MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The S.S Badger made its first voyage acoss the waters of Manitowoc Friday, just like the calander called for.
The April blizzard caused significant damage to dock in Manitowoc, causing the structure to crumble, and a concern that the Badger may not be able to hit water on time. Crews worked countless hours to get the dock ready.
On Friday, the S.S. Badger made the trip between Manitowoc and Lundington, Michigan.
Despite the cold, many took part in the season opener.
“It’s actually pretty nice on the lake, vice president of the S.S Badger Pat McCarthy told Fox 11. “You wouldn’t guess that with what’s going on here. There was not a lot of wave action and it was a nice crossing.”
Randy Haas took the trip with his kids to visit family.
“We have relatives in Green Bay so my wife and I came over for the weekend and we brought the girls, so they wouldn’t have to be strapped to the truck for eight hours,” said Randy Haas.
Pat McCarthy says it was a lot of work, and a lot of pieces came together in construction and funding to make Friday happen as planned.
“It damaged the counterweight system,” said McCarthy. “It was hanging by one strut arm and all this parking lot area that we’re standing on was completely washed out.”
Crews are doing more than just fixing the damages that the storm caused. McCarthy said the repairs aren’t finished yet, but when they are the dock will be better.
“A lot of the gravel we’re standing on will be replaced with asphalt,” said McCarthy. “And this stone will go much farther down the parking lot.”
The hope is that the new docks will be able to withstand any future snowstorms.
