They believe the carving is of a mythical creature known as a griffon, half lion and half eagle. In the Great Lakes region, there may be no older and more intriguing historical mystery than the 1679 disappearance of the Griffon, one of French explorer Robert La Salle's ships. once I broke the surface. Charlevoix couple offers theory on mysterious 1679 shipwreck. They made their way around Long Point, Ontario, constantly sounding as they went through the first moonless, fog-laden night to the sound of breaking waves and guided only by La Salle's knowledge of Galine's crude, 10-year-old chart. These films range from comedies to dramas to long and short films. While there have been many theories over the years, there is no clear consensus as to the fate or current location of Le Griffon. "They lost the ship from sight," Baillod said, "and that's the last anybody has ever seen the Griffin.". Green and Ken Vrana, the principal of Maritime Heritage Consulting, advocate an independent assessment by professionals. Tonti's journal says it was adverse winds. Le Griffon may have been found by the Great Lakes Exploration Group but the potential remains were the subject of lawsuits involving the discoverers, the state of Michigan, the U.S. federal government, and the Government of France. Libert became instantly fascinated by the Griffon mystery as a 14-year-old student in Dayton, Ohio, where he first heard from a teacher about the missing ship with its figurehead of a griffon, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. All of those people have been wrong including Libert she says. He walked right behind me and put his hand on my shoulder and said, Perhaps someone in this class will find it someday. I was listening to every word, says Libert, now 67. Revealed: The top 10 fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners retiring overseas. She was the largest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes up to that time. Libert says the evidence hes amassed pinpoints where the wreckage of the 40- to 45-ton ship now rests: in shallow water near Poverty Island and Summer Island. "We like to turn the sonar on and just go to places that we haven't been before, and just try and see what we can find down there," Dykstra said. Now shipwreck hunters Steve and Kathie Libert say they have found the infamous vessel, which was the first to sail the Great Lakes beyond Niagara Falls. La Salle gave instructions for Le Griffon to off-load merchandise for him at Mackinac that would be picked up on the return trip. Native tradition holds that The Griffin became a ghost ship, whose crew are sometimes heard chanting as she sails among the clouds on a moonlit night. Its fate has been a puzzlement for maritime historians for more than three and a half centuries. Rather, it may be the remnants of a tugboat that was scrapped after "steam engines became more economical to operate," said Brendon Baillod, a Great Lakes historian who has written scholarly papers on the Griffin. A bowsprit discovered a few miles away in 2001 is another part of the vessel, they claim. We have been on the hunt for over 40 years systematically ferreting out the locations of this widely scattered wreck, he says, referring to his wife Kathie and himself. They anchored on the south shore of the island and found it occupied by friendly Pottawatomies and 15 of the fur traders La Salle sent ahead. In the Great Lakes region, there may be no older and more intriguing historical mystery than the 1679 disappearance of the Griffon, one of French explorer Robert La Salles ships. Wherever the Griffon is, if its in deep water somewhere, there are cannons near it, she says. They added that a bowsprit was found close by in 2001, assuming it is another part that broke off from the ship. the griffon shipwreck facts. This ship was 471 tons. THE WRECK OF THE GRIFFON by Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg, published and distributed by Seawolf Communications Inc. 224 pages. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. After launching, it sailed the Niagara River to Lake Ontario, onward to Lake Erie, then by way of the St. Clair River to Lake Huron and northward to St. Ignace, the Straits of Mackinac and, finally, Lake Michigan. Laura holds a bachelor's degree in English literature and psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and a master's degree in science writing from NYU. La Salle never saw the Griffin again. An explorer claims to have found the long lost French ship Le Griffon at the bottom of Lake Michigan. "It was a hand-forged nail, which helps date it back to that time period, we feel." Lake Erie covers 2,000 of them, among the highest concentration of wrecks in the world. So, if the Griffons final resting place isnt where Libert believes it to be, where is it? 2 is a much sought after shipwreck. He noted that the wreck is near the western Michigan coast, not near Beaver Island, the area mentioned in La Salle's journal. LOCAL COURT FUNDING: A quarter of local trial court funding is set to expire in 2024 or even earlier if the state Supreme Court says judges cant continue to impose costs on convicted criminal defendants. [4] While work continued on Le Griffon in the spring of 1679 as soon as the ice began to break up along the shores of Lake Erie, La Salle sent out men from Fort Frontenac in 15 canoes laden with supplies and merchandise to trade with the Illinois for furs at the trading posts of the upper Huron and Michigan Lakes. They then set the ship on fire. He was planning to map the Great Lakes, initially thinking they might be a connecting gateway to the Orient. Wherever the Griffon is, if its in deep water somewhere, there are cannons near it, she says. Then they also talk with real people the individual citizens and businesses in communities to get their reactions to whats happening in Lansing. The Griffon was the first European ship ever to sail the Great Lakes. 