The town had been plagued by a gryphon for weeks before Tails accidentally killed it on his way to save [[Jimmy and Jilly. Residents Ginny and Neddy witnessed the aftermath of his success and took him to Portstable, where they granted him one of the town's flying boats. Despite its ability to remain airborne, Tails sailed out of Portstable by sea and remained in the water with no knowledge of how to actually steer the vessel.