The Inexplicable Disappearance of Roanoke | History's Greatest Mysteries (Season 4)

Summary

In 1587, English settlers, led by John White, established a colony on Roanoke Island, but White had to return to England for supplies. Delayed by war with Spain, White returned three years later to find the colony mysteriously abandoned, with only the word 'Croatoan' as a clue. The fate of the 'Lost Colony' remains unknown. In the 1930s, stones allegedly inscribed by Eleanor Dare, a colonist, surfaced, offering a potential explanation, but were later debunked as a hoax. The mystery continues to intrigue researchers.

Takeaways

• 🚢 In July 1587, three English ships with 115 settlers, including John White, arrived at Roanoke Island to establish a permanent settlement.
• 👶 Eleanor Dare, John White's daughter, gave birth to Virginia Dare, the first English child born in North America, on August 18, 1587.
• ⚠️ The colony faced severe food shortages, and John White returned to England for supplies, but was delayed due to the Spanish Armada and the ensuing war.
• 🕰️ White was unable to return to Roanoke until August 1590, three years later, to find the entire colony, including his family, mysteriously gone.
• 🕵️ The only clues left behind were the word 'Croatoan' carved on a fence post and the letters 'CRO' on a tree, with no signs of struggle or battle.
• 🪨 In 1937, a rock with an inscription in Old English, believed to be a message from Eleanor Dare, was found, hinting at the fate of the colonists.
• 🔍 More stones, known as the Dare Stones, were discovered, allegedly detailing the survivors' journey, hardships, and Eleanor's eventual marriage to a Native American man.
• 🧩 The authenticity of the Dare Stones was initially supported by some experts but later came under scrutiny and were deemed a hoax by fact-checkers.
• ❓ Despite numerous theories, the fate of the Roanoke Colony remains one of the oldest unsolved mysteries in American history.
• 🔬 Modern efforts, including land, sea, and DNA searches, continue in hopes of finally uncovering the truth about the Lost Colony of Roanoke.

Q & A

What was the main goal of the settlers who landed on Roanoke Island in 1587?

The main goal of the settlers was to create the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

What happened during the previous English expedition to Roanoke two years earlier?

The previous expedition, made up mostly of soldiers, ended in disaster due to severe food shortages and attacks from the hostile Native American population. Many died, and the survivors barely escaped back to England.

Who was Virginia Dare and why is she significant?

Virginia Dare was the first English child born in North America. She was born to Eleanor Dare, the daughter of John White, on August 18, 1587.

Why did Governor John White leave Roanoke shortly after his granddaughter was born?

Governor John White left Roanoke to return to England and secure more provisions, as the colony was running dangerously low on supplies and there wasn't enough time to grow crops before winter.

Why was John White delayed in returning to Roanoke with supplies?

John White was delayed because when he arrived in England, the country was on the brink of war with Spain. Queen Elizabeth I had ordered a stay on all shipping due to the arrival of the Spanish Armada, and resources were focused on the war effort rather than the colony.

What did John White find when he returned to Roanoke after three years?

When John White returned to Roanoke in 1590, he found the colony deserted. The settlers and all their belongings were gone, and the buildings had been carefully dismantled. The only clues were the word 'Croatoan' carved into a fence post and the letters 'CRO' carved into a tree.

What are some of the main theories about the fate of the Roanoke colonists?

The leading theories are that the colonists either joined the Croatoan people to the south, traveled north to the Chesapeake where they were murdered by the Powhatan tribe, or attempted to sail back to England.

What was the significance of the Dare Stones found in the 1930s?

The Dare Stones, starting with one found in 1937, were purported to be messages from Eleanor Dare, explaining the fate of the Roanoke colonists. They suggested that after many hardships, the survivors made it to Georgia, where Eleanor eventually married a Native American and had another daughter.

Why was the discovery of the Dare Stones later questioned?

The Dare Stones were later deemed a hoax after fact-checkers and experts identified numerous problems with the story. Despite the initial excitement, the stones' authenticity was discredited.

Why does the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke still capture interest today?

The mystery remains unsolved, with no clear evidence of what happened to the colonists. Researchers are still searching for clues, using modern methods like DNA analysis, in hopes of finally solving one of the oldest missing person cases in American history.