Griffon

Griffon

Article by

James H. Marsh

Published Online	February 7, 2006
Last Edited	March 4, 2015

Griffon, the first ship to sail the Upper Great Lakes.

His one claim to fame is his descent of the Mississippi, upon which French claims to Louisiana were to be based (courtesy Library and Archives Canada/C-1843).

Griffon, the first ship to sail the Upper Great Lakes, was launched at Cayuga Creek on the Niagara R, 7 Aug 1679. A small barque, armed with 7 cannon, it sailed under the command of La Salle to Michilimackinac and Green Bay. Loaded with furs, the Griffon was lost on the return voyage, likely in the storms of Lake Michigan.