Saving A Massive Historic Ship - The Aurora Restoration Project

My name is Christopher Willson, I found the Aurora nearly abandoned on the California Delta in 2008. After some investigation I found that she is one of the most historic liners still in existence today. Understanding the significance of her rich history I decided to go all in. Since I have given my best effort to save and preserve this ship for future generations. This is a look back at a few of the projects we've done over the past years. Enjoy.
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[@davidbarnsley8486]

Well I am astounded by your level of commitment to fixing that old boat You are fantastic and I wish you all the best with the rest of the restoration Looking forward to future episodes 👍👍👍👍

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Should have another video up very soon. I appreciate your kind words of support..

[@nickthomas181]

You deserve every success and I wish you well.

[@hyfy-tr2jy]

@@AuroraRestorationProject Love people with the dedication to restoring and not just scrapping older craft. With that said though. Why is your strategy to complete the restoration an area at a time instead of prepping the whole boat first so that you don't have the risk of debris from restoration of one area ruining the restored areas?

[@davidsmith3736]

@@hyfy-tr2jy restoring one area*

[@wesman7837]

@@hyfy-tr2jy because it's such a large job unless you have a crew of hundreds it would rust again by the time you had it stripped, and I'm sure with him living on it the places where he lives were the first areas to be finished.

[@fw1421]

What a gorgeous ship. Really nice lines. I’m glad someone is saving her.

[@vloplob]

Hey guys, greetings from Germany! Thanks for preserving this historic ship!

[@travismann5099]

I've always seen that boat on the Delta and wondered what the story was behind it, and just happened to stumble across this video by complete coincidence. Good luck on the restoration

[@wandahoward2624]

When this ship has been fully restored it will look beautiful. Thank fully there are people out there who have enough vision to see what can be again and perhaps even better than original.

[@brianperry9108]

Pretty awesome watching you bring this old girl back.

[@conorsheehan9929]

What great project. A bunch of people happily working to make something old and tired young and beautiful again . Full marks to everyone !

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thanks for watching. It gets much better….

[@williamhoward7634]

History is so important. I have never wanted a typical cruise, this I would dream of. Thank you for your passion.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thank you…

[@bobadam7021]

I'm glad I stuck with this to the second video. The teaser made it look like Wish Orange County Choppers. This video felt more honest, more heartfelt. You can really hear the pride come through.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Great job Chris. Narration and shots of the progress really help with capturing the amount of work you've done. Glad she has an owner that can appreciate the uniqueness and historical value of her. Someone who has fought a lot of battles to keep her from the cutter's torch.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thanks Wesley, I enjoy watching all of your hard work on the Steam Boat Persistence. Over the next months I hope to get more relaxed in front of a camera and put out some amazing content.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

@@AuroraRestorationProject you're very welcome! Thank you for the opportunity, and your kind words. Your videography and editing skills are something to aspire to.

[@ednitamorales]

It’s looking so beautiful already, can’t wait to go see the museum when it’s ready.

[@johncollier608]

I only discoverd your channel from a post from Ship Happens, here in UK. I can't beleive you have a tiny 1.5k subscribers. This channel deserves to grow with regular videos. I'll be watching from here on in, for sure. Thanks for sharing.

[@ShipHappensUK]

I'm positive that this channel will be bigger than us in no time! Definitely got to be the biggest private boat restoration on KZbin at the moment! After visiting the Aurora and seeing all the work Chris has done since 2008 is amazing, but we still have years of work to watch on this project, which is going to be exciting to see!

[@johncollier608]

@@ShipHappensUK Thanks, Gemma. I'm not being unfaithfulto Ship Happens, you made me do it! 🤣🤣

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Ship Happens is by far my favorite channel on KZbin. Great story and awesome people. Simon and Gemma have to be some of the hardest working people I have had the honor to get to know.

[@kanartech]

Me too

[@MS-zt2ho]

6.7k now, yt doing it's thing to generate money 😂

[@midshipcinema]

Wow, great recap of the various projects! Thank you for posting! Can't wait to visit AURORA again!

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Can’t wait to have you over to see the progress over the last couple of years. Lots more video of older projects to come..

[@ianrobinson8974]

15/02/2122 CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS. You are showing that not everyone lives in a throwaway society. The Aurora is part of all of OUR history and needs to be conserved and even utilised. Keep up the good work from the Land of Oz.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thanks for the kind words. I agree 100%. This ship will certainly be preserved to the best of my abilities.

