Lives and Legends of the Christmas Tree Ships

by Fred Neuschel

Lives and Legends of the Christmas Tree Ships brings the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes to life, using the tragic story of the schooner Rouse Simmons as a porthole into the robust but often forgotten communities that thrived along Lake Michigan from the Civil War to World War I.

Memorialized in songs, poems, fiction, and even a musical, the infamous ship that went down in a Thanksgiving storm while delivering Christmas trees to Chicago has long been shrouded in myth and legend. As a result, the larger story of the captain, crew, and affected communities has often been overlooked. Fred Neuschel delves into this everyday life of camaraderie, drudgery, ambition, and adventure—with tales of the Midwest’s burgeoning immigrant groups and rapid industrialization—to create a true story that is even more fascinating than the celebrated legends.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2007

Reviews

[University of Michigan Press]

Lives and Legends of the Christmas Tree Ships brings the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes to life, using the tragic story of the schooner Rouse Simmons as a window into the robust but oft-forgotten communities that thrived along Lake Michigan from the Civil War to World War I.

Memorialized in songs, poems, fiction, and even a musical, the famous ship that went down in a Thanksgiving storm while delivering Christmas trees to Chicago has long been shrouded in myth and legend. As a result, the larger story of the captain, crew, and affected communities has often been overlooked. Fred Neuschel delves into this everyday life of camaraderie, drudgery, ambition, and adventure—with tales of the Midwest's burgeoning immigrant groups and rapid industrialization—to create a true story that is even more fascinating than the celebrated legends.

Fred Neuschel was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, and lives with his wife in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School and has worked for thirty years in mental health chaplaincy and counseling. His previous historical work has been published in Inland Seas, Voyageur, Chicago History, and Wisconsin Magazine of History.

[Angela Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author did a great job of presenting ALL of the facts available, whether they supported the glossy legend, or not. I thought I knew the story well, but I learned a lot of new facts previously withheld. An excellent read for Wisconsin, Great Lakes, regional lore and sailing enthusiasts.

[R.G. Ziemer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great look back into the history of the fabled Christmas Tree ships that are part of Chicago maritime legend. Neuschel explores the schooners and the men who sailed them on Lake Michigan far beyond the end of the age of sail, from the years following the Civil War and up to the 1912 shipping disaster that puts an end to the story. The author has done some excellent scholarship, revealing details about the ships, their construction, and their work through the years. Furthermore we get some real insight into the lives of the people and the development of the coastal towns, particularly Ahnapee, Wisconsin, which was the home port of the Rouse Simmons, the most famous Christmas Tree schooner of them all.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C-. nonfiction, 18th and 19th centuries, maritime activity, Lake Michigan. Much conjecture. One particular judgemental sentence concerning a shipwreck that rankled: "Twenty-first-century Americans take for granted that after a disaster such as this there would be an investigation into the causes, litigation would be pursued by the aggrieved, and blame would be assigned."

[Elaine Jorndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written true story of the history of ships on the Great Lakes with emphasis on the fascinating truths and legends of the Christmas Tree ships - especially the Rouse Simmons and the Schuenemann family.
The book spoke strongly to me because of my Great Grandparents’ personal experiences with the Christmas Tree Ship and the Schuenemann family.
I enjoyed it tremendously!

[Reet Champion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm afraid this was a rather dry read. While there is a goodly amount of information, the retelling is sometimes repetitive and boring. There are photos scattered throughout the book which is a plus.In the author's bio I read where Mr. Neuschel had "worked for thirty years in mental health chaplaincy and counseling" which accounts for a lot of the 'psychology' involved in the book. Overall this is a good read and probably more so to other readers besides myself. If you are considering reading this book, go for it!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry with the history but still a great story.