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Roanoke: The Lost Colony - Part I

© Jeannine Dugan

By the latter half of the sixteenth century, Spain had made great strides in exploring and settling large parts of North America and the Caribbean. However, despite the passing of over 150 years since the New World was discovered, England had made no serious attempts to spread her sovereignty across the Atlantic. In 1578, Queen Elizabeth reversed that stance.

In June of that year, at the urging of Sir Gilbert Humphrey, Queen Elizabeth granted Humphrey the right to "discover, search, find out, and view such remote heathen and barbarous lands, Counties, and territories, not actually possessed of any Christian Prince or people." Gilbert's venture did not fare well: while half of his vessels abandoned their mission to pursue more profitable activities (i.e., piracy), the other half turned home for repairs. Gilbert attempted another venture in 1583 that was not only a failure, it resulted in his death off the coast of New England.

However, a sailor on the Gilbert's first venture petitioned Queen Elizabeth for his own charter. In April 1584, Walter Raleigh's fleet departed England for the Americas. Master Philip Amadas and Master Arthur Barlowe commanded the expedition. In July, Barlowe sighted land and described the area as "so full of grapes, as the very beating, and the surge of the Sea overglowed them, of which we founde such plentie...that I thinke in all the world the like aboundance is not to be founde." The exact location where the captains went ashore is disputed, but is said to have been at either Wococon (Ocracoke Island), on the north end of Hatteras or opposite Roanoke Island. During the six weeks that the explorers spent on the island, they encountered the Indians who were native to the region. David Stick notes that "...when some of my (Raleigh's) people asked the name of that Countrie, one of the Salvages answered Wingandacon." This became the name used by the English but, in reality, the Indian had simply commented "You wear good clothes." (pg. 47) The English formed friendly relations with the Indians, who described the surrounding areas up to the Chesapeake Bay and neighboring tribes. Trade was established and the English explored much of the surrounding area, as far north as the Albermarle Sound. Meanwhile, back in England, Raleigh was petitioning the Queen for a second venture to establish a permanent colony.

In April 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh (recently knighted) prepared a seven vessel fleet to sail for the new English colony. Sir Richard Grenville commanded this expedition and the lead ship belonged to Queen Elizabeth herself. Although a detailed accounting had been prepared of every item and worker needed to make a permanent colony a success, the expedition departed with less than the optimal number of ships, men and provisions. About six hundred men set sail that spring, out of the called-for eight hundred.

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