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
Lk Michigan. La Salle, René-Robert Cavelier de 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).