50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Leaves Dry Docks
Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood
20 years after Pearl Harbor, at 1410 on 7 December, shipyard personnel commenced flooding the drydock. With Mullinnix once again floating, the dry-dock doors were opened at 1705. She was moved to Pier 3, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, alongside USS Dahlgren DLG 12. On 11 December she headed to NAVWEAPSTA. At 0700 on 12 December, the ship experienced a casualty in the main pump of 2B boiler. Late, she was moved along side of an ammunition pier in heavy fog. Once the ammo was loaded, the ship steamed towards VACAPES OPAREA COORDINATOR EXSKED 24-61.
She conducted firing exercise the following day expending 14 rounds of 5” 54 AA Common. She returned to D&S piers on 14 December.
Mullinnix stayed moored through the Christmas holiday but was once again at sea on 28 December, exercising with USS Randolph CVS-15 and USS Laffey DD-724.
To be continued...
Woody
20 years after Pearl Harbor, at 1410 on 7 December, shipyard personnel commenced flooding the drydock. With Mullinnix once again floating, the dry-dock doors were opened at 1705. She was moved to Pier 3, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, alongside USS Dahlgren DLG 12. On 11 December she headed to NAVWEAPSTA. At 0700 on 12 December, the ship experienced a casualty in the main pump of 2B boiler. Late, she was moved along side of an ammunition pier in heavy fog. Once the ammo was loaded, the ship steamed towards VACAPES OPAREA COORDINATOR EXSKED 24-61.
She conducted firing exercise the following day expending 14 rounds of 5” 54 AA Common. She returned to D&S piers on 14 December.
Mullinnix stayed moored through the Christmas holiday but was once again at sea on 28 December, exercising with USS Randolph CVS-15 and USS Laffey DD-724.
To be continued...
Woody
posted by Frank A. Wood at 08:40
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