LE GRIFFON

1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

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

2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

Le Griffon was a wooden bark, a type of ship characterized by its robust construction and significant carrying capacity for the time. It was equipped with seven cannons, making it not only a cargo vessel but also a formidable presence on the Great Lakes. Constructed in 1679 near Cayuga Island on the Niagara River, Le Griffon was the largest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes at that time, representing a significant advancement in shipbuilding for the region.

3. HISTORY #

Le Griffon was built under the direction of Robert de La Salle, a French explorer and fur trader, who sought to expand his exploration and trading efforts across the Great Lakes. Launched in August 1679, the ship embarked on its maiden voyage with a crew of 32, including Father Louis Hennepin. Le Griffon sailed across Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan, exploring uncharted waters that had previously been navigated only by canoes.

The vessel’s ill-fated final voyage began after La Salle disembarked on an island in Lake Michigan, leaving Le Griffon to return to Niagara with a load of furs. On September 18, 1679, Le Griffon set sail back toward Niagara but mysteriously vanished along with its crew and cargo. Despite numerous searches and investigations over the centuries, the exact fate of Le Griffon and the location of its wreck remain one of the Great Lakes’ most enduring mysteries.

4. FINAL DISPOSITION #

Le Griffon disappeared during its return journey from an island in Lake Michigan, believed to be near the mouth of what is now known as Green Bay. The ship, along with its crew and cargo, was lost, and its wreck has never been conclusively found. Various theories and claims have been made over the years regarding the location of the wreck, but no definitive evidence has been confirmed.

5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of Le Griffon.

6. LOCATED BY & DATE #

Le Griffon’s wreck has been the subject of numerous searches and investigations over the centuries, with various claims made about its discovery:

• 1898: Albert Cullis claimed to have found the ship in Lake Huron, but the location was later lost.
• 1934: A vessel found in Hessel, Michigan, was initially believed to be Le Griffon, but this was later debunked.
• 2014: Multiple claims were made, including one by Steve Libert near Poverty Island, Michigan, and another by Kevin Dykstra and Frederick Monroe near Frankfort in Lake Michigan, but these were also debunked.

The exact location of Le Griffon’s wreck remains unidentified, with various inconclusive findings throughout history.

7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

As the wreck of Le Griffon has never been definitively located, its current condition and accessibility are unknown. If discovered, the wreck is likely to be in a deteriorated state, given the passage of time and the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes.

8. 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

9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #

Le Griffon holds a unique place in the history of the Great Lakes as the first European sailing vessel to navigate these waters. Its disappearance remains one of the most intriguing maritime mysteries in North American history. The ship’s legacy is kept alive through ongoing searches and historical investigations, though the exact circumstances of its loss and the location of its wreck continue to elude discovery.

10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #

Given the elusive nature of Le Griffon’s wreck, divers and researchers interested in its story must rely on historical records, recent claims, and ongoing investigations. Any potential sites should be approached with caution and respect for their historical significance. The discovery of Le Griffon would be a significant archaeological find, and as such, any exploration should be conducted under the guidance of experts in underwater archaeology and with adherence to legal and ethical standards.

TAGS #

• Great Lakes Shipwreck
• Le Griffon
• Lake Michigan
• 17th Century Maritime History
• Bark
• Shipwreck
• Maritime Mystery
• Robert de La Salle
• Early Exploration

CONCLUSION #

The story of Le Griffon is one of adventure, exploration, and mystery. As the first European sailing vessel on the Great Lakes, it represented a bold step into the unknown for Robert de La Salle and his crew. Yet, its disappearance shortly after its maiden voyage has left an enduring mystery that continues to captivate historians, archaeologists, and maritime enthusiasts. Despite numerous searches and claims over the centuries, the fate of Le Griffon remains unsolved, making it one of the Great Lakes’ most tantalizing lost ships. The ongoing quest to find this historic vessel serves as a testament to the enduring allure of maritime exploration and the mysteries of the deep.