[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. It is now believed to be the famous 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. "It's not a pond net stake. More than 5,000 ship wrecks are scattered throughout the Great Lakes, and Porter said the Le Griffon is the most precious one. Cathy Green, the executive director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, is also skeptical, calling it highly unlikely that its the Griffon and nearly impossible to definitively know because of the centuries of damage to shallow water wrecks from ice, storms and rising and falling lake levels. Treasure Hunters Find Mysterious Shipwreck in Lake Michigan - Yahoo! News "Can we call this the Griffin? The Wreck of the Griffon - Shipwreck World by | Jun 6, 2022 | ephesus elementary school principal | kristen modafferi kristin smart | Jun 6, 2022 | ephesus elementary school principal | kristen modafferi kristin smart In September 1679, French explorers loaded the boat with furs and left Green Bay. La Salle whose full name was the noble-sounding Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Sallewasnt aboard the Griffon. New York, The couples book shares details of how they believed the ship sank near the Huron Islands, a group of small, rocky islands northeast of Green Bay. (Image credit: Father Louis Hennepin Public Domain ). One of the most intriguing is that the wreckage of the Griffon may have been found nearly 100 years ago but went unrecognized. Libert said some theories are supposed to explain what happened to the vessel. 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. "Expedition Unknown" Ghost Ship of the Great Lakes (TV Episode 2019 While diving in Lake Michigan, two men stumbled upon a shipwreck they think is a 1676 French ship named 'Le Griffon,' or The Griffin. 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. La Salle whose full name was the noble-sounding Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle wasnt aboard the Griffon. 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? La Salle followed the southern shore of the lake. 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. Then they also talk with real people the individual citizens and businesses in communities to get their reactions to whats happening in Lansing. [Shipwrecks Gallery: Secrets of the Deep]. Shipwrecks - Time Capsules of Human Civilization : Griffon - blogs 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. After Le Griffon was launched, she was rigged with sails and provisioned with seven cannon of which two were brass. NY 10036. the griffon shipwreck facts We are no longer accepting comments on this article. "It's the holy grail of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.". Negotiations with the Senecas were only moderately successful, so when they left the village they still wondered if the natives would permit them to finish their project. 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. Follow Laura Geggel on Twitter @LauraGeggel. Using sonar, two treasure hunters found the remains of a shipwreck in Lake Michigan. Because the wind was strong from the north, they sailed close to the north shore of the lake, putting in for the nights in various bays along the way. Enter the text you see in the image below. 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). 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Police raid online sensation shop Wakey Wines looking for drugs as owner famous for his Prime Not so shipshape! THE WRECK OF THE GRIFFON by Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg, published and distributed by Seawolf Communications Inc. 224 pages. LANSING Historical mysteries may take decades, even centuries, to solve if ever. 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. For the second time, they used a dozen men and ropes to tow Le Griffon over the rapids of the St. Clair River into lower Lake Huron. 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. "They're looking for something else, they find an old ship and they've heard of the Griffin, so they pronounce it the Griffin," Baillod said. 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Charlevoix couple offers theory on mysterious 1679 shipwreck. 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. 'Father Louis Hennepin said it was lost in a violent storm. Underwater Archaeologists May Have Discovered the Oldest Shipwreck in The British steamship Nisbet Grammer, the largest steel steamer to have foundered in Lake Ontario has been discovered by a team of shipwreck explorers. The 1633 journey left from Downs, England and landed at Plymouth in Plymouth Colony on September 3. the griffon shipwreck facts the griffon shipwreck facts. Its fate has been a puzzlement for maritime historians for more than three and a half centuries. Its fate has been a puzzlement for maritime historians for more than three and a half centuries. 2023 www.lenconnect.com. Ice flowing down the river threatened to damage their little brigantine and after a cable was broken, they hauled the vessel ashore and into a small ravine for protection. 