Robert Gray was probably the great-grandson of Edward Gray who settled in 1643 in Plymouth, Massachusets, married a niece of Gov. Winslow of the Plymouth colony, and whose son Edward in 1680 removed to Tiverton in Rhode Island where Robert Gray was born.
As a young man, Gray took an active part in the naval service of the Revolutionary War and at its close was recognized as a competent navigator. A little later six energetic citizens of Boston and vicinity resolved to link the China trade with the nascent fur-trade of the Northwest coast of America.
In pursuance of this plan the ship Columbia under Captain John Kendrick, who also commanded the expedition, and the sloop Lady Washington under Robert Gray sailed from Boston in September 1787.
Throughout the voyage, Gray was the driving force. By his energy, determination, and daring, the little ninety-ton sloop gathered the cargo of sea-otter skins with which the Columbia, to whose command he had been transferred, began her return voyage, July 30, 1789, from the Northwest coast by way of China.
On August 10, 1790, with a salute of thirteen guns, the ship dropped anchor in Boston Harbor, having sailed almost forty-two thousand miles and carried the American flag for the first time around the world. She had shown to Boston a new source of wealth, even though her voyage had not been remunerative.
After being refitted, the Columbia left Boston in September 1790 and arrived at Vancouver Island in June 1791. Gray was in command and was also a part owner in the venture.
After the season’s trade to the northward, he wintered in Clayoquot Sound, where he built the Adventure, the second vessel launched on the Northwest coast. The following spring, while seeking a trade to the southward, he made his discoveries of Gray’s Harbor and the Columbia River. Prior to that time, the so-called “River of the West” or “River Oregan” of Jonathan Carver had been merely a name upon the maps. Spanish and English navigators - Heceta, Meares, and Vancouver - had glanced at its “sortie” and passed on; but on May 11, 1792, Gray sailed his vessel through the line of foaming water and seething breakers that guarded the long-sought river.
The season’s trading completed, he sailed for China, homeward bound; and on July 20, 1793, after another world-encircling voyage, the Columbia anchored off Long Wharf, Boston, to a salute of eleven guns.
Little did he realize that his discovery would give to his country the foundation of a claim to Old Oregon and would make his ship, Columbia, as well known as the Constitution.
In the summer of 1806, while on a voyage to Charleston, South Carolina, Gray died of yellow fever. It is believed that he was buried at sea.
Robert Gray is known for taking an active part in the naval service of the Revolutionary War, made his discoveries of Gray’s Harbor and the Columbia River. There are some places named in Gray's honor such as Grays Harbor and Grays Harbor County, in Washington; Grays Bay, on the north shore of the Columbia River estuary; Grays Point, at the west of Grays Bay; Grays River, a tributary of the Columbia River, flowing into Grays Bay; Grays River, Washington, a small, unincorporated rural village on the river of the same name. Also, Robert Gray Avenue in Tiverton, Rhode Island was named after him. Robert Gray Middle School in Portland, Oregon; Robert Gray Middle School in Tacoma, Washington; Captain Robert Gray Elementary in Astoria, Oregon; Robert Gray Elementary School in Aberdeen, Washington; Robert Gray Elementary School in Longview, Washington; Robert Gray Elementary School in Pasco, Washington are also have his name.
On February 3, 1794, Gray was married to Martha Atkins of Boston and settled down to a quieter life as the master of coasting vessels operating out of that port. They had five children, four daughters and one son; but the son died in infancy.
