The members of Flotilla 12 wish all of you a very special holiday season! In the sprit of the holidays, we wanted to share with you a story about how the Coast Guard helps bring the Christmas Spirit to Chicago every year.
As the story is told, Herman Schuenemann was the captain of the original Christmas Ship. He came to Chicago from Michigan for more than 30 years with fresh evergreens and wreaths for the holiday season during the late 1800s and early 1900s. On Nov. 23, 1912, Captain Schuenemann was at the helm of the fabled Christmas Ship, the Rouse Simmons. On that day while transiting from Michigan, Captain Schuenemann and the Rouse Simmons was lost in a storm and sank with a crew of 16 between Kewaunee and Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
As was reported by the Chicago Sun Times, “There are some unmistakable sensory hallmarks of the annual “Christmas Ship” event at Navy Pier. The cold air brushing against your face.
The “thwack” of Christmas trees landing on the ground after sliding off the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw. And the rich smell of pine. There’s also the “warm” feeling of helping others at the 24th event Saturday, Dec. 2.
Many community organizations, including the Auxiliary, work to offload the trees and deliver them to needy families throughout Chicago and the surrounding areas. The Christmas trees are purchased through donations, which can be submitted through christmaship.org. Ada S. McKinley Community Services works with other nonprofits to identify recipients.
The annual event, held at Navy Pier, continues the legacy of the Captain Schuenemann and the Rouse Simmons, as it had become a part of their family tradition to purchase their trees from the schooner. The Mackinaw opens for tours following the unloading of the trees. This year, the ship arrived at Navy Pier on Dec. 1, with 1,200 trees that were donated to families in need.
Thanks to Sherrie, we will always remember safe boating is no accident!
If you would like to learn more about vessel safety checks, please contact Steve Hults, Staff Officer for Vessel Examinations at steve.hults@uscgaux.net.
Please contact us for more information about our safe boating classes or learning more about getting involved in the Auxiliary, check out our website at www.uscgaux.net follow us on FaceBook @ Apalachee Bay Flotilla 12 or contact our Flotilla Commander Phil Hill at pnkkhill2000@yahoo.com.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org.