[@dj4123]

You all are doing a fantastic job with restoration! I wish I was a bit younger and could join you (I'm 76). What a grand looking Lady!

[@MovieMuscle]

I've always had my hands in boats, restoring old cars, rebuilding things....but WOW. This is what I call an immense project! Looking great by the way. I just found your channel and will follow all of this. Your subscriptions will go through the roof once this gets out there. I've only just watched this video so far , so I'm not sure if you've gone after sponsors on this yet? You should go after the marine coating companies, Petit, Interlux etc, companies for sealers, West System and so on. This is something the companies could get behind. Off to watch the rest. You are one hell of a visionary on this one. Well done.

[@andrewlydecker811]

In 2009 I was working on an archaeological survey of parts of the Sacramento River. We were working in the Rio Vista area and saw this ship tied up to the dock south of the marina. We stopped in at the marina and asked if they knew anything about it. Someone involved in the project was standing behind us and we ended up chatting for some time before he invited us over for a tour. At that time it was still in pretty rough shape and we weren’t able to go below the water line. I’ve been checking up on it from time to time ever since. It’s a big job you’ve taken on and it’s great to see how far you’ve come with the restoration.

[@k13ehr]

Brave people with deep pockets, but if it ever gets finished she'll be a beauty .

[@sjgreene785]

Blessed are those who gave this beauty life again. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Love & light to you ALL! 🙏💙🙏

[@ma5079]

A really very nice ship. Respect for your work from Germany.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thank you very much for watching. I hope to visit Germany one day and tour the B&V ship yard..

[@shadibashour16]

That is what I call amazing project, great job man !

[@MrSychnant]

Brilliant work, there is a special place in the world for people like you who take on restorations to save such beautiful things, ( being German she classes as a "pocket" cruise liner) ;-))

[@TheClive1949]

Fantastis!! I have known about your work on Aurora for many years, so it was good to actually see what you have done. In days gone by she was such a pretty cruise ship. Thank you for ensuring that she still has a future.

[@revelationakagoldeneagle8045]

A daunting task to say the least... The present results are amazing... Well done 👍

[@Ogsonofgroo]

You are doing amazing work, she's a real beauty and I am loving her sleek lines, quite the project you bit off, but a ship so worthy of attention!

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thank you, We think so as well..

[@RachaelSA]

That is one HUGE ship, and a massive amount of work, well done.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

We have done so much work but still have a massive amount ahead. Nothing is impossible…

[@RachaelSA]

@@AuroraRestorationProject Well, you have my total respect for even attempting something that massive, but its a beautiful boat, it will be worth it in the end. Good luck :D

[@M3rVsT4H]

Love this project, easy sub. She's got a great shape for a ship of that era. My heart sank when you showed the wood sandwich someone made out of the deck. But your efforts have paid off.

[@cageordie]

Wow! I used to live in Alameda and we often drove around the delta on Sundays. I've driven past a couple of times and thought it was a shame such a classic looking ship was in decay. I am so glad that you are restoring her. This is a very worthwhile project.

[@charleendunn5446]

I have been following "Ship Happens" and when I saw Gemma was helping paint here in our USA I decided to check out your channel. Looking forward to following your restoration project as well now! I live in Michigan.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thanks for watching. It gets far more interesting. Gemma was great. Hope to have her back one day soon…

[@patrickjenkins3109]

There stands someone who knows what he is doing, make's a hell of change from most of KZbin. 👍

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Buckle up. Your going to witness some interesting stuff…

[@DetroitMicroSound]

"most"? I'm subbed to experts in many fields. 😆

[@mortenlarsen8378]

Wow that’s a real amazing boat. I really love the shape of the old boats. It’s going to look really good when you are finished with it. To bad it cost a lot of money.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Money is always a challenge but we continue to move forward and figure out ways to accomplish the projects that we can.

[@nielskjr5432]

I admire the enthusiasm you have for this project. 👍⚓

[@tamar5261]

Well done guys, I was involved in renovating an old lightship, me full time and some volunteers, some good guys. It took almost 20 years. I know what you are up against. You have done a good job so far. It's very very expensive as you are no doubt finding out.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

It’s been a long journey and we still have a long way to go. Would love to learn more about the project you were involved with for so many years. Sounds intriguing…

[@eriknulty6392]

@@AuroraRestorationProject I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have you folks get this fully operational and start taking people to CATALINA ISLAND for mini cruises (like 2-3 day cruises). just like the old days of catalina! but what are your end goals for the ship? back on the water? or a museum piece? yacht???

