GOODBYE BADGER! MAYBE

[Willy]

This may be the last run for the Badger so I thought it would be nice to have a topic about it so folks can post what they feel about it's possible demise and some memories they may have or history of the S.S. Badger.

[Willy]

Here's a video about the Badger. It's about 20 years old but still interesting.

[XLFD]

Thanks for the Video and your pictures.  I have been given the tour of the Badger, but this explained a lot more than you can get from a tour.

[Bernard Tower]

I well recall when the Badger and Sparton were first put into action. Capt Bernard Robertson was the first master of the Badger, and he brought it to Ludington on it's maiden voyage to the accompanyment of a LHS band, and a cheering crowd! I worked one summer on the 31 as a messboy, and  have loved the sea ever since!

I sure hope the Badger keeps going for another 40 years!

[XLFD]

Unfortunately, its demise might be due to those who believe that a coal-fired ship is an anachronism in today's renewable energy idealogy.  The best for all concerned would be to allow the Badger to live out its life as a coal-burning dinosaur allowed to dump its harmless coal by-products into the lake. 

This is one vote for coal I would fully endorse.

[Bernard Tower]

I agree..

[Willy]

One of the owners of the Badger, Bob Manglitz was talking to a crowd of people just before the Badger was to set sail in May of 2012 and he talked about the permit application he had to fill out in order to get an extension to continue to burn coal until a new method or propulsion was figured out. He said the permit application was 1000 pages long and weighed 17 pounds. Now that's our Government efficiency at work.

[Robert]

Wow, thanks Willy, very interesting.

[AQUAMAN]

Thanks for a very useful and informational thread and video. Imagine, 1,000 pages of mularky to deal with. I have to believe that the permit will be renewed, or the EPA will be getting some nasty feedback from many people out here and everywhere.

[XLFD]

Willy, a while ago I posted a thread that had the various EPA documents on this issue:  epa-vs-lmc-and-the-ss-badger-information-spot   which had a link to the EPA which contained all the filings of the EPA and LMC, that link is on the above link, but here it is again, as of now it is current at least up to September: 
http://www.epa.gov/r5water/npdestek/badger/

 

Earlier today I was checking out recent news articles on the Badger, and it looks as if more is being published against the Badger, and more political figures seem to be breaking against it.  Personally, I believe the EPA's decision will be subtly determined by presidential politics. 

If Obama wins, the Badger is grounded until it curbs their discharges.  If Romney wins, the Badger gets an extension.  If Romney wins and wins Michigan and Wisconsin, the Badger gets at least four more years.  That's my hunch.

[AQUAMAN]

Bernie says he worked on the Carferry 31, do you remember the name of that ship? I know I do, and also the names of them all, as dates to the 18, 21, 22, 31, 32, 41, 42, and lastly the 43. But there were sisterships even before that, like the 16 and 14, anyone remember? Thanks......maybe Max does, he's also an afectionado of the Boats.

[XLFD]

Max doesn't get here as often as he once did so I will provide you with his excellent site started way back (in computer terms) in 1997.  It has a bunch of pictures and commentaries of boats and carferry events within it.  I recommend it as a "favorite" for anyone who loves the carferries of the Great Lakes.

http://www.carferries.com/

[AQUAMAN]

Thanks for that very useful and informative link X, it is must reading for carferry nuts like Ludingtonians. The PM 31 was the City of Saginaw Bernie, and I also see the site left out the #42 Spartan ship. Special thanks to Max for the origination of this link.