Arthur Chavez 160 pages softcover
The iconic Lake Michigan car ferry Badger has been providing reliable
service between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, since its
maiden voyage on March 21, 1953. Originally built as an ice-breaking
ferry hauling railroad freight cars, the Badger now transports
passengers, automobiles, recreational vehicles, motor coaches, and
commercial vehicles including standard-size tractor/trailers and
specialized oversized load trailers. The Badger is the last surviving
operational example of a large network of railroad ferries crossing Lake
Michigan that had once provided a time-saving shortcut for freight
shippers, bypassing the long, circuitous route around the bottom of the
lake through Chicago's railyards. Today, the Badger performs a different
role, saving time, fuel, and mileage for regional tourists and
cross-country travelers, and has been designated the continuance route
of US Highway 10. Currently under the ownership of Interlake Maritime
Services, the historic 410-foot-long ferry begins its seventh decade of
service, continuing to bring joy and adventure to new generations of
riders as it contributes to the economic vitality of the cities of
Ludington and Manitowoc and surrounding regions.
