A historic research vessel is making Charleston its temporary home, giving locals and visitors a rare chance to step aboard and experience its unusual past up close. The ROBERT GRAY, a 125‑foot steel‑hulled research vessel built in 1936, is now docked at the Charleston Maritime Center through early June after previously tying up at Pier 25 on the Hudson River in New York City.
What You Can Do Aboard
- Guests can join guided tours of the ship, attend the “Talking Ship Supper Club” dinner series, gather for cocktail hours on deck, or book the ROBERT GRAY for private events and gatherings.
- Visitors will hear about the vessel’s oceanographic and military history, including its work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and modern research missions, and learn about upcoming Lowcountry Expeditions and broader scientific voyages.
About the Ship and Its Mission
- The ROBERT GRAY is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the oldest working research vessels in the United States, operated by The Voyagers Club, founded by Captain S. Davis Alford.
- Captain Alford has called Charleston the ship’s “home port,” saying the goal is to make science and adventure accessible through small‑group tours, suppers, and expeditions.
After its stay in Charleston, the ROBERT GRAY will head back to New York City to participate in SAIL4th250 events celebrating America’s 250th Fourth of July, using the ship as a floating platform to connect history, exploration, and coastal culture.
