50 Years Ago (Yesterday) - Mux Leaves Norfolk for Exercises

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

She left port for yet more exercise on 29 January with USS Strong DD-758, USS Stribling DD-867, USS R.K. Huntington DD-781, USS Randolph, USS Stomres, USS Nantahala Ao-60, USS Skate SSN-578, USS D. H. Fox DD-779, USS Meredith DD-890, USS Lowry DD-770, and US Sirago SS-485. After this extensive training period at sea, Mullinnix moored port side to Pier D in Berth J3D, Charleston, South Carolina next to USS Vogelgesand DD-862, USS Ellision DD-864, and USS Everglades AD-24. After a short liberty visit, Mullinnix steamed out of Charleston on 14 February and returned to Norfolk on 16 February.

On 27 February, the ship steam towards Virginia Capes Operations Areas 9 and 15 in accordance with Virginia Capes Ops AREA Coordinator Message 262224Z of 4 February, returning pier side later the same day on to return to sea on 28 February. Mullinnix exercised with USS Bearss DD-654 and USS Sirago. She returned to D&S Piers on 9 March.

The ship was once again at sea on 22 March with her old steaming mate USS Randolph CVS-15. The surface ships were exercising with USS Grampus SS-523 while conducting sonar searches.

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago (Yesterday) - Mux Rhyming Midwatch Deck Log

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

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.

The ship spent her first New Years Eve at sea and the traditional rhyming midwatch deck log reflected that:

Steaming in company with Task Group 81.8,
Off the coast of North Carolina, is our New Year’s fate.
In a six ship circular screen, we’re number six,
USS Randolph CVS-15 is guide, on her position we fix.
Bearing 000, istance 4000 yards,
The JOOD says station keeping in not very hard.
Other ships present include Lowry and Blandy,
Perry, Stormes, and the Laffey.
Base course is 315, speed is one two.
Condition of Readiness 5 is set, plus Material Condition Yoke too.
Boilers 1A and 2A are on the line.
And 1 and 3 generators are running fine.
SOPA is CTG 81.8 in Randolph embarked,
While COMDESRON 32 on this vessel is parked.
Our movements are stated in COMASWGRU ALFA OP-ORDER 13-61,
So I’ll review 1961’s history, just for fun.

In January we were sitting at the D and S Piers,
At Norfolk we welcomed a happy New Year.
In February, we left for a long deployment,
Six months in the Med for the crew’s enjoyment.
March found us in Naples, Cannes, and Black Sea.
All were interesting places, and fun to see.
April and Barcelona, we’re sure to remember,
Bull fights and senioritis, we’d have stayed thru December.
In May we saw Taromina, Sicily, and Ancient Athens,
The city is modern now, not as tall as back then.
June and the French Rivera, a good combination.
With the pretty madamemoiselles we ahd friendly relations.
July in La Spegia with its surrounding beaches,
Made the summer days comfortable with the soft sea breezes.
August in St. Jean we’re not likely to forget,
As our last port it scored a big hit.
September was spent back at the D&S piers,
Re-united with our families and giving cheers.
But alas October found us busy at Key West,
Working for TEVDET, we were doing our best.
November found us in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard,
To repair our shop we all had to work hard.
And at last in December, our ship all mended,
To the ASW Force ALFA, we were appended.
It’s been a busy year, you’re sure to agree,
We’ve had two skippers, and commodore’s three.
But back to this watch, we’ve been busy,
If I don’t’ get started, I’ll be here ‘til Tuesday.
At 0025 boiler 2B was brought on the line
And changed course to 045 at the same time.
Time 0037, came to course one three five
Speed is 4 knots, the BT is taking a dive.
0047, BT on deck, speed is fifteen,
And back to our station we start to steam.
Secured fires under 2A boiler, 0050 is the time
Now all machinery is running just fine.
0109 changed speed to one two,
The JOOD has more station keeping to do.
At time 0302, a signal by flashing light.
To course 225 we came by turning right.
And then at 0306, a voice on the radio.
Said to course 315, the whole task force must go.
This watch is almost over for my relief is in sight,
So I’ll say Happy New Year to all and to all Good Night!

LTJG, C.M. Garverick

To be continued...
Woody