The Christmas Tree Ship

Over 100 years ago, every year for twenty years, the schooner Rouse Simmons carried a cargo of Christmas trees down Lake Michigan from the northern forests to Chicago. She tied up in the Chicago River and the crew sold the trees from her decks. On November 23, 1912, she sank with all hands in a storm off the Wisconsin coast. Today, the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw carries trees to Chicago for donation to underprivileged families. I attended the very cold memorial ceremony today at the Mackinaw's berth. A little slideshow here: http://web.photodex.com/view/pxc8mkm4

Lovely tradition, great little slideshow.

Maybe they could drop off a tree or two in the UK (hangs head in shame)?

  On 08/12/2013 at 06:06, losdemas said:

Lovely tradition, great little slideshow.

 

Maybe they could drop off a tree or two in the UK (hangs head in shame)?

Thank you. We'd love to send the Mackinaw, but we need her here. Lake Michigan is a force not to be trifled with. This morning the harbor was flat, but if you look at the horizon past the right-most captain in the photo, you'll notice it isn't a perfectly straight line. Those are southbound swells out past the break wall on the big lake.

Brilliant job. And all credit to the Coast Guard for bringing some green life into a chilly Chicago living room for some kids to have real Christmas tree!

  On 08/12/2013 at 06:06, losdemas said:

Lovely tradition, great little slideshow.

 

Maybe they could drop off a tree or two in the UK (hangs head in shame)?

We always get a great one in London from Norway as a thankyou for chucking out the Nazis.

http://englishsandvika.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/norwegian-christmas-tree-in-london/

Who needs a real tree when you can use one of these?

  On 10/12/2013 at 16:06, Bryan said:

Who needs a real tree when you can use one of these?

The elegant barriers are what makes it work, I think.

Paulette

You can't get within ten feet of anything which might be dangerous here without tripping over one of those. They're more dangerous than the supposed hazard.

  On 10/12/2013 at 20:25, NYCat said:

 

  On 10/12/2013 at 16:06, Bryan said:

Who needs a real tree when you can use one of these?

 

The elegant barriers are what makes it work, I think.

 

Paulette

 

  On 11/12/2013 at 01:11, spacecadet said:

You can't get within ten feet of anything which might be dangerous here without tripping over one of those. They're more dangerous than the supposed hazard.

I keep noticing those d***ed things around every public Christmas tree in the UK.  Maybe I should get some for the front room?  So attractive.