COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 171 



Mr. Kendall. This was before the T-bolts were installed, I believe ? 



Mr. Crocketi'. Y'es, sir ; this finding was the generating factor that 

 dreamed up the T-bolts. 



Mr. Kendall. It was after your report, your examination, that the 

 decision was made to install the T-bolts ? 



Mr. Crockett. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Kendall. Now, at the time of your first examination there, 

 how closely did the collar conform to the caisson ? 



Mr. Crockett. In part, very well. However, at the point of con- 

 nection between the diagonal and horizontal bracing, it did not con- 

 form to within three-quarters to an inch of space. 



Mr. Kendall. Three-quarters to 1 inch in space ? 



Mr. Crockett. Right. 



This was the object in endeavoring to torque the bolts to 1,300 foot- 

 pounds. Even after we got to 1,300 foot-pounds in torque, we could 

 not make the collar conform 100 percent. However, we brought it 

 up tight enough so that it had not vertical motion. 



Mr. Kendall. Now, when did you make the next inspection of the 

 tower ? 



Mr. Crockett. As a result of this particular survey, a T-bolt con- 

 nection was put into effect, and we were given an inspection contract 

 to inspect the repair done by J. Rich Steers of New York. It was 

 June 26, 1959, that our report was submitted. 



Mr. Kendall. Mr. Crockett, will you make that a part of the recordj 

 and also your report of November 25, 1958 ? 



Mr. Crockett. I will, sir. 



(The documents referred to are as follows :) 



NOVEMBEE 25, 1958. 

 Subject : Contract No. NBy22027 Texas Tower No. 4. 



Officer in Charge of Construction, 



Texas Towers, District Public Works Department, 



First Naval District, Boston, Mass. 



(Attention : Mr. Joseph Riccio) . 



Dear Sir : As directed in your contract, we are submitting a survey report, 

 the conditions of underwater parts of Texas tower No. 4, and the repairs accom- 

 plished during the time of the survey. The contract was divided into three 

 specific parts : 



I. The survey and inspection of all underwater connections and bracings 

 on caissons A, B, and C at the minus-23-foot level, and the examination of 

 the collars on A and B caissons at the minus-65-foot level. Also to insjiect 

 both collars on each side in the way of the Dardelet bolts. 



II. To tighten 36 holding bolts on caisson A and B at the minus-65-level to 

 1,300-foot-pounds torque. 



III. To assist in locating an oil leak in caisson A. 



Under item one, the examination and survey produced the following findings : 

 All bracings, caissons, and underwater parts of the tower foundation were 

 found to be heavily coated with marine growth. The growth appeared much 

 denser in the minus zero to 20 or 25 foot level, ending completely at minus 90 

 feet. All underwater parts were found very, very well protected from use of 

 the cathodic protection. Their appearance was black in color and a fine scale 

 of about 20 mils was apparent. 



At the minus-2.3-foot level all horizontal spans, pins, and locking devices were 

 cleaned at their connection points. All horizontal spans were found intact. The 

 pin at the center connection in the diagonal brace on A caisson to the horizontal 

 span between A and B cais.sons was to be found to be loose; that is, the pin 

 was in position with all its keepers intact. However, the diagonal brace did 

 not seem to be bearing on the pin. The pin in the horizontal span between A 

 and B caisson at the B caisson connection was found to be withdrawn approxi- 



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