50 Years Ago Today –Mullinnix Returns to Norfolk

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

The Triton, a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered radar picket submarine, was the first vessel to execute a submerged circumnavigation of the Earth, accomplishing this during her shakedown cruise in early 1960. She also had the distinction of being the only non-Soviet submarine to be powered by two nuclear reactors.

With NATO exercises finally completed, Mullinnix headed home for Norfolk. The strenuous and stressful ‘cruise’ had taken its toll on the crew. The Commanding Officer held mast for three shipmates for assault and disorderly on board ship. One received a Summary Court-Martial, the other solitary confinement on bread and water for three days. She arrived, no less from wear, at Pier 20, berth 206, portside of USS Dewey DLG-14 at Norfolk’s D&S Piers at 0819 on 20 October. By 1232 the ship had taken on 69,609 gallons of fuel.

Early Saturday morning, on 29 October, tugs YTB-131 and YTB-390 breasted out USS Putnam DD-757 then moved Mullinnix (under cold plant) to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth. In compliance with COMDESFLOT 4 (Admin) mag 282118Z and COMDESLANT 290400Z mag, the ship was assigned restricted shipyard availability to accomplish emergency repairs to her economizer tubes. Pilot White disembarked by 0853 and the ship shifted from emergency electrical power to shore power. SOPA was Commanding Officer, USS Randolph CVS-15.

She returned to D&S Piers on 14 November. After receiving pyrotechnics and fuel, Mullinnix departed for Second Fleet Exercises with USS Forrestal CVA-59, and USS Laffey DD-724 of the Virginia Capes according to COMDESFLOT6 OPORD 4-60. To maintain peak readiness, the ships operating together while muster their crews at numerous drills. During the afternoon of 16 November she fired 32 rounds of 5-in AAC. Later the ship used her motor whale boat for a personnel transfer with USS Seneca ATF-91. This was followed by exercises with USS Triton SSRN-586, sister-ship USS Manley DD-940 and USS Northampton CLC-1.

Under a night sky black as tar, starless and cold, Mullinnix hooked up with Task Unit 25.2.1 during the mid-watch on Thursday, 17 November. The unit consisted of Northampton, Laffey, Manley, USS Mitscher DL-2, USS J.C. Owens DD-776, USS Strong DD-758, USS McCard DD-822, USS Johnston DD-821. After refueling from USS Salamone AO-26, she engaged in ASW exercises with Laffey and USS Corsair AGSS-435. This constituted a Z-5-G firing exercise that expended 12 rounds of 5-in VTNF and 10 rounds 3-in 50 VTNF.

On Friday, 18 November, USS Ellison DD-864 and USS Cone DD-866 joined the other ships in an eight ship concentric circular screen exercise. Days were filled with high line transfers, abandon ship drills, man over board drills, and GQ after GQ after GQ.

The next day, under a blood-streaked morning sky, found Mullinnix in the company of DESRON 4 ships (less USS Gearing DD-710 and USS Vogelgesang DD-862) and DesDiv 321 (less USS Lowry DD-770 and USS Stormes DD-780). As the sun rose and the sea surging under Mullinnix’s hull, drenching the focele in spray, she stationed her ASW attach team and pursued a sonar contact in a zig zagging pattern in accordance with Plan 21, base course 320 degrees in the company of Corsair, USS H.J. Ellison DD-864 and USS Turner DER-834.

To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody

Happy Birthday NAVY! 235 Years Old And Still Kick'in Butt!!!

October 13, 1775 constitutes the birth of the Navy, when the Continental Congress authorized and sent out two armed sailing vessels. These ships carried crews of 80 and served three months at sea to intercept British transports carrying munitions and stores for their army in America.

