The Lost Colony

In hopes of securing permanent trading post for Britain, Sir Walter Raleigh had begun explorations of the islands off North Carolina as early as 1584. Because of the Indian threat the first settlement on Roanoke Island only lasted a year, from 1585-1586. The next year about 100 settlers under Governor John White tried to settle the same site which was only charred ruins. Returning to England, White was delayed by the Spanish Armada. By the time he returned in August 1590 everyone had vanished. The only trace of the lost colony was the word "Croatoan" carved on one tree and "Cro" carved on another. {National Geographic.com Colonial America}