[@paulinocastle8810]

Great Job...Great team of guys and much respect to see how it has transformed so far...a man with a vision and guts...Great job dudes 👍 👏

[@straycat1674]

Some of the older ships are really some of the most beautiful. I would love to remodel this into a lierboard. Not back into a cruise ship, but a live aboard. Obviously rooms for crewing family but not back into a cruise ship.

[@xtruguy]

Chris, I was just out walking my dog near your ship a few weeks ago. I was fascinated with the beauty and history of it. Was checking it out from the street when I heard a noise from inside. I got a little spooked because I had no idea anyone was even on the thing. Thought it might have been haunted. It is rather isolated out there. Anyhow today I stumble onto your videos. Excellent, watched all of yours and half of the ship happens in one setting. Keep them coming please. Liked and subscribed and told my friends. Thanks for the content.

[@lynstoneham]

Beautiful looking boat

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

More beautiful everyday. She was very rough when we found her.

[@mynameisearl2626]

couldn't imagine docking fees ...not counting repairs ...beautiful ship

[@johnpoteat9774]

There was a sign showing Private Property, he may just own slip as well.

[@713devereux]

Deep pockets is not even the word for it, the docking fees would be the lest of your worries.

[@snarkylive]

@@713devereux fueling alone must be crippling

[@713devereux]

@@snarkylive I wouldn't even be able to guess how many gallons of fuel that holds, it probably sold by the ton. Being a former cruise ship Im sure it has range of a couple thousand miles.

[@patriciagassor4497]

Enjoyed viewing today, am going to blast back through your FB restoration, what an amazing achievement.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thank you, It will be nice to actually show the project in detail including my ideas as things progress. Stay with us and hopefully you will see something amazing..

[@seankennedy18]

As long as I can hammock up in the evenings, I'll come and volunteer time. Love this idea

[@davidodonovan1699]

God bless you all. Well done.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thank you.

[@motorv8N]

Fantastic - what a project!

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Keep watching it gets much more interesting…

[@MsMaurice23]

Hi Chris, nice to see the Aurora again. I feel glad she is coming along nicely!!

[@MrBugsier5]

Thumbs up! Nice to see a Well build German product still afloat! Best regards from the owner of Museum tug Bugsier 5🏆

[@Iris_Germany]

Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 Nice that you save the little old lady 😊👍🏻🌹 Did you know that she „acted“ in a James Bond movie in the sixties? She was the yacht of the bad guy.

[@GeschichtenUndGedanken]

Ja, das stimmt, Iris! Prima, dass Du hier bist. Die Aurora und die Crew haben diese Perle wieder zum Strahlen gebracht. Ich bin wirklich ganz begeistert. Das möchte ich gerne übersetzen und von diesem Wunder erzählen. So, dass mehr Menschen davon erfahren. Liebe Grüße aus Buxtehude. ⚓️

[@AtomicKeeg]

So excited I found this channel looking forward to seeing the progress!

[@fonhollohan2908]

wow, you've done a fabulous job thus far on this restoration. I'm impressed especially with the job on the deck. I'm a welder fitter well I was one for most of my life but I injured my back so I have an idea what kind of work would be needed to go into a deck like that you did a great job..awesome.

[@wolfemanbog4176]

Wow so amazing

[@aporem6889]

One more thing: With Directive No. 37 issued by the Allied Control Authority in Potsdam on September 26, 1946, the shipbuilding ban was relaxed. The freighters were not allowed to exceed a size of 1500 GRT, be a maximum of twelve knots fast and not exceed a radius of action of 2000 nautical miles. The Military Security Board issued the first newbuilding license in 1949 - for the "Brook" (merchant ship), sea trials in January 1950. As a result of the outbreak of the Korean War, Germany returned to the group of shipbuilding nations on April 4, 1951 as a full member. But it's great that you saved the barge from being scrapped.

[@scopex2749]

Good for you sir so pleased to see a vintage ship preserved. My friends and I tried to save one of the last steam vessels SS UGANDA. I spent time on her when she was used as a troop and hospital ship in the Falklands war. However after the war she was moored up to rust and the Society tried to purchase her for preservation. However due to a MASSIVE FOUL UP she was mistakenly towed away for scrapping and ended up in a complete mess a rusting hulk - so we lost her forever. Aurora will look AWESOME if you re-lay teak boards on the top deck one day! GOOD LUCK.

