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. He noted that the wreck is near the western Michigan coast, not near Beaver Island, the area mentioned in La Salle's journal. [4] She had the figure of a griffin mounted on her jib-boom and an eagle flying above. "When we had it looked at, they [the archaeologists] could tell that the nail was very old," Dykstra said. The griffin was a favourite decorative motif in the ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean lands. Around 4:00pm the Shannon passed Oswego light and headed out into the lake. It is not clear if the ship had advanced west after the departure of La Salle and Tonti. The nonprofit was created in 1997 and remains the longest running film festival in Michigan. Most often described as a 45-ton barque, Le Griffon is considered the first full-sized sailing ship to ply the upper Great Lakes. [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). According to Mr and Mrs Libert, The Griffin is a good match for wreckage found in 2018 near Poverty Island, Lake Michigan. She carried a cargo of furs valued at from 50,000 to 60,000 francs ($10,000 $12,000) and the rigging and anchors for another vessel that La Salle intended to build to find passage to the West Indies. Originally searching for lost gold, Kevin Dykstra and Frederick Monroe believe to have foundwhat more than 20 explorersclaim to be the first shipwreck ever to sail Lake Michigan. The first full-size cargo ship to sail the inner Great Lakes, Le Griffon was built by explorer Robert de La Salle in 1679. They believe the carving is of a mythical creature known as a griffon, half lion and half eagle. State archaeologists reviewed the footage, and "They've been very diligent to say, 'This is really interesting; these are some neat pictures,'" Dykstra said. Prince Harry shares struggles to be his 'authentic true self' growing up, saying he felt pressures to 'come As Prince Harry says he felt like the film 'the boy in the bubble' before having therapy, who was What will the next pandemic be? The photographer was an archaeologist working on the project. LANSING Historical mysteries may take decades, even centuries, to solve if ever. 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. 'It is just a matter of time before we achieve our goal. 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. 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. Some time later, Hennepin would use this little vessel to sail to Fort Frontenac and again back to Niagara. In Photos: Arctic Shipwreck Solves 170-Year-Old Mystery, 'Runaway' black hole the size of 20 million suns found speeding through space with a trail of newborn stars behind it, 'Unreal' auroras cover Earth in stunning photo taken by NASA astronaut. La Belle was the ship of French explorer La Salle, lost at Matagorda Bay in 1686. Heres how it works. [1][4], Father Hennepin wrote that Le Griffon was lost in a violent storm. He recounts his hunt and discovery in Le Griffon and the Huron Islands, 1679 (Mission Point Press), written with his wife. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Excellence in Education Award Nominations. Some say that this vessel was named the Frontenac, while others say the other vessel used on La Salle's expedition was Frontenac. Divers and shipwreck enthusiasts have spent years trying to piece together clues from the ship's last days to. The wreck lies in Lake Michigan. In this article, the word "ship" is used in its broader sense, not in the technical sense of referring to a vessel with three or more masts rigged with square sails. Hennepin's journal says 32 leagues (converts to 96 miles (154km)), but his figure is an estimate made while snowshoing through the country. Zebra mussels cover what may be a griffin on the bow of the ship. 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. CNS correspondents cover all aspects of Michigan state government. But, the Liberts say her final. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook& Google+. Since its disappearance in 1679, the Griffon has taken on a mythic air. Wherever the Griffon is, if its in deep water somewhere, there are cannons near it, she says. The loss of the Griffon is one of the great mysteries of the Great Lakes. According to historical sources, the vessel left England carrying packs of clothing and private trade on its way to Canton, China where it was loaded with cargo composed mostly of tea. ', 'The Seneca were in awe of the French for having built such a large canoe. "Can we call this the Griffin? Le Griffon is considered by some to have been the first ship lost on the Great Lakes. He then charged La Motte with salvage by use of canoes. The ship disappeared 343 years back on its maiden launch without a trace. 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. Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News. While frozen rivers made traveling easy, finding food was not. "That was kind of telling to us that the ship probably weathered a storm; otherwise, there would probably be a rudder on it.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Biden Student Loan Forgiveness Plan To Be Weighed By US Supreme Court, San Antonio Couple Allegedly Trained Their Dogs To Be Aggressive Before Air Force Veteran Gets Mauled to Death, Hungary Says Sweden Is Spreading Fake News Concerning Budapest Will Not Help Its NATO Bid, Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval-Ariana Madix Split: Raquel Leviss Admits Doing 1 Thing Amid Affair Rumors. Somewhere near present-day Toronto they were frozen in and had to chop their way out of the ice. There is reason, however, to question his assertion. Alpena County reference. The Griffin - 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. The Griffon was the first European ship ever to sail the Great Lakes. Some sources confuse the two vessels. Green and Ken Vrana, the principal of Maritime Heritage Consulting, advocate an independent assessment by professionals. (Wikipedia) The age could have proved if the plank came. 2023 www.lenconnect.com. 