Secrets of Doomed Christmas Tree Ship to Surface

     November gales are notorious for disasters on the Great Lakes. As November 10 approaches, Great Lakes mariners will commemorate the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald (1975) in Lake Superior. Others will gather near Lake Michigan in Two Rivers, WI, on November 17 to recall another dismal November - back in 1912 - when another ship and crew ran into foul weather, slipped from view and became a legend among the lore of ghost ships and unexplained mysteries on Lake Michigan.

     One of the most poignant stories of Great Lakes shipwrecks concerns the Rouse Simmons, a Great Lakes schooner on a happy holiday mission: carrying a big load of evergreen trees, the symbol of everlasting life and the spirit of Christmas, to the people of Chicago. Now known as "The Christmas Tree Ship" it set sailing from Thompson Harbor, Michigan, near Manistique to bring holiday cheer to the Clark Street dock in Chicago.

     On November 23, 1912 the good ship, with fresh-cut Christmas Trees stacked high on the deck, set off from Michigan's Upper Peninsula staying close to the Wisconsin shore as it sailed south toward the Windy City. A sudden storm blew in that night and "The Christmas Tree Ship" was spotted iced-over, tilted, sails ripped to shreds and in grave danger near Two Rivers, Wisconsin.  People on shore heard the crew shouting for help, pleading for rescue. Though visibility was restricted due to severe fog, snow and sleet, brave men launched a boat to try to help. They spotted the Rouse Simmons tossing about in the blinding storm, heard the shouting - but then it disappeared from view into the squall - never to be seen again.

     At least, not that night.

     For years later strange bits of Christmas trees washed up on the Michigan Shore near Two Rivers and Point Beach. The wallet of the captain was reportedly found in a fisherman's net eleven years later. A strange "farewell message" from the captain was reportedly found in a bottle. Later, that "discovery" was questioned.  Every big storm in the area seemed to generate sightings of phantom ships and reports of cries for help. Even today after heavy weather riles the waters, bits of old Christmas Trees and other maritime artifacts occasionally wash ashore and are recovered by beach combers from the six mile sand beach at Point Beach State Park.

    Then, after 59 years of mystery, goose-bump tales and unfettered speculation, in 1971 the Rouse Simmons was seen again. This time, it was real. A Milwaukee diver discovered the wreck near Two Rivers and in 1999 the Wheel of the Rouse Simmons was snagged and retrieved in the net of a fishing trawler. In 2006 the wreck was extensively surveyed by Keith Meverden, Wisconsin's official Underwater Archeologist. His findings and new discoveries about the fate of the ship were presented in a series of seminars in 2006.

    This year, November 17 from 1 to 2 PM noted author Rochelle Pennington will visit the Two Rivers Community House, 1520 Seventeenth Street, to discuss the wreck and new information in her book, The Historic Christmas Tree Ship. The presentation is free, presented in cooperation with the Rogers Street Fishing Village Museum, 2102 Jackson Street, Two Rivers which now displays the Rouse Simmons Wheel and other artifacts of the ill-fated vessel. 

    Pennington is the author of several books including two books on the ROUSE SIMMONS, the Christmas Tree Ship, (Captain Santa,) and her enormously popular and definitive work of the vessel, the Historic Christmas Tree Ship. She has appeared on film and national television (including Weather Channels, Storm Stories Holiday Special ) to tell the story of "The Rouse Simmons" . She was also instrumental, along with Keith Meverden and Tamara Thomsen of the Maritime Archaeology and Preservation Program of the Wisconsin Historical Society in winning placement of the vessel on the National Register. 


   Following her presentation, from 2 PM to 4 PM there will be an Open House at the Rogers Street Museum complete with carolers and gifts.  Admission is free with donation of a non-perishable food item for the Food Pantry.

   The Manitowoc-Two Rivers "Port Cities" area is rich with maritime history, shoreline trails, light houses, fishing charters, museums, ships, a WWII submarine and marinas. It has earned the reputation of Wisconsin's Maritime Capitol. For a free guide to the area, complete with events, attraction details, lodging, dining and shopping information phone 800-627-4896 or visit the website: www.manitowoc.info .

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