Grampus

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"But that's not fair! He's still a useful submarine! He does lots of things for us."

— Ten Cents protesting Grampus' destruction, "Regatta"

Grampus is a small submarine, who was bought by Captain Star from the navy. He is a grandfatherly figure and a close friend to the other Star Fleet vessels, helping them out with various situations.

Biography

Grampus appears for the first time in the episode "Pirate," in which he helped to prove Ten Cents' innocence. He next appears in the episode Regatta, in which he saved Lillie Lightship from sinking by plugging the hole in her side with his front. Later, he was nearly blown up by Bluenose the naval tug having been branded as too old for further service and was out of commission. He was thankfully swiftly rescued by Ten Cents, Big Mac, O.J., and Top Hat. On the same day, he was bought by Captain Star and joined the Star Fleet as their first Star submarine. He speaks with a Central English accent (with a noticeable lisp). In the 1989 Annual story The Race, he helps Big Mac win a race against Zorran, who sabotages the race.

Grampus also has a tendency to spit water in the tug's faces, most prominently at Bluenose in the episode "Regatta" and at Top Hat while he was asleep in the episode "Ghosts." Grampus docks near the famous Bridge Café, but due to the noise provided by the band, he gets distracted, often moves around the harbour; this is best shown in Pirate. Nothing is said that when Grampus was bought by Captain Star to prevent his demise, that he moved to the Star Dock to rest.

Grampus' whistle is really Sunshine's in a higher pitch.

Livery

Grampus is painted grey with his name painted on in white.

Behind the Scenes

Grampus is based on the USS Grampus (SS-4), which was named after the Grampus, a type of blunt-nosed dolphin. This submarine was sunk as a target in January 1922.

A Grampus, also known as Risso's Dolphin, is also a type of blunt-nosed dolphin.

Spike Knight built Grampus based on old photos of a Plunger-class submarine. The Grampus model used the same trolley mechanism utilised for moving the tugs, except his was able to lift up and down to surface.

Appearances

Episodes

Sunshine (deleted scene; cameo)
Pirate
Regatta
Munitions
Warrior
Quarantine
Ghosts

Books and Annuals

Trivia

His face masks were sold to The Star Tugs Company (formerly The Star Tugs Trust). The current whereabouts of his model are unknown, making him and Top Hat the only two models of the Star Fleet that haven't been found or sold.
Grampus had a special mechanism that makes him squirt water from his mouth whenever he surfaces.

Quotes

"They're going to blow me up today!"

— Grampus, Regatta

The Navy

* Television Series only | ** Annuals only

TUGBOATS	Bluenose
OTHER WATERCRAFTS	Grampus (formerly)
SHIPS	The Naval Ship* \| Kraka-Toa \| Old Rusty* (possibly)
LOCATIONS	The Naval Yard* \| Oil Yard*

Star Tug and Marine

7 Tugs | 1 Submarine | 1 Former Member

CAPTAIN	Captain Star
MEMBERS	Ten Cents \| Big Mac \| O.J. \| Top Hat \| Warrior \| Hercules \| Sunshine \| Grampus
FORMER	Boomer
LOCATIONS	Star Dock