USS MULLINNIX DD-944
Caribbean - 1970
USS Mullinnix in 1970 (Unknown Location)
1968 Mullinnix Deck Logs
January 1968 (PDF)
February 1968 (PDF)
March 1968 (PDF)
April 1968 (PDF)
May 1968 (PDF)
June 1968 (PDF)
July 1968 (PDF)
August 1968 (PDF)
September 1968 (PDF)
October 1968 (PDF)
November 1968 (PDF)
December 1968 (PDF)
Excerpt from "The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944"
A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood
Mullinnix started the new year at her home at D&S Piers, Norfolk, VA. On 10 Janaury at 1615 an electrical fire was reported in MT 53 carrier room. By 1625 fire party reported that the fire was out. It was later determined that the fire started due to a half-opened interlock in the P1 panel.
During the midwatch on 21 January, the wind started rising, bringing with it the compounded smells of the base, the sea, earth, and the smells of The Strip. At 0211, the wind sundennly increased to 25 knots. A cold wind, ruffling the surface of the water. By 0230, it had increased to 30-35 knots with 40 knot gusts. The sea changed from a deep blue-grey to a pale hazy green. White dots of water rose from the surf like sparks.
The drone of the sea and wind green explosive. Spray battered the bridge’s glass windows. Heavy sees begin to build up from astern. OOD orders that all lines be double-checked AND the placing of extra fenders. This to shall pass...
On 27 January, Mullinnix left D&S Piers to anchor at one of the many ammunition loading points. Ammunition barge YFN-647 is alongside to port. Once completed, she steams towards the Virigia Capes Ops Area. She returned to D&S Piers the following day, 28 January.
2 February saw Mullinnix leaving D&S Piers, and steaming towards San Juan, PR. Thunderheads were forming above, threatening a storm. During the 0800-1200 watch the ship experienced heavy rolling in the rough seas. Clouds swollen and black as soot and veined with electricity appeared overhead. Big rain drops and find bits of hail hit the deck. The sea turned a coal-black. At 2037 on 3 February, minor flooding was observed in after steering. See arrived in San Juan on 7 February.
On 17 February, after retreiving a load of ammo from USS Nitro, Mullinnix pulled into pier at Roosevelt Roads, PR. She left again the following day, 18 February. She then arrived in San Juan, PR on 19 February. The ship left port on 23 February to return to training and naval exercises. Gunnery exercises were conducted in the afternoon of 24 February. She returned to Roosy Roads on 25 February, then conducted additional guunery exercises the following day 26 February and again on the 27th. Mullinnix returned to San Juan on 28 February. She left San Juan on 3 March.
For the first time in her life, Mullinnix arrived in Frederiksted, St. Croix on 4 March. Leaving on 6 March to continue with gunnery exercises. She steamed into St Thomas, USVI on 9 March, staying until 11 March. She was back home at D&S Piers on 19 March.
Other than 1 day at sea in the Virginia Ops Area, Mullinnix stayed home to rest and prep for the next adventure. She left for the Med on 1 May.
Daryl Wright, as a Quartermaster, came aboard the USS Mullinnix in Jan 1970 the last DesRon 36? He remembers was Captain Hughes, who later became Vice Admiral, and was in charge of the Navy Federal Credit Union in Washington D.C. There were ‘hedgehogs’ mounted forward of the bridge as well (above the Commodore’s quarters). Daryl thinks they were removed in Portsmouth shipyard after the 1972 Westpac cruise.
To be continued...
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