Onancock River, or Creek, Virginia, Letter from the Acting Secretary of War

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
Washington, February 7, 1908.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith for transmission to Congress reports of July 5, 1907, and December 28, 1907, by Maj. Joseph E. Kuhn, Corps of Engineers, on preliminary examination and survey, respectively, authorized by the river and harbor act approved March 2, 1907, of Onancock River, Virginia, with a view to deepening and straightening the channel for a distance of 5 miles between Chesapeake Bay and Onancock.

In 1879-1881, and in 1891-1894, some dredging was done to secure a depth of 8 feet across the shoals at the mouth and 7 feet in the river channel. While some deterioration has naturally taken place, the improved channels are reported to have held fairly well.

The plan of improvement now proposed is practically a revival of the former plans, and consists in dredging a channel 200 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water across the bar at the mouth and in straightening the river channel by cutting off projecting shoals to a depth of 7 feet at mean low water. The estimated first cost is $13,500, and maintenance about $1,000 annually after completion.

I concur in the opinion of the district officer, the division engineer, and the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors that Onancock River is worthy of improvement to the extent indicated.

Very Respectfully,

A. MACKENZIE,
Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

The SECRETARY OF WAR.

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PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF ONANCOCK RIVER, OR CREEK, VIRGINIA, FROM ITS MOUTH TO THE TOWN OF ONANCOCK.

ENGINEER OFFICE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Norfolk, Va., July 5, 1907.

GENERAL: In compliance with instructions contained in Department letter of March 14, 1907, I have the honor to submit the following report upon a preliminary examination of "Onancock River, with a view to deepening and straightening channel for distance of five miles between Chesapeake Bay and Onancock," as required by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907:

Onancock River, or Creek, is a tributary of Chesapeake Bay, on its eastern shore, lying in Accomac County, Va. The mouth of the river is about 40 miles north of Cape Charles. The general course of the river is west, with a length of about 5 miles from the bar at the mouth to the town of Onancock, which is at the head of practical navigation.

The river and harbor act of June 18, 1878, directed an examination and survey of Onancock Harbor, report upon which will be found in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1879, page 716 et seq. This report was favorable to the improvement of the locality, and an estimate of $10,000 was submitted for dredging an 8-foot channel, 300 feet wide, across the bar at the mouth of the river, and an 8-foot channel, 100 feet wide, through the mud flats at the approaches to the wharves.

In 1879 and 1880 Congress made appropriations aggregating $8,000, which were applied to dredging an 8-foot channel through the bar, and a 7-foot channel through the mud flats near the wharves. Operations ceased in 1881, under these appropriations.

The river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, directed a second examination of Onancock Harbor, report upon which will be found in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1890, page 969 et seq. In this report it is stated that the improvements within the river, carried out in the years 1879 to 1881, had held fairly well, but that the
bar channel had deteriorated in width and depth so that only from 5 to 5 1/2 feet could be carried. The report of the second examination was likewise favorable to the improvement of the locality, and an estimate of $12,511 was submitted for dredging a channel across the outer and inner bars, 8 feet deep, and with widths of from 300 to 200 feet respectively.

In the years 1890 and 1892 Congress appropriated a total of $12,511 for carrying out the project based upon the second examination and survey, resulting in the completion, in 1893, of a channel across the outer and inner bars, of the projected dimensions. A map showing the bar channels, as dredged, will be found in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1894, page 902.

The present examination is the third one ordered, and was made on May 15 and 16, 1907.

Contrary to expectations, it was found that the previous improvements had held fairly well, and that after a lapse of fourteen years the bar channel still afforded over 7 feet draft, which is the available depth that can be carried to Onancock. The entire channel of the river is very narrow, and from Finney's wharf to Onancock, a distance of 1 1/2 miles, there are a number of sharp turns which are troublesome. The banks of the river are abrupt, and vary from about 10 feet high at Onancock to 2 feet high at the mouth. Between high and low water mark there is a sandy beach on both sides. The mean variation of the tide is about 2 feet.

The direction of the channel across the bar is west-northwest, with shoal water close in on the south side. The bar is formed of a fine compact sand, but the bed of the river is mainly mud. It is stated that the only winds that produce a heavy seas are those from the west and northwest, the shoal waters to the south affording protection against winds from that quarter.

Onancock is a town of about 1,200 inhabitants, with gas, water, and telephones. The town possesses a bank, and some 30 stores, doing about $300,000 worth of business annually. It is about 3 miles from the nearest point for the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railway on the east.

The country adjacent to the river is a productive trucking region, the staple crop being potatoes, both Irish and sweet, of which large quantities are shipped annually.

The annual shipments, by water, from Onancock are stated to be about as follows:

Besides Onancock, considerable shipments are handled from Finney's and Mear's wharves, 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 miles, respectively, below Onancock.

