Other experts insist Liberts absolutely wrong. In July 2010 the Great Lakes Exploration Group issued a press release stating that they, the state of Michigan and France had reached agreement to co-operate in the next phase of an archaeological site assessment for identifying the shipwreck. So, if the Griffons final resting place isnt where Libert believes it to be, where is it? [13] Originally discovered in 2001 near Poverty Island, Michigan sonar has shown an object approximately 40 by 18 feet (12.2 by 5.5m) (similar to the dimensions of Le Griffon) located under several feet of sediment. 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 accounts agree that this little vessel played a part in the building of Le Griffon. Somewhere near present-day Toronto they were frozen in and had to chop their way out of the ice. They added that a bowsprit was found close by in 2001, assuming it is another part that broke off from the ship. Libert may be a secret agent by day-- he works as a senior defense analyst for the U.S. Navy -- but by night he's a passionate hunter for the old and precious. Baillod said he is "99 percent sure" that the wreck is not that of the Griffon. However, the ferocity of the gale forced them to retreat windward and lie-to until morning. Le Griffon was a 40 foot long barque (sailing ship) with 7 cannons. 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. the griffon shipwreck facts Western Dental Careers September 20, 2021 | 0 September 20, 2021 | 0 The Griffin is used as the symbol for Brisbane Waters Secondary College on the Central Coast of New . According to Mr and Mrs Libert, The Griffin is a good match for wreckage found in 2018 near Poverty Island, Lake Michigan. Wirehaired pointing griffons are famously known as a 'supreme gundog.'. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? (Image credit: Father Louis Hennepin Public Domain ). The Liberts have since published their book, Le Griffon and the Huron Islands 1649: Our Story of Exploration and Discovery.. Heres how it works. "It's very difficult to access a wreck based on photo and film footage," Anderson said. On 27 December 2014, two divers, Kevin Dykstra and Frederick Monroe, announced the discovery of a wreck that they believe is Le Griffon, based on the bowstem, which to some resembles an ornamental griffin. Crude tools, green and wet timbers, and the cold winter months caused slow progress in the construction of Le Griffon. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Acknowledging that French archeologists side with Libert, she asks what they know about Native American fishing practices. 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. The Griffon was built by La Salle near Niagara Falls and was the first ship to sail on the upper Great Lakes. They recovered the anchors, chain, and most of the materials critical for Le Griffon, but most of the supplies and provisions were lost. 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. TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan -- Steven J. Libert had been looking for the ship, Le Griffon, for 42 years. "They lost the ship from sight," Baillod said, "and that's the last anybody has ever seen the Griffin.". Green and Ken Vrana, the principal of Maritime Heritage Consulting, advocate an independent assessment by professionals. Countless shipwrecks sit beneath the ocean and stranded on land around the world. From the web site of Libert's company: "There were plenty of theories of what happened to the flagship. 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 . While they were at times fitted with mast and sails, their primary propulsion was either oars or poles. Darkness like a cloud is ready to envelop you. [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. 2023 www.lenconnect.com. Where are the cannons? MICHIGAN -- Le Griffon, a well known ship that sunk in Lake Michigan during the 17th century, has been hiding at the depths of the lake for more than 300 years. Metiomek, an Iroquois prophet, apparently told La Salle: 'Beware! The Mysterious Shipwreck of Le Griffon | Expedition Unknown 17,600 views May 8, 2019 The Griffon, a ship built by famed explorer Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, sailed out of Lake. French explorer Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle built the Griffin in 1679, but it was lost in Lake Michiganthe same year. But Dykstra and Monroe said they'll wait until they hear the final word. "[5] J. C. Mills [4] quotes a letter from La Salle to the Minister of Marine that says, "The fort at Cataraqui (Fort Frontenac) with the aid of a vessel now building, will command Lake Ontario"[4] While no date is given for the letter, the location of Mill's reference to it suggests that it was sent before 1677, perhaps as early as 1675. 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. 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. They sailed across the open water of Lake Erie whose shores were forested and "unbroken by the faintest signs of civilization". However, 36 years later in 1911, the Rosabelle was found again overturned and floating with no sign of any . Where are the cannons? He put ashore near present-day Rochester, New York, and arrived at Tagarondies very shortly after La Motte and Hennepin had left. [10] The vessel carried anchors, chain, guns, cordage, and cable for Le Griffon, as well as supplies and provisions for the anticipated journey. Richard Gross. 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. 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. Mr Libert said: 'There are numerous theories as to what happened to The Griffin. The ship was righted and brought back to the port in Milwaukee and returned to service. [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 sources confuse the two vessels. The Griffin disappeared returning from its maiden voyage in 1679 and was last seen struggling in a storm near what is now Washington Island in Wisconsin. After Griffin sank, it was a ghost ship with the souls of the sailors heard chanting by anyone who could see the ship sailing in the moonlight. A bowsprit discovered a few miles away in 2001 is another part of the vessel, they claim. Ive seen dozens and dozens of 100- to 150-year-old ships, and that is not a 350-year-old ship. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. "It's a mystery ship that got in our way," Dykstra said, "and now, we're going for the gold.". REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to Wakey Wakey! The Griffin shipwreck at the bottom of 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. 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. She was the largest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes up to that time. Mobile Reporting Kit Some say that this vessel was named the Frontenac, while others say the other vessel used on La Salle's expedition was Frontenac. The 1633 journey left from Downs, England and landed at Plymouth in Plymouth Colony on September 3. 