But Dykstra and Monroe said they'll wait until they hear the final word. The ship was constructed and launched on Cayuga Creek on the Niagara River as a seven-cannon, 45-ton barque. A Eurasian griffon vulture can be found throughout Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Iran among other areas. In any case, Le Griffon was larger than any other vessel on the lakes at the time, and as far as contemporary reports can confirm, the first named vessel. Divers and shipwreck enthusiasts have spent years trying to piece together clues from the ship's last days to. Beneath the cold waves of Lake Michigan rests an aging shipwreck, its wooden planks encrusted with brown-and-gray zebra mussels, that may be the remnants of a 17th-century ship called the Griffin, two Michigan-based treasure hunters say. Some sources confuse the two vessels. They added that a bowsprit was found close by in 2001, assuming it is another part that broke off from the ship. La Salle whose full name was the noble-sounding Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle wasnt aboard the Griffon. 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. [10] The vessel carried anchors, chain, guns, cordage, and cable for Le Griffon, as well as supplies and provisions for the anticipated journey. 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. "The Great Lakes are a time capsule, the fresh water preserves the ship wreck," Porter said. 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. Now, more than 335 years later, the wreck of the Griffon has not definitively been found. 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. These social birds live in vulture colonies. Lake Michigan shipwreck may be 335-year-old Le Griffon, researcher Father Hennepin wrote that during the fearful crisis of the storm, La Salle vowed that if God would deliver them, the first chapel erected in Louisiana would be dedicated to the memory of Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron of the sailor. That is my question. 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. 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. Zebra mussels cover what may be a griffin on the bow of the ship. 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. Ships of the 1715 fleet - TreasureNet The Original Treasure Spartan Newsroom "[1] the griffon shipwreck facts. Joe Porter, publisher for Wreck Diving Magazine, has penned articles on famous ship wrecks including the Titanic, but saidthe Griffon is the most fascinating. 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. B. Mansfield reported that this "excited the deepest emotions of the Indian tribes, then occupying the shores of these inland waters". "They lost the ship from sight," Baillod said, "and that's the last anybody has ever seen the Griffin.". The loss of the Griffon is one of the great mysteries of the Great Lakes. 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. 17th Century Shipwreck of Long-Lost Le Griffon Discovered at - IBT She was found by an aircraft belonging to the US Navy on 14th November 1975. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. [citation needed], After La Salle and Tonti left, the pilot and the rest of the crew were to follow with the supply vessel. 'Some say that the native Indians boarded the ship and killed the crew. At noon the waves ran so high, and the lake became so rough, as to compel them to stand in for land. Marie. That is simply not true.. Its fate has been a puzzlement for maritime historians for more than three and a half centuries. It would be busted up, she said. [4] Some charged fur traders, and even Jesuits with her destruction. Jupiter and Venus 'kiss' in a stunning planetary conjunction tonight. by | Jun 6, 2022 | ephesus elementary school principal | kristen modafferi kristin smart | Jun 6, 2022 | ephesus elementary school principal | kristen modafferi kristin smart It would no longer exist. Already have an account? 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. If the state underwater archaeologist were to look at the wreck, he would look for artifacts that could be dated, such as ceramics or glass. 'The ship has no indications of fire damage to the wooden remains,' said Mr Libert. Some are thousands of years old. Here are 26 other famous shipwrecks around the world. The Griffin sank to the murky depths of. Tornadoes Hit Central US; Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus Ohio Brace For Intense Weather. 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.. That is my question. The figurehead likely isn't the remains of a griffin, he said, but a "big encrustation of zebra mussels," on burned wood. Francis Parkman says that by 1677, "four vessels of 25 to 40 tons had been built for the lake Ontario and the river St. [notes 6][pageneeded], After La Salle's departure, Tonti refloated the little brigantine, and attempted to use it for more salvage work at the wreck, but the winter weather prevented success. Archaeology breakthrough as 'cursed' shipwreck discovered after 350 They recovered the anchors, chain, and most of the materials critical for Le Griffon, but most of the supplies and provisions were lost. That evidence? While diving in Lake Michigan, two men stumbled upon a shipwreck they think is a 1676 French ship named 'Le Griffon,' or The Griffin. [14] After years of legal squabbles the Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued a permit, and on 16 June 2013, an underwater pit was dug allowing US and French archeologists to examine the object for the first time. [21], There has yet to be any consensus regarding the location of the shipwreck of Le Griffon. La Salle who was not aboard The Griffin when it disappeared never found out what happened to his ship, but the wreckage sheds new light on its fate. 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. But the explorer ran out of money, so he disembarked with the other expedition leaders, leaving the ship and its crew to pay off his debts with furs. Griffin was the name of a 17th-century ship known to have sailed between England and English settlements along Massachusetts Bay in British America. The first full-size cargo ship to sail the inner Great Lakes, Le Griffon was built by explorer Robert de La Salle in 1679. From there they struck out across the lake toward the mouth of the Niagara River. 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. It was the first big ship to sail the Great Lakes. On its maiden voyage, it sailed across Lake Erie, up the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, and across Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Where are the cannons? Barge 129 was found in Lake Superior, 35 miles off Vermilion Point in 650 feet of water. French explorer Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle built the Griffin in 1679, but it was lost in Lake Michiganthe same year. The vessel was loaded with furs so that they could be used to pay the French explorer and Griffon's master, Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle's creditors. 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. Le Griffon was a 40 foot long barque (sailing ship) with 7 cannons. