50 Yrs Ago Today, Mullinnix steams towards Cartagena, Spain

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood)
The following day, steaming independently, Mullinnix sailed towards Cartagena, Spain at 10 knots on boilers 1A and 2B, with s/s generators 1 and 3 on the line. Once the anchor was dropped in the outer harbor, with material condition YOKE and condition of readiness 5 were set throughout the ship, fourteen Spanish and American Armed Forces personnel came aboard for passage to Almeria, Spain. The officers included RADM. Calvar, RADM. Guistian, Brig. Gen. De Juan, Col. Ristori, Col. Mas, LCDR Vallespin, Maj. Carreras, Capt. Amergual, Lt. Ciere, Lt. Passamer, Lt. Morena of the Spanish Armed Forces. Capt. Carlson, USN and Lt Col. Neville, USMC were also present.

At 1542, she was anchored in Golfo De Almeria, Almeria, Spain, in twenty fathoms of water, sand bottom, with sixty fathoms of chain to the port anchor. Ships present include Boston, USS Fidelity MSO-443, USS Exultant MSO-441, USS Fearless MSO-442, USS Avenge MSO-423, and USS Casa Grande LSD-13. At 1555 RADM Calvar, RADM Guitian, Brig. Gen. De Juan, Col. Ristori, Col. Mas, LCDR Vallespin, Major Carreras, Captain Furtia, Captain Amergual, LT Ciere, LT Pasamar, LT Morena, Captain Carlson, USN, LTCOL Neville, USMC, transferred to Boston.

The moon was down, the sky black with rain clouds as Mullinnix steamed under darkened ship conditions with USS Cone DD-866 on the mid watch of 16 November. When a ship is darkened, suitable and frequent inspections are necessary to insure that she is effectively darkened both as viewed from other ships and from aircraft. A ship that is not effectively darkened is promptly informed by adjacent vessels. Smoking and the use of flashlights may disclose the presence of a ship which is otherwise effectively darkened. Suitable measures are taken to prevent these practices on exposed decks or other places from which such lights might be seen by an enemy.
When a ship is darkened the ship's bell is not struck to indicate time; bugle calls, band music, and loud speakers are not sounded on the top side, and other noises which might disclose the ship's presence are eliminated. The whistle is used as through the ship were not darkened unless the officer in tactical command directs otherwise.
To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody