COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 85 



Captain Albeks. Actually, I have seen the data on the wave lengths ; 

 I have seen some information on the wave height. It has been esti- 

 mated that they had 50-foot breaking waves there. I am advised that 

 light structural steel was dented on the side of the platform. 



Senator Stennis. Well, yes; I just wanted you to have all of that 

 information before you. Could you give us quickly the information 

 about the height of the waves and the force of the wind ? 



Mr. IvENDALL. It was a 132-mile-an-hour wind. 



Senator Stennis. The wind during Hurricane Donna was 132 miles 

 per hour, and the breaking waves were 50 feet. With that infor- 

 mation before you, and in view of the condition of the tower as it then 

 existed, what was the situation, then, even though the tower did not 

 collapse ? "Wliat is your opinion as to whether or not a greater effort 

 should have been made to effect repairs ? Can you give us an opinion ? 



We have been talking about the time prior to Hurricane Donna. 

 Now I want to know what happened during and after Hurricane 

 Donna. 



Captain Albers. Can I ask how those measurements were deter- 

 mined — that they were actual breaking waves and that the waves were 

 of that magnitude, and that the wind was, in actuality, that much? 



Senator Stennis. What is the record on that, gentlemen of the 

 staff? 



Mr. Kendall. This is information that was furnished to us by the 

 Air Force, Captain. 



Captain Albers. As I understand it, the anemometer to measure 

 the wind blew away at 100 knots. I have heard that. 



The determination of whether a wave is breaking or not is extremely 

 difficult in cases of high wind. 



Senator Stennis. Well, I just want to get your professional opinion 

 about these things. 



Captain Albers. It would appear that the wave and winds were in 

 excess of the criteria. 



Senator Stennis. Yes. Well, here is a memorandum I have here, 

 "November 1960, flying bridge repaired and diving operations begun." 



The flying bridge was above the water ? 



Captain Albers. The flying bridge was a movable platform placed 

 up under the platform for maintenance of the bottom of the tower. 



new cable bracing proposed 



Senator Stennis. This says the divers reported extensive damage 

 above and below the water, and that it will need bracing, consisting 

 of three strands of cable bracing in a crossed pattern on the A-B side. 



That is what I wanted to come to. You see the red lines there 

 representing the cable bracing ? 



Captain Albers. Yes, sir. 



Senator Stennis. Now, as an engineer, if the condition of the 

 tower was such, in September 1960, that it would require the addition 

 of cable bracing, would not that be an indication to you that the tower 

 then was in worse condition than before Hurricane Donna ? 



Captain Albers. Would you repeat that, sir ? 



Senator Stennis. I stated that they were talking about installing 

 cable bracings. Would you judge from that, as an engineer, that 



