The tragic, true story of Captain Santa and the Christmas Tree Ship has sailed into maritime legend, leaving some poignant lessons in its wake.

On the Great Lakes, where winter storms are often vicious and unpredictable, a three-masted schooner called the Rouse Simmons was laden with Michigan evergreens, headed for its usual berth along the Chicago River.

By that time, such Civil War-era ships were outdated, but the tree trade was lucrative: green balsams for greenbacks.

So German immigrant Herman Schuenemann bought a share of the Rouse Simmons after taking over a tree transport business run by his older brother, August, who died in the sinking of a former Christmas tree ship in 1893.

The schooner always set up in downtown Chicago where residents could buy evergreens right off the ship for a dollar or less.

On board, electric lights illuminated women waving wreaths and garlands underneath a Christmas tree on the main mast, making the vessel seem like St. Nick’s floating workshop. Schuenemann revelled in his role as “Captain Santa”.

But tree competition was tight, and so were profit margins. So the only large ships Schuenemann could afford were old ones in bad shape. And in a race to reach Chicago early, the captain took a chance on threatening weather while others stayed in port.

The Rouse Simmons with its over-capacity cargo of 5,500 trees was soon battered by fierce winds and angry waves. One night, when........

© Sarnia Observer