USS MULLINNIX DD-944

Manzanillo, Mexico
18 October

After steaming out of San Diego on 16 October, Mullinnix and USS Sarsfield anchored off Manzanillo Mexico at 1450 on 18 October waiting for their turn at the refueling pier. There was a red crabber off the Punta Fabalen light making for Manzanillo like a spot of blood on the blue-green swell. At 2015, the ship headed to the refueling pier.

But first, "General Quarters, General Quarters, man your battle stations!" Bloody hell, now what? A Class C fire was reported in the anchor windless room. Once the fire was extinguished, it was determined to be an automatic brake locking, causing the brake lining to catch fire. No rest for the wicked, I guess. Finally, at 2133, Mullinnix tied up to the refueling pier.

Adding insult to injury - we heard it before we saw it. A tiled roof cantina, surrounded by mango trees, at the end of the pier that we weren't on. The brisk smell of the sea quickly gave way to the sweet scents of coconut palms, sugarcane and spices. Thumping music wailed out over the water, slowing dancing its way towards Mullinnix.

Twinkling lights lit up the roof line, and the beat of drums mixed with laughter, singing, and the blare of trumpets pulled at our collective sailo's liberty urge. We could barely make out dancing silhouettes but in our mind's eye we saw women with body art, whether hair color, tattoos or clothing, or better yet, women who didn't need body art, cause their bodies were already art. Or, women with black curls fluttering in tousled manes with green eyes shooting angry sparks beneath their black brows. Or, big brassy women with accented coppery hair and blue eyes like tiny torches.

Begrudgingly, we turned our backs to the bittersweet music and focused our attention on refueling. For the first time in 7 months, the urge to get home was stronger than getting drunk. I know, I know, shocking at it is, there is a first for everything.

Mullinnix finished refueling at 0317 and was underway at 0330 enroute to Panama Canal. We didn't secure the special sea and anchor detail until 03-bloody-50! The crew was exhausted, many with lingering effects of San Diego working against their stamina.

















Next stop - Panama Canal - then home sweet home!

Go to "23 October - Panama Canal"

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