At last, a web page devoted one of the greatest ships to ever sail the Straits of Mackinac, the magnificent Chief Wawatam. I first saw this rail ferry when I was just 5 years old.

During my first visit to my grandparent's home in St. Ignace, Michigan, my uncle, Tim Sweeney awoke me in the pre-dawn hours to view the Chief begin its journey with a load of railcars across the Straits of Mackinac. We had a great view. The large bay window of my grandparent's home faced the northern Moran bay, the waters where the Chief rested between runs.

This web page contains some images of that ship from the late 1920's to 1982. For many of you these photographs are some you may have never seen before. Charles Truscott and Tim Sweeney provided these excellent photos. It is a pleasure to bring these photographs to the attention of the public and share these never-before-seen images. Please enjoy!