86 COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 



there was need for further bracing, further repair, and further 

 strengthening of this tower ? 



Captain Albers. These cables were to replace the diagonals that had 

 been broken by Hurricane Donna. 



Senator Stennis. They were going to replace the diagonals that 

 had been broken by Donna ? 



Captain Albers. That is correct, sir. At one stage of our delibera- 

 tions on how we would design this tower, we considered using cables 

 as a means of diagonal bracing at that time. 



Senator Stennis. Here is my point : If the tower was in such shape 

 that these cable bracings had to be installed, what do you think, then, 

 about the relative safety of that tower as compared to when it was first 

 erected? Wouldn't you say it was considerably worse than it was 

 before Hurricane Donna ? 



Captain Albers. I think that is probably true, Mr. Chairman. I 

 do not know just exactly which braces were broken. I do know that 

 several braces were broken and that these were suggested ; at least, I 

 have been told that these were suggested to replace those broken braces. 



Senator Stennis. You understand I am not trying to embarrass 

 you or push you in a comer. I just want your professional opinion. 



1 know it is worthy, and I do not know enough about all those addi- 

 tional facts. Apparently, you have not had a chance to be informed 

 on that either, so I shall not press you for an opinion. But just on 

 the face of it, the fact that these engineers planned to install this cable 

 bracing, would not that show that additional injury and weakening 

 had resulted from Hurricane Donna? 



Captain Albers. I am told that two more braces were broken, and 

 there was no ready way to replace those braces. It is practically im- 

 possible to do welding under water. 



Senator Stennis. With those braces broken, would you not consider 

 it unsafe to try to operate the tower until they were repaired or 

 replaced ? 



Captain Albers. I would not have any more people out there than 

 was necessary to repair it. 



Senator Stennis. You consider that it was highly unsafe, do you 

 not? 



Captain Albers. I would consider it would be unsafe if hit by an- 

 other large storm, yes, sir. 



Senator Stennis. It proved to be highly unsafe even though it was 

 not hit by an especially large storm, right ? 



Captain Albers. That is correct. 



Senator Stennis. Senator Jackson ? 



Senator Jackson. Did the same design criteria apply on towers Nos. 



2 and 3 as applied on tower No. 4 ? 



Captain Albers. Yes, sir. 



Senator Jackson. Do you know whether — perhaps Mr. French of 

 the staff could answer this. Have towers No. 2 and No. 3 been sub- 

 jected to the same velocity of storm conditions as No. 4, or comparable, 

 or somewhat similar ? 



Captain Albers. They have been subjected to one big storm, tower 

 No. 2, that I know of. Water approaclied the platform but I do not 

 believe we had it up against the side of the platform, as was reported 

 on tower No. 4. 



