That is my question. That evidence? [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. Here are 26 other famous shipwrecks around the world. 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. Now, treasure hunters who believe they found it, said to have stumbled upon it by accident. Dykstra said he took photos of old cannons, a sword, and the griffin sculpture, evidence he says reveals the wreck and itsmissing secrets. They sailed from the Straits of Mackinac to an island (either Washington Island or Rock Island)[1] located at the entrance of Green Bay. Around 4:00pm the Shannon passed Oswego light and headed out into the lake. 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. '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!" 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. Pictured: Some of the wreckage. That is my question. The straight-line distance is about 75 miles (121km). These films range from comedies to dramas to long and short films. 'The ship has no indications of fire damage to the wooden remains,' said Mr Libert. The ship disappeared 343 years back on its maiden launch without a trace. She was found by an aircraft belonging to the US Navy on 14th November 1975. While they were at times fitted with mast and sails, their primary propulsion was either oars or poles. 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. It just sparked my interest and I started researching more and more. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Megan SampTickets can be bought online or at Studio C in Okemos. On the evening of 10th November 1975, Edmund Fitzgerald sank around 17 miles north-northwest of Whitefish Point, Michigan. 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. "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. [6] Some of La Salle's associates called this vessel a brigantine; others called it a bark. JRN@MSU Code of Ethics "If you take the picture of the carving of the griffon and overlay it on what these gentleman have, it's very compelling," Porter said. La Salle whose full name was the noble-sounding Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Sallewasnt aboard the Griffon. But Dykstra and Monroe said they'll wait until they hear the final word. Sources disagree on how long this delay was. They discovered a 15-inch slab of blackened wood that might have been a human-fashioned cultural artifact. 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. Copyright 2023, Michigan State University. Michel L'Hour, a French government archaeologist who's been called 'Indiana Jones in a diving suit', took part in the excavation and theorised that the rest of the ship was nearby. [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. He then charged La Motte with salvage by use of canoes. In September 1679, French explorers loaded the boat with furs and left Green Bay. 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. Kingsford's text says Thirty-nine Mile Point, but modern charts do not show that name. Then they also talk with real people the individual citizens and businesses in communities to get their reactions to whats happening in Lansing. The ship was lost in the depths of northern Lake Michigan over 300 years ago. A griffin (or gryphon) is a chimeric creature, part eagle and part lion. The Griffin shipwreck at the bottom of Lake Michigan. His wishes and hopes to find the legendary ship were all granted when he, his wife Kathie, and a group of others discovered it on Sept. 10, 2018 in upper Lake Michigan. That is simply not true.. Green and Ken Vrana, the principal of Maritime Heritage Consulting, advocate an independent assessment by professionals. 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. 'We are confident the ship was wrecked due to a severe storm. The vessel dragged its anchor for about nine miles to the east before grounding and breaking up near present-day Thirty Mile Point. The ship was constructed and launched on Cayuga Creek on the Niagara River as a seven-cannon, 45-ton barque. It's a 300-year-old mystery that Carlson and his diving partner, Steve Libert, are determined to solve. Megan SampVoters at the Hannah Community Center share why voting matters to them. It's the only artifact so far to be brought back from the ship wreck. They reached Niagara again on 14 January. Ever since I was a junior high schooler in Dayton, Ohio, Ive been interested in this ship, Libert said. Tonti's journal says it was adverse winds. The 1633 journey left at Downs, England and landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts on September 3. . She says American marine archaeologists concluded that what Libert claims is the bowsprit was beyond a doubt part of a Native American fishing trap. The Atlas may be the oldest confirmed commercial schooner discovered in the Great Lakes. 2 - The Almiranta, Santo Cristo de San Roman, Nuestra Seora del Rosario y San Jose (Presumably a galleon). They're not going back to the wreckage for a while, so they don't make the site vulnerable to other treasure seekers. [9][pageneeded] They wished to secure a reliable truce lest the natives interfere with their projects. French explorer Ren-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle built the Griffin in 1679, but it was lost in Lake Michiganthe same year. 1. 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. 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. The griffin is a legendary creature with the head and wings of an eagle, and the body, tail, and hind legs of a lion. 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. When he and Monroe later reviewed the video, they realized it might be the Griffin. Steve Libert diving on the ship in 2018. New York, Navagio Beach in Greece is famous for its shipwreck. If it exists in the physical world, we think it will be there in deep water, she says. While smaller canoes were used on rivers and streams, lake canoes were more commonly larger vessels measuring up to about 35 feet (11m) long. The Griffon was the first ship ever to sail the Great Lakes, originally built to haul furs from the Green Bay area to Detroit. NY 10036. Menu viscount royal caravan. Mobile Reporting Kit The sails were merely supplemental for traveling down wind. The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque. He learned to dive, and the quest was on. It would be busted up, she said. Legions of searchers have tried to track down its. 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. 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. The details of these discoveries along with numerous illustrations are contained in the pages of this thought provoking book. Mr Libert said: 'There are numerous theories as to what happened to The Griffin. After launching, it sailed the Niagara River to Lake Ontario, onward to Lake Erie, then by way of the St. Clair River to Lake Huron and northward to St. Ignace, the Straits of Mackinac and, finally, Lake Michigan. CNS correspondents cover all aspects of Michigan state government. Keen to get away from the neighbours? The ship disappeared 343 years back on its maiden launch without a trace. [19][20] Their claim was quickly debunked when Michigan authorities dove down on 9 June 2015 after receiving the coordinates to verify its authenticity. Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News. 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. Website User Guide Countless shipwrecks sit beneath the ocean and stranded on land around the world. State archaeologists reviewed the footage, and "They've been very diligent to say, 'This is really interesting; these are some neat pictures,'" Dykstra said. They added that a bowsprit was found close by in 2001, assuming it is another part that broke off from the ship. Libert says the evidence hes amassed pinpoints where the wreckage of the 40- to 45-ton ship now rests: in shallow water near Poverty Island and Summer Island. After Le Griffon was launched, she was rigged with sails and provisioned with seven cannon of which two were brass. 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. 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. "[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. Copyright 2023 HNGN. Several French explores built the exploratory vessel Ren-Robert Cavalier and Sieur de La Salle. People remember the cautionary TV commercials from Do not sell or share my personal information. Addressing his problems long delayed his return to the expedition. "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. Despite photos from several underwater dives, it's still unclear whether the wreck is the 1679 French Griffin. 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. Or the Jesuits had something to do with the disappearance. 3 Griffon Vulture Amazing Facts. It was the first big ship to sail the Great Lakes. Alternatively, another . All Rights Reserved. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. ', Shipwreck hunters Steve and Kathie Libertset 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, A scan of the wreck taken by the Great Lakes Exploration Group. Most of the ship remnants were in shallow, not deep water makes the other claims inaccurate. 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. After launching, it sailed the Niagara River to Lake Ontario, onward to Lake Erie, then by way of the St. Clair River to Lake Huron and northward to St. Ignace, the Straits of Mackinac and, finally, Lake Michigan. After disembarking, the ship and the exploration disappeared into history. We hear from the Association of Counties, state court administrator and the president, from Gratiot County, of the Michigan Judges Association. Kids Encyclopedia Facts. The 1633 journey left from Downs, England and landed at Plymouth in Plymouth Colony on September 3. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Le Griffon was a 40 foot long barque (sailing ship) with 7 cannons. All of those people have been wrong including Libert she says. FOR ALPENA, DETROIT, IRON MOUNTAIN, DETROIT, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. Divers and shipwreck enthusiasts have spent years trying to piece together clues from the ship's last days to. The wreck lies in Lake Michigan. Images of the severely dilapidated wreckage show it lying on the bed of Lake Michigan, This image shows the ship's keelson - the structure which fastens a ship's floor timbers to its keel. 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 may be deliberate or accidental. There is no conclusive evidence about any of the theories about Le Griffon's loss.[1]. They then set the ship on fire. 'Michel was spot on when he said the main body of the wreck would be within four miles of the bowsprit. But, the Liberts say her final. That is simply not true.. Each November, the East Lansing Film Festival showcases independent films. Griffin was the name of a 17th-century ship known to have sailed between England and English settlements along Massachusetts Bay in British America. Welcome to the Coronation! The wreck's discoverers agree that more evidence is needed. Do not reproduce without permission. [citation needed], After La Salle and Tonti left, the pilot and the rest of the crew were to follow with the supply vessel. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. It dragged anchor and ran aground near Thirty Mile Point on Lake Ontario, where it broke apart. 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]. So, if the Griffons final resting place isnt where Libert believes it to be, where is it? 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 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. A big Beckham birthday! 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. [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. 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 would no longer exist. 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. While frozen rivers made traveling easy, finding food was not. 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. Until there is an expedition (to the site) with politically unaligned professionals, I will not weigh in one way or another, said Vrana, whose nonprofit group has consulted with Libert. Steve Libert, from the Great Lakes Exploration Group, said he is 99.9% certain . Ive seen dozens and dozens of 100- to 150-year-old ships, and that is not a 350-year-old ship. But, the Liberts say her final resting place is near the Huron Islands in Lake Michigan, northeast of Green Bay. Libert says the evidence hes amassed pinpoints where the wreckage of the 40- to 45-ton ship now rests: in shallow water near Poverty Island and Summer Island. 'The distance of 3.8 miles between the bowsprit and main sections highly suggests the Indians did not sink it either, nor did La Salle's men mutiny and sink the ship. Those left behind proceeded with needed building projects. Content is produced by MSU students under the guidance of journalism faculty. Order from www.seawolfcommunications.com or call them at 630-293-8996. by Anonymous -
