Chief Wawatam

The Art of Leo Kuschel

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LIMITED EDITION PRINTS BY LEO KUSCHEL

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Chief Wawatam
Train Ferry

(Giclee Print)

Image size: 12 1/4 x 8 1/2

Price:$45.00

     The Chief was built in 1911 at the Toledo Shipbuilding Co. in
Toledo, Ohio and designed by Frank E. Kirby. Her hull number was 119.
She burned daily 40 tons of coal and had a capacity of 348 people.

   She was named after a Chippewa Indian, Chief Wawatam, who was in the
straits of Mackinaw area. The meaning of Wawatam comes from
Wahwahtehseh, which translates of fireflies or reflections. (This is
one theory about the name.)

   The "Chief" was jointly owned by the Michigan Central, Grand Rapids &
Indiana and the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Railroads. She was a
train and car ferry from Mackinaw to St. Ignace, Michigan. Also, she
was one of the best Icebreakers in all the lakes.

     She was decommissioned in the late seventies. "It was the men who
served her that gave her character." One of these men was Captain John
Sucharski (last captain on the Boblo Boat Ste. Claire.) Who also served
her was Carl D. Bradley and later became First Mate. Captain Sucharski
was one of our best friends. We cruised every Sunday on the Ste. Claire.
He passed away just recently and we hope that everyone will
remember him in their thoughts

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