"It's the holy grail of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.". Le Griffon mysteriously went missing in 1679 and no one knows what happened between the time it was last seen until it was discovered three years ago, Libert said. Le Griffon launched August 7, 1679 from Cayuga Island (Niagara Falls, NY). Steve Libert diving on the ship in 2018. Shipwreck explorers Jim Kennard, Roger Pawlowski and A group of maritime history enthusiasts have the announced the discovery of the schooners Peshtigo and St. Andrews, lost in 1878 in northern Lake Michigan. But members of the Potawatomi tribe brought pieces of the ship to the explorer, including some moldy beaver furs and a pair of sailor's britches, said Baillod, who translated La Salle's journal from French to English. 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. The comments below have not been moderated. La Salle's prime focus in 1678 was building Le Griffon. 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. Or the Jesuits had something to do with the disappearance. Spartan Newsroom 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. 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. [Disasters at Sea: 6 Deadliest Shipwrecks]. 2 is a much sought after shipwreck. [4] They were navigating Le Griffon through uncharted waters that only canoes had previously explored. [1][4], The site La Salle had selected for building Le Griffon has conclusively been identified as at or near the mouth of Cayuga Creek, at Cayuga Island. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Scholastic, Popular Science and Spectrum, a site on autism research. [1][4] Using sonar, two treasure hunters found the remains of a shipwreck in Lake Michigan. La Salle and Father Louis Hennepin set out on the ship during its maiden voyage on August 7am , 1969 along with a crew of 32. LANSING Historical mysteries may take decades, even centuries, to solve if ever. A ship in shallow water gets beat up quickly. Justin Windsor notes that Count Frontenac by 1 August 1673, "had already ordered the construction of a vessel on Ontario to be used as an auxiliary force to Fort Frontenac. Le Griffon is considered by some to be the "holy grail of Great Lakes Shipwrecks" largely because it was the first sailing ship to cruise the Great Lakes. [4] Some charged fur traders, and even Jesuits with her destruction. He recounts his hunt and discovery in Le Griffon and the Huron Islands, 1679 (Mission Point Press), written with his wife. It was the first big ship to sail the Great Lakes. He teaches environmental journalism and serves as director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. At 42.5 inches tall, the "Pisa Griffin" is the largest bronze medieval Islamic sculpture on the planet and was made in the 11th Century CE. (Image: Great Lakes Exploration Group via Pen News) The wreck was found near Poverty Island on Lake Michigan, almost 350 years after it vanished. The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque. "When we had it looked at, they [the archaeologists] could tell that the nail was very old," Dykstra said. [1][4], Father Hennepin wrote that Le Griffon was lost in a violent storm. When the wind suddenly veered to the southeast they changed course to avoid Presque Isle. He also teaches public affairs reporting, international journalism, feature writing and media law and serves as director of the schools Capital News Service. [In Photos: Arctic Shipwreck Solves 170-Year-Old Mystery]. [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. Steve Libert, from the Great Lakes Exploration Group, said he is 99.9% certain . [1] The French flag flew above the cabin placed on top of the main deck that was elevated above the hull. About 30 adventurers have claimed to have found the Griffin, usually by happenstance, Baillod said. The griffin is featured on one side of coins minted in Abdera, Greece. One of the most intriguing is that the wreckage of the Griffon may have been found nearly 100 years ago but went unrecognized. The unrest of the Seneca and dissatisfied workmen were continually incited by secret agents of merchants and traders who feared La Salle would break their monopoly on the fur trade. They concluded it was likely a bowsprit dating from a ship hundreds of years old, although some think it was a common pound net stake used for fishing nets in the 19th century. A ship in shallow water gets beat up quickly. There's no way," Henriksen said. I thought, I gotta find this ship. The story my history teacher proceeded to tell immediately caught my full attention and like most young men, stirred the imagination of early exploration in an unknown country. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 1. Le Griffon set off on 7 August with unfurled sails, a 34-man crew, and a salute from her cannon and musketry. [1][4], On noon of 25 August they started out northwest with a favoring northerly wind. 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). This was a "great bark" (Hennepin's words) of about 20 tons burden[8] although Tonti's journal says this was a 40-ton vessel. "I didn't go down there with the expectation of seeing a shipwreck I can tell you that," Dykstra told Live Science. 