It was built by the French explorer Ren Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, with a view to finding a route through the lakes to China and Japan. In the meantime, the duo plans to continue their hunt for the gold bullion. At 42.5 inches tall, the "Pisa Griffin" is the largest bronze medieval Islamic sculpture on the planet and was made in the 11th Century CE. 'She will sink beneath the deep waters and your blood shall stain the hands of those in whom you trusted!'. 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. We apologize to Great Lakes Exploration Group for any confusion this may have caused. Several historical and genealogical references show the Griffin making such journeys in 1633 and 1634. The loss of the Griffon is one of the great mysteries of the Great Lakes. A bowsprit discovered a few miles away in 2001 is another part of the vessel, they claim. Le Griffon is considered by some to have been the first ship lost on the Great Lakes. 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. 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. Historian J. Le Griffon is reported to be the "Holy Grail" of Great Lakes shipwreck hunters. 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. La Salle and Father Louis Hennepin set out on the ship during its maiden voyage on August 7am , 1969 along with a crew of 32. The Le Griffon was discovered in Sept. 2018 after going missing in 1679.Steven Libert. Acknowledging that French archeologists side with Libert, she asks what they know about Native American fishing practices. La Salle took personal command at this point due to evidence that the pilot was negligent. once I broke the surface. There is an excellent book written by Cris Kohl on the Griffon and the various discovery claims. Several French explores built the exploratory vessel Ren-Robert Cavalier and Sieur de La Salle. 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. 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. Baillod said he is "99 percent sure" that the wreck is not that of the Griffon. 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. La Salle never saw the Griffin again. "[5] He also says that at Fort Frontenac in 1676, La Salle "laid the keels of the vessels which he depended on to frighten the English. 'La Salle was certain that the captain and his men committed mutiny, sank the ship and absconded with all the furs. They attempted to sail further upstream, but the current was too strong. Characteristics Physical Description [8], Meanwhile, La Salle and Henri de Tonti, had departed Fort Frontenac in a second vessel some days after La Motte and Hennepin. In the past griffin was a symbol of strength and dexterity.It often looked after a treasure.. Josh Gates tackles an enduring maritime mystery, the first ship to be lost in the Great Lakes, the Griffon. All of those people have been wrong including Libert she says. For Mr Libert, it's the realisation of a childhood dream, sparked by a history teacher who told him about the ship. The ship landed on an island in Lake Michigan where the local tribes had gathered with animal pelts to trade with the French. 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. Over the years there have been 22 claims of the discovery of the Griffon. 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. Hennepin said she was named to protect her from the fire that threatened her. Laura is the archaeology/history and Life's Little Mysteries editor at Live Science. While some of these were made from a single carved log ("dugout" or "pirogue"), most were bark canoes. A ship in shallow water gets beat up quickly. 'But we can systematically search the bottom using non-intrusive techniques and remote sensing devices for conclusive diagnostic evidence. 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 Le Griffon, a barque ship, was carrying bison and furs at the time it disappeared, Libert said. 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. Join the discussion, Playing Nov. 3-10: East Lansing Film Festivals silver anniversary. $19.95 plus $3 S&H. The horror of Japan's death railway captured by cartoon: Top secret US mission to scatter Pearl Harbour mastermind Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' Its fate has been a puzzlement for maritime historians for more than three and a half centuries. Le Griffon, 17th-century sailing ship built by Robert de La Salle may have been found in Lake Michigan 335 years after it disappeared. The furs on board would have cost 640,000 in today's value, sinking with the vessel. 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. La Salle returned to the area in 1682, to try again to locate the Mississippi's mouth. [1][4] The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known. This Virtual History Talk will feature Valerie van Heest, who's a Michigan historian, underwater explorer, and author, talking about the facts and legends surrounding the Le Griffon shipwreck . Creating a fur trade monopoly with the Native Americans would finance his quest and building Le Griffon was an "essential link in the scheme". 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to Wakey Wakey! 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.. La Salle sent Tonti ahead on 22 July 1679 with a few selected men, canoes, and trading goods to secure furs and supplies. Tests on the ship part are dated to 1679; close to a year, dating of the wreck is 1632 to 1982. 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. Now, more than 335years later, the wreck of the Griffon has not definitively been found. 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. The wind did slightly decrease but they drifted slowly all night, unable to find anchorage or shelter. But the wreckage suggests that The Griffin was lost in a storm. Capital News Services articles may be reprinted exclusively by subscribing media organizations. About 30 adventurers have claimed to have found the Griffin, usually by happenstance, Baillod said. From the web site of Libert's company: "There were plenty of theories of what happened to the flagship. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Two divers say they have found "Le Griffon," a 17th-century sailing ship widely considered the "holy grail" of shipwrecks. 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. (Image: Great Lakes Exploration Group via Pen News) The wreck was found near Poverty Island on Lake Michigan, almost 350 years after it vanished. 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. 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 you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. THE WRECK OF THE GRIFFON by Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg, published and distributed by Seawolf Communications Inc. 224 pages. He recounts his hunt and discovery in Le Griffon and the Huron Islands, 1679 (Mission Point Press), written with his wife. UNESCO estimates that worldwide over 3 million shipwrecks. Acknowledging that French archeologists side with Libert, she asks what they know about Native American fishing practices. Is Joe Biden Sick? The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Mr Libert believes the Griffin was caught in a four-day storm and the bowsprit, which was held in place only by wooden wedges, broke off before the rest of the ship sank. The uneasy truce with the Indians was tested by threats and attempts of sabotage and murder. [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. He learned to dive, and the quest was on. 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? 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.