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From a Watery Grave: The Discovery and Excavation of La Salle's Shipwreck, La Belle
On a frigid, stormy day in February of 1686, a small French sailing ship lost control and ran aground in Matagorda Bay. The crew had braved an ocean voyage, attacks by pirates, raids by Native Americans, and ravaging diseases under the command of famed explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, hoping to establish a colony in the New World. Pounded in the Texas bay by gale winds and storm surges, La Belle finally slipped beneath the water and sank to the bottom, where it would remain for centuries.
More than 300 years later, Texas Historical Commission archaeologists discovered La Belle’ s resting place. Using cutting-edge technology and scientific innovation, investigators excavated the shipwreck and salvaged from its watery grave more than a million artifacts, including bronze guns, muskets, trade beads, axes, rings, bells, dishes, medicines—everything a new-world colony needed for survival.
Authors James E. Bruseth and Toni S. Turner use vivid photographs and engaging descriptions to share the excitement of discovery as they piece together both the ship and its tragic story. For those interested in history, archaeology, or the quest for clues to the past, From a Watery Grave tells a riveting tale of nautical adventure in the seventeenth century and reveals modern scientific archaeology at its best.
More than 300 years later, Texas Historical Commission archaeologists discovered La Belle’ s resting place. Using cutting-edge technology and scientific innovation, investigators excavated the shipwreck and salvaged from its watery grave more than a million artifacts, including bronze guns, muskets, trade beads, axes, rings, bells, dishes, medicines—everything a new-world colony needed for survival.
Authors James E. Bruseth and Toni S. Turner use vivid photographs and engaging descriptions to share the excitement of discovery as they piece together both the ship and its tragic story. For those interested in history, archaeology, or the quest for clues to the past, From a Watery Grave tells a riveting tale of nautical adventure in the seventeenth century and reveals modern scientific archaeology at its best.
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 15, 2023
This is a 149-page book filled with pictures and maps telling about the discovery and excavation of La Salle's ship "La Belle" which was lost under the water of Matagorda Bay in Texas for some 300 years. The book offers history about La Salle and the efforts of the French to colonize land near the mouth of the Mississippi River plus tells the story of the discovery of La Belle and the efforts taken to recover its treasures with careful planning and dedication to ethical excavation and handling of artifacts as well as the contribution to the understanding of the history of making a colony in that time. If you enjoy history and learning about how an important shipwreck like this would be handled for maximum preservation, it's an interesting read.
September 15, 2015
This is a fascinating book. Filled with color photos, b&w drawings and is very well explained. The story starts with a brief history of the travels and sinking of the La Belle then continues with the discovery, excavation and the ongoing preservation of the wreak.
I first saw the La Belle after it had been transferred to permanent display at the Bob Bullock museum in Austin TX. I had taken some visiting family members to see our wonderful museum. After talking to the very nice, well-informed curator, I found out that the museum had been designed with presentation of the La Belle in mind. She was able to answer almost all our questions and they ones she didn’t know found out for as quickly as she could.
During our visit we were able to watch the full-time preserver working on rebuilding the ship from its preserved parts (In the book it describes how they carefully took the ship’s hull apart to be able to safely transport it to TX A&M for restoration.) I highly recommend you to visit this museum if you have opportunity. Not only does it have the’ La Belle’, but the rest of the museum is wonderful way to learn about Texas history.
After reading through the list of item present on board on was amazed at how meticulous the screening process for artifacts is that they were able to find needles, pins and even seeds.
In the book there is one incident that was related about a trip back from the site where both engines quit leaving them powerless in rough seas. After contacting the Coast guard they were told to call back when they were sinking. My father was in the Coast Guard and they never would have said this. I’ve read and heard about the CG doing much less important services for civilians, so the only thing I can conclude is that the officer in charge of that station was too regimental or had something against the project.
Below are a few thoughts and questions I had after reading the book.
1)I noted that The TX Transportation Dept. funded part of the search. While I’m glad the project was able to receive funding, I think transportation funds could be better used to build and repair the roadways than attractions to visit along the way.
2)I know that the sand in the cofferdam provided a convenient place to put needs equipment, etc. but I’m curious as to whether the added weight contributed in a positive or negative way in holding out the water or if it made any difference at all.
3)I noticed that one of the foundations that supported this project was the Cullen Foundation. Could this be related to the Carlisle Cullen foundation of Twilight fame?
4)Wouldn't it have been better to have two people on guard at night on site, in case one gets injured or something?
