Historically, an automobile engine provided the motive power for 'The Bridge's' Swing
         Mechanism. This has been replaced, more recently, by an electric motor, which is now
         regulated by a modern computerized control system.

'The Bridge' was built to allow the railway to come to Manitoulin Island. The railway
line, however, never extended beyond Little Current. This was primarily due to the fact
that automobile access was created and occurred soon after the Swing Bridge was brought
into service. The automobile access was through the use of a small 'car ferry', which
shuttled automobiles back and forth across the  North Channel 'narrows' at Little
Current.                                  

When 'The Bridge' was first constructed it stayed in the open position and only closed
when a train approached. Today, however, 'The Bridge' remains closed, except during
the Spring and Summer when it opens on the hour to allow for boat traffic [everything
from small pleasure crafts to large 'cruise-type' ships] to proceed on its way.

Since the Swing Bridge is only wide enough to allow for a single lane of automobile
traffic, access to 'The Bridge' is controlled by 'The Manitoulin's' only set of traffic
lights.

In 1983, the Little Current Swing Bridge was one of the first bridges to be listed in
the Ontario Heritage, Bridge Program.

 
    'Island Ferry, Manitoulin Island

A trip across the waters of Georgian Bay between Tobermory [Southern Ontario]
and South Baymouth [Manitoulin Island] aboard the M.S. Chi-Cheemaunis
part of a long-standing Great Lakes tradition dating back to the 1930's. This was
when a small, wooden vessel, the Kagawong, first ferried automobiles from Southern
Ontario to Manitoulin Island.

As described by Ontario Northland, the 12 plus million dollar Chi-Cheemaun is
the "largest, most modern vessel ever built for ferry service on the Great Lakes". It
features drive-on, drive-off bow and stern loading and unloading, through a tilting
bow and a square door stern.

The Ship, brought into service in September, 1974, is 111.26 meters (121.67 yards)
long with a 18.90 meter (20.67 yard) beam; and, it presently has a carrying
capacity of 638 passengers and  143 vehicles, which includes room for 17 'highway'
vehicles - such as buses and transport trucks.

In addition, the vessel has a 236 seat cafeteria, a gift shop/boutique and plenty of
space to rest, relax and take in the beautiful sights of the waters of Georgian Bay.

The Ship is powered by two Ruston V-16, 3520 horse-power diesel engines, driving
two stern propellers, and an 800 horse power "bow thruster" engine, which improves
the handling of the vessel  at slow speeds.

The rated service speed of the Chi-Cheemaunis 16.25 knots; and, an average
crossing results in the consumption of approximately 1600 liters (or around 423
U.S. gallons) of diesel fuel. And, depending on 'wind and wave' conditions, the
usual crossing time is 1 hour and 45 minutes.