19 - The Christmas Tree Ship

Happy Holidays and welcome aboard this week's episode! Andrew and Michelle cover the wonderful yet tragic lore of the Rouse Simmons, the Christmas tree ship, and her beloved captain, Captain Herman "Santa" Schuenemann. The legacy of the Rouse Simmons lives on today with the USCGC Mackinaw making the same trip for the past 25 years. Tune in this week for some holiday cheer!

Sources:

https://shipwreckmuseum.com/visit/whitefish-point-light/#:~:text=Whitefish%20Point%20marks%20the%20eastern,the%20vicinity%20of%20Whitefish%20Point.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rouse_Simmons

https://www.pfri.uniri.hr/bopri/documents/05-ME-tal.pdf#:~:text=The%20tramp%20is%20an%20unspecialized%20type%20of,grain%2C%20coal%2C%20bauxite%2C%20phosphates%20and%20iron%20ore.

https://www.navsource.org/archives/12/179895.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simmons_Bedding_Company#:~:text=In%202012%2C%20Simmons%20and%20its,%2C%20LLC%20of%20Doraville%2C%20Georgia.

https://lakelandboating.com/the-modern-day-christmas-tree-ship/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20each%20year%20on,Schuenemann%20would%20have%20recognized.

https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2006/winter/christmas-tree.html#:~:text=The%2052%2Dton%2C%20two%2D,late%2Dseason%20Christmas%20trees%20runs.

https://seahistory.org/sea-history-for-kids/christmas-tree-ship-rouse-simmons/

https://www.wanderingeducators.com/best/stories/shipwrecks-great-lakes-rouse-simmons-christmas-tree-ship

https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/syndicated/christmas-tree-ship-final-voyage-rouse-simmons-lake-michigan/

https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-9/Ninth-District-Staff/Prevention-Division/Cutters/MACKINAW/