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. Some are thousands of years old. Capital News Services articles may be reprinted exclusively by subscribing media organizations. They fly at an altitude of 4,900 and 11,500 feet. 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. 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. 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. Experts suspect the ship was lost as a consequence of a severe storm. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Le Griffon and the Huron Islands 1649: Our Story of Exploration and Discovery. The photos were taken in 1997 from the roof of the cofferdam that surrounded the ship and kept it in a semi-dry environment. While they were at times fitted with mast and sails, their primary propulsion was either oars or poles. But other experts aren't convinced that the wreck is the Griffin. Do not reproduce without permission. Widely considered the Holy Grail of undiscovered Great Lakes shipwrecks, the Griffon carried no treasure, nor anything. Brooklyn celebrates turning 24 by heading out in Paris with wife Nicola Peltz and Nicola Peltz's fans question if 'feud' with mother-in-law Victoria Beckham is REALLY over as she posts Supermarkets strip vape device from stores after being found to be at least 50 per cent over legal nicotine Tragedies of Everest: The adventurers forever frozen in ice after losing their lives scaling the world's 'Why the last-minute delay?' The uneasy truce with the Indians was tested by threats and attempts of sabotage and murder. Every one of these shipwreck hunters finds a bone pile and claims its the Griffon.. Enter the text you see in the image below. They were open vessels (no deck) made of wood measuring up to about 35 feet (11m) long and capable of carrying three or four tons of cargo. The ship was lost in the depths of northern Lake Michigan over 300 years ago. We hear from the Association of Counties, state court administrator and the president, from Gratiot County, of the Michigan Judges Association. By Michael Havis and Harry Howard For Mailonline, Published: 12:24 GMT, 16 June 2021 | Updated: 13:02 GMT, 16 June 2021. It's the only artifact so far to be brought back from the ship wreck. The nail, which has since been observed by historians, is believed to have been on the ship at the time of it's disappearance, being hauled for building purposes. The Wilhelm Gustloff (1945): The deadliest shipwreck in history On January 30, 1945, some 9,000 people perished aboard this German ocean liner after it was torpedoed by a Soviet submarine and . once I broke the surface. Le Griffon. "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? [notes 5][pageneeded] When La Salle heard of the loss (through a messenger or one of the natives), he left Niagara and joined in the salvage effort. 1. He was 43. So, if the Griffons final resting place isnt where Libert believes it to be, where is it? [8], Progress on Le Griffon was fraught with problems. La Salle was convinced that the pilot and crew treacherously sank her and made off with the goods. Some say Le Griffon was named for Count Frontenac whose coat of arms was ornamented with the mythical griffin. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. [1] The French flag flew above the cabin placed on top of the main deck that was elevated above the hull. Le Griffon Shipwreck. There are three acceptable English spellings of the word: griffin, griffon and gryphon. They made their way north and west to Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron where they were becalmed until noon of 25 August. We have corrected the story and replaced it with video and pictures that belong to FOX 17 News and Kevin Dykstra. 'We are confident the ship was wrecked due to a severe storm. ", 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. The Ruppell's griffon vulture is Critically Endangered. Ghost Ship of the Great Lakes: With Josh Gates, Joan Forsberg, Brendon Baillod, Greg Busch. Having lost needed supplies, La Salle left the building of Le Griffon under Tonti's care, and set out on foot to return to Fort Frontenac. Steve Libert diving on the ship in 2018. Other experts insist Liberts absolutely wrong. She was the largest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes up to that time. The Griffin shipwreck at the bottom of 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. 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. On 8 January 1679, the pilot and crew decided to spend the night ashore where they could light a fire and sleep in some warmth. [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. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). According to Father Louis Hennepin, one of them was caught in a violent storm and never survived, notedthe Daily Mail. It's a 300-year-old mystery that Carlson and his diving partner, Steve Libert, are determined to solve. the griffon shipwreck facts Western Dental Careers September 20, 2021 | 0 September 20, 2021 | 0 General Ubilla's New Spain Fleet was composed of: 1 - The Capitana, Nuestra Seora de Regla, San Dimas y San Francisco Javier (Presumably a galleon). ", 'Fifty-one years later, I am still intrigued by this story.'. 'She will sink beneath the deep waters and your blood shall stain the hands of those in whom you trusted!'. