USS Grampus (SS-4) facts for kids
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USS Grampus in dry dock at Mare Island, 1906
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Name | USS Grampus |
| Builder | |
| Laid down | 10 December 1900 |
| Launched | 31 July 1902 |
| Sponsored by | Mrs. Marley F. Hay |
| Commissioned | 28 May 1903 |
| Decommissioned | 25 July 1921 |
| Stricken | 16 January 1922 |
| Fate | Sunk as target |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Plunger-class submarine |
| Displacement | 107 long tons (109 t) |
| Length | 63 ft 10 in (19.46 m) |
| Beam | 11 ft 11 in (3.63 m) |
| Draft | 10 ft 7 in (3.23 m) |
| Speed |
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| Complement | 7 officers and men |
| Armament | 1 × 18 inch (450 mm) torpedo tube |
The USS Grampus (SS-4) was an early submarine of the United States Navy. It was part of the Plunger-class. Later, its name was changed to A-3. This submarine was named after the grampus, a type of dolphin. It was the fourth U.S. Navy ship to carry this name.
Contents
Building a Submarine
The Grampus started being built on December 10, 1900. This happened at Union Iron Works in San Francisco, California. Union Iron Works was working for the Holland Torpedo Boat Company.
Launching the Grampus
The submarine was launched into the water on July 31, 1902. Mrs. Marley F. Hay, whose husband worked at Union Iron Works, was the sponsor. She helped launch the ship.
During the christening ceremony, something unusual happened. The ribbon holding the champagne bottle broke. Some sailors thought this was a bad sign, like a curse on the ship.
The Grampus officially joined the Navy on May 28, 1903. This ceremony, called commissioning, took place at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Lieutenant Arthur MacArthur III was the first commander. He was the brother of the famous General Douglas MacArthur.
Early Life of the Submarine
For about three and a half years, the Grampus worked near San Francisco. Its main jobs were training and testing new ideas.
Helping After the Earthquake
On April 18, 1906, a huge earthquake hit San Francisco. It caused a lot of damage. Sailors from the Grampus helped people after the disaster. They were part of the relief efforts.
After this, the Grampus was taken out of service on November 28, 1906. This is called decommissioning. It stayed inactive for a while.
Back in Action
The submarine was put back into service on June 13, 1908. It joined the First Submarine Division in the Pacific. Later, it became part of the United States Pacific Fleet. The Grampus operated along the California coast.
On November 17, 1911, the submarine got a new name: A-3. It was then moved to the Pacific Reserve Fleet on June 28, 1912.
Journey to the Philippines
The A-3 stayed out of service at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard until 1915. On February 16, 1915, it was lifted onto a supply ship called the Hector.
The Hector sailed to the Philippines. It carried A-3 and its sister ship, A-5, on its deck. The ships arrived in Olongapo on March 26. A-3 was put back into the water on April 10.
Service in Asia
A week later, on April 17, the A-3 was commissioned again in Olongapo. It joined the First Submarine Division of the United States Asiatic Fleet. The submarine stayed active with this group until July 25, 1921.
During World War I, the A-3 patrolled the waters near Manila Bay. Its job was to protect the area. On July 17, 1920, the submarine was given a special number, SS-4. This is called a hull classification symbol.
End of Service
The A-3 was taken apart. Its parts were then used as a target for other ships in the Asiatic Fleet. This means other ships practiced shooting at it. The A-3 was officially removed from the Navy's list of ships on January 16, 1922.
Images for kids
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USS Grampus
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