Identification & Site Information:

• Name(s): Rouse Simmons
• Registry: United States
• Official Number: 110087
• Vessel Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1868
• Year Sank: 1912
• Hull Material: Wood
• Engines: None
• Dimensions:
• Length: 123.5 ft (37.6 m)
• Width: 27.6 ft (8.4 m)
• Depth: 8.4 ft (2.6 m)

Vessel Type

The Rouse Simmons was a double Centerboard wooden Schooner, a versatile cargo vessel widely used on the Great Lakes in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is famously remembered as the “Christmas Tree Ship,” carrying evergreen trees to Chicago for the holiday season.

Description

Built in 1868, the Rouse Simmons was operated primarily as a lumber Schooner. In its later years, the vessel became known for delivering Christmas trees from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Chicago, a tradition beloved by residents.

On November 23, 1912, while heavily loaded with Christmas trees, the Rouse Simmons encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan. The vessel sank with the loss of all hands, marking a tragic end to a cherished holiday tradition. Stories of the ship’s final voyage have become a part of Great Lakes lore.

Final Dispositions

The wreck lies at a depth of 165 ft (50 m) near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan.

• The Hull remains substantially intact, offering excellent preservation of the ship’s structure.

• The foremast, with its top intact and fastenings for the raffee yard, boom, and gaff, lies on the bottom forward of the Hull.

• The aft cabin and decking are largely missing, exposing the Deck beams and hatch coamings.

• Key features include:

• Both Centerboard trunks, which are intact and visible.

• Windlass, two catheads, sheet winch, and rudder with steering gear.

• Scattered remains of the mainmast, mizzenmast, booms, and gaffs on the port side and inside the Hull.

• Remnants of Christmas trees, the ship’s final cargo, are visible in the hold, reinforcing its legendary status as the Christmas Tree Ship.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck was discovered in 1971 by diver Kent Bellrichard and has since been studied extensively. The Rouse Simmons is a protected site under Wisconsin law and serves as a poignant reminder of Great Lakes maritime history.

NOTMARs & Advisories

At a depth of 165 ft, the wreck requires technical diving certification and appropriate equipment. Divers are encouraged to respect the site’s historical and cultural significance, avoiding any disturbance to the wreck or its artifacts.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Historical Society: Rouse Simmons
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks: Rouse Simmons
• 3DShipwrecks – Rouse Simmons
• Zac Whitrock – Rouse Simmons

3D Model – Rouse Simmons

Rouse Simmons by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Rouse Simmons (1868) by Zach Whitrock on Sketchfab

Keywords, Categories, Glossary

Keywords: Rouse Simmons, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Christmas Tree Ship, Schooner, Two Rivers, Wisconsin

Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Cargo Vessels, Holiday Traditions

Glossary: Centerboard Trunks, Catheads, Windlass, Hatch Coaming, Christmas Tree Ship