uss "griffin" (as-13), originally "mormacpenn", a united states maritime commission type c3 pre-war cargo ship, was launched by sun shipbuilding & dry dock, chester, pennsylvania, 11 october 1939. she served briefly with moore-mcconnack, inc., was acquired by the navy in 1940, renamed "griffin" (as-13) and converted to a submarine tender at robbins dry dock and repair company, brooklyn, n.y. "griffin" commissioned 31 july 1941, comdr. s. d. jupp in command.