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Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Chi-Cheemaun

By George Wharton

Designed specifically for handling vehicular and passenger traffic between Tobermory, ON and South Baymouth, ON on Manitoulin Island; the ferry Chi-Cheemaun was launched Jan. 12, 1974 for the Ontario Northland Marine Services (Owen Sound Transportation Co., Ltd., Owen Sound, ON - managers). She was built at a cost of $10 million by Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, ON. Her power is derived from 2 Ruston V-16 cylinder 3,500 horsepower diesel engines driving 2 propellers giving her a rated service speed of 16.25 knots. The Chi-Cheemaun is equipped with motion stabilizers, a tilting bow entry, a stern ramp door, and a 236 seat cafeteria. Built for day crossings only, the Chi-Cheemaun is not equipped with over-night accommodations. She can handle a maximum of 140 standard North American sized cars and 638 passengers at her maximum draft of 13 feet. During the busy summer season, the Chi-Cheemaun usually makes four round trips daily using approximately 1,600 litres (422.7 US gallons) of fuel per sailing. During the winter, she lays up at Owen Sound, ON.

The Chi-Cheemaun was built to replace the Norisle (launched July 15, 1946; now a museum/restaurant moored at Manitowaning, ON) and the Norgoma (launched Dec. 22, 1949; now a museum ship at Sault Ste. Marie, ON). Her name Chi-Cheemaun is the Ojibway Indian word for "Big Canoe". She was originally to have been named Itche-Cheemaun but was changed to Chi-Cheemaun when she was christened on June 15, 1974.

The Chi-Cheemaun opened Owen Sound's 1999 navigation season on May 3rd when she sailed for Collingwood for rededication services of the ship upon the 25th anniversary of her original christening.

 

Overall dimensions
Length	365'05"
Beam	61'00"
Depth	21'00"
Capacity	6991 gross tons - 638 passengers

In October 2001 the Chi-Cheemaun arrived in Thunder Bay of its required 5-year survey. Pictures by Rob Farrow Chi-Cheemaun arrives off Thunder Bay. Close up. Entering the dry dock. Close up. In the Dry Dock View of dry dock from front end. View of dry dock from back end. Shapely Bow of Chi-Cheemaun on supports in dry dock. Starboard Prop and Rudder of Chi-Cheemaun-Area still being worked on. Stabilizer fin retracted into hull. Cargo area of Chi-Cheemaun. One of Two Engines. Complex array of Hydraulics and controls for Starboard Stabilizer . Engine Control Panel on Chi-Cheemaun. Pilothouse. Pump in the dry dock pump house. Dry dock gate from inside. View showing pump house, pipes & gate from lakeside. Survey complete the Chi Cheemaun departs in November 2001 8:00 a.m. sharp the first valve opened on gate. Second valve opened. Water flow increases. Full force of the lake. Water begins to flood dry dock. Bow view as water rises. Almost full. Pumping water out of gate. Gate floats free. Gate pulled out of way. Chi-Cheemaun winches herself out. Slowly coming out. Almost out. Backing under own power. Chi-Cheemaun leaving Thunder Bay into fog bank.