USS MULLINNIX DD-944

           1960 Northern European Cruise           

ALL HANDS Magazine July 1960

1960 Mullinnix Deck Logs

January 1960 (PDF)
February 1960 (PDF)
March 1960 (PDF)
April 1960 (PDF)
May 1960 (PDF)
June 1960 (PDF)
July 1960 (PDF)
August 1960 (PDF)
September 1960 (PDF)
October 1960 (PDF)
November 1960 (PDF)
December 1960 (PDF)




Plan of the Day - 1 October 1960


Plan of the Day - 2 October 1960


Antwerp Belgium
Click on the picture above to open PDF file of the liberty
Instructions that were given out to the Mullinnix Crew

The Northern Europe Cruise (NATO Exercise) was made from 6 September – 20 October 1960. The Mullinnix pulled into only 1 port for 6 days (arriving 2 October) - Antwerp, Belgium - but it was a bute! She crossed the Arctic Circle on 20 Sept. 1960. The crew was awarded their "Blue Nose" card.


Mullinnix Track Chart for 1960-62. Courtesy Robert Hall

________________

Excerpt from "The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944"
A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood
[Note: Please remember the definition of "Historical Novel" as McGee and Smythe are from my own imagination!]

The NATO FALL EXERCISES began on 6 September as Mullinnix with COMDESRON 32 embarked, deployed for NATO fleet operations per COMCARDIV SIX OP-ORDER 56-60. Besides Northampton and Norfolk, she was steaming in the company of Laffey, USS Willis A. Lee DL-4, USS Shangri-La CVA-38, and USS Boston CLG-1. The ship's crew sharpened the skills on ECM exercises, helicopter details, masking and narrow eave maneuvers. At one point, on 10 September, Mullinnix was part of a 14 ship eccentric circular screen. Later that same day, she topped off her fuel tanks with almost 70,000 gallons of NSFO, courtesy of USS Caloosahatchee AO-98.

With preparation complete, the fleet headed north. Mullinnix was in the company of many of the Navy's finest ships of the day. It literary read like a 'who's who' in modern warships. Name’s like Shangri-La, Essex, Northampton, Boston, Macon, Norfolk, Mitscher, to name a few. The other NATO countries would surely know when the 'big guns' appeared on station.

Besides the Caloosahatchee, fuel oil was supplied by a number of oilers and larger ships, including USS Nantahala AO-60 and USS Trucker AO-147. As the days passed, the fleet grew in number when they were joined by ships from DESRON 4, DESRON 32, DESRON 20, DESDIV 82. In the wee hours of 15 September, Mullinnix was operating with 20 other US ships.

A ship is a jealous spouse, always demanding attention of some short - chipping rust, painting, preventive maintenance, testing, repairing, more chipping, more painting. The hectic watches when the exacting minuet of haze-gray shapes racing at flank speed keeps all hands on a razor edge of alertness. On top of the normal routine, the demands of steaming in the North Atlantic in conjunction with the pressure to perform flawlessly in the upcoming exercises took its toll on some of the crew. On 16 September, Seaman Ray O’Rourke and SK2 George Bombardiere were up for Captain’s mast for sleeping on watch and indirect disobedience of an order respectively.

The sea was green and black, doomed by a sky bursting with stars, so cold in their configuration they seemed to smoke like dry ice. The air was damp and cloudy, the sea a wintry gray and the tang of salt strong on the wind. Midday on 19 September, she received mail from USS Alstede AF-48.

Fire Control Technicians Howard McGee and Brian Smythe sat on the mess decks, trying their best to finish chow.

"This sucks!"

"What?"

"Steaming, steaming, steaming and doing what? Where’s the rest of fuckin' NATO"? asked Smythe. "I hate waiting!"

"I've spent more time in the chow line than you've been in the navy, Smythe."

"You wouldn't think looking at a cup of coffee for two minutes was a long time. But you just try it sometime, it's an eternity."

"Things are looking up. Tomorrow we earned our Blue Nose." Said McGee.

Indeed. On 20 September, Mullinnix crossed the Arctic Circle, enshrining the crew into the 'Northern Domain of the Polar Bear'.

