During the winter months, it sometimes took many hours to cross the five-mile-wide Straits, and Chief Wawatam was fitted with complete passenger hospitality spaces.

The remaining passenger service ended with the completion of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 that connected the Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan.

Chief Wawatam then entered upon the final phase of its revenue services, being exclusively used to shuttle railroad freight cars across the Straits.

[1] Chief Wawatam could carry 18 to 26 railroad cars depending on their sizes and they were on rails bolted to the ferry ship's deck.

Her three propellers, two in the stern and one on the bow, were driven by coal-fired triple-expansion steam engines producing 6,000 horsepower.

Other coal-burning vessels that survived longer in revenue service, such as the ferry Badger, had automatic stokers.

The change was associated with anti-British organizational work among the Native Americans, led by the Odawa war leader Pontiac in southeastern Michigan.

On June 2, 1763, as part of the larger conflict with the British Army, a group of Indians staged a ruse to gain entrance to the fort.

Henry found himself secreted in a Mackinac Island limestone hollow, Skull Cave, as an uncomfortable but safe fugitive.

[19] Henry later paid tribute to his rescuer in his published memoirs, leading to Wawatam's elevation as a legendary figure in the Straits of Mackinac.

[20] Chief Wawatam's could carry up to 348 passengers and had a hotel services staff of 30 people in addition to the 24 crew members that just operated the vessel.

That made a full crew of 54 people who had their own sleeping quarters that consisted of bunk beds stacked four high.

In addition laundry was a time consuming chore with a home-devised washing machine that was run by unique mechanics powered off the ships engine.

Chief Wawatam entered upon the final phase of its initial revenue services, being exclusively used then to shuttle railroad freight cars across the Straits.

[23] The ship was then sold to Purvis Marine Ltd for $110,000, refusing less money from others who wanted to turn it into a tourist attraction.

[6] Other artifacts from the ferry, including the whistle, wheel, telegraphs, and furniture are preserved by Mackinac Island State Park Commission in Mackinaw City.