A story as big as the Great Lakes comes crashing ashore. Enjoy this new family holiday tale crafted from the legends, lore and the true events surrounding the famous Christmas Tree Ship and this great north woods adventure. Venture back in time to 1911 Chicago, Illinois. The city, now rebuilt years after the great fire, is busy readying itself for the Christmas holidays.

Experience larger than life characters including Great Lakes pirate Dan Seavey, blustery soul-saver Captain Bundy and his gospel ship and studious Captain Schuenemann, skipper of the vessel that each Christmas season hauled thousands of holiday trees to Chicago from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Witness a tender love affair between two star-crossed lovers whose fates intertwine forever. Smell the evergreen boughs.

Hear the enduring tale of a family’s struggle to keep its seasonal business afloat. See how this endeavor would become a holiday tradition for countless early 20th century Chicago area residents. Be there to relive these historic times when electric lights and wireless communications were something new, the Titanic had yet to sail and automobiles were something to marvel at. Behold the holiday miracle of the Christmas ship.

Climb aboard for a journey you’ll likely want to take every Christmas—downbound from Upper Michigan to Chicago’s Clark Street Bridge. All aboard the Christmas Tree Ship. This is a book for all ages and features over 70 historic photographs.

“This is a good book for the whole family. You can give it to anyone interested in Michigan history, Great Lakes shipping or just a good story.”
-Andrew Grgurich, U.P. Books column: Mining Journal

“Of all the shipwreck stories I have read recently, this one should be a major motion picture.”
-Tom Farnquist, Director: Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society