How did all 117 settlers disappear from Roanoke Island?
In 1584, English explorers braved the Atlantic Ocean in search of a location for colonization. Sir Walter Raleigh financed the expedition. His primary motive was profit. Sir Raleigh wanted to exploit the resources of the new land and he wanted a settlement on North America with strategic positioning to raid the Spanish West Indies and the slave trade. The first group of English colonists landed on Roanoke Island and attempted to settle, but they gave up due to lack of supplies, difficult winter, and strained relationship with the Natives. A second group of 117 colonists tried to settle Roanoke Island, but mysteriously disappeared in the 1580's. ("First Colony Foundation." n.d.) These missing colonists and settlement is referred to as the Lost Colony. What happened? How did all 117 settlers disappear from Roanoke Island?