Archaeological
Society of
Chicago
|
Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Chicago’s Christmas Ship |
 |
In the early 1900's there was a ship Captain named Herman Shuenemann. Every year in late November he headed north into the cold and bitter winter winds of Lake Michigan. He gathered Christmas Trees from Northern Michigan onto the schooner, the Rouse Simmons. For many the arrival of the Schooner and the delivery of the trees into the waiting arms of thousands of Chicagoans marked the beginning of Christmas.
One of those that eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Schooner and her cargo was little Ruth Flesvig. In late November 1912, Ruth and her family waited on the pier for the arrival of “Chicago’s Christmas ship." After many hours her father begged her to return home as he had lost hope that the Rouse Simmons would arrive that night. Ruth would not leave. Her father being tired and feeling the cold asked once more ' why won't you return home?' Ruth cold, sad and tired - her eyes fixed on the empty darkness said, "without a Christmas Tree there is no Christmas.”
On November 23rd, 1912, during a fierce winter storm, the Schooner Rouse Simmons, her Captain, crew of Seventeen, and cargo of more than 2000 trees, were lost on Lake Michigan.
A Great Chicago Story
A
re-enactment of the tradition of the arrival of the Christmas Schooner will
once again take place this December at Navy Pier. This year's
Christmas ship will again be the US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw.
The goal this year is to donate over a thousand Christmas trees for
distribution throughout the Chicago area to deserving families via
independent city wide and local charities.
Revival of a 100 year old Chicago Christmas Tradition.
Committee is broad-based consortium of Chicago Marine Community not-for-profit organizations to benefit Chicago’s inner-city families.
Multiple charitable agencies actively participate.
U.S. Coast Guard ship and crew are hosted.
Multi ethnic and multi age; children and adults of all ages participate.
Major media attention is given to this annual event.
Open to public participation, without charge.
All activities are conducted entirely by dedicated volunteers. There is no paid staff
100% of donations used to provide Christmas trees to deserving families through independently selected charities.
Over 6 years of success with over seven thousand deserving families benefiting.
“Without a Christmas tree there is no Christmas…”
Ruth Fleswig,November 23, 1912
PROGRAM
December 1st, 2006 – FRIDAY
0800
– USCGC MACKINAW – Arrival Ceremony at Navy Pier, Welcomed
by Fireboat and Police Boats while Chicago Military Academy Military
Band plays.
0830
– USCGC MACKINAW- Chicago’s Christmas Ship’s Official welcoming
Party Boards, attends band performance and greets crew
0930 – USCGC MACKINAW –
Ship Decorating by Chicago’s Marine Community Volunteers,
assisted by ships crew.
1000
to 1100, 1100 to
1200 and 13:00
to 14:00– USCGC
MACKINAW Host Public School Children for Classes on board,
Additional Youth on tour . And Younger School kids tours
1600– Odyssey II Boarding (By
Invitation ONLY) Reception. for VIPs, Participants, and DONORS. Become a welcome Donor by making your contribution of
$100 or more. Click “Donate” at:www.christmasship.com
1800 – Disembark the
Odyssey II
December 2nd , 2006 – SATURDAY
0800
- Volunteer Registration at McDonalds in Navy Pier.
Refreshments for
registered volunteers at Mc Donalds
1000 COMMENCE PROGRAM
- Rich Renik, Master of Ceremonies
US Navy band plays
for
Presentation of Colors Abraham Lincoln Division,
U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Color Guard
US Merchant Marine
Officers Honors Unit Memorial Wreath Ceremony
US COAST GUARD FLY OVER and performs Memorial Wreath drop-at-sea
ceremony
Speakers: Master of
Ceremonies introduces speakers:
RADM Arnold Lotring – NSTC, Great Lakes, CDR Sean Murtagh Dep CO USCG Sector Lake Michigan, Captain Bruce Jones USCG Lake Michigan Sector Commander
CDR John Little Captain of the USCGC Mackinaw
Presentation of Christmas Ship Plaque
to CGC Mackinaw
Presenter Captain George Lisner
Recipient CDR John Little
Lee Murdock
sings our signature song about the USCGC Mackinaw, “When the ‘Big
Mac’ comes into the Harbor”
Ruth Flesvig
Gibson - speaks on behalf of her mother.
Presentation of Trees
to three representative families
Master of Ceremonies:
Calls for a “Chicago send off” to the Christmas tree trucks.
1030 to 1130 &
1230 to 1330 Rich Renik
and Lee Murdock tell stories and sings at Navy Pier at the Family
Pavilion Stage.
1330
to 1700 – USCGC MACKINAW -
Public Tours on board.
December 3rd , 2006 - SUNDAY
1330 to 1700 – USCGC MACKINAW - Public Tours on board.
Dockside Viewing of the decorated ship exterior. Throughout the ships stay here visitors may view the ship from land during the day and evening. Friday and Saturday the ship displays traditional Christmas lighting after sunset.
December 4th, 2006 - MONDAY
USCGC MACKINAW departs Chicago!
LOUP, UASC
members and guests,
This years holiday party : Burnham Park Yacht Club
Saturday December 1st 2007 , 6:30 cocktails,
7:45 dinner
Followed by members presentations. "Our mini Our World Underwater"
Invite your friends.
Dinner - Choice of Chicken Marsala or Grilled Salmon or Pasta Primavera
with soup and salad (choose that night).
Entertainment: Please bring a few of
your slides, short video, or media
presentation to share with the group.
Parking - We may have to pay to park this year.
$30/per person, checks made out to "LOUP".
RSVP to :
Gina Gerage
1011 Conan Doyle Rd.
Naperville, IL. 60564-4197
Burnham Park Yacht Club address is 1500 Linn White Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Map of Burnham Park Yacht Club
Saturday, February 23, 2008
An international gathering to celebrate Chicago's maritime community.
Featuring a day full of lectures, presentations, exhibits, workshops, musical happenings and an evening maritime concert by visiting performers.
At the Latin School, across the street from the Chicago Historical Society at North and Clark Streets. Check their web site for updates, www.chicagomaritimefestival.org.
Ghost Ships Festival
Milwaukee, March 7 and 8 2008
Images
From Our World Underwater
Supplied by Chet
Childs
| Home | Meeting Schedule | Adopt-A-Shipwreck sm | Mission Statement & Membership Application |
| UASC Wreck Checker | Coming Events | Special Postings |
The
Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago
P.O. Box 11752...Chicago, IL 60611...Telephone: (773) 883-1601