In 1881 the Grand Rapids & Indiana, Michigan Central, and Detroit, Mackinac, and Marquette railroads formed the Mackinac Transportation Company (MTC). The intent was to ferry railroad cars and passengers across the straits of Mackinac between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan.

Advent of the Bow Propeller

The first ferry of the MTC was the Algomah. The Algomah was wholly inadequate as she was wooden and open to the seas. Furthermore the poor steersman had to man the tiller while exposed to the elements, not a pleasant duty in the harsh winters of Northern Michigan. The MTC ordered a second ferry in 1887, the St. Ignace. The new ferry had the distinction of having a bow propeller. The bow propeller was used to help break up ice during the winter months. Another ferry, Saint Marie I, was put into service in 1893 and the Algomah was sold in 1895.

Russians visit St. Ignace

The St. Ignace and Saint Marie I gained the reputation of never being stopped by the winter ice. Although, the Saint Marie I did suffer some heavy damage from ice in 1904 and had to go to Detroit for repairs. The reputation of the ferries brought the Russian Navy to the Straits during the winter of 1900-01. Vice Admiral Stepan Ossipovitch Makarov visited St. Ignace to see the ferries in action. The Russian government wanted to establish a ferry across Lake Baikal in Siberia while building the Trans-Siberian railroad around the south end of the lake. The Vice-Admiral was impressed with what he saw and the Russians ordered a ferry based on the Saint Marie I design. The ferry, Baikal, was built in England, dismantled, and shipped to Siberia.

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