Badger in Brief: A Great Lakes One-of-a-Kind

The Badger and her sister ship, Spartan, are impressive examples of nautical engineering. Launched in 1953 and 1952, respectively, they were the last and largest coal-fired steam engine car ferries built in the United States.

In 2016, the Badger received the nation’s highest historic honor when the U.S. Department of the Interior designated her a National Historic Landmark. The only other mobile landmarks with that designation are San Francisco’s cable cars.

During a crossing from Ludington, Michigan, to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the Badger can accommodate 600 passengers and 180 vehicles, including recreational vehicles, motorcycles, motor coaches and commercial trucks.

Originally built to traverse Lake Michigan year-round, the Badger now takes to the lake for a six-month season from mid-May through mid-October.

Although the Badger is more than 70 years old, the vessel has kept pace with onboard technology and passenger comforts, including free movie screenings, satellite television, limited Wi-Fi, an arcade, cafes and bars, a gift shop and Badger Bingo.

Powering the ship

• Anchors: Two stockless anchors weighing 7,000 pounds each.
• Boilers: Four Foster-Wheeler D-type boilers with upgraded Detroit stokers and digital combustion controls.
• Engines: Two Skinner Steeple Compound Unaflow four-cylinder steam engines rated at 3,500 horsepower at 125 RPM, for 7,000 horsepower total. The propulsion system is designated a mechanical engineering landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
• Propellers: Two cast-steel, four-blade propellers measuring 13 feet, 10 inches in diameter and weighing 13,800 pounds each.

Legacy of honors

• 2023: Celebrated the ship’s platinum 70th anniversary.
• 2022: Designated an official M-90 Marine Highway shortcut route between Michigan and Wisconsin.
• 2020: Purchased by family-owned Great Lakes shipping company Interlake Maritime Services.
• 2016: Designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
• 2015: Designated an official continuance route of U.S. 10 between Ludington and Manitowoc.
• 2009: Placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• 2002: Named Ship of the Year by the Steamship Historical Society of America.
• 1997: Named a registered historic site in both Michigan and Wisconsin.
• 1996: The propulsion system was designated a mechanical engineering landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Ship facts

• Year built: 1952
• Year launched: 1953
• Length: 410 feet, 6 inches
• Width: 59 feet, 6 inches
• Height: 106 feet, 9 inches, or about seven stories
• Displacement: 6,650 tons
• Average speed: 18 mph, or 15.6 knots
• Crew members per trip: Approximately 50
• Staterooms: 40
• Crossings per season: Approximately 450
• Passenger capacity: 600
• Vehicle capacity: Approximately 180

Sailor talk

• Amidships or midship: Center of the vessel.
• Cast off: Releasing a mooring line or anchor so a vessel can set sail.
• Fathom: A unit of depth equal to six feet.
• Fore or forward: Situated in the front of the vessel.
• Galley: Kitchen or eating area.
• Hand: A member of the crew.
• Port: Left side of the vessel.
• Sea legs: The ability to adjust to a ship’s motion and maintain balance.
• Starboard: Right side of the vessel.
• Wake: Disturbed water astern of a ship caused by its motion.