Vessel Name: Le Griffon
• Type: Bark
• Built: 1679, near Cayuga Island, Niagara River
• Dimensions: Estimated tonnage of 45 tons
• Armament: Seven cannons
• Crew: 32 on its maiden voyage; six on its final trip
• Last Voyage Date: September 18, 1679
• Final Disposition: Vanished on return trip from an island in Lake Michigan; the wreck location and fate remain unknown.

.Vessel Type Description

Le Griffon was a wooden Bark, distinguished by its large carrying capacity and robust build for the era. It was armed with seven cannons, which was unusual for a cargo vessel, lending it a defensive capability and a formidable presence on the Great Lakes. Built in 1679 near Cayuga Island on the Niagara River, Le Griffon was the largest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes at the time, symbolizing a significant advancement in shipbuilding within the region. It set a precedent as the first European-style sailing vessel to traverse these inland waters.

History

Constructed under the leadership of Robert de La Salle, a French explorer and fur trader, Le Griffon was intended to support La Salle’s ambitious plans to expand trade and exploration through the Great Lakes. The vessel launched in August 1679, with a crew of 32, including the notable Father Louis Hennepin. Le Griffon’s journey took it through Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan, exploring and charting new waters that had previously only been crossed by indigenous canoes.

Its final, fateful journey began after La Salle disembarked on an island in Lake Michigan. La Salle entrusted the ship to return to Niagara with a valuable cargo of furs. On September 18, 1679, Le Griffon set sail back toward Niagara but disappeared with its crew and cargo under mysterious circumstances. Despite extensive searches, the ship’s ultimate fate and its wreck location remain unsolved, marking it as one of the Great Lakes’ longest-standing maritime mysteries.

Final Disposition

Le Griffon vanished near what is now Green Bay, Lake Michigan, on its return journey. Although various theories and claims have emerged over the years regarding the location of the wreck, no conclusive evidence has surfaced to confirm its resting place. The enduring mystery of Le Griffon’s disappearance has inspired numerous expeditions and theories, but none have definitively solved the puzzle.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck of Le Griffon.

Located By & Date

The search for Le Griffon has seen various historical claims and modern expeditions:

• • 1898: Albert Cullis claimed to find the wreck in Lake Huron, but the site was later lost.
• • 1934: A shipwreck in Hessel, Michigan, was initially identified as Le Griffon, though it was later disproven.
• • 2014: Claims surfaced from Steve Libert near Poverty Island, Michigan, and Kevin Dykstra and Frederick Monroe near Frankfort in Lake Michigan. Both were later debunked.

The wreck’s exact location remains unverified, making it one of the Great Lakes’ most mysterious lost vessels.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As the wreck of Le Griffon has never been confirmed or located, its current condition and accessibility are unknown. If discovered, the wreck would likely be in an advanced state of deterioration, given the centuries of exposure to the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes.

Resources & Links

• • The Search for Le Griffon – tDAR Collection
• • David J. Ruck – Search for the Griffon
• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• • Great Lakes Shipwreck Database

Additional Notes

Le Griffon is revered as the first European sailing vessel on the Great Lakes, making its mysterious disappearance a subject of intrigue and speculation for over three centuries. Ongoing searches and investigations have kept the vessel’s story alive, though no conclusive evidence has yet surfaced regarding its fate or location.

Diving Notes & Recommendations

Due to the unresolved status of Le Griffon’s wreck, divers and researchers must rely on historical records and recent claims when considering search locations. Any site exploration should be conducted with caution, respecting the historical significance and adhering to ethical standards. Discovering Le Griffon would constitute a monumental archaeological find, warranting oversight by underwater archaeology experts.

Tags

#GreatLakesShipwreck #LeGriffon #LakeMichigan #MaritimeHistory #17thCentury #Bark #ShipwreckMystery #RobertDeLaSalle #EarlyExploration

Conclusion

Le Griffon’s story is one of ambition, exploration, and mystery. As the first European sailing vessel to navigate the Great Lakes, it marked a pivotal moment in North American history. The vessel’s disappearance shortly after its maiden voyage left behind a tantalizing mystery that endures to this day. Despite countless searches, the fate of Le Griffon and the location of its wreck remain unknown, making it one of the most captivating lost ships in Great Lakes history. The ongoing search for this historic vessel reflects the allure of maritime exploration and the mysteries hidden beneath the waters of the Great Lakes.