The first roanoke colony - 1584
The first expedition Sir Walter sent to America was a short trip just to explore, and perhaps to find a good place to plant England's future colony. It was led by Captains Amadas and Barlowe, who landed on the barrier islands of what is now North Carolina in the summer of 1584. Their pilot guide was a Portuguese navigator named Simon Fernando. Simon had sailed in American waters before and knew how to get from place to place.The English first laid claim to the new land along the ocean beach somewhere near Bodie Island, south of where the modern village of Nags Head, North Carolina is located today. In this area, the English found a break in the ocean sand or "inlet" that could allow some of their smaller boats to go from the ocean into the shallow water that surrounds Roanoke Island.
Staying there for a few days, English were met on the beach by a group of high-ranking Native people, including Granganimeo, the brother of the Indian king, Wingina. The Natives were curious and friendly, and after the cautious English had relaxed a little, a lively trade of food, furs and English goods began.
Captain Barlowe and seven others sailed through a narrow inlet from the ocean and crossed the inland sound, really a big salty lake. They went ashore on the small island that would, in three years, become Virginia Dare's birthplace. The English called the island "Roanoke", probably for the Natives who lived there. They came to Granganimeo's village where they were welcomed by his wife with wonderful ceremonies. Their clothes were washed and dried and a plentiful feast was set out. The Natives were disappointed when the English wouldn't stay for the night, but they packed them a great basket of food for the return journey.
Captain Barlowe and seven others sailed through a narrow inlet from the ocean and crossed the inland sound, really a big salty lake. They went ashore on the small island that would, in three years, become Virginia Dare's birthplace. The English called the island "Roanoke", probably for the Natives who lived there. They came to Granganimeo's village where they were welcomed by his wife with wonderful ceremonies. Their clothes were washed and dried and a plentiful feast was set out. The Natives were disappointed when the English wouldn't stay for the night, but they packed them a great basket of food for the return journey.
From Captain Barlowe's point of view a perfect place for a "new" England had been found. He wrote glowing reports for Sir Walter Raleigh back in England. The relations between the English and the Natives had been so good that two young Indian men, Manteo and Wanchese, agreed to go back to England with the explorers.
Do you think that the first roanoke voyagers found the "perfect place" for a new settlement?
The second Roanoke Colony - 1585
Sir Richard Grenville was Sir Walter Raleigh's cousin. He was an experienced soldier and Sir Walter trusted him to lead his second expedition to America in 1585. Leaving England, this expedition had seven ships carrying 600 men. 108 of these men would eventually settle on Roanoke Island to become England's first colony in America.
This time the English would stay longer, do a lot of exploring, and learn more about the Natives. They could also decide on exactly where to build, or 'plant', a permanent colony. This expedition was the most important that Sir Walter ever sent to the New World because of what the English learned. It was also a sad expedition because of the violent and disrespectful way that the English treated the Natives.
This time the English would stay longer, do a lot of exploring, and learn more about the Natives. They could also decide on exactly where to build, or 'plant', a permanent colony. This expedition was the most important that Sir Walter ever sent to the New World because of what the English learned. It was also a sad expedition because of the violent and disrespectful way that the English treated the Natives.
The English didn't treat the Spanish very well either. On the way to Roanoke Island Sir Richard stole a Spanish ship and robbed the Spanish of a large supply of salt, which the English badly needed to preserve food. Once among the Natives of this new "Verginia", Grenville ordered attacks on them, stole their food, and burned one of their towns. Although in the beginning the Natives had welcomed the newcomers, now they began to fear and hate them.
When the English reached Roanoke Island they built strong houses and an earthen fort on the north end of the island. They began to explore all around, looking for the best place for the permanent town. Sir Richard returned to England after a few weeks, leaving a man named Ralph Lane as governor of the colony. Lane, a tough soldier, was no friend to the Natives, although he and his men still depended on them for food. He was lucky to have Manteo, who had been to England, to help keep things calm. Wanchese, the other Indian who had been to England, returned to his own people and later became a leader against the English.
When the English reached Roanoke Island they built strong houses and an earthen fort on the north end of the island. They began to explore all around, looking for the best place for the permanent town. Sir Richard returned to England after a few weeks, leaving a man named Ralph Lane as governor of the colony. Lane, a tough soldier, was no friend to the Natives, although he and his men still depended on them for food. He was lucky to have Manteo, who had been to England, to help keep things calm. Wanchese, the other Indian who had been to England, returned to his own people and later became a leader against the English.