5)It is fortunate that since the ship was built just for this voyage, we know that everything on board belonged to this voyage and was not left behind on a previous one.
6)They speculate on the bur-clover found on board and how it may have been the means of introducing to Texas. I hate those things!
Fave parts: finding the cannon, building the cofferdam, description of the procedure of how to preserve encrusted iron objects and the choice of where to bury the unknown sailor’s remains.
I first saw the La Belle after it had been transferred to permanent display at the Bob Bullock museum in Austin TX. I had taken some visiting family members to see our wonderful museum. After talking to the very nice, well-informed curator, I found out that the museum had been designed with presentation of the La Belle in mind. She was able to answer almost all our questions and they ones she didn’t know found out for as quickly as she could.
During our visit we were able to watch the full-time preserver working on rebuilding the ship from its preserved parts (In the book it describes how they carefully took the ship’s hull apart to be able to safely transport it to TX A&M for restoration.) I highly recommend you to visit this museum if you have opportunity. Not only does it have the’ La Belle’, but the rest of the museum is wonderful way to learn about Texas history.
After reading through the list of item present on board on was amazed at how meticulous the screening process for artifacts is that they were able to find needles, pins and even seeds.
In the book there is one incident that was related about a trip back from the site where both engines quit leaving them powerless in rough seas. After contacting the Coast guard they were told to call back when they were sinking. My father was in the Coast Guard and they never would have said this. I’ve read and heard about the CG doing much less important services for civilians, so the only thing I can conclude is that the officer in charge of that station was too regimental or had something against the project.
Below are a few thoughts and questions I had after reading the book.
1)I noted that The TX Transportation Dept. funded part of the search. While I’m glad the project was able to receive funding, I think transportation funds could be better used to build and repair the roadways than attractions to visit along the way.
2)I know that the sand in the cofferdam provided a convenient place to put needs equipment, etc. but I’m curious as to whether the added weight contributed in a positive or negative way in holding out the water or if it made any difference at all.
3)I noticed that one of the foundations that supported this project was the Cullen Foundation. Could this be related to the Carlisle Cullen foundation of Twilight fame?
4)Wouldn't it have been better to have two people on guard at night on site, in case one gets injured or something?
5)It is fortunate that since the ship was built just for this voyage, we know that everything on board belonged to this voyage and was not left behind on a previous one.
6)They speculate on the bur-clover found on board and how it may have been the means of introducing to Texas. I hate those things!
Fave parts: finding the cannon, building the cofferdam, description of the procedure of how to preserve encrusted iron objects and the choice of where to bury the unknown sailor’s remains.
June 27, 2013
This book was written by longtime friends, internationally renowned archaeologist Jim Bruseth and wife, scholar and co-author, Toni Turner. My humble comments cannot compare to the four prestigious book awards this tome has received: 2009 James Deetz Book Award, Society for Historical Archaeology; 2006 Book Award, Society of American Archaeology; 2006 Deolece Parmelee Award, Texas Historical Foundation; and the 2005 Presidio la Bahía Award, The Sons of the Republic of Texas. Suffice it to say, the book is well written, detailed, beautifully illustrated, fascinating, and a sequel is, "in the works."
The story begins as follows ... "On a frigid, stormy day in February of 1686, a small French sailing ship lost control and ran aground in Matagorda Bay .... More than 300 years later, Texas Historical Commission archaeologists discovered La Belle’s resting place. Using cutting-edge technology and scientific innovation, investigators excavated the shipwreck and salvaged from its watery grave more than a million artifacts, including bronze guns, muskets, trade beads, axes, rings, bells, dishes, medicines — everything a new-world colony needed for survival."
The ship is being conserved by leading experts at Texas A&M University, the French government is involved and supportive, and an exhibition of the hull and its artifacts is planned in the near future. Stay tuned!
The story begins as follows ... "On a frigid, stormy day in February of 1686, a small French sailing ship lost control and ran aground in Matagorda Bay .... More than 300 years later, Texas Historical Commission archaeologists discovered La Belle’s resting place. Using cutting-edge technology and scientific innovation, investigators excavated the shipwreck and salvaged from its watery grave more than a million artifacts, including bronze guns, muskets, trade beads, axes, rings, bells, dishes, medicines — everything a new-world colony needed for survival."
The ship is being conserved by leading experts at Texas A&M University, the French government is involved and supportive, and an exhibition of the hull and its artifacts is planned in the near future. Stay tuned!
September 22, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews