Schooner Rouse Simmons aka “Christmas Tree Ship”
Lake Name: Lake Michigan
Shipwreck Name: Rouse Simmons “Christmas Tree Ship”
Vessel Type: Schooner, Three-Master
Location: Manitowoc, WI
Vessel Build Info: 1868, Allen, McClelland & Co., Milwaukee
Shipwreck Specs: 123x28x8, 205g 195n
Official Number: 110087
Names Other: none
Sinking Detail
The famous “Christmas Tree Ship” was on her last trip of the season when she sailed out from Manistique, overloaded, into the teeth of a blizzard-gale. She had her regular crew plus about 10 lumberjacks aboard. She was overwhelmed and sunk off Kewaunee. She had been spotted, ice covered and in distress, farther to the north, and several boats, including one from C.G., had tried to find her. Wreck located 1971 in 180′ near Rawley Pt.
Loss Date: 11/26/1912
Loss Place: Off Kewaunee, WI
Loss Life: 17 of 17
Loss Reason: Storm
Vessel Cargo: Christmas trees
Shipwreck Description
This is the famous “Christmas Tree Ship” known for carrying northern Michigan evergreen trees packed into her holds and on deck for the Christmas Chicago market each season. She sits upright with the remaining Christmas trees and trunks still visible in the holds. The mast has fallen down by the bow.
Dive Type: Entry level technical
Depth Deck(ft): 157 ft
Depth Bottom(ft): 165 ft
Depth Deck(m): 47 m
Depth Bottom(m): 50 m