Relations with the Natives were never very happy for Governor Lane and the 107 others with him but much was learned, especially by two of the Englishmen. They were John White, an artist, and Thomas Harriot, a scientist and student of language.
Since the English needed food from the Indians, Governor Lane always nagged the chief of the Roanoke tribe for more corn. The chief could not do this during the winter time when there is no more vegetables and corn to harvest and trade.
When the English traded for food with other tribes of Indians in the area, they spread a disease to the villagers, which was probably a common cold or a type of influenza. The disease began to kill dozens in all of the villages they had visited. This was not done on purpose, just like someone passes the common cold or the flu to you. But the Indians of the area began to distrust the English and stayed away from them whenever they visited again.
When Governor Lane believed that survivors of the indian villages were planning to gather with Chief Wingina and the Roanoke tribe to attack his colony, his soldiers then murdered Chief Wingina. By the time the English had been on Roanoke Island for a year, the once friendly Natives were extremely angry and refused to give the English more food or other help. They had been generous and patient but enough was enough!
The English waited much too long to learn how to farm and fish for themselves. They were getting even more hungry. The new supply ship which they expected had not come. Things were getting desperate when the great sea captain Sir Francis Drake arrived with his fleet.
Drake had been busy stealing Spanish treasure and stopped by Roanoke Island on the way back home to England. He offered to take Governor Lane and his colonists back to England. After much discussion, accompanied by the fury of a terrible storm, Lane agreed. Drake loaded up the battered colonists and soldiers and sailed away. He did not know that Sir Richard Grenville was not far behind to arrive with a new supply ship and more colonists!
When Sir Richard Grenville arrived he found the colonists gone. Not knowing what might have happened, he left 15 soldiers on Roanoke Island to hold the land for the queen and returned to England himself. None of those 15 men were ever seen alive again by Englishmen. The Natives, who had been so patient for so long, and possibly led by the furious Wanchese, took care of that! They hoped that the terrible English were gone forever.
Sir Walter Raleigh's first colony had failed, but the knowledge gained by men like John White and Thomas Harriot was taken back to England. It stirred the imagination of more adventurers. Sir Walter and his partners would try again as soon as they could find enough ships and enough people to make the trip. People seemed to forget how dangerous it was in this New World.
When the English traded for food with other tribes of Indians in the area, they spread a disease to the villagers, which was probably a common cold or a type of influenza. The disease began to kill dozens in all of the villages they had visited. This was not done on purpose, just like someone passes the common cold or the flu to you. But the Indians of the area began to distrust the English and stayed away from them whenever they visited again.
When Governor Lane believed that survivors of the indian villages were planning to gather with Chief Wingina and the Roanoke tribe to attack his colony, his soldiers then murdered Chief Wingina. By the time the English had been on Roanoke Island for a year, the once friendly Natives were extremely angry and refused to give the English more food or other help. They had been generous and patient but enough was enough!
The English waited much too long to learn how to farm and fish for themselves. They were getting even more hungry. The new supply ship which they expected had not come. Things were getting desperate when the great sea captain Sir Francis Drake arrived with his fleet.
Drake had been busy stealing Spanish treasure and stopped by Roanoke Island on the way back home to England. He offered to take Governor Lane and his colonists back to England. After much discussion, accompanied by the fury of a terrible storm, Lane agreed. Drake loaded up the battered colonists and soldiers and sailed away. He did not know that Sir Richard Grenville was not far behind to arrive with a new supply ship and more colonists!
When Sir Richard Grenville arrived he found the colonists gone. Not knowing what might have happened, he left 15 soldiers on Roanoke Island to hold the land for the queen and returned to England himself. None of those 15 men were ever seen alive again by Englishmen. The Natives, who had been so patient for so long, and possibly led by the furious Wanchese, took care of that! They hoped that the terrible English were gone forever.
Sir Walter Raleigh's first colony had failed, but the knowledge gained by men like John White and Thomas Harriot was taken back to England. It stirred the imagination of more adventurers. Sir Walter and his partners would try again as soon as they could find enough ships and enough people to make the trip. People seemed to forget how dangerous it was in this New World.
