Badger
1953-Present
Specs
Build Information
Year Built: 1953
Builder: Christy Corp., Sturgeon Bay, WI
Hull #370
Registry: US 265156
IMO #5033583
Laid Down: April 19, 1951
Launch Date: September 6, 1952
Commissioned: March 21, 1953
Construction
Badger was constructed in 1953 as part of a fleet expansion program for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway’s Lake Michigan cross-lake rail ferry fleet. She was built by Christy Corp. of Sturgeon Bay, WI. Her design was largely based on the City of Midland 41, with several improvements including a wide pilothouse and gravity davits. Original design specifications were prepared by C&O Marine Superintendent L. H. Kent, and detail design work was done by R.A. Stern.
She is an identical sister to the carferry Spartan.
Modifications
- Refurbished for passenger and car ferry service, 1990.
General Stats
Length Overall: 410’06”
Length Between Perpendiculars: 392’08”
Breadth: 59’06”
Molded Depth: 24′
Draft: 14′ [Light], 18’06” [Loaded]
Capacity: 32 Railcars
Vessel Type: Railroad Car Ferry / Passenger Ship
Number of Cargo Holds: Single Car Deck; 4 Tracks
Primary Operations: Lake Michigan Cross-Lake Railroad Ferry Service
Propellers: 2
Rudders: 1
Engineering Equipment
Original
Engine
Engine Type: Reciprocating Steam Engine
Engine Manufacturer: Skinner Engine Co., Erie, PA
Engine Model: Steeple Compound Unaflow; 4-Cylinder
Number of Engines: 2
Rated HP: 7560 IHP
Boiler
Boiler Type: Coal-Fired Water Tube Boilers
Boiler Manufacturer: Foster-Wheeler, Baar, Switzerland
Boiler Size: —
Number of Boilers: 4
History
Lineage
Badger – 1953-1983
Owner: Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, Detroit, MI
Operator: Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, Marine Division, Ludington, MI [Later Chessie System]
Flag: United States
Home Port: Ludington, MI
Badger – 1983-1991
Owner: Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation Co., Ludington, MI
Operator: Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation Co.
Flag: United States
Home Port: Ludington, MI
Badger – 1991-2020
Owner: Lake Michigan Carferry Service, Ludington, MI
Operator: Lake Michigan Carferry Service
Flag: United States
Home Port: Ludington, MI
Badger – 2020-Present
Owner: Lake Michigan Carferry, Ludington, MI [Interlake Maritime Services]
Operator: Lake Michigan Carferry
Flag: United States
Home Port: Ludington, MI
Her Story
After the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway absorbed the Pere Marquette Railway in 1947, they looked to expand their marine operations for their Lake Michigan cross-lake rail ferry service. It was decided to construct two new carferries, so C&O Marine Superintendent L.H. Kent prepared the design specifications, and the design for the new ships was done by naval architect R. A. Stern. Christy Corp. of Sturgeon Bay, WI, was contracted to construct the new ships for a cost of about $5 Million each. The design of the ship was based off of the City of Midland 41, with a few modifications.
The second ferry was laid down on April 19, 1951, and was launched and christened Badger on September 6, 1952, in a joint ceremony with the christening of her older sister ship Spartan. Her name honored the mascot of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and was christened by Mrs. Walter J. Kohler, wife of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin. Following her completion and sea trials, Badger entered service on March 21, 1953.
As demand for cross-lake rail services declined during the late 1970’s and 1980’s, C & O, recognized at this point as Chessie System, was looking to cease ferry services. In 1983, the State of Michigan finally allowed them to terminate service.
That same year, several Ludington businessmen formed Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation Company, in order to purchase the carferries and continue to operate them in cross-lake service. M-W purchased the City of Midland 41, Badger, and Spartan in 1983. The City of Midland 41 remained in usual operation with the Badger coming out as needed. The Spartan remained in layup.
By 1988, the City of Midland 41 reached her time of retirement, and the Badger was brought out as the primary vessel for the M-W fleet. She sailed for Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation all the way until the end on November 16, 1990, when service was terminated.
Badger, along with her Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation fleetmates Spartan and City of Midland 41, were purchased by Charles Conrad through his newly-formed business, Lake Michigan Carferry Service in 1991. The Badger was refurbished for seasonal passenger and automobile service, while the Midland and the Spartan continued their long layup at Ludington. Service resumed on May 16, 1992, with the Badger returning to service following renovations to her passenger accommodations.
On September 7, 1996, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated the Badger‘s propulsion system a mechanical engineering landmark.
In December 2020, Lake Michigan Carferry, Pere Marquette Shipping, and the vessels Pere Marquette 41 / Undaunted, Badger, and Spartan were sold to Interlake Steamship Company. The Badger and Spartan remained under ownership of Lake Michigan Carferry, and the Badger continued normal operations.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on December 28, 2021
Gallery
Sources
Berry, Sterling P. “Badger”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 23 December 2021. <https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/b/badger>
Chavez, Art. S.S. Badger: The Lake Michigan Carferry. Arcadia Publishing, 2003.
Hilton, George. Great Lakes Carferries. Howell-North Books, 1962. Pp. 160-164.
Shipwatcher News Great Lakes Ships 