Posted by Jim on September 08, 19100 at 03:54:38:
In Reply to: Christmas tree ships posted by Richard Patton on September 07, 19100 at 19:51:07:
: Wish information on the shipping of Christmas trees from Two Rivers/Manitowoc area to Chicago and the sinking of such ship in the late 1800's.
: Thanks.
: Richard
Although Herman Schuenemann and the Rouse Simmons may be the most storied of the Christmas Tree trade, there were many others also involved in this business. I am familiar with over 50 vessels that brought Christmas Trees south on Lake Michigan during the 1860’s through the 1920’s and I would guess that there were possibly hundreds of others that also delivered trees for at least a season or two. August Schuenamann was the first of the brothers to be known as Christmas Tree Schuenamann and he was bringing Christmas trees to Chicago as early as 1876. You specifically asked about trees from the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area. The Schuenemann’s and many of the others generally brought trees from farther north but I wouldn’t doubt that some shipments were from the Manitowoc area. If I remember correctly, Ahnapee is where the Schuenemann’s and many others shipped their Christmas Trees from. Perhaps you asked about Two Rivers because that is the area where the Rouse Simmons was lost. Most of the vessels I have read about bringing Christmas Trees to Milwaukee and Chicago were old and dilapidated. The Schuenamann’s had a long history of buying very old and very cheap schooners which were often not very seaworthy. I think it was in 1898 that August Schuenamann bought the 31 year old schooner S. Thal for $250. That year Hermann would have made the Christmas Tree run to Chicago with his brother, but his wife Barbara had just given birth to twins so Hermann stayed home. This was lucky for Hermann because his brother August and the Schooner S. Thal never arrived in Chicago. She was last seen in the Shoals off Glencoe Illinois. No bodies were ever found but some wreckage and the S. Thal’s name board did wash ashore. I have written too much already, but let me know if you are looking for some specific information that I may be able to help with. You might be interested in attending the Dec. 3rd presentation at the Wisconsin Lake Schooner Association in Milwaukee. It will include slide and video shows from the Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago on the Rouse Simmons and other Lake Michigan wrecks.