Tales of a tragic end in Texas

The tale of French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle’s ill-fated voyage to the Texas Gulf Coast is being told in a series of exhibits about 17th century sailors and colonists who sought to claim the region for France.

The new Museum of the Coastal Bend in Victoria, Texas, which was set to open this weekend, focuses on the French settlement of Ft. St. Louis. Highlights include cannons excavated from the site. Adult entrance $3.50. (361) 582-2511, www.museumofthecoastalbend.org.

“La Salle Odyssey” exhibits in six other area museums encourage travelers to trace colonist journeys and view artifacts recovered from the wreck of the explorer’s scuttled supply ship, La Belle.

In 1684, after exploring various parts of North America, La Salle made his final journey to the New World with four ships and scores of would-be settlers. He missed the mouth of the Mississippi, landing near what is now Palacios, Texas, where a storm wrecked his supply ship.

Some settlers established nearby Ft. St. Louis in 1685, but Karankawa Indians attacked them and Spaniards took over the fort. La Salle, who was seen as arrogant and whose last journey was marked by illness, shipwrecks and piracy, was killed by his own men in 1687.

In 1995, the Texas Historical Commission discovered La Belle in its watery grave in Matagorda Bay. In the next two years it attracted worldwide attention, and more than a million artifacts were extracted. Other “La Salle Odyssey” participants, many of which opened permanent exhibits in August, include:

* Matagorda County Museum in Bay City. Its exhibit focuses on the ship’s excavation and restoration. A diorama illustrates how the cofferdam held back bay waters as archeologists worked. Adult admission $4. (979) 245-7502, www.matagordacountymuseum.org.

* Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport. It features a 1:12 scale model of La Belle and a depiction of daily life aboard the vessel. Adult admission $5. (361) 729-1271, www.texasmaritimemuseum.org.

* Texana Museum in Edna. Its exhibit focuses on the Karankawas who watched the French come ashore and how native life changed. Free. (361) 782-5431, www.ykc.com/jccc/museum.htm.

* Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. It offers a small exhibit on recovery and preservation of La Belle. A larger exhibit, coming in May, will focus on the effect of Europeans on Native Americans and how expeditions were put together. Adult admission $10. (361) 883-2862, www.ccmuseum.com.

* Calhoun County Museum in Port Lavaca. Its exhibit focuses on the power struggle between France and Spain for the New World and on the natives caught in between. Free. (361) 553-4689.

* Palacios, headquarters for the ship excavation. It will be the home port of La Petite Belle, a half-scale seagoing model of the ship, starting in summer 2004.

Many La Belle artifacts may also be seen at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, a day’s drive northwest of Corpus Christi. Adult admission $5.50. (866) 369-7108, www.thestoryoftexas.com.

For more information, visit www.thc.state.tx.us/lasalle/lasdefault.html and www.texas-settlement.org/odyssey.