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Because of security hangups I could not visit the engine room - no surprise. But the minimal "specs" furnished the passengers refered to "Uniflow" engines as power. Before I try some deep research into google, can anyone tell me just what is a "Uniflow" engine?
I believe it is a variant of a reciprocating engine, and is not a turbine. Yet "Badger" was vibrationless, unlike some steam powered vessels on which I have traveled, in which the cycling of the pistons can be noted.
The combustion system feeding her Foster-Wheeler boilers produced absolutely minimum smoke. No ash or cinders anywhere aboard ship, and her smoke plume disappated within a few hundred feet of the ship.
More on this on other topic forums here, but I would like to know more about Uniflow engines. I assume they are too large for application to steam locomotives, as I have never heard of them in rail use.
SS BADGER - UNAFLOW ENGINES
But I guess you already know this link.
[ 08-20-2005: Message edited by: Ernst ]
Southdown Challenger
and a book:
Uniflow book
quote:Originally posted by Cambodge:[QB]The combustion system feeding her Foster-Wheeler boilers produced absolutely minimum smoke. No ash or cinders anywhere aboard ship, and her smoke plume disappated within a few hundred feet of the ship.QB]
The combustion system feeding her Foster-Wheeler boilers produced absolutely minimum smoke. No ash or cinders anywhere aboard ship, and her smoke plume disappated within a few hundred feet of the ship.QB]
An interesting aspect of BADGER, as well as her sister SPARTAN and the other Lakes carriers, is that they are (or were) coal burners!
Rich
"After Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation Company ceased car ferry operations in 1990, Conrad risked his own money and purchased the S.S. Badger, its sister ship the Spartan and the City of Midland to form Lake Michigan Carferry Service. It was a fitting return to a boyhood love." from ssbadger.com.
There are reports in the early 90's that she was remaining laid up at Ludington being cannibalised for Badger parts, then
"In 1994 the Contessa Cruise Lines of Eden Prairie, Minn. made a purchase option for the "SPARTAN". The purpose was to convert it to a cruise and gambling vessel. In January of 1996 the Contessa Cruise Lines let the option to purchase expire." from here.
Then I found a photo of her still laid up in 2003 in Ludington at Cate's Home Pages, in which she appears to be in pretty good condition considering the length of time she has sat there?
So is she still laid up in Ludington, Cambodge?
Pam
[ 08-20-2005: Message edited by: PamM ]
The setting [rising?] sun shows off a bit of patchwork there.
quote:Originally posted by PamM:Linerrich, do you know what ship it is tied up next to Spartan in the image?Pam
The other vessel is the ARTHUR K. ATKINSON, a ferry for the Ann Arbor Railroad System. Originally built in 1917, she was taken out of service in 1982 and laid up in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. In 1994 she was towed to Ludington, Michigan, where she remained until 2003 when she was towed to Detroit to be scrapped.
Here's a postcard view of her in happier days:
[ 08-20-2005: Message edited by: Linerrich ]
Thanks for the uniflow responses, which I have not had time to persue as of yet.
Yes, Pam, "Spartan" also has the look of having been assembled from many steel plates, which, of course, she was. It is just the joining lines seem to show up more than most vessels I can recall.
Great Lakes ship historian Art Chavez has published 2 excellent books: "S.S. BADGER" and "S.S. CITY OF MIDLAND 41." They are mainly photographic histories of these vessels, complete with detailed information, schematics, and photos of their Skinner Unaflow Engines.
More info on obtaining these books at www.arcadiapublishing.com
quote:Originally posted by PamM:ss Badger Postcard & detail from the reverse:-The setting [rising?] sun shows off a bit of patchwork there.Pam
It's not patches on her hull; it's just where her hull rubs against the pilings when she comes into her berth. The creosote on the pilings dulls the paint. I saw her arrive and then depart from Ludington just a few weeks ago, and she was looking good.
[ 09-14-2013: Message edited by: PamM ]
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