Finney's wharf reports annual shipments as follows:

Mears' wharf reports annual shipments as follows:

Messrs. Hopkins & Bro., who are the principal shippers at Onancock, and who are familiar with shipments by water via the Onancock River, state that the value of the shipments during the past year amounted to $188,000 and the receipts to $260,000.

The amount and value of the commerce, as shown above, show a considerable falling off from that reported in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for the years 1890-1893, which were as follows:

There are at present two steamers, one of 60 and the other of 100 tons, trading regularly on Onancock River. The Baltimore, Chesapeake and Atlantic Railway
also runs two boats per week, except in the truck season, when there is a daily boat. Besides the steamers, there are also a number of sailing vessels engaged in commerce. The principal market for the locality is Baltimore.

It appears that the main present difficulty lies in the narrow channel and the sharp bends, although a desire is also expressed for deeper water to enable larger boats to ply upon the river. From all appearances, a comparatively small amount of dredging will be required to effect a material improvement in the channel. For any work in the river proper reasonably permanent results may be expected; but on the bar results will be more uncertain as to permanency. There is little natural current in the river to reenforce the ebb tide, and the maintenance of a dredged channel across the bar will depend largely upon the material thereof and the passage of vessels. Considering that the dredged channel of 8 feet, made in 1894, has so well held to this time, leads me to conclude that with occasional redredging for maintenance, a reasonably stable channel can be secured.

Although the commerce of the river has fallen off in the past fourteen years, it is still considerable, and, with a better channel, may be expected to show an increase. Since 1879, a total of $20,511 has been appropriated for the improvement of the river, and this has sufficed to maintain navigation for a period of twenty-eight years.

Considering only the present commerce, the probability of a moderate cost, and the possible benefits, I am of the opinion that the
locality is worthy of improvement, and I respectfully recommend that a survey be made with a view to the preparation of a plan and estimate of cost.

It is estimated that a proper survey will cost $400.

Respectfully submitted.

JOSEPH E. KUHN,
Major, Corps of Engineers.

Brig. Gen. A. MACKENZIE,
Chief of Engineers, U S. A.
(Through the Division Engineer.)

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[First endorsement.]

OFFICE OF DIVISION ENGINEER, SOUTHEAST DIVISION,
Savannah, Ga., July 10, 1907.

Respectfully submitted to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

The locality in question seems to be worthy of a survey and it is recommended that an allotment of $400 be made for this purpose.

DAN C. KINGMAN,
Lieut. Col., Corps of Engineers,
Division Engineer, Southeast Division.

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[Third endorsement.]

BOARD OF ENGINEER FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS,
Washington, D. C., July 15, 1907.

Respectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

Under projects heretofore adopted for the improvement of this stream, the sum of $20,511 has been expended since 1879 in dredging a channel 8 feet deep to afford access to the wharves at the town of Onancock. It appears that the work accomplished has maintained itself fairly well, but that the river is very narrow and has a number of troublesome turns. The district officer believes that its further improvement by the United States is advisable, and recommends that a survey be made at a cost of $400, in which recommendation the division engineer concurs.

While the commerce of the stream is not large, it is believed that the cost of the improvement will be inconsiderable and may therefore be justified, but this question can not be absolutely determined without the more precise information which a survey will provide. The Board therefore concurs with the district officer and the division engineer in recommending that such a survey be authorized.

For the Board:

D. W. LOCKWOOD,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers,
Senior Member of the Board.

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[Fourth endorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
Washington, July 18, 1907.

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.

This is a report on preliminary examination of Onancock River, Virginia, authorized by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1907.

Inviting attention to the report of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors in the preceding endorsement, I recommend that a survey of the locality, as proposed, be authorized.

A. MACKENZIE,
Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

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[Fifth endorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,
July 19, 1907.

Approved as recommended by the Chief of Engineers.

F. C. AINSWORTH,
The Adjutant-General,
Acting Secretary of War.

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SURVEY OF ONANCOCK RIVER, OR CREEK, VIRGINIA, FROM ITS MOUTH TO THE TOWN OF ONANCOCK.

ENGINEER OFFICE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Norfolk, Va., December 28, 1907.

GENERAL: Complying with instructions contained in letter from Office of the Chief of Engineers, dated July 22, 1907, I have the honor to submit the following report upon a survey of Onancock River, Virginia, authorized by the Secretary of War under date of July 19, 1907.

The results of the survey are embodied in the accompanying tracing which shows the existing channel from the town of Onancock to deep water in Chesapeake Bay. The available depth that can be carried to Onancock in nowhere less than 7 feet at mean low water, but the channel is, in places, very narrow and tortuous.

The channel may conveniently be considered in two portions, the bar channel and the river channel. The former crosses the bar at the mouth of the river at a distance of about 1 mile from shore. The inner and outer slopes of the bar are quite steep, there being only 2,400 feet between the 12-foot contours. The original channel across the bar afforded a depth of about 4 feet.

Under appropriations aggregating $12,511, made in the years 1890 and 1892, channels respectively 300 and 200 feet wide and 8 feet deep were completed in 1893 across the outer and inner bars. A study of the map shows that the channel across the inner bar has not deteriorated appreciably in fourteen years, whereas that across the outer bar has shoaled to 7 feet, with a width of 200 feet between the 6-foot contours in the same time. From the foregoing, a fair idea of the rate of depreciation of a dredged channel across the bar may be inferred.

The only work heretofore done by the Government on the river channel was in 1880 and 1881, at which time a dredged channel 7 feet deep and 100 feet wide was made through the mud flats near the wharves of Onancock. The depth of 7 feet is still available, but the channel width has been somewhat reduced, so that steamers have difficulty in reaching the town wharves.

The plan of improvement proposed, and shown on the map, consists in dredging a channel 200 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean
low water across the bar, and in straightening the river channel by cutting off projecting shoals to a depth of 7 feet at mean low water. The resulting river channel will then be nowhere less than 200 feet wide between 6-foot contours, with central depths nowhere less than 7 feet at mean low water, which is believed to be ample for the class of vessels navigating the river.

The estimated quantity of material to be removed under the proposed plan is 45,000 cubic yards, scow measurement, estimated to cost 30 cents per cubic yard, or a total of $13,500.

For maintaining the dredged channels, mainly the channel across the outer bar, it is estimated that $1,000 will be required annually.

The commercial aspects of the improvement have been fully set forth in the report upon the preliminary examination dated July 5, 1907, to which reference is invited. While the value for the water-borne shipments has fallen off considerably from what it was fifteen years ago, it is still considerable, and its value for 1906 was reported at $448,000. The principal market for the region tributary to the river being Baltimore, it may reasonably be expected that water shipments to the latter port will continue so long as the navigation of the stream is maintained. The total appropriations heretofore made for improving Onancock River aggregate $20,511, covering a period of twenty-eight years, or an average annual amount of $733, which has sufficed the needs of an annual commerce averaging over $500,000.

Considering the actual present commerce, and the reasonable cost of improvement and its maintenance, I am of the opinion that Onancock River, Virginia, is worthy of improvement to the extent proposed by the plan and estimate outlined above.

Respectfully submitted.

JOSEPH E. KUHN,
Major, Corps of Engineers.

Brig. Gen. A. MACKENZIE,
Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.
(Through the Division Engineer.)

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[First endorsement.]

OFFICE OF DIVISION ENGINEER, SOUTHEAST DIVISION,
Savannah, Ga., January 2, 1908.

Respectfully forwarded to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

From the information contained herein it would seem that the cost of the desired improvement will be very moderate and there is every indication that the improvement will be reasonably permanent and that the cost of annual maintenance will be small and that there is a very considerable commerce which will be directly benefited. I am, therefore, of the opinion that the river is worthy of improvement to the extent proposed.

DAN C. KINGMAN,
Lieut. Col., Corps of Engineers,
Division Engineer, Southeast Division.

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[Third endorsement.]

BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS,
Washington, D. C., January 13, 1908.

Respectfully returned to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

The information afforded by the survey reported upon within indicates that the channel dredged in 1893 to a depth of 8 feet and width of 300 feet across the outer bar at the entrance to Onancock River has shoaled to 7 feet, but that the inner bar, which was in the same year dredged to similar depth and a width of 200 feet, has not appreciably deteriorated. The channel which in 1880 and 1881 was dredged through the mud flats near the wharves of Onancock has narrowed somewhat, but the depth originally procured is still available.

The work now proposed by the district officer is the dredging of a channel 200 feet wide and 8 feet deep at mean low water across the outer bar, and the straightening of the river channel, as called for by the act, by cutting off projecting shoals to a depth of 7 feet at mean low water. The estimated cost of this work is $13,500, and the cost of its maintenance $1,000 per annum.

The commercial interests which will be benefited by this improvement are fully explained in the district officer's report on preliminary examination. While the water-borne commerce is not as large as in 1892 and 1893, when the last work of improvement was in progress, its valuation for 1906 is reported at $448,000.

Having in mind the comparatively small cost of the work proposed and its maintenance, and the fact that there now exists a commerce of importance which will probably increase with the provision of better facilities for navigation, the Board concurs with the district officer and the division engineer in the opinion that Onancock River is worthy of further improvement by the United States in the manner and to the extent contemplated by the project presented within.

For the Board:

R. L. HOXIE,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers,
Senior Member Present.