, as it is 

 more commonly called. 



The resistance of the sand and gravel on the third trial, at the 

 Narrows, east of Privat's tavern, was found to be so great, after 

 boring about two feet, that a lighter boring iron was procured, with 



