LaSalle's Griffon has not been found. While frozen rivers made traveling easy, finding food was not. Charlevoix couple offers theory on mysterious 1679 shipwreck. 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). The photographer was an archaeologist working on the project. When they arrived there La Motte and Hennepin had not yet returned. 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. That evidence? Revealed: The top 10 fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners retiring overseas. 'What I suspected was a ship was confirmed by me during a dive in September 2018. "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. 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. The Griffin sank to the murky depths of. 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. "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? They're not going back to the wreckage for a while, so they don't make the site vulnerable to other treasure seekers. JRN@MSU Code of Ethics Sources disagree on how long this delay was. Lake Erie hides secrets of 2,000 shipwrecks - Rock The Lake Suffering from cold and low on supplies, the men were close to mutiny. He also teaches public affairs reporting, international journalism, feature writing and media law and serves as director of the schools Capital News Service. The traders had collected 12,000 pounds (5,400kg) of furs in anticipation of the arrival of Le Griffon. Le Griffon, the long lost ship of explorers found at bottom of Lake At noon the waves ran so high, and the lake became so rough, as to compel them to stand in for land. And, as the curse foretold, La Salle was later murdered during a 1687 expedition by a member of his party. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Their sonar caught a mass below, and Dykstra dove into the water to take video. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to Wakey Wakey! "[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. "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. Griffin | Myth, Meaning, & Facts | Britannica "They lost the ship from sight," Baillod said, "and that's the last anybody has ever seen the Griffin.". 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 captain lost control of the ship as strong winds blew it away from shore, southward, toward islands in the distance. Shipwreck hunters solve mystery of the missing Griffin: Wreckage of the griffon shipwreck facts. 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. LANSING Historical mysteries may take decades, even centuries, to solve if ever. 5 Michigan Locations Associated with Creepy Urban Legends Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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. Libert added the wooden timbers of the ship show no evidence of damage done by fire. 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. 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. 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. "There was no rudder on the boat," Dykstra said. La Salle never saw the Griffin again. He learned to dive, and the quest was on. Thought the bowsprit discovered about 3.8 miles and the remains of the wreck make the Indian attack not possible, or even a mutinous uprising. Le Griffon set off on 7 August with unfurled sails, a 34-man crew, and a salute from her cannon and musketry. There is no conclusive evidence about any of the theories about Le Griffon's loss.[1]. 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. CNS correspondents cover all aspects of Michigan state government. He learned to dive, and the quest was on. [1][4] The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known. La Salle whose full name was the noble-sounding Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle wasnt aboard the Griffon. She was found by an aircraft belonging to the US Navy on 14th November 1975. Creating a fur trade monopoly with the Native Americans would finance his quest and building Le Griffon was an "essential link in the scheme". 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. The ancient origins of the legendary griffin | Ancient Origins Its discovery is credited to wreck hunters Stevie and Kathie Libert for the record. The nonprofit was created in 1997 and remains the longest running film festival in Michigan. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. News and information from the Michigan State University School of Journalism. A teacher from Ottawa named Roy Fleming, in the 1930s through the 1950s, expanded the investigation of this wreck that he firmly believed was the Griffon. But other experts aren't convinced that the wreck is the Griffin. Rene-Robert Cavelier , Sieur de La Salle was a French explorer in 1679 and he wanted his ship, Le Griffon , to sail the Niagara River, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan in order to . 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. About 1,500 shipwreckshave been found on the bottom of Lake Michigan, Anderson said, and it's unclear whether this one is the Griffin. NY 10036. It was another vessel used by La Salle and Tonti, however, that was the first loss on 8 January 1679. When he and Monroe later reviewed the video, they realized it might be the Griffin. Charlevoix couple offers theory on mysterious 1679 shipwreck Ive seen dozens and dozens of 100- to 150-year-old ships, and that is not a 350-year-old ship. 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. 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. Where are the cannons? 