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Christmas Tree Ship
Christmas Tree Ship
In the waning years of the 19nth century and early years of the twentieth century there were many vessels on Lake Michigan that served as Christmas Tree Ships. The most famous was the schooner Rouse Simmons which was lost in a gale on November 23rd, 1912. Today the Christmas Tree Ships are still remembered and celebrated.
This is the town where Capt. Herman Schuenemann of Chicago's Christmas Tree Ship was born and grew up.
The town has lots to teach us about the sailor's life on (and near) Lake Michigan.
Last update: January 4, 2008
Just as there were many vessels which served as Christmas Tree Ships, so also there were many lake sailors who engaged in the business. The Schuenemann brothers, August and Herman, are the most famous because they built a family business based on the trade and both lost their lives on the lake bringing trees to Chicago.
