This blog has reported multiple times in the past on the search for Le Griffon, a 17th-century ship believed to have been lost in Lake Michigan. While a team of archaeologists has discovered remains believed to belong to the missing vessel, speculation still persists as to whether this is the correct boat.
Four years ago, scientists Kevin Dykstra and Frederick Monroe first found the underwater wreckage they claim to be Le Griffon. They have presented evidence to Dean Anderson of the state of Michigan, including a nail that could have been made by hand for the ship.
Although there are currently no plans to confirm the identity of this wreck via an official dive, Anderson told local source WZZM about what it would take to confirm the wreck's identity. Previous efforts looking into potential wreck sites for this ship have led to false alarms, with one piece of wood thought to be a piece of the wreck actually revealed to be part of a fishing net.
"I think, ultimately, if we're really going to be able to make a serious evaluation of this, it's probably going to take a maritime archaeologist to dive that site and look at it," he said. "I think we'll probably have that conversation, if we really want to do a serious evaluation."
Le Griffon, known in English as The Griffin, set sail in 1679 and disappeared on its first voyage under the command of Robert De LaSalle. It has become a well-known object for local divers and will represent a significant discovery if its location is confirmed.
Commercial diving insurance helps diving crews explore strange waters and protects them as they look for important details. Multiple visits to one site could be necessary to confirm the identity of a ship or similar wreckage.