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Order from www.seawolfcommunications.com or call them at 630-293-8996. by Anonymous - 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. Newsroom Calendar 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. Hennepin said she was named to protect her from the fire that threatened her. The Native Americans told La Salle the crew planned to sail toward the Straits of Mackinac in stormy weather. Where are the cannons? A bit of history: The Griffon was built in 1679 and launched that year, believed to be the largest ship on the Great Lakes. Darkness like a cloud is ready to envelop you. La Salle seized two of the deserters and sent Tonti with six men to arrest two more at Sault Ste. 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. Dykstra said he took photos of old cannons, a sword, and the griffin sculpture, evidence he says reveals the wreck and itsmissing secrets. 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 exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque. US and France battle for rights over shipwreck found in Lake Michigan Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. French historical documents and shipbuilding techniques, colonial-era maps, contemporary reports, what he says is a bowsprit retrieved from the wreckage, carbon-4 dating and underwater photographs of submerged parts of a vessel. 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. Shipwrecks - Time Capsules of Human Civilization : Griffon - blogs He recounts his hunt and discovery in Le Griffon and the Huron Islands, 1679 (Mission Point Press), written with his wife. Other experts insist Liberts absolutely wrong. Thirty Mile Point is an established location and fits better with the rest of the narrative. Widely considered the Holy Grail of undiscovered Great Lakes shipwrecks, the Griffon carried no treasure, nor anything. [1][4] The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known. Below Niagara Falls: first ships on Lake Ontario. Local explorer featured on Discovery Channel search for lost shipwreck 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). LANSING Historical mysteries may take decades, even centuries, to solve if ever. La Salle followed the southern shore of the lake. Somewhere near present-day Toronto they were frozen in and had to chop their way out of the ice. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to Wakey Wakey! "Can we call this the Griffin? What's Happening in Northern Michigan: Oryana Cooking Class, Le Griffon This book relates the fascinating story of the Griffon, its background, and information about the 22 claims of discovery made in the past 200 years. 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. La Belle was the ship of French explorer La Salle, lost at Matagorda Bay in 1686. 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.. 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. Wherever the Griffon is, if its in deep water somewhere, there are cannons near it, she says. [1] The French flag flew above the cabin placed on top of the main deck that was elevated above the hull. No villain can mess with the griffin! Griffin (ship) - Wikipedia 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. La Salle was convinced that the pilot and crew treacherously sank her and made off with the goods. "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, more than 335years later, the wreck of the Griffon has not definitively been found. 5 Michigan Locations Associated with Creepy Urban Legends 'Many believed the Jesuits were responsible for the ship's disappearance. 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. Acknowledging that French archeologists side with Libert, she asks what they know about Native American fishing practices. 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. Other experts insist Liberts absolutely wrong. The exact place where the Griffon was constructed is marked by a boulder and historical plaque at 9317 Buffalo Avenue, just north of the city marina. 'If any of the latter was true the ship would rest in deeper water instead of shallow waters.'. 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. They again sounded their way through the narrow channel of the St. Clair River to its mouth where they were delayed by contrary winds until 24 August. 3. - 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? YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The White Whale for Great Lakes Shipwreck Hunters Ever since I was a junior high schooler in Dayton, Ohio, Ive been interested in this ship, Libert said. Since its disappearance in 1679, the Griffon has taken on a mythic air. "I didn't go down there with the expectation of seeing a shipwreck I can tell you that," Dykstra told Live Science. 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. The Griffon has not been found, Wayne Lusardi, the state archaeologist in the Department of Natural Resources, says bluntly. All rights reserved (About Us). 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.. Laura is the archaeology/history and Life's Little Mysteries editor at Live Science. More than 100 Native American bark canoes gathered around Le Griffon to look at the "big wood canoe". Or the Jesuits had something to do with the disappearance. THE WRECK OF THE GRIFFON by Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg, published and distributed by Seawolf Communications Inc. 224 pages. 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. It was built with the intention of finding a route across the Great Lakes of North America to reach China and Japan. [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. $19.95 plus $3 S&H. It wanted to sail across Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan through waters only canoes had previously explored. Menu viscount royal caravan. On the evening of 10th November 1975, Edmund Fitzgerald sank around 17 miles north-northwest of Whitefish Point, Michigan. ", 'Fifty-one years later, I am still intrigued by this story.'. Griffin (Gryphon) - Legendary Creature | Mythology.net Megan SampVoters at the Hannah Community Center share why voting matters to them. But, the Liberts say her final resting place is near the Huron Islands in Lake Michigan, northeast of Green Bay. 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. The ship disappeared 343 years back on its maiden launch without a trace. Richard Gross. [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. Suffering from cold and low on supplies, the men were close to mutiny. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Pictured: Some of the wreckage. 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. [1][4], Father Hennepin wrote that Le Griffon was lost in a violent storm. the griffon shipwreck facts 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.. The Griffon has not been found, Wayne Lusardi, the state archaeologist in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, says bluntly. Historian J. 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.