Geographical Impacts
Although the location of the settlement seemed ideal, the failure of Roanoke Colony was due largely to circumstances beyond the settlers' control.
Location
Although some aspects of the location of Roanoke Colony were perfect for colonization, negative factors - especially due to the time of year of settlement - played a major role in the colony's failure.
Map of Roanoke Island
- Roanoke Island was in the future Virginia Colony (present day North Carolina)
- Near many trade routes
- Far enough away from Spanish forts to not cause any immediate issues on the island
- Very abundant and fruitful upon arrival
- Surrounded by sand bars and inlets of land (Port Ferdinando) causing it to be difficult for English ships to pass through
- Colonists arrived at Roanoke Island after the planting season (already a bad start for the settlement)
- Challenging weather conditions
"Which being performed, according to the ceremonies used in such enterprises, we viewed the land about us, being, whereas we first landed, very sandie and low towards the water side, but so full of grapes, as the very beating and surge of the Sea overflowed them, of which we found such plentie, as well there as in all places else, both on the sand and on the greene soile on the hils, as in the plaines, as well on every little shrubbe, as also climing towardes the tops of high Cedars, that I thinke in all the world the like abundance is not to be found: and my selfe having seene those parts of Europe that most abound, find such difference as were incredible to be written."
-Arthur Barlowe, The First Voyage to Roanoke (1584)
-Arthur Barlowe, The First Voyage to Roanoke (1584)
Drought
Newly found evidence shows that a drought during the time of settlement was an unforeseen cause of collapse of Roanoke Colony. The settlers of the Lost Colony landed at Roanoke Island in the summer of the worst growing-season drought in 800 years.
Tree rings show disturbances in the environment such as a fire or a drought
- In 1998, dendrologists (scientists who study tree rings) found bald cypress trees whose rings showed evidence of drought
- Effects of drought were life-threatening --> troubled food supplies and limited access to water
- A main reason why Roanoke Colony was doomed to failure
- Later caused many issues for Jamestown colonists
"If the English had tried to find a worse time to launch their settlements in the New World, they could not have done so..."
-Dennis B. Blanton, director of the William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research
A website by Jenessa M., Emily M., and Sophie Z.