Stockton, CA – After weeks of meticulous efforts, the vintage cruise ship Aurora, which had been sunken in the California Delta, was successfully refloated last week, according to the Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR).
The ship, a nearly 300-foot-long relic of maritime history, began sinking on May 22 and grounded its aft end on the floor of Little Potato Slough, 13 feet below the waterline. The recovery operation commenced on June 15 and 16, during which crews managed not only to refloat the Aurora but also to tackle significant environmental hazards.
OSPR reported that the operation included the removal of nearly 15,000 gallons of a water-oil mixture along with various debris and household hazardous waste from the ship. This critical cleanup effort aimed to prevent any further environmental damage to the Delta, a key ecological and recreational area.
The Aurora has a storied history, having traveled from Hamburg to Stockton over a span of 50 years. Acquired by Christopher Willson in the early 2010s, the ship was intended for restoration. Willson worked on the ship as recently as 2023, but the current ownership of the Aurora remains uncertain after his tenure.
The successful refloating of the Aurora marks a significant achievement for the OSPR and local environmental teams, highlighting ongoing efforts to preserve both historical artifacts and the natural beauty of the California Delta. The future plans for the Aurora are yet to be determined, but this event ensures that whatever the outcome, the environmental integrity of the area remains safeguarded.
