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Post by northwesterner on Jan 18, 2022 20:52:32 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Feb 1, 2022 22:18:50 GMT -8
More Badger... better close up video.
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Post by paulvanb on Feb 3, 2022 13:31:28 GMT -8
More Badger... better close up video. She looks amazing for 70 years old! Thank you for sharing this.
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Post by northwesterner on Feb 3, 2022 22:34:54 GMT -8
More Badger... better close up video. Thanks for sharing this Neil. Really excellent video.
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Post by northwesterner on Feb 5, 2022 14:42:30 GMT -8
With the ongoing pandemic restricting my ability to take a vacation out of the United States, I've done a bit of exploring around the country. As part of a larger roadtrip through Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, I sailed on the SS Badger from Michigan to Wisconsin. Service started the 3rd week of May on a Thursday; I rode the second day of the 2021 season, May 21st. The terminal on the Michigan side is a bit in the middle of nowhere - Luddington - which made for an early morning from Traverse City where I'd spent the night. Upon arrival at the terminal I was directed to park my car over in a holding area. I wasn't there for long - they hire local high school kids as "car parkers" and I was directed to leave the keys in the car and grab my stuff. I did so, walked on board, and watched the kids running off the ship to grab another car, drive in on and park it. At the terminal in Luddington, SS Badger's sister ship, SS Spartan is tied up alongside the terminal. Last in service in 1979, she still looks okay but at this point is just functioning as a parts source to keep Badger in service. The new owners of both ferries indicated they want to take a hard look at the condition of Spartan and if she can be retrofitted with diesel engines for some kind of lake ferry service. I wouldn't hold my breath. Regarding the interior of the ferry, there were a number of passenger lounges spread throughout. A late 1980s refurbishment saw an upper car converted into a lounge and buffet. These spaces felt very retrofitted, but did provide plenty of room to hang out. Starting with a photo of SS Badger in the berth at Manitowoc, WI at the end of the crossing, then back to photos more chronologically from Luddington, MI. IMG_1448 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1191 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1192 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1202 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1177 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1180 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1181 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1266 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1269 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1271 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1282 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1290 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1310 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1341 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1343 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1348 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1350 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1353 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1368 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1374 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1412 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1415 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1424 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1430 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1442 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1228 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1231 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1446 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr
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Post by northwesterner on Feb 5, 2022 14:49:11 GMT -8
Now some interior photos of SS Badger. IMG_1218 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1314 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1315 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1311 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1213 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1332 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1333 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1338 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1376 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1379 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr IMG_1380 by Photos by Keegan, on Flickr
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jun 10, 2023 21:22:48 GMT -8
'northwesterner's post mentioned the loading of cars by high school students. Maybe they don't pay them much, because it seems like a really cumbersome procedure requiring a lot of people, who take vehicles onboard, and then run off to get the next one. I wonder if this is done anywhere else. You might say, cut a hole in the Badger's bow, and make her a true ro/ro vessel... but I guess that might mess with her heritage status. Lots of videos available on this. Here's one.
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Post by northwesterner on Jun 11, 2023 9:52:27 GMT -8
'northwesterner's post mentioned the loading of cars by high school students. Maybe they don't pay them much, because it seems like a really cumbersome procedure requiring a lot of people, who take vehicles onboard, and then run off to get the next one. I wonder if this is done anywhere else. You might say, cut a hole in the Badger's bow, and make her a true ro/ro vessel... but I guess that might mess with her heritage status. Lots of videos available on this. Here's one. A side door would be useful, like Coho's, as the Manitowoc port is "alongside" however notice the center casing with some narrow poles near the bow that have to be driven through. Not ideal. Also, the hull was reinforced for ice breaking during the winter, even though she no longer operates in those conditions.
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Post by northwesterner on Jul 17, 2023 23:57:58 GMT -8
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Post by hwy19man on Jul 21, 2023 14:43:17 GMT -8
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Post by northwesterner on Aug 2, 2023 17:53:35 GMT -8
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Post by northwesterner on Aug 5, 2023 17:37:37 GMT -8
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Post by northwesterner on Aug 30, 2023 22:51:36 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Sept 18, 2023 20:09:43 GMT -8
May have missed it, but I don't believe we have a mention of this ferry system, which serves Washington Island, at the north tip of Wisconsin in Lake Michigan. wisferry.com/
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Post by paulvanb on Sept 20, 2023 8:52:59 GMT -8
May have missed it, but I don't believe we have a mention of this ferry system, which serves Washington Island, at the north tip of Wisconsin in Lake Michigan. wisferry.com/Neil, this is a great find! I enjoyed watching the webcams.
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