Drink one for me,
Woody

50 Years Ago Today –Mullinnix Leaves Antwerp, Belgium

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

The ship received 521 visitors on 6 October and 528 on the 7th. However, all good things must come to an end. In accordance with COMCARDIV 6 OP ORDER 56-60, Mullinnix pulled away from the pier at 1117 on Sunday, 9 October under the watchful eye of Pilot Captain F. Van Zwynsvoorde. Captain Zwynsvoorde’s role was to guide the ship through Schelde River Channel. At 1437 he was replaced with Captain R. Legein, who continued to guide the ship through Western Schelde and debarked the ship at Buoy 1A at 1615. She then steamed towards rendezvous Point Quench in the English Channel in the company of USS Laffey DD-724, USS Claude Jones DE-1033, and USS Lester DE-1022.

To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody

50 Years Ago Today –Mullinnix Pulls into Antwerp, Belgium

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

Saturday, 1 October found the ship in a concentric circular screen with 23 other US and NATO ships. The following day, steaming in company with Task Element 20.9.7.2 composed of USS Laffey DD-724, USS Lester DE-1022, and USS Claude Jones DE-1033, she departed NATO operations and headed towards Antwerp, Belgium in accordance with Commander Carrier Division SIX OP-ORD 56-60. The rumors coming true, it appeared.

In route, the ship received the fleet’s Chaplin via highline from the Laffey. At 0433, Civilian Belgium Pilot Captain E. Nierynck came on board the aid the ship to enter Ielihgen channel. At 0922 she entered Belgium waters. Civilian tug Michel Gerling came alongside to starboards and took tow line from Mullinnix. She maneuvered at various speeds and courses to moor alongside berth 21, Schelde River Quay, Antwerp, Belgium.

Like many Flemish cities Antwerp grew up around two settlements : the ‘aanwerp’ or ‘alluvial mound’ from which the city probably derives its name, and Caloes, 500 meters further south. A fortification was built on the mound around the seventh century. Christianization also began in that period. In the ninth century, when Antwerp became part of Lorraine, that ‘castellum’ was destroyed by the Norman's.

Antwerp, daughter of the River Scheldt, host of the VII (7th) OLYMPIAD in 1920, and second largest city of Belgium. The inhabitants call it the 'Metropolis' (Antwerpians are known in Belgium for not being too modest). It is the second largest harbor of Europe (after Rotterdam). Antwerp is a splendid city with numerous architectural highlights, most of which date from the 16th (the golden era of Antwerp) and the 17th century. The destructions of the Second World War, unfortunately, has scarred somehow the fair face of the old town. Still there are enough monuments left for those who like monument-hopping to spend a few days admiring them. The past is also represented by the numerous paintings of Peter Paul Rubens who lived in the Antwerp in the early 17th century.

Antwerp is also the diamond center of the World. ‘If diamonds really are a girl's best friend’, than a number of the crew didn’t waste their time visiting the diamond district near the railway station. The presence of many 'Chassidic' Jewish people in this same district gave the city a flair that couldn’t be found in other Belgian cities.

The night life? Well, in a word, it would put the strip outside D&S Piers to shame. The crew felt like they had arrived in a northern wonderland with places like Cafe d'Anvers, situated in the city's red light district (called "Schipperskwartier"), considered by many to be one of Belgium's finest dance clubs. From flashing lights to flashy decor, the scene was for extroverts, and sailors, only. Once inside, a balcony provided the crew a bird's-eye view of the dance floor, where crowds grooved to house beats.

Or De Pelgrom – with it’s ambiance of a charming tavern serving Belgian brews, occupying a 16th-century cellar. Most aspects of the decor fit the age-old theme, from long wooden benches to candles for (almost all) the illumination. Distressed brick walls contributed to the medieval aesthetic.

Or De Vagant which boasts Belgian gin over its better-known cousin, Belgian beer. Here, jenever is the only drink on tap, although it's available in more than 200 formulations. Shipmates drank from traditional gins to wild concoctions like blood orange or passion fruit jenever.

Antwerp was as lively after dark as it is busy during the day. FTGs Howard McGee and Brian Smythe couldn’t wait to hit the beach. The thick wet fog was just lifting as they walked off the gangplank but mist still rose from the harbor’s water. Taking a deep breath of icy air, Smythe said, “ Howard (he never called McGee by his first name), ya’know something?...

To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody