Pushing the boundaries of ocean science
From the icy waters of Antarctica to the volcanic depths of the Mediterranean - the four RRS Discovery vessels have, for over a century, shaped our understanding of the vast, ever changing ocean, casting light on the mysteries it holds.
In September 2025, 100 Years of RRS Discovery celebrated the 100th anniversary of Scott's Discovery being designated a Royal Research Ship by having both the first and the current iterations of RRS Discovery together in Dundee.
A special exhibition was created to commemorate this anniversary and to also tell the story of how the ships, crew and the science carried out has evolved over the years, and also how some things have remained the same.
100 Years of Oceanography
Oceanography is the study of the ocean - its physical properties, ecosystems, chemistry and the life it supports. In 1925, when the Discovery Investigations began, oceanography was still an emerging and little understood science.
The original remit of the Discovery Investigations was to research whales but also the wider ecosystem of the Southern Ocean, with broad aims to improve our understanding of the ocean, study the impacts or potential impacts of whaling on the ecosystem, and inform policymakers on the regulation of industrial whaling.
Studying the Marine Ecosystem
To understand the impact of whaling on the Southern Ocean ecosystem, scientists needed to look beyond the whales. Understanding their food source - mostly the euphausiid shrimp, known as krill (Euphausia superba) - was important. But to fully grasp the dynamics of the food web, researchers also had to study the small plants known as phytoplankton (microscopic marine algae) they fed on, as well as the physics and chemistry of the surrounding water masses, which influence their growth.
Image: This image of a whale being processed reflects a time when scientific research was closely tied to industrial whaling.
Providing Evidence to Industry
Today’s RRS Discovery (2012) continues to play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of ocean systems. While the remit remains largely unchanged - to improve our understanding of the ocean and marine ecosystems - there has been an expansion in how this science informs global marine policy. The research now supports a broader range of decision-making, providing evidence for the regulation of industries such as fishing, oil and gas, deep-sea mining (extractive industries), and helping shape international environmental frameworks.
Modern Ocean Science Programmes
The spirit of the Discovery Investigations lives on in modern ocean science programmes. Today’s large-scale research programmes like AtlantiS (Atlantic Climate and Environment Strategic Science) and SMARTEX (Seabed Mining and Resilience To EXperimental Impact) are part of this ongoing effort. AtlantiS brings together multiple partners to study natural and human-driven changes in the Atlantic and global ocean, while SMARTEX investigates the potential impacts of seabed mining in the Pacific.
100 Years of Methods & Equipment
Each RRS Discovery ship has been equipped with innovative scientific instruments and novel methods designed to gather new information to further our understanding of the ocean.
On board the RRS Discovery (1925) were a wide array of instruments and samplers designed to collect data and samples from the Southern Ocean. These included various types of plankton nets and water samplers used for measuring temperature at different depths.
Early Practical Measurement and Collection Methods
One notable new instrument was brought by scientist Alister Hardy. The Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) was developed by Hardy and trialled during the expedition. The CPR is a mechanical device towed behind a ship that continuously collects plankton samples on a moving band of silk, allowing the study of plankton distribution over long distances and time periods.
Periodically the ship would stop to take a standard set of measures and samples. First came a depth sounding, followed by temperature readings and water samples taken from the surface and at various depths to 3,000 metres. Vertical plankton net hauls were then carried out in stages, sampling from different layers of the water column in intervals.
Rise of Technology and Autonomy
As research ships have evolved, so has the technology and equipment they carry. Today, RRS Discovery (2012) is a world-class, ocean-going research vessel capable of conducting a broad range of scientific missions using advanced methods and equipment.
A wide range of sensor systems can be deployed independently of the ship. Advanced robots, known as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), can operate alone for a month or more, transmitting data back to scientists via satellite from time to time. Meanwhile, seabed landers and moorings can be placed on the ocean floor to collect long-term data- sometimes for a year or more - before being retrieved for analysis.
The CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) sampling frame is a tool for measuring the saltiness, temperature and pressure of the ocean from the surface to near the deep-sea floor. It is usually equipped with a set of water bottles - up to 24 - which collect samples at depths chosen by the scientists onboard. These water samples are then used for a wide range of physical, chemical and biological investigations.
100 Years of Scientific Impact
Each RRS Discovery has not only advanced scientific understanding but also shaped how that knowledge is recorded, shared and used to inform decisions. A legacy that continues to this day.
While the way research is recorded has evolved, our commitment to sharing knowledge remains the same. The British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC) holds data of 396 cruises by RRS Discovery (1962) between 1963 and 2012, and 162 cruises by RRS Discovery (2012) between 2013 and 2025. Biological logs are still recorded, but now the information is generally entered into spreadsheets and databases whilst on board.
Wealth of Material
The research of the 1925–1927 expedition was published in the Discovery Reports, a landmark series of studies that ultimately provided a strong scientific basis for the conservation of whales. Their significance was specially recognised in 1946 during the establishment of the International Whaling Commission, which continues to observe the regulation of whaling and promote the recovery of depleted whale populations.
A wealth of unpublished material was also produced during the expedition, including biological logs, sketchbooks and notebooks recorded by those on board. Scientific journal articles and newspaper articles were also produced throughout. Many of these records remain valuable today.
Image: Hand painted watercolour illustrations of amphipods and copepods.
Providing Insights to Decision Makers
Today, scientists at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) continue to provide insight that shapes national and international ocean policy and the management of the ocean. NOC scientists have participated in the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and contributed to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
In 1925, newspaper articles were the main means of ensuring news about expeditions reached the general public. Today, modern oceanography reaches audiences through a wide variety of media including photography, film, blogs, websites, podcasts and social media - ensuring that the impact of this work continues to grow.