'She will sink beneath the deep waters and your blood shall stain the hands of those in whom you trusted!'. To skeptics who doubt Liberts identification of the wreckage, he responds, The clues are there., Van Heest says the books account of the expedition from the Niagara River to Lake Michigan has the facts down, but once we get to the story of the supposed bowsprit it all falls apart because its not a bowsprit.. 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. We asked the experts - and their answers will terrify you Five unexpected signs in your 20s and 30s you're at risk of developing heart disease later in life. The British steamship Nisbet Grammer, the largest steel steamer to have foundered in Lake Ontario has been discovered by a team of shipwreck explorers. She says American marine archaeologists concluded that what Libert claims is the bowsprit was beyond a doubt part of a Native American fishing trap. It would be busted up, she said. His wishes and hopes to find the legendary ship were all granted when he, his wife Kathie, and a group of others discovered it on Sept. 10, 2018 in upper Lake Michigan. the griffon shipwreck facts Western Dental Careers September 20, 2021 | 0 September 20, 2021 | 0 Cruise-goers reveal their most terrifying incidents at sea - from watching a ferocious Do YOU know your Adam and Eve from your Ruby Murray? 'The distance of 3.8 miles between the bowsprit and main sections highly suggests the Indians did not sink it either, nor did La Salle's men mutiny and sink the ship. It would be busted up, she said. Around 4:00pm the Shannon passed Oswego light and headed out into the lake. 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]. Several historical and genealogical references show Griffin making such journeys in 1633 and 1634. [21], There has yet to be any consensus regarding the location of the shipwreck of Le Griffon. The Griffin, which disappeared on its maiden voyage in 1679, has been called the 'holy grail' for shipwreck hunters probing North America's Great Lakes. He was planning to map the Great Lakes, initially thinking they might be a connecting gateway to the Orient. The Griffin sank to the murky depths of. The first full-size cargo ship to sail the inner Great Lakes, Le Griffon was built by explorer Robert de La Salle in 1679. Green and Ken Vrana, the principal of Maritime Heritage Consulting, advocate an independent assessment by professionals. Van Heest responds, Most people that are not dreamers say that for it to still exist, it must be in deep water not affected by ice and storms.. It takes nine months for the puppies to reach the adult weight and can take up to one and a half years for larger dogs to achieve adult weight. Majestic, strong, and imbued with magic, the griffin is a common heraldic symbol which joins the lion's valor with the eagle's elegance. Kids Encyclopedia Facts. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to Wakey Wakey! Others say he did not return to Niagara until July. Francis Parkman says that by 1677, "four vessels of 25 to 40 tons had been built for the lake Ontario and the river St. They come in contact with the important newsmakers of the day, from the Supreme Court justices and the governor to members of the Legislature and the people who run the state government departments, to lobbyists and public-interest organizations. The Liberts' book, Le Griffon and the Huron Islands 1679: Our Story of Exploration and Discovery, is available via Amazon for 24.69. A ship that was 'cursed' by native tribesmen has been identified nearly 350 years after it vanished, solving one of America's oldest and most notorious maritime mysteries. While smaller canoes were used on rivers and streams, lake canoes were more commonly larger vessels measuring up to about 35 feet (11m) long. [8], Meanwhile, La Salle and Henri de Tonti, had departed Fort Frontenac in a second vessel some days after La Motte and Hennepin. Loaded with furs in what's now Wisconsin, the Griffon was said to have sunk somewhere in northern Lake Michigan in 1679. 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. Libert said some theories are supposed to explain what happened to the vessel. - News and information from student journalists at the Michigan State University School of Journalism, About the Michigan State University School of Journalism, Michigan Chile Investigative Journalism Program, MSU journalism COVID-related reporting guidelines, Upcoming court ruling could impact trial court funding as deadline approaches, Why does your vote matter? He then charged La Motte with salvage by use of canoes. If it exists in the physical world, we think it will be there in deep water, she says. [4] La Salle had instructed Hennepin and La Motte to go 75 miles (120km) into wilderness in knee-deep snow on an embassy to the great village of the Seneca tribe, bringing gifts and promises in order to obtain their good will to build "the big canoe" (Le Griffon), but many tribal members did not approve. Divers and shipwreck enthusiasts have spent years trying to piece together clues from the ship's last days to. Thedetails of their findwere recorded in a 2021 book that chronicled their finding of the mysterious wreck. It's a 300-year-old mystery that Carlson and his diving partner, Steve Libert, are determined to solve. Every one of these shipwreck hunters finds a bone pile and claims its the Griffon.. She was the largest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes up to that time. 