La Salle's ship (Le Griffin)

Le Griffin was the first European-style ship built in North America, constructed around 1679 by the French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. Designed as a sturdy vessel for exploration and trade, it featured a flat-bottomed hull suitable for navigating shallow inland waters like the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. La Salle’s voyage aimed to establish French claims in North America, but the ship faced challenges, including a sinking accident that limited its successful use. Le Griffin remains a symbol of early European exploration and maritime innovation in North America.