Wisconsin Historical Society; Wisconsin Sea Grant
- A schooner famously referred to as the "Christmas Tree Ship" sank on Lake Michigan more than a century ago.
- A skipper nicknamed "Captain Santa" helmed the vessel — and went down with its holiday shipment.
- His legacy of delivering Christmas trees to needy families in Chicago lives on to this day.
Captain Herman Schuenemann was beloved.
For nearly three decades in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the legendary boat captain hauled loads of Christmas trees during the holiday season from Michigan to be sold in Chicago, Illinois.