Coast Guard delivering Christmas trees to Chicago

Coast Guard ship will carry 100 Christmas trees to Chicago, a century after tree ship sank

Author:
Published On: Nov 23 2012 05:49:57 AM EST
CHEBOYGAN, Mich. -

The U.S. Coast Guard has loaded 1,300 Christmas trees aboard an ice cutter for delivery down Lake Michigan to Chicago.

The Cheboygan Daily Tribune says this year marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of a ship called the Rouse Simmons, known as the original Christmas tree ship. In 2000, the Coast Guard began transporting Christmas trees to Chicago for needy families while tending to buoys and other navigation marks on Lake Michigan.

Read: Birmingham's artificial Christmas tree sparks debate, criticism

This year's load will make it to Chicago after Thanksgiving. The 100 trees are from Two Rivers, Wis. The Coast Guard will drop a wreath at the site of the 1912 wreck to remember the Rouse Simmons.

You may also like:

5 cheap, easy ways to catch holiday spirit

Go green when decorating for holidays

  • Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.