On the night of February 8, 1958, my new wife and I spent our wedding night in a stateroom on our way from Milwaukee to Ludington. I don't remember if it was the Badger or the Spartan. We have been married 63 years this month. Watching the video brought back happy memories!
We just took the SS Badger on June 1st from Manitowoc to Ludington and returned on June 5. What a blast. Plenty of amenities, great crew, and in four hours we transversed Lake MI. Ludington was beautiful. Take the trip!
I rode the ship with my family in Auguust, 1969; I was only eleven years old; watched alot of television in TV room, ate great food, met all kinds of people and made new friends. We rode to Wisconsin Dells from Ludington, Michigan and later round trip! It's amazing this ship is still in service, memories say I recommend anyone to ride and at sixty-five years of age (2023), I would do it again ,,,proud Michigander! Ship Ahoy!!!
I love the SS Badger as a truck driver I cross many times the lake Michigan with oversize load they safe me alot time avoiding me to go thru Illinois is a unique experience and what a great crew inside and outside the ship. 🇺🇲🚢 GOD BLESS YOU 🚢 🇺🇲
I knew it took a lot of work to sail the beautiful Badger but I had no idea, wow! Great job on the film. We have taken this ship several times including just this month. Thank you captains and crew and all staff, it takes a whole team and everyone does a great job. Thank you & keep up the great work. Bob & Susan
#44 Ship Ahoy! Wonderful video! I was a crew member many, many years ago on her as well as: SS Pere Marquette 21, SS Pere Marquette 22, SS City of Saginaw 31, SS City of Midland 41, SS Spartan 42, and the SS Badger 43. Streamers SS Pere Marquette 18 and SS City of Flint 32 were laid up, waiting to be sold! I had the occasion to relieve the "Wheel Watch" for breaks and dinner, and to handle her as will as the others, from time to time. I certainly miss the past, Thank God, one was saved!!
Thank you for this great tour onboard SS Badger. As a retired maritime pilot from Bremen, Germany I handled only a few US Steamships in the 70ths, they manoeuvre quite different than motorvessels. Would like to make a trip on the Badger - but Corona doesn't allow.
I add that even boats with thrusters use a line for the pivot away form the side (9:19). The Pride of Hull and Pride of Rotterdam (60,000t) use the method out of the dock Europoort at Rotterdam. 11,000 ton boats use it too out of Lerwick in Shetland. It's a wonderful ship, great video too, and really a reminder of how much of a manual world it was until the 1960's when automation began to creep in.
Splendid documentary. I traveled on the car ferries from Frankfort Michigan when I was a child with my parents. It’s heartwarming to know that I can share this wonderful adventure with my family today and for years to come.
THIS is the video I wanted to see. Thank-you for both making it and putting it on CZcams. This is how ships use to be operated by the Bridge controls and the Engine Room controls. In modern day ships the bridge has control of the engine(s) a bit like a self-drive hire car. Long may S.S. Badger sail.
As a kid in the early to mid 1980s I remember sailing across the lake on both the Badger and Spartan. I live in Racine WI and at the time my grandparents lived in Boyne City MI. If I am not mistaken the ferry service was halted for over a decade? I remember a few times on the ferry boat the weather was terrible with rain/wind and the waves had to be at least 8' and I remember being tossed from side to side in the hallway of the estate rooms lol. I would love to take the Badger net summer to visit my 86 y/o grandmother and relive those memories.
Every few years my wife and I ride the Badger. Terrific experience! Every year when we are visiting friends in Two Rivers, at least once each year we stop to see the Badger arrive from Ludington. Brings back such fond memories of growing up in Sturgeon Bay and seeing the Badger launched in 1956, I believe. Precautions were taken to protect the shops along the slip but the wave from the ship as it entered the water sideways knocked the railroad cars filled with scrap iron off the tracks and into the shops.
Thanks for the great video!!! We took my old '85 Bronco across on the Badger probably 20+ years ago so it was really neat to get to see all the behind-the-scenes stuff that went on and the history of how it got to be what it is today!!
As a Captain that use to run a 300 ft dinner boat, I appreciated the fact that as I thought of some question a mariner might ask it was promptly answered by the video, both technically and at the passanger level, well done. This really did make me want to come and take a ride on the boat! What is her operational season?
