MV Aurora (1955) facts for kids

Wappen von Hamburg in 1958 at Heligoland island
Quick facts for kids History
Name	1955-1960: Wappen von Hamburg 1960-1967: Delos 1967-1970: Polar Star 1970-1972: Pacific Star 1972-1977: Xanadu 1984-1991: Expex 1991-2009: Faithful 2009-Present: Aurora
Owner	1955-1960: HADAG 1960-1967: Nomikos Line 1967-1970: West Tour 1972-1974: Xanadu Cruises 1974-1982: J. Eisenberg 1982-1984: Pan Aleutian Seafoods 1984-1985: EXPEX 1985-1991: Xanadu, Inc 1991-1998: Friend Ships 2005-Present: Chris Willson
Port of registry	1955-1960: Hamburg,  Germany 1961-1967: Piraeus,  Greece 1967-1983: Vancouver,  Canada 1983-1985: Tacoma,  Washington 1985-2009: Los Angeles,  California 2009-Present: San Francisco,  California
Builder	Blohm & Voss
Launched	February 1, 1955
Completed	May 14, 1955
In service	1955
Identification	IMO number: 5088227
Status	Moored at Stockton, CA 38°03′27″N 121°30′02″W / 38.057521°N 121.500494°W / 38.057521; -121.500494
Notes	Original name Wappen von Hamburg means "Coat of arms of Hamburg" in German.
General characteristics
Tonnage	2,496 GRT
Propulsion	Maybach diesel engines
Speed	18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Capacity	1955 (as a ferry): 1,600 passengers

The MV Aurora is a cruise ship that was built in Germany in 1955. It has had many different owners and names over the years. As of 2020, the ship is located in Stockton, California, and is being restored.

The Ship's Journey: From Ferry to Cruise Ship

The Aurora began its life with a different name and purpose. It was first called the Wappen von Hamburg, which means "Coat of arms of Hamburg" in German.

Early Days as a German Ferry

The ship was built by Blohm & Voss for a company called HADAG. Its first job was to take passengers on day trips from Hamburg to Heligoland. On its very first trip in the North Sea, it carried 1,600 passengers, which was its full capacity.

Becoming a Luxury Cruise Ship

• In 1960, the Wappen von Hamburg was sold to a Greek company called Nomikos Line.
• It was renamed Delos and changed into one of the first luxury cruise ships in the Aegean Sea.
• New features like a swimming pool and air conditioning in all cabins were added to make it more comfortable for guests.

Adventures in Alaska and Beyond

• In 1967, the ship was sold again to Alaska Cruise Line (Westtours) in Vancouver.
• It was renamed Polar Star and used for special cruises in the waters around Alaska.
• In 1970, it was sold to West Cruise Lines of Panama and renamed Pacific Star. It was then used for cruises in the South Atlantic.
• In 1972, Donald L. Ferguson bought the ship and renamed it Xanadu. He added antique decorations to make it even more luxurious.

Changes and Challenges for the Ship

Over the years, the ship faced many changes in ownership and purpose.

New Owners and New Roles

• As the cruise industry changed, the Xanadu was sold two more times.
• In 1977, it was put out of service, and some of its valuable items were sold.
• In 1982, it was sold to Pan Aleutian Seafoods and used as a factory ship for catching crab.
• In 1984, it was again put out of service in Tacoma.

From Exhibition to Relief Work

• In 1985, a new owner renamed the ship Expex.
• It was moved to Los Angeles to be used for trade shows and exhibitions. A large shipping container was even placed on its back deck.
• When this idea didn't work out, the ship was sold to a group called Friendships in Wilmington, California.
• They renamed it Faithful and painted its hull blue. They used the ship to house people, but it was later taken by the Coast Guard.

Restoration Efforts and a New Beginning

• Dr. James Mitchell bought the Faithful with plans to use it as a hospital ship.
• However, in 2005, he sold the ship, which was showing signs of age with rust and peeling paint.
• The new owner, Al Boraq Aviation, planned to turn it into a luxury yacht and had it moved to Alameda.
• This plan did not happen, and the ship was later considered abandoned.
• In 2010, the ship was featured in a TV show called Life After People, where its history was discussed.

The Aurora Today

• In 2008, Chris Willson saw an advertisement for the ship and bought it.
• The ship was in the San Joaquin River delta and needed to be moved.
• Willson had it towed to Rio Vista, where he started working on its restoration.
• In August 2010, the ship was renamed Aurora and moved to Pier 38 in San Francisco. The plan was to open it as a tourist attraction.
• However, the next year, Pier 38 was closed due to problems, and the Aurora had to move again.
• In 2012, the Aurora was towed back to the delta and moored at a marina near Stockton.
• When the marina faced problems, Chris Willson and his partner moved onto the ship to look after it.
• As of 2020, Chris Willson is working with volunteers to finish restoring the Aurora. He hopes to find a permanent home for the ship where it can become a tourist attraction for everyone to enjoy.