132 COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 



tightened up the through bolts, and substituted other bolts for the 

 Dardelet bolts. 



But I get back to the point of wear. Up to that time, there had 

 been no evidence of any unusual wear. That was the reason for my 

 negative answer to you. 



Mr. Kendall. That was within 1 year after the tower went into 

 operation that you are talking about? 



Coimnander Foster. A little more than a year, sir. 



Senator Stennis. What was the approximate date of this inspec- 

 tion ? You said you turned it over to the Air Force in December of 

 1957? 



Commander Foster. November, sir. 



Senator Stennis. Well, you refer then to a subsequent inspec- 

 tion; when was that inspection made? 



Cormnander Foster. This inspection that I referred to was made, 

 I believe, in September or October of 1958, and the report was dated 

 in November of that year. 



Senator Stennis. All right. 



Mr. Kendall. Commander, were you present when this tower or 

 template was towed to sea for the purpose of erection ? 



Commander Foster. I was present at Portland when it was towed 

 out of the drydock, and I was present at the site when the tow 

 arrived. 



Mr. Kendall. Do you recall what the design criteria were for the 

 stress to be encountered during the tow? 



Commander Foster. As I recall, it was a 15-foot wave and a 50- 

 knot wind. However, this is out of memory, and if it is critical, I 

 would like to check it. 



Mr. Kendall. Was the criteria exceeded during the tow ? 



Commander Foster. Not to my knowledge. Of course, I was not 

 with the tow. 



Mr. Kendall. What were the weather conditions during the tow ? 

 were any storms encountered? 



Commander Foster. There were conflicting weather reports re- 

 ceived. I have here excerpts from inspectors' reports, which I would 

 be glad to read if you desire. 



Mr. Kendall. Well, Commander, you referred in your statement 

 to a storm that was encountered during the tow, and that there was 

 rough weather following it. 



Commander Foster. This was not precisely during the tow, sir. 

 It was after the tow arrived out on the site. There was a storm. 



Mr. Kendall. Was the tower then still in a horizontal position, or 

 had it been upended ? 



Commander Foster. It was then in a horizontal position. 



Mr. Kendall. And what were the wind and waves during that 

 storm? Did they exceed the criteria, or did they not? 



Commander Foster. In my opinion, they did not come close to it. 



Mr. Kendall. Now, when you discovered the diagonal braces to 

 be broken during or after the tip-up process, were any discussions 

 held by you with reference to what should be done or whether the 

 toAver should be taken back to port for repairs? 



Commander Foster. There was considerable discussion about the 

 effect these braces might have, sir, but as I said in my statement 



