Usually depicted as half lion and half eagle, this ancient beast is more than the sum of its parts. Welcome to the Coronation! 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. '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!" French explorer Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle built the Griffin in 1679, but it was lost in Lake Michiganthe same year. Where are the cannons? "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. 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. "It was a hand-forged nail, which helps date it back to that time period, we feel." turtix/Shutterstock. TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan -- Steven J. Libert had been looking for the ship, Le Griffon, for 42 years. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "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? But other experts aren't convinced that the wreck is the Griffin. Griffin was the name of a 17th-century ship known to have sailed between England and English settlements along Massachusetts Bay in British America. June 3, 2022 . 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. 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. Josh Gates tackles an enduring maritime mystery, the first ship to be lost in the Great Lakes, the Griffon. It was built with the intention of finding a route across the Great Lakes of North America to reach China and Japan. [1][4], The site La Salle had selected for building Le Griffon has conclusively been identified as at or near the mouth of Cayuga Creek, at Cayuga Island. [1] They reached the mouth of the Detroit River on 10 August 1679 where they were greeted by three columns of smoke signaling the location of Tonti's camp whom they received on board. 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. It's the only artifact so far to be brought back from the ship wreck. Lake Erie covers 2,000 of them, among the highest concentration of wrecks in the world. Charlevoix couple offers theory on mysterious 1679 shipwreck. Editor's Note:In our original version of this story, we inadvertently used video that belonged to Great Lakes Exploration Group, LLC. Their inefficiency at beating to windward made them impractical as sailing vessels, and they were not very safe in open water. 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. 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. 'Father Louis Hennepin said it was lost in a violent storm. The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque. 'La Salle was certain that the captain and his men committed mutiny, sank the ship and absconded with all the furs. Long a subject of local lore and backed up with some convincing historical archival work and artifacts, including 16th century coins and several bodies, the Mississagi Straits wreck, which local Native oral tradition had named "the whiteman's ship," remains a strong candidate. Steve Libert diving on the ship in 2018. [1], French explorer Ren Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, sought a Northwest Passage to China and Japan to extend France's trade. [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. 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. Is Joe Biden Sick? WHITEFISH POINT, MICH.- The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) is proud to announce the discovery of the 292-foot Whaleback vessel, Barge 129. POTUS Had Cancerous Lesion Removed From His Chest Last February! 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. But even now, the Liberts are prevented by the State of Michigan from conducting an in-depth excavation. That is my question. "I didn't go down there with the expectation of seeing a shipwreck I can tell you that," Dykstra told Live Science. Ive seen dozens and dozens of 100- to 150-year-old ships, and that is not a 350-year-old ship. According to Father Louis Hennepin, one of them was caught in a violent storm and never survived, notedthe Daily Mail. Hennepin said she was named to protect her from the fire that threatened her. However, the ferocity of the gale forced them to retreat windward and lie-to until morning. 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? It dragged anchor and ran aground near Thirty Mile Point on Lake Ontario, where it broke apart. La Salle never saw Le Griffon again. A shipwreck is the remains of a ship that has been wrecked. 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. La Salle offered Hennepin the honor of driving the first spike, but Hennepin deferred to his leader. 'She will sink beneath the deep waters and your blood shall stain the hands of those in whom you trusted!'. fremont hospital deaths; what happened to tropical tidbits; chris herren speaking fee; boracay braids cultural appropriation; the griffon shipwreck facts. It would be busted up, she said. Libert said the book reveals the location of the Huron Islands where Robert La Salles ship, Le Griffon, met her fate. Finding the wreck is the goal of most Great Lakes shipwreck hunters due to the notoriety, and they call it the Holy Grail amongst them. 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. News and information from the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Ive seen dozens and dozens of 100- to 150-year-old ships, and that is not a 350-year-old ship. Wherever the Griffon is, if its in deep water somewhere, there are cannons near it, she says. 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. "[7] None of these sources ascribe a name to any of these vessels. Wood can break up. 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. They are considered to be symbolic of power . They sailed from the Straits of Mackinac to an island (either Washington Island or Rock Island)[1] located at the entrance of Green Bay. The fate of the Le Griffon offers many intriguing mysteries to those interested in shipwrecks, most notably the fact that the ship's discovery has not been confirmed. Its fate has been a puzzlement for maritime historians for more than three and a half centuries. Dykstra said he took photos of old cannons, a sword, and the griffin sculpture, evidence he says reveals the wreck and itsmissing secrets. 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. Tests on the ship part are dated to 1679; close to a year, dating of the wreck is 1632 to 1982. Mobile Reporting Kit $19.95 plus $3 S&H. 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. Unless the Legislature acts, local taxpayers would then be saddled with those expenses. 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. Some say that this vessel was named the Frontenac, while others say the other vessel used on La Salle's expedition was Frontenac. Every one of these shipwreck hunters finds a bone pile and claims its the Griffon.. Jupiter and Venus 'kiss' in a stunning planetary conjunction tonight. Ever since I was a junior high schooler in Dayton, Ohio, Ive been interested in this ship, Libert said. Updated. Each November, the East Lansing Film Festival showcases independent films. The vessel dragged its anchor for about nine miles to the east before grounding and breaking up near present-day Thirty Mile Point. Mr Libert then spent two years sifting through satellite imagery before he made a breakthrough. During his 20-year newspaper career, he covered public affairs, environmental issues and legal affairs for newspapers in New York and Michigan, winning a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of a legislative corruption scandal. Suffering from cold and low on supplies, the men were close to mutiny. the griffon shipwreck facts. 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. The details of these discoveries along with numerous illustrations are contained in the pages of this thought provoking book. More than 5,000 ship wrecks are scattered throughout the Great Lakes, and Porter said the Le Griffon is the most precious one. 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. Characteristics Physical Description 'We are confident the ship was wrecked due to a severe storm. Eric Freedman is professor of journalism and former associate dean of International Studies and Programs. Le Griffon (French pronunciation:[l if], The Griffin) was a sailing vessel built by Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in 1679. But, the Liberts say her final resting place is near the Huron Islands in Lake Michigan, northeast of Green Bay. Website User Guide It would be awesome if true, she says, a story shed love the museum to be able to tell visitors, with the aura of amateur treasure-hunting and Indiana Jones. It wanted to sail across Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan through waters only canoes had previously explored. 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. 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However, 36 years later in 1911, the Rosabelle was found again overturned and floating with no sign of any . 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. The ship left Conneaut for Port Stanley, Ontario in late morning on Dec. 7, 1909 with a captain and . 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. ', He continued: 'Both the Seneca and Iroquois felt threatened by the construction and sight of Le Griffon, and felt that it was a threat to the 'Great Spirit. 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. 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. LaSalle's Griffon has not been found. No cannons have been found near the site Libert identified. 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. [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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Excellence in Education Award Nominations. "It's a mystery ship that got in our way," Dykstra said, "and now, we're going for the gold.". One of the most intriguing is that the wreckage of the Griffon may have been found nearly 100 years ago but went unrecognized. Creating a fur trade monopoly with the Native Americans would finance his quest and building Le Griffon was an "essential link in the scheme". As noted above, sources give its size as either 20 tons or 40 tons. [notes 4][pageneeded] There was some disagreement between La Salle and the ship's pilot, and La Salle and Tonti went ahead on foot to Niagara. Several historical and genealogical references show Griffin making such journeys in 1633 and 1634. 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 . 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. Acknowledging that French archeologists side with Libert, she asks what they know about Native American fishing practices. Her adventure is set be featured on national television as part of an hour . Carbon dating of the bowsprit places suggests an age range within a year of the sinking. 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. 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. All rights reserved. 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?' 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. 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. The sails were merely supplemental for traveling down wind. Kingsford's text says Thirty-nine Mile Point, but modern charts do not show that name. An infamous 'cursed' ship that disappeared more than 340 years ago has been found. State archaeologists reviewed the footage, and "They've been very diligent to say, 'This is really interesting; these are some neat pictures,'" Dykstra said.
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