Topics: California, Cruise ship, Environment, Money, Travel, US News, Twitter
A man has spoken out after a tragic update was released about the historic cruise ship he spent 15 years restoring.
In 2008, Chris Willson from Utah found a historic cruise ship for sale on Craigslist and decided to embark on an exciting project restoring the ship and turning it into a museum, even ending up living on the vessel himself, keeping it moored in the California Delta.
The ship was originally named Wappen von Hamburg and was the first significant passenger liner to come out of Germany following World War II.
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By 2012, Chris had 'gotten quite a way' into restoring the 293-foot vessel containing 85 cabins, a swimming pool and theater - which he named Aurora.
The entrepreneur told CNN: "I think we had 10 areas solidly restored and refurnished meticulously. These were kind of major areas. So we were pretty proud of that."
The project was costly, with Chris estimating he poured over $1 million into the restoration himself, alongside taking a few small donations, but he resolved the progress was 'terrific' and 'everything was looking great'.
However, not everyone else felt as positively about the ship.
Locals complained about such a huge ship being moored near them and when a military tugboat which had been sat alongside Aurora sank sparking a 'pollution issue'.
Well, it was the tip of the iceberg and resulted in Chris deciding to sell Aurora in 2023, not able to justify the 'million dollars worth' it would cost to relocate the ship.
"We absolutely loved our time with that ship. [Selling it] was probably the hardest thing I’ve done in my life," he said. "It haunts me and I lose sleep over it. I’m not happy about it."
And what's worse, the $1 million project which Chris poured 15 years of hard work and dedication into recently suffered an even greater tragedy.
In a post to Twitter in May, San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office revealed Aurora had begun 'sinking'.
It stated: "It has been determined the ship has suffered a hole and is taking on water and is currently leaking diesel fuel and oil into the Delta Waterway.
"Our Boating Safety Unit and ground units are currently on scene coordinating efforts to contain the spill."
Chris said in a post to Facebook: "I spent some of the best times of my life aboard the Aurora with my most cherished friends and family. She was truly an amazing ship. Leaving this project was by far the most difficult decision I have ever had to make. There is a HUGE story behind all of this and I am more anxious than ever to tell but at the appropriate time.
"To hear of her sinking was a heavy blow to me. My heart sank and I likely will not recover from this for some time. I feel like I lost a member of my family. I spoke with the new owner a few times over the last months. Seemed he was doing a great deal of clean up and setting things up his way. I wish him the best in all of this."
Thankfully, in the latest update, the outlook for the ship is seemingly more positive.
In June, CBS News reported around 14,900 gallons of oil-polluted water had been recovered and other waste removed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Spill Prevention & Response. Teams also installed dewatering pumps and the ship has been successfully refloated.
UNILAD has contacted California Department of Fish and Wildlife Spill Prevention & Response for the latest update.
