Posted by Jake on December 30, 19103 at 22:53:20:
In Reply to: Re: Location of the Griffon? posted by Brendon Baillod on December 20, 19103 at 22:55:52:
Thanks for the reply Brendon. I've followed the forum for a few years, but rarely have had much to contribute or inquire about. I live in Door County and used to run the Shoreline resort's dive boat before the owner go his license. I also ran a small dive charter service on my 25 Mako "Depth Charge" primarily diving the Frank O'Connor out of Baileys Harbor. I remember first learning of La Salle and the Griffon in my 4th Grade Social Studies class that focused on WI history. My mother taught that class and a few years later she showed me a wooden mallet head that a local commercial fisherman's kid had brought in for show and tell. It came up in a gillnet off Washington Island. No shortage of dives up here in the Door. I'm now fortunate to own a small business and hope I can start doing more U/W exploration soon. I haven't done much academic study of the Griffon's final voyage so I don't know what the odds are that she might lay off any of the numerous shoals and bars between the Door and Garden Peninsula. Whether she does or not, there is no shortage of other known and potential wreck sites to explore.
: There are at least two current efforts concerning the Griffon. I believe Clive Cussler and NUMA are interested in the possibility of locating her. NUMA found another of LaSalle's vessels and Cussler has done some excellent research on LaSalle and his vessels. A private group from Michigan has also located some promising remains which are receiving some academic study at this time. The Mississagi Strait wrecksite has also been searched for. The wreck originally was on the reefs but slipped off into deeper water. It had been ruled out some years ago because reports from the early 1900s stated that it was too large and had threaded ironwork, which was not in existence in 1679. The Griffon Cove site at Tobermory has also been discredited by the 1984 Hundley examination.
: I know of at least 20 claims in the past 150 years to the Griffon wrecksite. The problem is that almost any keel and ribs on northern Lake Michigan or Huron shores is a candidate until eliminated. With the recent low water, one could add dozens of new sites to rule out. Frankly, unless she sank in deep water or has substantial remains (i.e - guns), I doubt she'll ever be positively identified.
: I believe that's the latest news and rumour concerning the Griffon.
: : Is anyone aware of any recent efforts to locate and identify LaSalle's ship, the Griffon?