Captain Herman Schuenemann

Herman Schuenemann was known as Captain Santa and the ship he sailed, Rouse Simmons, was called The Christmas Tree Ship.

Herman sailed Lake Michigan delivering cargo along the shores. He particularly delivered Christmas Trees to Chicago every November. He decorated his ship with Christmas decorations and lights which could be seen from the Chicago docks along Rush Street. He was also known for giving away his Christmas Trees to needy families. It's probably because of his well-lit ship and his genuine generosity that he and his ship were given such honorable names (Captain Santa & The Christmas Tree Ship).

Unfortunately, Herman met his death during a terrible blizzard in November of 1912. Rouse Simmons took on too much water and sank in Lake Michigan near the shores of a Wisconsin city. It wasn't found until 1971.