The Lost Colony

In 1587, 3 ships sailed from England with 110 people including 17 women and 9 children to form a new colony in the new world. Spain had already started settling the new world and the English were worried that they would be left out of the riches if they didn't have colonies there as well. Although they were heading for Virginia, they first stopped at Roanoke Island to resupply a military garrison there. The ships pilot decided that it was too late in the year to head north to Virginia so the colonists were left at Roanoke. The men of the garrison had run ins with the local natives and were missing, so the colonists were dropped off with not enough provisions in hostile territory and no one there to help them get started.

There is replica of one of the ships that actually sails as well as a town site and indian village at the location of the original colony. There people in costume tell the stories of the Lost Colony. Shortly after being dropped off at Roanoke, Virginia Dare was born, the first English child born in the new world. Her grandfather, the leader of the colony left a week later with the only ship to go back to England for provisions. His ship was pressed into service to fight the Spanish Armada and he never returned for 3 years.

When he returned, the colony was gone. All the buildings as well as all the people were missing. There was no sign of a fire, everything had been removed. The colonists were never found and to this day no one knows what happened to them. Even Virginia Dare had disappeared with them.

The original military site has been uncovered because an earthen fort had been built prior to the colonists arrival. It is known where the colony was, just not where everyone went. In the replica town, life as it may have been in the colony is depicted. These poor unfortunates don't know they are going missing. I wasn't sure whether I should tell them.

Most of the male colonists were armed to protect against the Spanish or native attacks. These are authentic weapons and I got to try my hand with a number of them. I was pretty good at the swashing but not so much at the buckling. More practice I guess.

Everything needed to build a colony was either brought from England or built on site. This lathe was built from raw lumber and was quite ingenious. Everything from wheel spokes to chair spindles could be turned out. I've heard of the Lost Colony over the years so its kind of cool to see where it all began. This all happened 20 years before Jamestown, considered the first permanent English colony in North America. A lot of history happened on this little strip of sand where we're staying.