The SS Badger Unites Ukesters Across Lake Michigan

BY JIM D’VILLE | FROM THE WINTER 2024 ISSUE OF UKULELE

It was a sight reminiscent of Kate Winslet’s “flying” scene from Titanic—Michigan ukulele queen Shari Ballard was poised on the bow of the SS Badger, ukulele in tow, as the first-ever interstate ukulele cruise steamed across the waters of Lake Michigan. 

The day-long cruise, organized by Lansing Area Ukulele Group (LAUGH) members John Steven French and Chuck Deyo, departed Ludington, Michigan on the morning of August 15 headed for Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The group of about 20 ukulele enthusiasts sang and strummed for four solid hours as the Badger plied its way across 62 miles of water to the Wisconsin shoreline.

At 410 feet in length, the SS Badger is the last coal-fired passenger vessel operating in the United States. The ship shuttles up to 620 passengers and 180 vehicles daily between Ludington and Manitowoc from May to October. The Badger follows an imaginary line representing U.S. Highway 10 across the lake. Highway 10 was one of America’s original long-haul highways, originally stretching from Detroit to Seattle, but lost much of its length when interstate highways replaced its right-of-way. In 2015, the federal government designated the SS Badger’s aquatic route as part of the highway.

The night before departure, voyagers from out of town reserved hotel rooms or camped at the beautiful Ludington State Park. After a meet-and-greet dinner, folks headed to Stearns Park on the Ludington waterfront for a sunset beach strum before boarding the ferry early the following day.

The Badger streamed from the Ludington dock at 9am (Eastern Time) under sunny skies and calm lake conditions. The Michigan ukulele contingent settled into a small lounge mid-ship on the port side. With ukuleles removed from cases to the sidelong glances of the
unsuspecting passengers, the lake-faring strummers began their musical journey to Cheese Land.

French created a 160-page songbook especially for the day’s journey. As you would expect, it contained ship- and sea-related songs, including “Baby Beluga,” “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” “Ferry Cross the Mersey,” “I Want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper,” “Gilligan’s Island,” and a crowd favorite, the theme to the television show The Love Boat.

The Badger steamed into the Manitowoc Harbor at noon (Central Time). Upon disembarking, the Michigan ukers met their Wisconsin cohorts, including Manitowoc resident Lynne Sellers, whom French and Deyo had befriended at the popular Midwest Ukulele and Harmonica Camp.

While the interstate pals stummed away, the weather started to turn. Lake Michigan’s previously serene, crystal-blue waters turned an angry gray as the wind whipped up a severe chop. As the rain began to fall, the Michigan contingent bid farewell to their newfound Manitowoc friends and reboarded the Badger for the return to Michigan. Once onboard, the seasick bags the crew had placed throughout the vessel were a noticeable addition. “I was a little nauseous sometimes, but I noticed that I felt better if I kept strumming and rocking to the beat and rolling with the boat,” says French.

The ukulele cruise, however, was not the first time the dulcet tones of the ukulele had graced the decks of the SS Badger. On most crossings, tucked away at the rear of the ship’s starboard side, is Benjamin “The Ukulele Guy,” who entertains passengers with a beautiful voice, singing and strumming through a wide array of musical selections. 

French and Deyo plan on booking more ukulele adventures on the high “seas.” Says French, “We have heard from a number of folks interested in making the Badger Sail an annual event. Also, the other passengers and crew saw this as an entertaining addition to the summer sailings.” They hope it will someday become an official event with the folks that operate the Badger.

Ballard also hopes the Michigan-Wisconsin interstate cruise becomes a yearly sojourn, and not just to recreate more famous ship-movie scenes. “We made new friends in Ludington, Manitowoc, and even on the Badger, who we need to see again next year,” she says. “This experience was beyond all expectations!”