What problems do you foresee with the british having such bad relations with both the Spanish and the Natives?
the third roanoke yoyage - 1587 (The lost colony)
Not long after the return of Governor Lane and Sir Richard Grenville, Raleigh was ready to send his third expedition to "Verginia". He gathered more than one hundred men, women, and children as colonists and appointed John White as their governor. Once again guided by Simon Fernando the colonists set out for the New World. This time they did not intend to settle on Roanoke Island, but look further to the North, perhaps near the Chesapeake Bay.
Raleigh was aware of the trouble that Ralph Lane and his soldiers had caused with the Indians and he didn't want to put the new colonists back into that kind of situation. Also, Roanoke was a small island surrounded by shallow water with no place to anchor large ships. There was not enough farmland to feed a permanent colony. It was clearly not the right place for a 'new' England.
The new colony, Raleigh decided, would be north of Roanoke Island on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, near the modern city of Norfolk, Virginia. There they could make a fresh start and perhaps develop real friendship with the Native people. But first, the ships would stop at Roanoke to check on the 15 men left there by Sir Richard Grenville the year before.
Raleigh was aware of the trouble that Ralph Lane and his soldiers had caused with the Indians and he didn't want to put the new colonists back into that kind of situation. Also, Roanoke was a small island surrounded by shallow water with no place to anchor large ships. There was not enough farmland to feed a permanent colony. It was clearly not the right place for a 'new' England.
The new colony, Raleigh decided, would be north of Roanoke Island on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, near the modern city of Norfolk, Virginia. There they could make a fresh start and perhaps develop real friendship with the Native people. But first, the ships would stop at Roanoke to check on the 15 men left there by Sir Richard Grenville the year before.
After about two and one-half months of traveling Simon Fernando dropped anchor off the Outer Banks and John White rowed across the sound to the island in a smaller boat to look for the 15 men. He found only a single body. Manteo, who was with him, discovered that all of the English had been killed or driven off to die. The Natives had not forgotten how cruel the English had been to them. Surely, Roanoke Island was not the place to bring English families.
But then a very strange thing happened. Simon Fernando, who had guided the colonists all the way across the ocean and brought them safely to Roanoke, now refused to take them any further. It was too late, he said, to do any more sailing. They would have to stay on Roanoke Island. Nobody knows why Fernando, greatly trusted by Sir Walter Raleigh, did this. Governor John White, who did not like Fernando, believed that the guide wanted to hurry back out to sea. There he could capture a few Spanish treasure ships before heading home for England. It is also possible that Fernando was worried about the dangers of hurricanes in the late summer and early fall. Curiously, Fernando stayed with the colonists for several weeks instead of going back out to sea. Because Fernando didn't leave any written records, his actions can't really be explained.
But then a very strange thing happened. Simon Fernando, who had guided the colonists all the way across the ocean and brought them safely to Roanoke, now refused to take them any further. It was too late, he said, to do any more sailing. They would have to stay on Roanoke Island. Nobody knows why Fernando, greatly trusted by Sir Walter Raleigh, did this. Governor John White, who did not like Fernando, believed that the guide wanted to hurry back out to sea. There he could capture a few Spanish treasure ships before heading home for England. It is also possible that Fernando was worried about the dangers of hurricanes in the late summer and early fall. Curiously, Fernando stayed with the colonists for several weeks instead of going back out to sea. Because Fernando didn't leave any written records, his actions can't really be explained.
The colonists made the best of things for a while. They repaired the houses that had been built by Governor Lane's men on the previous trip and tried to learn how to use the foods that grew all around them. With Manteo's help they contacted some of the Natives who were still friendly but another misunderstanding led the colonists to attack these people. They were Manteo's own family! Things were getting worse instead of better.
Not long after, one of the colonists was killed when he wandered away from the English town to catch crabs. Apparently, Wanchese , once a friend to the English, had led the attack. He had returned to his own people to fight against the intruders.
Not long after, one of the colonists was killed when he wandered away from the English town to catch crabs. Apparently, Wanchese , once a friend to the English, had led the attack. He had returned to his own people to fight against the intruders.
