The Big Wooden Canoe
“The boat was of 45 tun, and built to hold 30 men.”
A Passage From Father Hennepin's Diary
It was the very frigid winter of 1678-79
When Explorer LaSalle built ‘Le Griffon’
He was searching for the Northwest Passage
Needing a huge vessel to sail the Great Lakes on
‘Big Wooden Canoe,’ as amazed Native Americans called it
Left the Niagara River, on August 7, 1679, with a crew of 32
They sailed across Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan
Through uncharted waters, never knowing what they might view
LaSalle, and Father Hennepin, and the crew of the Big Wooden Canoe
Eventually arrived on the shores of a place called Green Bay, Wisconsin
On September 18th, Explorer LaSalle sent the Le Griffon back to Niagara
But The Big Wooden Canoe never arrived there, and was never seen again
La Salle, himself, spent many years attempting to locate his vanished vessel
Over the years, Le Griffon eventually became ‘The Holy Grail of Shipwrecks’
And, over the centuries, off the shores of Green Bay, on dark, misty, mornings
Many have claimed to have sighted her still sailing, with several figures on deck
As I sit out here now, on my small fishing boat, off the shores of Green Bay
I, too, recall the misty morning several years ago, when I saw this ghost ship
Its sails all torn and tattered, and several ghostly figures standing on its deck
I swear those very determined sailors waved at me, on their never-ending trip
I truly love wandering these Great Lakes,
They all contain so much fascinating history;
Their sights, and sounds, and ancient legends,
Since early childhood, continue to captivate me.
©2011, A Dark and Haunting Great Lake Morning,
Off the Shores of Marvelous Old Green Bay
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Anna
MAKES ME THINK OF THE TUNE 'THE EDMUND FITZGERALD' ....
TK...
sad though it is
~Mr. Ed~
what a great pleasure it has been traveling
with your imagination for the reality!
Lady Vivian
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Texas, Karen Lynn. :D
Cheers,
Dan
and a joy to read and experience.
Thank you.
John
I'm fascinated with what you say your saw, woah!
Blessings,
Christine
Newfie Hugs, Rose