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 Griffon was built by La Salle near Niagara Falls and was the first ship to sail on the upper Great Lakes. However, Dykstra said they've been advised to not disclose where they found the wreck in order tohelp preserve what's left of the ship. Two divers say they have found "Le Griffon," a 17th-century sailing ship widely considered the "holy grail" of shipwrecks. They may be deliberate or accidental. 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. [6] Some of La Salle's associates called this vessel a brigantine; others called it a bark. Carbon dating of the bowsprit places suggests an age range within a year of the sinking. 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. A party from the Iroquois tribe who witnessed the launching were so impressed by the "large floating fort" that they named the French builders Ot-kon, meaning "penetrating minds", which corresponds to the Seneca word Ot-goh, meaning supernatural beings or spirits. They discovered a 15-inch slab of blackened wood that might have been a human-fashioned cultural artifact. The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque. The Griffon has not been found, Wayne Lusardi, the state archaeologist in the Department of Natural Resources, says bluntly. Megan SampTickets can be bought online or at Studio C in Okemos. Green and Ken Vrana, the principal of Maritime Heritage Consulting, advocate an independent assessment by professionals. 2 is a much sought after shipwreck. Now, more than 335years later, the wreck of the Griffon has not definitively been found. Shipwreck hunters solve mystery of the missing Griffin: Wreckage of Menu viscount royal caravan. "[7] None of these sources ascribe a name to any of these vessels. Some time later, Hennepin would use this little vessel to sail to Fort Frontenac and again back to Niagara. [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. Where are the cannons? 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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. The griffin is featured on one side of coins minted in Abdera, Greece. Around 4:00pm the Shannon passed Oswego light and headed out into the lake. "It's a mystery ship that got in our way," Dykstra said, "and now, we're going for the gold.". He continued exploring the Mississippi River until his murder in Texas in 1687. [1][4] Beginning on Christmas Day, 1678, La Motte and Hennepin together with four of their men, went by snowshoe to a prominent Seneca chief who resided at Tagarondies[notes 2] a village about 75 miles (120km) east of Niagara[notes 3] and about 20 miles (32km) south of Lake Ontario. Griffin Facts for Kids | KidzSearch.com Other experts insist Liberts absolutely wrong. Wood can break up. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. La Salle never saw the Griffin again. The male wirehaired pointer weighs around 50-70 lb, and the females are around 35-50 lb. Divers and shipwreck enthusiasts have spent years trying to piece together clues from the ship's last days to. The figurehead likely isn't the remains of a griffin, he said, but a "big encrustation of zebra mussels," on burned wood. June 3, 2022 . Some say La Salle made multiple trips, especially after the spring thaw. Le Griffon disappeared in 1679: the Great Lakes greatest shipwreck 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 French explores built the exploratory vessel Ren-Robert Cavalier and Sieur de La Salle. The details of these discoveries along with numerous illustrations are contained in the pages of this thought provoking book. Single mother faces 170 parking fine after overstaying at McDonald's for just 14 minutes while she treated Public Service Announcement, do NOT watch these ads! 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. 'The imagery depicted the keelson and frames,' he said. turtix/Shutterstock. It vanished while loaded with furs and other trade goods gathered in Lake Michigan after the captain ordered it return towards Niagara. Its fate has been a puzzlement for maritime historians for more than three and a half centuries. "It's very difficult to access a wreck based on photo and film footage," Anderson said. News and information from the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Others say he did not return to Niagara until July. Wherever the Griffon is, if its in deep water somewhere, there are cannons near it, she says. That is my question. 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. Le Griffon is reported to be the "Holy Grail" of Great Lakes shipwreck hunters. Le Griffon - Wikipedia 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.. All of those people have been wrong including Libert she says. 'She will sink beneath the deep waters and your blood shall stain the hands of those in whom you trusted!'. "When we had it looked at, they [the archaeologists] could tell that the nail was very old," Dykstra said. Shipwrecks are found either beached on land or sunken to the seabed of a body of water. 'If any of the latter was true the ship would rest in deeper water instead of shallow waters.'