The site in later years Administration : Site of the first confrontation between France and Spain The original site of Fort Fort Caroline National for supremacy over a region that is now part of the United States Caroline no longer Memorial is administered exists. Its meadow-like by the National Park plain and part of the Service, U.S. Depart­ reinforcements and supplies from reaching bluff were washed away ment of the Interior. A Treasure beyond man's imagination was the after the river channel Superintendent, whose New World's promise. In the three-quarters the colonists. After much suffering, the was deepened in 1880. address is 12713 Fort of a century after Columbus' discovery, survivors built a vessel and sailed across To help you visualize Caroline Road, Jackson­ Spanish conquistadores, searching for the Atlantic for home. the historical scene, the ville, FL 32225, is in wealth, founded some 200 settlements in fort walls have been immediate charge of the tropical America. But in 1561 the Spanish When an uneasy peace again prevailed in reconstructed on the memorial. king, Philip II, abandoned further attempts France, three vessels assembled at Havre river plain. The recon­ to settle the vast northern continent of de Grace to convey some 300 people, struction is based upon As the Nation's prin­ "." Spanish explorers like Ponce de mainly , to America. Of this num­ a 16th-century sketch by cipal conservation Leon and Hernando de Soto had found not ber 110 were sailors, 120 soldiers, and the , the agency, the Department colony's artist and of the Interior has riches but death in the harsh, inhospitable rest artisans, servants, and a few women — mapmaker. responsibility for most land. but no farmers. Their commander, Rene de of our nationally owned Laudonniere, was a skilled mariner who had Protect the park and public lands and /. MM Meanwhile, in the Old World France was been with Ribaut on the 1562 voyage. yourself Picnicking is natural resources. This unwilling to concede Spanish domination w -Tr-:wJMt|M permitted, but no fires includes fostering the over the New. But France faced grave prob­ On June 25,1564, the expedition anchored or grills are allowed. wisest use of our land lems. European wars and religious strife had in the St. Johns River in Florida. The site of The proximity of the and water resources, river to the fort requires protecting our fish and left the country weak and divided. Gaspard the colony was a broad, flat knoll on the additional caution. Mos­ wildlife, preserving the de Coligny, who as admiral of France was a river bank about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from quito repellent is environmental and royal advisor, formulated a plan that would the mouth. The Indians helped them raise a advised. Please do not cultural values of our strengthen and unify his country and at the triangular fort of earth and wood that en­ remove any historic or national parks and same time challenge Spain in America. A closed several palm-thatched buildings. natural feature from the historical places, and fort in Florida, manned by Huguenots Other structures were built in the meadow park. Use litter con­ providing for the enjoy­ (French Protestants), would provide a base outside the fort. The settlement was named tainers. ment of life through out­ from which the French could attack the Fort Caroline in honor of the French king, door recreation. The Charles IX. About your visit Department assesses Spanish West Indies and the Spanish The memorial is about 16 our energy and mineral treasure fleets in the Gulf Stream near the kilometers (10 miles) resources and works to Florida coast. The new colony lay in the country of the east of Jacksonville, and assure that their de­ Indians, whose chief, Saturiba, 8 kilometers (5 miles) velopment is in the best In 1562 Coligny sent an expedition under the presented a wedge of silver to the French­ west of Mayport. It can interests of all our Huguenot Jean Ribaut, a man of experience men. He said that it came from hostile be reached by Fla. 10; people. The Department and ability. Ribaut touched at the St. Johns Indians farther up the St. Johns. Laudon­ turn off on the St. Johns also has a major respon­ River, then left a small garrison at present- niere sent envoys upriver, and they found a sibility for American Bluff Road or Monument day Port Royal Sound, South Carolina. few more pounds of silver and heard stories Road, then proceed east Indian reservation on Fort Caroline Road. communities and for Religious civil war in France prevented of a great chief named Outina, whose allies people who live in Island £ ar*"*** ^Wr»™ Territories under U.S. administration.

National Park Service Theodore de Bry's engraving shows the French erecting Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River. U.S. Department of the Interior The site was chosen because "gold and silver . . . were more abundant there."

