La Salle decided to visit the Senecas at Tagarondies himself. [4] They entered Lake St. Clair on 12 August, the feast day of Saint Clare of Assisi, and named the lake after her. He also teaches public affairs reporting, international journalism, feature writing and media law and serves as director of the schools Capital News Service. One candidate is a wreck at the western end of Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron, with another wreck near Escanaba, Michigan, also proposed. So you want to make a news show? 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 other wreckage has been approximately dated to between 1632 and 1682. While frozen rivers made traveling easy, finding food was not. Tonti learned of a plan to burn the ship before it could be launched, so he launched ahead of schedule and Le Griffon entered the waters in early May 1679. They were open vessels (no deck) made of wood measuring up to about 35 feet (11m) long and capable of carrying three or four tons of cargo. 18 Famous Shipwrecks in the World - Marine Insight Others say he did not return to Niagara until July. They made their way north and west to Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron where they were becalmed until noon of 25 August. There are three acceptable English spellings of the word: griffin, griffon and gryphon. While they were at times fitted with mast and sails, their primary propulsion was either oars or poles. "That was kind of telling to us that the ship probably weathered a storm; otherwise, there would probably be a rudder on it.". The furs on board would have cost 640,000 in today's value, sinking with the vessel. Griffon, oldest Great Lakes shipwreck, under Lake Michigan somewhere Over the years there have been 22 claims of the discovery of the Griffon. 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. La Salle seized two of the deserters and sent Tonti with six men to arrest two more at Sault Ste. Acknowledging that French archeologists side with Libert, she asks what they know about Native American fishing practices. Editor's Note:In our original version of this story, we inadvertently used video that belonged to Great Lakes Exploration Group, LLC. [Disasters at Sea: 6 Deadliest Shipwrecks]. Every one of these shipwreck hunters finds a bone pile and claims its the Griffon.. Most of the ship remnants were in shallow, not deep water makes the other claims inaccurate. [notes 1], Before 1673, the most common vessel on the lakes was the canoe. 'Le Griffon': Muskegon Divers Claim To Have Found The 'Holy Grail' Of It dragged anchor and ran aground near Thirty Mile Point on Lake Ontario, where it broke apart. 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. 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. Legions of searchers have tried to track down its. [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. $19.95 plus $3 S&H. Mr Libert then spent two years sifting through satellite imagery before he made a breakthrough. I left school at 16 with six GCSEs - and became a self-made millionaire. While there have been many theories over the years, there is no clear consensus as to the fate or current location of Le Griffon. by | Jun 6, 2022 | ephesus elementary school principal | kristen modafferi kristin smart | Jun 6, 2022 | ephesus elementary school principal | kristen modafferi kristin smart The Great Lakes hold the secrets of about 8,000 shipwrecks. 'Father Louis Hennepin said it was lost in a violent storm. Each November, the East Lansing Film Festival showcases independent films. 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. 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. The Liberts say the Griffin is the exact wreck seen in 2018 close to Poverty Island right in Lake Michigan. [4] She had the figure of a griffin mounted on her jib-boom and an eagle flying above. 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. Its discovery is credited to wreck hunters Stevie and Kathie Libert for the record. Alex Murdaugh Trial Ends with Guilty Verdict, Life in Prison Sentence; Ex-Lawyer's Court Exit Caught on Video, Russia-Ukraine War: Russian Diplomat Claims Ukraine War Was Launched Against Us, Sparks Laughter from Crowd, G20 India Leadership Says PM Modi's Stance on Ukraine Is Valid Despite Dissent, Cindy McCain Appointed as New Head of UN World Food Program, Promises To Address Global Humanitarian Needs, PLA Air Force J-11 Fighter Intercepts US Patrol Aircraft in the South China Monitoring Chinese Military, Japan Facing Major Population Headache as Birth Rate Plummets Again. Joe Porter, publisher for Wreck Diving Magazine, has penned articles on famous ship wrecks including the Titanic, but saidthe Griffon is the most fascinating. "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? [citation needed], On 18 November 1678, after just over a month of preparations at Fort Frontenac, La Salle dispatched Captain La Motte and Father Louis Hennepin together with 15 men and supplies in a vessel of 10 tons. Lake Erie covers 2,000 of them, among the highest concentration of wrecks in the world. The ship disappeared 343 years back on its maiden launch without a trace. Using sonar, two treasure hunters found the remains of a shipwreck in Lake Michigan. 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). Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). They were driven northwesterly until the evening of 27 August when under a light southerly breeze they finally rounded Bois Blanc Island and anchored in the calm waters of the natural harbor at East Moran Bay off the settlement of Mission St. Ignace, where there was a settlement of Hurons, Ottawas, and a few Frenchmen. Cursed Shipwreck 'The Griffin' Discovered After More Than Three - HNGN Green and Ken Vrana, the principal of Maritime Heritage Consulting, advocate an independent assessment by professionals. 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. She was found by an aircraft belonging to the US Navy on 14th November 1975. Tornadoes Hit Central US; Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus Ohio Brace For Intense Weather. Many authors since Mansfield have followed suit. The griffin is featured on one side of coins minted in Abdera, Greece. Michigan Urban Legends to Tell Around the Campfire "I didn't go down there with the expectation of seeing a shipwreck I can tell you that," Dykstra told Live Science. It would be busted up, she said. [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. Now, treasure hunters who. Unexpectedly, a nail attached itself to the magnet, and the treasure hunters only discovered it later, once they were above water. It was the first big ship to sail the Great Lakes. