LaSalle’s ship, ‘The Griffon’ was small compared to other explorative vessels of the age, however it was elegantly crafted and finished with fine details.  It completely astonished the local Iroquois since they could not comprehend how the French could build such a fine and large ‘Canoe’.

Likewise the LaSalle Humidor has been crafted with fine lines and a distinct French charm.  The LaSalle is slightly more compact and can fit nicely on a fireplace mantel, or a bookcase ready to ignite conversation of historic adventures of old.

Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle

King Louis XIV Commissioned La Salle to explore the Mississippi river to the Gulf of Mexico from Canada.  In Canada, he constructed a fort on the Niagara River between Ontario and New York, and built a ship called The Griffon, which he used to explore the Great Lakes.

The Griffon was, a magnificent fully-fitted 45 ton schooner with elegant details and carvings.  Being only 30-40 feet long, The Griffon was the first sailing vessel to sail the Great Lakes, and pass one of today’s largest Canada/US border crossings (Currently Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan.)  This vessel astonished the local Iroquois who couldn’t comprehend how the French could make such a large ‘Canoe’.

La Salle was a man of great wisdom and vision, and despite a lack of funding for his endeavors, assembled many expeditions including one that credited him in the naming of the Mississippi basin after King Louis XIV on April 9th, 1681.  Today, we all know this place as Louisiana.

Today, The Great Lakes Exploration Group believes it has found the shipwreck site of the elusive Griffon vessel. Visit this website for more details on their find.

http://greatlakesexploration.org/index.htm