Mullinnix steamed into a purpling sky. The crew could hear the blowers speed up, the vibration increase in pitch and intensity, seeing the wake spread out as she dug her tail in. The sea was running in long rolling swells, sparkling with light on the crests and dark grey with the depth of the ocean in the dips. You could hear the Atlantic's low grumble, as if it were getting mad.

Midwatch, 21 September, the US fleet met up with ships from the NATO fleet in the Norwegian Sea - HMS Ark Royal R-09, HMS Hermes R-12, HMS Camperdown D-32, HMS Defender D-114, HMS Darling D-05, HMS Delight D-119, HMS Dainty D-108, HMS Camperdown D-32, HMS Nootica DDE-215, and HMCS Haida DDE-213 (British Tribal Class destroyers built for Canada).

Civil twilight was listed as 5:45 AM, a naval term referring to the first glimpse of a defined horizon. Smythe took a drink. The coffee was like battery acid - or was that his stomach? He'd been called to the aft director to aid in the search for unidentified radar contacts. Mullinnix, along with USS Willis DE-1027 and HMS Iroquois DDE-217 were on patrol. McGee had asked him to train the two new FTSN in the operation of the director itself and the Rangefinder. He'd be stuck here all fucking day.

The rhythmic six foot swells forced Mullinnix to roll with the ocean. At 1758 the IMC barked, "Darken ship! Show no white lights topsides!" Smythe couldn't remember a longer or worst day than this. He'd sent the two FTSNs to chow about 30 minutes ago just so he could have a few minutes of piece and quite.

"Hey deuce bag, you still in there," yelled McGee as he climbed the ladder to the top of the director.

Recognizing McGee's voice, "Ram it up your ass - sidewise!"

"Yea? And I hope your next shit is square! Hey, I heard the skivvywaver announce over the bitch box that the breadburners have creamed foreskins on toast and SOS ready on the mess decks. You interested?"

Ignoring the menu update, "This is the last shit detail you dump on me for a long time brother. Those two are stone cold fucking stupid! The skinny one, what's his fuckin' name? He's ten hairs away from a fucking baboon! My fun meter is fucking pegged!"

"Tell me how you really feel, why don't you?" laughed McGee.

"Not worth a shit, but thanks for asking."

"Well, maybe I can cheer you up."

A fireman apprentice had learned of 'it' from a cook rumored to be in the know, who'd gotten it from a steward completely on the up-and-up, who’d heard it firsthand from one of the boot-Ensigns, who’d been invited to a strategy session held by the XO.

"Rumor has it we are getting liberty in Antwerp, Belgium. Can you believe that shit?"

"You wouldn't lie to me would you McGee? I'm in dire need of some good news for a change."

"Nope. Word has it, we have a few more days at sea. Then onto Antwerp!"

"Maybe things are looking up a bit. I woke up with a boner the size of a 3" shell this morning."

They had a lot of work ahead of them. On 22 September, USS Sablefish SS-303 joined fleet. At 0134, the crew was exercised at general quarters. Mullinnix, and other ships, conducted simulated gunfire attacks on Sablefish. More sack time for Smythe when his eyes weren’t glued to the Rangefinder. After the exercise the Sablefish was re-evaluated as Norwegian DD-309.

26 September, the crew was once again at GQ at midnight. By 0025 they were simulating firing main battery on surface raider. At 0829 Mullinnix was steaming at 20 knots to intercept contact bearing 040T, distance 11,400 yards. At 0842 she sighted the contact and identified it as non-other than USS The Sullivans DD-537.

The five Sullivan brothers enlisted in the Navy and served together aboard the cruiser USS Juneau. On 13 November 1942, while fighting off Guadalcanal, the five brothers died with seven hundred other sailors when the USS Juneau was sunk by a Japanese submarine. President Roosevelt directed that one of the new Fletcher class destroyers be named after the brothers. The USS The Sullivans was launched in San Francisco on April 4, 1943.

