Roanoke2

Initial Exploration

In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh sent ships to survey North Carolina's coast.
Roanoke Island was deemed suitable for colonization.
A reconnaissance mission reported favorable conditions, though it was not thorough.

In April 1585, five ships departed from England to establish the colony.
A storm damaged the ships en route and destroyed provisions.
Remaining ships arrived at Albemarle Sound in July 1585, anchoring near Roanoke Island.
Upon landing, crews hastily constructed forts and dwellings.
Little to no evidence of crop planting; primary function was to support ships against Spanish targets.

Roanoke Island was inhabited by the Algonquin tribe, who managed the land through farming and fishing.
Initially, colonists benefitted significantly from the Algonquins' generosity, receiving food through trade.
- The English traded metal items like knives and axes for food.
- The Algonquins understood they held a powerful position, controlling resources.

Early relations were peaceful; tensions rose when an English colonist accused Algonquin of stealing.
Fear of appearing weak led to aggressive actions by the colonists, including burning an Algonquin village and capturing a leader as a hostage.
Many English settlers were soldiers trained in oppressive tactics from their experiences in Ireland.
The Roanoke Colony faced growing vulnerability to retaliatory attacks and relied on reinforcements from England.

In 1587, leader John White organized a new shipment to Roanoke with emphasis on agricultural settlement rather than privateering.
New settlers included families, seeking stable community life but facing increased distrust from the Algonquins.
Anticipating retaliation, White returned to England for reinforcements in November 1587.

Tensions between England and Spain prevented White from returning in time; an order was issued to keep ships in port due to the threat of the Spanish Armada.
The English Navy faced the Spanish Armada in 1588 and achieved victory, marking a turning point in maritime power.
Although the victory was significant, it delayed crucial support for the Roanoke Colony.

White returned to Roanoke in 1590, after delays caused by Spanish conflict, hoping to find the settlers thriving.
Instead, he discovered only remnants of the colony and no sign of its inhabitants.
The mystery of the Roanoke colony's disappearance remains unsolved, often referred to as the "Lost Colony."