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| USN Tambor-class submarine 1,475 Tons (standard) 2,370 tons (submerged) 307' 2" x 27' 3" x 14' 7.5" 10 x 21" torpedo tubes (6 bow, 4 aft) with 24 torpedoes 1 x 3"/50 cal deck gun 40mm Bofors AA gun 20mm AA gun   USN March 26, 1941 |
Sub History Built by Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut. Laid down February 14, 1940 as Tambor-class submarine. Launched December 23, 1940 as USS Grampus (SS-207) sponsored by Mrs. Clark H. Woodward. Named for two members of the dolphin family (Delphinidae): Grampus griseus, also known as Risso's dolphin, Orcinus orca or commonly known as the killer whale. Commissioned on May 23, 1941 in the U.S. Navy (USN) under the command of Lt. Commander Edward S. Hutchinson. Afterwards, conducts a shakedown cruise in Long Island Sound. On September 8, 1942 Grampus and USS Grayback (SS-208) proceed south to the Caribbean Sea to conduct a modified war patrol. On September 28, 1942 returns to New London, Connecticut and then departs with USS Grayback (SS-208) for a patrol in the Caribbean Sea and Chesapeake Bay. Afterwards, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire for overhaul arriving November 30, 1942. During December 1941 undergoes tests at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. On December 22, 1941 departs via the Panama Canal to Mare Island then arrives at Pearl Harbor on February 1 , 1942 and placed under the command of Lt. Commander John R. Craig, O-063273. First War Patrol On February 8, 1942 departs on her first war patrol and sinks a tanker 8,636 tons, her only kill and performs a reconnaissance of Kwajalein and Wotje. On April 4, 1942 ends the patrol that was deemed as successful. Second War Patrol On April 28, 1942 departs on her second war patrol and operates off Truk patrolling off North Pass. While patrolling, spotted an enemy submarine and several patrol vessels. On May 17, 1942 fired on by an unidentified vessel but escaped without damage and survived a three hour depth charge attack that caused only minor repairable damage. On May 30, 1942 fired two torpedoes at a Japanese ship between 3,000 Tons to 5,000 Tons that managed to evaded. On May 25, 1942 spotted another ship but in a rain squall lost the ship. On June 17, 1942 ended the patrol at Fremantle without any results. Third War Patrol On July 8, 1942 departs on her third war patrol off the western coast of Mindoro and Luzon including Manila Bay. Although Grampus spotted several ships, the submarine was unable to make successful attacks. On July 18, 1942 fired three torpedoes at a tanker over an hour but no hits were observed. On August 30, 1942 ended the patrol at Fremantle without any results. Fourth Patrol Grampus departed on October 2, 1942 for her fourth war patrol with four coastwatchers embarked that were landed on Vella Lavella and Choiseul. During this patrol, she sighted enemy cruisers and destroyers in five different convoys. Although she conducted a series of aggressive attacks against ships, survived the detonation of 104 depth charges. Grampus was not credited with sinking any ships. On October 18, 1942 targets Yura and fires a spread of four torpedoes, one hits the port side but fails to explode causing only a dent in the hull off Choiseul at Lat 7° 47' S, Long 157° 19' E. On November 23, 1942 ends what is deemed a successful patrol in Australia. Fifth Patrol On December 14, 1942 departs on her fifth war patrol in the Cape St. George area. During the patrol, Grampus spots 41 vessels and attacks made on two escorted cargo ships and two transports, a destroyer and a submarine. The submarine survives several depth charge attacks with only minor damage. The submarine claims to damage a cargo ship of 6,000 tons, a transport of 8,000 tons, another transport of 10,000 tons and a destroyer. On January 19, 1943 ends the patrol that was deems as successful. Sixth Patrol On February 11, 1943 departs Brisbane on her sixth war patrol with USS Grayback (SS-208) to patrol the central Solomons Islands and failed to return. On March 4, 1943 last seen by USS Grayback (SS-208) as the two submarines were to guard routes out of Kula Gulf to support of U.S. Navy (USN) Task Force 68 (TF 68) shore bombardment of Via on Kolombangara and the brief Battle of Blackett Strait (Battle of Vila–Stanmore). Sinking History On March 23, 1943 after repeated attempts to contact Grampus failed, the submarine was presumed lost with all hands. The precise circumstances of her loss remain a mystery but the submarine was likely lost sometime after March 4, 1943 in the central Solomon Islands. Officially struck from the Naval vessel register on June 21, 1943. There is no specific matching claim for a submarine that could explain the loss of Grampus, but at least two possiblities might relate to the loss of this submarine. On February 18, 1943 Japanese seaplanes from 958 Kokutai (958 Air Group) patrolling in same area Grampus was operating claimed to sink a submarine. Alternately, on March 4, 1943, Grampus was spotted by USS Grayback (SS-208) in her patrol area and thus was not lost before that date. Another possibility is Grampus was lost guarding possible withdrawal routes out of Kula Gulf during the night of March 5, 1943 when Japanese destroyers Minegumo and Murasame were on a supply run to Vila on Kolombangara or in the early morning of March 6, 1943 as a result of the brief Battle of Blackett Strait (Battle of Vila–Stanmore). After the battle, a heavy oil slick was observed that might have been associated with the submarine. Memorials The entire crew remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Craig earned the Navy Cross for his role as Captain on the fourth and fifth patrols. Posthumously, he was promoted to the rank of Commander and earned the Purple Heart. Awards Grampus earned three battle stars for World War II service. References NARA "The Five War Patrols of the USS Grampus" pages 1-3 (Page 3) "On 23 March 1943, it was announced that Grampus was presumed lost, while on her sixth war patrol". Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Grampus V (SS-207) NHHC (NHHC) - US Navy Submarines Losses, Selected Accidents, and Selected Incidents of Damage Resulting from Enemy Action, Chronological "Grampus SS-207 Feb or Mar 43 / 71 killed / Sunk either by Japanese naval aircraft (958th Kokutai) southeast of New Britain on 19 February or by destroyer Minegumo in Blackett Strait on the night of 5-6 March" NavSource - USS Grampus SS-207 On Eternal Patrol - USS Grampus (SS-207) crew list American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John R. Craig FindAGrave - LCDR John Rich Craig (photos, tablets of the missing, news, Navy Cross citation) Contribute
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