Final answer:
La Salle's ship was discovered in a deteriorated state due to exposure to the elements over time, caused by a storm that wrecked the ship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state of preservation of La Salle's ship when it was discovered was deteriorated due to exposure to the elements over time. The ship had been wrecked during a storm, which caused damage and decay. It is important to note that the ship was destroyed by the storm based on the evidence of wreckage seen by other sailors.