3 Griffon Vulture Amazing Facts. Order from www.seawolfcommunications.com or call them at 630-293-8996. by Anonymous - Website User Guide La Salle whose full name was the noble-sounding Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Sallewasnt aboard the Griffon. Shipwreck explorers, Jim Kennard and Roger Pawlowski located the shipwreck utilizing a high resolution Rochester, New York The battered remains of the Canadian schooner Ocean Wave, which capsized and eventually sank from a sudden and violent squall, has been found in the depths of Lake Ontario. [10] The vessel carried anchors, chain, guns, cordage, and cable for Le Griffon, as well as supplies and provisions for the anticipated journey. Pictured: Images of the 2018 dive on a wreck found in 2018 near Poverty Island, Lake Michigan. While they recognize that conclusive evidence has not been found, the evidence that has been found there fits with what is known of the history of that time and they postulate that if Le Griffon is found elsewhere, that would deepen the mystery of the find by Cullis.[22]. MICHIGAN -- Le Griffon, a well known shipthat sunk inLake Michigan during the 17th century, has been hiding at the depths of the lake for more than 300 years. The Griffon was built by La Salle near Niagara Falls and was the first ship to sail on the upper Great Lakes. It would be busted up, she said. Le Griffon (French pronunciation:[l if], The Griffin) was a sailing vessel built by Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in 1679. Now after more than 40 years of searching, Charlevoix diver Steve Libert says hes 99.99% sure he found the answer, and he tells how in a new book. Decking, permanent masts, and bearing a name are a few of the criteria one might use. Wood can break up. Until there is an expedition (to the site) with politically unaligned professionals, I will not weigh in one way or another, said Vrana, whose nonprofit group has consulted with Libert. Marie. "If you take the picture of the carving of the griffon and overlay it on what these gentleman have, it's very compelling," Porter said. Thirty Mile Point is an established location and fits better with the rest of the narrative. La Salle offered Hennepin the honor of driving the first spike, but Hennepin deferred to his leader. All Rights Reserved. The divers said they found Le Griffon in 2011, but are just announcing the discovery because they were consulting experts to confirm it. The ship was a work of art, featuring a majestic griffin (half lion, half eagle) figurehead on its front and an eagle on its stern. Beckwith's conclusion was that he chose one of his existing vessels, one of about ten tons burden, for sending the first group of men to Niagara. He recounts his hunt and discovery in Le Griffon and the Huron Islands, 1679 (Mission Point Press), written with his wife. In September 1679, French explorers loaded the boat with furs and left Green Bay. I have spent over 42 years searching for this most sought-after historic vessel.. The Liberts' book, Le Griffon and the Huron Islands 1679: Our Story of Exploration and Discovery, is available via Amazon for 24.69. The Griffin disappeared returning from its maiden voyage in 1679 and was last seen struggling in a storm near what is now Washington Island in Wisconsin. Carbon dating of the bowsprit places suggests an age range within a year of the sinking. NY 10036. All rights reserved (About Us). Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The griffin (also called gryphon, gryphen, griffon, griffen, and gryphin), is a legendary creature.It has the head, front legs, and wings of an eagle.The rest of the body looks like a part of a lion.. While the journals of Tonti, Hennepin, and LeClercq (participants with La Salle) do mention a little vessel of 10 tons, none of them apply a name to it. On its way back to Niagara from Green Bay, the Griffon disappeared with its entire crew and valuable cargo of furs commencing the centuries-long quest to discover its fate. Acknowledging that French archeologists side with Libert, she asks what they know about Native American fishing practices. Le Griffon. He says that the ship must have been caught in a four-day storm, where the ship part found farther away would have broken off due to a powerful storm. About 1,500 shipwreckshave been found on the bottom of Lake Michigan, Anderson said, and it's unclear whether this one is the Griffin. La Salle's prime focus in 1678 was building Le Griffon. Because his second account has numerous exaggerations and cases where he credits himself for things that La Salle had done, Hennepin's first account is considered more reliable. [citation needed], A female Native informant who was of the tribe foiled the plans of hostile Senecas to burn