(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a tradition for schooners to sail from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Chicago carrying thousands of evergreen trees. These "Christmas Tree Ships" would dock at the Clark Street Bridge, where people would buy trees directly from the deck, which were often decorated with festive lights.
"Captain Santa"
The most famous of these captains was Herman Schuenemann, affectionately known as "Captain Santa." He was a generous man who often gave trees away to needy families and local churches.
The Fateful Voyage (1912)
On November 22, 1912, Captain Schuenemann set sail from Thompson, Michigan, aboard the Rouse Simmons. The ship was heavily overloaded, carrying between 3,000 and 5,000 trees—some stacked so high they covered the deck like a "floating forest."
- The Storm: Shortly after departure, a massive November gale (a "witch of November") hit Lake Michigan.
- The Distress Signal: The ship was last spotted by a lifesaving station near Kewaunee, Wisconsin, flying its flag at half-mast—a universal sign of distress.
- The Loss: Despite rescue efforts, the Rouse Simmons disappeared into the icy waters. All 17 people on board were lost.
The Aftermath and Legacy
For years afterward, Christmas trees would occasionally wash up on the shores of Lake Michigan or get caught in fishermen's nets—bitter reminders of the tragedy.
The story didn't end there, however. Captain Schuenemann's wife, Barbara, and their three daughters bravely continued the tradition. For the next 22 years, they brought trees to Chicago, eventually transporting them by train but still selling them from the deck of a docked ship to honor "Captain Santa."
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