Spartan

The S.S. Spartan and the S.S. Badger were part of a $20 million expansion program by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. The “Twin Queens” were built at a cost of $10 million, and were powered by two Skinner Unaflow steam engines for a combined 7000 h.p. (they were the last coal-fired steamers of substantial size built in the United States).

They were built by Christy Corporation of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1952. They measure just over 410 feet in length, with a beam of 60 feet. Throughout their career, the have sailed for the C & O Railroad and Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation, with the S.S. Badger also sailing for Lake Michigan Carferry Service.

The S.S. Spartan was laid up in the fall of 1979 and has not operated since, instead serving as a parts warehouse for her twin sister.

by Max Hanley