The Lost Fleet of New France: French-American Histories

“French-American Histories, One Story, Two Narratives” is a program of virtual talks launched by Villa Albertine in collaboration with the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA. Each episode reveals a different facet of the vibrant French-American tapestry, through interviews with leading scholars, experts, and practitioners conducted by Dr. Iris de Rode, an expert in the history of French-American relations. The interviews are broadcast live and recorded at the French Embassy or other locations in the United States.

This virtual event took place on Zoom. Rewatch the recording below:

A conversation with James Goold

moderated by Iris de Rode, Ph.D.

In the upcoming issue of French-American Histories titled “One Story, Two Narratives,” we are delighted to present an exclusive interview with James Goold, where he will uncover the little-known history of La Trinité and New France in the 16th century, within the context of what is now the United States. Goold will also share how France successfully defended this irreplaceable piece of Franco-American history in court, protecting it from destruction. This talk is an opportunity to learn about the intersection of legal protection, cultural heritage, and maritime history, for anyone interested in the preservation of historical artifacts and the legacy of Franco-American relations.

This talk will delve into the intriguing world of shipwrecks, legal battles, and the preservation of history, offering insights into how modern-day efforts help protect our shared past. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the captivating story of La Trinité and its significance.

About the speaker

James Goold, a lawyer at Covington & Burling in Washington, has dedicated his career to protecting cultural and historic heritage, particularly that of France in the United States. His most notable achievement includes safeguarding the remains of La Trinité, the flagship of the Lost Fleet of Jean Ribault, from commercial exploitation. He has represented France, Spain, and other nations in various cases to protect historic shipwrecks and endangered cultural heritage, and has participated in nautical archaeology expeditions, discovering ancient shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea. He also works to locate U.S. military personnel lost during World War II.

About the program

“FRENCH-AMERICAN HISTORIES, ONE STORY, TWO NARRATIVES”

240 years ago, fighting side by side for American independence, France was the first ally of the newly formed United States of America. Since then, the two countries have stood firm as “Sister Republics”, championing shared principles of democracy, freedom, and equality. The durable partnership has been characterized by a shared ambition and a common necessity for cooperation in a wide variety of fields in an increasingly globalized world. These encounters, spanning more than two centuries and ranging from the military to economic policy, agriculture, trade, philosophy, art, science and technology, have resulted in dynamic, fruitful and inspirational cross-exchanges that have shaped the destiny of both countries.

The two countries have numerous similarities but also separate histories, cultures, and institutions, making the relation dynamic and creative, but also at times contentious. Over the years, comparable concepts that have been implemented in the distinct French and American cultures have flourished, but also encountered alteration, adaptation or even opposition, requiring hurdles to be overcome and compromises to be found. France and the United States have frequently expressed their conviction in a single, unifying story, yet they needed two narratives to tell their peoples: One Story, Two Narratives.

About the moderator

This conversation will be moderated by Dr. Iris de Rode, a Postdoctoral fellow at the Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia who specializes in French-American relations.

Iris de Rode received her doctorate from the Université de Paris VIII in November 2019, for her dissertation entitled François-Jean de Chastellux (1734-1788), un soldat-philosophe dans le monde atlantique à l’époque des Lumières. Her dissertation was published by Éditions Honoré Champion, 2022 and she recently won the Prix Guizot of the Académie Française for “best history book of the year” for it. Together with her PhD supervisor, Prof. Bertrand van Ruymbeke, she co-authored Le Journal de Dumas (16 juin-6 octobre 1781) Sur les traces de l’indépendance des États-Unis (Monfaucon: Éditions Jean-Jacques Wuillaume, 2018).

De Rode is currently working on a new English book titled “En route to Revolution” that will be published in 2025. She has received 20+ fellowships for her work, including from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the Society of the Cincinnati and the American Philosophical Society. De Rode has been teaching American and Transatlantic history at the French University SciencesPo Paris and Reims from 2013 to 2022. She is also working on public history initiatives with the National Park Service, the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association, the Philadelphia Museum of the American Revolution, George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the French Embassy in Washington DC. She just started her postdoctoral fellowship at the Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia.