Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw Serves as Chicago Christmas Tree Ship
On December 1, the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw took on a special seasonal role, arriving at Chicago’s Navy Pier to offload more than 1,200 freshly cut Christmas trees. Harvested in Cheboygan, Michigan, the trees were brought to Chicago to support a long-standing charitable effort that connects maritime tradition with local holiday giving.
A Maritime Tradition Rekindled
The Christmas tree operation is organized by Chicago’s Christmas Ship, an effort revived nearly two decades ago by a group of professional mariners committed to restoring a beloved Great Lakes tradition. Their work revives the spirit of the old “Christmas Ship” voyages that historically carried evergreens and wreaths from Michigan to Chicago’s lakeshore. The contemporary effort focuses on serving families in need, turning a seasonal maritime delivery into a meaningful community outreach program.
Providing Trees to Families in Need
Trees delivered by the Mackinaw and other participating vessels are purchased through donations made to Chicago’s Christmas Ship. Those donations fund the purchase and transport of trees, ensuring that disadvantaged families in Chicago have a fresh evergreen for the holiday season. Since the modern revival began in 1999, the organization reports having distributed more than 20,000 Christmas trees to families across the city, a testament to sustained volunteer effort and community generosity.
The Role of the Coast Guard Cutter
For the 2017 season, the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw served as the designated “Christmas Tree Ship,” leveraging its capacity to transport a large number of trees safely to shore. The Mackinaw’s presence on the Chicago waterfront blended the practical needs of transport with the symbolic value of maritime service supporting the community. The vessel’s arrival at Navy Pier drew attention to the logistics and care behind delivering trees to recipients who might otherwise go without during the holidays.
A Living Connection to History
The modern Christmas Ship effort intentionally echoes the history of the original schooner Rouse Simmons. For more than 30 years before she sank in 1912, the Rouse Simmons carried fresh evergreens and wreaths from Michigan ports to Chicago, becoming an icon of seasonal maritime commerce on Lake Michigan. While the original Rouse Simmons met a tragic end, the revival of the Christmas Ship tradition honors that legacy by safely delivering cheer to families and keeping coastal customs alive.
Community Impact and Next Steps
Beyond the immediate joy of providing a tree for holiday celebrations, the Christmas Ship program strengthens connections between maritime workers, volunteers, donors, and the communities they serve. The coordinated effort of harvesting, transporting, and distributing thousands of trees relies on volunteers, civic organizations, and supporters who value both tradition and direct assistance. According to the organizers, the next scheduled delivery mentioned in the program calendar was set for December 1, 2018, continuing the annual rhythm of giving established by the revived Christmas Ship effort.
How to Learn More
The annual arrival of vessels like the Mackinaw at Navy Pier offers a visible reminder of how maritime heritage can be adapted to meet present-day community needs. Local coverage of the event, community announcements, and volunteer coordination help keep the project running each season and provide opportunities for people to contribute through donations or service.
By blending history, service, and charity, the Chicago Christmas Ship tradition—supported by vessels such as the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw—continues to deliver both trees and hope to families across the city, year after year.