X Marks The Spot For Chicago’s X-Mas Ship

The Mackinaw’s trip to Navy Pier was dual-purpose. In addition to transporting trees, the crew pulled buoys from the lake in preparation for winter.
The Mackinaw’s trip to Navy Pier was dual-purpose. In addition to transporting trees, the crew pulled buoys from the lake in preparation for winter. Lauren Frost
The Mackinaw’s trip to Navy Pier was dual-purpose. In addition to transporting trees, the crew pulled buoys from the lake in preparation for winter.
The Mackinaw’s trip to Navy Pier was dual-purpose. In addition to transporting trees, the crew pulled buoys from the lake in preparation for winter. Lauren Frost

X Marks The Spot For Chicago’s X-Mas Ship

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It’s big, white, and red. But it’s not Santa’s sleigh.

It’s the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, currently serving as the “Christmas Ship.”

The ship is docked at Navy Pier, loaded up with Christmas trees. The trees will be distributed to churches and community centers that will give the trees to Chicago-area families.

The boat’s journey began in Cheboygan, Michigan. A few days before Thanksgiving, the Coast Guard loaded 1,225 trees on board. On their way to Chicago, they retraced the journey of one of the original Christmas tree ships, the Rouse Simmons. The Rouse Simmons brought evergreens across Lake Michigan for years before it sank with trees onboard in 1912.

Friday morning, a drumline from Hubbard High School welcomed the Christmas Ship. (Lauren Frost/WBEZ)

This year’s “Christmas Ship” arrived in Chicago on Thursday. Then, volunteers decorated the ship with lights. The founding chairman of the Christmas Ship Committee, Captain Dave Truitt, said this is the nineteenth year for the annual tradition.

Captain Dave Truitt stands on the stern of the Christmas Ship with the pile of trees.

“Christmas is a wonderful time,” said Truitt, “and everybody should be able to enjoy it.”

Lauren Frost covers news for WBEZ. Follow her @frostlaur.