RIBAULT or RIBAUT, JEAN (c. French navigator, was born at Dieppe, about 152o. Appointed by Admiral Coligny to take French Protestants to America, Ribault sailed on Feb. 18, 1562, with two vessels, and on May I landed at Florida at St. John's river, or, as he called it, Riviere de Mai. Having settled his colonists at Port Royal harbour (now Paris Island, S.C.), and built Fort Charles for their protection, he returned to France. In 1563 he appears to have been in England and to have issued True and Last Discoverye of Florida (Hakluyt Soc., vol. vii.). In April 1564 Coligny despatched another expedition under Rene de Laudonniere, but meanwhile Ribault's colony, destitute of supplies, revolted against their governor and attempted to make their way back to Europe in a boat which was happily picked up by an English vessel. In 1565 Ribault was again sent out to satisfy Coligny as to Laudonniere's management of his new settle ment, Fort Caroline, on the Riviere de Mai. While he was still
there the Spaniards attacked the French ships at the mouth of the river. Ribault set out to retaliate but his vessels were wrecked near Matanzas Inlet and he had to return to Fort Caroline by land. The Spaniards by this time had slaughtered all the colonists except a few who got off with two ships under Ribault's son. Induced to surrender by false assurances, Ribault and his men were put to the sword in Oct. 1565.
see OAR-FISH and DEAL-FISH.