[2] 
27 
A. 
.Report accompanying the Report of the Chief Engineer to the Secreta- 
ry of War. 
Philadelphia, Jtfi?/ \4thf 1823. 
In obedience to instructions from the War and Navy Departments, 
of the 7th of June last, the undersigned having made such personal 
examination as they found necessary, and collected all the informa- 
tion within their reach, as to the utility, the practicability, the situa- 
tion, the magnitude, and the cost of a projected Pier or Breakwater, 
near the Capes of the Delaware, for the protection of vessels agaisst 
ice, and against tempests, have the honor to submit the following 
report: 
1st. On theutility of a Pier or Breakwater, near the Capes of the 
Delaware, which will protect vessels against floating ice and wind. 
The Delaware Bay is not only obstructed by fixed ice, during a 
part of the winter, but it is without a harbor near its mouth, in which 
vessels can secure themselves, eithei' against winds blowing from 
the N,W. to the S.E. round by the N, or against floating ice. It is 
frequently the case, that the navigation of the bay is impeded by the 
ice, as early as the month of December, and it is often open for eight 
or ten days, and sometimes longer, between the 20th of December, 
and the 15th of January, yet it closes again, and remains shut until 
the 20th of February, or even the 1st of March. For two months at 
least, therefore, between December and March, vessels bound up the 
bay will be uncertain as to their passage to the city; and, being 
without shelter when they arrive at the Capes, will be exposed to the 
greatest dangers, should tljey find the passage obstructed. As to the 
vessels departing from this port, it is true, they can choose a favorable 
moment tor descending the liver; but should they be met by adverse 
winds at the Capes, they also will be exposed to be driven ashore by 
the winds, or destroyed by the ice. 
These general considerations shew how important it is, that some- 
thing be done to secure, if possible, a safe anchorage near the mouth 
of this great communication with the oceaii; but, it is proper, by 
some details, to show more fully in how high a degree this subject 
merits the attention of government. 
From information received through the Chamber of Commerce, it 
appears, that the tonnage exclusively belonging to, and registered 
Jn, the port of Philadelphia, in X810, when the population of the city 
