[R. Dale Flick]

Steamboating colleagues:
This portion of the web site probably best to post that, again, SS BADGER on Lake Michigan again under threat. BADGER, last coal fired steamship in the U.S.--if not most other foreign ports--provides a vital commercial link from Ludington, MI. to Manitowac, Wis. carrying passengers [staterooms available], auto, heavy truck, agricultural equipment, motor cycles on her runs. The ship also adds to the employment onboard, ashore in both ports.

U.S. Senator Dic Durban has taken the position the ship should cease operations due to 'feared' coal ash in the lake. Past investigations prove that what ash in dumped is relatively harmless with only a minute trace of mercury naturally found in coal. The alternative would be LPG gas or oil to fire the ship. LPG, and other conversions, would be very expensive. Drawings of the BADGER I've seen using LPG would require installing high pessure tanks taking up much present cargo/vehicle space.

U.S. Senator Carl Levin has taken the stool on the opposite side of the boxing ring IN SUPPORT of the BADGER continuing to run. In some respects the ship could be considered a last vestage of a steam packet operation.

Arguments in support of the BADGER can't hinge just on 'romance'...steam etc., but that is important due to her construction, steam turbines. The BADGER, though not a beloved river steamboat, is one very BIG steamboat in her own right.

Additional information on your own is to consult your computer search engine and type in: SS BADGER, coal ash This provides a dialogue exchange on the issue too involved, long to post here. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick - Summer northern shores of Lake Michigan.