[@jalokin6554]

Daaaaamn thats a huge ship, im in.

[@jodycwilliams]

If you were in Texas, I'd volunteer to help you out. This is an amazing project. GL!

[@libertycan6959]

beautiful

[@ianhjan]

She is a beautiful ship, I wish you well with her.

[@sandihanna5894]

Amazing work! What a privilege to witness this transformation👏👏👏 thank you for sharing!

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

My pleasure. I hope you continue to watch…

[@devonbikefilms]

As someone who spent their career in the shipbuilding and repair industry in the UK, this is a hell of a project and from the video, you’re all doing an amazing job with very limited resources. I’ll definitely be watching. You’ve got a new subscriber at least.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

I appreciate the kind words. Will try and keep this entertaining as we move forward.

[@trustyoldiron5416]

RIP to the Aurora. I'm sorry your work was for naught!

[@andrewtestin9080]

Massive Balls to take this on your awesome cheers

[@2e0wmghamradioandkayaking85]

I just stumbled across your channel. Aurora is a classic, she has such beautiful lines. Good luck bringing her back glory.

[@mattmcleod250]

Just been reading your story in the sun newspaper Uk and I think what you’re doing is incredible.

[@ajwise121]

Wow, super super envious. I’d love to purchase and restore an old vessel like this…. will be following with great interest!

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thanks for watching. Trust me the stress that goes along with an adventure like this makes everything difficult at best.

[@ajwise121]

@@AuroraRestorationProject yes, definitely a job for the brave and resourceful

[@del69blue]

Just awesome!

[@JollyRogerVF84]

Didn't know that the "Wappen von Hamburg" became Blofeld's yacht in "From Russia with love. :)

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

She’s done a lot more then that. Keep watching. I will share a little in each video..

[@randylanhart1387]

You are AMBITIOUS SIR...GOOD LUCK

[@robinsfamilyoutings534]

Good job Chris. The ship looks fantastic. You are doing a quality job. Looking forward to more videos.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thanks, The same could be said for your ship. We will change the world two ships at a time…

[@mohamedmoustafa6125]

Amazing work

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thank you, Gets much better….

[@Kaiserzeit1871]

Sagenhaft was ihr da leistet. Mit ein paar Mann dieses alte, aber wunderschöne, Schiff zu retten, das ist schon eine Aufgabe. Aber ihr macht das super.

[@davidjohnston8639]

Love it, great work

[@tony2times996]

Not a clue how I found you but I’ll be sticking around looks like an awesome project

[@Wisdom2812]

Amazing! This is awesome! I had a dream about a year ago I purchased a large cruise ship that looked just like this! I know how you’re feeling! (from my dream) Brave man! I believe this is in my future also! 🚢 ♥️

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

The idea behind all of this is that anyone can do amazing things.

[@Wisdom2812]

@@AuroraRestorationProject I am definitely inspired by this (and the dream I had) You definitely took my excuse(s) for procrastinating on some (tiny projects in comparison) I’m working on! 🥴 I can only Imagine the enormity of the Aurora project on a personal level. But do I have a sense of it from walking on the ship 🛳️ in my dream. 💭 *GodSpeed! 🙏🏾(*Another good name!)😎

[@Wisdom2812]

@@AuroraRestorationProject Be nice get one of these and turn it into floating apartments or condos. Do you think it could work?

[@markduncan6690]

What a “Magnificent” undertaking! I wish you Total Success with your project!

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thank you so much!

[@papabits5721]

It has great lines

[@gbowne1]

If the sinking reports are indeed true, May she forever RIP.

[@rlopofficial4301]

Is this true? I was really invested in these videos☹️

[@gbowne1]

@@rlopofficial4301 yeah it is. Several news reported it

[@piccalillipit9211]

"sunk" is a bit of an exaggeration - it was in 13 feet of water so the back end is sat on the bottom and its tilted at about 10º

[@losslessthoughts]

I smell insurance scam, probably ran out of money lol

[@scottmiller761]

Most likely insurance would not have been affordable for a ship this size.

[@phillipdale6765]

Amazing. Great project. Thank you

[@Kaipelana]

I reminds me of MS Finnmarken, which was also built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, a year later in 1956. It was a important costal express ship going all along the Norwegian coast. It is now a museum ship- entirely above water- in Stokmarknes Norway.

