"griffin" returned to pearl harbor 17 march 1944, and departed 8 april 1944 for the great submarine base at fremantle, western australia. she arrived 8 may and immediately set about servicing the growing submarine fleet. the tender remained at fremantle until 20 november 1944, during her stay founding a rubber fabrication shop which solved one of the great shortages on board the submarines. she then moved closer to the japanese shipping lanes at mios woendi, new guinea, arriving 9 december 1944. there she tended submarines, surface craft of all kinds, and even lent her repair equipment to shore facilities. "griffin" remained at mios woendi until 1 february 1945 when she sailed for subic bay, via leyte.