As the sixth U.S. Navy ship to be named for this aquatic mammal, the USS Dolphin was part of the V-boats, a series of 9 submarines laid down between World War I and World War II. It was built by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1930, sponsored by Mrs. E. D. Toland, and initially had Lieutenant John B. Griggs, Jr. in command. In 1932, the submarine departed Portsmouth, New Hampshire for San Diego, California. There, it reported to Submarine Division 12 and continued to serve along the West Coast, partaking in tactical exercises and test torpedo firings until the spring of 1933. At the beginning of World War II, the USS Dolphin departed from Pearl Harbor in 1941 on its first war patrol, during which it reconnoitered in the Marshall Islands in preparation for subsequent airstrikes. Asbestos was present on the USS Dolphin in large amounts, particularly in the form of insulation, since this mineral had great fire and electrical resistance. However, asbestos is a known human carcinogen, and exposure to it can lead, within 20 to 50 years, to serious diseases such as lung cancer. For this reason, veterans who served on this submarine need to keep a close eye on their health and seek medical attention as soon as they notice unusual symptoms. In 1946, the USS Dolphin was sold for breaking up.
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