The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 44, July 1940 - April, 1941 Page: 209
546 p. : ill., maps ; 24 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
De Bellisle on the Texas Coast
mate and the pilots. One day had passed already since
the ship grounded. When none of the officers left their
cabins, nor tried to rescue the ship, the mate said
that he would float the ship from this bank or that
he would die in the attempt. He did it in the follow-
ing manner: he told the pilot to ask the Captain,
through the door, what he wanted them to do. The
Captain answered to this question that they could do
what they wanted, but that they should fasten the
two topsails, which were hoisted to the top of the
mast. The pilot repeated this order to the mate. Here-
upon the mate of the ship said that it was a great
shame. He called all men on deck and told them: "My
children, follow me." He put himself in front of every-
one and began to run from one side of the ship to the
other and all these people followed him. He repeated
this many times. This gave a little movement to the
ship and at the same time he hoisted all the sails.
There was a strong wind blowing seawards. This wind
in the sails, joined to the movement which the ship
made because of all the people, freed the ship from this
sand bank in less than two hours.
When the ship began to rock, the captain left his
cabin and again took command of the ship. We put
out a little to sea, tacking the whole night. When the
day came we held council among the five officers who
were on board and we decided to be put ashore. We
made the pilots come, who told us that they were
pleased with the resolution we had taken and asked
us to light three fires every evening. They said that
within four or five1' days we would be at the Ship
Island, and that as soon as we would be there, we
should send them a vessel to bring them, or otherwise
they would certainly perish. We asked the Captain if
he would loan us his shallop to permit us to land. He
said to take it. We took with us for four or five days,
only biscuit. Furthermore, we took our rifles, our
swords and a little ammunition. All this belonged to
us. We landed with this in front of the same bay
where we had become stranded the day before, hoping
to return in a short time. It was evening when we
landed."4
13How completely lost was everyone on this mad ship, is evident by this
statement. The Ship Island, near Biloxi, was almost 400 miles east from
their location.
14De Bellisle landed with four other officers: Alain, Courbet, Duclos, and
Legendre. Le Page du Pratz's account differs greatly from De Bellisle's
"Relation." Cf. also the passenger list of the "Marichal d'Estre6," supra,
footnote 2. The names of the officers on the ship's list are spelled:209
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current periodical.
Van Dorn's Trails, 1858 - 1859 (Map)
Survey map of Van Dorn's Trails, showing Texas and Oklahoma counties, towns, rivers, creeks, and Indian reservations.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 44, July 1940 - April, 1941, periodical, 1941; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth146052/m1/229/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.