COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 237 



meclianisms, etc.) which are salvageable from the old flying bridge may be re- 

 used on the new installation if approved by the using agency and if a financial 

 credit can be mutually agreed upon between the Air Force and the contractor. 



The contractor shall dismantle the old flying bridge, transport same to the 

 mainland and dispose of same as the contractor sees fit. 



Item 2. — As soon as practicable, either before, during or immediately after the 

 installation of the new flying bridge, the contractor shall inspect all the welded 

 brace-to-caisson joint connections above the water line for structural integrity 

 utilizing magnaflux testing methods and procedures. Within the limits of 

 feasibility all visible and/or accessible welded joint regions will be tested includ- 

 ing the delta truss connections, and the 10-inch pipe strut connections as well as 

 the vertical "finger" plate connections. 



Item 3. — As soon as practicable, either before, during, or immediately after 

 the installation of the new flying bridge, the contractor shall i)erform an under- 

 water diving inspection of all joints beginning at the — 23-foot level to the ocean 

 bottom at —185 feet. 



Item 4- — The contractor shall furnish a narrative report to the Air Force In 

 10 copies covering the inspection findings for items 2 and 3 above. The report 

 shall be as comprehensive as possible and shall describe as completely as pos- 

 sible the existing structural defects discovered from the level of the ocean 

 bottom to the level of the caisson-to-platform connections. The report shall 

 include any and all documentation which will be of assistance to the Air Force 

 in visualizing and understanding the location, nature, and extent of the struc- 

 tural damages. This documentation shall consist of photographs (including 

 underwater photographs) and as-built drawings or sketch plates which would 

 be meaningful and useful in supporting the narrative portion of the report. 

 Photographs, in particular, will be left in large part to the discretion of the 

 contractor. The position and direction of all cracks in the above-water joint 

 connections will be accurately indicated on as-built drawings or sketch plates 

 and shall be photographed as well, if said cracks are large enough to be cap- 

 tured on film properly. Underwater photography will be held to a minimum and 

 photographs will be tiiken only of those pin-connected joints which, in the 

 opinion of the contractor, will require repair or pin replacement. The report 

 will include the contractor's appraisal of the structure as a whole along with 

 specific recommendations as to the nature and extent of the repair work which 

 the Air Force should accomplish, if any, to correct the damages which are 

 detected under items 2 and 3 above. (Finally, the report will include if possi- 

 ble, a statement concerning the tower's present structural capacity or ineapac- 

 city to withstand future storm conditions within the limits set by the original 

 design criteria of winds up to 12-5 knots in combination with breaking-wave ac- 

 tion having a crest height of 3-5 feet as measured above mean sea level. This 

 statement of the present structural stability and storm-worthiness wiU be of 

 key importance to the Air Force in determining the limits of safety for estab- 

 lishing storm warning personnel evacuation procedures for Texas tower No. 

 4 to prevent the loss of life in future. ) 



MORAX, PeOCTOR. MUESER & RUTLEDGE, 



Neiv York, N.Y., January 4, 1961. 

 Re : engineering work, Texas tower Xo. 4. 

 J. Rich Steers. 

 ypv York: N.Y. 



Ge^7tlemex : In connection with your field examination of Texas tower No. 4 

 in October and November 1960 following Hurricane Donna, we wish to con- 

 firm our conversations regarding our participation in this work. We understand 

 that the Air Force concurs in our activity in this matter. 



We agree to examine the results of your findings of damage both above and 

 below water on Texas tower Xo. 4, to evaluate any structural deficiencies which 

 may be found, and make recommendations as to repairs or modifications to be 

 made to the tower as a result of your findings. We agree to do this work for the 

 sum of S2..500 which would not include the design of, or the preparation of speci- 

 fications for, any new work which might be required as a result of your examina- 

 tion of the tower and our recommendations. 

 Very truly yours, 



William H. Meteser. 



