LaSalle and the Voyage of the Griffon Part III - The Griffon is "Found"???

Last summer, a Great Lakes treasure hunter named Steve Libert claimed that he had found the Griffon between Escanaba and the St. Martin Islands, near Wisconsin. During his procedure to arrest the wreck for salvage claims, his permit was rejected by the State of Michigan who claimed that the wreck was theirs. According to their state mandate, all ships found in waters that border their state are Michigan's property.  Michigan moved to block Libert's claim in federal court, arguing that state law and the federal Abandoned Shipwreck Act give it ownership of sunken boats of historical significance.

A huge court battle ensued between Libert and the State of Michigan over the rights to the wreck and ownership. Illinois state archaeologists through Chicago's Field Museum have been investigating the wreck site but have been very tight-lipped about their results. Most scientists and researchers feel very dubious of the claim that this ship is the legendary Griffon. Mr. Libert's attorney claim that Libert is "committed to preserving the site" and wants to work with Michigan officials. However, it appears that Mr. Libert has spent enough time, money and energy trying to negotiate with the State of Michigan.

Just this past week, Libert trumped Michigan's claim to the wreck by working with the French government to impose France's claim to the ship. Since the Griffon was commissioned as a French vessel on officially-sanctioned French business, then France's right to the Griffon supercedes that of the State of Michigan. In a somewhat ironic twist, France wants to exert its right to the ship and has commissioned Mr. Libert and his Great Lakes Exploration Group to go forward with their work on the wreck. WOW!

Right now the courts are trying to find out what to do next. No one has worked the wreck site yet this year. U.S. Chief District Judge Robert Holmes Bell told Mr. Libert's attorney to get more details to the state scientists within the next two weeks. Once the details are received, the state will check the site and report back its ruling in July. In the meantime, the story of the Griffon is still shrouded by mystery and now international litigation. We will report more on this story as the the plot thickens.....
Dedicated to LaSalle Senior High School Class of 1965.

Comments

[Steve Libert]

David,

FYI

Great Lakes Exploration Group has spent nine months of their energies and a significant amount of monies in negotiating an agreement with the State of Michigan. All negotiations failed almost two months ago. I discovered the vessel in 2001 after 28 years of research and searching. It has taken four years to jump through the legal hoops. The Military Craft Act of 2005 and not the ASA of 1986 is the correct law to apply in this case. France owns the vessel. Yes, I was on top of this issue and followed this bill, as it was inevitable to pass.

The State of Michigan was contacted first on this discovery and showed no interest. Texas A & M was contacted and showed no interest as did East Carolina and the University of Michigan. The list is endless. Chicago’s Field Museum did take an interest and one of their Archeologists has visited the site twice.

I too have a diving partner that was born and grew up in Niagara Falls. He is very knowledgeable on the “Le Griffon.” I believe he graduated in 1961.

Steve Libert
President
Great Lakes Exploration Group LLC

[David A. Bright]

Steve,

Thank you very much for your comments on our web log regarding LaSalle's famous ship. Since this vessel has always been referred to as the "Holy Grail" of the Great Lakes, I wish you the best of luck in your discovery of the Griffon. Please update us with the latest news on your archaeological findings and your bureaucratic interactions. We will be happy to post any of your findings!

David A. Bright
President
Nautical Research Group, Inc.