COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 217 



should explain just what was done in the underwater repair after 

 the upending. 



Mr, Rau. Right after the upending, we engaged the architect- 

 engineer to make a design of these two braces, the architect- engineer 

 being Moran, Proctor, Mueser & Rutledge, and as soon as we obtained 

 a drawing we let a contract with Bethlehem Shipyard in Staten Island 

 to fabricate these braces as quickly as possible so that we could get 

 them in place. 



As I recall, they came out sometime in August 1957, and the braces 

 consisted of a height the same size as the original brace, pinned at 

 the end the same way as the original brace. 



The difference was, of course, here when it broke off it only left a 

 stub against the leg, and there was no way of fastening it undei-water, 

 so this became a collar, two half sleeves, as it were, with flanges, that 

 were bolted and pulled together, and fastened to the legs, and those 

 were installed and, as I recall, from the records, completed in Sep- 

 tember 1957. 



Senator Stennis. What was your opinion, after this installation, 

 as to the strength of the tower as compared with what it would have 

 been had there been no loss of braces ? 



Mr. Rau. Well, we felt, with the competent architect engineers 

 that were doing the work, Mr. Chairman, that it was a complete 

 replacement of the initial diagonal bracing. 



Senator Stennis. That means that you thought it was restored to its 

 original strength ? 



Mr. Rati. That is right, sir. 



Senator Stennis. And stability? 



Mr. Rau. Yes, sir. 



Senator Stennis. All right. 



Did that prove to be true or did this brace break again ? 



Mr. Rau. No, sir. The brace^ 



Senator Stennis. Did the clamp or collar remain secure ? 



Mr. Rati. I was thinking of the time later, this last fall, that is why- 

 I hesitated. 



No, in late 1958 it was reported to us that one of the clamps, I 

 believe aromid B leg, I am not sure, it was around one of the legs, 

 was loose, and the clamp was actually moving up and down. 



Senator Stennis. That is the clamp or collar that had been specially 

 designed for the replacement of the braces ? 



Mr. Rau. That is correct, sir. 



Senator Stennis. All right. 



What did you do then, or what was done — whether you did it or not? 



Mr. Rau. It was then decided to replace these Dardelet bolts with 

 T-headed bolts, and they were completely installed by Jime, 1959, and 

 checked a number of times since then and found to be tight at all times. 



Senator Stennis. You heard the testimony of this gentleman tliis 

 morning, Mr. Brewer, about the instrument tests that he made in the 

 winter of 1958 and 1959 ? 



Mr. Rau. Yes, sir; I did. 



Senator Stennis. What is your reaction to the mattere developed 

 by t^e use of his instruments ? 



Mr. Rau. Well, I am not familiar with his instruments, Mr. Chair-. 

 man ; no, sir. 



