128 COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 



Mr. IvENDALL. Will you explain on the record what that is, Com- 

 mander ? 



Commander Foster. This is a bolt similar in appearance to an ordi- 

 nary buttonhead bolt, except for the fact that the shank is serrated, 

 rather than smooth bored. 



Senator Stennis. Wliy ? _ 



Commander Foster. These serrations are to hold the bolt tightly in 

 the hole which is prepared for it, and are always installed with a 

 driven fit. They do not slip loosely into the hole. They are driven 

 into the hole. 



Senator Stennis. All right. Proceed with your statement. 



Commander Foster. These dents were in the nature of 10 inches 

 deep, 6 feet wide, and 10 feet in length. This was repaired by placing 

 steel reinforcing in the concrete lining of the legs in the dished areas. 



The tower erection was completed without further incident and was 

 accepted by the Navy for delivery to the Air Force in November 1957. 



The following summer the Air Force reported that the tower had 

 commenced to move excessively. Divers were thereupon hired and 

 positioned for underwater inspection and tightening of any loose bolts 

 at the earliest. The contractor was consulted wlien the divere reported 

 that one pin was loose and one retracted on the K position or angle on 

 the lateral brace at the 25-foot level, and that the collar on tlie B leg 

 showed evidence of movement. He agreed to perform required cor- 

 rection at his expense, including replacement of the Dardelet bolts 

 with T bolts in the collars. By so doing, we made certain that the 

 collars were tight and would remain so. This project, which was 

 constantly inspected by divers during and after the performance of the 

 ■work, was satisfactorily completed in May 1959. 



NAVT NO LONGER DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN TOWER NO. 4 PROBLEMS 



From that point on the Navy performed no more service at the 

 site in connection with Texas tower No. 4, and I was detached on 

 July 1, 1959, to go to my present duty station. 



I was, to say the very least, shocked by the subsequent course of 

 events and I come before you today both as sorrowful and as anxious 

 to find the answer as anyone here present. 



Senator Stennis. Well, that is a very fine statement, Commander 

 Foster. 



Shall we let counsel proceed now. Senator, for about 20 minutes? 

 He has these points in mind. If you have to go in the meantime, we 

 shall yield to you at any time. 



Senator Saltonstall. Mr. Chairman, I expect to be here for an- 

 other 20 minutes at least. 



Senator Stennis. Does that suit you all right ? 



Senator Bartlett. Yes. 



Mr. Kendall. Commander, at what time did your tour of duty 

 commence in Boston ? 



Commander Foster. I would like to refer to the record. It was 

 either late in November or early December in 1956. 



Mr. Kendall. Wlien did you take over responsibility for Texas 

 tower No. 4 ? 



Commander Foster, At approximately January 1, or a day or two 

 before, when Captain Albers was detached. 