The ship sported the shamrock of Ireland on her forward stack and sailed into World War II with 23 crew members named Sullivan. She fought in the Marshalls, Carolines, Mariannas and Philippines and earned nine battle stars. After deployment in Korea, the Cuban blockade, and the rescue efforts for the sub Thresher, she was laid up. The vessel was acquired by the City of Buffalo and is on display at the Buffalo and Erie county Naval & Servicemen's park. It has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

27 September found Mullinnix off the Southwest Coast of Ireland, rendezvousing with USS Saratoga CVA-60 for fire power demonstration rehearsals. The fleet was operating in the Bay of Biscay in the wee hours of 29 September. The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the North Atlantic Ocean. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Punta de Estaca de Bares, and is named for the Spanish province of Biscay. Parts of the continental shelf extend far into the bay, resulting in fairly shallow water in many areas which creates the rough seas the region is known for. The Bay of Biscay is home to some of the Atlantic Ocean's fiercest weather. Large storms occur in the bay, especially during the winter months.

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.

GO TO Liberty Call Antwerp, Belguim 1960

While in port, the ship experienced sixteen feet rising and falling tide with only thirty feet of water at low tide. Nonetheless, the ship received 1000 visitors on her first full day in port. The deck log would record that, "a lady of American Nationality was struck slightly on her right wrist as the upper part of the aluminum rail stanchion at frame 105 on the 01 level starboard side broke and fell to the main deck where the lady was walking during general visiting. She refused medical treatment saying that she had not received any physical injury".

At 0200 on 6 October, MM2 Andy Alterio, suffering from acute intoxication, was subdued in the engineering berthing compartment. HM1 Charles Shamblin had to inject Alterio with two shots of Paraldehyde. Paraldehyde is a Schedule IV depressant used most frequently in hospital settings to treat delirium tremens associated with alcohol withdrawal. Alterio was then put into a strait jacket in his bunk to 'prevent him from incurring injury to himself.'

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.

By 11 October she was participating in maneuvers with USS Willis A. Lee DL-4, USS Severn AO-61 along with USS D. H. Fox DD-779, USS Northampton CLC-1. Joining her NATO allies, she steamed on 14 October with:
* USS Shangri CVA-38
* USS Macon CA-132
* USS Norfolk DL-1
* USS Mitscher DL-2
* DESRON 4 less USS Vogelgesang DD-862 and USS Gearing DD-710
* DESRON 32 less USS Lowry DD-770 and USS Stormes DD-780
* DESDIV 82 plus USS W. L. Lind DD-703, USS John Willis DE-1027, HMCS Iroquois DDE-217, HMCS Haida DDE-213, HMCS Nootka DDE-215, and USS Triton SSR (N) 586

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.

As the 1960 election drew near, it was clear to Vice President Nixon that the CIA was far from ready to attack Cuba. Nixon instructed the task force to "don't do anything now; wait until after the elections." The CIA had neither presidential approval nor the troops needed to carry out a mission. The five hundred men undergoing training in Guatemala were a "preposterously inadequate number."

John Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon by fewer than 120,000 votes. Nixon blamed the CIA. He was convinced, wrongly, that "Georgetown liberals" had secretly aided Kennedy with inside information on Cuba before a crucial televised presidential debate.

Tin Cans are always looking for trouble and usually finding it. On 14th November 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower ordered U.S. naval units into the Caribbean after Guatemala and Nicaragua charged Castro with starting uprisings.

After receiving pyrotechnics and fuel, Mullinnix departed D&S Piers 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 zigzagging 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.

On 21 November, the ship performed maneuvering exercises with numerous ships including USS Suribachi AE-21. Regardless how hectic a ship's exercises may be, the Navy can always find time for a good ole' fashion Captain's Mass even during the most busy of times as Seaman Recruit (SR) Tegtmeier found out the hard way. And, God help Fireman Maurice, if he ever decides to return to the ship.

She returned to Norfolk on the morning of 22 November. Tegtmeier met his 'party' on the quarterdeck and they escorted him to the U.S. Naval Brig at Camp Allen for three days of the Navy's version of a Weight Watchers diet. Shortly after that, with the USS Hank DD-702 moored alongside to port outboard, the ship's damage control party put out a trash container fire on the pier at 2245, using a firehouse broken out amidships.

