Considered one of the most perplexing cases of collective disappearance in human history, the fate of the immigrant settlers who arrived in the “New World” remains a conundrum for historians and archaeologists.
Regarded as one of the “Four Great Mysteries” related to the most baffling collective disappearance in human history, the event of the Roanoke Colony migration of 115 people (also known as the Lost Colony) vanishing without a trace around 1590 has puzzled historians and scientists for centuries.
If the Roanoke Colony had not disappeared, by today, it would be recorded as the first English settlement in the Americas – the New World – in the history of the United States.
The Roanoke Colony is an island in present-day North Carolina.
The Roanoke Colony, an island in present-day North Carolina, was settled by the English in 1584 as the first attempt at permanent settlement in North America. However, the settlers quickly found themselves in difficulties due to poor harvests, a lack of resources, and strained relations with the indigenous people.
433 years ago, in 1585, John White (1540-1593) was among the Englishmen who set sail with Admiral Richard Grenville to find new land for English settlement in the New World. They landed on Roanoke Island, off the coast of what is now North Carolina.
Portrait of John White.
At that time, John White served as the cartographer and illustrator of the scenery and lifestyle of the indigenous people in this new land before officially bringing English settlers to the New World. He and the crew spent a full year there before returning to England.
By 1587, John White was appointed captain of the ship Hopewell, leading over 100 English men, women, and children to the New World. That same year, his daughter Virginia Dare was born, regarded as the first English child born in the New World.
Leaving behind friends and family against his wishes, White sailed back to England and could not return to Roanoke Island, as the Queen forbade travel by ship at that time.
Three years had passed since John White left the group of over 100 English settlers on Roanoke Island to return to England on a mission to bring military aid and supplies. Finally, on August 18, 1590, John White and his crew set sail for Roanoke Island.
Contrary to John White’s expectations, the island was deserted. All they found were footprints left in the soil, with no sign of the compatriots he had brought. After searching everywhere, John White saw the letters “CRO” carved into a tree.
The three letters “CRO” carved on a tree.
When White saw these letters, he speculated that the settlers might have sought help from the Croatan natives on nearby Hatteras Island. The settlers had anticipated the possibility of needing to move to avoid disaster or attack and had planned to leave a Maltese Cross as a sign. However, White found no such markings.
After examining the remaining traces on the deserted island, he believed that “C R O” was an abbreviation for “CROATOAN” – the name used to refer to the indigenous people living on Roanoke Island. This was also the name of a barrier island located to the south.
At the time, John White believed that the settlers had migrated to Croatoan Island, located 80 km south of Roanoke Island. Being trapped by terrible weather left all on board in a perilous situation, but White could not investigate further.
Illustration depicting the location of the Roanoke Colony.
Instead of staying, he returned to England, seeking Sir Walter Raleigh’s support for an expedition across the Atlantic to find his compatriots. However, his appeals failed, and John White never had the opportunity to return to the New World. From then on, the fate of the 115 migrants, including White’s daughter and granddaughter, gradually sank into oblivion due to the vastness of the ocean and geography…
One theory regarding the disappearance of the English settlers on Roanoke Island is that they integrated with the Croatan community on Hatteras Island. For instance, English historians recount a group of Indians in the northern part of Croatan Island who spoke fluent English, practiced Christianity, and referred to themselves as Croatan. Additionally, there were about 20 to 30 surnames of English origin among the Croatan settlers, suggesting that an amalgamation of the two groups may have occurred.
