FIRST – Ship to sail Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan – Part 1
Posted by: Hard Oiler
N 42° 59.900 W 082° 25.310
17T E 384104 N 4761610
The Griffon was the first European ship to sail Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan.
Waymark Code: WMF65
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 06/18/2006
Views: 38
The Griffon was built by the French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier Sieur de LaSalle at Niagara Falls. The Griffon’s maiden voyage started from Niagara on August 7, 1679. La Salle and 34 men sailed across Lake Erie to present day Detroit and then to St Ignace, near the Straits of Mackinac, finally stopping at safe anchorage on the shores of Green Bay.
On September 18, 1679, La Salle dispatched a crew of six to sail the Griffon, which was loaded with some 6000 pounds of furs, tools, and trade goods back to Niagara. It was never seen again.
Here at Sarnia, originally called “The Rapids”,. he encountered rapids and had to haul the boat up them into Lake Huron.
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