Roanoke Island

How accurate are the theories about the disappearance of the colonists on Roanoke

Island as compared to actual fact?

First Attempts

• Sir Walter Raleigh• 2 trips to Roanoke

• 1585 and 1587

• Both failed attempts

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Sir_Walter_Raleigh_BAH-p22.png/250px-Sir_Walter_Raleigh_BAH-p22.png

1587

• Attempting to go further North

• First baby born• Virginia Dare• Granddaughter of

Governor White

• In need of supplies, White returned to Europe

1588

• White returned despite war with Spain

• Found island deserted with smoke rising from sand dunes

• Few people were ever found

Croatoan Clue

• The only sign of life was the word CROATOAN and the letters CRO carved into objects

Theories

• Lee Miller believes that conspiracy led to the demise of the Roanoke colonists

Theories

• Other theories include:• Indian attacks• Failed escape attempts• Boats sinking on the way to Croatoan

Island

• No theory can be proven because little is known about the last year on the island