Aurora turns 110

11.05.2010 On May 11, 2010 it has been 110 years since launching of cruiser Aurora. As reported by JSC Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard, nowadays Aurora is the world's only memorial ship remaining afloat since early 20th century.

The shipborne museum was established on Aurora in 1950; afterwards, in 1956 the museum became a branch of Central Naval Museum. The cruiser herself still remains the ship No.1 in Russian Navy, informs Interfax.

The cruiser had passed trial by fire during Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. Along with 2nd Pacific Squadron the ship took part in Tsushima battle in 1905. During WW1 Aurora was on station at the Baltic Sea. The cruiser was named after sailing frigate Aurora won glory in defense of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky during Crimean War of 1853-1856 when Russian Navy managed to defeat outnumbered British and French fleets.

On Oct 25, 1917 Aurora's gunshot was a signal for assault of Zimny Palace, the residence of Russian Emperor. That was the beginning of socialist revolution started in St. Petersburg. The cruiser's landing party directly participated in armed uprising.

Defending Leningrad at the port of Oranienbaum during the Great Patriotic War, Aurora got over 1,300 holes.

Presently, the ship is being prepared to become a Battle Glory Museum, said Fedor Smuglin, Russian Navy Deputy Commander. Issue of the cruiser's status aroused after scandal party arranged on board Aurora by Mikhail Prokhorov, president of investment fund ONEXIM Group in summer 2009.

The billionaire declared his willingness to undertake all expenditures related to the ship if only Aurora would be placed under control of St. Petersburg city administration. However, instead of status change of the museum ship, Navy Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Vysotsky issued decree prohibiting "other than military" activities on board Russian warships.

Cruiser Aurora was built under shipbuilding program adopted by Russian government in 1895. The ship was enrolled in Navy's list on Apr 6, 1897; laid down on May 23, 1897; and triumphantly launched on May 11 (24), 1900 upon a signal personally given by Nikolai II, Russian Emperor. On Sept 18, 1903 Aurora was commissioned into Russian Navy.

In 1948 the cruiser was "moored for ever" at Bolshaya Nevka embankment and has been placed there up to now. Over 50% parts of the hull and bulkheads were replaced during last reconstruction in 1984.