[@teresaproano7984]

Heard about your project on CBS Morning show,.. thanks for sharing..

[@Nancy-zk9dj]

She's beautiful!

[@69Phuket]

Loves Passion Projects. Subscribed. We all need a hobby. Right?

[@jimzucker]

money pit takes a whole new meaning

[@mraidymaddful]

Hello there Chris and everyone, I found your story today somewhere online and now have subscribed to your channel. I live in Yorkshire in the UK and as such we are relatively land locked, so don't get to see vessels like the Aurora very often. I had an idea earlier about a way to possibly get the cabins fixed up a bit quicker. The idea of a B&B could be a way of generating an income to perhaps later create a museum space in other parts of the ship. You could perhaps invite people to sponsor or work on an individual cabin themselves, that would then give them a holiday/vacation destination for themselves, family etc for a minimal fee, plus relevant bills. Then at other times, the cabin could used as an Air BNB or something similar. Just an idea anyways. I look forward to seeing how you progress with the restoration.

[@nerblebun]

I lived on my sailboat in the San Joaquin Delta/Delta Loop for 11 years in the 80's. The road your standing on looks very familiar.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

This are is a popular fishing location. Lots of people head out this way. More so now to come see the amazing ship…. She has become likely the most popular attraction on the delta although we are not open to public..

[@captwar]

I have bought several ships at auctions myself, including the George Washington, Frano Supilo and the Eastward. Best of luck with your project.

[@tex148th]

Just a side note... That USCG BOUY TENDER on the right is a "Sister ship" of my first duty station right out of Boot Camp in '62. WAGL 542 "WHITEBUSH" in Astoria, OR.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Interesting, I haver been project manager on the FIR for nearly 5 years. She's beautiful inside and out.

[@adambright2761]

Well done! I look forward to some content showing what you're currently working on.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thanks Adam, You won’t have to wait long.. Thanks for watching.

[@sjgreene785]

Love history. Thank you for sharing. ✌👍

[@dannyvob2652]

Je suis en Belgique - j'ai découvert vos vidéos par hasard - très beau projet - je vais vous suivre - bonne restauration

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Wow amazing ship

[@normanfawley7379]

Well done that Man ! Good work Sir.

[@oneshot4858]

Greetings from Hamburg :-) This ship was build here. It was the "Wappen von Hamburg"

[@nickjm8005]

Subscribed.. this should be bigger than Ben-Hur. Don't skimp on the details. Can't wait for the engine room tour.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Engine room tour in the works. Thanks for watching :)

[@SharralSharp]

​@@AuroraRestorationProject I believe my ad has a menu from this ship. I have to look through his treasures treasures

[@FSHSKainon]

Wow, yea, looks Great.

[@ななころび]

Your family thanksgiving party's are going to be spectacular in the upcoming 21st century!!! 💯

[@edgarfreidel6985]

Hello Chris, I live some 50 miles from Hamburg and I didn’t trust my eyes when I discovered that it is the old Wappen von Hamburg ( Arms of Hamburg) you are restoring. I was 17 when I sailed from Hamburg ( via Cuxhaven) to Helgoland for the first time on this fine vessel, and there were many more times to follow. Built ten years after the end of WWII it regularly served as a daily shuttle for a long time transporting thousands of passengers to and from Helgoland, a tiny red sandstone rock of an island 60 miles distant from Germany’s coast in the North Sea.There was no port on Helgoland for the vessel to moor so it had to lie at anchor on the roa

[@edgarfreidel6985]

… and passengers had to be loaded into small boats to be carried ashore .

[@MrThomasCWest]

I clicked on the video out of curiosity. Now you have my attention. New sub here.

[@Qgal5kap123]

I have a feeling that this is going to be one hell of a ride! Subscribed and awaiting content with great interest and excitement.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

We certainly won’t disappoint. Thanks for watching…

[@Videostufftas]

New subscriber from Ship Happens video, just fantastic keep the video coming, thanks 🙃🇦🇺

[@Dwjzdljn]

What a beauty

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

We sure love her. Keep watching and she will only get more beautiful as time passes.

[@vertigor.6441]

nice ship!

[@MegaBoilermaker]

Amazing works Sir.

[@scottmclennan6114]

Great project mate.

[@AuroraRestorationProject]

Thanks, She’s certainly a hand full..