With the crew bolstered by two with the return of SD3 Goodman (courtesy of the local Shore Patrol) and SHSN Bennett (on his own), the ship was ordered underway once again on 30 November, along with four other ships of DESRON 32, to join the Caribbean Naval Patrols. While in route, the crew practiced small arms off the fantail, expending 1600 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. 1600 rounds? Did they save any for the Commies? They crew was then mustered to GQ and all 5-in mounts were fired expending a few star shells and AA common. Not to be out done, the 3-in crews showed off by firing 40 rounds 3"/50 VT(NF) projectiles.

On Saturday morning, 3 December, the ship met up with USS Nipmuc ATF-157 and transferred two camera personnel via the motor whale boat. The day was calm, patches of pale blue were appeared over low streaks of clouds, the pale grey tinged with pink. With the opportunity to show off for the cameras, the ship commenced gunnery exercises, expending 41 rounds of BL&P, 60 rounds AA common, 96 cases of non flashless powder, and 5 cases of flashless powder. At 1423, with the Captain on the CONN and the aid of YTB 524, she tied up to pier Charlie, U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with standard lines. As GITMO custom dictates, any ship refuels ASAP after tying up the pier – just in case. Yes, even before liberty call. For some the day was even longer. RMCS Wood and six of his fellow shipmates drew the short straw and pulled Shore Patrol duty.

Sunday isn't an observed holiday in GITMO. Must be a Castro thing. Mullinnix was underway for a couple days of exercises with the USS Wasp CVS-18 and USS Pawcatuck AO-108. She was back in GITMO Tuesday evening, 6 December, moored portside to pier Lima. Later that evening, USS Ingham W-35 moored alongside to starboard. The Ingham was a Secretary Class Coast Guard Combat Cutter from World War II. These 327 foot ships kept the lifelines of the Allied war effort open, escorting convoys across the Atlantic, down the seaboard of the US, and through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The USS Alexander Hamilton CG (WPG-34), fell victim to a U-boat's torpedo in January, 1942, becoming the first US warship lost in combat in the Atlantic after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Steaming in this area of unrest was concluded and on Pearl-Harbor-Day, 1960 found Mullinnix getting underway back to Norfolk in accordance with COMSECONDFLT Msg 062103Z for tender availability and holiday leave. At sea the wind is never inconsistent. Always, at a minimum, at a steady knotage matching a ship’s speed. The air was filled with the astringency of the sea. Frail clouds moved like tattered paper across the morning sky.

General Quarters was sounded at 1239 on 8 December. "This is NOT a drill, THIS is NOT a drill" thundered across the 1MC due to a class "B" fire in the "Reefers" - Reefer Room compartments 3-42-O-L. The flames were extinguished quickly by the repair party using CO2. Salt water was used to cool the deck. The cause was determined to be a flare-back in the acetylene bottle while a workman was adjusting the flame on his Helide Torch. Somebody was in trouble as the flame arresters were missing from the torch. A red devil blower aided in clearing the area of smoke. Fortunately, damage was limited to about two square feet of paint burned from the deck of the compartment. Regardless how small, fires aboard ship while at sea are no laughing matter. With the crew living above a series of magazines and fuel tanks, the fire is either put out or you head straight to your abandon ship station – assuming you can outrun the explosions of ammunition and jet fuel.

To shake off the cobwebs, aches, and pains, the ship performed a four hour full power trial on Friday, 9 December. It was a beautiful morning. The sea was calm and she was heading North towards Virginia. A light wind whip up as the ship gained speed and the shoreline faded into the distance off the starboard side. Salt spray kicked up around those on the 01 level as the Mux sped over the low swells. They breathed in the fresh smell of salt air as the ship’s speed peeked at 35 knots at 0806. The following morning, she rested contently at Pier 23 at D&S Piers, in anticipation of a longs winter nap and the upcoming holiday season.

________________

When rebel forces invaded Nicaragua in November 1960, the MULLINNIX was one of the naval units ordered by President Eisenhower to patrol the area of unrest. At the end of 1960, the Government of Nicaragua began to share the concern of the United States, but its worries were about Communist-backed activities and intervention in Nicaraguan affairs sponsored by Cuba. This led to a request for U.S. assistance. On November 17, James Hagerty, President Eisenhower's press secretary, announced on behalf of the President that air and surface units of the U.S. Navy had assumed positions off the coast of Nicaragua where they could assist the local government against such intervention.

To be continued...


Courtesy Robert Hall


Courtesy Robert Hall



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