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. The Le Griffon, a barque ship, was carrying bison and furs at the time it disappeared, Libert said. For Mr Libert, it's the realisation of a childhood dream, sparked by a history teacher who told him about the ship. 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. 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. Wirehaired pointing griffons are famously known as a 'supreme gundog.'. More than 100 Native American bark canoes gathered around Le Griffon to look at the "big wood canoe". THE WRECK OF THE GRIFFON by Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg, published and distributed by Seawolf Communications Inc. 224 pages. Welcome to the Coronation! It was crafted by French explorer Robert de La Salle. 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. Around 4:00pm the Shannon passed Oswego light and headed out into the lake. The Griffin (Le Griffon) was a sailing ship built byRen-Robert Cavelier in 1679 that mysteriously disappeared during its maiden voyage on the Great Lakes. Join the discussion, Playing Nov. 3-10: East Lansing Film Festivals silver anniversary. That would also put their forward progress on 8 January, at about 20 miles (32km) from Niagara. Cursed Shipwreck 'The Griffin' Discovered After More Than Three - HNGN Quick Facts about Griffins. 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. 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. 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. [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. Mr Libert said the evidence suggests that the ship was lost in a storm, A photo from the 2018 dive shows the bowsprit of the ship believed to be The Griffin. Content is produced by MSU students under the guidance of journalism faculty. He teaches environmental journalism and serves as director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. Mr Libert has also highlighted several details in the wreckage indicative of contemporaneous French design. Local shipwreck explorer Valerie van Heest spent a week on Manitoulin Island in August of 2018 searching for Le Griffon. Le Griffon: The Great Lakes' greatest mystery - Detroit Free Press Charlevoix explorer says he's found the 'Holy Grail' of Great Lakes While there have been many theories over the years, there is no clear consensus as to the fate or current location of Le Griffon. 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. Most of the ship remnants were in shallow, not deep water makes the other claims inaccurate. 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. Joe Porter, publisher for Wreck Diving Magazine, has penned articles on famous ship wrecks including the Titanic, but saidthe Griffon is the most fascinating. [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. Her adventure is set be featured on national television as part of an hour . 'Cursed' ship found 340 years after vanishing, experts claim as wreck Baillod said he is "99 percent sure" that the wreck is not that of the Griffon. Here are 26 other famous shipwrecks around the world. Richard Gross. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. "It's the holy grail of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.". LaSalle had the ship built on a creek near the Niagara River to accomplish his mission of finding a passage to China. WWII German shipwreck found in Black Sea Airborne laser reveals hidden city in Cambodia The ship, commanded by the French explorer La Salle, was never seen again after setting sail in September. [12] A number of sunken old sailing ships have been suggested to be Le Griffon but, except for the ones proven to be other ships, there has been no positive identification. La Salle followed the southern shore of the lake. 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. Zebra mussels cover what may be a griffin on the bow of the ship. The 1633 journey left at Downs, England and landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts on September 3. . La Salle offered Hennepin the honor of driving the first spike, but Hennepin deferred to his leader. 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 Griffin, which disappeared on its maiden voyage in 1679, has been called the 'holy grail' for shipwreck hunters probing North America's Great Lakes. The Griffon has not been found, Wayne Lusardi, the state archaeologist in the Department of Natural Resources, says bluntly. But the wreckage suggests that The Griffin was lost in a storm. 'It is just a matter of time before we achieve our goal. Possibly a cannon, hopefully with the date stamped on it.' So, if the Griffons final resting place isnt where Libert believes it to be, where is it? 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 no longer exist. Their inefficiency at beating to windward made them impractical as sailing vessels, and they were not very safe in open water. Now, treasure hunters who believe they found it, said to have stumbled upon it by accident. The first full-size cargo ship to sail the inner Great Lakes, Le Griffon was built by explorer Robert de La Salle in 1679. All of those people have been wrong including Libert she says. The ship was lost in the depths of northern Lake Michigan over 300 years ago. ', 'The Seneca were in awe of the French for having built such a large canoe. The Liberts say the Griffin is the exact wreck seen in 2018 close to Poverty Island right in Lake Michigan. 'The Christian Indian's curse rests on you and on your great canoe. 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. Now, treasure hunters who. Underwater Archaeologists May Have Discovered the Oldest Shipwreck in As the eagle was considered the 'king of the birds', and the lion the 'king of the beasts', the griffin was perceived as a powerful and majestic creature. 