S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry

S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry Big Ship, More Fun! The S.S. Badger is the last coal-fired passenger steamship in operation in the United States. The 410ft. S.S. A trip aboard the S.S.
(731)

She has provided a fun, reliable and affordable shortcut across beautiful Lake Michigan for more than 60 years and has transported millions of passengers since her re-birth in 1992. In 2016 she received the nation’s highest historic honor when the Department of Interior officially designated the Badger as a National Historic Landmark. Additionally, the Badger is extremely unique in that she is an

NHL that moves. BADGER can accommodate 600 passengers and 180 vehicles, including; RVs, motorcycles, motor coaches, and commercial trucks during her sailing season. Originally designed primarily to transport railroad cars, this grand ship and the people who serve her have successfully adapted to the changing world since she first entered service in 1953. Her unique and bold character takes you back to a period of time when things were simpler – offering valuable time to slow down, relax…and reconnect with those you love. She is the continuation of a unique and vital maritime tradition, and we celebrate that heritage on board in fun ways that educate, and entertain. Her mission has changed from the days of carrying railroad cars 365 days a year, and the Badger’s role in the hearts of the areas she serves has not. The Badger’s commitment to a fun experience offers traditional favorites including free Badger Bingo, free movies and satellite television, lounge areas, onboard gift shop, private staterooms, dining and beverage areas, sprawling outside decks for lounging or walking, and much more. Perhaps a romantic night crossing is more fitting for your style with spectacular sunsets and sparkling constellations for stargazers - making the Badger experience extra special. Badger offers passengers fun & treasured memories. Professional travelers have shared their experiences aboard the Badger with the world and this grand ship has received great praise. The Badger was been awarded the Traveler's Choice Award from TripAdvisor for 7 consecutive years! The Badger experience allows a rare opportunity to explore a little history - and a lot of fun by taking a step back into the past on a journey that’s as important as the destination! From mid-May to mid-October the Badger sails daily between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI Located about an hour from Milwaukee, WI and Muskegon, MI. For additional information, call (800) 841-4243 or visit www.ssbadger.com

SS City of Milwaukee
01/14/2025

SS City of Milwaukee

William Mercereau, the father of the Ludington carferry fleet
01/12/2025

William Mercereau, the father of the Ludington carferry fleet

By Rob Alway William Lincoln Mercereau served as the superintendent of the Pere Marquette Railway carferries for 31 years. He was born on June 9, 1866 in Union, New York, the son of Seymour and Mary Mercereau. According to his obituary, published on June 24,…

01/11/2025

Some snow and ice today at the dock of the SS Badger in Ludington.

01/08/2025

We are happy to announce that the official 2025 Manitowoc Two Rivers Visitor Guide is out now! Packed with engaging articles and photography, this collaborative guide with Explore Two Rivers is a great place to start your lakeshore travel plans.

Pick up a guide in person at our office, request a mailing, or view it online at www.visitmanitowoc.com/visitor-guide.

01/04/2025

On this day January 4, 1952, the Christy Corp of Sturgeon Bay launched the car ferry SPARTAN. No big ceremony was held as her sister ship the BADGER was being built at the same time. The big ceremony was reserved for September 6th when both were christened while over 1,000 watched.

Photo: SPARTAN’s christening on September 6, 1952

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway decided to name their car ferries after the athletic teams of the Michigan State University, the Spartans, and the University of Wisconsin, the Badgers. Delegations from both colleges were on hand at the christening, roaring their traditional school cheers.

Photo shown here: SPARTAN at her Maple Street Dock, October 16, 1952

The streamlined ferries were 410 feet in length with a 60 foot beam and cost $5,000,000 each. They were designed for year-round operation and could carry 32 railroad freight cars or 150 automobile. Passengers could roam a spacious lounge and promenade on the cabin deck or choose one of the 44 outside or 16 inside staterooms.

Photo: SPARTAN off Milwaukee with cruisers in tow, August 1962

The car ferry routes of the C&O operated from Ludington, Michigan, to railroad connections at three points on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and Milwaukee, all in Wisconsin. By using this route, freight moving between the East and the Northwest and Pacific Coast could by-pass the congested Chicago switching area.

Photo: SPARTAN loading at Ludington, 1966

By the 1970s C&O Railway decided car ferries were no longer profitable to operate. The SPARTAN laid up on September 10, 1979, at Ludington and basically over the years has supplied parts for her sister ship the BADGER.

Photo: SPARTAN tied up at Ludington, 2004, photo by Chuck Sterba

Late in December 2020, the SPARTAN, the BADGER and the tug/barge UNDAUNTED/PERE MARQUETTE 41 were sold to Interlake Steamship Company.

The BADGER is still a popular car ferry sailing between Manitowoc and Ludington. The SPARTAN is still being used for her parts.

Suzette Lopez

PHOTO CREDIT: The Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society and Milwaukee Public Library.

ALL photos are emailed to Wisconsin Marine Historical Society members with the story. Help keep history alive. Join the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society. As a member you will receive these stories and much more. For information email us at [email protected] or call 414-286-3074 or visit our webpage at https://wmhs.org/

01/04/2025

NINE MONTHS AWAY - We can't wait to see submarine USS COBIA go into dry dock - a much-needed routine maintenance - in September 2025!

