| Built in 1911, the Chief Wawatam was one of the oldest boats on the Great Lakes, carrying rail cars across the Straits of Mackinac. It was built for Mackinac Transportation Company, owned by predecessors of the Soo Line and Penn Central. Conrail did not want to operate the service, so the State of Michigan contracted first with Soo Line and then Detroit & Mackinac to operate it. |
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In this sequence, the Chief arrives at Mackinaw City in July 1979. The boat ran between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. |
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After docking, D&M #975 unloads and then re-loads the boat. As this takes place, the boat lists to one side; careful planning is required to prevent accidents. |
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