. [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. They also found a part of the ship that they said could be a mussel-covered griffin, the mythical beast carved onto the ship's bow. Shipwreck of the SS American Star. "Some would believe that the Griffon sank somewhere in Lake Michigan in the northern part of the lake and has yet to be found," explained Van Heest. Comment why voting matters to you at the end of this story. Found? The Holy Grail of the Great Lakes - duluthreader.com So, if the Griffons final resting place isnt where Libert believes it to be, where is it? In the Spring of 2021, veteran shipwreck hunters Joe Van Wagnen and Mark Gammage located the remains of the passenger/freight Propeller Challenge in northern Lake Huron. Loaded with furs in what's now Wisconsin, the Griffon was said to have sunk somewhere in northern Lake Michigan in 1679. Treasure Hunters Find Mysterious Shipwreck in Lake Michigan They sailed from the Straits of Mackinac to an island (either Washington Island or Rock Island)[1] located at the entrance of Green Bay. Ghost Ship of the Great Lakes: With Josh Gates, Joan Forsberg, Brendon Baillod, Greg Busch. Heres how it works. Shipwreck Facts for Kids - Kiddle She was the largest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes up to that time. Historian J. [1] The French flag flew above the cabin placed on top of the main deck that was elevated above the hull. Griffin (Gryphon) - Legendary Creature | Mythology.net The ship disappeared 343 years back on its maiden launch without a trace. Mobile Reporting Kit Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Excellence in Education Award Nominations. Ever since I was a junior high schooler in Dayton, Ohio, Ive been interested in this ship, Libert said. There is reason, however, to question his assertion. 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. [citation needed], After La Salle and Tonti left, the pilot and the rest of the crew were to follow with the supply vessel. Metiomek, an Iroquois prophet, apparently told La Salle: 'Beware! The wreck's discoverers agree that more evidence is needed. 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. 'We are confident the ship was wrecked due to a severe storm. ", 'Fifty-one years later, I am still intrigued by this story.'. Countless shipwrecks sit beneath the ocean and stranded on land around the world. "[6] H. W. Beckwith says that in September 1678, La Salle "already had three small vessels on Lake Ontario, which he had made use of in a coasting trade with the Indians. Joe Porter, publisher for Wreck Diving Magazine, has penned articles on famous ship wrecks including the Titanic, but saidthe Griffon is the most fascinating. But Libert says, Many people believe I continue to cry wolf and contact the press every time we find a wreck claiming them to be the Griffon. @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. A bowsprit is the spar that extends forward from the bow. 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. 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.. They arrived late on 5 December, but the weather was rough and they did not want to run the surf and outflow of the river at night, so they stayed a few miles off shore. LANSING Historical mysteries may take decades, even centuries, to solve if ever. The wreck lies in Lake 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. The other wreckage has been approximately dated to between 1632 and 1682. As for the pieces of wreckage Libert photographed, they cant be the Griffons because they would have broken to bits long, long ago if theyd been in shallow water battered by storms and ice for more than three centuries, van Heest says. It would be busted up, she said. 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). US and France battle for rights over shipwreck found in Lake Michigan Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Some are thousands of years old. The "holy grail" of Great Lakes shipwrecks disappeared 339 years ago Great Lakes' shipwrecks and the intriguing stories behind them - cleveland The Plaque reads: All rights reserved (About Us). But even now, the Liberts are prevented by the State of Michigan from conducting an in-depth excavation. That evidence? But, the Liberts say her final resting place is near the Huron Islands in Lake Michigan, northeast of Green Bay. The Griffon has not been found, Wayne Lusardi, the state archaeologist in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, says bluntly. Read Also:Titanic Artifacts Found, New Discovery Mission "Like Opening a Treasure Box". [10] The vessel carried anchors, chain, guns, cordage, and cable for Le Griffon, as well as supplies and provisions for the anticipated journey. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to Wakey Wakey! The Le Griffon was discovered in Sept. 2018 after going missing in 1679.Steven Libert. Photos: Famous Shipwrecks and the History Behind Them - Insider 5 Michigan Locations Associated with Creepy Urban Legends Barge 129 was found in Lake Superior, 35 miles off Vermilion Point in 650 feet of water. According to legend, natives even cursed the ship. "There was no rudder on the boat," Dykstra said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A shipwreck is the remains of a ship that has been wrecked. 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.