The vessel, which was towed from Stockton to Mare Island in late 2024, marked the end of a 15-year restoration effort that reportedly cost more than $1 million.
Built-in 1955 by Blohm & Voss, Wappen von Hamburg was Germany’s first major passenger ship after World War II. Over the years, the ship operated under various names and owners served as a cruise vessel, and even appeared in the 1963 James Bond film From Russia with Love as the Spectre headquarters.
Willson bought the vessel in 2008 after seeing a Craigslist listing. He renamed it Aurora and planned to convert it into a floating museum. For over a decade, he worked on restoring the ship while living aboard with his partner. The vessel was moored at several locations across California, including Alameda, Rio Vista, and eventually Herman & Helen’s Marina in the California Delta.
While Aurora remained afloat for many years, Willson encountered increasing pressure from local authorities and residents due to environmental and logistical concerns. Two nearby vessels—the Canadian minesweeper HMCS Chaleur and the tugboat Mazapeta—sank in the same waterway, raising fears about pollution and abandoned ships. Although Willson attempted to relocate Aurora, dredging was required to move the ship, a costly process the city would not undertake.
By 2023, Willson chose to sell the vessel, citing emotional exhaustion and mental health reasons. He believed the buyer shared his passion for preservation and passed along documentation to guide future upkeep.
In May 2024, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office reported that Aurora was taking on water and leaking diesel and oil into the Delta Waterway. The U.S. Coast Guard later confirmed that the vessel had been refloated. Cleanup operations led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife removed over 21,000 gallons of oily water, hazardous waste, and debris. Ownership was unclear at the time of the incident, further complicating response efforts.
In December 2024, the vessel was towed to Mare Island for demolition under the oversight of the City of Stockton. Maritime historian Peter Knego, who had followed the ship’s history for decades, described the final dismantling as a "tragic but necessary" end. Knego estimated the full cost of the scrapping operation, including towing and dry docking, could range from $10 to $20 million.
Despite hopes that Aurora could become a museum ship, decades of deferred maintenance and financial limitations ultimately led to its disposal.
The case highlights the challenges of preserving historic ships, especially when led by private individuals without institutional support. It also raises broader questions about maritime heritage management, environmental responsibility, and the costs associated with vessel disposal.