Experienced the SS Badger from Ludington to Manitowoc 3 days ago with my son. (9-25-2021) Very cool experience and a memory I'll always cherish of us having. I'm 46 and he's 19 so who knows if he feels the same or not but I'm confident he'll look back on it one day and say "yeah, me and my dad did that together once!" ❤⛴
Got to see her twice in 2016 in all her glory in Michigan in a bay off the Great Lake. Will always treasure that. I grew up listening to stories of old steam ships my papa used to tell from the 40s/50s/60s and it was wonderful to see the last north American one in person
She's a great old ship and I'm so glad she's still sailing! Two things caught my attention, one is he says the wheel is attached directly to the rudder but then mentions and shows the hydro electric steering system, second, I've never heard a Captain say hard right rather than hard a starboard.
I watched another video regarding the Badger, and it was commented that they never say Port or Starboard when issuing steering commands. Not sure why.....
Enjoyed our voyage in 2018, pleasant trip. Interior too hot as air conditioning malfunctioning, comfortable on deck. Docking in Ludington was impressive seamanship. Took too long to receive auto but the trip was a good memory. Video very well done.
We were privileged to ride the Badger few years back, IT WAS AWESOME, It was exciting to go to relatives in Appleton. THIS VIDEO WAS STILL GIVING MY WIFE & WIFE GOOSE PIMPLES. We want to do it again. If you ever get a chance do it, Its worth the money. The Wise`s.
I'm based in Michigan but needed to go to Wisconsin for business -- almost 40 years ago -- and decided to take the SS Badger to avoid (eeeek!) Chicago traffic. The entire experience was enjoyable. I arrived early and spent a bit of time in Ludington. Nice town and people. The videos and photos will not prepare you for the size of the ship. I was amazed as vehicle after vehicle disappeared into what amounts to the sizable, highly organized parking lot inside of it. Back then, the creature comforts -- Bingo, TV Lounge, etc. -- didn't exist and the cruise itself was just a quiet, leisurely sail across Lake Michigan. Disembarking was so efficient that the time cushion I built in to my schedule proved to be unnecessary and I arrived at my Wisconsin destination early and refreshed. Recalling this makes me want to come up with an excuse to take another trip to Wisconsin. ;o) To be commercially viable after 66 years, the SS Badger is absolutely remarkable. As this video points out, it is unique. That we can still experience (not just watch vids) and enjoy it is a tribute to the team that makes it all work. Thank you!
Good video. I've decided to take the fam across the lake on the Badger in August en route to our vacation destination. Should be fun, and something our 9 year old doesn't get to experience every day.
As a life member of The SS Shieldhall based in Southampton Hampshire in Southern England i can say i thoroughly enjoyed your video. If i had the money i would jump on a plane immediately ( virus permitting ) Well done to all of youand best wishes from Trevor Fleisig from Svenoaks Kent South East England. UK
Took the Badger back in the 80s to Milwaukee. The Chessie Cat was still painted in the smokestack. Remember them loading coal cars. Felt like it took forever for them to line the train tracks up.
Although I love this ship and I guarentee myself I will sail on it again because I live 4 hours away its not that easy, but when I get out of high school and then college, I will drive up to manitowoc and do a round trip.
The Badger runs a predictable car ferry service. If her routes were extended, making her more like a cruise ship, then she would not be able to continue as a practical car ferry. Second, you can't "take cars off the road" or reduce road congestion by doing ANYTHING different with the Badger, that is just a silly notion. You say you might be willing to 'invest' in this.....that would mean buying her and her facilities at both Manitowoc and Ludington, paying for a complete refit, and then seeing your investment go down the tubes as people fail to show up in sufficient numbers to make the investment pay. If you meant 'invest' as you being willing to pay for the odd voyage here and there, then that is useless in the sense that it might sway anyone to change how the Badger operates. Also remember that, reportedly, the Badger gets a considerable amount of her operating costs covered by what truckers pay to move their rigs across the lake, as opposed to going around the lake, and doing what you suggest would removed that source of revenue.
Very soon the complex engineering on this ship ( old school engineering ) will be beyond the future engineers. Today it's all about electronics and apps.
