Chief Wawatam 1911 - 2009

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Frank Crevier Photo Album page 1 | 2

Backing away from Mackinaw City, MI dock in 1976.
(Photo by Mark Cowles)

Departing St. Ignace. July 1979.
(Photo by Tim Sweeney)

Cloud of coal smoke over the Straits, February 1980.
(Photo by Bob Campbell)

Approaching the dock at Mackinaw City, MI, February 1980.
(Photo by Bob Campbell)

Coal smoke and steam at Mackinaw City MI, February 1980.
(Photo by Bob Campbell)

At Mackinaw City, MI February 1980.
(Photo by Bob Campbell, Rich Weiss collection)

Slightly different view, February 1980.
(Photo by Bob Campbell)

Lifeboat drill, February 1980.
(Photo by Bob Campbell)

View of Mackinac Bridge and ice covered Straits February 1980.
(Photo by Bob Campbell)

Wheeling the "Chief", February 1980.
(Photo by Bob Campbell)

Trail of coal smoke as seen from onboard the "Chief", February 1980.
(Photo by Bob Campbell)

March 15, 1980.
(Photo by Bert W. Barrett, Rob Cioletti collection)

Laying down a trail of smoke on March 23, 1980.
(Photo by Dennis Smolinski, Rich Weiss collection)

St. Ignace MI rail yard 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Loading train cars onto the "Chief", 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Loading train cars onto the "Chief", 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Loading train cars onto the "Chief", 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Loading train cars onto the "Chief", 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Loading train cars onto the "Chief", 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Loading train cars onto the "Chief", 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Winter view, March 24, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Winter view, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Backing away from dock 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Making the turn to cross the Straights, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Heading past the loading dock, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Underway for another crossing, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Looking into the car deck, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

View of the car deck, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Looking into the "Chief's Belly", 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Crossing to St. Ignace, MI as seen from Mackinaw Bridge, March 24, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

"Here comes the Chief" approaching the dock, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Train crew prepares to load the "Chief" with freight, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Soo Line engine loading freight, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Soo Line engine loading the "Chief", 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Old train depot that served rail passengers long ago, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

At dock March 24, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Nice stern detail view March 24,1980 In 1976 the State of Michigan purchased the ship and changed the home port name from St. Ignace to Lansing.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

At dock March 24, 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Sunset view loading by Soo Line engine.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Sailing off at dusk.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Departing St. Ignace. August 1980.
(Photo by Jesse Sweeney)

Docked at Sault Ste. Marie, MI early 1980's.
(Photo by Rob Cioletti)

Docked the Carbide Dock at Sault Ste. Marie, MI early 1980's.
(Photo by Martin Bliss)

Bow detail docked the Carbide Dock at Sault Ste. Marie, MI early 1980's.
(Photo by Martin Bliss)

Stern detail docked the Carbide Dock at Sault Ste. Marie, MI early 1980's.
(Photo by Martin Bliss)

At St. Ignace, MI July 22, 1981.
(From the Rich Weiss collection)

"Hand Bombing" Feeding the boilers on the "Chief".
(Courtesy of Les Weston)

Working the boilers on the "Chief".
(Courtesy of Les Weston)

Early 1980's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV, Fred Bultman V collection)

Early 1980's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV, Fred Bultman V collection)

1982 Certificate of Inspection.
(From the Tom Hynes collection)

Dry-dock stern view October 1983.
(Photo by Wendell Wilke, Rich Weiss collection)

Postcard view.
(From the Violet Bostwick collection)

At Dock in Mackinaw City, MI.
(Photo by Martin Bliss)

At Dock in Mackinaw City, MI.
(Photo by Martin Bliss)

At Dock in Mackinaw City, MI.
(Photo by Martin Bliss)

Laid up at dock in Mackinaw City, MI May 6, 1985.
(Photo by John McCreery)

Another view at dock in Mackinaw City, MI May 6, 1985.
(Photo by John McCreery)

Laid up at dock in Mackinaw City, MI.
(Photo by Martin Bliss)

Laid up at rail ferry dock at Mackinaw City, MI.
(Photo by Mark Cowles from Boatnerd archives)

Crew of the Anglian Lady try to raise the Chief's anchor, December 15, 1988.
(Photo by Tim Sweeney)

The Chief out of her slip as the crew continue to try to raise her anchor, December 15, 1988.
(Photo by Tim Sweeney)

Another view. December 15, 1988.
(Photo by Tim Sweeney)

After cutting the anchor chain, the Anglian Lady begins the tow from Mackinaw City to Soo Canada, December 15, 1988.
(Photo by Tim Sweeney)

Another view. December 15, 1988.
(Photo by Tim Sweeney)

A sad end to a once great railroad ferry, December 15, 1988.
(Photo by Tim Sweeney)