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Is Joe Biden Sick? The bowsprit is seen here sticking out of the bed of Lake Michigan, The Liberts are prevented by the State of Michigan from conducting an in-depth excavation of the wreck site, Mr Libert said: 'It is just a matter of time before we achieve our goal. One of the most intriguing is that the wreckage of the Griffon may have been found nearly 100 years ago but went unrecognized. But the sinking was caused by a storm is the best explanation. La Salle and Father Louis Hennepin set out on the Le Griffon's maiden voyage on August 7, 1679 with a crew of 32, sailing across Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan through uncharted waters that only canoes had previously explored. No villain can mess with the griffin! MARIE, CHEBOYGAN AND ALL POINTS. Editor's Note:In our original version of this story, we inadvertently used video that belonged to Great Lakes Exploration Group, LLC. La Salle never saw the Griffin again. The Griffin - 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.. It would no longer exist. Possibly a cannon, hopefully with the date stamped on it.' [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. They were concerned for their safety in as much that they tried to burn the ship during construction. Addressing his problems long delayed his return to the expedition. The ship disappeared 343 years back on its maiden launch without a trace. Decking, permanent masts, and bearing a name are a few of the criteria one might use. [4] They entered Lake St. Clair on 12 August, the feast day of Saint Clare of Assisi, and named the lake after her. Join the discussion, Playing Nov. 3-10: East Lansing Film Festivals silver anniversary. Despite photos from several underwater dives, it's still unclear whether the wreck is the 1679 French Griffin. 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. But the wreckage suggests that The Griffin was lost in a storm. A bowsprit is the spar that extends forward from the bow. 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. Libert added the wooden timbers of the ship show no evidence of damage done by fire. It was another vessel used by La Salle and Tonti, however, that was the first loss on 8 January 1679. [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. But Dykstra and Monroe said they'll wait until they hear the final word. Most of the ship remnants were in shallow, not deep water makes the other claims inaccurate. That evidence? He put ashore near present-day Rochester, New York, and arrived at Tagarondies very shortly after La Motte and Hennepin had left. On the evening of 10th November 1975, Edmund Fitzgerald sank around 17 miles north-northwest of Whitefish Point, Michigan. That evidence? Local shipwreck explorer Valerie van Heest spent a week on Manitoulin Island in August of 2018 searching for Le Griffon. Ever since I was a junior high schooler in Dayton, Ohio, Ive been interested in this ship, Libert said. 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. [4] Some charged fur traders, and even Jesuits with her destruction. Lost after 350 years, the cursed ship, The Griffin, went on a voyage that became one of the most legendary disappearances solved in modern times. Griffin was the name of a 17th-century ship known to have sailed between England and English settlements in Massachusetts. Original article on Live Science. Certainly not not without a lot more information but these are very compelling. by | Jun 6, 2022 | ephesus elementary school principal | kristen modafferi kristin smart | Jun 6, 2022 | ephesus elementary school principal | kristen modafferi kristin smart Where are the cannons? [citation needed]. They were trying to chart a path from Great Lakes in North America to China and Japan if a route is there. The divers said they found Le Griffon in 2011, but are just announcing the discovery because they were consulting experts to confirm it. The 1633 journey left from Downs, England and landed at Plymouth in Plymouth Colony on September 3. The book's title, Le Griffon and the Huron Islands 1679 , indicates the importance the couple places on understanding the location of the Huron Islands in their search. La Salle offered Hennepin the honor of driving the first spike, but Hennepin deferred to his leader. The Le Griffon was discovered in Sept. 2018 after going missing in 1679.Steven Libert. Megan SampTickets can be bought online or at Studio C in Okemos. Moreover, Baillod said he hasn't heard of anyone looking for the Griffin near the Beaver Island archipelago, which is likely the area mentioned in La Salle's journal, Baillod said. However, the ferocity of the gale forced them to retreat windward and lie-to until morning. They may be deliberate or accidental. Updated. 'The imagery depicted the keelson and frames,' he said. La Salle seized two of the deserters and sent Tonti with six men to arrest two more at Sault Ste. Laura is the archaeology/history and Life's Little Mysteries editor at Live Science. 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. WHITEFISH POINT, MICH.- The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) is proud to announce the discovery of the 292-foot Whaleback vessel, Barge 129. The cursed shipwreck, the 'Griffin,' is an incredible find with the history and the tales associated with it till now. Tornadoes Hit Central US; Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus Ohio Brace For Intense Weather. The straight-line distance is about 75 miles (121km). The Liberts' book, Le Griffon and the Huron Islands 1679: Our Story of Exploration and Discovery, is available via Amazon for 24.69. 