The Original Badger Crew, 1953

On March 16, 1953, a week before the SS Badger’s maiden voyage, its crew posed for a photograph on its bow. Seated centered, in front, is Capt. Bernard Robertson, the Badger’s first captain. Other officers included John Turner, first mate; J.E. Halden, second mate; Willis Cross, Jr., third mate; Sylvester Larsen, chief engineer; Raymond Hall, second assistant; and Kenneth Cartier, third assistant.

Capt. Bernard Robertson was a second generation carferry captain. His father, Capt. Charles A. Robertson, skippered three ferries on their inaugural trips: Pere Marquette 21 in 1924, City of Saginaw 31 in 1929 and City of Midland 41 in 1941.

Capt. Bernard Robertson, who lived in Ludington, had previously been skipper of the SS City of Flint 32 before being assigned to the newly built Badger. His descendants continue to reside in Ludington.

Photo from the Mason County Historical Society Rose Hawley Archives/Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. 

Learn more about the history of the car ferries by visiting our friends at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum in Ludington, Michigan, and the SS City of Milwaukee museum ship in Manistee, Michigan.