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View the latest WSBA Newsletter - January2012 .pdf (471 kb)

Late Breaking News

April 30th

WSBA exhibits at Discovery World

The club just completed a week long exhibit at Discovery World on the Lakefront. The museum planned a Water Week for April 25th to 29th to coincide with Spring break for many school districts in the area. Other exhibitors were invited too. During the week the Milwaukee fireboat and the S/V Denis Sullivan were moored along side. The Sullivan is being readied for the summer season and visitors got to watch the rigging being installed. The USCG was on hand with a booth and their R/C "Coastie". We were given space on the second floor next to the replica of the lake schooner Challenge. Also in this area were a few of the museum's ship models and some clever devices to teach kids about force multiplication. This was the first visit to Discovery World for most of our members who participated and the consensus was one of being impressed. Discovery World was very accommodating, and we appreciate the opportunity they presented us.

In the 19th century lake schooners were vital in moving people and goods in this region. Some old vessels worked up until the 1930's making out a meager living after being superseded by more modern and larger powered vessels. The replica of the Challenge and the S/V Denis Sullivan are tangible reminders of these ships and the role they played.

Of these vessels one is remembered on Lake Michigan much like the Titanic is memorialized around the world. The sailing vessel Rouse Simmons known as "The Christmas Tree Ship" sank in a storm on November 23, 1912 with all hands. The Simmons captain Herman Schuenemann made annual trips from Upper Michigan to Chicago loaded with fresh cut Christmas trees he sold directly to the public from the deck of his ship. He often gave trees to the poor and was respected and loved by the locals. Today there are Christmas Tree Ship events held along the west shore. One of the name boards from the Rouse Simmons is in the area where we exhibited. As Friday ended the Sullivan was being moved next to the museum from an outer dock where they worked on setting up her rigging. Below is a photo of the Denis Sullivan coming through the gap with the Simmons name board below her. Almost 99 years have past since the Simmons made her last trip.

For more information on the Rouse Simmons see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rouse_Simmons

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Our thanks to the management and staff at Discovery World for a unique and enjoyable experience.

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