'La Salle was certain that the captain and his men committed mutiny, sank the ship and absconded with all the furs. French explorer Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle built the Griffin in 1679, but it was lost in Lake Michiganthe same year. Great Lakes Exploration Group is not connected to this story or Kevin Dykstra and Frederick Monroe. La Salle and Father Louis Hennepin set out on Le Griffon's maiden voyage on 7 August 1679 with a crew of 32, sailing across Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan through uncharted waters that only canoes had previously explored. On 6 December, they landed safely on the east bank of the river at about where Lewiston, New York is today. Kingsford says it was either contrary wind or they were becalmed. And, as the curse foretold, La Salle was later murdered during a 1687 expedition by a member of his party. The Griffon was built by La Salle near Niagara Falls and was the first ship to sail on the upper Great Lakes. Several historical and genealogical references show Griffin making such journeys in 1633 and 1634. "[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. Test yourself with this Cockney Rhyming Slang quiz. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) A debris field at the bottom of Lake Michigan may be the remains of the long-lost Griffin, a vessel commanded by a 17th-century French explorer, said a shipwreck . They were driven northwesterly until the evening of 27 August when under a light southerly breeze they finally rounded Bois Blanc Island and anchored in the calm waters of the natural harbor at East Moran Bay off the settlement of Mission St. Ignace, where there was a settlement of Hurons, Ottawas, and a few Frenchmen. Arriving at Fort Frontenac in late September, he had neither the time for nor the interest in building a vessel at Fort Frontenac to transport building materials, some of which he had recently obtained in France, to a site above Niagara Falls where he could build his new ship. 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 arrived there nearly starved only to find that his detractors had succeeded in stirring up doubt and opposition with his creditors. 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. 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. (Image credit: Father Louis Hennepin Public Domain ). Acknowledging that French archeologists side with Libert, she asks what they know about Native American fishing practices. Now, treasure hunters who believe they found it, said to have stumbled upon it by accident. A couple in Charlevoix . Richard Gross. He recounts his hunt and discovery in Le Griffon and the Huron Islands, 1679 (Mission Point Press), written with his wife. 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. Cris Kohl and wife Joan Forsberg have conducted over 20 years of research in order to write their new book The Wreck of the Griffon, the explorer La Salles ship that disappeared in 1679 on its return voyage from Lake Michigan. [1][4], On noon of 25 August they started out northwest with a favoring northerly wind. Where to Find the Griffon Vulture. Pictured: Images of the 2018 dive on a wreck found in 2018 near Poverty Island, Lake Michigan. 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. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. The 2001 discovery of a bowsprit sticking out the lakebed sparked a 10-year legal battle with the State of Michigan, preventing the explorers from excavating for the rest of the ship until 2013. They dragged the materials to the mouth of the Niagara, rested and warmed up a few days in an Indian village, then carried the materials single file through the snow to their settlement above the falls. Mr Libert then spent two years sifting through satellite imagery before he made a breakthrough. She says American marine archaeologists concluded that what Libert claims is the bowsprit was beyond a doubt part of a Native American fishing trap. Usually depicted as half lion and half eagle, this ancient beast is more than the sum of its parts. They then set the ship on fire. Armament: 50 iron cannons total. 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. 'If any of the latter was true the ship would rest in deeper water instead of shallow waters.'. Francis Parkman says that by 1677, "four vessels of 25 to 40 tons had been built for the lake Ontario and the river St. myth bird lion hippogriff griffin, also spelled griffon or gryphon, composite mythological creature with a lion's body (winged or wingless) and a bird's head, usually that of an eagle. Where are the cannons? "The [American] Indians told the captain not to sail out, to wait the storm out, but he wouldn't listen to them," Baillod said. When he and Monroe later reviewed the video, they realized it might be the Griffin. On 23 June 2014, Steve Libert told the Associated Press he believed he found Le Griffon in Lake Michigan after extensive searching, in a debris field near where a wood slab was found the previous year. The Griffon was the first ship ever to sail the Great Lakes, originally built to haul furs from the Green Bay area to Detroit. [4] La Salle left Italian officer Henri de Tonti and Father Hennepin in charge while he journeyed to Fort Frontenac to secure replacements for lost supplies. 'Some say that the native Indians boarded the ship and killed the crew. Its fate has been a puzzlement for maritime historians for more than three and a half centuries. TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan -- Steven J. Libert had been looking for the ship, Le Griffon, for 42 years. Hennepin said she was named to protect her from the fire that threatened her.
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