THE TEXAS-HISTORICAL-COMMISSION UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF 1995 AND THE PRELIMINARY-REPORT ON THE BELLE, LA-SALLE SHIPWRECK OF 1686

The Texas Historical Commission's underwater archaeology project of 19 95 was intended to locate historic shipwrecks and other underwater arc haeological sites. The project succeeded in the investigation of sever al sites in the Matagorda Bay, Texas, area. The sites included wrecks on the Gulf beach of Matagorda Island lighthouse sites, wharf areas of the historic port of Indianola, and ships associated with World War I I. The most important discovery was the remains of the Belle (41MG86), a ship of the French explorer La Salle wrecked in 1686 during his uns uccessful attempt to found a colony on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico . The site consists of the lower hull of the ship and many in-situ art ifacts. Preservation of organic materials was exceptional.