Gripper was a part of the searat crew aboard the Darkqueen under the command of captain Saltar. He was onboard when the Darkqueen took over the Periwinkle. After the crew seized the ship, Gripper, Ledder, and Saltar went below decks to look for food or riches. They found Mariel Gullwhacker hidden under a bunk where her father told her to stay. The rats attacked her and she struck out, kicking Gripper in the throat and crushing his windpipe, killing him.