History’s Mysteries Roanoke Island Colony

LOST COLONY OF ROANOKE In 1587 Sir Walter Raleigh sent 91 men, 17 women and 2 children to a small island off the coast of North America. The colony was to be lead by John White. Shortly after their arrival, White returned to England to gather more supplies and settlers. Along with the other colonists, he left behind his daughter, son-in-law and their small daughter. Because of England’s war with Spain, White was unable to return until When he did return he found the island totally deserted. No trace of the colony has ever been found. The fate of the “Lost Colony” remains a mystery to this day.

R This photo was taken by a weather satellite and shows the southern coastline of the United States along the Atlantic Ocean. Roanoke Island is labeled with a red “R”. Based on this information what theories can you come up with about possible causes for the disappearance of the “Lost Colony”? DATA SET # 1 North Carolina Virginia South Carolina Georgia Florida

Data Set # 2 Two years before the “Lost Colony”, Raleigh had sent an expedition of 108 men, mostly soldiers, to Roanoke. They came searching for gold and silver. Overall, they appeared more like a military force than a colony of settlers. The soldiers lacked the skills to farm or live off the land and were dependent on local tribes to supply their most basic needs. Because they were also unfamiliar with local customs disagreements would often erupt during these trading sessions. After only one year, and much fighting with local tribes, this group evacuated the island and returned to England.

Based on this new information, what theories can you come up with now to explain the disappearance of the “Lost Colony” two years later?

Data Set # 3 When Governor White finally did return to Roanoke, he found no trace of the settlers. All that was discovered were the letters “CRO” carved on a wall and the word “Croatoan” carved on a post outside the colony’s fort. This was the given name for several small islands near Roanoke inhabited by the Coharie Tribe. White had told the colonists to carve a message in case of an emergency and to include a cross if they were under attack…… …..no cross was ever found.

Based on this information, what new theories can you think of to explain the disappearance of the “Lost Colony”?

Data Set # 4 During the late 1580’s England was in open war with Spain. England was challenging Spain for control of the sea and looking to get a share of the riches being brought back from the Caribbean. (You know…Pirates of the Caribbean…yeah, that time…) Many of those pirates, including Sir Walter Raleigh (Roanoke’s founder) and Sir Francis Drake, were known as “Privateers”, pirates who worked, unofficially, for Queen Elizabeth of England. In addition to Spain’s control of Central and South America, Spain also controlled the Florida territory, (just south of Roanoke). In 1586 Sir Francis Drake had led an attack on the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine, Florida.

Based on this new information, what new theories can you develop about the fate of the “Lost Colony”?

HYPOTHESIZE It is now your job to do the work of the historian. Do an internet search of your own (use yahoo, google, or whatever search site you want). You are searching for 2 or 3 new pieces of information or “clues” about the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Use that information to either reinforce one of your earlier theories…or, perhaps, form an entirely new theory as to what happened off the coast of North Carolina more than 400 years ago. GOOD HUNTING!

WHAT I WANT FROM YOU You will be writing a three paragraph, persuasive essay. Paragraph one should explain your final theory, or hypothesis (what do you think actually happened). Paragraph two should explain why you think evidence of other options does not explain the disappearance correctly. Paragraph three should reinforce your opinion by presenting the evidence you found in your own research and explain why it is more compelling than other options. Have someone proof-read your essay before printing a final copy. Due next class period.