John White's Return to Virginia 1590
John White returned to England on November 20, 1587. However, he could not immediately return to the colonists in Virginia. Queen Elizabeth prohibited ships from leaving England due to the war with the Spanish, which began in October 1587. White attempted to return in 1588, but was aborted due to the attack of French Pirates.
White's next attempt to leave for Virginia was in 1590, three years after leaving the colonists, with Abraham Cooke (Captain of the Hopewell). On August 17, 1590, White found the fort at Roanoke was deserted. There was not one colonist in sight. The only evidence that shows where the colonists departed to were the words “CRO” and “CROATOAN” carved into two separate trees. White believed that the colonists went to the Croatoan village since it was the home of Manteo. Since there was not a cross left with the carvings, White also believed they left the fort willingly. White and Cooke agreed to go to the Croatoan Islands.
Upon their departure to the islands, they were thwarted by a storm and unable to reach Croatoan. They were running low on food and water after 5 months at sea, so they decided to go to St. Johns to spend the winter and to restock on fresh water and food. The plan was to return to Croatoan in the Spring. The weather, however, had another plan for them and blew them off course towards Azores. On October 1st, they decided to return home to England without searching the Croatoan village for the colonists (Quinn & Quinn, 1982, p. 124-130). |
The search for the colonists continued for many years, even today. John White was unable to return to Virginia and lived out the rest of his life not knowing what happened to his family and the rest of the colonists. Many historians believed that the colonists either lived with the Croatoans, were killed by hostile tribes, sailed back to England, were attacked by the Spaniards, or integrated with other friendly tribes.
What happened to the colonists? Where did they go? You decide based on the evidence.
What happened to the colonists? Where did they go? You decide based on the evidence.
Safe Haven with the Croatoans
Sailed to England
Attacked by Spaniards
Attacked by Hostile Tribes
Integrated with Friendly Tribes
Sailed to England
Attacked by Spaniards
Attacked by Hostile Tribes
Integrated with Friendly Tribes
The Lost Roanoke Colony. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/ofhIJ1wMKtc