On November 23, 1912, the schooner, ROUSE SIMMONS went missing in a terrible gale force storm off the shores of Two Rivers (near Rawley’s Point). Her cargo was a load of Christmas Trees bound for Chicago. She was last seen by the Kewaunee Life Saving Service flying a distress flag and heading south toward Two Rivers, WI.

The Kewaunee Station notified The Two Rivers Life Saving Service of the ship’s plight. The Two Rivers Station searched for hours for the crippled vessel, battling high seas, wind, snow, and darkness. But the ROUSE was never heard from again.

Our Two Rivers fishermen knew she had sunk nearby, however, because they would frequently pull up Christmas Trees in their nets.

In 1971, a Milwaukee Diver, Kent Bellrichard, found the vessel off our shores, with her hold still crammed with Christmas Trees. The mystery continued, however, when it was discovered that the wheel of the ROUSE SIMMONS was missing from
the ship.

In 1999, a fishing trawler, trawling a mile from the wreck, picked something up
in its net which was later determined to be the wheel of the ROUSE SIMMONS. How the wheel was separated from the ship is still a matter of debate.

Today, the ROUSE SIMMONS is nationally known as “The Christmas Tree Ship.” The full story of the “Christmas Tree Ship” as well as the ship’s wheel, and other artifacts can be seen at Rogers Street Fishing Village, Great Lakes Coast Guard Museum in Two Rivers. 

On November 22, 2008 there will be a presentation of the ROUSE SIMMONS at 1pm at the J.E. Hamilton Community House in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Keith Meverden and Tamara Thomsen of the State Archaeology and Maritime Preservation Program will speak on their book, "Myth and Mysteries: Underwater Archaeological Investigation of the Lumber Schooner ROUSE SIMMONS, Christmas Tree Ship". Then from 2:30-4 pm the public is invited to tour the Fishing Village Museum and see artifacts off the historic vessel. The ship’s famous wheel, quarterboard, (nameboard) spreaders, crock jar, stool, deadeye and Christmas tree are among the artifacts on display at the Museum.

At the Fishing Village, there will be the lighting of the Christmas tree at 2:30 pm and the Roncalli Carolers with Frank Bir, Director. Hot chocolate will be available and gifts will be on sale as well. In keeping with the Spirit of the Christmas Tree Ship, free museum admission with a non-perishable food item which will be donated to the local food pantry.