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Saturday, December 20, 2014
Chi-Cheemaun in Dock
We were in Owen Sound a week or two back and spotted the Chi-Cheemaun at it's winter dock. This is the ferry that transports vehicles between Tobermory, at the north end of the Bruce Peninsula, across the waters between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to South Bay Mouth on Manitoulin Island.
Taking the ferry saves about a 7 hour drive eastward and north around Georgian Bay, but is a 2 hour crossing, an hour or more of waiting in line, plus 2 or more hours of driving to get to the same place.
After I took the first picture, I realized that there was quite a nice reflection here, so I lined up more carefully to capture it. As you can see, the water was starting to freeze, blurring the reflection a bit.
We rode this ferry about 40 times back and forth when we were travelling to Manitoulin Island reguarly - 20 years ago or more. It's a 'drive-on-drive-off' ferry, and this picture shows the curved line at the bow where the entire bow of the ship lifts up to let cars drive off. It has to lift up about 30 yards before it actually docks against the ramp, and let me tell you, if you're the very first car in line inside there, it's a little unnerving to look out at the deep water 15 feet in front of you. You gotta hope your brakes work!
The ship is big enough to take full size transport trucks, and there is usually a full load of vehicles during the summer season. Sometimes you're waiting four or five hours in Tobermory for the next sailing. Because of the ice of course, it is docked in Owen Sound for the winter. The season is from mid-May to early October.
The ship docks for the winter just where the river (flowing in from the left) begins widening to form the harbour. The harbour has been fixed up so that there are nice walkways and a number of interesting historical plaques along the side.
In the distance you can see the two main big industries left, the grain elevators, and on the right, cement elevators. One hundred years ago this was a busy industrial shipping harbour. By the way, 'Chi-Cheemaun' means 'Big Canoe' in Ojibway.
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Interesting post. This ferry reminds me of the one to PEI that we would take before the Confederation Bridge was built. I remember driving out of the 'big mouth'. lol The Abequait ferry also carried trains to the island. I remember the long lines waiting to board as well. I didn't realize Owen Sound was such a big port. We visited family there there in the 90's but didn't tour around.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, interesting info. I love the reflection in the icy water.
ReplyDeleteWashington State has ferries too - in fact the largest ferry system in the world, both in size of territory covered and number of boats and miles covered each day. There are many islands off our coast that are inhabited, thus the need for ferries. Our ferries are flat on both ends - and open on both ends. If you are first in line you are right at the very front of the ferry - not any more than 5 feet (sometimes less) from the drop into the water. They place blocks in front of your tires and you set the parking brake - but it is still nerve wracking to me - we always hope we are not the first in line. Often the weather in winter is rough and waves break over the flat ended bow of the boat and often drench the first lines of cars. Fortunately for us - we only use the ferries in other seasons. If the weather is too rough crossings will be cancelled. There are special crossings for dangerous cargo - like gas and oil trucks, cement trucks, etc. Regular semis will go on the common routes if they are carrying nothing dangerous.
Your photos of the Chi-Cheemaun brought back pleasant memories of our trip across to Manitoulin Island at the end of last October. Surprising how many vehicles it held including our 37' Motorhome. After arriving in Arizona & thinking back it was our first day of the trip to Tobermory & our ride on the Chi-Cheemaun that held the best memories for us. After driving off the ferry at South Baymouth our journey just seemed to take on a downward spiral. Bad weather!!
ReplyDeleteAnother of my blog friends, Gary Phillips ( and Boomer) has been to Manitoulin Island, so this is wonderful to read about it again.Lovely water reflection with the ice just starting to form. truly a beautiful place where you live. Jean.
ReplyDeleteI've never been on a ferry with a car. It will be something I'll have to do some day. : )
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and interesting post.
I've never been to Manitoulin Island but the ferry looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI had never been on a ferry before moving to Washington state, and now they are fairly normal to me. I have been on car ferries and walk-on ferries and really enjoy it. I would hate to be reliant on one to get to the mainland, however, as people are sometimes stranded on one side or the other and must wait for the weather to clear! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes. It's time for things to freeze up, isn't it? I love the ship, boat, whatever it is!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful ferry. I've been up to Tobemory, but haven't been on the ferry itself.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed these ferry pics.
ReplyDeleteNice scenery... You captured some cool reflections, obviously, brrrrr ! ^^
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating and I enjoyed the photos. Christmas blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteYup that is what it means I have a few native Indian friends that still speak their native tongue .We have the HMCS Ojibwe submarine down here in our Port Burwell harbor on dry land it is being used as a museum , http://www.elgintourist.com/Tourism/Ojibwa-Submarine The native language is actually spelt Ojibwe I haven't been to Tobermory for at least 15 years I took my open water diver test up there back then amongst all sunken underwater wrecks ! Lovely photos Thanks for sharing , Have a safe and Merry Christmas gone be a green one for us as we are to get rain Wed and temps to be 10C ant Thursday as well !
ReplyDeleteWe had reservations on this once, but the sailing was cancelled due to weather. So we took that drive around! Nice trip.
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