Le Griffon as she grew on her stocks. Le Griffon was the first ship of thousands to disappear in our upper Great Lakes, Libert, president of Great Lakes Exploration Group LLC, told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. On its way back to Niagarafrom Green Bay, the Griffon disappeared with its entire crew and valuable cargo of furs commencing the centuries-long quest to discover its fate. His conclusion: The remains of the ship Le Griffon in French sank in shallow water in the Huron Islands of northern Lake Michigan, northeast of Green Bay, Wisconsin, with the loss of all the crew members aboard. Only then did the Liberts and the Great Lakes Exploration Group discover that the bowsprit was separate from the remainder of the vessel. They reached Niagara again on 14 January. Heres the backstory as Libert tells it: LaSalle built the Griffon as his flagship upriver from Niagara Falls, probably on what is now the Canadian side of the Niagara River. A big Beckham birthday! Eric Freedman is professor of journalism and former associate dean of International Studies and Programs. It was built with the intention of finding a route across the Great Lakes of North America to reach China and Japan. It would be busted up, she said. Its true fate remains a mystery, though it's commonly believed that the ship may have foundered in a storm or been scuttled by a mutinous crew. Unless the Legislature acts, local taxpayers would then be saddled with those expenses. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Lawrence. In the Great Lakes region, there may be no older and more intriguing historical mystery than the 1679 disappearance of the Griffon, one of French explorer Robert La Salles ships. The first full-size cargo ship to sail the inner Great Lakes, Le Griffon was built by explorer Robert de La Salle in 1679. But the ship vanished while delivering a valuable cargo of furs, amid rumours that she had been cursed by a prophet from the Iroquois tribe. We have been on the hunt for over 40 years systematically ferreting out the locations of this widely scattered wreck, he says, referring to his wife, Kathie, and himself. "When we had it looked at, they [the archaeologists] could tell that the nail was very old," Dykstra said. 'Michel was spot on when he said the main body of the wreck would be within four miles of the bowsprit. Maritime historians best guess, she says, is that it sank between Beaver Island and the southern coast of the Upper Peninsula, possibly within sight of shore between what are now Manistique and Naubinway. According to Father Louis Hennepin, one of them was caught in a violent storm and never survived, notedthe Daily Mail. It would no longer exist. [1][4], The short open-water season of the upper Great Lakes compelled La Salle to depart for Green Bay on 12 September, five days before Tonti's return. Alpena County reference. The Ruppell's griffon vulture is Critically Endangered. That evidence? He teaches environmental journalism and serves as director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. Tests on the ship part are dated to 1679; close to a year, dating of the wreck is 1632 to 1982. A ship in shallow water gets beat up quickly. It was built by the French explorer Ren Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, with a view to finding a route through the lakes to China and Japan. Alex Murdaugh Trial Ends with Guilty Verdict, Life in Prison Sentence; Ex-Lawyer's Court Exit Caught on Video, Russia-Ukraine War: Russian Diplomat Claims Ukraine War Was Launched Against Us, Sparks Laughter from Crowd, G20 India Leadership Says PM Modi's Stance on Ukraine Is Valid Despite Dissent, Cindy McCain Appointed as New Head of UN World Food Program, Promises To Address Global Humanitarian Needs, PLA Air Force J-11 Fighter Intercepts US Patrol Aircraft in the South China Monitoring Chinese Military, Japan Facing Major Population Headache as Birth Rate Plummets Again. The Griffon, built in 1679, sank that same year somewhere in the Great Lakes. La Salle never saw Le Griffon again. An Indian prophet called Metiomek of the Iroquois said legend had cursed the ship before it left; he told its owner La Salle it would sink deep water. Inside Prince Harry's finances from when he met Meghan Markle to landing 100M with Netflix and book Spare Royally hard work! Many explorers have claimed to havefound Le Griffon in the past, but Dykstra and Monroe are the only ones who've foundan actual ship wreck. Libert added the wooden timbers of the ship show no evidence of damage done by fire. A 'cursed' shipwreck which sank almost 350 years ago has been identified in one of North America's Great Lakes, bringing to an end a maritime mystery. From there they struck out across the lake toward the mouth of the Niagara River. When he and Monroe later reviewed the video, they realized it might be the Griffin. Many authors since Mansfield have followed suit. Where are the cannons? But, the Liberts say her final. "An expedition of historic significance: the search for the elusive, "France claims historic Great Lakes wreck", "Great Lakes Exploration Group, France and Michigan Establish Cooperative Agreement For Shipwreck Exploration", "Divers begin Lake Michigan search for Griffin ship", "Griffin Shipwreck: Wooden Beam Not Attached To Buried Vessel, Researchers Say", "Explorer