'I was emotionally drained of all my energy, and was in a complete state of relief and exhaustion, but I could still yell out the words "we found it!" Treasure Hunters Find Mysterious Shipwreck in Lake Michigan 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. 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. 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. No cannons have been found near the site Libert identified. 3. After disembarking, the ship and the exploration disappeared into history. They hadn't sailed far before a storm picked up. 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. Here's how to watch. Ive seen dozens and dozens of 100- to 150-year-old ships, and that is not a 350-year-old ship. once I broke the surface. Dan Scoville, Jim Kennard, Craig Hampton, and Roland Stevens located the steamer thirty miles east of Fair Haven, New York - The Canadian schooner Royal Albert has been discovered in deep water off the southern shore of Lake Ontario near Fair Haven, NY. Photos: Famous Shipwrecks and the History Behind Them - Insider From there they struck out across the lake toward the mouth of the Niagara River. 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. 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. Legions of searchers have tried to track down its. Now, more than 335 years later, the wreck of the Griffon has not definitively been found. People remember the cautionary TV commercials from Do not sell or share my personal information. James Mansfield[1] says that in the fall of 1678, La Salle built a vessel of about 10 tons burden at Fort Frontenac and that this vessel, named Frontenac, was the first real sailing vessel on the Great Lakes; specifically, on Lake Ontario (which some at the time called Lac de Frontenac). [1][4], Father Hennepin wrote that Le Griffon was lost in a violent storm. La Salle returned to the area in 1682, to try again to locate the Mississippi's mouth. Darkness like a cloud is ready to envelop you. The divers who discovered the wreck believe it to be the Griffin, an exploration ship laden with furs, cannon, muskets and shipyard supplies that went down in a storm in 1679 in Lake Michigan, on . While there La Salle selected a site for building Le Griffon. La Salle decided to stay behind with four canoes to explore the head of Lake Michigan. He and his wife set out their case for having discovered the ship in a new book, Le Griffon and the Huron Islands 1679: Our Story of Exploration and Discovery. 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. [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. Treasure Hunters Find Mysterious Shipwreck in Lake Michigan - Yahoo! News La Salle was convinced that the pilot and crew treacherously sank her and made off with the goods. Le Griffon Shipwreck. LANSING Historical mysteries may take decades, even centuries, to solve if ever. The Plaque reads: The details of these discoveries along with numerous illustrations are contained in the pages of this thought provoking book. Le Griffon rode out a violent storm for four days and then on 18 September, the pilot Luc and five crew sailed under a favorable wind for the Niagara River with a parting salute from a single gun. [1], Le Griffon's pattern closely followed the prevailing type used by explorers to cross the Atlantic Ocean to the New World. One candidate is a wreck at the western end of Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron, with another wreck near Escanaba, Michigan, also proposed. It would no longer exist. According to legend, natives even cursed the ship. In the meantime, the duo plans to continue their hunt for the gold bullion. The divers said they found Le Griffon in 2011, but are just announcing the discovery because they were consulting experts to confirm it. Found? The Holy Grail of the Great Lakes - duluthreader.com 1. Le Griffon was constructed and launched at or near Cayuga Island on the Niagara River and was armed with seven cannons. Libert said some theories are supposed to explain what happened to the vessel. 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.. That evidence? The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque. 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]. Forsberg said several of the bolts. Mr Libert said: 'Our extensive research and deciphering of historic documents led us precisely to the resting place of an undiscovered colonial-age ship.'. 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. Some say La Salle made multiple trips, especially after the spring thaw. Jim Kennard, Roger Pawlowski, and Roland Stevens located the schooner in early July utilizing high resolution On June 20th 1874 the two masted scow schooner Shannon let loose her lines from the coal dock at the port of Oswego. "It was a hand-forged nail, which helps date it back to that time period, we feel." 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. 17th Century Shipwreck of Long-Lost Le Griffon Discovered at - IBT The Griffin was last seen struggling off Washington Island and was never heard from again. 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. Newsroom Calendar Most often described as a 45-ton barque, Le Griffon is considered the first full-sized sailing ship to ply the upper Great Lakes. Several historical and genealogical references show Griffin making such journeys in 1633 and 1634. Steve Libert, from the Great Lakes Exploration Group, said he is 99.9% certain . UNESCO estimates that worldwide over 3 million shipwrecks.