Complex sentence: The first ship built for service on the upper lakes (above Niagara Falls) was the "Le Griffon", launched in the summer of 1679, and rigged as a brigantine, she was about 70 feet long.
Split into simpler sentences: The first ship built for service on the upper lakes (above Niagara Falls) was the "Le Griffon". Launched in the summer of 1679, and rigged as a brigantine, she was about 70 feet long.