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 |