Interesting Events: The Lost Colony Of Roanoke
Source: Wikipedia
In 1587, John White led 115 people to establish a permanent English settlement on Roanoke Island, located in present-day North Carolina. The colony existed for two years, but tensions with the native population – particularly the Powhatans living on Croatoan Island – made life there grim and hostile, and supplies dwindled.
John White was forced to return to England to get reinforcements that might ease hostilities as well as supplies for the colony.
A map of Roanoke.
Source: Blogspot
Delays (namely English war with Spain) kept White away from Roanoke for three years, and when he eventually did return, he found that the entire colony – including his wife and daughter – had completely disappeared.
Thatched-roof cottages were dismantled, not a single living soul from the original population was to be seen, and the only signs of life were a shoddily constructed fort and the words “CROATOAN” and “CRO” carved on a post and tree, respectively.
Conclusive proof as to what happened to the settlement remains elusive, and none of its members were ever seen again.