100 Years of Captains & Crew
Over the past century, the composition and character of the RRS Discovery’s crew have evolved in step with the changing demands of maritime science and technology. The ship’s company has transformed from a relatively small dedicated team into a highly structured and professionally qualified workforce.
The first Captain of the RRS Discovery (1925) was Lieutenant Commander Joseph R. Stenhouse DSO, OBE, DSC, RNR. Stenhouse was just 35 when appointed, he had experience of ice and had 'intimate knowledge of Arctic conditions and requirements'. On the conclusion of his employment on the 30th of June 1928, the Discovery Committee recorded their high appreciation of his ability and conduct, and their satisfaction with the condition of the ship on her arrival back in the UK.
Roles and Responsibilities
On the first expedition of the RRS Discovery (1925) the Captain and five scientists were supported by a diverse company with a distinct set of roles and responsibilities including stokers, seamen and even a surgeon. Today’s RRS Discovery (2012) has two captains and crews who typically work for two months in a row across two science cruises, and then have about the same amount of time off and are supported by a ship's crew of 22 people in three main departments: Deck, Engine and Hotel.
100 Years of Scientists
The original Discovery Investigations (1925–1927) carried 39 people - but only five were scientists, pioneers in marine biology, oceanography and zoology. Working in isolated locations and with limited equipment, they laid the groundwork for modern ocean science. Their research was foundational, but their presence aboard was exceptional - scientists were a minority and all were male.
In contrast, the modern RRS Discovery (2012) routinely carries large, multidisciplinary scientific teams. Today’s expeditions include oceanographers, geophysicists, climate scientists and engineers, often numbering over 20 researchers per voyage. The ship is equipped with advanced laboratories, robotic vehicles and real-time data systems, enabling collaborative science at sea.
Diversification of Marine Science
One of the most significant changes over the last century has been the inclusion of women in marine science. No women were permitted to sail aboard the RRS Discovery (1925) or its successor, the RRS Discovery II (1929). This changed in 1963 when marine microbiologist Betty Kirtley became the first woman to join a Discovery-class expedition, sailing on the RRS Discovery (1962).
Today, women are integral to the scientific teams aboard the expeditions, leading research programmes and shaping the future of ocean science. The transformation from five male scientists to a diverse, inclusive research community reflects not only technological progress but also a broader cultural shift in who gets to explore the world’s oceans.
Scientists of RRS Discovery (1925)
Scientists and Crew of RRS Discovery (1970)
Crew of RRS Discovery (2000)
Crew of RRS Discovery (2025)
100 Years of Life On Board
From formal dinners to football on the ice, life on board the RRS Discovery has always been shaped by the people who lived and worked there. The rhythms of life on board - eating, relaxing, celebrating and staying connected - continue to evolve.
In 1925, the officers and scientific party dined and socialised in the extravagant Wardroom, separated from the ship’s crew. Wine, spirits, champagne, tobacco and cigarettes were stocked for all. The bar opened a quarter of an hour before dinner for officers and scientists, while the crew received a weekly ration of 'half a gill' - or a quarter of a pint - of spirits.
Recreation and Daily Life
Recreational activities were limited on the first Discovery (1925), but they did have a football team, which even played a match against a Norwegian team while in South Georgia. When the ship was trapped in ice, the crew played football, “leaping across the treacherous cracks between the floes.” In port, officers and scientists might play golf, while the crew would keep themselves busy playing cards or weaving.
Today, life on board RRS Discovery (2012) is comfortable with everyone integrating together regardless of role. The ship’s crew, scientists and technicians now eat and socialise in shared spaces. Alcohol is still permitted but strictly limited to two small cans of beer or one small glass of wine per day. There are plenty of spaces for relaxation and socialising, including a lounge and TV room, complete with table football, a dartboard and other social activities.
100 Years of Ship Design
Shipbuilding has undergone a profound transformation over the past century, driven by advances in materials science, engineering precision and the demands of modern exploration. This evolution is vividly illustrated by comparing the original RRS Discovery (1925) with her 2012 namesake.
Two ships showcase the incremental changes over the past 100 years. RRS Discovery II (1929) was the first British ship purpose-built for scientific research, introducing steel hull construction and diesel-electric propulsion. The successor, RRS Discovery (1962) reflected the growing complexity of marine science. With improved onboard laboratories and greater endurance.
The Original Discovery (1925)
The original ship Discovery was a triumph of Edwardian craftsmanship. Built in Dundee for Antarctic exploration, the ship featured a triple-layered oak hull, reinforced with Scottish larch and sheathed in greenheart to withstand polar ice. The construction relied on traditional ship building skills - steam-bent timbers, hand-forged fastenings and a hybrid sail-steam propulsion system. The ship was designed to be both resilient and repairable in remote conditions, reflecting the priorities of an age when endurance and self-sufficiency were of paramount importance.
The Modern Discovery (2012)
By contrast, the 2012 RRS Discovery embodies the priorities of 21st century science: precision, efficiency and adaptability. Constructed with a welded steel hull and powered by diesel-electric engines which support dynamic positioning, its design allows the ship to hold an exact position in rough seas. This precision is vital while deploying remotely operated vehicles and deep-sea sensors. Inside are multiple modular laboratories, a sub-bottom profiler and multi-beam sonars for seabed mapping, enabling simultaneous scientific operations across disciplines.
Current Ships & Expeditions
Today NOC runs two world-class research ships, RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook, and enables science and research on a global scale. Visit Ships & Expeditions to find out where the ships are right now and some current ongoing projects.