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MANITOWOC – With the Lake Michigan carferry sailing season less than 60 days away, the S.S. Badger – the last coal-fired passenger steamship in operation in the United States – is gearing up for another busy season, even planning a few additions.
New this year aboard the more than 70-year old carferry, Thom Hawley – who does public relations for the Badger – said, is a 1950s-themed murder mystery experience in Ludington.
Though the event’s early dates are sold out, Hawley said the Badger is looking at offering the murder mystery again in the fall.
“We are looking at ways to expand the offerings aboard the ship while it is overnighting in Ludington,” he said. “The murder mystery experience is not a trip that sails out on the lake – it’s an opportunity for people to experience the ship differently. We will announce the fall dates at a later time.”
Though Hawley said they would love to offer something like the murder mystery in Manitowoc, that’s not possible.
“The Badger’s home port is Ludington – that’s where it overnights,” he said. “As long as it’s there, we thought we might as well put it to good use and let people experience it differently. When we cross the lake to Manitowoc, we dock and then turn around and come back across the lake two hours later.”
Seven-plus decades of service
The Business News first featured the Badger in its April 21, 2023 issue, highlighting the ferry’s 70th anniversary.
According to the Badger’s website (ssbadger.com), the 410-foot ship can accommodate 600 passengers and 180 vehicles, including RVs, motorcycles, motor coaches and commercial trucks during the sailing season.
Originally designed primarily to transport railroad cars, the website further states that the Badger first entered service in 1953.
Hawley said for more than 70 years, the ship has been providing a fun, reliable and affordable shortcut across Lake Michigan – transporting millions of passengers since her rebirth in 1992.
“It’s a nice, relaxing trip,” he said. “Whether you want to stay inside and play ‘Badger Bingo’ or spend the trip outside in the open air, there is something for everyone aboard the Badger.”
One of the most popular attractions on the Badger, Hawley said, is the two-hour-long shoreline cruises offered – from both Manitowoc and Ludington.
“They are about two hours, and we offer food, entertainment and drinks aboard the ship,” he said. “It’s a great way to access the Badger if you don’t have a purpose necessarily in crossing the lake. This is an opportunity to experience the largest coal-fired steamship still operating.”
Hawley said they’ve offered the shoreline cruises since bringing the Badger back to life in the early 1990s.
Hawley said the dates for the four Manitowoc cruises are June 13, July 18, Aug. 1 and Aug. 15.
“We’ve increased the number of shoreline cruises because of their popularity,” he said.
For more information and to view the Badger’s full schedule, visit the aforementioned website or its Facebook page.
