88 COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4< 



Captain Albers. I do not believe they have recived a storm as big 

 as No. 4. 



Senator Jackson. I understood that prior to Hurricane Donna, 

 towers No. 2 and No. 3 had suffered some similar storms, and tower 

 No. 4 was in trouble prior to Hurricane Donna. Let us forget what 

 happened after Hurricane Donna. 



Captain Albers. I think it can be traced to the loss of those braces. 

 It is kind of the story that if the nail was not lost. 



Senator Stennis. It is kind of what? 



Captain Albers. The loss of these braces at the time of erection. 



Senator Stennis. Oh, erection ; yes. 



Senator Jackson. And you feel if those braces had been properly 

 replaced, this tower should at least have been in good condition up to 

 Hurricane Donna ? 



Captain Albers. That is correct, sir. 



Senator Jackson. You would say it would be gross negligence, 

 would you not, if they failed to replace the braces ? 



Captain Albers. No, sir. 



Senator Jackson. You would not ? 



Captain Albers. No, sir. 



Senator Jackson. What kind of negligence ? Any ? 



Captain Albers. I cannot see any negligence in what I have re- 

 viewed on the situation. 



Senator Jackson. You do not see any negligence, knowing what 

 you have had a chance to review, in the maintenance of this tower 

 right on up until the end ? 



Captain Albers. When you get to the very end — I would prefer not 

 to answer that question, if I may withdraw from it. 



Senator Jackson. Well, now, wait a minute though. 



I submit, Mr. Chairman 



Captain Albers. Up through Donna, I see no indication of negli- 

 gence. 



Senator Jackson. Up through Hurricane Donna? 



Captain Albers. Yes, sir. 



Senator Jackson. Even if it was called Old Shaky and there were 

 warnings from the people out there? In other words, you see no 

 negligence even though a prudent and reasonable man might foresee 

 that a storm might suddenly come along and you have all these people 

 on board ? It did not happen right at that time. 



Captain Albers. After Donna, I believe they reduced the crew to 

 the amount necessary to repair it. 



Senator Jackson. Yes; but was there not a chance that prior to 

 Hurricane Donna you could have a comparable type of storm hit the 

 tower when it was then in a shaky condition ? 



Captain Albers. Motion does not necessarily mean lack of strength, 

 sir. Although the strength was not up to its full design, they were 

 doing their best to correct these deficiencies. 



Senator Jackson. Well, something could be resilient all right and 

 take it, and it may be good, but do you think that would apply in this 

 case? 



Captain Albers. It vrould be preferable that the tower were rigid. 



Senator Jackson. Do you think that the fact that it was shaky was 

 a warning or not as to the structural sturdiness ? 