Lived in Ludington as a child. About a block from the Park Dairy, the now famous House of Flavors. Mmmmm, Blue Moon. Last time I was on the Badger was the day we left to move to the west coast. I must go back and ride again before it is decommissioned.
Good to see there’s some very wealthy people do something good with their money besides buying another house that they probably only visit every few years.
It's named after the Wisconsin mascot. Just like the Spartan is named for MSU. They named them after college teams beacuse they though less egos would be burst.
As a European, the idea of having special valets to drive your car onto the ship seems odd. Europe has a lot of big ferries plying the seas, and they are all self-drive. You drive onto the ship yourself, then the crewmen point you in the direction where you need to go. As you drive up your parking lane towards the vehicle parked in front, a crewman will wave you forward until you are only a few inches behind it.
@@elizabethfrohn-hengst296 The trick to overcoming sea sickness is to simply not think about it, and don’t focus on something that is constantly moving back and forth. I served in the Navy.....That always worked for me.
On the night of February 8, 1958, my new wife and I spent our wedding night in a stateroom on our way from Milwaukee to Ludington. I don't remember if it was the Badger or the Spartan. We have been married 63 years this month. Watching the video brought back happy memories!
Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your lengthy marriage!
❤️❤️🥰🥰Awwwwwwwww that’s so nice❤️❤️🥰🥰
That would be so damn cool
We just took the SS Badger on June 1st from Manitowoc to Ludington and returned on June 5. What a blast. Plenty of amenities, great crew, and in four hours we transversed Lake MI. Ludington was beautiful. Take the trip!
Wow!
I rode the ship with my family in Auguust, 1969; I was only eleven years old; watched alot of television in TV room, ate great food, met all kinds of people and made new friends. We rode to Wisconsin Dells from Ludington, Michigan and later round trip! It's amazing this ship is still in service, memories say I recommend anyone to ride and at sixty-five years of age (2023), I would do it again ,,,proud Michigander! Ship Ahoy!!!
I love the SS Badger as a truck driver I cross many times the lake Michigan with oversize load they safe me alot time avoiding me to go thru Illinois is a unique experience and what a great crew inside and outside the ship.
🇺🇲🚢 GOD BLESS YOU 🚢 🇺🇲
As a Ludington local, the SS Badger is VERY important to our community. I would encourage anyone to take a trip on the Badger. It is a lot of fun.
Kevin Gerhart i agree with you 100%. I went on it once before when i was in my early 20s. I am taking my son on it in a few days.
I'm planning a trip aboard the Badger this summer or the next.
no
Thank you for the well-detailed video! It's July 2023 and we sail in a few days with our grandkids for the first time! 😊
I knew it took a lot of work to sail the beautiful Badger but I had no idea, wow! Great job on the film. We have taken this ship several times including just this month. Thank you captains and crew and all staff, it takes a whole team and everyone does a great job. Thank you & keep up the great work. Bob & Susan
#44 Ship Ahoy! Wonderful video! I was a crew member many, many years ago on her as well as: SS Pere Marquette 21, SS Pere Marquette 22, SS City of Saginaw 31, SS City of Midland 41, SS Spartan 42, and the SS Badger 43. Streamers SS Pere Marquette 18 and SS City of Flint 32 were laid up, waiting to be sold! I had the occasion to relieve the "Wheel Watch" for breaks and dinner, and to handle her as will as the others, from time to time. I certainly miss the past, Thank God, one was saved!!
Thank you for this great tour onboard SS Badger. As a retired maritime pilot from Bremen, Germany I handled only a few US Steamships in the 70ths, they manoeuvre quite different than motorvessels. Would like to make a trip on the Badger - but Corona doesn't allow.
A beautiful ship manned by a skilful crew. Must put this on my bucket list. Hello and stay safe from Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK.
I add that even boats with thrusters use a line for the pivot away form the side (9:19). The Pride of Hull and Pride of Rotterdam (60,000t) use the method out of the dock Europoort at Rotterdam. 11,000 ton boats use it too out of Lerwick in Shetland.
It's a wonderful ship, great video too, and really a reminder of how much of a manual world it was until the 1960's when automation began to creep in.
