coating were noted. The cable conduit which was bolted to the main column 

 was unattacked. However, a few of the bolts used to attach the conduit 

 to the column showed rust bleeding from underneath the sealant covering 

 them. These bolts were found to be Type 304 stainless steel and the one 

 sample removed showed slight crevice corrosion about .005" deep at the 

 threads . 



The buoyancy sphere was in essentially the same condition as in the 

 first inspection except for more blistering of the topcoat of paint and 

 the change in character of the rusting noted at two areas in the first 

 inspection. The tightly adhering black oxide noted at these areas had 

 changed to a loosely adhering red oxide of a more familiar character. 

 This change is typical of steel which corrodes in an environment which 

 is low in oxygen which is subsequently brought into an environment high 

 in oxygen. The cable conduit at the sphere was unattacked as on the main 

 column; however, rust stains at the sealant on two conduit clamp bolts 

 were noted although these were not disturbed for further inspection. 



The coating on the joint between the sphere and the steering carriage 

 showed some sma I I bl isters scattered over a few sma 1 I areas. These 

 blisters were filled with white corrosion products. The rust bleeding 

 noted at the joint faying surfaces had become more generalized. The 

 paint coating on the steering carriage showed some minor blistering not 

 noted on the first inspection. The rusting on the inside of the carriage 

 stop housing flanges had become more pronounced. 



Aluminum alloy keys and jacks were attached to the steering carriage 

 after recovery in order to secure the antennas during the tow. After 

 five days exposure these keys and jacks were covered with a rather thick 

 coating of corrosion products. This attack was due to galvanic corrosion 

 between the keys and jacks and the exposed steel areas on the tower. 



The gas generator support structure showed more rusted areas than In 

 the first inspection. This was especially noticeable at corners of the 

 structural members where coating thickness was low. The gas generators 

 showed no visible attack except as noted In the first inspection. The 

 platinum gauze anode on the electrolytic gas generator was less clogged 

 than in the first Inspection Indicating that the clogging was not extremely 

 adherent. 



The rust stains noted on the three antennas during the first Inspection 

 were reinspected. The thin, adherent black oxide scale has changed In 

 appearance. These areas were now covered with a thicker coating of loose 

 flaky red rust. Reinspection of the area on the low frequency antenna 

 which was probed during the first Inspection showed that this area was 

 now covered by a thin layer of loose, flaky red rust. However, the pit 

 underlying this rust had not increased measurably In thickness or extent. 