Not everything that happened to the colonists was bad. Just a few weeks after they arrived a baby girl was born to Eleanor and Ananias Dare and they called her Virginia in honor of the new land. Her grandfather was Governor John White! Virginia Dare was the first child born in America to English parents. Another child was born at about the same time but we know only that his last name was Harvey.
Despite the joys of new life the colonists were not at all happy with their situation. They were already running out of food and they were terrified of the Native people. They demanded that Governor White return to England and get some help. They wanted more tools, more food and more people.
Governor White did not want to leave. He did not want to desert his family or leave the colonists without a leader but at last he agreed, and sailed back to England. He waived goodbye to his colony of 87 men, 17 women and 11 children. He did not know it at the time, but he would never see his granddaughter Virginia, his family, or any of the colonists again.
Despite the joys of new life the colonists were not at all happy with their situation. They were already running out of food and they were terrified of the Native people. They demanded that Governor White return to England and get some help. They wanted more tools, more food and more people.
Governor White did not want to leave. He did not want to desert his family or leave the colonists without a leader but at last he agreed, and sailed back to England. He waived goodbye to his colony of 87 men, 17 women and 11 children. He did not know it at the time, but he would never see his granddaughter Virginia, his family, or any of the colonists again.
It was three long years before John White got a chance to return to Roanoke and search for his friends and family. England was at war with Spain during this time. Spain had gathered a huge fleet of warships intended to sail across the English Channel and invade England. The English called this fleet the Spanish Armada. Queen Elizabeth of England was reluctant to let any of her own ships leave England. All of them were needed to defend the country against the terrible Armada. John White could not get a ship to take him back to America.The Armada attacked England during the summer of 1588. England won, helped by a storm that scattered the Spanish ships, wrecking many of them. Although the battle was over, the war continued and John White had to wait still longer to find a ship to go to Virginia. He was almost alone. Sir Walter Raleigh still cared about his colony but he had become interested in other things. He did not have the time or money to do everything he wanted to do.
After much searching Raleigh found a sea captain, a privateer, who was willing to allow John White and a supply ship to join his pirating expedition to America. White and Raleigh gathered a new group of colonists and some supplies but at the last minute the captain refused to take them. John White was the only one allowed to get on the ship and he was just a passenger. He could not tell the captain what to do or where to go.
After a voyage of several weeks John White was put ashore on Roanoke Island. There was nobody there. A high fence of logs had been built around the village site but the houses themselves had been taken down! There were a couple of small cannons nearby and White found the chest he had buried before he left. It had been torn open and its' contents ruined. There were no bodies, no pots and pans, no tools. On one of the fence posts the word "Croatoan" was carved. It was the name of another island to the south where Manteo's family lived. Could the colonists have gone there? Were they safe after all? White's granddaughter Virginia would be three years old and he wanted very much to see her again.
He persuaded the captain to sail south to Croatoan but on the way the ship was caught in a storm and could not get there. The captain at first agreed to try again after the storm but then came a more terrible storm, probably a hurricane. He gave up and sailed the battered ship back to England. John White never got another chance and he never saw his family again. .
After much searching Raleigh found a sea captain, a privateer, who was willing to allow John White and a supply ship to join his pirating expedition to America. White and Raleigh gathered a new group of colonists and some supplies but at the last minute the captain refused to take them. John White was the only one allowed to get on the ship and he was just a passenger. He could not tell the captain what to do or where to go.
After a voyage of several weeks John White was put ashore on Roanoke Island. There was nobody there. A high fence of logs had been built around the village site but the houses themselves had been taken down! There were a couple of small cannons nearby and White found the chest he had buried before he left. It had been torn open and its' contents ruined. There were no bodies, no pots and pans, no tools. On one of the fence posts the word "Croatoan" was carved. It was the name of another island to the south where Manteo's family lived. Could the colonists have gone there? Were they safe after all? White's granddaughter Virginia would be three years old and he wanted very much to see her again.
He persuaded the captain to sail south to Croatoan but on the way the ship was caught in a storm and could not get there. The captain at first agreed to try again after the storm but then came a more terrible storm, probably a hurricane. He gave up and sailed the battered ship back to England. John White never got another chance and he never saw his family again. .
What happened to the lost colony?
NOTE: Much of the material from this adventure was taken directly from the National Park Service Fort Raleigh website found at http://www.nps.gov/fora/learn/kidsyouth/voyage.htm