Splendid documentary. I traveled on the car ferries from Frankfort Michigan when I was a child with my parents. It’s heartwarming to know that I can share this wonderful adventure with my family today and for years to come.
THIS is the video I wanted to see. Thank-you for both making it and putting it on CZcams.
This is how ships use to be operated by the Bridge controls and the Engine Room controls. In modern day ships the bridge has control of the engine(s) a bit like a self-drive hire car. Long may S.S. Badger sail.
As a kid in the early to mid 1980s I remember sailing across the lake on both the Badger and Spartan. I live in Racine WI and at the time my grandparents lived in Boyne City MI. If I am not mistaken the ferry service was halted for over a decade? I remember a few times on the ferry boat the weather was terrible with rain/wind and the waves had to be at least 8' and I remember being tossed from side to side in the hallway of the estate rooms lol. I would love to take the Badger net summer to visit my 86 y/o grandmother and relive those memories.
Every few years my wife and I ride the Badger. Terrific experience! Every year when we are visiting friends in Two Rivers, at least once each year we stop to see the Badger arrive from Ludington. Brings back such fond memories of growing up in Sturgeon Bay and seeing the Badger launched in 1956, I believe. Precautions were taken to protect the shops along the slip but the wave from the ship as it entered the water sideways knocked the railroad cars filled with scrap iron off the tracks and into the shops.
My dad A native Ludington Michigander was a crewmember on the badger back in the 50s
wow that was a cool video on the S.S. Badger thank you for sharing ,big hugs from MN
Just did the end of summer evening cruise.
Good time. Floating historical artifact.
Absolutely fabulous!! Keep up the good work and greetings from UK
New addition to the bucket list. Hope they have room for my old Class C Ford Motorhome
What a majestic ship, and a well produced video. Thanks for sharing it. I'm looking forward to my annual round-trip in just a few weeks.
Been on that ship 11 times 12 this summer. Alway love going across. Well worth the trip and money to go across.
Excellent video and tour of the SS Badger. I wished I lived closer so I could take a trip on her. Thank you from New Mexico.
Thanks for the great video!!! We took my old '85 Bronco across on the Badger probably 20+ years ago so it was really neat to get to see all the behind-the-scenes stuff that went on and the history of how it got to be what it is today!!
As a Captain that use to run a 300 ft dinner boat, I appreciated the fact that as I thought of some question a mariner might ask it was promptly answered by the video, both technically and at the passanger level, well done. This really did make me want to come and take a ride on the boat! What is her operational season?
It all was very interesting. The docking maneuver was top notch. I was surprised there were no tugs.
Love My SS Badger. Thank you all who captain and keep her running.
Experienced the SS Badger from Ludington to Manitowoc 3 days ago with my son. (9-25-2021)
Very cool experience and a memory I'll always cherish of us having. I'm 46 and he's 19 so who knows if he feels the same or not but I'm confident he'll look back on it one day and say "yeah, me and my dad did that together once!" ❤⛴
Great Documentary-- thank you
What a great piece of history! We traveled on it a few years ago. It was a very enjoyable trip.
Great video. We are looking forward to taking the Badger to Ludington before mid September. Now I have an idea what to expect.
Got to see her twice in 2016 in all her glory in Michigan in a bay off the Great Lake. Will always treasure that. I grew up listening to stories of old steam ships my papa used to tell from the 40s/50s/60s and it was wonderful to see the last north American one in person
She's a great old ship and I'm so glad she's still sailing! Two things caught my attention, one is he says the wheel is attached directly to the rudder but then mentions and shows the hydro electric steering system, second, I've never heard a Captain say hard right rather than hard a starboard.
Dang: "hard right" a mistake like that by me: while on duty, would have cost me my career.
I watched another video regarding the Badger, and it was commented that they never say Port or Starboard when issuing steering commands. Not sure why.....
Enjoyed our voyage in 2018, pleasant trip. Interior too hot as air conditioning malfunctioning, comfortable on deck. Docking in Ludington was impressive seamanship. Took too long to receive auto but the trip was a good memory. Video very well done.
We were privileged to ride the Badger few years back, IT WAS AWESOME, It was exciting to go to relatives in Appleton. THIS VIDEO WAS STILL GIVING MY WIFE & WIFE GOOSE PIMPLES. We want to do it again. If you ever get a chance do it, Its worth the money. The Wise`s.
