50 Yrs Ago Today, Mullinnix heads to Golfe Juan, France
Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood)
The moon was out in the early morning of 3 December, but the night sky was cloudy, creating rings of light around the moon. Mullinnix steamed with Boston and Essex in route to Golfe Juan, France, anchoring at 0819 for a very brief visit. By 1340 the ship was underway for Cannes, France, anchoring a short time later at 1423 at Golfe De La Napoule, Cannes with 60 fathoms of chain to the starboard anchor. Ships present were Boston, Essex, USS M.C. Fox DD-829, and USS Piper SS-409. By 1526 she was headed to San Raphael, France, arriving later that day.
From 3 through 6 December, Mullinnix, Essex, Boston, Vogelsang, Myles, and C. Fox aided relief efforts in the San Raphael area after a dam burst.[i]
Their stay unexpected disrupted, Mullinnix was underway at 1543 on 4 December to investigate a submarine contact in accordance with orders of COMDESRON 32. A few minutes later the ship went to ASW General Quarters.
The captain told the OOD, “Sound general quarters, one ASW.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Ensign W.E. Pheris leaned into the pilothouse and called, “Right ten degrees rudder, Steady on course one-two-zero. Boatswain mate of the watch, sound general quarters one ASW.”
The boatswain’s pipe blew, the 1MC gonged; men dropped what they were doing. Tucking pant legs into socks, buttoning all sleeves, and tugging on life jackets, they ran to their general quarters stations.
“All stations manned and ready, Captain.” Announced Pheris.
“Thank you Mr. Pheris.”
The captain ordered a narrow weaving pattern on various courses while conducting the search for the submarine contact. For over an hour the ship and her crew searched relentlessly as waves burst into ropes of foam on the bow, spraying a fine salt mist on MT51. The sky was slate-gray. The wind tightening the chests of the men manning the torpedo tubes and hedgehogs.
This was it. This was real. They were excited and scared at the same time. The excitement showing in one eye, terror in the other. There is something obscene in the face’s ability to pair these two attitudes, as though the mind is shared equally between a moron and a reptile. After what felt like hours and hours of their nerves on high-alert, Mullinnix was detached and proceeded to Golfe de Napoule, Cannes, France to debark personnel from Essex and Boston. She was underway at 1922 arriving in Golfe Juan, France at 2021.
To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody
The moon was out in the early morning of 3 December, but the night sky was cloudy, creating rings of light around the moon. Mullinnix steamed with Boston and Essex in route to Golfe Juan, France, anchoring at 0819 for a very brief visit. By 1340 the ship was underway for Cannes, France, anchoring a short time later at 1423 at Golfe De La Napoule, Cannes with 60 fathoms of chain to the starboard anchor. Ships present were Boston, Essex, USS M.C. Fox DD-829, and USS Piper SS-409. By 1526 she was headed to San Raphael, France, arriving later that day.
From 3 through 6 December, Mullinnix, Essex, Boston, Vogelsang, Myles, and C. Fox aided relief efforts in the San Raphael area after a dam burst.[i]
Their stay unexpected disrupted, Mullinnix was underway at 1543 on 4 December to investigate a submarine contact in accordance with orders of COMDESRON 32. A few minutes later the ship went to ASW General Quarters.
The captain told the OOD, “Sound general quarters, one ASW.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Ensign W.E. Pheris leaned into the pilothouse and called, “Right ten degrees rudder, Steady on course one-two-zero. Boatswain mate of the watch, sound general quarters one ASW.”
The boatswain’s pipe blew, the 1MC gonged; men dropped what they were doing. Tucking pant legs into socks, buttoning all sleeves, and tugging on life jackets, they ran to their general quarters stations.
“All stations manned and ready, Captain.” Announced Pheris.
“Thank you Mr. Pheris.”
The captain ordered a narrow weaving pattern on various courses while conducting the search for the submarine contact. For over an hour the ship and her crew searched relentlessly as waves burst into ropes of foam on the bow, spraying a fine salt mist on MT51. The sky was slate-gray. The wind tightening the chests of the men manning the torpedo tubes and hedgehogs.
This was it. This was real. They were excited and scared at the same time. The excitement showing in one eye, terror in the other. There is something obscene in the face’s ability to pair these two attitudes, as though the mind is shared equally between a moron and a reptile. After what felt like hours and hours of their nerves on high-alert, Mullinnix was detached and proceeded to Golfe de Napoule, Cannes, France to debark personnel from Essex and Boston. She was underway at 1922 arriving in Golfe Juan, France at 2021.
To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody
posted by Frank A. Wood at 10:50
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