Michigan Ferry Crossing

The SS Badger is a passenger and vehicle Ferry providing service between Manatowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan. The Badger was one of several Ferries that at one time transported railroad cars across the lake. It is the only one of the original rail ferries still operating, and is now an iconic part of the Great Lakes tourism industry.

[@howlandowlle7953]

. What a boatload of memories this brings to me. My wife an I rode this during the time the company offered the "Boatel". Twice we made a special occasion of staying overnight on board in a cabin, having breakfast together in the morning and then going to the stern to watch the loading and getting under way. With a four hour cruise on our inland Michigan sea it all made for an intimate and romantic little adventure.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

Took a taxi to the other side or the channel to the Best Western i think it was... nice room... terrible pizza... great indoor sandwiches in the end. very happy about the trip.

[@passingthru69]

Took a trip on the Badger with my semi truck years back. Backing into the ship is no easy thing as I had a section of a wind tower on. It was a trip on a history ship.

[@FredKraussUCC]

We were grateful that the crew backed our car onto the ship. The rail cars had tracks making it easier to get them on and off.

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

Night cruise is best. And I’m always amazed at how many people ride indoors watching TV the whole way across.

[@highplainsdrifter8034]

Thank you for this video! I wonder if this could be the same ship my father took me on. Maybe in 1956-58? Oh how I’d love to do this one more time!

[@bobh6728]

Rode it twice so far. The last time my vehicle came off with a flat tire. They made sure it got fixed and paid for the repair.

[@72Keydet]

Rode this venerable vessel in 2018; comfortable cruise on the lake, amazing piloting docking in Ludington. Air conditioning was out of service, hot and steamy inside the ship. Only brickbat was it took over an hour to have our car delivered in Michigan. Glad we took the trip.

[@scottb8175]

The tops of the old rails can be seen, including switch frogs for multiple track routes on the ferry deck. Just filled in with asphalt, so it looks.

[@shailajanayak2091]

Nice videos. Tks.

[@dally8399]

Thank you !! That was quite a sight to see 😀. Lucky folks

[@ditto1958]

I been on that ship a coupla times Slow, and boring, but if it’s a calm sunny day, it’s a really pretty trip

[@sunnyscott4876]

The ⛴ ferries in Japan are awesome!

[@rondolan4489]

Go watch the Washington state ferries and their routes.

[@sunnyscott4876]

@@rondolan4489 OK

[@clevlandblock]

I think they just use the Spartan for parts to keep the Badger going. I took one of these ferries across the lake back in the 50s as a child, and again, a couple of times around 2006. One was a night crossing and another in rough seas. The City of Midland is a sister ship but was converted to a barge last time I saw it.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

I walked all the way out to the lighthouse on the pier.

[@haweater1555]

The Chi Cheemaun ferry on Lake Huron is smaller but much more modern. It loads at both ends so you drive your own car and never have to go in reverse. The coal-burning Badger was obsolete at the time it was launched.

[@vintagesimplicitytractors9464]

Nobody gives a shit, this is the badger. It still operates for particular reasons

[@danmathers141]

It sounds like one of the women is explaining the operation of the docking system the the other. I would have liked to hear this as she was explaining.

[@geofjones9]

It's a great trip to take! Should have "On Da Badger" by the Happy Schnapps Combo as music for this.

[@RandomDudeOne]

24:12 Wow classic Taurus Wagon

[@FredKraussUCC]

We loved that car. It took us on many camping trips and had over 220,000 miles on it when we were rear ended at a red light.

[@danmathers141]

I see train tracks are still present om the Badger. Is it still possible to take rail cars on board? Is there still a dock where it could do this?

[@palco22]

Well I'll be......first time I see loading in reverse ! Must be a real hassle !

[@RLTtizME]

Captain Hobbs on the bridge. Rest in Peace. fox17online.com/2013/11/23/senior-captain-of-the-s-s-badger-passes-away/

[@bodiddlee69]

I know his sister and brother in law very well, here in Soo, MI. and the only ship I've ever been sea sick on. Including Guam to San Fran in 1961, 4 days out to sea on the USS Abe Lincoln and 2 time AK pan handle passage on the Matunuska and the trusty Tustemena.

[@flyingcat2054]

Do the owners drive their vehicles on and off the ship?

[@NancyKrauss]

No, Badger staff does that job.

[@danmathers141]

What's the deal with the Spartan? It looks ready to go.

[@AidenLo]

It’s not a ship not a

[@graybeardproductions2597]

I do believe she's in drydock right now

[@jeffs.5882]

Yup. Got er in the yard at Bay ship

[@dally8399]

Why in dry dock now ? Are there any ferry’s to mich/wisc

[@jaynebennett2063]

She’s in for safety inspection and paint.

[@fourhillsfarm]

She doesn’t run in the winter months. This is the ferry between MI and WI.

[@derekninabuck5359]

@@dally8399 for the 5 year safety inspection and a quick refresh of paint, refurbishment of the props and other maintenance

[@rondolan4489]

Who ever designed that ferrie must of one to many drinks loading and unloading backwards.. so stupid.

[@derekninabuck5359]

well, it was originally designed as a railcar ferry and built with a reinforced icebreaking hull, so the design makes sense for what is was originally used for

[@jerryanstey7058]

Real ferries travel on the mighty oceans ! Lakes yucky

[@travelnc2g]

There are more ship wrecks on Lake Michigan than off North Carolina which is known as The Graveyard of the Atlantic

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

Have you ever been on any of the Great Lakes when they’re poppin’? Have you ever SEEN any of the Great Lakes? Also, why the elitism about ferries?

[@torquetrain8963]

Great Lakes are quite mighty. No joke about it.