The USS Grouse began its career as YMS-3212, a minesweeper and convoy escort in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, she was renamed the ship was used as a training ship to teach naval crews the techniques used in mining and minesweeping.
The Grouse left Portsmouth, New Hampshire on September 21, 1963 for two-week training exercises. At 2:00 am, she struck a jagged group of shoals called “Little Salvages”, off the coast of Rockport, Massachusetts. As the tide fell, the Grouse was left resting on the rocky shoal. Most of the crew evacuated the ship, leaving only a small crew of 11 behind. By the next day, strong winds up to 30 mph battered the ship and prevented rescue efforts.
The tug Keywadin, was sent by the US Navy to attempt a recovery but was unable to pull the ship from its position. The weather was a constant deterrent to rescue operations, and soon a helicopter rescued the remaining crew.
After numerous unsuccessful recovery attempts, the Navy recovered electronics and other valuable items from the Grouse. During low tide on September 29th, she was covered in gasoline and set ablaze and burned until the next high tide rolled in.
The wreck of the Grouse is located in roughly 20 feet of water at Little Salvages off the coast of Rockport, Massachusetts and is accessible to recreational divers.
Well, now I definitely want to hear what you can’t tell me.