The Christmas Tree Ship

On November 21, 1912, the schooner Rouse Simmons set sail from a small northern Michigan town across Lake Michigan. Affectionately dubbed the "Christmas Tree Ship," this was an annual trek for the Rouse Simmons. With its cargo of Christmas trees, the ship was bound for Chicago. There Captain Herman Scheunemann would sell the trees for 50 cents or $1.00 and even gave many away to needy families. But the schooner never makes its destination. The Rouse Simmons, with all hands and cargo, disappears into the cold waters. The ship's wreckage is not found until 1971. Drawing from stories told by her grandfather, author Carol Crane weaves a fictional tale based on the true events of the doomed schooner. And she explains how the captain's widow went on to continue his tradition of delivering holiday trees to Chicago. Carol Crane's many books for Sleeping Bear Press include the best-selling P is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet and The Handkerchief Quilt. As a literacy advocate, Carol speaks at schools and conferences. She lives in North Carolina. Chris Ellison has illustrated children's picture books and adult historical fiction for nearly 20 years. His book Let Them Play was a 2006 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. Chris lives in Mississippi.

Each winter Captain Herman fills his fishing schooner with Christmas trees, sails down Lake Michigan, and delivers the trees to the residents of Chicago.

The real life stories behind one of the most popular tales of the Great Lakes---the 1912 sinking of the Rouse Simmons

Every year Captain Herman Schuenemann and his 'Christmas Tree Ship' would bring a load of fresh Christmas trees from Michigan to Chicago. But in 1912, the fully loaded ship was unable to withstand a winter storm and sank in Lake Michigan near Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

Recounts the traditions and folklore surrounding the Christmas tree, including its origin, customs around the world, and the activities that take place on a Christmas tree farm.

Each winter the fishing schooner Rouse Simmons is filled with Christmas trees and sailed down Lake Michigan, then the trees are delivered to the residents of Chicago.

Explores the roots of the Christmas tree tradition, tracing customs from the Middle Ages to the present day to reveal how it first became part of mainstream American culture and has since become popular worldwide.