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The bowsprit is thespar running out from the bow (front) of a ship), He said: 'My interest began the day my teacher reached over and touched my shoulder, and said out loud in class, "maybe one day, someone in this class will find it. The Atlas may be the oldest confirmed commercial schooner discovered in the Great Lakes. La Salle gave instructions for Le Griffon to off-load merchandise for him at Mackinac that would be picked up on the return trip. La Salle decided to stay behind with four canoes to explore the head of Lake Michigan. The ship left Conneaut for Port Stanley, Ontario in late morning on Dec. 7, 1909 with a captain and . ", La Salle sailed the Griffon through the Great Lakesand crossed into Lake Michigan in an effort to reach the mouth of the Mississippi River, Baillod said. [1] The tumultuous sound of Le Griffon's cannons so amazed the Native Americans that the Frenchmen were able to sleep at ease for the first time in months when they anchored off shore. La Salle never saw the Griffin again. B. Mansfield reported that this "excited the deepest emotions of the Indian tribes, then occupying the shores of these inland waters". Now, more than 335 years later, the wreck of the Griffon has not definitively been found. Its fate has been a puzzlement for maritime historians for more than three and a half centuries. Bateaux were also common. There the crew ignored a warning from local Native Americans not to sail into the lake from the safe harbor at Washington Island because of high wind danger from a massive storm. [1], Upon Le Griffon's safe arrival at St. Ignace, the voyagers fired a salute from her deck that the Hurons on shore volleyed three times with their firearms. It vanished while loaded with furs and other trade goods gathered in Lake Michigan after the captain ordered it return towards Niagara. The Griffin, a large ship built by Frenchman Rene Robert Cavalli, disappeared on its maiden voyage some 343 years ago. The Griffin - or Le Griffon - was a sailing ship built on the Niagara River in the 1670s French explorer Robert de La Salle hoped to use it to find the Northwest Passage to China and Japan It. Valerie van Heest, a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association, says, There have been 30 or more discoveries of the Griffon dating back to early 1800s. More than 100 Native American bark canoes gathered around Le Griffon to look at the "big wood canoe". 'But we can systematically search the bottom using non-intrusive techniques and remote sensing devices for conclusive diagnostic evidence. Ive seen dozens and dozens of 100- to 150-year-old ships, and that is not a 350-year-old ship. [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). The figurehead likely isn't the remains of a griffin, he said, but a "big encrustation of zebra mussels," on burned wood. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. On 6 December, they landed safely on the east bank of the river at about where Lewiston, New York is today. We apologize to Great Lakes Exploration Group for any confusion this may have caused. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook& Google+. Usually depicted as half lion and half eagle, this ancient beast is more than the sum of its parts. But, the Liberts say her final. 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. [4] La Salle dressed in a scarlet cloak bordered with lace and a highly plumed cap, laid aside his arms in charge of a sentinel and attended mass with his crew in the chapel of the Ottawas and then made a visit of ceremony with the chiefs. Mr Libert said: 'There are numerous theories as to what happened to The Griffin. The Griffin is used as the symbol for Brisbane Waters Secondary College on the Central Coast of New . 'The Christian Indian's curse rests on you and on your great canoe. La Salle whose full name was the noble-sounding Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Sallewasnt aboard the Griffon. It would be awesome if true, she says, a story shed love the museum to be able to tell visitors, with the aura of amateur treasure-hunting and Indiana Jones. (Image credit: Father Louis Hennepin Public Domain ). He was more successful in securing the Indians' tolerance of his proposed "big canoe" and support buildings. A bowsprit is the spar that extends forward from the bow. Ghost Ship of the Great Lakes: With Josh Gates, Joan Forsberg, Brendon Baillod, Greg Busch. Great Lakes Exploration Group is not connected to this story or Kevin Dykstra and Frederick Monroe. Acknowledging that French archeologists side with Libert, she asks what they know about Native American fishing practices. The Griffin shipwreck at the bottom of Lake Michigan. Below Niagara Falls: first ships on Lake Ontario. 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. 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.