USS MULLINNIX DD-944
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Recife, Brazil 1958
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Excerpt from "The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944"
A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood
Recife, the capital of the northeastern state of Pernambuco, was built as a port city along tropical, white-sand beaches lined with palm trees. Called the "Venice of Brazil" because it is dissected by numerous waterways and connected by many bridges. The city got its name from the coral reefs that line the coast.
A sailors imagination can be very cruel at times. Liberty in Recife? Fat fuckin’ chance. A fucking fuel stop, period.
Civilian Pilot, Captain Julius Maihaco, guided Mullinnix to starboard side of Customs Wharf. By 1700 hours, she had taken on 119,450 gallons of Navy Special. By 1733, all lines were clear and the crew was drilling the coastline with longing stares of what could have been. What could have been? As the Mullinnix slipped through a grouping of local fishermen going out to sea in their jangadas, crude log rafts with their beautiful sails...what could have been. Instead? Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - well, shit!
To be continued...
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