Notes • August 7, 2025by johnataylor on TwosFun Fact: On August 7, 1679, The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America. Le Griffon (The Griffin) was a sailing vessel built by French explorer and fur trader René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in the Niagara area of New York in 1679. On its return trip from it's fur-trading expedition in September, 1679, it vanished with all six crew members.