GPO 1982-361609/199 When the French entered the St. Johns they were greeted by Indians who presented gifts of corn. subject to Us . .. drive them out by what Jacques Ribaut, son of the captain, had Destruction of the colony caused a furor in But continued French dependence upon Indian-grown food led to difficulties. means you see fit." anchored his vessel downstream where it France, but both the French and Spanish escaped the attack. He rescued some royal families had a common interest in Ribaut reached Fort Caroline on August 28, survivors, including Laudonniere and the maintaining friendly relations. Revenge was wore armour of gold and silver. But Laudon- just as the colonists were about to sail for artist Jacques le Moyne de Morgues, and left for others. niere's efforts to promote peace between France. Supplies went back into the store­ returned to France. Outina and Saturiba alienated the latter, houses, and there was no more talk of Dominique de Gourgues was a 40-year-old who denied the French sorely needed food. leaving. To the south 500 shipwrecked Frenchmen Frenchman from a distinguished Catholic escaped the pounding surf and Indian family. But he had once been a Spanish There were also troubles inside the colony. That same day, Menendez was off the coast, arrows, only to face Spanish soldiers. galley slave, an experience that had given Many persons became discontented when searching for the French. A few days later Helpless and hungry, about 300 sur­ him an undying hatred of Spain. In August Laudonniere refused to allow them to he found the French ships anchored in the rendered. Maintaining that the colonists were 1567 he set sail from Bordeaux with three explore for gold until the settlement was mouth of the St. Johns. When he tried to pirates as well as heretics, Menendez vessels and 180 men to avenge his strengthened. Toward the end of the year board, the French cut their anchor cables massacred more than 250 of them at a compatriots. mutineers stole a vessel and sailed south­ and escaped. Menendez dropped down the place that still bears the name Matanzas ward to make their fortunes. After taking a coast a few leagues and on September 8 (Slaughters). Many of those who did not Landing north of the St. Johns, he enlisted Spanish treasure ship and plundering a established a colony at St. Augustine. surrender were later captured and sent to Indian allies. Two batteries near the river Cuban hamlet, they were seized by the Havana as prisoners. mouth were captured, and the forces Spaniards, who now had firsthand knowl­ Against the advice of his captains and moved on Fort Caroline, now renamed San edge of the French colony. While the French Laudonniere, Ribaut made the fateful Menendez, with some exaggeration, sum­ Mateo. The Spanish made a sortie that was asserted that the settlement was in French decision to attack the Spanish. But a marized the campaign: "Of a thousand quickly cut down, and the garrison fled to territory, to the Spaniards it was a pirates' hurricane blew up and drove the fleet south, French with an armada of twelve sail who the forest — where the Indians were waiting. nest in Spanish land. wrecking it many leagues beyond St. had landed here when I reached these A bare handful of the Spaniards cut their Augustine. provinces, only two vessels have escaped, way through to St. Augustine. San Mateo That winter another 66 mutineers, in two vessels before a Spanish squadron cornered his water casks, gave the French an oppor­ and those very miserable ones, with some was burned. Thus was the insult to France colony-built barks, captured three Spanish them off Jamaica. Some were hanged as tunity to trade cannon and powder for Menendez knew that Ribaut's fleet was forty or fifty persons in them." wiped out in blood on April 14, 1568. pirates, but 26 escaped and made their way supplies and one of Hawkins' ships. By paralyzed by contrary winds and guessed back to Fort Caroline, where Laudonniere August 15 they were ready to leave, chafing that most of the fighting men were with the ordered the ringleaders shot. for a favorable wind. ships. Taking 500 men, and guided by Indians and a French prisoner, he marched During the winter and spring of 1564-65 the But a relief fleet was on the high seas. Jean toward Fort Caroline. Indians withdrew as usual to the forests and Ribaut had left France with reinforcements hunted until their new crops ripened. With­ — soldiers, gentlemen, and artisans with The 240 people at the French fort were suf­ out Indian help, the French were close to their families. Aware that a Spanish armada fering in the miserable weather. At dawn on starvation. In desperation, Laudonniere was being readied at Cadiz by Pedro September 20, the French commander, seized Outina, planning to ransom him for Menendez de Aviles, Coligny had written to believing danger to be far away, sent the native beans and corn. He was exchanged, Ribaut, "See that you suffer him not to sentries to their quarters. The Spanish but as the French left Outina's village, they encroach upon you, no more than he would swept down on the unguarded settlement. In were ambushed and lost most of the that you should encroach upon him." the confusion, someone opened the fort supplies. The second party of settlers gate, and the enemy poured in. Within an decided to repair a vessel and sail for Menendez, the foremost admiral of Spain, hour it was over. The Spaniards killed 140 France. had equally specific orders. King Philip and captured about 50 women and children. Laudonniere and a few others fled into the Rene de Laudonniere (left), leader of the ill-fated French charged him to explore and colonize expedition to Florida, and Pedro Menendez de Aviles The arrival of the English slave trader John Florida, and if there were "settlers or woods. After posting a garrison at the fort, (right), the Spanish commander who captured Fort Caroline. Hawkins, who entered the St. Johns to refill corsairs of other nations whatsoever not Menendez returned to St. Augustine.