Le Griffon and the Huron Islands - 1679

In 1679, the French ship Le Griffon mysteriously vanished. Was it lost in a violent storm or robbed of its valuable cargo of furs and set ablaze? No one knows, but historians are quite certain the ship found its final resting place on the bottom of the Great Lakes.
Now after centuries of mystery and misinformation, Steve and Kathie Libert reveal that Le Griffonlikely met her final fate among the Huron Islands in Lake Michigan, northeast of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Their research placed her final moments near these islands, precisely where the Liberts discovered a colonial-age shipwreck. Could this be La Salle's Le Griffon?
Le Griffon's disappearance became an unsolved mystery for French explorer Robert La Salle, who searched for her whereabouts to no avail. Ironically, if the ship-cursed by local Indian tribes-proves to be Le Griffon, she lays under tribal waters, adding to the mystique of her story. Using primary source documents, the Liberts detail their historical journey of exploration and discovery in solving the first Great Lakes maritime mystery. Many history enthusiasts have patiently waited for this mythical creature to magically raise her eagle head and lioness body from the depths to continue on with her voyage. After nearly 340 years of unanswered questions and more than a dozen unsubstantiated claims of her discovery, Le Griffon can begin to ply the waters - at least in our imaginations.

STEVE AND KATHIE LIBERT share over 42 years of researching Great Lakes mysteries. Steve's gift as a dogged researcher and Kathie's ability to separate "unnecessary static" from the facts open a path of exciting possibilities in their search for Robert La Salle's flagship Le Griffon. Steve's expertise in underwater technology and adventurous spirit in high-risk adventures offered him the opportunity to participate in many historical endeavors. Their research has taken him on underwater expeditions and missions where only a few have ventured: to the East China Sea, Okinawa, and his beloved Great Lakes. Steve acted as consultant to the late renowned author Clive Cussler as NUMA's Virginia Director, the distinguished archaeologist Dr. Lee Spence on the confederate submarine CSS Hunley, and the late legendary shipwreck researcher Robert (Bob) Fleming. Steve has participated in projects such as the Titanic, I-52 submarine, NAVY FLIGHT 19 AVENGERS, John Paul Jones' Bon Homme Richard, General Yamashita's hidden troves, the Poverty Island Mystery, sinking of the Carl D. Bradley, missing L-39C Albatross and their lifelong quest, Le Griffon. Steve has appeared on various national and international media venues such as ABC's "Good Morning America" and "Good Morning Canada" along with Paris and NPR radio.
Contact the authors for events or signings at
tel: 571-331-5634 or
libert@greatlakesexploration.com