The SS Badger Continues Operations as Last Coal-Burning Steamship in the U.S.
The SS Badger, built in 1953, remains the last large coal-burning steamship in active service in the United States. It operates as a working ferry, not a preserved relic, crossing Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The vessel covers a 60-mile route in approximately four hours, transporting cars, trucks, and passengers. The SS Badger is also the final vessel on the Great Lakes powered by Skinner Unaflow engines, which were manufactured in Erie, Pennsylvania. Both the Michigan and Wisconsin historical commissions recognized the SS Badger as a historic site in 1997, making it a listed landmark in two states while still functioning as a vital part of the highway network. The ferry is known for its reliability, rarely missing a sailing due to weather conditions. Its continued operation is attributed to the economic reality that building a bridge across Lake Michigan would be significantly more expensive than maintaining the ferry service.
