50 Years Ago Today - Mux Leaves Dry Dock

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

At 1400 on 18 April, flooding commenced in the dry dock. By 1637, the ship’s stern passed over the sill, steaming towards D&S Piers under power from 1B and 2A boilers, #2 ships service generator, and under the watchful eye of Navy pilot W. D. Rice. After refueling at D&S Piers, the ship loaded 4 Mk. 32 Mod 2 warshots and 3 Mk. 32 Mod plus 2 exercise shots from USS Shenandoah.

The next day, the ship set off to sea for the coast of North Carolina to rendezvous with Task Unit 81.8.2 in accordance with COMASWGRU ALFA Op-Order 5-62. She exercised with ship from COMDESON 32 including sister ship USS Jonas Ingram DD-938. The Jonas Ingram has the distinction of being sunk by the first live fire test of the Mark 48 ADCAP torpedo during a SINKEX on 23 July 1988.

Saturday, 21 April, found the ship performing sonar calibration exercises with USS Sirago SS-485. During ASW exercises on 24 April, the ship fired hedgehogs and torpedoes. The ship returned to D&S Piers on 3 May.

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mux Leaves Wilmington enroute to Norfolk and Dry Dock

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

The ship steamed from Wilmington on 9 April, enroute to Norfolk, arriving at 1057 on 10 April. A few days later, she entered dry dock for routine maintenance. The following report was provided the CO on 16 April:

“The underwater body paint appears in good condition, only a few areas are peeling away in the vicinity of overboard discharges. The paint on the rudders is almost entirely removed. All spots left by the previous docking will be touched up and the defects noted will be corrected during this availability. There are several bolts missing from the retaining rings around the port and starboard rudder posts. These will be replaced by the shipyard at this time. The cavitation previously noted and repaired by the shipyard during the interim availability is again present but does not seem serious enough to warrant additional expenditures for repairs at this time. The fairing strip on the sonar dome is being renewed by the shipyard. All sea valves and sea chests appear in excellent material condition and no work will be done on these at this time.”

To be continued...
Woody