USS Edson: Fascinating Floating Ship Museum

Have you ever wanted to step aboard a piece of living history? The USS Edson, a Dreadnaught Destroyer, offers an immersive experience as a floating ship museum and National Historical Landmark in Bay City, Michigan. The self-guided tour is fascinating. Touring the ship illuminates the realities that our service men and women aboard ships in the Navy must face daily.

Getting to the USS Edson

The USS Edson is on the Saginaw River and is visible from the Independence Bridge just Northeast of downtown Bay City. A sign on Marquette Ave directs you onto a winding entrance road back to the parking area along the river. Purchase tickets in the white building adjacent to the parking lot before the ramp to the ship. The only restrooms are next to the office. There are none on the ship, so be prepared. Exploring the ship takes at least an hour. The tour is self-guided, so you can do as much or as little as you wish. You could also take a restroom break and go back on board to resume your explorations.

Boarding and Accessibility

Access the USS Edson by dock and a gangplank leading up to the deck. Feel free to explore the deck at the ship’s rear and then enter the tour through the open door. Signs throughout the ship help guide your explorations. There are many narrow passages, stairs, and lips on the doors. Wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, etc will not be able to navigate this floating ship museum.

A Very Short History

The USS Edson made a name for itself, and its history contains many interesting facts. You can check out detailed info on the museum website. The USS Edson was in service from 1958 – 1988 and participated in the Vietnam War, becoming a Top Gun ship dubbed the “Grey Ghost of the Vietnamese Coast.” It arrived in Bay City in 2012. And we are so glad it did. There is so much to explore!

A Floating City

The USS Edson is like a floating city tucked inside a warship, with neighborhoods and everything you need for daily living. The ship boasts a laundry, a woodshop, a machine shop, a barber, a post office, a kitchen and dining areas, a ship store, and so much more. Depending on your jobs, there are a few different sleeping areas, and some of the service members never met each other, even if they served on the same ship. The number of jobs on this ship is mind-boggling, but when you can’t leave to get what you need from a shop, you must be able to supply the needs right aboard the ship.

Veterans Day Memorial Service

We visited the USS Edson on Veteran’s Day. Several people gathered for a ceremony on shore as we boarded the ship for our tour. While we were below decks somewhere down in the belly of the ship, we heard a loud BOOM. We were a little startled at first but quickly realized it was part of the ceremony above us on shore. Then there sounded another BOOM. That is the sound that many of our sailors must have heard while serving aboard the ship. We stopped for a moment of silence, bringing tears to my eyes.

Exploring and Learning

On board the USS Edson, there are so many nooks and crannies to explore. It’s almost like going to a playground or a corn maze, but so much better! There is so much history to learn and many different levels and areas to explore. We met a veteran volunteer as we were leaving, and he gave us a lot more insight into what we had just seen. He talked about being a “snipe” and what that meant to him. I had never heard the term, so he took the time to explain. His story was moving. For information about Snipes, check this website.

Be a Volunteer

The USS Edson is privately funded and maintained by dedicated volunteers. It is undergoing continuous renovation to restore its original state as much as possible. If you want to help preserve this invaluable piece of history, join the volunteer community. They always encourage more volunteers to come aboard.

Visit the USS Edson

In conclusion, our visit to the USS Edson was enlightening and humbling. As we explored the ship, we couldn’t help but reflect on the challenges faced by our service members at sea. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or looking for a unique adventure, the USS Edson promises an unforgettable experience. Plan your visit, or become a volunteer – the Grey Ghost awaits!

If you are interested in other ship museums, check out our post on the Huron Lightship Museum.

To continue your Bay City history adventure, be sure to stop in at Midland Street Books and grab some history books to read.

This ship is one of our inspirations for our Travel Plans for 2024! We hope you join us and keep in touch.