We last dry docked COBIA in fall of 1996 (shown here).

Dry docking is an important part of preventative maintenance for all vessels - especially ones 80+ years old! COBIA will be removed from the water, so we can properly clean and inspect the underwater portion of the hull. The submarine will be towed to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, WI and is expected to be gone for four to six weeks before returning home to Manitowoc.

Want to learn more about this process or about how to support the preservation of this historic vessel? Visit our website for more information: https://bit.ly/CobiaDryDock2025

📸: Wisconsin Maritime Museum

[image description: color photo of the submarine in a dry dock. The WMM watermark is overlain across the middle of the image.]

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from the crew of the SS Badger! May you and your family have a blessed holiday.

12/21/2024

Captain Mike Martin docks the SS Badger at Manitowoc, Wis., Sept. 2024. The Badger, like its predecessors beginning with the Ann Arbor No. 1 in 1892, is unique because it unloads from the stern, meaning the captain must dock the ship from the aft pilot house. He uses an engine order telegraph -- technology developed in the 1890s -- to communicate with the engine room to adjust engine speed and direction.

12/21/2024

The Badger is currently docked for the winter in its homeport, Ludington. The crew has been working to get the 410-foot historic ship ready for its 2025 season. Did you know some crew members reside on the ship throughout the year? Earlier this week the crew placed a boiler system onboard to make working and living conditions more comfortable for them during the winter months. Over the next few months we will be highlighting some of the work taking place on the ship and at the Ludington dock.

12/18/2024
The crew of the SS Badger won the Judge's Choice Award during the annual Manitowoc Lakeshore Holiday Parade held earlier...
12/17/2024

The crew of the SS Badger won the Judge's Choice Award during the annual Manitowoc Lakeshore Holiday Parade held earlier this month. The Holiday Spirit Awards were presented during the Dec. 16 meeting of the Manitowoc City Council. The Manitowoc Badger Crew built the float with support from Lowe's, International Paper, and Steve Sukawaty.

12/17/2024

A view from the Badger's pilot house as it nears Manitowoc Harbor, September 2024.

Another glorious Ludington Lake Michigan sunset behind the Badger. This was taken last week. Please check out our websit...
12/16/2024

Another glorious Ludington Lake Michigan sunset behind the Badger. This was taken last week. Please check out our website for 2025 reservations: ssbadger.com.

12/13/2024

𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫’𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧! 🪩

Ludington's New Year’s Eve Ball Drop was just voted "𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩" in America by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – beating out 20 nominees from across the country, including the Times Square Ball Drop!

Ludington’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop also is the 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 nominee on the list from Michigan – making it a win for ! Thank you for voting for Ludington! Now let us help you plan your New Year’s Eve getaway to !
Learn more ➡ https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-new-years-eve-drop-2024/

❤️💚🚢❤️💚
12/13/2024

❤️💚🚢❤️💚

The 410-foot historic ship is docked in Ludington for the winter.

Address

701 Maritime Drive
Ludington, MI
49431

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry:

Shortcuts

Share

A Legacy on the Lake Since 1953

The S.S. Badger is the last coal-fired passenger steamship in operation in the United States. She has provided a fun, reliable and affordable shortcut across beautiful Lake Michigan for more than 60 years and has transported millions of passengers since her re-birth in 1992. In 2016 she received the nation’s highest historic honor when the Department of Interior officially designated the Badger as a National Historic Landmark. Additionally, the Badger is extremely unique in that she is an NHL that moves. The 410ft. S.S. BADGER can accommodate 600 passengers and 180 vehicles, including; RVs, motorcycles, motor coaches, and commercial trucks during her sailing season. Originally designed primarily to transport railroad cars, this grand ship and the people who serve her have successfully adapted to the changing world since she first entered service in 1953. Her unique and bold character takes you back to a period of time when things were simpler – offering valuable time to slow down, relax…and reconnect with those you love. She is the continuation of a unique and vital maritime tradition, and we celebrate that heritage on board in fun ways that educate, and entertain. Her mission has changed from the days of carrying railroad cars 365 days a year, and the Badger’s role in the hearts of the areas she serves has not. The Badger’s commitment to a fun experience offers traditional favorites including free Famous Badger Bingo, free movies, lounge areas and designated quiet space, a kid’s play area, onboard gift shop, game room, private staterooms, two separate food service areas, two bars that includes a Bloody Mary bar, and sprawling outside decks for lounging or walking. Perhaps a romantic night crossing is more fitting for your style with spectacular sunsets and sparkling constellations for stargazers - making the Badger experience extra special. A trip aboard the S.S. Badger offers passengers fun & treasured memories. Professional travelers have shared their experiences aboard the Badger with the world and this grand ship has received great praise. The Badger has been awarded Certificates of Excellence from TripAdvisor for 5 consecutive years and has a five star rating with Travelocity! The Badger experience allows a rare opportunity to explore a little history - and a lot of fun by taking a step back into the past on a journey that’s as important as the destination! From mid-May to mid-October the Badger sails daily between Ludington, MI and Manitowoc, WI. For additional information, call (800) 841-4243 or visit www.ssbadger.com