We will cruise the ferry in Sep :)
I'm based in Michigan but needed to go to Wisconsin for business -- almost 40 years ago -- and decided to take the SS Badger to avoid (eeeek!) Chicago traffic.
The entire experience was enjoyable. I arrived early and spent a bit of time in Ludington. Nice town and people.
The videos and photos will not prepare you for the size of the ship. I was amazed as vehicle after vehicle disappeared into what amounts to the sizable, highly organized parking lot inside of it.
Back then, the creature comforts -- Bingo, TV Lounge, etc. -- didn't exist and the cruise itself was just a quiet, leisurely sail across Lake Michigan.
Disembarking was so efficient that the time cushion I built in to my schedule proved to be unnecessary and I arrived at my Wisconsin destination early and refreshed.
Recalling this makes me want to come up with an excuse to take another trip to Wisconsin. ;o)
To be commercially viable after 66 years, the SS Badger is absolutely remarkable. As this video points out, it is unique. That we can still experience (not just watch vids) and enjoy it is a tribute to the team that makes it all work. Thank you!
Added to the bucket list!!!
tall deck hand did a killer giraffe imitation during bingo
Muito interessante o vídeo e parabéns a empresa por manter essa preciosidade em atividade
NIce job. We really enjoyed our time on board
Thanks for sharing this neat piece of history with all of us
Delightful video,. Thank you.
As a long-retired (steam) marine engineer, I enjoyed the machinery space tour. :-)
Good video. I've decided to take the fam across the lake on the Badger in August en route to our vacation destination. Should be fun, and something our 9 year old doesn't get to experience every day.
Beutiful video, thank you
As a life member of The SS Shieldhall based in Southampton Hampshire in Southern England i can say i thoroughly enjoyed your video. If i had the money i would jump on a plane immediately ( virus permitting ) Well done to all of youand best wishes from Trevor Fleisig from Svenoaks Kent South East England. UK
Never let this go! 😎
Kudos to the narrator! Very well done, which is something of a rarity on CZcams.
Thank you
Very well done! You have an extraordinary crew! I wish I lived closer. I would love to ride on her. Continued success. Thank you for sharing!
Took the Badger back in the 80s to Milwaukee. The Chessie Cat was still painted in the smokestack. Remember them loading coal cars. Felt like it took forever for them to line the train tracks up.
I sail on her all the time. My grandpa used to work on the SS United States when he was young in the late 50s and 60s.
Very interesting. Can't wait to make the trip this way rather than I94 through Chicago and Indiana!
Yes: 94 is very rough.
I had no idea the badger is a coil fired steamer.
Very helpful video for our first voyage.
We where on board with our GMC motor home lat yearFun trip
I was wondering what happened to the ash, you answered that question!
Nice old ship . Gretings from sweden
Although I love this ship and I guarentee myself I will sail on it again because I live 4 hours away its not that easy, but when I get out of high school and then college, I will drive up to manitowoc and do a round trip.
impressive
lovely ship and more lovely that it is still coal fired!
Badger should extend its routes and add cabins The roads are congested and taking cars off road would be nice I might be willing to invest in this.
The Badger runs a predictable car ferry service. If her routes were extended, making her more like a cruise ship, then she would not be able to continue as a practical car ferry. Second, you can't "take cars off the road" or reduce road congestion by doing ANYTHING different with the Badger, that is just a silly notion. You say you might be willing to 'invest' in this.....that would mean buying her and her facilities at both Manitowoc and Ludington, paying for a complete refit, and then seeing your investment go down the tubes as people fail to show up in sufficient numbers to make the investment pay. If you meant 'invest' as you being willing to pay for the odd voyage here and there, then that is useless in the sense that it might sway anyone to change how the Badger operates. Also remember that, reportedly, the Badger gets a considerable amount of her operating costs covered by what truckers pay to move their rigs across the lake, as opposed to going around the lake, and doing what you suggest would removed that source of revenue.
@@youtuuba Thank you very much for your service on this wonderful ship I am a fireman on a 1909 Alcoa Steam locomotive. Your ship is incredible!
