The Christmas Tree Ship

By Carol Crane, Chris Ellison (Illustrator)

A ship's final voyage with Christmas trees ends in tragedy, leaving a legacy of love and loss.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 191 ratings

32 pages· 837 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

$15.95Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1912, the Rouse Simmons, known as the 'Christmas Tree Ship,' embarks on its annual journey across Lake Michigan, laden with festive trees. Captain Scheunemann's mission is to bring holiday cheer to Chicago, but the ship vanishes in a storm, leaving behind a haunting mystery. As the captain's widow bravely continues his tradition, a family gathers each year to remember and honor the lost crew. Will the legacy of the Christmas Tree Ship endure, or will it be swept away by the tides of time?

From the publisher

A timeless story for all who love Christmas, its traditions and stories, and especially stories of the sea, including the vast inland sea that is Lake Michigan. On November 21, 1912, the schooner Rouse Simmons set sail from a small northern Michigan town across Lake Michigan. Affectionately dubbed the “Christmas Tree Ship,” this was an annual trek for the Rouse Simmons. With its cargo of Christmas trees, the ship was bound for Chicago. There Captain Herman Scheunemann would sell the trees for 50 cents or $1.00 and even gave many away to needy families. But the schooner never makes its destination. The Rouse Simmons, with all hands and cargo, disappears into the cold waters. The ship’s wreckage is not found until 1971. Drawing from stories told by her grandfather, author Carol Crane weaves a fictional tale based on the true events of the doomed schooner. And she explains how the captain’s widow went on to continue his tradition of delivering holiday trees to Chicago in this beautifully illustrated Christmas classic.

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