The Doomed Voyage
The La Belle
In 1687 on a cold, blustery winter's day, the small French ship La Belle ran aground on the Texas coast. This is the story of that faithful day and the impact that it has today on the state of Texas.
La Salle had grown bored with fur trading and so in 1677 he asked the Fench king, Louis XIV for permission to explore a greater area of western New France. The king and La Salle were very interested in taking over more of North America, including areas close to Mexico. King Louis XIV gave the commission, or permission to La Salle to explore what is Texas today.
The weather once again played an important role in determining the fate of the La Belle. A fierce northerly wind arose, and the crew was unable to control the ship. They dropped the anchor, but it failed to hold. The ship was driven southward across Matagorda bay where the ship plunged stern first into the reef. The crew was able to set up camp on the beach and to rescue a few supplies from the wreck until the ship and the remaing cargo sank below the water.
Things to remember about La Salle.
He was the first European to sail down the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Because of LaSalle, Spain hurried to build more missions throughout the area, in hopes they could push France off the land.
La Salle was assassinated in Texas on March 20, 1687 by three of his own men. It was a sad end for an important explorer.
Created and narrated by: Tony Dodson
Resources used....
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002678F/la_salle.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09009b.htm
http://education.texashistory.unt.edu/lessons/notebook/Explorers_Texas/docs/explorers%20[Compatibility%20Mode].pdf
http://library.thinkquest.org/4034/lasalle.html
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