says Griffin shipwreck may be found", "Treasure hunters find mysterious shipwreck in Lake Michigan", "Four reasons why the Frankfort-area shipwreck can't be the Griffin", "Le Griffon: The Great Lakes' greatest mystery", "If you are in need of a mystery, here is a historic puzzle: What happened to La Salle's Griffon? The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque. Libert says the evidence hes amassed pinpoints where the wreckage of the 40- to 45-ton ship now rests: in shallow water near Poverty Island and Summer Island. Every one of these shipwreck hunters finds a bone pile and claims its the Griffon.. Original article on Live Science. According to legend, natives even cursed the ship. In 2011, Michigan-based treasure hunters Kevin Dykstra and Frederick Monroe found a shipwreck as they were searching for the $2 million in gold that, according to local legend, fell from a ferry. He continued exploring the Mississippi River until his murder in Texas in 1687. The two men did not bring up the nail on purpose, and they plan to return it to the state, said Dean Anderson, the state archaeologist for Michigan. University Hospitals receives $10 million donation from Ahuja family to support community health center, reach underserved populations, Rousing The Choir of Man makes it a memorable reopening night at Playhouse Square, RTA receives no workable proposals for new railcars, will start search over, Paddleboards and kayaks suddenly in high demand amid supply chain shortage, Cleveland resident accused of starting fire at REBol during downtown riots May 30. Images of the severely dilapidated wreckage show it lying on the bed of Lake Michigan, This image shows the ship's keelson - the structure which fastens a ship's floor timbers to its keel. While they were at times fitted with mast and sails, their primary propulsion was either oars or poles. [18] Steve and Kathie Libert have since published a book, Le Griffon and the Huron Islands - 1679: Our Story of Exploration and Discovery (Mission Point Press, 2021). Rochester, New York - The wreckage of the schooner Atlas which sank in 1839 during a gale has been located in Lake Ontario. Darkness like a cloud is ready to envelop you. Some say La Salle made multiple trips, especially after the spring thaw. Related Article:Adolf Hitler's Lost German U-Boat Allegedly Has Dead Nazis Aboard Along With Gold, Treasure, Get HNGN's Top Stories Newsletter Everyweek. Maritime historians best guess, she says, is that it sank between Beaver Island and the southern coast of the Upper Peninsula, possibly within sight of shore between what are now Manistique and Naubinway. Several historical and genealogical references show Griffin making such journeys in 1633 and 1634. Richard Gross. It dragged anchor and ran aground near Thirty Mile Point on Lake Ontario, where it broke apart. Shipwreck of the SS American Star. [1][4] The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known. State archaeologists reviewed the footage, and "They've been very diligent to say, 'This is really interesting; these are some neat pictures,'" Dykstra said. A shipwreck is the remains of a ship that has been wrecked. Dykstra said he took photos of old cannons, a sword, and the griffin sculpture, evidence he says reveals the wreck and itsmissing secrets. Their mission was to begin selecting a site for the construction of Le Griffon and to erect necessary structures for shelter, storage, and defense. An infamous 'cursed' ship that disappeared more than 340 years ago has been found. "[5] He also says that at Fort Frontenac in 1676, La Salle "laid the keels of the vessels which he depended on to frighten the English. She says American marine archaeologists concluded that what Libert claims is the bowsprit was beyond a doubt part of a Native American fishing trap. The cargo of furs, estimated at up to $12,000 in value nearly $900,000 (640,000) in today's money likely went to the depths with her. On September 18, 1679, the bark Griffon was sent back toward Fort Frontenac (a French trading post and military fort at the mouth of the Cataraqui River where the St. Lawrence River leaves Lake Ontario). On its return trip from the island, said to be located in the mouth of the body of water which is now known as Green Bay, it vanished with all six crew members and its load of furs. "It's very difficult to access a wreck based on photo and film footage," Anderson said. Is Joe Biden Sick? In January of 1679, the Griffon's building party arrived at the mouth of Cayuga Creek on the Niagara River (about a mile from my high school) where the ship would be built. The widely referenced antique woodcutting of Le Griffon shows her with two masts but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque with a single mast with several square sails and 30 to 40 feet (9.1 to 12.2m) long with a 10-to-15-foot (3.0 to 4.6m) beam. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He continued exploring the Mississippi River until his murder in Texas in 1687. [1][4], La Salle found some of the 15 men he sent ahead from Fort Frontenac to trade with the Illinois but they had listened to La Salle's enemies who said he would never reach the Straits of Mackinac. They are schooners, freighters, steamships, tugs and fishing boats, and thanks to the cold, fresh water, many of them are perfectly preserved.
