Tuesday September 16-Wednesday September 17, 2025
TUESDAY
We had a short 20-mile jaunt from Fish Creek down to Sturgeon Bay and are now docked at a marina called CenterPointe. It’s a wonderful facility—equipped with a lounge, full kitchen, grills, outdoor fireplace, showers, laundry for just a dollar, and even a pool!
Unfortunately, they drained the pool last week—not realizing it would hit 80°F today ☺️. Still, it’s beautiful here, with new docks and plenty of flowers.
We took care of some much-needed provisioning and, sadly, will need to head out in the morning. Jeff was able to visit the Maritime Museum, which he said was pretty good.
We wrapped up the day with a peaceful night at the dock and brats on the grill.
WEDNESDAY
We had an early start to our day. We are stopping in Kewaunee to take a look at the Ludington Tug, then move on to Manitowoc where we will spend the night. All in, it’s about 45 miles.
We stopped along the wall in Kewaunee to take a tour of the historical Tug Ludington.
The Tug Ludington: A Storied Veteran of Sea and Steel
Originally launched in 1943 as the Major Wilbur F. Browder, the vessel now proudly known as the Tug Ludington began its life at the Jakobson Shipyard in Oyster Bay, New York. Built during the height of World War II, the tug was designated LT-4 by the U.S. Army and armed with twin .50 caliber machine guns—ready for action in one of the most pivotal moments in modern history.
This tough little tug earned its stripes during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, bravely towing ammunition barges across the English Channel under the threat of enemy fire. After helping secure the beachhead, it continued its mission in Cherbourg, France, aiding crucial harbor operations before heading to Plymouth, England, where it served until the end of the war.
When peace returned, the LT-4 was reassigned to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, operating out of Norfolk, Virginia, where it performed essential towing missions along the Eastern Seaboard.
In 1947, the tug found a new home and a new name. Transferred to Kewaunee, Wisconsin by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it was rechristened the Tug Ludington. There, it took on a new mission: helping build and maintain harbors throughout the Great Lakes region. Over the years, it has hauled an astonishing 1 million tons of cargo—a testament to its strength, resilience, and utility.
Today, the Tug Ludington is more than just a boat; it’s a floating symbol of American history and ingenuity. And the town of Kewaunee is proud to be the keeper of its remarkable legacy.
While chatting with a local town advocate during our visit, she shared a fascinating bit of history. Originally from Chicago, she told me that the lighthouse tower in Kewaunee was once struck by a car ferry back in the 1930s, causing damage to one of its legs. The damaged section was removed for repairs, and once it was restored, it was sent to Chicago. In 1938, it found a new home as the Chicago Harbor Southeast Guidewall Lighthouse. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it next week when we pass through—what an interesting story!
Just as we were getting close to Manitowoc, here comes the SS Badger—the historic, coal-fired steam engine car ferry that sails across Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Ludington, Michigan. It is the last coal-powered, passenger-carrying steamer in the United States! It’s huge-410 feet long.
Side note: when the ferry was docking in Ludington, it collided with its sister ship-SS Spartan. No passengers were hurt. It did some damage to its stern sea gate but marine engineers said it will be ready for Thursday morning
We rolled into Manitowoc for the night, with Jeff especially excited to visit the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and tour the legendary USS Cobia submarine. But to our surprise (and a bit of disappointment), we found out the sub had been moved to Sturgeon Bay just a couple of weeks ago for refurbishment—it won’t be back until mid-October. Oh well! Sometimes travel throws a curveball, and you’ve just got to roll with it.
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