On November 22, 1912, under the command of Herman Schuenemann, the 123-foot 3-masted schooner, known as the Rouse Simmons, sailed from the northern part of Lake Michigan, down towards Chicago (a trip close to 300 miles), benevolently carrying thousands of Christmas trees that would fill the homes of many with yuletide cheer.
Sailing a vessel on the Great Lakes in the winter sounds magical, but it is an extremely daunting task, often acknowledging late autumn gale winds, that could throw their entire journey off course. Though Schuenemann had been sailing ships for over thirty years, the grip of the Great Lake's winter gusts and swirling conditions, his expertise could not deny such forces. The ship did not arrive as planned and no one ever heard from Captain Schuenemann again.
Known as the "Christmas Tree Ship," the Rouse Simmons, was not just a vessel of commerce but a symbol of holiday spirit and goodwill. Captain Schuenemann's acts of kindness went beyond just a tree business; for Schuenemann, the holiday season was about spreading cheer to those who needed it most. While his main objective was providing financial stability for his family, he gifted many less fortunate families with a tree, earning the admiration of many. The "Captain Santa" moniker was a fitting tribute to his selfless spirit. Our Christmas Ship candle embodies the essence of this schooner, its familiar scent of fir, cedar wood, pine, peppercorn and cardamom, keeping the spirit alive during this festive holiday season.