Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw Loads 1,300 Christmas Trees for 2012 Chicago Christmas Ship Celebration

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw loaded 1,300 Christmas trees onto the ship at its home port in Cheboygan, Michigan, in preparation for the 2012 Christmas Ship celebration. The operation brought together Coast Guard personnel and local volunteers to secure, stack, and prepare the trees for a charity delivery to families in need in the Chicago area.

Once loaded, the trees were scheduled to travel aboard Mackinaw to Chicago, where crew members and partners planned a special two-day offloading and distribution ceremony. The trees will be distributed to needy families and community organizations, continuing a seasonal tradition that combines maritime history, public service, and charitable giving.

This 2012 mission also coincided with a significant maritime anniversary: the 100th anniversary of the wreck of the schooner Rouse Simmons. The Rouse Simmons, often remembered as the original “Christmas Ship,” sank in a storm on November 23, 1912, while en route to Chicago and went down between Kewaunee and Two Rivers, Wisconsin. To honor that legacy, the Mackinaw’s cargo included a special selection of 100 trees sourced from an area near Two Rivers, the community where the Rouse Simmons originally launched.

During the voyage to Chicago, the Mackinaw’s crew planned a commemorative act to mark the centennial of the Rouse Simmons. Near the approximate resting place of the wreck in Lake Michigan, the crew will cast a wreath into the water as a remembrance for the sailors and as a gesture connecting the historic story to contemporary service and charity.

The Christmas Ship operation blends logistical planning, seamanship, and community outreach. Loading 1,300 trees aboard a Coast Guard cutter requires precise stowage and secure fastening so that the cargo remains safe during transit on Lake Michigan. Crew members followed established safety procedures to distribute weight evenly on deck and prevent shifting in adverse weather, while volunteers and partners assisted with tree preparation and tagging for later distribution.

In Chicago, the two-day offloading event is designed to be both ceremonial and practical. The schedule typically includes a public handover of trees, coordination with local charities and social service groups, and organized delivery routes so that families in need receive trees in time for the holidays. For many recipients, the donated trees represent more than holiday decoration; they are a tangible symbol of community support and goodwill during the season.

The inclusion of the 100 anniversary trees from near Two Rivers highlights the historical thread that connects the modern Christmas Ship project to the Rouse Simmons story. That schooner’s loss remains a poignant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, and commemorations like the wreath ceremony are a way to acknowledge risks faced by mariners while recognizing the resilience and compassion of shoreline communities.

The Mackinaw’s participation underscores the Coast Guard’s broader role beyond search and rescue and law enforcement: supporting community events, honoring maritime heritage, and providing hands-on assistance in charitable efforts. The cutter’s presence on Lake Michigan for the Christmas Ship celebration offers a visible reminder of that multifaceted mission, while fostering connections between service members and the communities they serve.

As trees are offloaded and distributed in Chicago, the event aims to leave a lasting positive impact—bringing holiday spirit to families, honoring maritime memory, and reinforcing partnerships between the Coast Guard and local organizations. The combination of careful planning, historical commemoration, and charitable outreach made the 2012 voyage of the Mackinaw a meaningful seasonal mission on the Great Lakes.