There are many steamers still running on the lakes. Most of them have turbines and are oil fired. The Badger is the last coal fired vessel and one of 3 reciprocating steamers running on the lakes. It seems the threat to her by the EPA is mostly because of coal ash from her boilers being dumped in the lake. It shouldn't affect other steamers. Another of those 3 recips is the oldest ship on the lakes the St. Marys Challenger, a cement carrier built in 1906.
Just flew back from Manitowoc 5/24/09 visiting to see the USS Cobia. Got lucky and saw this ship as well. She's big!! I have a "departing manitowoc" video on youtube if you want to see manitowoc from the air. I wish this ship had still been docked on the shoreline!!
for the past 4 years i have worked on the manitowoc side... i love that boat! :) we now live in stevens point.. so i cant work there again this summer :(
Actually the last of her type maybe ANYWHERE. I don't know of another steamship in regular service anywhere. The EPA in all its infinite wisdom has ruled that the ship is putty slurry (whatever THAT is) into Lake Michigan and told them to clean up their act by 2011 or be shut down. I just HATE government overregulation. Anyhow, the operators think they can convert to a diesel engine by then but a great part of our history will STILL be lost.
she may be getting a new oil burning engine
plumbelly 1 year ago
There are many steamers still running on the lakes. Most of them have turbines and are oil fired. The Badger is the last coal fired vessel and one of 3 reciprocating steamers running on the lakes. It seems the threat to her by the EPA is mostly because of coal ash from her boilers being dumped in the lake. It shouldn't affect other steamers. Another of those 3 recips is the oldest ship on the lakes the St. Marys Challenger, a cement carrier built in 1906.
clockbuilderhg 2 years ago
kmillard
If you mean the US by Everywhere - but come to Europe, look at the beautiful paddlewheelers running here.
Petergloor 2 years ago
@Petergloor we have some of those, Wisconsin is very "old school" this ship did get a new engine though
Jordan2451 1 month ago
Just flew back from Manitowoc 5/24/09 visiting to see the USS Cobia. Got lucky and saw this ship as well. She's big!! I have a "departing manitowoc" video on youtube if you want to see manitowoc from the air. I wish this ship had still been docked on the shoreline!!
PilotPete109 2 years ago
for the past 4 years i have worked on the manitowoc side... i love that boat! :) we now live in stevens point.. so i cant work there again this summer :(
pom17coach 2 years ago
I've read that this great old ship will be retired soon. She is the last of her type on the Great Lakes.
lasuvidaboy 3 years ago
i hope she wont be retired soon :( but she is the last of her type!
pom17coach 2 years ago
Actually the last of her type maybe ANYWHERE. I don't know of another steamship in regular service anywhere. The EPA in all its infinite wisdom has ruled that the ship is putty slurry (whatever THAT is) into Lake Michigan and told them to clean up their act by 2011 or be shut down. I just HATE government overregulation. Anyhow, the operators think they can convert to a diesel engine by then but a great part of our history will STILL be lost.
kmillard 2 years ago
My grandpa and I also enjoy the badger.
dguggs 3 years ago
Grandpa and me like The Badger!!!!
horseyhorsecall 3 years ago
You can watch her from the windows in the YMCA.
patriot48 3 years ago
just on this yesterday
JimT1976 3 years ago
Lol I swim there and we wait for the waves to come in when the badger comes up
Funwithcam852 3 years ago
I was on her in '05! I loved it!
cornhonky434343 3 years ago
Take your car, take your kids, take your mudder, take your brudder, on a cruise you can't lose on the Badger!
MadDaddy 3 years ago