The Hurricane Donna To: wikipedia.org

Scarcely a month elapsed, however, when Hurricane “Donna” (12 September 1960) whirled in at forces exceeding design specifications: 132mile per hour winds and breaking waves exceeding 50-foot heights. Early reports mentioned that TT-4, evacuated of all personnel two days before, But those claims have been rebuked by some Survivors who survived “Donna” this is actually backed up by how the military felt about Russia at the time, and comments from officers at the time not wanting the Towers and the technology on the Texas Towers to fall into the hands of the Russians. In 1960 Hurricane Donna roamed the Atlantic from August 29 to September 14, a total of 17 days. Hurricane Donna Passed Directly Over The Texas Tower #4.

Part of TT-4’s superstructure was destroyed; worst of all, below-water bracings were fractured, cutting overall strength to 55 per cent of what it had been built up to prior to “Donna.” Further examination of above and below-water components resulted in a decision to undertake extensive repairs in the spring of 1961. 1 February 1961 was established as the date for complete evacuation of TT-4. Meantime, a maintenance crew of 28 persons (14 USAF and 14 contractor repair personnel) were stationed aboard to perform certain repair work.