Located on the Upper Niagara River in LaSalle, Griffon Park and boat dock commemorates the area where French explorer Rene-Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, launched the first sailing ship, the Griffon, built in 1679, to ply the upper Great Lakes. La Salle, seeking the Northwest Passage to China and Japan, sailed the Griffon across Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.The Griffon sailed through waters to the interior of North American where previously only canoes had ventured. Filled with furs, La Salle disembarked and ordered the ship back to Niagara. The Griffon vanished along the way with all six crew members and her load of fur. At Griffon Park, a commemorative rock details the history.