Now if only the Spartan can be restored to help serve the route. Would need a new engine and a lot of work though
I think it's used for parts, which is valuable as well.
what is that thing there @ 8:32 on the wall with the yellow arrows?
There is one other ferry that is part of the U.S. National Highway System (the Badger is on U.S. 10).
Would you guys haul a band and it’s whole tour
👍👌👏
Very soon the complex engineering on this ship ( old school engineering ) will be beyond the future engineers. Today it's all about electronics and apps.
I hope to have the experience in September...
How did it go. ...?
theda850two
Joe Cordova , just don't go in November
what's the difference between horns, one horn is single toned and the other is Double toned?
Lived in Ludington as a child. About a block from the Park Dairy, the now famous House of Flavors. Mmmmm, Blue Moon. Last time I was on the Badger was the day we left to move to the west coast. I must go back and ride again before it is decommissioned.
Badger isn't nearly ready to be decommissioned! Exciting new renovations are being done right now. Come ride the Badger and "Experience Amazing"!!
Hold it hold it... captain... you can't go home yet...
@07:05 - "windless" - pretty sure it's 'windlass', guys...…..
Thanks GPT-3
Bucket list.
BRING BACK the Spartan!
Please Turn off background sound
“Windlass room” not windless 😅
Motorcycles would never been driven onboard by anyone else than their owners. They just wouldn't have it like that.
Good to see there’s some very wealthy people do something good with their money besides buying another house that they probably only visit every few years.
I remember a Car ferry that ran out of Milwaukee 25 years ago, Is that ship still in service as well?
There is a ferry that goes from Milwaukee to Michigan but it isn't coal fired it's a high speed ferry that goes faster than the badger
@@elizabethfrohn-hengst296 That's from 2005. Too new to be what their recollecting.
Is the Badger named for the Wisconsin mascot? Or was it named for Albert Badger, superintendent of the Pere Marquette Railroad? Anyone know?
It's named after the Wisconsin mascot. Just like the Spartan is named for MSU. They named them after college teams beacuse they though less egos would be burst.
Can't wait till I sail with her in September.
we have a steam powered ship in Canada and she is over 130 years old
Uniflow? That was a WW1 engine!
My cousin Eric works on this Ship 🛳
...HARD RIGHT ? Navy Ships only turn to Port or Starboard, I always thought. I mean it's in my DNA that way... lol
As a European, the idea of having special valets to drive your car onto the ship seems odd. Europe has a lot of big ferries plying the seas, and they are all self-drive. You drive onto the ship yourself, then the crewmen point you in the direction where you need to go. As you drive up your parking lane towards the vehicle parked in front, a crewman will wave you forward until you are only a few inches behind it.
It’s much harder to get a drivers license in Europe, therefore you have a lot less bad drivers.
That’s how most other US ferries operate, but evidently the SS Badger folks don’t want the risk, delay or liability from any accidents.
12:11 I See The Uss Cobia, (SS 245)
no. Me too
oldest comment of mine i've found so far
I hope they have Spartan back in service to have the Sisters sail together.
She is missing many parts, as they were scavenged for the Badger. Also she hasn’t been dry docked since the 70”s so her bottom is probably shot.
@@boataxe4605 😔
Does it still run today?
Yes it does! They have a website to book trips. I plan on doing it myself!
I will check it thanks I'd like to take a trip on it also
My father Walter Knowles worked 36yrs on the boat 🚢
I can't believe it still using coal 😮
whose idea was it to play music the whole damn time. hard to hear what he is saying. smh
At 11:02 he said "watching a movie" but the caption said "to watching a move."
Do you get sea sick on this ship?
My mom did lake Michigan is large enough to get quite rocky
@@elizabethfrohn-hengst296
The trick to overcoming sea sickness is to simply not think about it, and don’t focus on something that is constantly moving back and forth. I served in the Navy.....That always worked for me.
I have sialed on her b4.
I took it when I was a baby I vomited on my dad because of 7 to 6 foot waves and I do not want to ride it again no offense
Great ship no doubt... unfortunately during the renovation the badger's interiors took a hit ... the stock 1950s interiors were much better
The "Green new deal" will end this powerplant. They don't understand much in New York, Chicago and L.A.
It's now a historical landmark...they can't touch it.