Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rouse Simmons
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length: 123.5 ft (37.6 m); Width: 27.6 ft (8.4 m); Depth: 8.4 ft (2.6 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 50 m / 165 ft
- Location: Near Two Rivers, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 110087
Wreck Location Map
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.
History
The wreck lies at a depth of 165 ft (50 m) near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan.
Significant Incidents
- 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.
Final Disposition
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.
Current Condition & Accessibility
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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rouse-simmons-us-110087″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As you explore the Rouse Simmons, remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. Be the diver that makes a difference by respecting this historic site.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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