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.. LeGriffon launched on Aug. 7, 1679, with LaSalle, Father Louis Hennepin and a crew of 32. And, as the curse foretold, La Salle was later murdered during a 1687 expedition by a member of his party. Its exact size and construction isn't known, but it was armed with seven cannons and at the time was the largest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes. It was a calm night and they believed the vessel was securely moored. 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. 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. 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. 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. Le Griffon set off on 7 August with unfurled sails, a 34-man crew, and a salute from her cannon and musketry. MARIE, CHEBOYGAN AND ALL POINTS. La Salle decided to visit the Senecas at Tagarondies himself. 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. 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. Wherever the Griffon is, if its in deep water somewhere, there are cannons near it, she says. Every one of these shipwreck hunters finds a bone pile and claims its the Griffon.. They may be deliberate or accidental. 'Some say that the native Indians boarded the ship and killed the crew. The state of Michigan has rules stipulating that artifacts found on state land, including the land at the bottom of the Great Lakes, are state property. CNS correspondents cover all aspects of Michigan state government. "There was no rudder on the boat," Dykstra said. 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.. Like Le Griffon, the steamship Marquette and Bessemer No. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Scholastic, Popular Science and Spectrum, a site on autism research. Here's how to watch. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. The details of these discoveries along with numerous illustrations are contained in the pages of this thought provoking book. Do not reproduce without permission. There is no conclusive evidence about any of the theories about Le Griffon's loss.[1]. [Disasters at Sea: 6 Deadliest Shipwrecks]. He continued exploring the Mississippi River until his murder in Texas in 1687. 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. These films range from comedies to dramas to long and short films. 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. Its discovery is credited to wreck hunters Stevie and Kathie Libert for the record. 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. Copyright 2023, Michigan State University. FOR ALPENA, DETROIT, IRON MOUNTAIN, DETROIT, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. 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). The loss of the Griffon is one of the great mysteries of the Great Lakes. 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. Some time later, Hennepin would use this little vessel to sail to Fort Frontenac and again back to Niagara. Characteristics Physical Description 175 Year Old Great Lakes Atlas Schooner Located in Lake Ontario, Early 1800s Dagger-board Schooner Three Brothers Discovered in Lake Ontario, 1926 Steamship Nisbet Grammer Discovered in Lake Ontario, 158 year old Canadian Schooner Royal Albert Discovered in Lake Ontario, Mid-Nineteenth Century Canadian Schooner Ocean Wave Discovered by Shipwreck Explorers, Major Shipwreck Discovery in Lake Michigan. 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. The Griffin, or gryphon, is a mythological creature with the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion and the wings, front talons, and head of an eagle. The Holy Grail of Great Lakes shipwrecks is Le Griffon, the first European-style ship built by explorer Robert De La Salle that is believed to have sank in Lake Michigan in a storm in 1679.. La Salle was convinced that the captain and his crew had staged a coup, destroyed the ship, and seized all of the furs on the boat. It would be busted up, she said. I was mesmerized by what he was saying. All of those people have been wrong including Libert she says. "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? Megan SampVoters at the Hannah Community Center share why voting matters to them. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Menu viscount royal caravan. ", 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. When they arrived there La Motte and Hennepin had not yet returned. Le Griffon was constructed and launched at or near Cayuga Island on the Niagara River and was armed with seven cannons. The uneasy truce with the Indians was tested by threats and attempts of sabotage and murder. By Michael Havis and Harry Howard For Mailonline, Published: 12:24 GMT, 16 June 2021 | Updated: 13:02 GMT, 16 June 2021. [4] They were navigating Le Griffon through uncharted waters that only canoes had previously explored. It was crafted by French explorer Robert de La Salle. He noted that the wreck is near the western Michigan coast, not near Beaver Island, the area mentioned in La Salle's journal. [8], La Salle's men first had to build their lodging and then guard against the Iroquois who were hostile to this invasion of their ancient homeland. MICHIGAN -- Le Griffon, a well known shipthat sunk inLake Michigan during the 17th century, has been hiding at the depths of the lake for more than 300 years. A 2015 book The Wreck of the Griffon by Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg argues that the best "discovery" proposed to date remains the 1898 find by Albert Cullis, lighthouse keeper on the western edge of Manitoulin Island in northern Lake Huron. 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. 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. [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 entire 29-member crew went down with it in what has become the greatest Great Lakes Shipping Tragedy of all time. - 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? @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Rochester, New York - The wreckage of the schooner Atlas which sank in 1839 during a gale has been located in Lake Ontario. "It's not a pond net stake. The loss of the Griffon is one of the great mysteries of the Great Lakes. All rights reserved. [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. The captain lost control of the ship as strong winds blew it away from shore, southward, toward islands in the distance. The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. 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. 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. 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 a 300-year-old mystery that Carlson and his diving partner, Steve Libert, are determined to solve. 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. [4], Le Griffon may or may not be considered the first ship on the Great Lakes, depending on what factors one deems necessary to qualify a vessel for that designation. Shipwreck of the SS American Star. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I have spent over 42 years searching for this most sought-after historic vessel.. A bowsprit is the spar that extends forward from the bow.

Mount Sinai Eating Disorders, Macomb County Sheriff Pistol Sales Record, Fragomen Hiring Process, Articles T