European Explorers and the Lost Colonists

Giovanni da Verrazano and the French Italian explorer working for the French Sent to find a route to Asia Thought the native people looked Asian Believed the Pamlico Sound to be the water route to Asia Actually landed at Portsmouth Island, near Cape Hatteras

Hernando de Soto and the Spanish Sent with 600 soldiers to explore the southeastern U.S. Crossed into NC in 1540 Followed Catawba river into Tennessee and reached Mississippi river where he died. Never found the gold he sought Treated the natives poorly and was mocked in their dances

Juan Pardo and More Spanish Portuguese soldier in the Spanish army Left a base camp on the South Carolina coast and other camps at Morganton, Salisbury, and Lincoln Hoped to find gold and riches in the mountains; stayed several years before giving up

Walter Raleigh and the English Sir Walter Raleigh and half brother Sir Humphrey Gilbert convinced Queen Elizabeth to allow them to search for the Northwest Passage After several failed attempts, one of which took the life of Gilbert, Raleigh sent the first of several expeditions to the New World in 1583

The Lane Colony Raleigh’s second expedition to Roanoke Thomas Harriot, scientist, and John White, artist, recorded the expedition Built Fort Raleigh; wasted a lot of time digging for gold and fighting amongst themselves and natives Returned to England with Sir Francis Drake

The White, or “Lost,” Colony Led by John White and included women and children Pilot of the ship dropped the colonists off and left them to search for gold John White returned to England for supplies; upon arriving back in Roanoke, the colonists were gone with only “CROATOAN” carved on a tree Fate of the colonists debated to this day