Domestic violence rates in New York City remain “stubbornly high” after the pandemic, particularly compared to the dramatic drops in other violent crime. One in five families with children in shelters report domestic violence as the main cause of their homelessness. Add in a shortage of affordable housing, and it's clear why family homelessness is at historic highs— and why the city now faces a humanitarian crisis.

Floating Hospital President Sean T. Granahan recently joined Josh Schneps on the Schneps Connects podcast. Schneps Media has several print publications based in Queens, where The Floating Hospital’s main clinic is located, and Schneps is the company’s co-publisher.| The Floating Hospital internship program will launch again this summer. | Announcing the full 2026 Floating Hospital Waverunners team members. | The health education department presented a “Puberty Night”

If you’ve been following along with the history of St. John’s Guild, you’re probably familiar with the iconic story of how The Floating Hospital came to be, of how it owes its existence to a chance walk across City Hall Park by a New York Times editor and the Children’s Excursion Fund that resulted. But that's not quite what happened…

A Spark That Grows from Campfire to Career: Eight years ago, The Floating Hospital lit its first campfire, and ignited something even more meaningful. What began as a single program has become a flourishing suite of free health education camps that each summer give more than 100 children in temporary housing tools that can help them build stable and productive futures.

A very big celebration: On June 2, The Floating Hospital celebrated our 160th anniversary with a joyous and purposeful summer gala befitting such a milestone as well as our mission. We are beyond grateful to our sponsors, guests, benefit committee, hospital and foundation boards, staff, and volunteers for making the benefit a resounding success. It could not have happened without them!  

Last Days for the Lloyd: 1973 was not just the last time the NY Knicks won the NBA championship, it was also the last season for the Lloyd I. Seaman, our fourth boat. The Lloyd was launched in 1935, and considered the finest hospital ship afloat at the time. Unfortunately, ships don’t last forever and in 1972 it was reported that “new marine regulations and advances in medical technology have joined to make the Lloyd I. Seaman obsolete.”

The Floating Hospital’s Summer Gala on June 2 is a celebration of our 160th anniversary as well as a commemoration of the role of supporters in our history. Founded in 1866 as St. John’s Guild, the charity that would become defined by its Floating Hospital excursions around New York Harbor first needed a boat to sail. At the dawn of the Gilded Age, the Guild had the backing of some of the city’s most sought-after benefactors when it held its first ball on April 6, 1875 as a “Lady Washington Reception.”

News + Events: A ‘Powerful’ man: Floating Hospital President Sean Granahan received a 2026 Schneps Media Manhattan Power List award during a celebratory dinner at Bryant Park Grill. Welcome to the Neighborhood: The Astoria financial center held a deodorant donation drive for the hospital.

We have always been fortunate to have the support of New York City Mayors, but none have been more consequential for us than Mayor William L. Strong (1895-1897).

Floating Hospital President Sean Granahan has a tale to tell, one of dramatic free-fall and hard-fought redemption — the story of The Floating Hospital itself. 

Luxury abroad, hope at home‍ ‍| Standing up by wearing denim | Marching with pride | Fighting germs, one hand wash at a time | Ship’s Log: The story behind a postcard

The story behind a postcard

Both Floating Hospitals appear together in this postcard, but neither would be named as we know them. The new boat on the left was known then simply as the “Floating Hospital” while the older boat on the right was named the “Robert Fulton.”

Since 2020, Bank of America has supported The Floating Hospital through grants, volunteerism, and leadership development — enabling expanded relief, healthcare, education, and social services for New York City families with the most need. Named a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder, we received $200,000 in flexible funding to deepen our impact.

We are thrilled to announce that Floating Hospital Dental Manager Ernesto Hart has received the 2026 Dr. Beverly A. Largent Access to Care Innovator Award from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation. The national award honors leaders transforming access to dental care for children. 

We are delighted to note that National Volunteer Week is now taking place until April 25. The Floating Hospital volunteers are central to our mission and how we help families every day.

Back in the early ’80s—the 1880s that is—one of our doctors would have been a celebrity to everyone who came aboard The Floating Hospital. To the Evening World, he was “one of the Guild’s most earnest workers.” But that wasn’t why he was famous. The paper also reminded its readers that “He was the first doctor to reach Lincoln’s side after Booth’s bullet struck him.”

In order to access the ship in the early days, all passengers were inspected by two doctors—one of our own and one from the Board of Health. They made sure the person standing in front of them matched the physician-signed ticket with the child’s illness indicated; that no child was older than six, unless a “little mother” (an older sister in charge of a younger sibling, with the mother absent); and to make sure no one had a contagious disease.

For women living in family homeless shelters, self-care is rarely a priority and is often difficult to access. Between work, managing childcare, and navigating shelter systems, a mother’s health can easily fall to the bottom of her priorities list.

A night to remember: Since 1866, The Floating Hospital has ensured that New York City families have what they need to survive and thrive by providing healthcare, education, and relief services to all who come through our doors. This year, we turn 160, and we are celebrating!

Thank you for lighting the way | Platinum Seal of Transparency | 16 candles for 16 decades | In memoriam: Claudia Coger | Ship’s Log: 1951-Civil Defense