Merrimac Ferry facts for kids
Colsac III, September 2014
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| Name | Colsac III |
| Builder | Basic Marine Inc., Escanaba, Michigan |
| Cost | $2.2 million |
| Yard number | 116 |
| In service | May 6, 2003 |
| Identification | Official number: 1138723 |
Quick facts for kids General characteristics |
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| Tonnage | 153 GT |
| Length | 105 ft (32 m) o/a |
| Propulsion | (2x)Cummins Diesel |
| Capacity |
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Merrimac Ferry
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| Location | Wisconsin Highway 113 at the Wisconsin River |
| Nearest city | Merrimac, Wisconsin |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000330 |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1974 |
The Merrimac Ferry is a special cable ferry that helps people and cars cross the Wisconsin River. It connects Columbia and Sauk Counties in Wisconsin. On the west side, it's near the village of Merrimac on State Highway 113. On the east side, you'll find it in Okee, Wisconsin.
This ferry is not just a way to get around; it's also a fun place for tourists to visit! You can grab snacks at stands on both sides of the river. There's even an ice cream stand on the north side. What makes it extra special? It's the only free ferry in Wisconsin. It's also the only ferry still part of the Wisconsin State Trunk Highway System, which is the main road network.
The ferry is located close to Lake Wisconsin and popular spots like Devil's Lake and Wisconsin Dells. Because of this, it gets super busy during tourist season and on weekends.
How the Merrimac Ferry Works
The ferryboat you see today is called the Colsac III. The name "Colsac" is a mix of "Columbia" and "Sauk," the two counties it connects. It's a clever way to combine their names!
The ferry runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but only from April to November. Sometimes, it even runs into December if the ice on Lake Wisconsin isn't too thick. The ferry moves across the river by pulling itself along three cables hidden underwater. A full trip across and back usually takes about 14 minutes.
The Colsac III can carry up to 15 regular cars or trucks. It also welcomes bicycles and people walking. It's even strong enough to transport large semi-trailers! The state has signs miles away from the ferry to let drivers know if it's not running. This is important because finding another way around can take a long time. There's also a special system that tells drivers how long they might have to wait. During busy times, you might wait up to 50 minutes! More than 1,200 vehicles can use the ferry every day.
A Look Back: Merrimac Ferry History
The Merrimac Ferry has a long history, starting way back in 1844. That's when Chester Mattson got permission to start a ferry service right where it is today. Back then, there weren't even proper roads leading to it! Mattson charged a small fee to take a team of horses and a wagon across the river.
For many years, people had to power the ferry by hand. But around the year 1900, the first gasoline engine was added, making things much easier. In 1933, the State of Wisconsin took over the ferry. It became part of the state highway system, and the best part? The fee was removed, making it free for everyone!
The first ferry boat owned by the state was called the Colsac. It was made of wood and could carry eight cars. In 1963, a new boat, the Colsac II, replaced it. This newer ferry could hold 12 cars.
For a while, people thought about building a bridge instead of using a ferry. A bridge would have made it faster for people to cross and eased traffic. However, many people loved the ferry, especially tourists. They wanted to keep the unique experience. So, the idea of a bridge was put aside, and the ferry was updated instead.
The newest ferry, the Colsac III, started service on May 16, 2003. It cost $2.2 million to build. When it first launched, there were some issues, and it had to be out of service for a few weeks. But those problems were fixed. The older Colsac II ferry was eventually sold for scrap metal.
Images for kids
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Cars drive onto the ferry from the landing in Merrimac in July 2015
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Western docks in winter
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Concessions stand at western dock