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News. While diving in Lake Michigan, two men stumbled upon a shipwreck they think is a 1676 French ship named 'Le Griffon,' or The Griffin. Because his second account has numerous exaggerations and cases where he credits himself for things that La Salle had done, Hennepin's first account is considered more reliable. Creating a fur trade monopoly with the Native Americans would finance his quest and building Le Griffon was an "essential link in the scheme". It just sparked my interest and I started researching more and more. He noted that the wreck is near the western Michigan coast, not near Beaver Island, the area mentioned in La Salle's journal. The two men did not bring up the nail on purpose, and they plan to return it to the state, said Dean Anderson, the state archaeologist for Michigan. La Salle returned to the area in 1682, to try again to locate the Mississippi's mouth. [notes 5][pageneeded] When La Salle heard of the loss (through a messenger or one of the natives), he left Niagara and joined in the salvage effort. LeGriffon launched on Aug. 7, 1679, with LaSalle, Father Louis Hennepin and a crew of 32. Wherever the Griffon is, if its in deep water somewhere, there are cannons near it, she says. WHITEFISH POINT, MICH.- The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) is proud to announce the discovery of the 292-foot Whaleback vessel, Barge 129. Several historical and genealogical references show Griffin making such journeys in 1633 and 1634. The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known but many researchers believe she was a 45-ton barque. 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. 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. Single mother faces 170 parking fine after overstaying at McDonald's for just 14 minutes while she treated Public Service Announcement, do NOT watch these ads! 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. La Salle decided to stay behind with four canoes to explore the head of Lake Michigan. That is my question. Its true fate remains a mystery, though it's commonly believed that the ship may have foundered in a storm or been scuttled by a mutinous crew. At the time, no other wreckage was found, but scientists noted other wreckage may not be far away.[16][17]. The details of these discoveries along with numerous illustrations are contained in the pages of this thought provoking book. Le Griffon was a 40 foot long barque (sailing ship) with 7 cannons. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. 'Many believed the Jesuits were responsible for the ship's disappearance. It's a 300-year-old mystery that Carlson and his diving partner, Steve Libert, are determined to solve. The male wirehaired pointer weighs around 50-70 lb, and the females are around 35-50 lb. [19][20] Their claim was quickly debunked when Michigan authorities dove down on 9 June 2015 after receiving the coordinates to verify its authenticity. A griffin (or gryphon) is a chimeric creature, part eagle and part lion. La Belle was the ship of French explorer La Salle, lost at Matagorda Bay in 1686. Shipwrecks are found either beached on land or sunken to the seabed of a body of water. I have spent over 42 years searching for this most sought-after historic vessel.. [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. An explorer claims to have found the long lost French ship Le Griffon at the bottom of 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. [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. All Rights Reserved. Inside Prince Harry's finances from when he met Meghan Markle to landing 100M with Netflix and book Spare Royally hard work! Two divers say they have found "Le Griffon," a 17th-century sailing ship widely considered the "holy grail" of shipwrecks. Read Also:Titanic Artifacts Found, New Discovery Mission "Like Opening a Treasure Box". Somewhere near present-day Toronto they were frozen in and had to chop their way out of the ice. 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. Several historical and genealogical references show the Griffin making such journeys in 1633 and 1634. 'It is just a matter of time before we achieve our goal. Local shipwreck explorer Valerie van Heest spent a week on Manitoulin Island in August of 2018 searching for Le Griffon. 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. Order from www.seawolfcommunications.com or call them at 630-293-8996. by Anonymous - [1][4] The exact size and construction of Le Griffon is not known. B. Mansfield reported that this "excited the deepest emotions of the Indian tribes, then occupying the shores of these inland waters". [citation needed]. Despite photos from several underwater dives, it's still unclear whether the wreck is the 1679 French Griffin. Now, more than 335years later, the wreck of the Griffon has not definitively been found. Alpena County reference. Le Griffon was constructed and launched at or near Cayuga Island on the Niagara River and was armed with seven cannons. 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. 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. 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. Wood can break up. The wreck lies in Lake Michigan. The ship disappeared 343 years back on its maiden launch without a trace. 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. One of the most intriguing is that the wreckage of the Griffon may have been found nearly 100 years ago but went unrecognized. 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 crossing Lake Michigan in the 1800s, they told WZZM, a western Michigan news station. On 6 December, they landed safely on the east bank of the river at about where Lewiston, New York is today. 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 . - 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? myth bird lion hippogriff griffin, also spelled griffon or gryphon, composite mythological creature with a lion's body (winged or wingless) and a bird's head, usually that of an eagle. Charlevoix diver claims to find 'holy grail' of Great Lakes shipwrecks Only about 375 of Lake Erie's wrecks have been found. "It was a hand-forged nail, which helps date it back to that time period, we feel." They're not going back to the wreckage for a while, so they don't make the site vulnerable to other treasure seekers. (Image credit: Father Louis Hennepin Public Domain ). "It's very difficult to access a wreck based on photo and film footage," Anderson said. Divers and shipwreck enthusiasts have spent years trying to piece together clues from the ship's last days to. Fun Wirehaired Griffon Facts For Kids | Kidadl La Salle followed the southern shore of the lake. 'What I suspected was a ship was confirmed by me during a dive in September 2018. Discovery of French ship Le Griffon in Great Lakes prompts Michigan The couples book shares details of how they believed the ship sank near the Huron Islands, a group of small, rocky islands northeast of Green Bay. 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. Lawrence. 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. [citation needed], In July 1679, La Salle directed 12 men to tow Le Griffon through the rapids of the Niagara River with long lines stretched from the bank. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Michigan state maritime archaeologist Wayne R. Lusardi presented evidence that the wreck was, in fact, a tugboat due to its 90-foot (27m) length and presence of a steam boiler. 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. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Scholastic, Popular Science and Spectrum, a site on autism research.